technology filter: News and politics

Technology Giants Honored

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:41:50 GMT

YouTube fans may have heard of Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, the founders of the phenomenon that has changed the way video is distributed. But have you heard of Robert M. Metcalfe or Peter C. Goldmark?

The latter two paved the way for something like YouTube. Metcalfe created the Ethernet standard for Xerox Corporation, a technology that still connects the world to the Internet. Goldmark created a field sequential system for CBS to bring color images to television, but he is better remembered for creating the long-playing record in 1948, a recording breakthrough. (He later would create a short-lived record player for 1950s era automobiles).

Both Metcalfe and Goldmark have been selected for the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. They will be among 11 inventors inducted this year, including Paul C. Lauterbur, the inventor of the MRI, and John E. Franz, inventor of the Roundup, herbicide.

Meanwhile, the YouTube creators may have to wait for their own induction. In the interim, it appears that Hurley and Chen will split about $650 million from the recent sale of their company to Google. That should be almost enough to buy a fixer-upper near their San Francisco Bay Area headquarters.

Posted by Barbara.

A Romance Novel from Outer Space

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 22:28:01 GMT

"All the necessary conditions to perpetrate a murder are met by locking two men in a cabin of 18 by 20 feet … for two months." Russian Cosmonaut Valery Ryumin

I came to post-Sputnik America as a direct result of the US space program. My father was one of the German scientists drawn to assist America's best and brightest on a mission out of this world. As a youngster I watched Alan Shepherd's triumphant liftoff as the first American in space. As a teenager, I joined in America's grief when three astronauts — including Commander Gus Grissom, one of the first seven US Astronauts — died on the very first Apollo launch platform. Astronauts were gifts from heaven, terrestrial beings that could leap tall atmospheres faster than a speeding bullet. For all of us growing up in the 60s, they were the very model of a human specimen.

This week, the close-knit community of astronauts is wondering how one such specimen could suddenly become so earthly human. Lisa Nowak was trained for the bumps and grinds of endless space flight, including a long time being away from home and family. She was selected as an astronaut in 1996 and demonstrated her flight skills on the Discovery Shuttle flight in July 2006. Apparently the plots of cheap romance novels do not enter in the many considerations of the NASA selection process.

In the 60s, of course, there was no spotlight on mental illness at NASA or anywhere else. My own father was an example of how brilliant rocket scientist could be oblivious to other facts of life. Physical prowess and the ability to do the impossible yesterday was all that seemed to matter. Perhaps NASA in its tiny enclave surrounding the Mission Control Center in Houston remains like the movie "Pleasantville" — a place caught in the time warp when the worst thing that could happen to America was to be the second to land a man on the moon.

Posted by Barbara.

Super Competition Produces Cheap Ads

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:25:56 GMT

Suddenly everyone is a film maker. Blame it on YouTube.

The annual advertising orgy known as the Super Bowl will feature at least three amateur presentations in a venue where 30 seconds of airtime can cost $2.6 million. At least one ad, created for the makers of Doritos corn chips, cost less than $13 to produce.

The Doritos ad was created by Weston Philips, 22, of North Carolina, as part of a contest put on by the advertiser in a “make your own Super Bowl ad” contest. The video which includes two of Philips friends was made for $12.79 and earned $10,000 for Philips and his partners.

Another group of college students from Elon University in North Carolina, San Jose State University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee were chosen by General Motors to create a series of “Webisodes” for its Super Bowl presentation.

Finally, even the NFL got into the act, creating a competition where young creative types could pitch an idea to the league and have it produced by a regular commercial director. That competition was won by Gino Bona, a graduate student and employee of a marketing firm in Maine.

Perhaps soon we will see a Super Bowl where the coaches are replaced by winners from an online competition.

Posted by Barbara.

A Baby Step for Counting Americans

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:36:01 GMT

Don’t look now, but in just over three years, it’s time for you and that POSSLQ to stand up and be counted again. The US Constitution challenges the government to count the number of Americans that inhabit this country every 10 years. On April fool’s Day, 2010, more than a half-million temporary enumerators of the Census Department take up the challenge.

Some of you might wonder with the government reading our email and snail mail, listening in on our telephone conversations, and knowing what Web sites we visit, shouldn’t there be a truly high-tech way to count us all?

