Change.org's new web application, entitled Ideas for Change in America, allows users to submit and vote on ideas brought forth by the American people. Currently, in the Technology Policy area, an idea entitled "Support the Free Software Movement" is currently in 9th place - it has a nice write-up about Richard Stallman and the movement as a whole. Head on over and let our new President know how much we want free software to be integrated in the government's infrastructure.

For those of you involved with document management and archives, I just found out that Sharp has introduced a feature on their line of business machines called "Open Systems Architecture". It's basically a series of software implementations written in Embedded Java that let a business create their own interfaces that deliver digital content over SOAP, XHTML, XML, and all that jazz. What's amazing is that we're all still using paper!

After sending a letter to my U.S. Senator, Jim Webb, expressing my deepest outrage against the DMCA and other intellectual property laws that encumber thinking, creativity, and the arts, I've received an interesting reply from the Senator.

According to Jim Webb, "You will be pleased to know that the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary is currently conducting hearings on the DMCA and other copyright issues."

He assures me that my own, and the rest of Virginia's, interests will be considered; but honestly people, if our interests were considered.... would we even have the DMCA?!

Perhaps I'm mistaken - but I thought that Windows XP Service Pack 3 wasn't supposed to available in the Automatic Updates system until later in the summer because it was causing some reboot problems. However, I just received a prompt for Automatic Updates requesting that I install it because it's so *great*! Is this another Microsoft snafu?

On a non-technology related tangent, SkyBus airlines has decided to end all flights after Friday, April 4th 2008 and will officially file for chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, April 7. This comes as a shock to all who had assumed that SkyBus ultra low ticket fares were becoming popular in the economy ticket markets. This is the third airline to close this week.

The New York Times is reporting that,
"The State Department said on Friday that the passport files of all three presidential contenders were improperly accessed by employees and the department's inspector general is reviewing the matter." and that "The breaches involved electronic files that contained personal information about Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain."

Could this be a political attack?

Ars Technica is reporting:

"A report by the Financial Times (registration required) cites unnamed executives who say that Apple is in talks with record labels to offer access to the entire iTunes music library for a lump sum price. The fee would be added as a premium option on an iPod or iPhone, or it could come as a monthly charge. It would allow downloading of any song at any time so long as the purchaser still owns the device, and the songs would be yours to keep."

I have posted my ramblings on about what I feel are the top ten most influential organizations on Earth. Of course Google, OPEC, and Wal-Mart made the list, but a few others have made an important impact on our society and rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

Nokia has released a new addition to the Linux-based n series of Internet Tablets. This revision features a full QWERTY keyboard and is designed for Internet use. It has built-in GPS and maps. It will arrive in November at a price of $479.

From the New York Times,
"Microsoft is starting its long-anticipated drive into the consumer health care market by offering free personal health records on the Web and pursuing a strategy that borrows from the company's successful formula in personal computer software."

Today, OpenOffice 2.3 has been released. Along with many new features, several security and stability issues have been solved. This release has put some shiny new user experience features at the hands of MS Office users...

A virus imported from Australia may be behind the malady that has killed billions of U.S. honeybees in the past year, according to an article released today by the journal Science.

Apparently, Apple's Steve Jobs has posted an open letter http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/ on Apple.com stating that customers who bought iPhones during their initial release will receive a $100 credit in Apple stores as a result of the recent $200 price cut.