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[APPLe list] general internet news - 30 October
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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
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Andrew Keen: Will life on planet Google be a nightmare or a dream?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/andrew-keen-will-life-on-planet-google-be-a-nightmare-or-a-dream-974277.html
Is surfing the Internet altering your brain?
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36173920081027
Microsoft Introduces Windows 7, Ending Vista Brand
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/29/technology/business-computing/29soft.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/29/technology/20soft.php
Breakthrough US deal by Google to sell book content online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/29/google-books-publishing-online-royalties
Google settles suit over book-scanning project
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/technology/29google.php
Google reaches $125m copyright settlement
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5033697.ece
'Facebook generation' too lax with data, warns UK information watchdog
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5033644.ece
Bosses 'should embrace Facebook'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7695716.stm
Don't fire Facebook addicts, bosses told
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=106254
Social networking sites "good for businesses"
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36207020081029
Twitter for terrorists: U.S. Army report lays out terror scenarios
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9118161
Search engine cache does not infringe copyright, rules US court
http://out-law.com/page-9541
Economic Crisis May Be Boon For Cybercriminals, Experts Say
http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211601123
Antiviral ‘Scareware’ Just One More Intruder
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/30/technology/internet/30virus.html
Kazaa foes join up to fight pirates and porn
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4743050a28.html
Big Tech Companies Back Global Plan to Shield Online Speech
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/28/technology/internet/28privacy.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/technology/28privacy.php
Children 'want adult supervision on internet'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article5023180.ece
Australia's compulsory internet filtering 'costly, ineffective'
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24571118-15306,00.html
Internet 'Clean Feed' met with stern opposition
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2404848.htm [transcript]
rtsp://media1.abc.net.au/reallibrary/audio/pm/200810/20081029-pm08-censorship.rm [Real Audio]
mms://media4.abc.net.au/winlibrary/audio/pm/200810/20081029-pm08-censorship.wma [Windows Media Player]
Filter to cause World Wide Wait
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24575125-15306,00.html
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INTERNET USE
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Andrew Keen: Will life on planet Google be a nightmare or a dream?
Is Google good or is it evil? Is the company an all-knowing behemoth that is hubristically "transforming our lives", Big Brother-style, with its intrusive technology? Or is it a plucky, selfless Silicon Valley start-up that is "audaciously" organising all the world's information for all of our benefit? Is Google Orwell or is it Disney?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/andrew-keen-will-life-on-planet-google-be-a-nightmare-or-a-dream-974277.html
Is surfing the Internet altering your brain?
The Internet is not just changing the way people live but altering the way our brains work with a neuroscientist arguing this is an evolutionary change which will put the tech-savvy at the top of the new social order.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49Q30A20081027
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36173920081027
Microsoft Introduces Windows 7, Ending Vista Brand
Microsoft introduced what it said would be a slimmer and more responsive version of its Windows operating system on Tuesday, while unceremoniously dropping the brand name Vista for the new product.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/29/technology/business-computing/29soft.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/29/technology/20soft.php
Microsoft breaks free from Vista with Windows 7
Microsoft today unveiled Windows 7 and announced ambitious plans to have it on the shelves in little more than a year. The new software will replace the unloved Vista operating system, which was launched just two years ago and has endured fierce criticism from casual users and technology experts alike.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5031833.ece
Microsoft to battle in the clouds
Microsoft has unveiled a cloud computing service, in which data and applications will not be stored on individuals' computers. The new platform, dubbed Windows Azure, was announced at Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7693993.stm
Microsoft Unveils ‘Cloud’ Operating System
The company said it would begin offering a new “cloud” operating system that would manage the relationship between software inside the computer and on the Web.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/28/technology/28soft.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/27/technology/28soft.php
Oops! Microsoft forgets to trademark 'Windows Azure'
Although Microsoft Corp. registered the Web site for its new Windows Azure more than 14 years ago, it has not trademarked the name of its new cloud-based operating system, Windows Azure, Internet searches revealed today.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9118188
Breakthrough US deal by Google to sell book content online
It took a multimillion dollar lawsuit, two years of tense negotiations, and an awful lot of scanning. But yesterday the publishing world stood on the threshold of a digital era after a US deal paved the way to transform publishing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/29/google-books-publishing-online-royalties
Google settles suit over book-scanning project
Google said Tuesday that it had agreed to pay $125 million to settle two copyright lawsuits brought by book authors and publishers over the company's plan to digitize and show snippets of in-copyright books and to share digital copies with libraries without the explicit permission.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/29/technology/internet/29google.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/technology/29google.php
Google reaches $125m copyright settlement
Google has agreed to pay $125 million to settle claims from publishers and writers over the internet company's plans to scan millions of books.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5033697.ece
Google Settles Publishers' Lawsuit Over Book Offerings
Search engine giant Google yesterday announced that it had settled a pair of lawsuits that accused the company of copyright infringement, signaling a new chapter in how books could be read and purchased online.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102803611.html
Mourning old media's decline
The news that Google settled two longstanding suits with book authors and publishers over its plans to digitize the world's great libraries suggests that some level of détente could be reached between old media and new. If true, it can't come soon enough for the news business.
