That's all I really wanted to say. Thanks.

New Sealand.

This was my reaction exactly. However I've never tried a Kindle touch, and imagined there was some sort of swipe gesture required. I just had a look on youtube though and it seems pretty tolerable.

Anyway, the geeks like me want the coolest device and know how to get the DRM off the books. I wonder if Amazon really cares; as long as it involves one consumer-unfriendly step (such as installing a Python interpreter), then the system works well enough to keep the publishers happy.

This is at least the third time /. have run a story saying the filter is dead. Here's the definitive word: There aren't enough sitting days left to get the legislation introduced before the election. So they will introduce it after the election, assuming they win. They have said repeatedly it's still policy, so the election is merely a temporary reprieve. This battle is far from over.

- Colin (from Electronic Frontiers Australia)

Some of the software or websites mentioned are good (I would also add ChinesePod to the mix if that's your language of choice) but the article failed to emphasise the amazing opportunities the internet provides to make friends and language partners, for free, from motivated learners overseas. I have studied several languages, and made internet language partner friends who I have visited and had a great time, as a bonus to getting daily language practice. These language partners can be better (and definitely more cost effective) than the paid teachers on offer.

A journalist reports on a minor development, uses some colourful language ('scuttled'), Twitter goes beserk and now Slashdot is reporting that the whole thing is over.

One senator changing his mind doesn't mean the plan is over. It's still official Government policy. A live trial is still being conducted by six ISPs.

Having one less senator who might support the plan is fine, but the Government can water the plan down slightly, pursue a non-legislative means of getting the filtering enacted, or call a new election at any time. Until the Government publicly backs off from the plan, we need to fight it.

This is really going to throw the spanner into the works of our ability to drum up public opposition (I'm with Electronic Frontiers Australia).

I like the suggestion that people are somehow lax in security because their mail client remembers their password. Who are these guys who type the password in every 3 minutes when they check their mail?