Comment Old News (Score 1) 2
I believe that we can safely say this did not end up in the final version of the bill. AFAIK this language did not make into the final "reduced" version of the bill.
Submission + - Stimulus Bill May Allow Packet Inspection by ISPs 2
unassimilatible writes: While it has been widely-reported that the nearly $1 trillion "stimulus" bill is chock-full of pork projects which have little or nothing to do with stimulating the economy, some even more insidious things appear to be hidden in it. First, we hear that there may be some Big Brother monitoring of health care. But even scarier is an amendment which made its way into the bill which would allow packet inspection by Internet Service Providers. The amendment was inserted by Hollywood's best friend and Net Neutrality foe, California Senator Diane Feinstein (D). From the amendment: "In establishing obligations under paragraph (8), the assistant secretary shall allow for reasonable network management practices such as deterring unlawful activity, including child pornography and copyright infringement."
Court Rules Autism Not Caused By Childhood Vaccine 1056
wiredog writes "From The Washington Post comes word that three special masters have decided that MMR vaccines do not cause autism. 'Special master George Hastings said the parents ... had "been misled by physicians who are guilty, in my view, of gross medical misjudgment." ... "the evidence advanced by the petitioners has fallen far short of demonstrating ... a link."'
Cambridge, Mass. Moves To Nix Security Cameras 366
An anonymous reader writes "Citing privacy concerns, the Cambridge, Mass. City Council has voted 9-0 to remove security cameras scattered throughout the city. 'Because of the slow erosion of our civil liberties since 9/11, it is important to raise questions regarding these cameras,' said Marjorie Decker, a Cambridge city councilor. Rather than citing privacy, WCBVTV is running the story under the headline 'City's Move To Nix Security Cams May Cost Thousands.'"
Submission + - Square Enix to buy Eidos (custompc.co.uk)
arcticstoat writes: "After revealing that a mystery buyer had put in an offer for Eidos last month, the company behind the TOmb Raider franchise has now revealed that the potential buyer is Japanese RPG specialist Square Enix. The the directors of both companies say they 'are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended Offer under which SQEX, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix, will acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Eidos.'
The decision is now in the hands of Eidos' shareholders, and the Eidos directors say that they will 'unanimously recommend that Eidos Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed.' In order for the buyout to go ahead, the scheme needs to be approved by the holders of at least 75 per cent of the shares in Eidos, either in person or by proxy. Eidos' chairman, Tim Ryan, said that 'we believe that this cash offer provides Eidos Shareholders with an attractive price and certainty in today's challenging market backdrop and economic outlook.' He also added that the acquisition would 'complement Square Enix's expansion into Western markets.'"
The decision is now in the hands of Eidos' shareholders, and the Eidos directors say that they will 'unanimously recommend that Eidos Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed.' In order for the buyout to go ahead, the scheme needs to be approved by the holders of at least 75 per cent of the shares in Eidos, either in person or by proxy. Eidos' chairman, Tim Ryan, said that 'we believe that this cash offer provides Eidos Shareholders with an attractive price and certainty in today's challenging market backdrop and economic outlook.' He also added that the acquisition would 'complement Square Enix's expansion into Western markets.'"
Submission + - MS to offer FREE Windows 7 upgrade to Vista users! (techarp.com) 1
crazyeyes writes: "With Windows 7 set for release in Dec. 09 , Microsoft is getting ready with their free upgrade program, which allows Vista and XP users to switch to Windows 7 when it arrives. The folks at TechARP have consistently scored accurate scoops on Microsoft software releases. They have now revealed Microsoft's upgrade plans, schedules and even screenshots of the upgrade process ."
Comment IANAL and who would want to be? (Score 1) 693
Seriously if you are already tech minded why on God's Green Earth would you want to get involved with the legal profession if you could possibly avoid it?
Comment Re:Oops. Hell freezing over? (Score 1) 133
I don't know about hell freezing over just yet, but someone is probably keeping their eyes on the dropping thermostat. This particular story is less interesting IMO than when MS licensed ActiveSync to Apple.
Submission + - Anti-vaccination studies faked? (discovermagazine.com) 2
ndogg writes: "There's evidence arising showing that the original anti-vaccination studies by Dr. Andrew Wakefield linking vaccines to autism may have been faked."
Comment Re:Hot new computing techniques! (Score 1) 134
There are easily better applications, but you'd be surprised how much uses "PC Computing" these days.
How about enabling automatic de-icing systems on planes without needing pilot intervention. Or using the engine exhaust heat to tune your car's performance?
All of these use computers and are totally valid applications of TFA. So I hope they develop these devices if only for use in other computing fields.
Comment Re:Twitter is screwed. (Score 2, Insightful) 176
For the most part I actually agree with you. I am not really looking forward to the deluge of updates that are in store. Especially considering the number that already are showing up, "OMG only 2 days left to end the worst 8 years ever!"
Which would be fine, but clearly most of these people haven't even been voting age for 8 years -- let alone 12. So don't mind it when I don't trust their opinion on the state of the state as it were.
Its great that young people are more involved in politics now, I think that is a good thing for the country. Though I wish they would stop complaining about a single President and worry more about how to fix the things they don't like instead of hoping for a magical Obama panacea
Comment Twitter is screwed. (Score 4, Interesting) 176
Twitter's service is likely to be as screwed as the cell network with millions of people around the country tweeting about how they just saw (on TV, Internet or in person) Obama swear in, etc. Expect the service to be down most of the day imo.
Comment Re:get ready for excitement... (Score 2, Funny) 439
Maybe this will get Keira Knightly some more work as Ed, now that she refuses to let people digitally "enhance" her endowment.
Comment "Huge Consideration"? (Score 1) 165
I don't think so. It might at best be a secondary concern. I doubt in the current financial climate people are going to be stressing green in their purchases when they might be able to get a less-green alternative for less.
The green practices of high tech companies are how to properly recycle and make re-use of electronics is confusing to most people, considering that many still believe that these products are impossible to reuse. Anything more complicated than paper in the green bin, is mystifying to most people. I don't blame anyone for being skeptical of those claims.
Teacher Sells Ads On Tests 532
Tom Farber, a calculus teacher at Rancho Bernardo high school in San Diego, has come up with a unique way of covering district cuts to his supplies budget. He sells ads on his tests. "Tough times call for tough actions," Tom says. The price of an ad on a Mr. Farber Calc test is as follows: $10 for a quiz, $20 for a chapter test, and $30 for a semester final. Most of the ads are messages from parents but about a third of them come from local businesses. Principal Paul Robinson says reaction has been "mixed," but adds, "It's not like, 'This test is brought to you by McDonald's or Nike.'" I see his point. Being a local business whore is much better than being a multinational conglomerate whore.
