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Data Storage

Submission + - Francis Coppola; Please can I have my data back. (bbc.co.uk)

Submitted by
Ajehals
Ajehals writes: "According to the BBC, "Film director Francis Ford Coppola has appealed for the return of his computer backup device following a robbery at his house in Argentina on Wednesday. He told Argentine broadcaster Todo Noticias he had lost 15 years' worth of data, including writing and photographs of his family." — As the robbery appears to have also deprived him of the computer with which the "backup device", this must be a major blow, even more so given how easy this kind of thing is to avoid.

Given that there is now more and more important personal data being stored solely electronically, maybe it is time for a drive by government to make people aware not only of the need to back up their data, but then to store that backup securely away from wherever the original data is. Sure this adds inconvenience but not as much as having to replace 10 years of family digital photo's through the cunning use of plasticine, paint and blender."
Operating Systems

Submission + - Run Windows virtually on a Beowulf Cluster?

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: I am just wondering if it is possible to set up a virtual computer (running win2k or XP) on a Beowulf cluster (or any kind of cluster for that matter)? I am trying to help a class at my school, because they do not have enough money to buy new computers, but there is an abundance of 400mhz AMD and PIII based computers that are scheduled to be thrown away. I need to be able to run windows, because the computers need to run InDesign CS2. I had this idea, but I do not have any idea where to begin, besides getting the hardware.
Any good operating systems? Keep in mind the age of the equipment, and the fact that I will have to either fully automate everything up to the point windows starts, or be able to teach a high-school teacher/students how to command line boot programs.
Announcements

Submission + - Alien birds may be the last hope for Hawaiian plan (nature.com) 1

Submitted by
brajbir
brajbir writes: "Alien birds, it seems, may be the last hope for Hawaiian plants. Most of the native birds of Hawaii feed on nectar nectar or invertebrates, contributing little to seed dispersion. Many of the alien birds, introduced by humans, are fruit eating, thereby facilitating seed dispersion. Hawaii is one of the most invaded places in the world, in terms of foreign species. More than 4,600 plant and 140 bird species have been introduced by human activity, with at least 58 types of bird establishing permanent breeding populations there. Most land birds in Hawaii are now exotic. Is it best to have all invasives removed, even if that means severing the link between seeds and their current dispersers? Or is it best to keep invasive birds and all the trouble they cause? Returning Hawaii to her natural state is not attainable, but ironically, exotic birds appear to be helping.""
The Media

Submission + - Hackers: Unite for Burmese Freedom !

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Bloggers and other cyber activists within Burma risk their lives by publishing any information counter to the government line, but they still do it because they believe that freedom of expression is worth that sacrifice. You don't have to make such a sacrifice, but if you have computer skills, can breach firewalls, routers and web site security then you could greatly assist the people of Burma. By taking down official Burmese government propaganda and posting pictures, information about the protests, information about the lies of the Burmese junta, and news of the huge support being offered by the rest of the world — preferably in Burmese — then you could help free the people from this terrible regime. Links to official regime sites filled with propaganda here: http://www.blog.thesietch.org/2007/09/29/hackers-unite-for-burmese-freedom/
Linux Business

Submission + - Acer condemned in France for bundling software

Submitted by
Guedon
Guedon writes: "On July 23rd of this year, in the court of Puteaux (France), Acer was condemned (http://www.aful.org/media/document/jugement-Gutzwiller-Acer-20070723.pdf in French) because it had bundled software with its hardware. More precisely, Acer had to reimburse various software and installations costs (311.85 Euros) and pay damage (650 Euros). The sums involved are small but the precedent bears huge consequences. Also, this is an important judgement for the French Free Software Association (AFUL) because, for years, it has tried to have the French law against bundled sales to apply. It now looks like the French are closer to being able to refuse pre-installed software and not pay for it."
Spam

Submission + - IndieClick apologizes for ad banner snafu (turdhead.com)

