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Open Source

Use Open Source? Then You're a Pirate! 650

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the and-proud-of-it dept.
superapecommando writes "There's a fantastic little story in the Guardian today that says a US lobby group is trying to get the US government to consider open source as the equivalent to piracy. The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), an umbrella group for American publishing, software, film, television and music associations, has asked the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and India for its 'Special 301 watchlist' because they encourage the use of open source software. A Special 301, according to Guardian's Bobbie Johnson is: 'a report that examines the "adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights" around the planet — effectively the list of countries that the US government considers enemies of capitalism. It often gets wheeled out as a form of trading pressure — often around pharmaceuticals and counterfeited goods — to try and force governments to change their behaviors.'"
Security

Using Aluminum Oxide Paint To Secure Wi-Fi 271

Posted by Soulskill from the prank-possibilities-abound dept.
eldavojohn writes "The BBC reports on people using aluminum oxide in their paint to block Wi-Fi signals from leaving their home or business. Aluminum oxide resonates at the same frequency as Wi-Fi signals and other radio waves, blocking data from going outside a building. It's not a flawless solution, as it may also block AM/FM signals. You or your neighbors may be unwittingly using this already, as most pre-finished wood flooring uses aluminum oxide as a protective coating."
Patents

Microsoft Patents the Crippling of Operating Systems 394

Posted by kdawson from the can't-have-just-anybody-writing-software-no-sir dept.
theodp writes "On Tuesday, Microsoft was granted US Patent No. 7,536,726 (it was filed in 2005) for intentionally crippling the functionality of an operating system by 'making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer' until an 'agreed upon sum of money' is paid to 'unlock or otherwise make available the restricted functionality.' According to Microsoft, this solves a 'problem inherent in open architecture systems,' i.e., 'they are generally licensed with complete use rights and/or functionality that may be beyond the need or desire of the system purchaser.' An additional problem with open architecture systems, Microsoft explains, is that 'virtually anyone can write an application that can be executed on the system.' Nice to see the USPTO rewarding Microsoft's eight problem-solving inventors, including Linux killer (and antelope killer) Joachim Kempin, who's been credited with getting Microsoft hauled into federal court on antitrust charges." Sounds like the mechanism by which Microsoft sells one version of Vista to all users, and lets users upgrade to higher-tier flavors of the OS after cash changes hands.
Microsoft

Microsoft Blesses LGPL, Joins Apache Foundation 425

Posted by timothy from the could-be-the-largest-free-software-vendor dept.
Penguinisto writes "According to a somewhat jaw-dropping story in The Register, it appears that Microsoft has performed a trifecta of geek-scaring feats: They have joined the Apache Software Foundation as a Platinum member(at $100K USD a year), submitted LGPL-licensed patches for ADOdb, and have pledged to expand their Open Specifications Promise by adding to the list more than 100 protocols for interoperability between its Windows Server and the Windows client. While I sincerely doubt they'll release Vista under a GPL license anytime soon, this is certainly an unexpected series of moves on their part, and could possibly lead to more OSS (as opposed to 'Shared Source') interactivity between what is arguably Linux' greatest adversary and the Open Source community." (We mentioned the announced support for the Apache Foundation earlier today, as well.)
Announcements

Submission + - MMO Community Manager announces Alpha Contest (megaupload.com) 1

Submitted by
John "Mrxknown" McMahon
John "Mrxknown" McMahon writes: "In IRC chat hosted by Stratics IRC Network, Community Manager Nicole "Awenyddion" Hamlett stated "Here is the deal — If you can get us front page coverage on either Penny Arcade or Slashdot will get an alpha slot AND a t-shirt." The fans in the room went buzzing. Challenges for slots in the Closed Beta are usual in the IRC channel. But this was something truly different.

From Rainbow Hair contests that had community members take photos of two developers and brighten their lives to the recent Screenshot Story Contest that allowed fans to write a story based on a screenshot of the game.

Ms. Hamlett, a former writer for a gaming news site, even stated, "I will [give] an alpha slot and a t-shirt to the person who can get one or both done. Actually if one does PA and the other does /. then 2 will win."

Jumpgate Evolution is a successor of a game called "Jumpgate: The Reconstruction Initiative". Published in the US by 3DO in 2001 and by Mightygames in EU. Both games allow gamers to fly space ships using a mouse and keyboard, but for the truly skilled, they will use various joysticks.

Jumpgate Evolution separates itself from its parent by having more robust AI, separate Player versus Player and Player versus Environment servers, different ships of the same class, better graphics, and uses vibrant colors to shrine light in the darkness of space. Jumpgate Evolution also retains the rich, colorful universe of its predecessor and the open-world exploration that made many players thrilled to explore areas of space not protected by game mechanics.

If you are interested in Jumpgate Evolution and would like to know more, go to http://www.jumpgateevolution.com/"
The Internet

Journal Journal: BitTorrent goes Legit!

