Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×
Democrats

Submission + - Bill to give President control of the Internet

Attila Dimedici writes: Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) has introduced a revised bill to give the President the authority to seize control of private sector networks during a "cybersecurity emergency". The bill also contains provisions to create a new federal certification for "cybersecurity professionals". The bill would require that certain private sector computer systems and networks be managed by someone with this new certification. http://www.civilwarhome.com/population1860.htm
Censorship

Submission + - Bill to give Obama emergency Control of Internet 5

neonprimetime writes: Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.
Privacy

Submission + - Emergency Government Control of the Internet (cnet.com) 1

TheZid writes: Here is another blow to our freedoms. A newly proposed bill that would give Uncle Sam the power to disconnect private sector computers from the internet in the event of a 'cyber security emergency'. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html As usual, citing security our government is trying to take away our privacy. What actually counts as a 'Cyber-Security Emergency?' Does the president now have the option of disconnecting people when they disagree with his policies? Disconnect bloggers that criticize his health-reform? What counts as an emergency, can political opponents be deemed a cyber security emergency? This is just the next step in the demise of our freedoms and privacy. Its probably a step forward for any government figure wanting to control our every move and thought. Big Brother here we come

Comment Re:Um... why should EA use its servers... (Score 1) 2

The SecuROM "kill switch" supposedly kills your EA game account, and furthermore it supposedly would prevent you from running the game at all, (unless you purchased a new copy).

There was speculation earlier that a SecuROM "kill switch" was present, and such speculation had been previously dismissed.

Here is the relevant quote: "you [sic] account may be at risk of banning which in some cases would mean you would need to buy a new copy to play Spore."

According to this Moderator, after the so-called "Kill Switch" is activated the only way to play the game would be to buy a new copy, (or use the pirated version) "in some cases".

My issue is that EA would place a DRM "kill switch" into the game software at all. Remember that the software is a product that you bought and are running on your computer. With a SecuROM "Kill Switch" (if such a beastie exists) EA could deactivate your software without your permission, knowledge or control, and for any reason whatsoever.

The Astroturfing by deletion of EA's own forum comments is just icing on the cake, (which I concede that EA has every right to do).

They do not have the right to prohibit your use of purchased software through the use of what amounts to a root kit installed without your knowledge or consent, just because they don't like that you have written in their forums.

United States

Submission + - Senate Report Debunks AGW "Consensus" (senate.gov)

PoliTech writes: "
U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007

Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and former participants in the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), criticized the climate claims made by the UN IPCC and former Vice President Al Gore.

This blockbuster Senate report lists the scientists by name, country of residence, and academic/institutional affiliation. It also features their own words, biographies, and weblinks to their peer reviewed studies and original source materials as gathered from public statements, various news outlets, and websites in 2007. This new consensus busters report is poised to redefine the debate.

Many of the scientists featured in this report consistently stated that numerous colleagues shared their views, but they will not speak out publicly for fear of retribution. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Nathan Paldor, Professor of Dynamical Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of almost 70 peer-reviewed studies, explains how many of his fellow scientists have been intimidated.

This new report details how teams of international scientists are dissenting from the UN IPCCs view of climate science. In such nations as Germany, Brazil, the Netherlands, Russia, New Zealand and France, scientists banded together in 2007 to oppose climate alarmism.
"

Music

Submission + - Wal-Mart forcing Warner & Sony BMG to provide (billboard.biz)

PoliTech writes: "Acording to Billboard, Wal-Mart is alerting WMG and Sony BMG that it will pull their music files in the Windows Media Audio format from walmart.com some time between mid-December and mid-January, if the labels haven't yet provided the music in MP3 format."
Data Storage

Submission + - Samsung Announces The Fastest 64GB SSD (xuecast.com)

XueCast writes: "his new Solid State Drive ( SSD ) from Samsung can write data at 100 MB/s and read data at 120 MB/s which can easily out perform most current SDDs in the market that can only write at 45 MB/s and read at 65 MB/s. This new SSD will come in two form factors which are : 2.5 and 3.5, and will be running on SATA II standard, and also it will only consume 50% less power than most current SSDs in the market. There is no information yet about how much this new SSD will cost to buy."
Desktops (Apple)

Submission + - Leopard Already Hacked to Run on PC Hardware (pcworld.com)

PoliTech writes: "The cat and mouse game between hackers and Apple takes another move, with news that Apple's new Leopard operating system has already been successfully installed on Windows PCs. The OSx86 Scene forum has released details of how Windows users can migrate to Apple's new OS, without investing in new hardware — even though installing Leopard on an PC may be counter to Apple's terms and conditions. The forum is offering full instructions on how to install the system, including screenshots of the installation process. Not all the features of Leopard function with the patch — Wi-Fi, support, for example, is reportedly inoperable. Historically, Apple's likely next move will be to track down and act against those behind the hack."
Windows

Submission + - SPAM: Sun now a Windows OEM of all things

alphadogg writes: Sun Wednesday said it will begin selling, supporting and pre-installing Windows Server 2003 on all its server hardware within the next three months and that it will work with Microsoft on developing interoperability between their virtualization and other technologies. The two also said they will work together in a lab on Microsoft's Redmond campus that will include engineers from both companies working on virtualization interoperability as well as customer support issues. [spam URL stripped]
Biotech

Submission + - California Blocks RFID Implants In Workers (latimes.com) 1

InternetVoting writes: "California has passed a bill banning companies from requiring employees to have RFID chips surgically implanted. Already one company has been licensed by the federal government, implanting more than 2000 people. At least one other company — CityWatcher.com, a Cincinnati video surveillance company — already required RFID implants in some employees.
From the article:
State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) proposed the measure after at least one company began marketing radio frequency identification devices for use in humans. "RFID is a minor miracle, with all sorts of good uses," Simitian said. "But we shouldn't condone forced 'tagging' of humans. It's the ultimate invasion of privacy.""

Privacy

Submission + - Communits + Technology = Total Surveillance (nytimes.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Communists are well known for the total disrespect of the human rights for privacy. Chinese government recently woke up to the advances of the surveillance technology available and ordered all large cities to apply technology to police work. In the article http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/business/worldbu siness/12security.html NY Times reports that while use of surveillance technology in Britain is controversial, China does not have limits on police power and fewer legal protection to its citizens.
Robotics

Submission + - OLE, the fire fighting beetle (gearfuse.com)

bob82 writes: "Researchers are working on OLE, a new autonomous robot that could one day help out putting out fires. This fire fighting beetle will be programmed to run through the forest at 20 to 30 km per hour, looking for potential forest fires in the works and extinguishing them with an impulse appliance."
Java

Submission + - Major Java EE 5 enhancements mean faster Apps

An anonymous reader writes: Java EE 5 is a strong, significant release, making it the most complete platform for enterprise development. This article provides an overview of the new Java EE 5 specification, and its many significant enhancements. Clearly, major steps have been taken to addresses most of the criticisms surrounding past Java development. EJB 3.0 and JPA are powerful and easy to use technologies, and the improvements in JAX-WS make Web service development easier than ever before.

Slashdot Top Deals

A meeting is an event at which the minutes are kept and the hours are lost.

Working...