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Censorship

Apple Balks, Finally Relents, At Possible User Queries of Dictionary App 259

Posted by timothy from the my-dictionary-doesn't-even-list-the-****ing-word dept.
Geoffrey.landis writes with a snippet from CNET reporting another example of offputting treatment at Apple's App Store: "'In this case, it's a dictionary app called Ninjawords (so called because ninjas are 'smart, accurate, and really fast') that was rejected three times over the course of two months, mostly because 'objectionable' words could be looked up and found in the dictionary's search function, Gruber reported.' PCWorld also reports the story." Note that the app was eventually approved, but only after a few go-rounds and changes.
Handhelds

Best Wi-Fi Portable Browsing Device? 426

Posted by timothy from the deep-in-the-stacks-desire-mounts dept.
foxxo writes "I'm a library worker, so I get lots of questions about our collection when I'm out in the stacks. I'd love to be able to access our online catalog and give patrons more comprehensive guidance without directing them to the reference desk. What options are available for a portable device with Wi-Fi connectivity, full-featured Web browsing, and (most importantly) no cellphone-style activation and service fees? Size is important, too; I need something I can carry in my pocket, not a micro-notebook with full keyboard. (And I am a library worker, so low cost is key!)" One device that sounds interesting in this category is the GiiNii Movit (not yet released, but shown off at CES). What can you recommend that's out there now?
Role Playing (Games)

"Live Expansion" Announced for Warhammer Online 170

Posted by Soulskill from the stepping-up-their-game dept.
Zonk brings word that Mythic has announced their plans to expand Warhammer Online in the coming months using a series of live events that will open up new careers, gear, and zones. The first event, planned for sometime in March, will allow access to the Dwarf Slayer and the Orc Choppa, as well as a new RvR scenario. Later, players will race to unlock a massive new zone, the Lands of the Dead. The expansion itself is titled "A Call to Arms," and it will be rolled out free of charge.

Comment Work + donate (Score 1) 252

by axlrosen (#26519133) Attached to: Tech-Related Volunteer Gigs

I hope this doesn't come across as cynical, because it's not meant to be. But one very reasonable strategy is to work hard at your regular job, and donate money to charitable causes.

I've often thought about how to put my software engineering skills to good use, and that's the best I've been able to come up with. If you can't find a great outlet to directly put your skills to use at a charitable organization, this is a pretty reasonable proxy. It lets you do what you do best, for the people that find it most helpful (i.e. a company that's willing to pay you for it), rather than having to shoehorn your skills where there may not be a great match.

If there's an volunteer opportunity that's actually a good fit, that's obviously a good mechanism (and probably more psychically rewarding). But if not, I think this is an efficient alternative.
Security

Now From Bruce Schneier, the Skein Hash Function 139

Posted by timothy from the renaissance-man dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Bruce Schneier and company have created a new hash function called Skein. From his blog entry: 'NIST is holding a competition to replace the SHA family of hash functions, which have been increasingly under attack. (I wrote about an early NIST hash workshop here.) Skein is our submission (myself and seven others: Niels Ferguson, Stefan Lucks, Doug Whiting, Mihir Bellare, Tadayoshi Kohno, Jon Callas, and Jesse Walker). Here's the paper."
Idle

7 Deadly Sins Aren't Enough 4

Posted by samzenpus
As proof that things are only getting worse the list of deadly sins, written in the 6th century, has just had an update. The Vatican has added pollution, mind-damaging drugs, genetic experiments, and monetary social injustice. New Line Cinema has already retained Morgan Freeman and is working on a script for 'Ten'.

Comment Re:Really Bill? (Score 1) 601

by axlrosen (#22167566) Attached to: Bill Gates Calls for a 'Kinder Capitalism'
This is guilt and arrogance. "I have so much, I am so smart, let me device a plan to improve capitalism."

Rich people who want to help the poor are arrogant? I guess they should just stay home, drink their champagne, and keep quiet?

Note to Bill, its been tried at least twice in the past 100 years and they were called communism and socialism. The only change for the poor in those systems is there is more of them.

Your logic is iron-clad. The fact that 2 systems have failed obviously means that no other system could possibly work. Our current form of capitalism is the best system possible. No other system is worth even considering.

To paraphrase Churchill: "It has been said that capitalism is the worst form of economy except all the others that have been tried."

