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The Internet

Submission + - The state of web annotation

Submitted by
joeljkp
joeljkp writes: "The promise of web annotation systems is great: the ability to comment on specific content of any website, to correct errors and misconceptions, and to provide background information for future readers. It seems that this promise has not been fulfilled, but not for lack of trying. Notwithstanding systems like Stet, which work for local content only, there have been attempts ranging from Annozilla, a Firefox extension that works with the W3C's Annotea spec, to "Web 2.0" offerings such as Diigo and Fleck. Why haven't any of these systems caught on, and is there any hope in sight? If the community picks one, can we boost it to success?"
Handhelds

Submission + - SSH2 Client Released for PSP

Submitted by Croakyvoice
Croakyvoice writes: Zx-81 a prolific homebrew coder for the PSP has released a port of Dropbear to the PSP under the name PSPSSH: SSH2 Client for PSP : " Dropbear is a relatively small SSH 2 server and client. It runs on a variety of POSIX-based platforms. Dropbear is open source software, distributed under a MIT-style license. Dropbear is particularly useful for "embedded"-type Linux (or other Unix) systems, such as wireless routers. ""
Space

Submission + - Mars Rover Churns Up Yellow Soil

Submitted by
SeaDour
SeaDour writes: "Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are taking a closer look at images sent back by the Mars rover Spirit nearly a year ago, showing bright yellow soil that had been churned up by the rover's wheels. The soil appears to contain high concentrations of sulfur as well as traces of water. "This material could have been left behind by water that dissolved these minerals underground, then came to the surface and evaporated, or it could be a volcanic deposit formed around ancient gas vents," said Dr. Ray Arvidson. Researchers are planning to see if the soil turns up anywhere else in the area, potentially giving more clues as to its origin."
The Internet

Submission + - Managing Generators for 'Green' Gains

Submitted by
1sockchuck
1sockchuck writes: "Diesel backup generators aren't usually thought of as tools for "green" computing. But a San Francisco data center slashed its power bill by $70,000 in 2006 by changing its routine for monthly testing of its 10 Hitec 2-megawatt generators. The growth of high-density server installations has led to super-sized power bills for data centers and a renewed focus on energy efficient technologies. Meanwhile, incentives from electric utilties are motivating data center operators to seek out ways to reduce the power usage of existing equipment."
Announcements

Submission + - Students say no to proprietary software

Submitted by
Christopher Waid
Christopher Waid writes: "Thanks to the Kutztown Linux User Group students and faculty at one university will be receiving the equivalent of $60K in open source software. Each faculty member has been provided one CD with several open source applications. A subdivision of information technology at the school which caters to students has also been provided the most recent version of the open software CD for distribution to students. The university has approximately 10,000 students and almost 400 faculty members who will be benefiting from this program."

Feed DNA Unlocks Mummy Mysteries (wired.com)

From feed by wiredfeed
Researchers turn to modern technology to provide a glimpse into the very short life of a young boy -- now a 2,000-year-old mummy. By the Associated Press.


The Almighty Buck

Submission + - The digital Bedouins: From backpacks to Starbucks

Submitted by
PetManimal
PetManimal writes: "The laptop and wireless revolutions have led to the rise of a new class of digital "Bedouins" — tech workers who ply their crafts from Starbucks and other locations with WiFi acccess. Another article describes some strategies and tools for embracing the Bedouin way of life, and even having fun:

If you have the right kind of job, you can take vacations while you're "on the clock." In other words, you can travel for fun and adventure and keep on working. You can travel a lot more without needing more official vacation time. I've done it. In August I took a monthlong vacation to Central America, backpacking from one Mayan ruin to the next, and I never officially took time off. I submitted my columns, provided reports and other input, participated in conference calls and interacted via e-mail. I used hotel Wi-Fi connections and local cybercafes to communicate and Skype to make business calls. Nobody knew I was sunburned, drinking from a coconut and listening to howler monkeys as I replied to their e-mails.
"
Censorship

Submission + - Victims fight back against DMCA abuse

Submitted by
Cadence
Cadence writes: "The DMCA is being used a lot recently to demand takedowns of all sorts of content on the Internet. But how many of those DMCA-fueled demands are abusive? Lately, some victims of takedown demands have begun to fight back with the help of the EFF, including some against Viacom:

Finally, a Viacom executive admitted last month that less than 60 of his company's 100,000 takedown requests to YouTube were invalid. John Palfrey of Harvard's Berkman Center wonders what rights those 60 people have? We may find out. The EFF called for people who had videos pulled inappropriately to contact the group, though the EFF tells The National Law Journal that it cannot comment on its future legal plans.
...
One of the reasons companies misuse the DMCA and cease-and-desist copyright letters is that the tools can quickly accomplish what they want to have happen; stuff they don't like goes bye-bye in a hurry. When the alternative is moving slowly through the court system, letters look like an excellent alternative.
"
Biotech

Submission + - Polymers from Maple Syrup

Submitted by codegen
codegen writes: The CBC is reporting a discovery where the syrup of the maple tree can be used as a base for a polymer that is biodegradable. Bacteria are used to transform the sugars into naturally occuring polymers. Maple syrup apparently works better than other sources such as apple juce waste products or corn/cane sugars. The polymers may also have medical applications as well.
Enlightenment

Submission + - YouTube's Safe Harbor

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: James Boyle has a new column up in the FT about the suit against YouTube and Google..
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/542fecb8-d2f9-11db-829f-00 0b5df10621.html
"In many cases, Google's self-interest has aligned with the public interest. "That would make Google illegal," is the most effective argument against expansive property claims. What about YouTube? On a commonsense level, Viacom's arguments will persuade many. It is hard to portray Google as a helpless start-up. Having it standing behind the defendant may serve the public ill. But if we end up narrowing defences to reach YouTube's deep pockets, we might make the next Google less likely to appear."
The Courts

Take Two Files Suit Against Jack Thompson 99

Posted by Zonk from the just-wow dept.
Bullied writes "Take Two has tired of Jack Thompson's frivolous lawsuits and has filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida to prevent him from filing any more 'nuisance' lawsuits. 'Take Two argues that the lawsuits violate its First Amendment rights to free expression, but it also claims that the suits are so vague as to be unconstitutional. "This unconstitutional vagueness will have a chilling effect on Plaintiff as well as Plaintiff's customers," says the company. "Plaintiff's distributors likely will respond to the uncertainty and fear of penalties by withholding Plaintiff's video games from the public."' Take Two also cites the disruptive effect Thompson's suits have on its retail partners."

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