Comment Too Free (Score 2, Funny) 340
Is Stoddart a danger or a menace? Or just clueless?
Yes.
Submission + - Microsoft's Open XML hitting government roadblocks
HexaByte writes: Various states and foreign governments are passing laws about open standards for document formats — and Microsoft's Open XML doesn't cut it.
Story here: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2091329,00.as p?kc=EWINFEMNL020707EOAD
New York To Ban iPods While Crossing Street? 487
An anonymous reader writes to mention Reuters is reporting that New York State Senator Carl Kruger is looking to institute a $100 fine for using electronic gadgets while crossing the street. Citing three pedestrian deaths in his Brooklyn district as the main driving reason he believe Government has an obligation to protect its citizens. "Tech-consuming New Yorkers trudge to work on sidewalks and subways like an army of drones, appearing to talk to themselves on wireless devices or swaying to seemingly silent tunes. 'I'm not trying to intrude on that,' Kruger said. 'But what's happening is when they're tuning into their iPod or Blackberry or cell phone or video game, they're walking into speeding buses and moving automobiles. It's becoming a nationwide problem.'"
Submission + - The Engineering Behind Lexus' Self Park System
killabrew writes: Read about the engineering and technology behind the Lexus LS 460's self assist parking system. Also see a video demostration on how the new sensor-based systems enable vehicles to steer themselves into parking spaces. Read the story and watch the video here: http://www.designnews.com/article/CA6414506.html
Submission + - Securing the Hardware Management Console
BlueVoodoo writes: "Get step-by-step instructions for things you should do during installation of the Hardware Management Console (HMC), measures you can take after installation, and maintenance guidelines to ensure that a secure system stays secure."
Submission + - US Senator to support iPod ban
CautionaryX writes: "A New York state senator, Sen. Carl Kruger, will " propose a bill that would ban using an iPod — and any other electronic device that is a distraction — while crossing traffic, he told FOX News on Wednesday." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250644,00.html "The bill would levy a $100 fine against those who use iPods, cell phones and BlackBerrys while in a crosswalk in all of New York's major cities."
The senator says that the legislation is mainly to create public awareness of the growing problem of using your iPod while walking across busy intersections. Here's the really funny part: "If you want to listen to your iPod, sit down and listen to it," Kruger told WCBS-TV. "You want to walk in the park, enjoy it. You want to jog around a jogging path, all the more power to you, but you should be crossing streets and endangering yourself and the lives of others." (emphasis added) Is the public really in danger of pedestrians using iPods?"
The senator says that the legislation is mainly to create public awareness of the growing problem of using your iPod while walking across busy intersections. Here's the really funny part: "If you want to listen to your iPod, sit down and listen to it," Kruger told WCBS-TV. "You want to walk in the park, enjoy it. You want to jog around a jogging path, all the more power to you, but you should be crossing streets and endangering yourself and the lives of others." (emphasis added) Is the public really in danger of pedestrians using iPods?"
Submission + - PCIe Cabling Spec Allows External Graphics Cards
writertype writes: The PCI Express SIG released its Cabling 1.0 spec on Wednesday, which translates the PCI Express protocols found within motherboards into a cable that takes PCI Express outside the box, ExtremeTech reports. PCI SIG executives specifically mention that the spec was designed to allow external PC graphics solutions, making things like SLI cooling all that much easier. An important step forward for the PC, I think.
Submission + - Nay on DRM: The Economist agrees with Jobs
redelm writes: The Economist, arguably the world leading business newspaper/magazine has picked up on Steve Jobs Appleblog for DRM-free Music. Also as discussed on /. This article agrees with Jobs and gives him much broader exposure beyond the technical community. Perhaps to influence some lego/politico decision makers who have no idea what DRM is!
Submission + - DVD jon on Job's "give up DRM if I could"
Whiney Mac Fanboy writes: ""Dvd" Jon Johansen has posted several sceptical blog entries reacting to Steve Job's blog posting about DRM.
One post questions Job's misuse of statistics that attempts to prove consumers aren't tied to iPods through ITMS.
