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Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft Plans To Offer Three dollar Windows

TheCybernator writes: "Thursday, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said that the company is planning to release a 3 dollar software suite for students in developing countries. The announcement marked the US software giant's most ambitious attempt to date to bridge the digital divide between technologically advanced and developing countries. The Student Innovation Suite was announced as Microsoft faces increased challenges from open source operating systems like Linux and free web-based applications like those offered by Google, both of which target the company's dominance in personal computer software. http://www.playfuls.com/news_07054_Microsoft_Plans _To_Offer_Three_dollar_Windows.html"
The Almighty Buck

Monkey Business and Freakonomics 182

marct22 writes "Stephen J Dubner, co-writer of 'Freakonomics' said there will be a second Freakonomics book. One of the items that will be covered is capuchin monkeys' use of washers as money, buying sweets, budgeting for favored treats over lesser treats. He mentioned that one of the experiments had similar outcomes as a study of day traders. And lastly, he watched capuchin prostitution!"
Privacy

Major UK Child Porn Investigation Flawed 372

Oxygen99 writes "The Guardian (UK) is carrying a story on Operation Ore, a major police investigation aimed at catching online pedophiles. This has resulted in several high-profile arrests, such as those of Pete Townshend and Robert Del Naja (both falsely accused), while attracting significant press attention. Yet, the reality of the investigation is one of stolen credit cards, wrongful accusations, and ignorance leading to a significant number of the 7,292 people on the list being wrongfully accused of a very emotionally charged crime. There have been 39 suicides and a number of other people on the list will probably never be investigated. It seems to me this case highlights flaws inherent in the way law enforcement agencies handle evidence that only a small minority of front-line officers fully understand."
GNU is Not Unix

Submission + - FSF releases 3rd draft of GPLv3

johnsu01 writes: "The Free Software Foundation has announced publication of the third discussion draft of the GNU General Public License Version 3. Because quite a few changes have been made since the previous draft and important new issues have surfaced, the drafting process has been extended and revised to encourage more feedback. The most significant changes in this draft include refinements in the "tivoization" provisions to eliminate unwanted side effects, revision of the patent provisions to prevent end-runs around the license, and further steps toward compatibility with other free software licenses. The FSF has also explicitly asked the community whether the new patent provisions should apply retroactively to the Microsoft-Novell deal."
The Media

Leaked Microsoft Dossier on Journalist 165

Ludvig A. Norin writes "Wired journalist Fred Vogelstein blogs about how he accidentally got hold of a dossier on himself produced by Microsoft's PR firm, Waggener Edstrom. While it's not unusual for PR people to create background files on journalists, it's notable that this one leaked, and got commented by Waggener Edstrom's Frank Shaw and Wired Magazine editor in chief Chris Anderson. Makes for an interesting read — there's lots to learn from the inner workings of the Microsoft PR machinery." Someone please send me mine? I bet it's really friendly!
The Courts

Submission + - Warrantless wiretaps replaced with secret courts

Nate writes: President Bush has decided to do away with warrantless wiretaps, and instead require the approval of a secret court before monitoring can take place. While it is not clear why the judges making up the court must be secret, the move has been hailed by many opponents of the wiretaps as a step in the right direction. The Bush administration has expressed satisfaction with the new scheme as well, with press secretary Tony Snow stating "The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has put together its guidelines and its rules and those have met administration concerns about speed and agility when it comes to responding to bits of intelligence where we may to be able to save American lives". Will this move ease concerns about the motives behind Bush's wiretaps, or simply ease the pressure on the Bush administration?
Communications

Will Telecommuting Kill a Career? 247

coondoggie writes to mention that Network World has a piece taking a look at the effects of the telecommute on advancement within your career. From the article: "Over 60% of 1,320 global executives surveyed by executive search firm Korn/Ferry International said they believe that telecommuters are less likely to advance in their careers in comparison to employees working in traditional office settings. Company executives want face time with their employees, the study said."
Games

Germany Wants EU to Ban Violent Games 122

FredDC writes "Germany is seeking support among other European countries to ban violent videogames during its EU Presidency, according to Infoworld. In an initiative led by Franco Frattini, the European Justice commissioner, Germany is pushing for restrictions on the sale of games with violent content of any kind, from Half-Life to Star Trek . In the eyes of the EU, gaming and real-world violence is 'linked', and steps should be taken to prevent the purchase of these games by younger people. From the article: 'The German government said it will conduct a study of all the different national rules concerning video games, with a view to setting Union-wide norms. Its initiative makes the prospect of a ban much more likely. Video game violence became a hot political issue in Germany at the end of last year when 18-year-old Sebastian Bosse shot up a high school in Emsdetten, Germany, injuring 37 before fatally turning the gun on himself. Police said Bosse spent most of his waking hours playing Counter-Strike.'" This, just days after two Final Fantasy VII fans were arrested in connection with a series of killings.
The Courts

Submission + - Maker of phone still a mystery, but getting sued

netbuzz writes: "The maker of the cell phone has yet to be publicly identified or acknowledge involvement, but that's not slowing the legal action that was certain to spring from last weekend's residential hotel fire in California. Network World reports that a press conference could be held as early as tomorrow at which the maker of phone will almost certainly be unmasked. Efforts to learn that company's identity today proved an exercise in frustration.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/1051 6

(Note to Slashdot editors: This item is an update to one submitted early today that is still "pending."

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/1050 5

Thanks.)"
Software

Submission + - eclipse

addylives writes: "What are the requirements for Eclipse 3.2 ? Thank you."
Sony

Submission + - PS3 Prices in Britain actually...cheaper?

fistfullast33l writes: "IGN UK is reporting that an apparently leak on Sony's official website in Ireland showed a retail price of 629.99 EUR for the 60GB version and 529.99 EUR for the 20GB version...30 EUR higher than previously expected. The author points out, however, "the news isn't likely to affect anyone in the UK too much, with 629.99 EUR roughly equating to 413.962 GBP. In other words, still a tenner cheaper than we were expecting to pay anyway." Later on he cites a reliable source as saying it likely will be 425 GBP for the 60GB version. Sounds like it might be time to make plans to go to Paris on launch day. Or possibly an opportunity for some eBay arbitrage."
Handhelds

Submission + - Cisco's iPhone violates GPL, expert says

General Lee's Peking writes: From the article:
Even while Cisco is suing Apple for violating its iPhone trademark, an open-source enthusiast is accusing Cisco itself of infringing copyright in the same product.

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