Following our return after an (ahem) "extended absence," several viewers have written in to request updates on multiple classic AtAT plot lines which we haven't had a chance to address in a while. Hey, who are we to say no? Read on and get all caught up.

• Redmond Justice: Still sputtering along after all these years. (Does anyone remember when it was supposed to be a quick process?) Applelinks has a quick update on Massachusetts and West Virginia, the last two states still trying to stick proven antitrust violator Microsoft with a remedy that actually, well, remedies something. Right now they're trying to get an Appeals Court to overrule Judge Kollar-Kotelly's ruling that the settlement agreement was "in the public interest." Can we just say, as Massachusetts residents, how gosh-darned proud we are to be spending tax dollars on trying to make Bill squirm? Don't worry, this case isn't going away anytime soon: oral arguments in this latest appeal aren't even scheduled to start until November. Yeesh.

• Microsoft's Shameless Claims of "Innovation": Still happening, still sickening. For example, faithful viewer Lee Dronick pointed out an Associated Press article in which Billy-Boy is shown standing in front of a new PC prototype code-named "Athena." "He won't spend much time detailing its processor speed, memory or other hardware and software minutiae, says the author. "The demonstration will focus on usability and user friendliness-- something that has often escaped the computer industry." How is this PC any different, you ask? Microsoft and HP codeveloped its hardware and software together, to create what a certain other tech bigwig has occasionally referred to as "the whole widget." Gee, where do you suppose Bill got that idea? And that desktop picture on that widescreen display sure looks familiar somehow, too...

• Michael Dell's Psychotic Obsession With Steve Jobs: Still raging after all these years. Faithful viewer EMan was the first to note an article in The Inquirer about Dell's latest copycat move: Dell Computer Corporation is looking to change its name simply to "Dell Inc." Mac fans will be immediately reminded of when Apple Computer Inc. decided to start going by the moniker "Apple" a few years back. The poor guy really needs to get some help. Meanwhile, The Register's coverage of the proposed name change contains this little gem: "Michael Dell is this generation's Ragged Dick." We agree-- but probably not the way they mean.

So there you have it: you are now officially "well-informed." Kinda makes you feel all sunny inside, doesn't it?