Submitted by Stalwart Doorstop
Stalwart Doorstop writes: It seems not all online advertisers are evil. The president of online marketing firm IndieClick issued a well-received apology today after one of its advertising network's banner ads rendered the popular Something Awful forums unusable to some late last night. After much gnashing of teeth and adblocking by paid forum users, the company's president took the time to personally apologize and explain what the company is doing to make sure it doesn't happen again:

Our advertisers work with us because we commit to bringing them to great audiences who will be interested in their stuff. We hate screwing up and take it very very seriously. I am sorry about this and we have taken steps to add more QA to our process to prevent anything like this from happening ever again."
Security

Submission + - MSN W32 worm still spreading

Submitted by
LinuxJuggalo
LinuxJuggalo writes: "Despite how long W32 has been going on the net, to this day it is still spreading and infecting Windows computers around and more evolved each day specifically on IM services such as MSN, with messages such like: My friend took nice photos of me.you Should see em loL! after that it appears the user sending a file in .zip compression with names like "photos.zip" or "picts-3499.zip" somewhere around 75KB big, after it is uncompressed file name is "img0794-www.photoshare.com" now this can fool a few because the file name does not say .exe and it appears to be a link file to a webpage of some sorts like photobucket when the file is actually a executable (.exe), once infected it spreads and sends to all your contacts on the IM service. More info can be found at Symantec"
Software

Submission + - Should There Be No 'I' in Software Team?

Submitted by
theodp
theodp writes: "Ever say you could have done a better job on software than one of your teammates? If so, be thankful you're in the software business and not the soccer business. After saying she could have turned in a better performance than her backup, goalkeeper Hope Solo has been banished by her teammates from Sunday's World Cup bronze-medal game with Norway. It wasn't so long ago when Michael Jordan earned six championship rings while occasionally ripping his teammates a new one ('You can't shoot. What you need to do is go to my basketball camp with the kids and learn how to shoot.'). As far as software development goes, is it a good thing to get to the point where there is no 'I' in Team?"
Linux Business

Submission + - SCO = Link directory? (sco.com)

Submitted by
tom66
tom66 writes: "It seems a recent change has become apparent: on the footer of SCO's homepage there are a collection of text-based ads for SCO's so-called 'partners': "SCO Partners click here to get free Search Engine Optimisation and Internet marketing services via an online IT software services directory plus affordable website design provided by Top100 and the internet marketing company. " Is this an attempt to cover the costs now SCO has filed for bankruptcy? Or is this a just a security breach?"
Music

Submission + - using a sound card instead of the on-board audio

Submitted by hogleg
hogleg writes: First time posting here, please be kind. :) I would like to know what people are using for sound cards and speakers on their computers. Up till now I have always used the audio that came with the motherboard. I have a cheap 2.1 speaker setup from logitech and generally am happy with it. I just wonder if I am missing out. I don't consider myself an audiophile but would like to know what is considered good/acceptable? I am running feisty if that helps. I have read that this card is supported, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829121122 and I was looking at these speakers, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836119105 Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!
The Media

Submission + - Censorship of Police Brutality...again.

Submitted by Jangchub
Jangchub writes: Youtube has been asked and has complied (though you can still find videos popping up) to remove a video of blatant police brutality from it's servers. Here is a link of the video, if it's still there, and Here is a link to some media coverage. I'm sure it's floating around elsewhere. It seems to me that David Snyder has a bad relationship with his fellow locals, especially police officer Jack Tiller, in Roseland, IN. What is obvious from the actual video is that a disagreement between two persons escalates when one party is ejected from the forum. What follows is actually quite disturbing, in that you can hear people saying things like "Did you trip and fall?" when it's obvious the guy was shoved out the door and given a few opinions from the Officer, with fist. Toward the end of the video you get the impression that this is a family affair. I'm going to end here before my personal commentary gets me into trouble.
The Internet

Submission + - Call centre workers allowed 12 seconds to pee! (smh.com.au)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Australian ISP Netspace is being targeted over it's alleged call centre tactics and staff treatment. An ex-tech support employee with an axe to grind has released an internal email to Australian papers detailing the restrictions being placed on workers. Workers have been told they are not allowed to leave their desk more than 4 times a day, and have just 12 seconds to finalise a call before answering their next call.

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