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The Internet

Submission + - The Brain Maps API (blogspot.com)

jpurkinje writes: "BrainMaps.org has recently implemented a new AJAX-enabled multiresolution image viewer. Though a bit skimpy on functionality compared to the heavy-weight Flash viewers, it is snappy fast, uses very little memory, and in principle, allows for better integration with other HTML entities through DOM. An example is at http://brainmaps.org/ajax-viewer.php?datid=95&snam e=123

What's more, the multiresolution viewer has been released as the Brain Maps API. The following is from the Brain Maps API page at http://brainmaps.org/index.php?p=brain-maps-api:

"The Brain Maps API lets you embed Brain Maps in your own web pages with JavaScript. Future versions will enable you to add overlays to brain maps (including markers and polylines) and display shadowed "info windows". The Brain Maps API is a free service, available for any web site that is free to consumers."

Google Maps for the Brain?"

The Almighty Buck

Submission + - New FICO Rules May Affect Millions (aaacreditguide.com)

crazychane writes: "About 60 million consumers are authorized users on someone else's credit card. But, that's all about to change...In September, the FICO credit-scoring system is set to undergo a major overhaul. Fair Isaac Corp., the Minneapolis company that creates the formula used to calculate the score, is downplaying the change, saying it won't have much of an effect."
Announcements

Submission + - July 11th, Fairuse Day is here (fairuseday.com)

ezelkow1 writes: Today is International Fairuse Day. The official story here gives a brief mention of some of the big hitting fairuse topics that have come about this year. A more in depth article at Ars Technica has interviews with the movements founder as well as information from the founder of the United States Pirate Party which is also supporting the event.
From the interview:
As for how to make the best of Fair Use Day, founder Eric Clifford told Ars that users should "enjoy fair use in any way that you can," but he added that "the problem is that the legal ways to exercise fair use is diminishing."

Handhelds

Submission + - Mobile Web Server in your cellphone (mymobilesite.net)

Anonymous Coward writes: "Snakes in the phone. Nokia has released Mobile Web Server service. One can run Apache+Python based web pages in the mobile phone, including content and location information from the mobile phone itself. The default installation comes with blog, gallery, contacts, calender, etc. sharing. Since its Python based, the platform in open for hacking. Surf into my pocket!"
Software

Submission + - OSI to crack down on "open source" abusers (businessreviewonline.com)

munchola writes: According to CBRonline the Open Source Initiative is going to "open a can of whup ass on any vendors that claim to be open source despite not actually using a license approved by the OSI". In a blog post OSI president Michael Tiemann wrote: "Enough is enough. Open Source has grown up. Now it is time for us to stand up. I believe that when we do, the vendors who ignore our norms will suddenly recognize that they really do need to make a choice: to label their software correctly and honestly, or to license it with an OSI-approved license that matches their open source label."
Announcements

Submission + - Toshiba breakthrough to yield smaller mobiles

Anonymous writes: Toshiba announced that with its latest memory-chip architecture, phone designers can now produced a mobile phones with more compact designs and even more memory for file storage. The breakthrough came when Toshiba's engineers managed to house two types of flash memory in a single chip. One for storing programs and the other, a multi-level cell (MLC) memory used for holding data used by stored programs. MLC is said to be generally cheaper and has much higher storage-physical space ratio, making it more ideal for storing video clips, images and music.
Graphics

Submission + - Nvidia Launches GP-GPU Products: Tesla

unts writes: Graphics chip manufacturer Nvidia has launched a new range of products aimed squarely at using the massively parallelised architecture of GPUs for non-graphical computing tasks. Beyond3D takes a look at Tesla, and has interviews with Dave Kirk and Andy Keane who have been working on the project. From the article: 'The basic unit of the current Tesla line, the Tesla C870, should be very familiar to anyone who's seen the GeForce 8800. It's essentially an 8800 GTX — a 575MHz core clock and 128 SPs at 1.35GHz — with 1.5GiB of GDDR3 RAM. Of course, it's not quite an 8800 GTX — there are no display outputs at all on the card'
Businesses

Submission + - A new layout for internal combustion engines

zero_offset writes: A certain sector of the geek world is into cars and motorcycles, and what could be more newsworthy and exciting than a whole new layout for the internal combustion engine? The NEVIS Engine Company has taken on a task that The Red Herring describes as downright Sisyphean: reinventing the venerable internal combustion engine to dramatically improve efficiency and reduce emissions. We've heard that claim before, but this engine, using the new "Bortone cycle," is a complete re-think of the typical four-stroke piston-in-cylinder internal combustion process. They are claiming twice the efficiency of a standard Otto cycle engine. Their prototype is producing 250 HP at 2000 RPM from a 1 liter 2-cylinder setup, so yes, it runs. A detailed description is available on the Technology Overview page, but be sure to hit their images page and step through the pictures in order: watching the person assemble the engine step-by-step helps clarify how it works.
Privacy

Submission + - Keylogger Hardware Embedded in New Dell Laptop (virus.org.ua)

kendbluze writes: "Here's an EE who was doing a simple repair to a nearly-new Dell 600m laptop when he noticed something a bit curious. Turns out he found a hardware keylogger sitting between the keyboard and ethernet controllers! See what Homeland Security didn't have to say about it."
Patents

eBay May Lose 'Buy it Now' Button in Patent Case 177

Spamicles writes "A judge has delayed his ruling on the eBay patent infringement case. eBay has been involved in a legal dispute over the use of its popular "Buy it Now" button, which allows consumers to skip the bidding and purchase items on eBay directly. The patent suit was filed six years ago by MercExchange L.L.C. In May of 2003, a jury ruled in MercExchange's favor finding that eBay did in fact infringe on the patent, but in 2005 the US Supreme Court ruled that MercExchange was not automatically entitled to a court order blocking the offending service, essentially handing a victory down to patent reform advocates. However, the ruling by the Supreme Court does not affect the final judgment of the court."
Privacy

Judge Orders TorrentSpy to Turn Over RAM 726

virgil_disgr4ce writes "In an impressive example of the gap of understanding between legal officials and technology, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian 'found that a computer server's RAM, or random-access memory, is a tangible document that can be stored and must be turned over in a lawsuit.' ZDNet, among others, reports on the ruling and its potential for invasion of privacy."
IBM

Submission + - IBM sued for firing Internet addict

globring writes: A man who was fired by IBM for visiting an adult chat room at work is suing the company for $5 million, claiming he is an Internet addict who deserves treatment and sympathy rather than dismissal. If it goes to trial, the case could affect how employers regulate Internet use that is not work-related, or how Internet overuse is categorized medically.
The Courts

Cisco Extends Negotiations on iPhone 74

An anonymous reader writes "Apple and Cisco have just a short while longer to discuss the use of the iPhone name for Apple's new product. Cisco has extended the deadline for a resolution out to February 21st. The two companies are seeking a peaceful resolution to their problems, and the deadline was extended to 'reach an agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.' Early this month, Cisco put their lawsuit on hold to start these negotiations - it's easy to understand why they wouldn't want to scrap a whole month's worth of discussion over a few final details."

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