In the world of the internet, operators are looking at ways of marrying up the algorithms that find the shortest path through a network and those that control the speed with which information flows.

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This involves working out the shortest path that takes in all points on a given route.

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The archipelago is a hazardous traffic median in the great circle route, the shortest path between ports on either side of the North Pacific.

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And, unfortunately for the Milk Board and for Goodby, it stands to reason that rankling segments of a key target audience (mik-buying women) is unlikely the shortest path to increased sales.

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