If you're tired of seeing those poor excuses for universal docks that connect via USB 2.0 -- most of which can't even export video without bringing your machine to a grinding halt -- you'll be elated to know that Belkin has upped the ante on the lackluster alternatives with its Notebook Expansion Dock.

ENGADGET: Belkin unveils ExpressCard Notebook Expansion Dock

Once a design is set, different bits of the manufacturing process are tried out on computer: a virtual pipe-bending machine, for instance, makes sure that the fuel lines which snake their way through the airframe can be created without wrapping themselves around the machine and bringing it to a halt.

ECONOMIST: Manufacturing technology

That money has oiled the gears of a banking machine that was grinding to a disastrous halt, lifting worries that euro-zone banks would lose access to funding as they tried in vain to raise money from unwilling investors.

WSJ: Euro Crisis Clouds Global Outlook