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Privacy

Submission + - Startup Uses Cryptography to Protect Identities (wired.com)

Submitted by
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes: "Wired has a story about a startup called U-Prove that has a cryptographic scheme to protect privacy. It works by using secure multi-party computation, which allows you to disclose facts to another party without revealing any more than you have to, and making the knowledge useless for anything other than the transaction at hand. One example is the "Millionaire's Problem" where Alice and Bob want to know who has more money without either of them telling anyone exactly how much they have. They also have a whitepaper (PDF) that goes into more detail."
The Courts

Submission + - Retroactive Telecom Immunity Unconstitutional? (wired.com) 1

Submitted by
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes: "Many non-lawyers on Slashdot have speculated that retroactive immunity for warrantless wiretaps is unconstitutional, and it certainly ought to be, but the most cited reason — 'ex post facto' laws — only apply to retroactively condemning things, not excusing them. The lawyer Anthony J. Sebok has a different argument. He points out that, in other contexts where it was granted (e.g. for asbestos lawsuits), it was only allowed because there was a victim's compensation fund. Therefore, because the government can't reasonably do that here — they can't just give money to suspected terrorists — the immunity provision should be held to be unconstitutional."
Republicans

Submission + - "Keep her in it, so we can win it" (rawstory.com) 3

Submitted by anonymous coward
anonymous coward writes: Rush Limbaugh, appearing on Fox News with Ann Coulter, made clear that he was intending to raise money for Hillary Clinton's campaign because, get this: "The reason I'm raising money for Hillary is because, apparently, my party, the Republican party, is relying on fear and loathing of Hillary to unite the party," Limbaugh said. Truly, a sentence the Republican Party should have to live down from now until the end of time, specifically, the "my party, the Republican party, is relying on fear and loathing" part.

        Also from the article,"Speaking on his daily radio show Thursday, just after Romney announced the end of his campaign, Limbaugh said he was "dead serious about considering" soliciting Clinton donations from his listeners. He worried that she was in danger of losing the nomination to Barack Obama, who doesn't inspire the same fervent rage among GOP voters. The Clinton campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Here's the slogan" for the fundraiser, he said: "Keep her in it, so we can win it." "
Announcements

Submission + - Nearing The Boundries Of Perpetual Motion (thestar.com)

Submitted by
milsoRgen
milsoRgen writes: "The Toronto Star is running a story of an unlikely inventor who has created an unlikely machine,
"Thane Heins is nervous and hopeful. It's Jan. 24, a Thursday afternoon, and in four days the Ottawa-area native will travel to Boston where he'll demonstrate an invention that appears — though he doesn't dare say it — to operate as a perpetual motion machine. The audience, esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Markus Zahn, could either deflate Heins' heretical claims or add momentum to a 20-year obsession that has broken up his marriage and lost him custody of his two young daughters.""
Social Networks

Submission + - Facebook Application Development Tutorial Part 2 - (meezik.com)

Submitted by
rsteig
rsteig writes: "Welcome back for the second installment of the Facebook Application Development Tutorial. In this post I will show you how to create a very simple PHP application for Facebook.

This tutorial requires you to have:
#1 — Web space capable of hosting PHP applications.
and
#2 — Copy of the core Facebook API files (found here: http://developers.facebook.com/clientlibs/facebook-platform.tar.gz)

First step will be to extract these files on your web host (I will show the FTP method for those of you without SSH access).

Download the Facebook API to your local computer. Using either WinRAR or WinZip, extract the archive onto your Desktop.

Facebook Development Part 2 — Step 1

Next, you must now upload these files into your web space directory using your favorite FTP client. If you don't have one, I recommend FileZilla.

p2_step2.jpg

Ok, great! Next thing to do is open a copy of your favorite Text Editor. For Programming I personally recommend Programmers Notepad, but regular old Notepad will work too!

Once you have your text editor open, you are going to want to download a copy of the example code from here and copy/paste this into notepad.

p2_step5.jpg

You will need to replace the $appapikey and $appsecret variables with your app's keys. This can be found on the Developers page.

step7.jpg

Save the file as index.php and upload onto your web server using your FTP client (note: this should NOT be in the facebook-platform directory. This should be in the directory CONTAINING facebook-platform).

Now you can check out your creation! Simply add the application to your profile, and you're done! (Go to the Developer screen, select your application from the menu on your right, and click Add To Profile)

For current web developers, creation of Facebook applications couldn't be easier.

