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Security

Submission + - The Stamp of Incompetence (heise-security.co.uk)

Submitted by
juct
juct writes: "The electronic stamp service of the German Deutsche Post is a text-book example of how not to implement digital rights management. According to heise Security the PDF keeps you from printing the electronic stamp multiple times by phoning home. Bad luck if your printer had a paper jam the first time you tried to print. Circumventing this "copy protection" is as easy as printing into a file or making a regular photocopy. The copy protection mainly has been implemented to create some kind of barrier — regardless how feeble — to provide a legal basis for the pursuit of fraud analogous to the circumvention provisions of the US DMCA."
The Courts

Submission + - DVD Copyright Warnings Misstate Copyright Law

Submitted by
NewYorkCountryLawyer
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes: "An excellent article by Maura Corbett reminds us that the copyright warnings on major studio dvd's misstate copyright law, ignoring "fair use" under the Copyright Act. She cites as an example the fact that warnings on many Universal DVDs state, in part, that "any unauthorized exhibition, distribution or copying of this film or any part thereof (including soundtrack) is an infringement of the relevant copyright and will subject the infringer to severe civil and criminal penalties" and reminds us that this statement "is simply untrue — the federal copyright statutes specifically allow unauthorized reproduction for criticism, commentary and other purposes." An example of what Ms. Corbett is referring to is the holding of the United States Supreme Court in SONY v. Universal (the Betamax case), which specifically held that a consumer's copying of entire television programs, for personal use, was a "fair use". This is but one of the many fair uses that is ignored by the motion picture industry's misleading warnings."
Television

Submission + - DIRECTV freaks out and blocks everything (typepad.com) 1

Submitted by eagl
eagl writes: It seems as if DIRECTV has jumped on the DRM bandwagon in a big way. Wil Wheaton finds himself with 57 channels (plus or minus a few hundred) and nothing on, quite literally. Is the inevitable result of forcing restrictive standards that do not benefit consumers?
The Internet

Submission + - First Actual Case of Cyber Terrorism? (yahoo.com)

Submitted by
IANAT
IANAT writes: "In what may be the first actual case of cyber terrorism, someone hacked the video cameras of a Wal-Mart and called in a bomb threat. With the store under their control, they demanded that $10,000 be wired to their account, then demanded that all store patrons disrobe. There's no word yet on whether Wal-Mart has offered counseling to those forced to look at naked Wal-Mart patrons due to this incident."
Handhelds

Submission + - Why is shopping for a cell phone so horrible? 1

Submitted by
botkiller
botkiller writes: "In shopping around for a new cell phone plan, I'm finding how incredibly painful the process of cell phone shopping truly is. Cell companies all have convoluted data plans, no clear explanation of what you get with any type of plan, and on top of this, are actually charging instant messaging per message, as if it's text messaging! Is there any way to shop for a smartphone and plan out there that doesn't kill my wallet and make me rip my hair out?"
Hardware Hacking

Submission + - Making a inertial navigation system?

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: Hi guys, I am interested in making an inertial navigation system using the now common embedded accelerometers. The problem is, I can't find any specs on what the sensitivity or accuracy of those sensors are. What kind of accuracy should I expect out of one of the laptop embedded accelerometers, and how much out of one of the embedded systems like Gumstix that cost a few hundred dollars? I will probably be using it in a car, if you need to know the operating enviroment. Horizontal X and Y axis required, vertical axis optional.
United States

Submission + - Why No High-MPG Diesels For The U.S.?

Submitted by
gbulmash
gbulmash writes: "While looking for a high-MPG minivan, wagon, or SUV, I've been finding that the pickings in the U.S. are pretty slim, but that there are plenty of fuel-efficient diesel models in Europe that get even better mileage than some of the larger hybrids for sale in the U.S. With the U.S. having so many people driving so many miles, it seems ridiculous that even Ford is offering highly fuel efficient diesels in Europe that they don't/won't offer here. Is there an actual plausible reason why these models aren't being brought to American markets aside from "marketing objectives"?"
Security

Submission + - Orwellian 'Behavior Detection Officers' for TSA (msn.com) 1

Submitted by
Stanistani
Stanistani writes: "According to Newsweek, at US airports some security personnel will be observing passengers for facial expressions which indicate malicious intent. If they believe you look like you might be thinking of causing harm, you can be taken aside for further questioning. Welcome these new overseers: 'Behavior Detection Officers.' Their potentially life-changing decisions will be based on the pseudoscience of 'micro-expressions.'"
The Courts

