Just found out that I can stick the launch countdown for
Nasa's return-to-flight shuttle mission up in its own window by pointing a browser window at
http://www.nasa.gov/flash/113777main_countdown.swf
and shrinking it down to a corner of my screen. Currently showing 38 minutes and counting, the clock will hold at 20 minutes and at 9 minutes as the final preflight checks go on - actual launch time should be in about an hour from now. Fingers crossed for a safe trip for Nasa this time out.