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/29/business/29carr.php
Christian Science Monitor to publish online only
After a century of continuous publication, The Christian Science Monitor will abandon its weekday print edition and appear online only, its publisher announced Tuesday. The cost-cutting measure makes The Monitor the first national newspaper to essentially give up on print.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/29/business/media/29paper.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/business/29paper.php
Economic slump will hit gamers
The global economic slowdown will hurt the mobile gaming market this year and next after it already suffered an unexpected slump last year, the head of gaming at Nokia said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4744178a28.html
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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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'Facebook generation' too lax with data, warns UK information watchdog
A “Facebook generation” of workers are risking data breaches because they are careless with technology and personal information held on databases, the Britain’s information watchdog warned yesterday.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5033644.ece
Bosses 'should embrace Facebook'
Companies should not dismiss staff who use social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo at work as merely time-wasters, a Demos study suggests. Attempts to control employees' use of such software could damage firms in the long run by limiting the way staff communicate, the think tank said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7695716.stm
Don't fire Facebook addicts, bosses told
Rather than seeing their staffers wasting time messaging, poking and sending virtual cocktails to their mates across the room via Facebook, bosses should encourage social networking among employees.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=106254
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9118438
Social networking sites "good for businesses"
Good news for workers addicted to Facebook, Bebo and MySpace -- a British think-tank says bosses should not stop their staff using social networking sites because they could actually benefit their firms.
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36207020081029
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49S3GD20081029
Facebook users warned after Bono bikini party leak
Geo-networked Facebook users are being warned to check their privacy settings after photos of U2 frontman Bono and a couple of bikini-clad girls were made available to the entire New York network.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10540179
LinkedIn benefits from job jitters
LinkedIn, the social networking website for the business community, has seen a 25% increase in the rate of sign-ups since the economic crisis hit in September as concerned professionals look to keep their contacts up to date.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/28/socialnetworking-web20
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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Gartner: Power efficiency not enough for green data centers [Network World]
Increased power efficiency alone won't be sufficient to turn data centers truly "green," Gartner said Wednesday in advance of a major data center conference.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102908-green.html
http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;126136614
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;126136614
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DIGITAL DIVIDE
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ng: Suburban Addresses Internet Problem in Country
West Africa's premier Next Generation Carrier, Suburban, last week said it has taken major steps to address the supply of internet bandwidth, which is the primary bottleneck affecting the penetration of internet services in Nigeria.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810290664.html
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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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Twitter for terrorists: U.S. Army report lays out terror scenarios
A U.S. military intelligence report has determined that the Twitter microblogging tool could be used by terrorists to coordinate their movements, activities and attacks.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9118161
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152880/us_army_imagines_terrorists_using_twitter.html
US Army warns of Twitter danger
US intelligence agencies are worried that terrorists might start to use new communication technologies like the blogging site Twitter to plan and organise attacks.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7693000/7693050.stm
Virtual workshop unites countries to sharpen cyber defenses
Recent incidents of cyberwarfare showcase the need for nation states to work together to better defend their computer systems and networks from attacks, a Defense Department official involved in an international readiness exercise said on Wednesday. The United States is one of 16 countries participating in the virtual workshop to test the global defense community's ability to fend off calculated attacks on computer systems and networks.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081029_6874.php
Search engine cache does not infringe copyright, rules US court
A court has ruled that Yahoo! and Microsoft had an implied licence to copy and display pages from a website because the operator of that site knew how the search engines' opt-out procedures worked but chose to ignore them.
