ChillBeast - Slashdot User

Submission + - Microsoft replaces defective Halo 3 disks for free

Submitted by

fahrvergnugen

on Tuesday September 25, 2007 @02:40PM

fahrvergnugen writes: "It seems the packaging for the collector's edition tin of Halo 3 comes with defective nubs to hold the disks securely in the package. As a result, the disks are rattling around loose in the case, and the nubs that were supposed to keep them safe are damaging the media surface. Amidst widespread reports of scratched Halo 3 DVDs due to these packaging defects with the Collector's edition, Microsoft has extended their disk replacement program to include free replacement DVDs for Halo 3 through December 31st, 2007."

Submission + - Publishers Join Forces Against Open Access (linux.com)

Submitted by

Xenographic

on Tuesday September 25, 2007 @01:16PM

Xenographic writes: "The American Association of Publishers announced the creation of the Partnership for Research Integrity in Science and Medicine. This new partnership, PRISM, will lobby against open access to scientific research on the grounds that science has less integrity when you don't have to pay outrageous fees for access to important journals. They are especially against bills like the Federal Research Public Access Act which could cause a decline in their sales numbers and an "undermining of copyright holders." Y'arr, matey."

WordPress 2.3 Does Not Spy On Users [UPDATED] 229

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday September 25, 2007 @12:37PM from the if-you-don't-like-it-fork-it dept.

Marilyn Miller writes "Popular open-source blogging engine WordPress has been upgraded to 2.3 — with some unexpected nasties in the mix. As of version 2.3, WordPress now periodically (every 12 hours) sends personally identifying information (blog name & URI) to the mothership, along with an alarming amount of information including $_SERVER dumps, a list of installed plugins, and your current PHP/MySQL settings. Most unfortunately, it does not provide any way of disabling this functionality, and WordPress does not have any privacy policy protecting this information. In a thread about the issue, lead developer Matt Mullenweg defends his actions and staunchly refuses to add an opt-in interface, telling users to 'fork WordPress' if they aren't willing to put up with this behavior." Update: 09/25 17:52 GMT by KD : This article is misleading enough to be called "just wrong." Matt Mullenweg writes: "As mentioned in our release announcement, the update notification sends your blog URL, plugins, and version info when it checks api.wordpress.org for new and compatible updates. It does not include $_SERVER dumps, or any settings beyond version numbers (for checking compatibility), or your blog name, or your credit card number. We do provide a way of disabling this feature; in fact I link to one of the plugins in the release announcement and in my original response to Morty's thread."

Submission + - A Bank For Geeks

Submitted by on Monday September 24, 2007 @06:57PM

An anonymous reader writes: I just received a notice from my current bank indicating that they are forcing upon me a new privacy policy. The only reason that they've sent me this notice is because it is the law. And they're certainly meeting the absolute bare requirements for meeting the requirements of this law: I can opt-out, but only if I mail them a letter with all of my personal details, including my account numbers and social security number! As a geek, this is obviously the last straw and I'd like to make the switch to a legitimate bank. What are other geeks using?

Submission + - Microsoft Project Alternative OpenProj Reviewed (madpenguin.org)

Submitted by sober on Monday September 24, 2007 @02:42AM

sober writes: MadPenguin.org has reviewed an open source alternative to Microsoft Project, OpenProj. The author concludes, "If this software is given any amount of time or support to reach full maturity, it would definitely be a solid competitor against Microsoft's Project. The only downside I have seen thus far with regard to its localized installation is that it is Java-based in design. This means instant alienation from those who do not enjoy using what Java provides. Personally, I found that the application runs great, does exactly what it advertises and costs nothing for the localized version.

Submission + - Seven CIA Vets Challenge 9/11 Commission Report (opednews.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 24, 2007 @12:09AM

An anonymous reader writes: http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_alan_mil_070922_seven_cia_veterans_c.htm

Seven CIA Veterans Challenge 9/11 Commission Report

September 23, 2007 — Seven CIA veterans have severely criticized the official account of 9/11 and have called for a new investigation. "I think at simplest terms, there's a cover-up. The 9/11 Report is a joke," said Raymond McGovern, 27-year veteran of the CIA, who chaired National Intelligence Estimates during the seventies. "There are a whole bunch of unanswered questions. And the reason they're unanswered is because this administration will not answer the questions," he said. McGovern, who is also the founder of VIPS (Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity), is one of many signers of a petition to reinvestigate 9/11.[1]

Submission + - New city law impounds cars with loud stereos 3

Submitted by SaDan on Sunday September 23, 2007 @08:41PM

SaDan writes: On August, 20th this year, a new law was passed in Rockford, IL, that grants police the authority to impound any vehicle reported for having a stereo turned up too loud:

"Cars taken will be held until fines of $150 to $750 are paid — in addition to a $75 towing fee, a $15 to $20 per day storage fee and a $60 per hour charge if the police officer has to wait more than an hour for the tow truck."

Anyone who has their car impounded is in for a long wait, in addition to the fees previously mentioned. After requesting a hearing, the city can wait up to 45 days before going to trial, accumulating around $1100 in impound fees. An article, with PDF of the recently passed law, can be found here.

Submission + - Florida Judge OK's Claims Against Record Companies (blogspot.com)

Submitted by NewYorkCountryLawyer on Sunday September 23, 2007 @07:26AM

NewYorkCountryLawyer writes: A federal judge in Tampa, Florida, has ruled that an RIAA defendant's counterclaim against the record companies for conspiracy to use unlicensed investigators, access private computer records without permission, and commit extortion, may move forward. The Court also sustained claims for violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act as well as a claim under Florida law for deceptive and unfair trade practices. The decision (pdf) by Judge Richard A. Lazzara in UMG v. DelCid rejected, in its entirety, the RIAA's assertion of "Noerr Pennington" immunity, since that defense does not apply to "sham litigations", and Ms. Del Cid alleges that the RIAA's cases are "sham".

Slashdot Top Deals