Cover Story: Bugging Out
When software runs our lives, all it takes is one bug to unplug us.

The complete Ellen Ullman interview: More from the 'Close to the Machine' author.

The Debugger: An excerpt from Ellen Ullman's novel 'The Bug.'

News: Is It Safe Yet?
In November voters cast their ballot in the county's first electronic election that won't be eligible for a true recount, despite dire warnings from local technology experts. Welcome to the machine.

Public Eye: Love Is Gonzo.

Biter: Your summer schedule of events.

Techsploits: Sex in the Matrix.

Disappearing Action: Morgan Hill filmmaker Bob Freimark keeps alive the memories of Argentina's disappeared in a new documentary.

Born Under Punches: Ken Loach takes all the fun out of being a working-class criminal in 'Sweet Sixteen.'

Fiddlesticks: Chen Kaige's 'Together' comes with strings attached.

Zombie Hop: In 'Tsui Hark's Vampire Hunters,' the Chinese bloodsuckers hop to it.

Ted Shred: A Ted Nugent fan issues a plea to the Motor City Madman: Get off the soapbox and just rock.

Aural Fixation: In subways, parks and clubs, the jam-pop Veltz family rocks as Cecilia.

Metro's Club of the Week: Seven Restaurant.

Zibibbo Doo Dah: Three cheers for great Mediterranean food that doesn't lose its cool at dessert.

Dane of His Existence: A reluctant actor tackles the Bard's greatest role in 'I Hate Hamlet' at San Jose Stage Company.

Oscar Worthy: SJ Rep revives the perfectly mismatched roommates Felix and Oscar in 'The Odd Couple.'

Frank Talk: 'The Vagina Monologues' addresses taboo topic with mixed results.

Naked Ambition: Ralph Peduto reveals some hard but funny truths about acting in his one-man show at City Lights.