The next installment will show you how to interface Smarty PHP template engine to save you time (Which means Money!) designing re-usable user interfaces for your applications.

Until next time.."
The Internet

Submission + - Wikipedia Ruled By Lord Of The Universe (theregister.co.uk)

Submitted by
milsoRgen
milsoRgen writes: "The Register is reporting, one of Wikipedia's top 3 contributers, Jossi Fresco. Is quietly suppressing negative views regarding Prem Rawat by editing views disagreeable to the ex-guru. Prem Rawat is consider by many to the leader of a cult, and it has been established Jossi has close ties to him. The most interesting part is that Jossi Fresco is also the one in charge of the Conflicts of Interest Notice Board."
Transportation

Submission + - New supersonic aircraft to fly at Mach 5 (sparkingtech.com)

Submitted by crazygamer
crazygamer writes: This is an interesting post about a new aircraft dubbed the "Son of Concorde" which will be able to fly at Mach 5. From the article: 'The A2 would fly with a top speed of 3,400mph and be able to take 300 passengers between London and Sydney in under five hours. Its engines are powered by liquid hydrogen and produce few carbon emissions, making this plane much greener than the ones we have today.' Do you think this will become a reality?
Power

Submission + - Energy from raindrops (discovery.com)

Submitted by conlaw
conlaw writes: As reported on Discovery.com today, scientist have found a way to extract energy from rain:

Energy is everywhere. In the sun, wind, and now rain.

Researchers have developed a technique that harvests energy from rain showers and converts it into electricity. The technology could work in industrial air conditioning systems, where water condenses and drops like rain.

It could also be used in combination with solar power to scavenge as much energy from the environment as possible, or to power tiny, wireless sensors designed to monitor environmental conditions.
Security

Submission + - RIAA is not targeting corporations, big surprise (informationweek.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: In this Information week article, Joe Hernick reveals most of the old information about P2P file-sharing, but does include one interesting vendor quote, "I have never met with a large company that has been named in an RIAA suit," he says. "You draw your own conclusions." Could it possibly be that the RIAA is not distributing their lawsuits equally, instead going after only ISPs and Universities? Why does this make sense from a legal perspective...does this ultimately weaken their case to Congress?
Image

Combat Pilots May Get Viagra Screenshot-sm 5

Posted by samzenpus
Israel is considering giving its combat pilots Viagra to improve their performance in the air. A study by Israeli doctors of mountain climbers in Africa found a correlation between erectile dysfunction drugs and improved performance in high altitudes. It looks like this already tough job is about to get a lot harder.
Education

Male Brains 'Wired for Videogame Obsession' 125

Posted by Zonk from the i-can-quit-anytime-i-wan-ding! dept.
thinkzinc notes a story indicating that, according to a new study, men have a harder time putting down a controller than women do. Researchers at Stanford did brain imaging work on a group of young test subjects while they played a simple PC game. Besides the 'obvious' conclusion that men were more 'aggressive at gaining territory on the screen', the tests also indicated that male brains showed more activity in the reward and addiction components of the brain. "The lead author, Dr. Allan Reiss, noted that most of the video games that are popular with men are territory and aggression-type games. 'These gender differences in the brain may help explain why males are more attracted to, and more likely to become hooked on video games than females,' he said. Other recent surveys indicate that about 40 percent of Americans regularly play games on a computer or console, but young males are two or three times more likely than females to feel addicted to video games, Reiss said. "
Idle

Quarter of Brits Think Churchill Was Myth 3

Posted by samzenpus
Just so you don't think Americans are the only people who have no clue when it comes to their history, a recent survey found a fair number of British people believe that Churchill, Charles Dickens, and Mahatma Gandhi were fictional characters. Who made the "real people" list? Over half the people asked thought Sherlock Holmes was real. Many people were surprised to find out that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was not a documentary.
Censorship

Submission + - Scientology Protests Planned Sunday 7

Submitted by Anonymous
Anonymous writes: Around the world this Sunday, February 10th, there will be protests taking place at Scientology centers. The effort, started originally as a response to the DMCA-based removal of the Tom Cruise Propaganda Video, has grown to a surprising scale. After issuing a "declaration of war", anonymous, effectively a random collection of many different people online, has organized a day of protest on the 10th. Any and all are welcome to attend these protests — their goal is simply to educate the public on the practices of the "Church" of Scientology. Given Slashdots' History with Scientology, we hope you will join us in this. Read on for more details...

Since the sites being used to organize these events could probably not cope with the raw volume of Slashdot, I will outline the expectations and a few guidelines for these protests here. Also included below is a list of locations currently planned.