http://out-law.com/page-9541
Cybercrime wave sweeping Britain
Cybercrime in the UK rose by more than 9% in 2007, according to a new report. Online identity firm Garlik's cybercrime report claims that more than 3.5 million online crimes were committed in the UK last year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7697704.stm
Alarm raised on teenage hackers
Increasing numbers of teenagers are starting to dabble in hi-tech crime, say experts. Computer security professionals say many net forums are populated by teenagers swapping credit card numbers, phishing kits and hacking tips.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7690126.stm
Economic Crisis May Be Boon For Cybercriminals, Experts Say
One industry sector is actually happy about the current state of the global economy: cybercriminals.
http://www.darkreading.com/security/attacks/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211601123
Antiviral ‘Scareware’ Just One More Intruder
How much money can criminals make scaring naïve computer users? Try $5 million a year. That is how much a marketing associate of one Russian operation appears to be earning from its sales of fake antivirus software through an elaborate scheme that relies on e-mail spam and indirectly controlling thousands of unprotected PCs, according to internal company files posted online by a Russian hacker.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/30/technology/internet/30virus.html
Belgian ISP wins reprieve in copyright infringement filtering case
A Belgian internet service provider that had been ordered by the courts to filter out copyright-infringing material from its network has won a court reprieve. It will not have to pay the €750,000 in fines that have built up over the past year.
http://out-law.com/page-9537
Linking to defamatory material is not the same as publishing it, says Canadian court
The publisher of a link to defamatory material does not have any liability for that defamation, a Canadian court has ruled. Liability could only exist if the link publisher made any statement relating to the defamatory material itself, the court said.
http://out-law.com/page-9538
Egypt arrests online 'spouse-swapping' couple
Egyptian authorities have detained a couple accused of soliciting other married couples over the Internet for ‘spouse-swapping’ parties in their home, Daily News Egypt reports.
http://menassat.com/?q=en/alerts/5004-egypt-arrests-online-spouse-swapping-couple
us: DHS cybersecurity boss fights back against critics
The man in charge of running the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity efforts has defended its efforts in the face of congressional criticism.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/29/dhs_cybersecurity/
The cyberstalker's handbook: How stalkers operate, and what you can do to protect yourself
It's tempting to feel that you're anonymous online, protected from potential cyberstalkers by cryptic user names and website privacy settings. But is that really true? How easy is it for a malicious person to track someone down, based solely on personal information they've made available? [TechRadar UK] launched an investigation to find out.
http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/how-cyberstalkers-can-follow-your-every-move-480425
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PRIVACY
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uk: Tories pledge to curb abuse of surveillance powers
An incoming Conservative government would curb the abuse of powers granted under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, according to a Tory peer.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39534290,00.htm
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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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Kazaa foes join up to fight pirates and porn
Two former adversaries who squared off in a bitter legal battle over Kazaa have joined forces to invent new technology that they say will eliminate the illegal sharing of pirated content and child porn over peer-to-peer networks.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/28/1224956013205.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/28/1224956013205.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4743050a28.html
uk: Games firms 'catching' non-gamers
Games firms are accusing innocent people of file-sharing as they crack down on pirates, a Which? Computing investigation has claimed. The magazine was contacted by Gill and Ken Murdoch, from Scotland, who had been accused of sharing the game Race07 by makers Atari.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7697898.stm
au: Free uni wi-fi swamped with illegal downloads
The University of NSW has threatened to axe its free wireless internet service because students are bringing in their laptops and using them to download pirated music, movies and games.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/27/1224955931738.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/27/1224955931738.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4741885a28.html
Ex-Kazaaer wants to turn pirates into paying customers
Former KaZaA heavyweight Kevin Bermeister has allied with his former music-business enemy and plans to launch a new service that would present would-be pirates with legal alternatives when they attempt to download content. The software is ready for trial deployment, but no word yet on whether it can navigate the minefield of Big Content licensing.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081028-new-service-aims-to-turn-pirates-into-purchasers.html
us: P2P legislation forcing university IT to get tough on piracy
New legislation is putting pressure on U.S. colleges and universities to do a better job combating illegal file-sharing -- and it's taking a toll on campus IT departments, according to research published this week.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102308-p2p-college-legislation.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/152790/new_law_clamps_down_on_filesharing_on_campus.html
Sweden one step closer to anti-filesharing law
Sweden’s Council on Legislation (Lagrådet) has indicated it has no significant reservations over a law which would make it easier to hunt individuals suspected of illegal filesharing over the internet.