We have decades more experience with capitalism and its effects on the world's poor than we used to. Is it blasphemy to try to improve on things? I'm actually pretty skeptical of his proposal until I hear more details... but I think it's great to consider it, rather than try to close my ears to it like you do.
Google

Submission + - What Are We Searching For? (slate.com)

Submitted by
axlrosen
axlrosen writes: "A great analysis from Slate, using Google Suggest to tap into what people are searching for. The results can be kinda weird:

Want to know what questions are flummoxing mankind? Type in "is it true that." The fourth suggestion: "is it true that if you don't use it you lose it." The fifth: "is it true that ciara is a man." Enter "how bad is" to figure out everything the English-speaking world thinks might not be OK: smoking, followed by global warming, soda, marijuana, and McDonald's."
Security

Submission + - Death Knell for DoS Extortion?

Submitted by
Ron
Ron writes: "An Infoworld article reports that Yazan Gable, a security researcher, has put forward an explanation as to why the numbers of denial of service attacks have been declining. His theory is that DoS attacks are no longer profitable to attackers. While spam and phishing attacks directly generate profit, he argues that extortion techniques often used with DoS attacks are far more risky and often make an attacker no profit at all. He writes:

So what happens if the target of the attack refuses to pay? The DoS extortionist is obligated to carry out a prolonged DoS attack against them to follow through on their threats. For a DoS extortionist, this is the worst scenario because they have to risk their bot network for nothing at all. Since the target has refused to pay, it is likely that they will never pay. As a consequence, the attacker has to spend time and resources on a lost cause.
"
Media (Apple)

Submission + - iPhone shortage of PS3 proportions?

Submitted by mattatwork
mattatwork writes: According to DigiTimes, Apple has put in a request to Samsung (and other NAND manufacturers) for upwards of 400-500 million 4 Gb NAND flash chips. The various parties involved in providing the memory have balked at the amount required and the risk involved in the case that the phone succeeds or tanks when it goes on sale. Is the concern surrounding the buzz about the iPhone credible or is this just leftover paranoia from the PS3 shortage?
Software

Submission + - Ext3cow Versioning File System released for 2.6

Submitted by
Zachary Peterson
Zachary Peterson writes: "Ext3cow, an open-source versioning file system based on ext3, has been released for 2.6 kernel. Ext3cow allows users to view their file system as it appeared at any point in time through a natural, time-shifiting interface. This is can be very useful for preventing data loss, revision control, intrusion detection, and meeting the requirments of data retention legislation. Kernel patches and details can be found at: http://www.ext3cow.com./"
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft announces CLR will be cross-platform

Submitted by
axlrosen
axlrosen writes: "The biggest Mix '07 announcement made on opening day of this week's show was one that Microsoft didn't call out in any of its own press releases: Microsoft is making a version of its Common Language Runtime (CLR) available cross-platform. The CLR is the heart of Microsoft's .Net Framework programming model. So, by association, the .Net Framework isn't just for Windows any more.

More here."

Feed Is It Time To Call It Quits On The PC? (techdirt.com)

From feed by techdirtfeed
With Vista having failed to ignite a boom in the computer industry, some analysts are starting to turn dour on the future of the PC. David Daoud, an analyst at IDC, thinks it's time for computer makers to rethink the traditional PC, and to work on developing more innovative products. He notes that the basic PC (with its big monitor and QWERTY keyboard) has basically been the same since its inception, and that things like ultra mobile PCs, tablets and other forms that have yet to be invented will come to play an important part role in the industry. Of course, people have been talking about all of these things before, and despite grandiose ambitions, nothing has made a dent in the market. The latest, the ultra mobile PC (UMPC) has pretty much been a dud, despite plenty of backing and hype. This isn't to say that manufacturers shouldn't be exploring alternatives, but as Apple has shown with its resurgent computer business, there's plenty of room for innovation and growth within the traditional confines of the PC.
Google

Submission + - iGoogle To Debut

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: It's time to bid adieu to the Google Personalized Home Page. In just a few hours, Google will release its replacement called iGoogle. iGoogle will have a new Gadget Maker feature that will let people create their own gadgets with their own content without having to know any code or HTML. One of the templates — GoogleGram, an unfolding "greeting card" gadget that shows different messages and images over seven days.

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