The short answer is, not really. The basics of a census haven’t changed much since the days when pregnant women were forced to give birth in a manger. Yes, there will be some new hand-held devices used by the crews that follow-up on mailed-out census form not returned after Census Day, April 1. The devices are being specifically developed for the Census Department by Harris Corp., a Defense Department contractor. These form-bearing units are not unlike the devices carried by your neighborhood UPS guy to collect signatures. Instead of filling out paper forms, enumerators can enter the information on the wireless units and send them to a central processing center. Each unit will be connected to census maps and will identify the habitats in both urban and rural areas.

The electronic process is designed to save some paper processing cost and reduce the amount of error in Census numbers that are used to appropriate federal funds nationwide. Still, one might think that in this day and age we could all go to a certain location to have our retinas photographed or to have a microchip implanted to follow us to wherever we move.

Just a thought.

Posted by Barbara.

US May Adopt Stronger Data Detention Rules

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:25:02 GMT

At a time when the President of the United States believes he has the right to look into your personal mail, tap into your telephone conversations and otherwise test the boundaries of privacy, what would ordinarily be a standard establishment of online data retention rules, has become a controversial issue. Most countries set some limits on the amount of time and the amount of data that Internet Service Providers must retain for criminal investigative purposes.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the administration has not yet settled on what information it wants ISPs to keep — and how long it needs to be kept. The information in question includes Web pages customer visit — including conversations in chat rooms. The government says the information is used to target activities like “phishing” operations and online predators. Gonzales says he will work with members of Congress in developing the regulations later this year.

European Union officials have already established a data retention regulation that requires host companies to maintain information on the date, destination and duration of suspected communications to be stored and made available to law enforcement authorities for between six and 24 months. Gonzales says he wants something similar to the European Union measure.

Organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and Privacy International have demanded the repeal of the European Union measure which they say goes beyond anti-terrorism enforcement to violate the rights of ordinary citizens.

Posted by Barbara.

Martin Luther King's Technology Dream in Waiting

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:42:46 GMT

Through our scientific and technological genius, we have made of this world a neighborhood, and yet we have not had the ethical commitment to make of it a brotherhood. But somehow, and in some way, we have got to do this

Dr. Martin Luther King

By the time that the eloquent voice of Dr. Martin Luther King was silenced nearly four decades ago, technology had not quite reached the moon, and television had created few stars. Dr. King’s “dream” speech was never interrupted with the incessant ringing of cell phones. Instead of gruesome live video of a hanging in Iraq, Americans watched continuing film of flag-covered caskets coming home from Vietnam.

An elderly Dr. King today, however, would marvel at how technology has paved an individual road to the brotherhood he envisioned — even without government encouragement. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project more than 70 percent of Americans use the Internet, including nearly 60 percent of African-Americans. Naturally, the figures decline, as income declines. The Digital Divide — defined by individual access and competence with technology — still rules. More than ever, Americans are judged by the color of their checkbook register, and not by the character of their desire to learn.

The Internet holds the answers to many of the world’s historical questions. Some remain unanswered. How to create a brotherhood from a neighborhood is one of those.

Posted by Barbara.

Senators Take Aim at Internet Radio

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:13:53 GMT

Long after Napster was scared straight, and lawsuits were filed against criminal teenagers, man’s thirst to download unauthorized online music continues. This time, the tool of choice is Internet radio, and recording devices designed to evade the rights of copyright owners.
Legislation introduced in the 110^th Congress by California Senator Dianne Feinstein and others demands that Internet radio stations restrict recording devices that enable users play back music broadcast over their outlets.

The bill would require that Internet radio stations pay a “fair market value” for music broadcast online. At the same time, it would restrict devices such as the Pioneer XM Radio’s Inno XM2Go player that combines an MP3 player with satellite radio reception and recording. “What was once a passive listening experience has turned into a forum where users can record, manipulate, collect and create personalized music libraries,” Senator Feinstein said in introducing the bill.

The Senator says the bill would merely force satellite radio broadcasters to pay the same amount of royalties paid to copyright holders by other distribution sources, such as I-Tunes. The bill would continue to allow XM users to record entire segments from a broadcast but would prohibit select recording across the XM band for a particular artist.

Feinstein is joined by her fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in sponsoring the bill, and has also picked up at least two Republican co-sponsors for the bill, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).

Posted by Barbara.

