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Submission Summary: 0 pending, 28 declined, 3 accepted (31 total, 9.68% accepted)

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Media

Submission + - Media Mail: How to fighting the USPO? (usps.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "Sending items using media mail is a great way to save money. However, the government (USPS) is dragging its feet. I recently tried to send a 160GB SATA hard drive filled with movies to a relative. I invite readers to understand what Media Mail is, and what it was intended to do by reading the pamphlet on line "A Consumer's Guide to Mailing". The relevant text: "Small and large packages and thick envelopes can be sent using Media Mail. Contents are limited to books, manuscripts, sound recordings, recorded videotapes, and computer-readable media (not blank). Informally called "Book Rate," Media Mail cannot contain advertising, except eligible books may contain incidental announcements of books. Media Mail is usually less expensive than Parcel Post."

After several phone calls, I was able to reach a real person sent them the question by email:

Thank you for taking the time to listen to me.

Attached are several images to give perspective on the items involved.

{images of SATA drive, SATA to USB connection, and descripton removed for clarity}

Technical details:
The drive is plugged into the device outside of the computer, and the computers normal operation is not required by it's absence or presence. It's operation is the same as a "thumb drive", only physically larger. (And it is more equivalent to a DVD in that the DVD requires a DVD drive — this device requires the docking station as shown in the above image)

My Issue:
What I am shipping is the "hard drive" with video's copied on the drive. This is the (more) modern equivalent of a "DVD" in that it has movies/ videos (approximately 100 hrs). Supplemental hard ware is not shipped, nor are games (etc) included.

My contention is that if VHS tapes, DVD's and CD's are allowed, than this MUST be allowed under the same pretext. Current technology is such that the hard drives being released today are intended for this sole purpose — holding movies. This is the same as shipping a DVD or a 3 1/2 floppy — just more data.


The response from the USPS was:
"I wanted you to know the information I received says Media Mail prices are not available for computer related parts, accessories, flash/thumb devices, and storage devices such as a hard drive. Any kind of drive, whether it be thumb drive or hard drive, is not eligible." This indicates a fundamental lack of understanding of what current standards are for holding data — out side of the computer.

Anyone know how to proceed from here? The USPS doesn't know (or want to tell) how to escalate the issue. I'm concerned that my next course of action might be to go to Federal Court (not my idea of fun, since I can't afford it)."
Medicine

Submission + - Tricks with your mind and a dummy's body (komonews.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "KOMO is reporting about a study from Stockholm's renowned Karolinska Institute. The story by the AP is using cameras setup to watch "you", from the perspective of a dummy. The system is set up so that as you perform activities with the dummy, you feel sensation. They start out with shaking hands with yourself. They have found out that most people (70-80%) tend to freak out the when the dummy is stabbed with a knife ("experience the illusion very strongly"). The entire article covers the perspective of both the study, and what the writer feels during the experience. Though this study was with short duration subjects, interest is raised with longer duration studies. "The questions is what happens if you did it much longer? If you were in there for days and weeks. Would it be like something out of Total Recall?" (Spence). I was intrigued with the possibility of VR in game simulation."
Government

Submission + - Washington State: Is Blogging lobbying? (komonews.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "Washington State is asking — is blogging lobbying? As KOMO's website is reporting, if blogging is lobbying, then those who are doing the blogging are required to file public reports detailing their finances. This is another instance where 21st century and 1970s political reforms are clashing. Though media is excluded, this could have a chilling impact on private blogs (and websites)."
United States

Submission + - Fed judge ruled part of law terrorism vage (nwsource.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "The Seattle PI is reporting a story by the AP where a Portland, Oregon Federal Judge has ruled against terrorism law: unconstitutionally vague.