The other question's the DRM-free in a heartbeat claim. There are apparantly, many Indie artists who would love to sell DRM-free music on iTunes, but Apple will not allow them.Many iPod owners have never bought anything from the iTunes Store. Some have bought hundreds of songs. Some have bought thousands. At the 2004 Macworld Expo, Steve revealed that one customer had bought $29,500 worth of music.
"It should not take Apple's iTunes team more than 2-3 days to implement a solution for not wrapping content with FairPlay when the content owner does not mandate DRM. This could be done in a completely transparent way and would not be confusing to the users.
ISP Tracking Legislation Hits the House 332
cnet-declan writes "CNET News.com reports that Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives announced yesterday legislation to force ISPs to keep track of what their users are doing. It's part of the Republicans 'law and order agenda,' with other components devoted to the death penalty, gangs, and terrorists. Attorney General Gonzales would be permitted to force Internet providers to keep logs of Web browsing, instant message exchanges, and e-mail conversations indefinitely. The draft bill is available online, and it also includes mandatory Web labeling for sexually explicit pages. The idea enjoys bipartisan support: a Colorado Democrat has been the most ardent supporter in the entire Congress."
Submission + - DNS Attack only a warning shot?
ancientribe writes: The attack on the Internet infrastructure yesterday may signal a hint of bigger things to come: the distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack on the Domain Name System (DNS) root servers was likely a test-run for a potentially larger and more disruptive attack.
It was the latest in a series of DDOS attacks on DNS servers that began late last year with attacks on EveryDNS and EasyDNS. Experts had predicted it was only a matter of time before botnet operators hit a bigger and higher-profile DNS target, and that's just what happened yesterday, according to this article in Dark Reading.
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=116 685&WT.svl=news1_1
It was the latest in a series of DDOS attacks on DNS servers that began late last year with attacks on EveryDNS and EasyDNS. Experts had predicted it was only a matter of time before botnet operators hit a bigger and higher-profile DNS target, and that's just what happened yesterday, according to this article in Dark Reading.
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=11
Submission + - iPods banned from pedestrian use?
Nitack writes: New York State Sen. Carl Kruger is trying to push through a bill that will ticket New Yorkers to the tune of $100 for listening to an iPod or talking on a phone while crossing the street. Sen. Kruger has had three people in his district die from crossing the street while distracted by personal electronics. According to Kruger it is the governments responsibility to protect his citizens from themselves. "This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."
Submission + - Next Gen Console War: Report 1
John Callaham writes: "It's been two and a half months since that hectic November when the entire world's attention was focused on the video game industry. Despite what certain financial analysts have predicted the truth is that this current console conflict is still up for grabs. However, never let it be said that we at FiringSquad aren't helpful to all three sides in this war. In this feature we take a look at current state of the console war and give our recommendations to all three companies so they can come out on top. Check it out at http://www.firingsquad.com/features/next_gen_conso le_war/"
Submission + - MacTech's VBA to AppleScript Transition Guide
neilticktin writes: "VBA for Mac is going away with the next version (Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac). The solution for most Mac Office users is to migrate to AppleScript. MacTech Magazine is releasing an extensive 150 page guide as part of its April 2007 issue to help users make the transition, or get started with Office AppleScript. The super-size issue will be sent to all MacTech subscribers as part of their normal subscription. Microsoft is sponsoring subscriptions, readers need only fill out a short survey and pay $10 to cover postage for the subscription. Readers need to sign up by March 15th if they want the April issue."
Video on Demand From the Public Library 89
ye oulde library lover writes "In light of the recent story about Wal-Mart and movies on demand, readers should know there is a free service available from some public libraries that lets you download movies and tv shows. The service is just beginning, so selection is pretty mediocre, but the sponsors, Recorded Books and PermissionTV, make some big promises. If your library ponies up the dough for the top service, you will be able to download movies on the same day as their dvd release. All you need is a library card. You can see one of the early adopters — Half Hollow Hills Community Library in the library's blog. Look for MyLibraryDV."
