This is almost entirely unrelated, but is too interesting a statistic to pass up.

Bill Gates is currently building a new house. I forget the exact size, but it's something humungous. The statistic I *do* remember is that his wallpaper costs $30,000 per square meter.

The reason: it consists of active matrix high resolution color flat panel displays (or some such mouthful). And the purpose he'll put this amazing stuff to is the display of priceless artwork. Bill is busily buying up the exclusive worldwide rights to electronic display of the various masterpieces. His intent is to eventually incorporate the art in some form of software. Meanwhile, though, he can put the Mona Lisa over his mantlepiece.

Since writing the above, I've found Bill in the news:

Interactive Home Systems - Bid to acquire art images for computers is coolly received

{The Wall Street Journal, 11-Feb-92, p. B1}

Bill Gates' Interactive Home Systems is trying to buy electronic rights to art images with the goal of a creation of a vast library of computerized images that can be perused electronically. In 18 months, the company hasn't signed any deals beyond a hometown accord with the art museum in nearby Seattle, Wash., though it may be close to closing agreements with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery in London, and possibly, the Art Institute in Chicago. IHS president Steven Arnold predicts the company will announce its first products in about a year.