Bloggers Permitted to Cover Scooter Libby Trial

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:57:10 GMT

Bloggers will be allowed into the high profile trial of former White House staffer Lewis "Scooter" Libby that begins next week. The former chief of staff for US Vice President Dick Cheney is charged with obstruction of justice and lying to an FBI agent.

The trial involves questions surrounding the release of classified information that exposed an undercover CIA agent, Valerie Plame. Cheney is expected to testify in the case.

Reportedly, the admittance of opinion-writing bloggers is a first in a high-profile federal case. Only bloggers that are member of the Media Bloggers Association (which argued for their admission) will be permitted to cover the trial. Bloggers, like journalists, are not permitted to distribute any video or audio of the trial.

Increasingly, bloggers are blurring the line between traditional journalists assigned to cover the facts of a case. Some bloggers work with independent agendas, but the Media Bloggers Association argued that its members have an “established code of integrity.”

The case will be closely watched by trial judges as they determine whether opinion generators will be permitted at other high profile cases in the future.

Posted by Barbara.

Senators Pledge Oversight on Data Mining

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:12:02 GMT

Now that terabyte hard drives for desktop systems are coming to market, the US Congress may be among the first customers. The 110^th Congress has served notice on the Bush administration that it will launch an investigation into growing data mining within the executive branch.

The government already has millions of records of people behaving badly. Such incident and court records stream through Homeland Security and other law enforcement records to make sure that folks with anti-social behavior are prevented from cashing in on their fifteen minutes of fame.

The US Senate Judiciary Committee is looking into reports of excessive screening of the private lives of ordinary Americans. Just four years ago, the Senate unanimously blocked the creation of Total Information Awareness, which would have permitted the joining of millions of records from institutions such as Drivers License Agencies and Credit Bureaus.

The senators emphasized that they are simply adding oversight to the establishment of data mining programs within the executive branch, and that the intent is not to block all such efforts.

Posted by Barbara.

Brazilian Kids Get Laptops, Adults Get YouTube

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:16:06 GMT

There is good news throughout Brazil today…

Millions of children now growing up computer illiterate may get their own mini-laptops in the next few years as a second experiment in distributing computer power to the poor gets underway in that country.

Meanwhile, another Brazilian judge has squashed a previous judicial order that effectively banned YouTube in Brazil.

Intel has announced a trial program that will supply the Brazilian government with half-sized laptops to hand out to children in poor areas. The machines, manufactured locally, will retail for about $400, more than twice the cost of a previously announced program by One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit group that also distributes to Nigeria, Libya, Argentina and Thailand. That group’s laptops will sell for the equivalent of $150. Intel says volume production will ultimately drop its retail price.

The laptops will feature slower processors, and flash memory instead of a hard drive. Each laptop will be connected wirelessly to a school network that will store data for each child.

These laptops apparently will be unable to access YouTube. However, those with more powerful computers in Brazil will again be able to access the massive video site after Sao Paulo state Supreme Court Justice Enio Santarelli Zuliani reversed an order that blocked the site in much of the country. The order was sought by the boyfriend of Brazilian supermodel Daniela Cicarelli after a steamy video was circulated through YouTube and numerous other online outlets.

There are, after all, some things other than a low-cost laptop that will bring the masses to computer literacy.

Posted by Barbara.

YouTube Banned in Brazil

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 22:48:23 GMT

The Internet isn’t exactly “free” everywhere.

In fact, the very word “democracy” has been expunged from Google’s search engine that exclusively serves the People’s Republic of China. Putting up a pornographic Internet site in Singapore could put you in line for a caning.

Now, in the romantic hotbed of South American passion, Brazilian Internet providers have been blocked from screening anything on YouTube. Sure, you can still see hot steamy videos on your local television channel, you just can’t go to YouTube and download the reportedly steamy video that features Brazilian supermodel Daniela Cicarelli — or anything else.

The action comes despite YouTube’s agreement to remove the video from its database. Apparently the video has scorched the local bandwidth sufficiently to remain self-evident across this nation of Latin passion.

Whatever you think of the action, you can’t “blame it on Rio.” Reports say the ban on YouTube does not appear to have affected Brazil’s largest cities. However, much of the rest of the country is served by Brasil Telecom SA, which was served by judicial order to ban the site last weekend.