http://www.thelocal.se/15156/20081023/
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CENSORSHIP
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Big Tech Companies Back Global Plan to Shield Online Speech
Google, Microsoft and Yahoo and a group of human rights and public interest organizations plan to introduce Wednesday a global code of conduct that they say will better protect online free speech and privacy against government intrusion.
http://nytimes.com/2008/10/28/technology/internet/28privacy.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/28/technology/28privacy.php
Tech giants agree on free speech principals
Google Inc, Microsoft Corp and Yahoo Inc are expected to announce on Tuesday, that they have agreed to a common set of principals on how to do business in nations that restrict free speech and expression, the Wall Street Journal reported.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49R13620081028
http://in.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49R13620081028
Internet companies embrace human rights guidelines [AP]
Leading Internet companies, long criticized by human rights groups for their business dealings in China, are agreeing to new guidelines that seek to limit what data they should share with authorities worldwide and when they should do so.
http://news.theage.com.au/technology/internet-companies-embrace-human-rights-guidelines-20081028-5a8d.html
http://news.smh.com.au/technology/internet-companies-embrace-human-rights-guidelines-20081028-5a8d.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102800859.html
Technology titans to adopt human rights code of conduct [AFP]
An Internet industry code of ethics intended to safeguard online freedom of speech around the world is to be adopted this week by technology titans including Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.
http://news.smh.com.au/technology/technology-titans-to-adopt-human-rights-code-of-conduct-20081028-5a2t.html
http://news.theage.com.au/technology/technology-titans-to-adopt-human-rights-code-of-conduct-20081028-5a2t.html
China's Baidu Commits To Lofty Internet Ideals By Joining United Nations Global Compact
Chinese search engine Baidu (BIDU) officially announced that it has committed to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact to boost its daily management on corporate social responsibility.
http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/10/29/7857-chinas-baidu-commits-to-lofty-internet-ideals-by-joining-united-nations-global-compact/
China Regulator Shuts Video Web Sites, Warns Others [IDG]
China's Internet regulator on Monday ordered 10 online video sites to shut down and warned another 17, resuming an aggressive policy on such sites that had been relaxed during the summer.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152917/china_regulator_shuts_video_web_sites_warns_others.html
The Day Video Died: SARFT Suspends Chinese Internet Video Websites
China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television has released a report on an audit of the Internet audio-visual services in China and it has ordered ten websites to suspend their online video and Internet music operations.
http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/10/28/7847-the-day-video-died-sarft-suspends-chinese-internet-video-websites/
Thais block anti-royal websites
The Thai government says it is planning to build an internet firewall to block websites deemed insulting to the country's hugely popular royal family.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7696101.stm
Thailand plans to block websites insulting royals: minister [AFP]
The Thai government is considering spending up to 14 million US dollars on technology to block websites it deems insulting to the country's monarchy, the communications minister said Tuesday.
http://news.smh.com.au/technology/thailand-plans-to-block-websites-insulting-royals-minister-20081029-5ao5.html
http://news.theage.com.au/technology/thailand-plans-to-block-websites-insulting-royals-minister-20081029-5ao5.html
EGYPT: Crackdown against bloggers and Internet activists
The Egyptian security apparatus is conducting an aggressive campaign against bloggers and Internet activists in many cities around Cairo, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) reports.
