“It’s really cool.”

– Forensics supervisor Steve Wilkins, of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, on the crime-solving value of facial recognition software.

“It’s really cool. From Monday concept, Tuesday launch, Wednesday growth, we’ve had a Thursday exit – so it’s kind of a micro-Web startup if you like.”

– Briton Alex Tew, whose online flash game, in which viewers throw shoes at President Bush, became so popular that he couldn’t keep the servers running and instead sold the property on eBay after only four days.

“It’s really cool that they didn’t downplay the fact that they are mothers. It’s just a part of their life, but they still want to do something to make the city as a whole better.”

– Pensacola, Fla., resident Ashley Hodge, commenting on the fact the Pensacola City Council will soon have a record four women, two of whom have a total of five children younger than 10.

“I’m proud to be an American working on station, and it’s really cool working with the Russian partners.”

– International Space Station commander Michael Fincke of NASA, prior to joining Russian cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov in a six-hour space walk wearing Russian-made Orlan spacesuits.

“It’s really cool, especially like, starting to come here as a freshman and seeing kids you’ve gone to school with and actually have gotten to know play in a national championship game.”

– Carroll College student Brady Marsh, after the Helena school’s football team, the Saints, played in the NAIA national football championship game, losing 23-7 to Sioux Falls.

“It’s really cool. For one, officers volunteer their own time, and for many their day off, to do this. And while we try to stay pretty close to the limit, a lot of times these guys spend money from their own pocket if the amount goes over that limit.”

– Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Shell, of Waynesville, N.C., one of the law enforcement officers who annually take a group of elementary school children on a Christmas shopping trip.

“I’m really proud I got to be the person to do that for Eastern. I think it’s really cool for the whole program.”

– Senior defensive end Greg Peach, the first Eastern Washington University Eagle to win the Buck Buchanan Award as the best defensive player in the nation in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision.

“I actually think it’s really cool because most of my family is in the Air Force or in anything that the military helps out with.”

– Twelve-year-old Russell Wood, who laid the Air Force wreath at Hope Cemetery in Barre, Vt., during “Wreaths Across America,” a 15-year-old tradition honoring veterans at more than 350 cemeteries across the country.

“It’s really cool. You get to smash the pumpkins and it splashes all over. I haven’t smashed pumpkins before.”

– Brian Scala, 11, one of the children who showed up at the First Annual Pumpkin Drop at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in East Garden City, N.J.

“It’s really cool because it’s a chance for all of us old guys to get together and act like we’re still young.”

– Skateboarder Kevin Staab, who joined Tony Hawk and other aging performers for an ’80s-style competition at Huntington Beach, Calif.