Protest Guidelines
  • This must be a non-violent, non-obtrusive protest. No loud chanting, no loud anything. Our goal is educating the public, and getting media attention on this issue.
  • Depending on local laws, cover your face in some fashion (Each location is doing something different). Scientologists have been noted at earlier rallies taking pictures of people and following them after the event. They WILL target you if you are not anonymous.
  • Be wary of other protesters. It is expected that Scientologists will be posing as anonymous to attempt to infiltrate the events. Distance yourself from any protester making a scene.
  • Bring your own flyers or signs. Again, check local laws about such things.
  • Be educated — see Operation Clambake for more information. Specifically good things to know about: Operation Snow White, Paulette Cooper, and Lisa McPherson for whom the date was chosen.
  • Be clear that we are not attacking the religion, or the free expression of it, but we are attacking the litigious and aggressive nature of the church and its leadership.
Locations
Each protest is expected to start at 11am local time, and generally run until 6pm, unless specifically stated. For the larger cities, expectations are running in the 100-300 people range, and smaller cities in the dozens. All of these locations have confirmed protests taking place. Please get on IRC — irc.partyvan.info, and find the appropriate channel for more information about your specific city. Start in the channels #irl, #xenu and #v or try your city or country name. For the larger cities, you can just show up — smaller cities, you should probably check on IRC first. I apologize for the vague copying of details for some of the non-english locations, since I had a hard time making sense of some languages.
  • United States
    • Arizona, Phoenix — 4045 N 7th St
    • Arizona, Tuscon — 1703 E Fort Lowell Rd (10AM)
    • California, San Francisco — 701 Montgomery St
    • California, Los Angeles — 4810 W Sunset Blvd @ L. Ron Hubbard Way
    • California, Santa Rosa — 440 S E St
    • California, Sacramento — 825 15th Street
    • California, Berkley — 63 Shattuck Sq
    • California, San Diego — 1330 4th Ave (Noon)
    • California, Santa Barbara — 534 State Street
    • California, San Jose — 1865 Lundy Ave
    • Colorado, Denver — 1021 Pearl St
    • Connecticut, New Haven — 909 Whalley Ave
    • Florida, Miami — 120 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables
    • Florida, Tampa Bay/Clearwater — Meet up at Coachman Park, 301 Drew Street.
    • Florida, Orlando — 1830 E Colonial Dr
    • Georgia, Atlanta — 4480 N Shallowford Rd Dunwoody (1 PM)
    • Hawaii, Honolulu — 33 S King St
    • Illinois, Chicago — 3000 N. Lincoln Ave (Meeting at S&G Resturant)
    • Indiana, Indianapolis — 6451 Rockville Rd
    • Kansas, Wichita — 3705 E. Douglas Avenue
    • Kentucky, Louisville — 1277 Bardstown Rd
    • Massachusetts, Boston — 448 Beacon Street (Noon)
    • Michigan, Detroit — 28000 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills
    • Michigan, Battle Creek — 66 Michigan Ave E
    • Minnesota, Minneapolis — 1011 Nicollet Mall
    • Missouri, Kansas City — 39th & Main
    • Missouri, St. Louis — 6901 Delmar Boulevard University City (10:30AM)
    • Nevada, Las Vegas — Meetup at Marie Callanders (Noon)
    • New Mexico, Albuquerque — 1319 San Pedro Dr Ne Albuquerque
    • New York, New York — 227 West 46th Street
    • New York, Albany — 2021 Western Ave
    • New York, Buffalo — 836 Main Street
    • New York, Hicksville — 64 Bethpage Rd
    • North Carolina, Charlotte — Corner of N. Tryon and Trade St.
    • Ohio, Cincinnati — 215 West 4th Street
    • Ohio, Cleveland — 6607 Pearl Road Parma Heights
    • Ohio, Columbus — Meet at Starbucks @ 10 W Broad St #120
    • Oregon, Portland — 709 SW Salmon St
    • Pennsylvania, Philadelphia — 1315 Race Street
    • Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh — 1906 E Carson St
    • Tennessee, Nashville — Meet at Café Coco, 210 Louise Avenue
    • Tennessee, Memphis — Central near Lamar
