A new method of studying English via the Internet is about to be launched in Europe and Japan. It is a virtual language school, where everyone can talk to anyone else, just as in a normal classroom, and where a teacher is constantly available. This is the first school of its type, according to EF Education, the language-teaching company that is developing it. The students are represented on screen by graphic figures, and can raise their hands, or express thoughts and feelings through facial expressions. Dialogue takes place over the Internet using a microphone.

A light but robust instrument that can be used to measure resistivity and induced polarisation (IP) during prospecting — that is how the Swedish company ABEM Instrument AB describes the latest addition to its Terrameter range, the SAS 4000. The instrument makes it possible to distinguish between, among other things, clay and water, thus increasing the probability of identifying usable water sources. The company also claims that the instrument can be used for detecting leaks from waste deposits, as well as in geotechnical surveying and mineral prospecting.

The Swedish company Leine & Linde has extended its product range to incorporate absolute 25-bit multi-turn encoders for industry. Accuracy is claimed to be very high. Production hold-ups can be avoided or minimised due to advanced diagnostics and error-handling functions, thus saving time and money. The encoder, which is bus-connected, supports the standard SSI, PROFIBUS-DP, and CAN-bus interfaces.

During the past few years Finland has emerged as a vital hub for European companies who require reliable rail and land transport connections with Russia and the other CIS countries. Finland is the only EU country having a common border with Russia. Both countries also share the same rail gauge. No other west European country can match Finland’s experience of direct transportation to Russia.