http://menassat.com/?q=alerts/4975-egypt-crackdown-against-bloggers-and-internet-activists
au: Censoring the censorship debate
The introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games has been delayed indefinitely after South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson withdrew his support for a discussion paper and public consultation process.
http://blogs.smh.com.au/screenplay/archives//020433.html
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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
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Children 'want adult supervision on internet'
Almost half of all children want adults to supervise them when they use the internet, a report by Ofsted, the school inspectors, indicates.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article5023180.ece
Australia's compulsory internet filtering 'costly, ineffective'
The Federal Government is planning to make internet censorship compulsory for all Australians and could ban controversial websites on euthanasia or anorexia.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24571118-15306,00.html
Internet 'Clean Feed' met with stern opposition
The government's plan to clean up the internet is drawing criticism from activists who say it's on par with the censorship regimes of countries like China and North Korea. The so called "Clean Feed" Internet plan is aimed at protecting children from offensive material. But there are fears the software may curtail the online activities of adults too, with filters on websites deemed controversial or inappropriate, like euthanasia.
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2404848.htm [transcript]
rtsp://media1.abc.net.au/reallibrary/audio/pm/200810/20081029-pm08-censorship.rm [Real Audio]
mms://media4.abc.net.au/winlibrary/audio/pm/200810/20081029-pm08-censorship.wma [Windows Media Player]
Filter to cause World Wide Wait
Internet speeds could slow by 30 per cent under the Government's proposed web filtering scheme, even though it will do little to block illegal content.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24575125-15306,00.html
Internet screening move hits hurdle
A headline-grabbing election promise to crack down on internet nasties looks to be in trouble as Senate opposition grows.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/30/1224956188036.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/30/1224956188036.html
Here comes the filternet
Opposition is stirring in the gay community over the Rudd Government’s plan to compulsorily filter material deemed “inappropriate” from the internet.
http://mcv.e-p.net.au/features/here-comes-the-filternet-4364.html
Internet censorship fears
The Federal Government’s promised “clean feed” internet content filter has caused a panic among queer activists who fear overzealous blocking of same-sex support and lobby websites.
http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2008/10/29/internet-censorship-fears/2434
au: Maccas to provide 'clean' net service
MCDONALD'S plans to launch "family friendly" free WiFi services in a multimillion-dollar three-year deal with a local firm.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24566301-15306,00.html
Filters to keep free McWi-Fi clean
Fast food chain McDonalds has closed a multi-million dollar three-year deal with local security company earthwave to keep its Telstra-supplied free restaurant Wi-Fi free of net nasties and pornography.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Filters-to-keep-free-McWi-Fi-clean/0,130061744,339292894,00.htm
In Conroy’s muddy waters you'll never know what’s being filtered 28/10/2008 09:30:00
Critics of Conroy's Internet filtering say Australians will not be able to find out what the government censors online, and ask: who watches the watchmen?
http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;355409327
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;355409327
http://techworld.com.au/article/265114/conroy_muddy_waters_ll_never_know_what_being_filtered
http://linuxworld.com.au/index.php/id;355409327
New internet filter imposed on all web surfers
AUSTRALIAN internet users will be subjected to the new nationwide World Wide Web filter, whether they want to participate in the scheme or not.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24564687-8362,00.html
Conroy filter gag sparks sysadmin rage
An Australian systems administrators' professional group has criticised Communications Minister Stephen Conroy for alleged attempts by his office to silence a vocal network engineer expressing an opinion about the planned government internet filtering scheme.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Conroy-filter-gag-sparks-sysadmin-rage/0,130061744,339292861,00.htm
Australia's Internet filter: could legal content be banned, too?
