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Submission + - DOJ Seeks Mandatory Data Retention for ISP's 3

Submitted by
Hugh Pickens
Hugh Pickens writes: "Computerworld reports that in testimony before Congress the US Department of Justice renewed its call for legislation mandating Internet Service Providers (ISP) retain customer usage data for up to two years because law enforcement authorities are coming up empty-handed in their efforts to go after online predators and other criminals because of the unavailability of data relating to their online activities. "There is no doubt among public safety officials that the gaps between providers' retention policies and law enforcement agencies' needs, can be extremely harmful to the agencies' investigations" says Jason Weinstein, deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Department adding that data retention is crucial to fighting Internet crimes, especially online child pornography (PDF). Weinstein admits that a data retention policy raises valid privacy concerns however, such concerns need to be addressed and balanced against the need for law enforcement to have access to the data. "Denying law enforcement that evidence prevents law enforcement from identifying those who victimize others online," concludes Weinstein."

Comment Re:Smoking Gun? Hardly (Score 4, Interesting) 406

by OmegaBlac (#28401881) Attached to: The Truth Behind the Death of Linux On the Netbook

The first netbooks; the ones so successful they started the entire trend; were based on Linux.

I remember. Funny how it wasn't really that long ago. Asus EEE was running Linux and then many other OEMs started pushing out Linux based netbooks until Microsoft panicked. Then we start hearing reports that OEMs were making half-assed attempts with Linux on netbooks by shipping netbooks with driver issues, not optimizing the OS for netbooks, or just completely "fumbling the ball" in other ways. Then articles began spreading regarding the number of returns of Linux netbooks. In a short period of time there are almost no Linux netbooks that can be purchased while Microsoft Windows has quickly went from a market share of 0% to just about completely dominating the netbook market. Now any OEM that shows off their new Android based netbook at these trade shows, and receive positive reviews, suddenly pull the plug on their projects a short-time after? Of course the U.S. DoJ doesn't appear to be in any rush to investigate Microsoft in regards to this situation, even with a new administration at the helm. Guess those "campaign contributions" from Microsoft are reaping dividends as I type this. This whole situation is just disgusting.

Comment Re:OEM laziness (Score 1) 406

by OmegaBlac (#28401693) Attached to: The Truth Behind the Death of Linux On the Netbook

It will take a polished corporate effort such as Moblin or Android to get a non-Windows OS on netbooks.

Unless of course the companies that want to sell a Moblin or Andriod netbook continue to mysteriously ax these products before they hit stores selves.

FTA:

On Monday, Qualcomm showed an Asus Eee PC using its new ARM Snapdragon chips to run Google's Android Linux. From all reports, the skinny, little Android-powered netbook looked great.

So, this was a good day for Asus right? A new ARM-powered Asus netbook with Android, the Linux everyone has been talking about, and at a price-point that will given Intel's Moblin 2.0 some real competition. Wrong.

The very next day, Asus' chairman, Jonney Shih, after sharing a news conference stage with Microsoft corporate VP, OEM Division, Steven Guggenheimer, apologized for the Android Eee PC being shown.

Shih said, "Frankly speaking ... I would like to apologize that, if you look at Asus booth, we've decided not to display this product. I think you may have seen the devices on Qualcomm's booth but actually, I think this is a company decision so far we would not like to show this device. That's what I can tell you so far. I would like to apologize for that."

It appears to me it is going to take more than a "polished" effort to beat back the anti-competitive behemoth that is Microsoft.

Comment Re:Preparations for the third Bush administration (Score 5, Insightful) 319

by OmegaBlac (#27448515) Attached to: New CyberSecurity Bill Raises Privacy Questions

Jeb Bush will be coming along soon to take his place in line, he'll love these extended powers.

I'm more worried (and you should too) about our current president that could have these "extended powers" very soon than some crazy left-wing fear/theory of another member of the Bush family becoming president four years from now. Democrats and Republicans will both fuck you over and continue to steer this country into irrelevancy. Wake up dammit!
KDE

Attempting To Reframe "KDE Vs. GNOME" 455

Posted by kdawson from the evolution-revolution dept.
jammag writes "Setting aside the now tired debate about whether KDE or GNOME is the 'better' Linux desktop, Bruce Byfield compares their disparate development approaches and asks, not which desktop is subjectively better, but which developmental approach is likely to be most successful in the next few years. 'In the short term, GNOME's gradualism seems sensible. But, in the long-term, it could very well mean continuing to be dragged down by support for legacy sub-systems. It means being reduced to an imitator rather than innovator.' In contrast, 'you could say that KDE has done what's necessary and ripped the bandage off the scab. In the short term, the result has been a lot of screaming, but, in the long term, it has done what was necessary to thrive.'"

Comment Re:KDE version (Score 5, Informative) 235

by OmegaBlac (#25606983) Attached to: OpenBSD 4.4 Released

They audit every line of code they ship, including the external stuff they don't write.

