Competition is the act of striving against another force for the purpose of achieving dominance or attaining a reward or goal, or out of a biological imperative such as survival. Competition is a term widely used in several fields, including biochemistry, ecology, economics, business, politics, and sports. Competition may be between two or more forces, life forms, agents, systems, individuals, or groups, depending on the context in which the term is used.

Competition may yield various results to the participants, including both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Some, such as survival advantages, including favorable territory, are intrinsic biological factors that occur as a result of ecological competition between organisms. Others, such as competition in business and politics, involve competition between humans. In addition, extrinsic symbols, such as trophies, plaques, ribbons, prizes, or laudations, may be given to the winner(s). Such symbolic rewards are commonly used wherever the rewards inherent in the competition are primarily intrinsic, such as at human sporting and academic competitions. In general, the rewards range widely but usually help reinforce the advantage that one participant has over the other participant(s).

Sizes and levels of competition

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Competition may also exist at different sizes; some competitions may be between two members of a species, while other competitions can involve entire species. In an example in economics, a competition between two local stores would be considered small compared to competition between several mega-giants. As a result, the consequences of the competition would also vary- the larger the competition, the larger the effect.

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eWeek - RSS Feeds

WhiteHat Report Finds Web Site Security Vulnerabilities Persist
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:54:56 -0400
WhiteHat Security's latest report on Web site security shows cross-site scripting remains the most common Web site vulnerability. But cross-site forgery requests also made WhiteHat's list of top 10 Web site security flaws. On a positive note, the majority of the vulnerabilities discovered by WhiteHat were remediated. - WhiteHat Security's latest report on Web site vulnerabilities has found the Internet in slightly better shape emphasis on slightly. In the fifth installment of the quot;WhiteHat Website Security Statistics Report, quot; the company has found that 82 percent of the 687 Web sites assessed by the ...
Aptana Mixes AJAX, Python with Pydev IDE Buy
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:34:03 -0400
Aptana, maker of Web development and cloud computing tools, has acquired the Pydev IDE for Python development. The Eclipse-based Pydev tools suite supports Google App Engine development. - Aptana is bringing its brand of AJAX-style development to the Python community by acquiring the Pydev suite of Python development tools. Aptana's acquisition of the Eclipse-based IDE (integrated development environment) for Python also is a boon for developers integrating Web development with cl...
Corrupt File Brought Down FAA's Antiquated IT System
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:06:23 -0400
The Federal Aviation Administration's flight plan IT network, which went down for about 2.5 hours Aug. 26 and fouled up the takeoff plans of thousands of travelers in more than 40 airports across the country, is back up and running. But for how much longer? The antiquated system consists of two 20-year-old redundant mainframe configurations one in Georgia, one in Utah that apparently are hanging on for dear life. - The Federal Aviation Administration's flight plan IT network, which went down for about 2.5 hours Aug. 26 and fouled up the takeoff plans of thousands of travelers in more than 40 airports across the country, was back up and running Aug. 27. IT staff were still troubleshooting it today in Ham...
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is Here
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:14:39 -0400
Microsoft released on Aug. 27 a second test version of Internet Explorer 8, delivering a feature-complete upgrade to the world's most widely used Web browser. The world's largest software maker said the latest version -- beta 2 -- of Internet Explorer, which has a market share of about 75 percent, comes with new features to enhance privacy, ease-of-use, and security. Microsoft first released a test -- or beta 1 -- version of IE 8 in March, but that was aimed at letting Web developers take a first look at the new browser. This latest version is aimed at a broader consumer audience. - SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp released on Wednesday a second test version of Internet Explorer 8, delivering a feature-complete upgrade to the world's most widely used Web browser. The world's largest software maker said the latest version -- beta 2 -- of Internet Explorer, which has a ma...
eWeek Newsbreak, Aug. 25, 2008
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:48:05 -0400
Googles being good to the Earth through its Google.org philanthropic arm. The organization pledged $10.25 million in recently to support Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), a breakthrough technology doesnt look for geothermal energy, but makes it. The traditional geothermal approach relies on finding naturally occurring pockets of steam and hot water. The EGS process replicates these conditions by fracturing hot rock, circulating water through the system, and using the resulting steam to produce electricity in a conventional turbine; Palm released the Palm Treo Pro last week, a new handset which Palm hopes can save the brand as it faces challenges from RIMs Blackberry line and the Apple iPhone, not to mention the Google Android phones due in November and Linux based LiMo phones. Early reviews claim the device competes on functionality, but not price. It will be sold in the U.S. in September for $549 and in Europe free or up to $589, based on the carrier. The Palm Treo Pro boasts a tactile QWERTY keyboard, a hardware Wi-Fi switch, turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth support for stereo music headsets; and Ericsson and STMicroelectronics have agreed to join their wireless chip and software businesses to create a joint venture that will supply four of the world's top five mobile phone and smart phone makers. The new company, announced last week, will bring together the Mobile Platforms unit of Ericsson and STMicros ST-NXP wireless division. Ericsson is the world's biggest mobile telecoms equipment maker and ST-NXP is the third-largest maker of wireless chips globally. The new company should present a new challenge for wireless market leaders Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. - Video Content....
Apple iPhone Passcode Bypass Made Public
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:08:09 -0400
The passcode feature on the latest version of Apple's iPhone can be bypassed in a few simple steps. Apple issued a fix for the issue when it released iPhone v1.1.3 back in January. While iPhone users wait for another fix, information about an easy workaround has been made available. - The passcode feature on the latest version of Apples iPhone can be bypassed, potentially allowing an unauthorized person to access data on the device if it is lost or stolen. The issue was posted to a MacRumors.com discussion forum and affects iPhone 2.02. Users can lock the iPhone with a four-d...

