Submission + - Apple iPhone May Cause Sterility (redherring.com)
scott mitchell writes: "Apple's hot-selling iPhone may be reducing the Mac faithful's gene pool. That's because those ubiquitous ear buds contain toxics that could hinder human reproduction, according to a report."
Submission + - Apple iPhone contains hazardous chemicals
Stony Stevenson writes: The environmental advocacy group Greenpeace says Apple's new iPhone contains a number of hazardous chemicals that could become significant pollutants.
"Apple is not making early progress toward its 2008 commitment to phase out all uses of these materials, even in entirely new product lines," Greenpeace said in a report published Monday. The group said the iPhone, which Apple introduced earlier this year amid considerable hype, contains chlorinated plastic polyvinyl chloride and "brominated flame retardants" that can be harmful to the environment.
"Apple is not making early progress toward its 2008 commitment to phase out all uses of these materials, even in entirely new product lines," Greenpeace said in a report published Monday. The group said the iPhone, which Apple introduced earlier this year amid considerable hype, contains chlorinated plastic polyvinyl chloride and "brominated flame retardants" that can be harmful to the environment.
Submission + - Bill Gates Denied Visa to Nigeria (gizmodo.com) 1
Xight writes: "Gizmodo recently wrote an article about Nigeria recently denying Bill Gates a visa to travel there on his recent trip to Africa proving that money can't get you everything. Whats even more amusing is that he was at "initially denied the Microsoft kingpin's application on the premise that they required proof he would not reside in Nigeria indefinitely, causing a strain on social services and a general nuisance for immigration.". I guess those Nigerian 419 scams really do pay off for them."
Submission + - Schools Placing at 99th Percentile for Cheating 3
theodp writes: "Time reports that sometimes No-Child-Left-Behind really means No-Test-Scores-Left-Behind, creating opportunities for data forensics firms like Caveon (check out their Ten Most Wanted Cheaters poster). Take Houston's Forest Brook H.S., which was a shining example of school reform. In 2005, after years of rock-bottom test scores, 95% of its 11th graders passed the state science test. Teachers were praised and the school was awarded a $165,000 grant by the governor. But an investigation found a host of irregularities and last year's testing was monitored by an outside agency. Test scores plunged and only 39% passed science."
Submission + - In Microsoft Patent Application, Lion Tames You! 1
theodp writes: "Remember how the press gushed over Bill Gates' plans for a spam-less future? Well, some of the details are on display in Microsoft's recently published patent application for Order-Based Human Interactive Proofs (HIPS), and the annoying little puzzles that are the CAPTCHAs of the future may leave you less than wowed. For example, take Microsoft's exemplary maze (please!), which you may be asked to navigate while avoiding things that are dangerous — such as a lion and a canon — to prove you're Human and worthy of e-mail access (path D-A-F-O-B-H-K should be your final answer!)."
Submission + - iTunes ... out (apple.com)
MS'F'K writes: "Consumers, recording artists, and labels who are disgusted with Apple's contract terms can stop fretting. With the latest update to iTunes, almost no one can connect to the iTunes store any more.
There seems to be a fix for Mac users, though forums show that it isn't always successful. The "fix" for PCs is much less ambiguous: it doesn't work at all. In an almost Mac-free household, we feel it.
My wife lives by iTunes, or used to. She would update it faithfully when so directed. I, on the other hand, had so many bad experiences with iTunes updates that immediately upon getting one that worked, I refused any more. I think mine is version -3.2 (put out before it was written).
Apple will send you a two page e-mail of instructions for the PC fix, and they're very nice about it. It will keep PC owners occupied, I'm sure, until the next release of iTunes. There's nowhere to go but up, so look forward to the next round. Meantime, I'll use my coal-fired version, and be smiling..."
Submission + - Microsoft launches Browser-based Word and Excel? (theregister.co.uk)
JCWDenton writes: In a bid to spin its web-based version of Office into contention with rival internet behemoth Google, Microsoft has said it will begin accepting applications for beta testing its web apps later this year.
There is one significant difference, however: unlike Google apps, Microsoft said users of its new service can only create or edit online documents if they have Office software already installed on their machines.
Microsoft said features of its Office Live Workspace would include allowing users to upload more than 1,000 documents to free personal websites.
There is one significant difference, however: unlike Google apps, Microsoft said users of its new service can only create or edit online documents if they have Office software already installed on their machines.
Microsoft said features of its Office Live Workspace would include allowing users to upload more than 1,000 documents to free personal websites.
Submission + - Bloggers who risked all to reveal Junta in Burma 2
An anonymous reader writes: Internet geeks share a common style, and Ko Latt and his four friends would not be out of place in cyber cafés across the world. They have the skinny arms and the long hair, the dark T-shirts and the jokey nicknames. But few such figures have ever taken the risks that they have in the past few weeks, or achieved so much in a noble and dangerous cause.
Since last month Ko Latt, 28, his friends Arca, Eye, Sun and Superman, and scores of others like them have been the third pillar of Burma's Saffron Revolution.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2563937.ece
Submission + - Radiohead Saying "Pay What You Want" for N
pazu13 writes: It seems that a plethora of new music options are showing up these days. Not only does the iTMS now have competition from Amazon, but major labels are looking to free music schemes like Spiral Frog and QTrax. Into the midst of all this comes Radiohead, who have just announced a new album. Not only is the announcement of the release date unprecendentedly short notice (October 10), but the band is also letting people pre-order the album for whatever price they deem fair, be it ten pounds or ten pence. (British currency, naturally.) You can, of course, choose to buy a "Discbox" copy of the album for 40 pounds, and that comes with supplemental material such as a bonus disc, vinyl copy, etc. Hopefully the watershed nature of this pricing scheme is clear — besides Prince's recent album giveaway, I can't think of an established, platinum-selling artist who has adopted such a radical approach to selling a new album.
Journal SPAM: Google Hacked? Spam Sites Infesting Search Results 207
The Google Watchdog blog is reporting that "Spam and virus sites infesting the Google SERPs in several categories" and speculates,
Submission + - Storyboard for latest Coppola's movie stolen (reuters.com)
wanderingknight writes: "Thieves broke into the Buenos Aires (Argentina) home of film director Francis Ford Coppola and made off with a laptop containing work on his new movie, an employee said on Thursday. The Oscar-winning director of "The Godfather" movies was out when five thieves raided the house late on Wednesday, injuring a member of the production crew working on Coppola's next film, "Tetro," due to start shooting in February. "Coppola is very sad and the only thing he's asked for is to get back his computer, which is essential for him and for his work," the employee, who was not identified, told a local television station.
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN2732279120070927"
Submission + - Parts of Patriot Act ruled unconstitutional
proverbialcow writes: Two parts of the Patriot Act were ruled unconstitutional by federal Judge Ann Aiken on Wednesday. Quoth the judge, "In place of the Fourth Amendment, the people are expected to defer to the executive branch and its representation that it will authorize such surveillance only when appropriate."
The government "is asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. The court declines to do so," Aiken said.
The government "is asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. The court declines to do so," Aiken said.
Submission + - Sun copies Microsoft for Java security (vnunetblogs.com)
Kurtz'sKompund writes: Sun Microsystems is taking its lead from Microsoft and changing the way it patches desktop Java.
http://www.computerworlduk.com/technology/development/software/news/index.cfm?newsid=5341
Submission + - Ask Your Customers The Ultimate Question (alexmandossian.com)
alexmandossian writes: "Most customer surveys are too long and fail to measure the likelihood of a recommendation or delight level. But one simple question can determine your company's future once your customers give you their answers."
