Submission + - GTA: Vice City Stories coming for PS2
James writes: According to ToTheGame.com, as well as a released German Barcode (5026555306799) for the game. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will be released for the PS2 platform 9th March 2007.
Source: http://www.tothegame.com/game_news.asp?id=28
Submission + - Windows XP Activation in the Future?
bigredswitch writes: Now we're on the verge of Vista being released, how are we going to activate XP when Microsoft drop support, either when performing a reinstall or resurrecting old hardware? It's not going to be a problem now or for the next few years, sure, but what's the future going to be like (flying cars aside)? Getting an older machine back into action to pull files off, run machine automation, etc., is easy with Win2k and everything that went before (I've worked at places running Gem on 286s still for in-house stuff) but is this at an end with XP and onwards? How are other people looking to handle this?
Submission + - Doom fans petition Raven for GPL Hexen source
sfraggle writes: "Doomworld is reporting about a group of Doom enthusiasts petitioning Raven to GPL the source code to Heretic and Hexen. Although the source code was released several years ago, the license is so restrictive as to be next to useless. Now over 30 programmers working with projects derived from the Doom source have drafted an open letter to Raven in the hopes of getting the source finally re-released under the GPL. The letter is backed by a petition signed by over 300 people."
Submission + - Genitalia Now Inappropirate in 7th Grade Health
firemoose writes: A 7th grade health class teacher has been transferred to administrative duties and may be fired for having his students draw male genitalia on a chalk board in class. The district superintendent took action after receiving complaints from parents. He has labeled the teacher's actions as "insensitive" and inappropriate for the mixed-sex students of the 7th grade class. The article quotes a parent and a teacher who believe that the school board may be overreacting, but is only able to cite a 4th grade student who found the idea of genitalia in class offensive.
Submission + - Microsoft steal BlueJ idea and patent it
An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft is attempting to patent "Object Test Bench", a graphical object-oriented teaching tool. The problem is that BlueJ created it in 1994 and it's been in active and healthy use since, as a free project created by academics. Microsoft openly acknowledges this. Whichever way the BlueJ team turn, they now face a legal battle against huge corporation. Headstrong Slashdotters might be screaming "SUE!! PRIOR ART!!" but BlueJ is an academic project and legal battles require lots of cash. It's not helped by the fact BlueJ is based outside of the US.
Submission + - Age of Conan delayed six months
Haavard Sverdrup writes: "According to the Norwegian news agency "TDS Finans" and several Norwegian newspapers, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will be delayed for another six months, pushing the release date to 30th October 2007.
http://www.tothegame.com/game_news.asp?id=27"
Submission + - Blu-ray Backup Playback
Janvitos writes: "Video demonstrating the playback of a Blu-ray backup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfzLVogXOpM"
Blame Gaming - Is the Blinking PS3 Sony's Fault? 103
mattnyc99 writes "After discovering a blinking problem associated with the HDCP handshake from an HDMI cable to the PlayStation 3, then solving it, Popular Mechanics has now set off a mini-war between Westinghouse and Sony. The 1080p TV set maker appears to be blaming Sony as the source of the blinking PS3, and the two powerhouse companies have organized a meeting to settle the score. From the article: '[Westinghouse had] one suggestion for PS3 owners with blinking Westinghouse televisions: Purchasing an HDMI to DVI adapter to bypass HDCP. Average cost of an adapter: $30. As we reported last week, Popular Mechanics has found an even easier solution: Unplugging the HDMI cable, and then plugging it back in'"
Submission + - PS3 European launch date revealed
bain writes: "The BBC reports that Sony have announced the 23rd of March as the date when the console will finally go on sale in Europe. The only version of the next gen console to be released on that date however is the 60Gb version. "One million of the consoles will be made available at launch in Europe, with around a quarter of the stock landing in the UK. Each machine will cost £425 or 599 Euros." Said Sony in their announcement."
Submission + - Pope Declares Violent Video Games a Perversion
Dr. Eggman writes: According to the Associated Press Pope Benedict XVI has declared "Any trend to produce programmes and products — including animated films and video games — which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion." However, rather than call for action against violent video games and other media, the Pope has opted instead to ask the media "How could one explain this entertainment to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse?" and to instead assist parents in instilling children with good values and "the positive achievements and goals of humanity."
Submission + - Blu-Ray is cracked now too
An anonymous reader writes: Looks like Blu-Ray DRM has been compromised, for one disc at least:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=939873#pos t939873
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=939873#po
Submission + - Gonzales denies Americans have habeas rights
TrumpetPower! writes: "This past Thursday, in response to questioning by Senator Arlen Specter (R, PA), US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary committee that ``The Constitution doesn't say every individual in the United States or citizen is hereby granted or assured the right of habeas corpus. '' The exchange between Mr. Gonzales and Senator Specter has received virtually no attention from the press; Google News currently has all of a dozen or so stories. Habeas corpus is the right, in America guaranteed by Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution, which ensures that people are not unjustly imprisoned and tried."
Submission + - Sun Goes After Red Hat, Discounts Solaris Support
kernelpanicked writes: "Sun Microsystems announced Tuesday that its latest upgrade to the Solaris 10 operating system includes discounted support pricing. The move is intended to undercut support plans offered by Linux vendor Red Hat. The Solaris upgrade features improved disaster recovery and support for the Xen virtual machine technology."
Submission + - Utah's Newest Attempt to Block Pornography
gc8005 writes: There's something
brewing in Utah. A new, non-profit organization called CP80 that wants to segregate Internet content
based on IP ports. To a lay person, it sounds plausible, as CP80 describes port
segregation like cable TV channels. But unlike the cable system, it's easily bypassed.
Even more disturbing are the founders and backers
of CP80, which include Ralph Yarro,
who was recently fired from his CEO position at Canopy Group (see SCO
fiasco), and several venture capital firms. Even Darl McBride has donated to the cause. Why are VCs backing a non-profit
anti-pornography organization? What's the real story behind CP80?