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Commercial aircraft leads big gain in big-ticket sales
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
U.S. factories saw a surprisingly hefty increase in their orders for big-ticket products in July, reflecting continued strength in export...
Microsoft releases beta version of Internet Explorer 8
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Microsoft has accelerated development of new versions of Internet Explorer to stabilize its eroding market share and address the central role the Web has assumed in computing and daily life.
No pay raise for Howard Schultz next year
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Pay freeze for Starbucks's CEO, other top executives. Store managers and roasters still eligible for raises.

NYT > Technology

Industry Rethinks Moneymaking Software Practice
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:21:08 -0000
Before they ship PCs to retailers like Best Buy, computer makers get paid hundreds of millions of dollars to load them up with lots of free software. For $30, Best Buy will get rid of it for you.
Basics: For the Advanced in Age, Easy-to-Use Technology
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:15:17 -0000
The companies that are successfully marketing new technologies to older people are the ones that have learned to create products that span generations, providing style and utility to a range of age groups.
Phone Smart: Freeing Those Snapshots Trapped Inside the Cellphone
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:15:17 -0000
Carriers and device manufacturers have only lately figured out that users need a single button that says, “Send my new photo now.”

CNN.com - Technology

Dead Sea Scrolls go digital
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:33:38 -0400
More than 2,000 years after they were written, the Dead Sea Scrolls are getting high-tech treatment as part of an effort to better preserve the ancient texts and let more people see them than ever before.
Turning chocolate into sweet science
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:03:35 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Bloggers play key role at Denver convention
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:15:31 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

NPR Topics: Technology

FCC Spreads The Word On Digital TV Switchover
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:04:00 -0400
In February, people who use an antenna to get television signals will have to begin using conversion boxes to watch their favorite programs. The Federal Communications Commission will start an 80-city tour this week to talk about the changes.
Obama's Text Message Experiment
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0400
The Obama camp promised to deliver news of the Democratic candidate's vice presidential choice by text message and e-mail. It didn't quite go according to plan. We examine what went wrong and right during this new media experiment.
Hollywood and Technology
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:05:00 -0400
We look at how Hollywood became a driving force in the invention of new technologies — from Technicolor to the rise of digital special effects — and how new ideas and technologies, such as the Internet, are still shaping the movie industry today.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

Computer viruses make it to orbit
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:44 -0000
Laptops taken to the International Space Station were infected with a computer virus, Nasa confirms.
iPhone ad rapped as 'misleading'
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:01:03 -0000
The Advertising Standards Authority calls an iPhone advert "misleading" for saying all of the web is available on the phone.
Robo-skeleton lets paralysed walk
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:02:25 -0000
A human exoskeleton robotic suit is helping people paralysed from the waist down to stand, walk and climb stairs.

Reuters Video: Technology

Seals star on own web site
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:37:09 -0400
Aug. 26 - New technology is giving scientists and wildlife fans the chance to observe one of Lake Baikal's shyest inhabitants, the 'nerpa' seal as it is known locally.
Robotic suit helps paraplegics walk
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:53:35 -0400
Aug 26 - Israeli company develops remote-controlled suit that enables paraplegics to walk.
Blogging your way to number one
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:57:47 -0400
Aug 26 - The Irish rock band The Script says blogging is the way to music chart success.

AP Top Technology News At 7:17 p.m. EDT

One small hitch for FAA, one giant mess for fliers
By MICHAEL TARM Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:26:28 -0000
CHICAGO (AP) -- When a computer system that distributes flight plans nationwide came rolling to a halt this week because of a software glitch, so did airplanes on tarmacs from Orlando to Chicago. The ensuing delays drove home just how easily an apparently isolated problem can trigger network-wide disarray in the country's aging air traffic control system....
Consumers picked to test hydrogen car prototypes
By KEN THOMAS Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:23:06 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tom Albert drove his loaner Chevrolet Equinox like any other car....
Microsoft's newest browser may block ads
By JESSICA MINTZ Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:53:35 -0000
SEATTLE (AP) -- The next version of Microsoft Corp.'s Web browser makes it easier for people to surf the Internet without leaving a trace. Companies that sell advertisements online - including Microsoft - can electronically gather tidbits about Web surfers' habits, and then use that information to help decide what kinds of ads to show. However, in the newest "beta" test version of Microsoft's forthcoming Internet Explorer 8, which was made available Wednesday, a mode called InPrivateBro...

CNET News.com

How do DNC Dems spread the word: Twitter, text, or telephone?
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:52:51 -0700
How are the Democratic delegates getting out their party's message while at the DNC? Are they texting like Obama? Social networking on Twitter or Facebook? Or relying on the old standards: phone and e-mail?
After flight delays, FAA may add backup system
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:55:35 -0700
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to upgrade its decades-old technology for flight-plan processing and potentially add a third backup system.
Oracle names new chief financial officer
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:48:00 -0700
Oracle names Jeffrey Epstein as its new chief financial officer, marking its fourth CFO since long-time bean counter Jeff Henley retired four years ago.

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