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Security

Submission + - Microsoft Says RIP Windows XP AutoRun (itnews.com.au)

Submitted by aesoteric
aesoteric writes: Microsoft has finally decided to push out an update to disable AutoRun in its XP operating system, a Windows feature that had been increasingly exploited by virus writers over the years. But because Microsoft still sees AutoRun as a feature and not a security hole, it isn't calling its Windows Update a "security update" but rather an "Important, non-security update" — but it effectively disables the AutoRun feature anyway.
Robotics

Submission + - Kill (Virtual?) Terrorists from comfort of home! (spacewar.com)

Submitted by wisebabo
wisebabo writes: Summarized from the article: Defense and homeland security contractor TransLumen is "targeting" iPhone users worldwide with a "game" that allows iPhone users to remotely control UAVs and blow up terrorists. "UAV Fighter allows the user to pilot a UAV in uncannily realistic conditions and attack suspected terrorists with a variety of ammunition."

So is this really just a game or is the military using this to get some additional recruits for its UAV pilot force (a la "Ender's game)?

Gives new meaning to the expression slogan: reach out and (iPod) "touch" someone.
Portables (Games)

GTA Chinatown Wars May Pave the Way for M-Rated Content On the DS 54

Posted by Soulskill from the enough-pokemon dept.
The recently released Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is one of only a handful of mature-rated titles for the Nintendo DS, so the industry is watching closely to see if the traditionally family-friendly market can support such titles. While sales have not been stellar, they haven't been terrible either, easily outperforming previous M-rated titles. If they continue to improve, it's possible we'll start seeing a more consistent effort for "serious" games on Nintendo's portable console. "In the end, Singer said Nintendo hopes that the sales story of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be an encouraging one for game publishers. 'I think strategically, this is a very important game because it helps send the message that great M-rated content can come to the platform and will find a home.'"

Comment Hard distribution wins where bandwidth is too expe (Score 1) 478

by toastee (#27077991) Attached to: How Much Longer Will Physical Game Distribution Survive?

In canada's yukon and northwest terrirtories the phone companies literally charge $10/GB for bandwidth, making digital content delivery un-desrirable. pay $60 for a game on steam, and then another $60 to the phone company to download the content. No thanks, I'll buy it boxed and only pay once.
Supercomputing

Submission + - AMD plans supercomputer with 1,000 GPUs (custompc.co.uk)

Submitted by
arcticstoat
arcticstoat writes: "AMD is planning to use over 1,000 Radeon HD 4870 GPUs to create a supercomputer capable of processing one petaflop, which the company says will make 'cloud' computing a reality. When it's built later this year, the Fusion Render Cloud will be available as an online powerhorse for a variety of people, from gamers to 3D animators. The company claims that it could 'deliver video games, PC applications and other graphically-intensive applications through the Internet "cloud" to virtually any type of mobile device with a web browser.' The idea is that the Fusion Render Cloud will do all the hard work, so all you need is a machine capable of playing back the results, saving battery life and the need for ever greater processing power.

AMD also says that the supercomputer will 'enable remote real-time rendering of film and visual effects graphics on an unprecedented scale.' Meanwhile, game developers would be able to use the supercomputer to quickly develop games, and also 'serve up virtual world games with unlimited photo-realistic detail.' The supercomputer will be powered by OTOY software, which allows you to render 3D visuals in your browser via streaming, compressed online data."
Security

Submission + - Mumbai Police to Enforce Wifi Security

Submitted by caffeinemessiah
caffeinemessiah writes: In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, the local police are going to be sniffing out unsecured wifi access points and ordering the owners to secure them. The article notes that "terror mails were sent through unsecured Wi-Fi connections" before bomb blasts in other Indian cities. No word on if they'll be walking around using Kismet, or if people who use pathetically weak WEP encryption will be ordered to switch to more advanced protocols. Unfortunately, a gesture like this does not take into account the insidious scenario of walking into a cafe, buying a coffee and then (legally) using the cafe's wifi. Or the fact that terrorists might actually be able to pay to use a cybercafe, and know what VPNs are.
The Courts

RIAA Gives Up In Atlantic Recording v. Brennan 230

Posted by timothy from the wasn't-one-of-the-ghostbusters-named-ray? dept.
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "In Atlantic Recording v. Brennan, the landmark Connecticut case in which the first decision rejecting the RIAA's 'making available' theory was handed down, the RIAA has finally thrown in the towel and dismissed its own case. Mr. Brennan never appeared in the case at all. In February, 2008, the RIAA's motion for a default judgment was rejected for a number of reasons, including the Court's ruling (PDF) that there is no claim for 'making available for distribution' under the US Copyright Act. The RIAA moved for reconsideration; that motion was denied. Then, in December, the RIAA's second motion for default judgment was rejected. Finally the RIAA filed a 'notice of dismissal' ending the case."

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