He ruled a law prohibiting material support for terrorists is unconstitutional because it is too vague. The judge also ruled the law on the provision of "material support" to any group given the designation was unconstitutionally vague."
Republicans

Submission + - Georgia men claim hairy, frozen corpse is Bigfoot (komonews.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "Two men claim to have shot Bigfoot, and placed him in a freezer. The announcement describes the creature as a 7-foot-7 male, weighing 550 pounds with 16-inch human-like feet and reddish hair. Three different tales so far offered three different tales so far about how they came to find the creature:
In one, the animal was shot by a former felon, and the men followed it into the woods. In a second version, they found a "family of Bigfoot" in North Georgia mountains. In the third, the two were hiking and stumbled upon the corpse with open wounds.
One interesting note is that this is being picked up by the mainstream media.
However — this rates up there with — Wow, we've found a new and wonderful creature. Let's kill it!"
Education

Submission + - Paper posts names of those it says bought degrees (spokesmanreview.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "The Spokesman Review has published the names of nearly 10,000 people that have alleged to have purchased bogus college degrees from a Spokane diploma mill. The U.S. Department of Justice had refused to release to the public.
The list is available on Spokesman-Review's Web site. The newspaper did not say how it obtained the list.
A preliminary analysis by the newspaper, based on e-mail addresses, showed 135 individuals with ties to the military, 39 with links to educational institutions, and 17 employed by government agencies. But the numbers could be much higher if buyers used their personal e-mail accounts"
Toys

Submission + - Japanese Company Unveils Solar-Powered Bra (reuters.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "One company is really trying to empower women — with a new "Solar-Powered Bra". The aritcle has several models showing the new invention. And to no ones surprise, Fox is also — well, covering the story. It is environmentally friendly, and includes a belt that goes around the stomach. Its creator admits that "people usually cannot go outside without wearing clothes over it" and says it should not be washed or worn in the rain to avoid damage.
Imagine the uses: IPod, GPS and other low powered portable devices...."
Networking

Submission + - Indictment highlights file-sharing risks (komotv.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "From KOMO TV website, an article about how Gregory Thomas Kopiloff used Limewire, Soulseek and other "peer-to-peer" file-sharing programs to troll other computers for financial information, which he used to open credit cards for an online shopping spree, according to a four-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court on Thursday.

The news article isn't big on details, but it does outline the risks with "peer-to-peer" file-sharing programs. Carried by the By Associated Press"
Space

Submission + - Space shuttle was sabotaged!! (komotv.com) 1

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: " KOMO TV reports that 'CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A space program worker deliberately damaged a computer that is supposed to fly aboard shuttle Endeavour in less than two weeks, an act of sabotage that was caught before the equipment was loaded onto the spaceship, NASA said Thursday.'"
Toys

Submission + - HD DVD fights back with new features (komotv.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "KOMO has an article by the AP about HD DVD; more about the wars and how HD DVD is fiting back. One key part of the article is: The HD DVD version of "300" will allow users to re-edit the movie, selecting and ordering the scenes as they see fit, and upload their edit to a server hosted by the studio, Warner Bros. The edit will be accessible to other users, who can download it to their players and see the movie in its new form.

Ability do download it to others??? What is the world coming to will? The MPAA allow this?"
Technology (Apple)

Submission + - It Costs $220 to Make an iPhone (businessweek.com)

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: " BuinessWeek says that "An analysis from teardown firm Portelligent estimates that the new smartphone costs Apple a mere $220 to make" and "Portelligent estimates that the cost of the materials used in the iPhone add up to about $200 for the 4-gigabyte version, which sells for $499 and about $220 for the 8-gigabyte version, which sells for $599""
The Courts

Submission + - UW cooperates with music industry in suing student (komotv.com) 1

Submitted by
Bomarc
Bomarc writes: "From the article: The University of Washington says it will cooperate with the music industry as it tracks down and sues students accused of illegally downloading audio files.

A university official, Eric Godfrey, informed students by e-mail that it will use its computers to identify students and notify them of their settlement options.

The university will forward notices from the Recording Industry Association of America telling them they have about 20 days to settle before going to court.

Settlements range from $3,000 to $5,000."

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