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Security

+ - Linux Volume Encryption: TrueCrypt vs DM_Crypt

Submitted by
michuk
michuk writes "Encrypting your data is the key to mobile security. PolishLinux.org has a couple of tutorials comparing DM_Crypt with TrueCrypt — two programs that can save your life when your computer gets lost or stolen. Find the differences between these two and encrypt your disk now! Tip: DM_Crypt better integrates with Linux kernel, but TrueCrypt works on Windows as well."
Hardware Hacking

+ - Girl Puts Computer Parts In Stuffed Beaver

Submitted by
ErikInterlude
ErikInterlude writes "First off, here's the link.

It's a slideshow demonstrating how an enterprising young lady acquired a stuffed beaver, hollowed it out, and placed all necessary parts inside to make it a computer. It's even got a DVD drive coming out of its belly!

I had no idea beavers were big enough to store all that hardware..."
Editorial

+ - Why the hate for database music management?

Submitted by
conigs
conigs writes "One of the things we as geeks often champion is a database file system. We tend to agree that it would offer much more freedom over the antiquated file-folder paradigm. Our files are digital; they can live anywhere. Why should they be limited to existing in one folder/directory (saved searched/aliases/shortcuts/links aside)? If we acknowledge the advantages of a database file system, why do so many people rally against a database music/media library? Music already has a plethora of metadata associated with it, making flexible, on the fly organization possible. Why limit its organization to a rigid folder hierarchy? This issue tends to come about often when discussing iTunes/iPod and how so many people just want to drag their music from their file system and not be bothered by the database.

The general complaints about Apple/iTunes/iPods aside, what do people have against a database music library?"
Google

+ - Google Wins Nude Thumbnail Legal Battle

Submitted by
eldavojohn
eldavojohn writes "Google is currently fighting many fronts in its ability to show small images returned in a search from websites. Most recently, Google won the case against them in which they were displaying nude thumbnails of a photographer's work from his site. Prior to this, Google was barred from displaying copyrighted content, even when linking it to the site (owner) from its search results. The verdict: "Saying the District Court erred, the San Francisco-based appeals court ruled that Google could legally display those images under the fair use doctrine of copyright law." Huge precedence in a search engine's ability to blindly serve content safely under fair use."
Editorial

+ - The Long Term Effects of Plastics on the Earth

Submitted by
lostraven
lostraven writes "Nearly 40% of our ocean surface contains floating heaps of predominately plastic? So it seems, at least according to Charles Moore and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. And the effects that plastics potentially have on life both on and off shore are alarming. From studies of how bisphenol A affects insulin output to findings of dead seabirds "packed with plastic", the "60 billion tons" of plastic created each year effects much of the biosphere. While the article leans slightly towards being an opinion piece, it serves to point out that manufacturers and consumers should be more aware of the effects plastic has on the Earth and its inhabitants."
Space

+ - Another Ocean in Space?

Submitted by
Riding with Robots
Riding with Robots writes "A new study concludes that the strange and intriguing water geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus may not result from pools of liquid water near the surface. However, the fractures they spew from might point to an entire ocean deep inside the icy moon. If confirmed, this would be at least the second world in the Solar System thought to have a hidden ocean beneath its surface."
Censorship

+ - XM subscribers backlash since shock jock suspensio

Submitted by
Sirius Uplink
Sirius Uplink writes "Ever since Opie and Anthony were suspended for 30 days by XM, people are canceling and smashing their XM radios to protest the recent suspension. The topic that had them suspended was about a homeless man "raping" the Secretary of State. Other sites such as People Against Censorship are going further by staging protests outside of their studios in support."
Operating Systems

+ - Are .tmp files necessary or just bad programming?

Submitted by planckscale
planckscale writes "After spending another hour deleting .tmp files from a bloated XP machine I started to wonder, is the .tmp file necessary when coding an application on the MS platform? Why do so many apps produce .tmp files and is it just because of bad coding or does the use of them dramatically speed up an app? Don't coders use dev/null to reduce them in linux? I can understand the use of them in case an app crashes for recovery purposes, but why don't more apps have the capacity to delete their own .tmp files once they are done with them? Is it too much to ask to at least have the option when closing an app to delete your temp files?"

"A dirty mind is a joy forever." -- Randy Kunkee

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