The initial lawsuit against YouTube was instigated by Cicarelli and her co-star, Brazilian banker Renato Malzoni.

Posted by Barbara.

Immigrants Deliver More of American Dream

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:25:48 GMT

The American Dream is beginning to benefit Americans, according to a new survey from Duke University. Immigrants who look to America as the land of opportunity are creating opportunities for Americans already here.

The University says 25 percent of technology and engineering companies started from 1995 to 2005 have at least one senior executive — a founder, chief executive, president or chief technology officer — that was born outside the United States. An earlier study at the University of California at Berkeley in 1999 found that immigrants were responsible for about 25 percent of startups in California’s Silicon Valley.

Most foreign-born executives at tech companies come from India, the study found. India represents about 26 percent of immigrant entrepreneurs, more than those from the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan and Japan combined.

This information comes at a time when Congress is considering stronger curbs on immigration. Perhaps America needs to put up a fence around Silicon Valley?

Posted by Barbara.

They Call the Wind Technology Killer

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:15:25 GMT

Here in the Pacific Northwest we drink our coffee accompanied by a heaping slice of technology, richly buttered in electricity.

It should be no wonder then, that in the past 48 hours, the Pacific Northwest has become toast. Minutes from the headquarters of the world’s largest software company, mere humans shiver in the cold of homes once warmed by electricity, attempting to make one last call on their over-stressed lithium-powered cell phones. The cordless VOIP telephones don’t appear like the bargains they once seemed. The new X-box, a pre-Christmas present, sits silenced, along with the garage door opener, the high-definition TV and its 400-channel cable box, not to mention the Roomba vacuum cleaner.

A wind everyone saw coming has turned this technology paradise into an episode of “Survivor.” Which tribe will be the first to discover a Starbucks that retains both electricity and a Wi-Fi connection?

The winds have calmed down, and the only noise in the suburbs is the vibration of gas-driven generators supporting the surgical precision of a carving knife at a suburban dinner table. Here, in the big city of Seattle, our power was restored in a mere 24 hours.

Already, the blame game and the fear have begun. The last time a wind like this hit the Pacific Northwest, Bill Clinton was sworn in as President of the United States. Republicans shiver at the coincidence.

How is it that we can control the world with the simple shake of an arm holding a Wii controller but we can’t stop winds from blowing down trees? What is the purpose of advancing the level of our technology when we can’t seem to advance the distribution of electricity? When will we make a battery that is one size and fits every kind of flashlight and adult toy there is?

Where is Ben Franklin and his kite when we need him?

Posted by Barbara

PSA for Missing CNet Editor

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:08:18 GMT

In case you're in California or the surrounding states, please keep your eye out this weekend for CNet senior editor, James Kim and his family, who have been missing for the last week. The family was last seen near Portland, Oregon on November 25 (Saturday) while out on a family Thanksgiving road trip.

James Kim has a wife, named Kati, and two daughters, Penelope (4 years) and Sabine (7 months). They were driving a 2005 silver Saab station wagon with a personalized license plate reading "DOESF". San Francisco police have initiated a multi-state aerial search for the family, but so far they haven't been found.

We're all hoping for the best for the Kim family and would appreciate any help in locating them. If you've seen them or know anything the police can use, please call 415-558-5508 during business hours or 415-553-1071 after hours. There's also an toll-free number: 800-452-7888. Have a good weekend everyone.

Posted by Oliver

Google Advertising Blitzkrieg

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:04:58 GMT

Those prolific Google ads are about to become a lot more abundant.

The cash-rich, quirky company that promises to “do no evil,” will now be spreading its advertising affluence well outside its Internet borders. Within a week, the company has launched operations in print and audio that require no online connection.

Google ads in newspapers and radio will be based on the same keyword system used in its popular Adsense program that dominates online advertising. At the same time, the company is likely to boost its supply of radio ad contracts by acquiring them from existing radio power brokers. There are rumors that Google may even make a significant investment in radio giant Clear Channel.

Just a week ago, Google launched an offer to simplify advertising access in 50 U.S. newspapers. With its acquisition of You Tube, can a Google television advertising presence be far behind?

