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Some weeks ago, I noted the existence of Google's Sidewiki (Is Sidewiki evil? (Probably not, but it's annoying)) and mentioned that I'd planned to install a Sidewiki blocker on my websites.  Well, I've done that.  I've also installed the Google Toolbar thing, and now have a Sidewiki button nestled up there next to my Firefox URL box.

Every so often, I click on it to see if a website has any Sidewiki annotation, but thus far, I've yet to see one.  Does this mean that Sidewiki's a flop?  Or just reflect the nature of the sites I visit (many are forums or blogs with pages of relatively transient interest)?  And need I have bothered to install a Sidewiki blocker at all?

Apparently this isn't a wind-up, though it sure looks like an early April Fool.  Here's an 18 button mouse from OpenOffice.org, from a report in The Register (OpenOffice.org pushes gamers' buttons with OOMouse):

Quite how one is supposed to remember how to use all those buttons is beyond me...

I anxiously waited for some try roads to take my new pride and joy (Cervelo P3 time trial frame; The new time trial bike) for a spin.  Being as I was off to the USA first thing Sunday morning, I got all set up to ride it on Saturday.  Tubs pumped up, bolts tightened, new cycle computer picking up the GPS satellites...only to discover issues with the heatset being loose.  And the rear wheel pulled.

By the time I'd got that dealt with it was getting dark.  So, the maiden ride will have to wait until I'm back from the USA.

Cyclingnews.com reports that the Belgian press claim that Astana are offering Alberto Contador a huge wad to stay with the team for four years (Astana offer Contador up to €8 million per year).  This is apparently double what Contador has asked for to stay.

Interestingly, Astana's finances have been sufficiently rocky that they nearly didn't get to start the Tour de France this year, and they were sufficiently dilatory in completing their UCI paperwork that Contador has an exit right from the team.  Whether Astana would be able to come up with the cash, is something of a moot point.

The sticking point may be Contador's insistence on two specific terms: firstly that in the event of a positive dope test within the team he gets to leave, and secondly that Alexandre Vinokourov doesn't ride the Tour de France.

These two issues are surely linked, and will prove difficult.  Vino has a track record as a doper, and after last year's fracas within the Bruyneel-led team in which the squad was split between Armstrong and Contador, leaving the younger and stronger rider rather isolated, I am not surprised that he considers Vino's presence at the Tour de France would be a bad idea for him.  Particularly since Astana is a Kazakh team, and there will undoubtedly be calls for it to be led by Vino in the major tours, in particular the Tour de France.

Personally, I reckon Contador should walk.