Submission + - Tanya Andersen Brings Class Action Against RIAA

Submitted by
NewYorkCountryLawyer
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes: "Ever since the RIAA's litigation campaign began in 2003, many people have been suggesting a class action against the RIAA. Tanya Andersen, in Oregon, has taken them up on it. The RIAA's case against this disabled single mother, Atlantic v. Andersen, has received attention in the past, for her counterclaims against the RIAA including claims under Oregon's RICO statute, the RIAA's hounding of her young daughter for a face to face deposition, the RIAA's eventual dropping of the case "with prejudice", and her lawsuit against the RIAA for malicious prosecution, captioned Andersen v. Atlantic. Now she's turned that lawsuit into a class action. The amended complaint seeking class action status (pdf) sues for negligence, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, federal and state RICO, abuse of process, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, trespass, invasion of privacy, libel and slander, deceptive business practices, misuse of copyright law, and civil conspiracy."
Space

Submission + - 30 years since the 'Wow!' signal

Submitted by smooth wombat
smooth wombat writes: Thirty years ago, a signal was received by Ohio State University's Big Ear Radio Observatory which, for a brief moment, set the scientific community ablaze. Had we heard the first proof of an intelligent civilization outside our own?

Unfortunately, the signal was not repeated and has not been heard from since despite the best efforts of astronomers during the last three decades. The debate over what the signal actually was continues to this day but new help is on the way. The SETI institute will soon be using the Allen Telescope Array in California to search the same area of sky. The array uses dozens of separate radio dishes to produce an instrument that will eventually become more sensitive than the world's largest single-dish telescope in Aricebo.
Education

Submission + - Baby Einstein Videos May Produce Baby Hueys

Submitted by BendingSpoons
BendingSpoons writes: A new study suggests that "educational" DVDs aimed at toddlers may do more harm than good. The study, led by two researchers from the University of Washington, concludes that videos such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Babies may actually delay language development in toddlers. Walt Disney Co. (the parent company of Baby Einstein) has responded by calling on the University of Washington to retract its news release of the study. In his public letter to the University, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger attacks the study for its "doubtful methodology, anomalous data, and unreliable inferences." NPR has interviewed one of the researchers, Dr. Dimitri Christakis, concerning his findings; the program also interviewed the DVD Reviewer of Parenting Magazine, who finds the study unconvincing . It should perhaps be noted that the American Academy of Pediatricians reccomends that children under two not watch any television at all.
Handhelds

Submission + - Vermonters Risk it all for iPhone (burlingtonfreepress.com)

Submitted by
bkinney
bkinney writes: "Historically, Vermonters are known for their independence and tendency to be downright ornery. Presently, Vermonters are pretty much the same, but wield flashy gadgets instead of farm tools. It seems that a brave bunch of Apple lovers are risking the wrath of AT&T by purchasing and then (gasp!) activating their iPhones in the Green Mountain State. The problem? AT&T doesn't provide service in Vermont and is threatening termination and possible legal action against this pack of tech rebels. Check it — http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a rticle?AID=/20070816/NEWS01/708160314/1009."
Slashdot.org

Submission + - ffii.org's <no> ooxml petition is picking up

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: ffii.org the organisation that had great success in convincing European Parliament not to adopt software patents a couple of years ago are directing their attention towards ISO and OOXML. They have started a petition on their campaign website www.noooxml.org and have already gathered 8000+ signatures from people all around the globe. On the website they are also encouraging visitors to contact their national standardisation organisations and voice their opinion. Finally the website also provide a collection of arguments against OOXML that visitors can pick and choose from.
Education

Submission + - UK Government rules Inteligent Design not Science (theregister.co.uk) 1

Submitted by blane.bramble
blane.bramble writes: The Register is reporting that there is no place in the science curriculum for Inteligent Design and that it can not be taught as science. The UK Government has stated that "The Government is aware that a number of concerns have been raised in the media and elsewhere as to whether creationism and intelligent design have a place in science lessons. The Government is clear that creationism and intelligent design are not part of the science National Curriculum programmes of study and should not be taught as science."

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