Posted by Barbara

Congress Version 110.0 and Technology

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:55:23 GMT

It might be a little difficult to get advice on any computer glitches in the technology corridor on Washington, DC’s K Street in the next few weeks. Chances are, those most knowledgeable in technology will be holding dawn to dusk gatherings to figure out the interface of Congress Version 110.0

Nancy Pelosi , the likely incoming speaker of the House, will naturally inject her “San Francisco values,” into the debate — especially since San Francisco is a proud part of “greater” Silicon Valley. Just a year ago, Pelosi introduced an “innovation agenda,” that included a promise of broadband access to all Americans, and the establishment of educational incentives for a new generation of scientists and technology students.

How will a Democratic majority in both the House and Senate deal with the issue of net neutrality? Corporate giants lusting for a super toll road on the information highway may not get the “laissez faire” response that nearly got the issue through a House committee this year.

Other technical issues facing the new Congress include the future of the NSA surveillance program and copyright protections.

Posted by Barbara

Public Service Announcement: Not a Terrorist Attack

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:09:34 GMT

It's been a panicky hour here in New York City, but the troops are standing down. Turns out all the major news outlets are reporting that the small fixed-wing aircraft that crashed into an eastside 72nd street apartment building was an accident not a terrorist attack. Seems the plane may have been a sightseeing tour that left Teterboro airport a couple of hours ago and ran into trouble while flying up the east side of Manhattan. Two deaths reported so far as well as loads of fire and debris, but no further crashes and the FBI & Homeland are confirming it was an accident, not an attack. Trains seem to be running normally, but buses are being rerouted. Might want to start the commute home early today if you're in NYC.

Update: The building is 524 72nd street, called the Bel Aire, and home to Carol Higgins Clark the famous mystery author (she's fine, tho). Also turns out the plane is registered to Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle. Hope he's okay.

Global Warming Researchers Feel Bound by Bush

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 17:11:00 GMT

The Washington Post is reporting that many global warming researchers are saying that the Bush administration is trying to tie their hands when it comes to informing the public of the phenomenon's imminent danger. These folks are saying that over the past few years, Bush administration officials have chastised them when they comment on policy and edited public reports, removing many references to global warming as a problem.

While I'm sure that at least some of these reports are exaggerated, I'm also equally sure that some are right on target. That's just the nature of the world. And it bites because when it comes to global warming, short-sightedness can definitely kill the cat. Or the Oliver.

Fortunately, the media at least aren't letting the problem ride. Along with the Washington Post piece, Time Magazine just did a pretty alarming article on the topic. Now we just need to make sure our politicians feel us when it comes to making this a priority. Getting killed in a super storm really isn't my idea of a fun way to go.

Darwin Loses: But I Don't Have to Move...Yet

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 13:58:24 GMT

CBS News just ran the results of a survey on the general American population concerning the theory of evolution. The results aren't so encouraging for the egghead set.

According to CBS, only 15% of Americans think humans evolved according to 'pure' evolution, meaning with no involvement from God.

Only 30% believe that humans evolved and God guided the process (my personal favorite until I find time to wrestle with the spirituality question).

And a whopping 51% believe that God created humans, period; no evolution, no Darwin. Wow. Did not see that coming.

But the same survey says that 67% of Americans think you can believe in both God and evolution. That means I don't have to move to another country--there's still hope. Just wish that more than 30% were willing to admit to the concept in a survey.

Newly Discovered Velociraptor Cousin Could Rewrite Evolutionary History

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 19:15:33 GMT

The Science Blog has a great post about a new dinosaur discovery in Patagonia, called the:

Buitreraptor (pronounced bwee-tree-rap-tor) gonzalezorum

Copied that quote because I don't want to deal with inevitable typos. That aside, the new dino-discovery has noticeable implications for evolutionary history, possibly proving that its family of dromaeosaurs (which includes the Hollywood starlet Velociraptor) may have developed muchearlier than was previously thought and also in a different location.

As if Living In Jersey Wasn't Tough Enough Already

Sun, 02 Oct 2005 01:56:43 GMT

We've got the Sopranos, rampant politcal corruption, spiraling property taxes that whole aromatic stretch of the Turnpike north of Newark...and now Internet sales tax.

Yep. The project is undeway, thirteen states have signed on for the trial, and since it's another way to bilk money out of its citizens, New Jersey leaped to volunteer. If you're in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, or West Virginia you're in the same boat. And if you're in Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, or Wyoming know that your states are in the process of getting involved.

And the hits just keep on comin'.

Did I Wake Up In the 50s?