Journal by StinyDanish
I'm surprised /. didn't have this on the frontpage sooner, but I am pleased to announce that BitTorrent is going legit! The Canadian Broadcasting Company (Canada's public TV station) used the popular p2p program to distribute the finale of a popular Canadian program, Canada's Next Great Prime Minister.
And I had to get this from the BBC:
The Internet

Submission + - The Making of a Legal TV Torrent (last100.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: last100 has published an inside account of CBC's recent BitTorrent experiment. Guinevere Orvis, a web producer involved in the project, writes: Last week, CBC released an official DRM-free BitTorrent (Slashdot coverage) of a prime time show- a first for a major north American broadcaster. Since then we've been getting hundreds of emails of support and one clear resounding message: give us more. This begs the question, why aren't broadcasters doing more? Why in the year 2008, seven years after BitTorrent's birth and a lifetime in Internet years is this a groundbreaking thing? Let's break down what it takes to get a legal torrent going and maybe we'll get some answers.
Communications

Submission + - CBC to broadcast program finale on BitTorrent (thestar.com)

Submitted by
phorm
phorm writes: "The CBC television program "Canada's Next Great Prime Minister," which recently aired its final episode and is already notable for having conducted auditions on YouTube and having its own Facebook group, is now planning to release a high-resolution, DRM-free version of the finale via BitTorrent.

As other media companies continue to slam BitTorrent as being only a "tool for piracy", will the continued increase of its use in legitimate distribution overshadow these failing arguments?"
Television

Submission + - CBC releases show as DRM free torrent (www.cbc.ca) 1

Submitted by
Telvin_3d
Telvin_3d writes: "As a trial project, the CBC has released an episode of "Canada's Next Great Prime Minister" on bittorrent. There are full resolution and mobile versions, both without any form of DRM. As the first North American broadcaster to experiment with bittorrent, they need to see that this is a viable delivery medium. Anyone interested in DRM free media or alternative delivery channels should give this a look to show your support."
Software

UK Report Slams EULAs 239

Posted by kdawson from the signing-it-away dept.
draevil writes "Britain's National Consumer Council has completed an investigation into the practice of software End User License Agreements(EULAs) with the conclusion that many consumers are signing away their legal rights and agreeing to unfair terms, which they could never have scrutinized before purchase. The report also acknowledges that even if the EULA were available prior to purchase, it would be unreasonable to expect an average consumer to understand the terms to which they were agreeing. Here are the full report (PDF) and a summary." The NCC recommends that the European Commission bring softwre licenses under the same consumer protections that apply to other products in the EU.
Businesses

Could the RIAA Just Disappear? 114

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the don't-hold-your-breath dept.
BlueMerle writes "Ars Technica is running a story about how EMI is disappointed with RIAA and ultimately they (RIAA) may disappear. 'Is the RIAA as we know it about to disappear? As rumors continue to swirl that EMI will pull its funding from music trade groups like the RIAA and IFPI, an IFPI spokesman tells Ars that the group is in the middle of a major internal review of its operations.'" I wouldn't bet the farm just yet.
The Internet

Canadian MP Calls For ISP Licenses, Content Blocks 273

Posted by CowboyNeal from the fun-time-over dept.
An anonymous reader writes "A member of Canada's ruling Conservative party has pledged to "clean up" the Internet with new bill that would mandate ISP licensing, know-your-subscriber rules, and allow the government to order ISPs to block content. ISPs that fail to block would faces possible jail time for the company's directors and officers."

Canada Rejects Anti-Terror Laws 507

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the shot-down dept.
Coryoth writes "The Canadian parliament has voted against renewing anti-terror laws that had been introduced after September 11, 2001. The rejected laws included provisions to hold terror suspects indefinitely, and to compel witnesses to testify, and were in some sense Canada's version fo the Patriot Act. The laws were voted down in the face of claims from the minority Conservative government that the Liberal Party was soft on terror, and despite the fact that Canada has faced active terrorist cells in their own country. The anti-terror laws have never been used, and it was viewed that they are neither relevant, nor needed, in dealing with terrorist plots. Hopefully more countries will come to the same conclusion."
Communications

Canadian Phone Company Selling Porn 342

Posted by kdawson from the couldn't-make-it-up dept.
westcoaster004 writes "Telus, Canada's second-largest telecommunications carrier has started selling pornography to its cellular subscribers. The service allows subscribers with mobile browsers to purchase both photographic and video adult-oriented content from Telus, at an average of CD$4 per download. Telus decided to introduce the service after noticing that there existed a certain 'segment of the population that is interested in that content' from review of the mobile Web browsing habits of their subscribers 'on an aggregate level.' They are the first telecommunications company in Canada to offer such content. A Telus spokesman said: 'We're fairly certain that if our competitors in Canada haven't launched it, they will soon. Same in the US.'"

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