I keep seeing this, but it is not entirely correct. According to their own FAQ they do not audit ports or packages to the same degree as the base system. One must assume that the "external stuff" has not been through an audit at all when installing a port/package.
http://www.openbsd.org/faq/faq15.html#Intro
The Media

Submission + - R.I.P. Linux Advocate and Writer Joe Barr 1

Submitted by
Roblimo
Roblimo writes: "Our colleague Joe Barr sometimes described himself as a doddering old geek. Many knew him as a Linux evangelist; others knew him from his ham radio activities. And those of us who worked with Joe knew him in all of his sometime irascible, often funny moods. Joe was always one of our favorite people, and we are devastated to report that he died at home, unexpectedly, last night. Joe Barr was a reporter and editor for Linux.com, which is owned by the same company that owns Slashdot."
Microsoft

Submission + - Why wont MS listen to me when I report a bug?

Submitted by bsossaman
bsossaman writes: I've been telling them about this for a while and it's still in Vista. Ever try to ping 192.168.1.64? Sure, resolves fine. The problem comes in when you have embedded system programmers that like to pad with zeros and VP's that are unable to think clearly. Try pinging 192.168.001.064. Hmm, didn't think that was the same as 192.168.1.52. Try to start a ping at 192.168.001.008. Hours of fun!
Operating Systems

Submission + - Novell Goes Public with MS Patent Agreement Docume

Submitted by duedilly
duedilly writes: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2136947,00.as p?kc=EWKNLEDP052907A "...The text of the 144-page 10-K filing does not get into the specifics of the Microsoft deal, but it does include, subject to some redactions, the full three Microsoft agreement documents: the second amended and restated technical collaboration agreement, the first amended and restated business collaboration agreement and the patent cooperation agreement...."
Google

Submission + - Most Dangerous Tornados on Google Maps Mashup

Submitted by
cfaslave
cfaslave writes: "GeoCommons has made a Google Maps Mashup showing where the strongest and most fatal tornadoes have hit. There are definitely places where Tornadoes have hit several times hence the term "Tornado Alley". This map on GeoCommons shows you where those places are. Very Cool use of a Google Maps Mashup! Tornado Alleys on Google Maps"
Announcements

Submission + - Flying Dog Brewery releases Open Source Beer

Submitted by
Brianne Covel
Brianne Covel writes: "Denver, CO — May 29, 2007 — Denver's Flying Dog Brewery today announced plans to release what is believed to be the first "open source" beer to hit the market in the U.S. "Open source" is a term most commonly used in the software industry and refers to any program whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit. In this case, Flying Dog's Open Source Beer Project will allow beer drinkers and homebrewers to create or recommend modifications to the recipe. The Open Source Beer Project will start as a Dopplebock but the style may evolve as participants offer ideas and tweak the recipe. "We are encouraging input on every part of the recipe, down to how what variety of hops we should use, how much we should use and when we should add them," said Flying Dog's Head Brewer, Matt Brophy. Flying Dog's Director of Marketing, Neal Stewart says that this is a unique way for consumers to participate in the creation of a new beer. "The Open Source Beer is a truly collaborative project and gives our loyal fans the opportunity to buy a beer that they actually played a major role in creating." The Open Source Beer will be Flying Dog's latest "Wild Dog" release and will hit stores in October. Wild Dogs are extremely limited edition beers that come exclusively in hand filled, corked and labeled 750ml bottles. Only 5000 bottles of the Open Source Wild Dogs will be available to the public. Flying Dog's current Wild Dog is a whiskey barrel-aged version of their popular Gonzo Imperial Porter. For more information on the Open Source Beer Project, please visit www.opensourcebeerproject.com . About Flying Dog Flying Dog is Denver's largest brewery and the second largest craft brewery in the state of Colorado. Their award-winning "litter of ales" are available in 45 states. The Brewery is located at 2401 Blake Street, just 2 blocks north of the baseball stadium. Flying Dog's core values of "purposeful, provocative and irreverent" flow through the veins of the brewery's founding owners, George Stranahan and Richard McIntyre. George and Richard were friends with the "Gonzo Journalist," Hunter S. Thompson who coined the brand's tagline "Good People Drink Good Beer" and with the "Gonzo Artist," Ralph Steadman, who illustrates the brand's packaging. For more information, log on to www.flyingdogales.com. ### Contact and Photos: Neal Stewart, Director of Marketing Flying Dog Brewery 720.272.8325"
It's funny. Laugh.

Submission + - LOLCODE: scripting code for a new generation

Submitted by
Tumbleweed
Tumbleweed writes: " LOLCODE is a new scripting language being designed to more closely match current trends in language grammar and syntax; LOLCODE will likely appeal to a new generation of web coders.

LOLCODE features keywords like these: can-has, gimmeh, hai, i-has-a, im-in-yr, im-outta-yr, kthxbye and
visible. My favourite example:

HAI
CAN HAS STDIO?
I HAS A VAR
GIMMEH VAR
IZ VAR BIGGER THAN 10 O RLY?
        YA RLY
                BTW this is true
                VISIBLE "BIG NUMBER!"
        NO WAI
                BTW this is false
                VISIBLE "LITTLE NUMBER!"
        KTHX
KTHXBYE"

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