Microsoft wants to patent "immortal computing"

What an idea--Microsoft is seeking a patent on technology that would enable us
to have email messages delivered years after we've moved on to another plane of
existence. :) 

Here's a clip from the article in Seattle-pi.com: "The project, dubbed
"immortal computing," would let people store digital information in
physical artifacts and other forms to be preserved and revealed to future
generations, and maybe even to future civilizations."

Microsoft researcher Andy Wilson said, "It's definitely a long-term
project." 

And, if you're interested in these things, here's the actual Microsoft patent
filing:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG0
1&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1
=%2220070011109%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20070011109&RS=DN/20070011109