    • Texas, San Antonio — 3518 Broadway St
    • Texas, Austin — 2200 Guadalupe St
    • Texas, Houston — Meet at Starbucks, 8821 Westheimer Rd (12:30PM)
    • Texas, Dallas — 1850 N Buckner Blvd
    • Texas, Harlingen — 4301 West Business 83
    • Utah, Salt Lake City — 353 East 400 South (Noon)
    • Washington, Seattle — Meet at Pike's Place Market Parking Lot (2nd and Pike) (9:30AM)
    • Wisconsin, Milwaukee — 6806 W Wedgewood Dr
    • Virginia, Richmond — Cary Street & Nansemond St
    • Washington DC — 1701 20th Street NW
  • Canada
    • Kitchener, ON — 159 King W
    • Quebec City, QC — 1996 1st Avenue
    • Vancouver, BC — 401 Hastings Street West
    • Toronto, ON — 696 Yonge Street
    • Ottawa, ON — 203-150 Rideau Street
    • Montreal, QC — 4489 Papineau Street
    • Calgary, AB — 824C Edmonton Tr NE
    • Winterpeg, MB — 315 Garry Street
    • Edmonton, AB — Churchill Square (10:10AM)
    • Halifax, NS — 3441 Dutch Village Road
  • Europe
    • UK, London — 146 Queen Victoria Street
    • UK, Belfast — 121 Great Victoria St.
    • UK, Bermingham — 8 Ethel Street
    • UK, Manchester — 258 Deansgate
    • UK, Edinburgh — 20-23 South Bridge
    • UK, Newcastle/Sunderland — 51 Fawcett Street Sunderland
    • UK, Plymouth — 41 Ebrington Street
    • Ireland, Dublin — 62/63 Middle Abbey Street (Noon GMT)
    • Germany, Hamburg — Domstrasse 9 D-20095
    • Germany, Berlin — Otto-Suhr-Allee 30-34
    • Germany, Duesseldorf — Friedrichstrasse 28B
    • France, Paris — 7, Rue Jules César
    • Norway, Oslo — "Scientologikirken i Norge Karl Johans Gate 12J 0154 Oslo" (Noon)
    • Stockholm, Sweden — "Upplägg Stockholm, Scientologi-kyrkan i Stockholm, Månskärsvägen 10, 141 75 KUNGENS KURVA"
    • Göteborg, Sweden — "Scientologikyrkan i Göteborg, Drottninggatan 35, GÖTEBORG"
    • Malmö, Sweden — "Scientologi-kyrkan i Malmö , Porslinsg. 3 , 211 32 MALMÖ"
    • Amsterdam, Netherlands — "Amsterdam CS, Burger King" (1PM)
    • Vienna, Austria — "Capistrangasse 4 (Seitengasse der Mariahilferstraße zwischen Museumsquartier und Neubaugasse.) A-1070 Wien"
    • Zuerich, Switzerland — "Tramstation Siemens (3)"
    • Brussels, Belgium — Rue de la Loi 91 / Wetstraat 91
    • Lisbon, Portugal — "R. Dos Correeiros, N. 205 — 3A, 1100 Lisbon"
    • Copenhagen, Denmark — Jernbanegade 6 1608 Copenhagen V (Nearby the "Palads" Cinema)
    • Rome, Italy — Via del Caravita, 5
  • Oceania and the rest of the world
    • Australia, Sydney — 201 Castlereagh St, Meet in Hyde Park near the fountain
    • Australia, Melbourne — Russell St & Flinders Lane
    • Australia, Adelaide — 18 Waymouth St
    • Australia, Perth — 106-108 Murray Street
    • New Zealand, Auckland — Westfield Plaza, Queen St, Customs St intersection
    • New Zealand, Christchurch — Cashel street mall, cashel street, high street corner
    • Argentina, Buenos Aires — "Ayacucho 1050 (esquina Santa Fé), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires"
    • Israel, Tel Aviv — 12 Shontzion Street
Please join us in protesting Scientology! We need to bring the activities of the organization into the public eye!

Note to the Editor: please post this, if you will, sometime near the beginning of the day or a high-traffic time. Damn that list took a while to compile.
Idle

Store Stops Selling Lolita Bed

Posted by samzenpus
If the people who run Woolworth's website had ever read the famous Nabokov novel, seen one of the 2 movies based on it or listened to the police in the 80's they might have known that calling a line of beds for little girls, the Lolita line, wasn't the best Idea. "Now this has been brought to our attention, the product has been removed from sale with immediate effect. We will be talking to the supplier with regard to how the branding came about." says the company. Other controversial products like the Cobain trigger lock and Ahmadinejad's big book of fictional atrocities are still on the shelves.

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God doesn't play dice. -- Albert Einstein

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