Today marks the beginning of summer, the longest day of the year, and a time of celebration at Stonehenge and everywhere else across the northern hemisphere. What exactly is the summer solstice, and what makes it worthy of feast and fun? In short, the solstices (one occurring on or around June 21 and one occurring on or around December 21 each year, marking the beginning of summer or winter, depending on your hemisphere) occur because the Earth is tilted on its axis; it is on the solstices that the sun is tilted most toward (the summer solstice, with longer, warmer days) or away from (the winter solstice,  with cooler, shorter days) the sun. Because of the Earth's tilt and the

Over 15 years ago, Microsoft spent half a decade trying to trademark the term "Windows." They sued a company named "Lindows" and eventually just paid them $20 million to change their name. Today, there is a long list of rules available as to how you can use the word "Windows." You could be sued if you use "Windows" in the wrong way. Apple got a trademark for their iconic "iPod." That's understandable. But they extended it to anything with "pod" in the name and legally threatened companies that used that term. Various well-funded companies buy up small companies with patents on small bits of computer codes. If another company, on its own, comes up with something vaguely similar, the

I attended Daniel Webster Junior High School (now Middle School) for 7th–9th grades. The school had a student newspaper. While I was working on that paper I learned a lot about journalism, from the "6 Ws" that need to be covered (Who, What, When, Where, Why, hoW) and the technique of writing (cover the most important concepts first and give details later), to how to paste the final copy on boards (now obsolete thanks to computers). I furthered my training in journalism while working for the UCLA "Daily Bruin" newspaper as a reviewer and columnist. Although I didn't take any college courses in journalism, I learned it from working with experienced and ethical journalists, editors and

Riccardo Minetti is the chief editor at Lo Scarabeo. I’m not sure how long he’s been with them, but for as long as I can remember, so at least ten years. At Lo Scarabeo, Ric does a little bit of everything, including concepting, designing, and directing new decks. He is an author. He mediates between deck designers, artists, and Lo Scarabeo. He edits and designs covers. Some of the projects he has personally authored or designed include: Etruscan Tarot Fey Tarot Tarot of the Journey to the Orient (majors only) Gothic Tarot of Vampires Manga Tarot In addition to his professional duties, Ric also is a true lover of tarot. A connoisseur of complexity and fearless pursuer