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 03:26:54 GMT

Here I am, blogging on what amounts to Geek Central for MSN. Always trying to find the future's ragged edge. But today, I feel like I'm getting sucked back into the past, and not the best parts, either.

Come Monday, a judge in Pennsylvania will begin hearing the case for teaching a form of Creationism in public schools. Ironically, the suit is being brought by 11 parents who are against teaching the theory. And they're not suing the school system for teaching Creationism, but its Intelligent Design variant. That's the one that says pretty much the same thing as Creationism, only it avoids mentioning the name of the All Mighty. So if it's not God, who does that leave? ET?

Okay, the school in question was still teaching evolution and offering Intelligent Design only as an alternative, but IMHO that still doesn't excuse teaching veiled religion in a public school science class. The worst part is that we've already been through this. If these folks cut biology class when they went to school, didn't they at least go to Lit class and read Inherit the Wind?

And if that's not bad enough, more good news from DC. Feel safer online, because the FBI is once again hunting for 'deviants.' After reading this, I really starting to feel like I popped out on the dark side of the 50s. Seems that the war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on organized crime and plain old counter-espionage just isn't enough for the FBI or our AG. According to a nicely written piece on ArsTechnica, the FBI is now devoting significant resources towards wiping out Internet porn. And they don't mean child pornography or ciminally violent porn. There are separate laws govering those creeps.

They're targeting 'deviant' porn between consenting adults. Anything that doesn't pass the highly objective Miller Test--you know the one made famous by the "I know it when I see it" doctrine? So I guess if you're into sheep, or are turned on by vegetables or maybe even just into gay leather, better drop off the biggest communications medium in the world and go back into hiding. The boys from Quantico are looking for you. Which, BTW means that a whole FBI section is going to be paid to surf the Web for porn. Daily.

Ah, the future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

Loads of Space Info from NASA

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:08:57 GMT

Looks like wars and natural disasters won't stop our funding new space projects. (Some good news at least.) NASA released a whole slew of new space program information in the last day or two. A lot of this started with a Bush speech from back in January where he valiantly attempted to outline his vision for future US spaciness.

But yesterday, NASA released a more coherent version of its future plans through 2018, including another mission to the moon. Apparently Cernan and Schmitt forgot a few things up there in '72, so we're heading back. I'm wondering what took so long. According to Andre Norton I should have been able to vacation up there by now. If you want more info, check out NASA's site as well.

Question is, how're we going to get there? Well NASA didn't disappoint there, either. The organization released some design specs for its next-gen spacecraft, which has a surprisingly retro look (right). NASA explains that the shuttle's configuration isn't as effecient for this type of mission, so it's using an old design for the new 6-person 3.5 ton craft, but using the latest technologies to build it.

And if you're wondering just exactly how big this type of craft might be, hop on over to this non-NASA site. I love it when geeks have too much time.

Today in Tech: September 19, 2005

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:13:28 GMT

What happened at Tivo? Seems the company suddenly stopped selling. Period. (Source: RealTechNews.com)
Sprint releases the first Mobile 5.0 smartphone in the US. And it's a honker. (Source: Sprint)
MSN Virtual Earth shows Katrina Devestation. Not an upper for a Monday morning, but well worth a look. (Source: MSN)
Symantec takes aim at Firefox and Mac users. The company has published a security report that tries to burst these folks' sense of 'false security'. (Source: Register.com
Toshiba takes gas to MP3 players. Company tries out the first mobile-oriented fuel cells. (Source: Inquirer.com)

Networked Politics

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 17:06:55 GMT

When we started Tom Friedman's column this morning, Calling All Luddites, we thought he was just going to play the curmudgeon and complain about his cell phone service. Instead we were treated to a impassioned treatise on the future of a networked society and e-government. Read it and see if it sounds like an issue of Wired from 2000 to you, too.

Friedman also throws in a plug for Andrew Rasiej, who is running for Public Advocate in New York City. Rasiej's platform includes municipal WiFi and civic blogging. He has our vote.

Brits Target File Traders Too

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 13:08:37 GMT

Yesterday our sister site highlighted Korea's efforts to shut down MP3 file traders, today the British music industry follows suit, literally. The British Phonographic Industry filed civil charges against five individuals for illegally sharing 9000 songs. Looks like the Global War Against Extreme File Trading is on.

The BBC has the full story.