Australia's government-mandated Internet filtering system won't allow users to opt out of a filtering tier that targets "illegal" material. But a conservative party is already suggesting that legal material be added to the mandatory tier.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081028-australias-internet-filter-could-legal-content-be-banned-too.html
In Australia's muddy Internet waters, you don't know what's being filtered
There's an uproar in Australia over the government's proposed mandatory Internet content filtering law. An opposition senator says a government claim that it's scheme is similar to one in Canada and other countries isn't true
http://www.itworldcanada.com/a/News/f34c1a8b-4bdf-483d-9d21-b14f7f3fa6fb.html
Australian push to block porn and gambling sites
An Australian senator is seeking to have hardcore pornography and fetish material blocked under the Australian Government's controversial plans to filter the Internet, sparking fears the censorship could be expanded well beyond 'illegal material'.
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20081029074218263
Govt's internet censorship plan sparks controversy [sub req'd]
http://telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=642696
http://telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=235979
SAGE-AU defends right to criticise content filtering
The System Administrators Guild of Australia has called on the federal government to embrace open discussion of its proposed Internet filtering regime, after allegations of attempted censorship of critics surfaced last week.
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/87626,sageau-defends-right-to-criticise-content-filtering.aspx
Who censures the censor?
Recently, a senior member of staff at Internode, Mark Newton, has been the subject of a rather fascinating set of media articles regarding his personal opinions on the government's internet censorship policy.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Who-censures-the-censor-KT757
uk: Games ratings row gets colourful
The video games consortium Elspa has proposed a solution to the ongoing games ratings controversy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7692966.stm
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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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au: New sex-crime laws
The NSW Government says it will introduce tough new sex-crime laws, and may strip artists of a defence against child-porn allegations, in line with recommendations of a NSW Sentencing Council report. NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos today said the Government would introduce a raft of changes recommended by the council, including doubling the penalty for possessing child pornography from five to ten years.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/26/1224955838300.html
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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European Union Turns Down Plan For 'Super' Regulator
The European Union won't get a single "super" telecommunications regulator like the FCC in the U.S., according to current EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/telecom/regulation/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211600881
nz/au: Credit crunch may force Pipe Networks to revisit cable plans
The chief executive of Pipe Networks, Kordia's partner in a planned trans-Tasman telecommunications cable build, says the company may have to consider partners for its make-or-break project to lay an under-sea fibre between Australia, the US and Asia, if bridging finance fails to materialise.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/D638D7B4916041B8CC2574F0000CB609
Game-changing week ahead for US telecom industry
The FCC will tackle several key issues in the telecom industry next week, including the unlicensed use of television white spaces, Verizon's acquisition of Alltel and the merger of Clearwire with Sprint's WiMAX division.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102908-telecom.html
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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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Full review: The T-Mobile G1 Google phone
As the first 'Google phone' goes on sale, our Technology Reporter shares the results of a rigorous – and clammy-handed – test: My first impression when the G1 was released was that it was not going to be a iPhone killer, and further use of the first ever “Google phone” confirmed my suspicions. Still, it is clearly a smartphone in the same class as Apple’s iconic product. Despite a few niggles, it is quite impressive.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5040593.ece
NZ police want prepay mobiles registered
Police are calling for prepaid cellphone customers to be registered on a national database to stop criminals using the phones.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10539719
Police call to register prepaid phone customers
Police are calling for prepaid cellphone customers to be registered on a national database to stop criminals using the phones.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Police-call-to-register-prepaid-phone-customers/tabid/423/articleID/77454/cat/64/Default.aspx
Getting more from prepaid mobile services [free reg req'd]
As the industry matures, mobile operators won’t be able to count on a flood of new customers to fuel growth, so they must create more value from those they already have—including prepaid ones.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Telecommunications/Getting_more_from_prepaid_mobile_services_2108
McDonalds's NZ not following Australia with wi-fi service
New Zealand two years behind Australia in 're-imaging' programme
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/90D9A239FE3E9040CC2574F20000E883
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ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN
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au: Former teacher Philip Alan Reid jailed for 'extreme' child porn [AAP]
A FORMER music teacher whose child porn collection was described by a judge as 'extreme' filth has been jailed for three years.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24545689-661,00.html
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(c) David Goldstein 2008
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David Goldstein
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