The Best and Worst Tech Moments of 2005 from Wired Magazine… along with the 10 Sexiest Geeks…

Best Tech Moments of 2005

By Kevin Poulsen

In the tech world, 2005 was a period of bold ideas and exciting breakthroughs — shadowed, at times, by devastating reversals.

New software apps changed the way we looked at the world, while hardware got smaller, faster and more fun. On the net, blogs provided many of the most dramatic moments, sometimes courting lawsuits, other times taking us places we could not otherwise go: New Orleans, Iraq, even inside the twisted mind of an accused killer.

As we begin what’s certain to be an exciting new year of Yahoo acquisitions and rising Google stock, it’s perhaps a good time to stop and reflect on the highs and lows of the year that was. Here are our picks for the 10 best tech moments of 2005.

Full Story: http://wired.com/news/technology/0,69900-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_7

***

Worst Tech Moments 2005

By Kevin Poulsen

It was the year corporate and university data spills just kept coming, and the Supreme Court decided technology companies can be held responsible for the bad behavior of their users. Big firms lined up to help repressive governments; governments helped themselves to private phone calls and e-mail. A medical miracle transformed, overnight, into heartbreaking scandal.

On balance the tech world’s triumphs far outweighed its failures in 2005. But those who don’t write top-10 lists about the passing year are doomed to repeat its mistakes. So here’s our pick for the year’s nastiest moments in technology.

Full Story: http://wired.com/news/technology/0,69918-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_2

***

2005’s 10 Sexiest Geeks

By Kristen Philipkoski

Some people say the term "sexy geek" is an oxymoron. Here at Wired News, we say it’s redundant. With so many accomplished and delectable nerd types to choose from, picking 10 of the sexiest geeks of 2005 was no easy task. But after much deliberation, here, in alphabetical order (don’t even ask us to rank them!), are the musicians, bloggers and otherwise geek-o-licious Wired News sexiest geeks of 2005.

Full List: http://wired.com/news/culture/0,69907-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_1