Feed Alzheimer's Genetic Roots Explained (sciencedaily.com)
Scientists have long known that individuals with a certain gene are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Now a new study helps explain why this is so. The research has uncovered a molecular mechanism that links the susceptibility gene to the process of Alzheimer's disease onset. The findings may lead to new pathways for development of Alzheimer's therapeutics.
Submission + - Can F/OSS projects be killed by dormant patents?
skelly33 writes: I am working on putting together an open source project that has commercial applications but am concerned that some day some random company with a thick patent portfolio is going to see it and try to stamp it out with a cease and desist claiming that they own the concept. The trouble is that many clever concepts have been conceived but lay dormant in patents that are just waiting around for a lawsuit where the patent holder has no intent of ever turning it into a product. Is this a legitimate concern for someone who would much rather avoid investing deep into a project so as not to be brought down by some idiotic/costly lawsuit, or is there any degree of protection afforded through original research and not-for-profit development of an otherwise patented concept under the banner of "Open Source"?
Submission + - time.windows.com broken; Windows machines adrift?
An anonymous reader writes: It appears the widely-used time.windows.com Network Time Protocol server isn't working correctly. The host name is redirecting to unsynchronized Akamai NTP servers which are off by more than 100 seconds. This issue leaves millions of Windows XP and 2003 machines that still have the default configuration without a good source of network time. While most clients won't notice, there are certainly some important applications (such as kerberos authentication) that rely on accurate client time. This mis-configuration has been in place for at least several hours.
A bug report was submitted via Microsoft's website, but no response has been received in over 6 hours. This has apparently happened at least once before.
A bug report was submitted via Microsoft's website, but no response has been received in over 6 hours. This has apparently happened at least once before.
Submission + - Bill Gates' Thoughts on Microsoft in 1989
Andareed writes: "A talk
given by Bill Gates in 1989 to the Computer Science
Club has recently been discovered and digitized. In this talk, Bill discusses his role as a developer in the early days of
Microsoft, and his views on the future of Microsoft. He also alludes to the fact that he thought that in 1981, 640k
would be good enough for everyone!"
Submission + - RIAA "Incriminate Yourself" Web Site Onlin
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes: "Apparently the RIAA's new "Incriminate Yourself" — er, "Early Settlement" — website is now online. Is it safe to visit such a site or might visitors be subjected there to unwelcome surveillance, such as cookies, spyware, IP address tracking, etc.?"
Submission + - Microsoft not gaining ground in search
klblastone writes: Despite Microsoft's massive investment in promoting and improving web-based search, the company still has less than ten percent of search engine marketshare. By comparison, Google is hitting about 50 percent, and still growing. Obviously, gimmicks like the interactive Ms. Dewey aren't helping Microsoft compete with Google in the search arena. Microsoft's deep pockets don't seem to be of much use in the highly competitive and dynamic web services market. As the web 2.0 revolution pushes more and more software online where open standards dominate and Microsoft can't leverage its desktop software monopoly, will the company start lose relevance?
Submission + - Boycott the RIAA in March
Barrien writes: The guys over at Gizmodo have declared a boycott of the RIAA during the month of March. They are not advocating piracy, instead they suggest buying non-signed artist's music, or music that is available online. The full scoop can be found on their webpage, or here's a direct link to their plan. This is how we make our stand against the monster that is the RIAA.
