After seeing all the pictures of those thousands of candle-light vigil-ers at Graceland last week, its not surprising to find out that Elvis Presley is Forbes’ top-earning dead celebrity for the second year in a row. In fact, he increased his take over last year by an extra US$2m, to US$37m. He’s way ahead of this year’s second most well-heeled corpse, Charles M. Schulz who only earned US$28m in 2001-02.

Newly minted decedents Dale Earnhardt (#4), George Harrison (#6), Tupac Shakur (#10) and Robert Ludlum (#13) sent a few of last year’s notables into limbo with their spectacular post-mortem careers. (In fact, Forbes notes that Tupac has released more albums dead than alive.) Falling off the list this year were Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, James Dean, and Frank “Chairman of the Board” Sinatra. (Maybe he could get a little help from JXL this year.)

In an effort to promote sales of WinXP by independent consultants and VARs (Value-Added Resellers), Microsoft is running a promotion for its US-based “Partners” where you can buy a copy of XP Professional for US$39.99 plus US$8.95 ground shipping & handling. Besides the “Not for resale or distribution” copy, you also get an “official commemorative baseball, limited edition Eddy ‘Reliable’ Trustman Bobblehead collectible, a pack of Big League Chew Bubblegum (2.10-ounce package), and baseball cards for the ‘Professional Team’” — whatever that is.

In order to get this stuff, you’ve gotta give up some info to Big Bill & Co. You’ve gotta register your business — you do have a business don’t you? — by creating a Passport account with a non-Hotmail address. Then pay your money & wait the 6-8 weeks for delivery. Better than paying the US$190 for the upgrade