• Fourth filing in malicious lawsuit claim against RIAA
• Skype back in court over GPL
• Skype gives up on appeal

• 1.4GB of personal data recovered from botnet server
• Trojan code in Firefox language pack
• Adobe update closes 8 security holes

• Complainant apologizes for incorrect video codec takedown
  The details reported in the article are clear and concise as is the conclusion. The DMCA is too easily misunderstand and inadvertently abused even in a clearly legal situation such as this one.
• Patent reform bill stalled in Senate
  The bill would have reformed damages and review after a patent is granted. Its slow progress and stalling is probably a result of lobbying pressure, despite bipartisan support.
• Using a skeletal RFID Oyster card in the wild
  This is a fun looking hack and I am tempted to get some acetone and try it with the Metrotrip card used here in DC.
• New, free album from NIN
  It is both free as in beer and free as in CC licensed. I’ve listened to it a few times and its a bit of a departure from previous albums. A physical package will be available in July.
• Thousands of indies form into virtual fifth major label
  This is a negotiating move, to give indies, who produce a huge fraction of overall music for sale, equal footing when dealing with existing and new online services.
• Google accuses Verizon of dodging open access requirements
  Google’s objection is to Verizon’s previous positioning. Two options, one truly open and the other just like today, claiming this is a consumer choice issue though they will no doubt market the options preferentially. Google is threatening suit over it.
• Verizon promises to abide by open access
  Verizon is making lip service to open rules, but they have done so in the past. They believe their so-called two door plan is compatible though it clouds the choice of open devices to the consumer.
• Profiles of young criminal hackers
  Criminal and perhaps more than a bit foolish. The article sets them up as object lessons of what not to do as all have been caught and are serving or have served time for it.
• Researchers use Akamai to find local BitTorrent peers
  Northwestern University researchers share a technique similar to P4P that doesn’t require ISP involvement. Piggy backs on similar information from commercial caching systems, makes consumers more independent. Also, unlike Pando, their demo is a simple plugin to popular client, Azureus.
• MySQL to remain open source
  Community VP claims plans for closing sources were made pre-Sun, when MySQL AB was considering IPO. Explains doing so now makes less sense with Sun emphasizing other open efforts.
• Senator warns ISPs he will push for net neutrality
  Oregon Democrat Wyden is threatening revocation of tax and safe harbor protections. His rhetoric claims the monopolistic behaviors of ISPs are poor return for the past investments by Congress of these protections.
• Comcast considering metered access, new caps
  Following Time Warner’s example except they are considering lower caps and higher penalties. The idea is at odds with fostering online innovation, potentially hobbling data rich applications but at least the company is being up front about the plans they are considering. They have not done so in the past.
• MS successfully wooed NBC by adding a copyright cop to Zune
  All this may have been is a request from NBC, since Microsoft is now denying. Regardless, it is going to do very little help either in actually succeeding with their digital video offerings.
• Public Knowledge on Zune, NBC
  Clarifies that this is not DRM but filtering and as such as consistent with Universal’s stance in the past. This overlooks how ineffective filters really are. And the author notes Microsoft’s denial specifically mentioned devices, not software.
• NSL case settled in favor of Internet Archive
  At stake are both the constitutionality of the NSL, which have already been called into question despite their continued use and the status of the Internet Archive as a library. This small victory may not affect the answer to either of those questions.
• Java typing to get perhaps too strong
  Hard to argue, the JSR in question clearly would erode readability of the language, considerably. Other specious JSRs have been re-tooled or dropped, though, so hope remains.
• A language specification for Python, in Python for low level implementers
  Seems to be motivated by performance and perhaps even some re-tooling to make implementing and supporting the interpreter more manageable. Would be curious to hear or read what the Python community at large thinks. Or would this be mostly transparent?
• New net neutrality bill
  As much as I value neutrality, I am always hesitant about a legislative answer. Especially one that of necessity will end up being vague and hence just as ripe for abuse as lack of protections.
• New label shows the way to success
  A good piece with some positive lessons other labels should be paying close attention to. I especially like the resonance with some of Kelly’s 1K True Fans model.
• 25 year old BSD bug
  Turns out a bug in BSD versions of Samba was not a bug in Samba at all but one in all BSD variants, including OS X.

• Canadian copyright bill likely soon
• Judge approves NJ e-voting review

• Microsoft downplaying DNS vulnerability
• Should white hats remove Kraken after securing machines?

• Holographic storage finally coming to market
  Bell Labs spin off InPhase has been promising this storage solution for some time, may be longer yet until it is available. However, this is not research, but close to market. Pricey but promises potential long term storage better than other optical or magnetic media.
• FTC to hold companies liable for selling to criminals
  This is for offline companies and tracks a trend of erosion of safe harbors for online service providers. The impulse is understandable but may stifle business development due to the added cost, liability.
• Research on effect of VR self image on real self image
  Lab at Stanford looking at the nature of virtual and online interactions. Studies mentioned remind me of active visualization but perhaps much more credible.
• Programmers don’t read
  I agree with the criticism of programming books and the industry responsible. I for one, though, prefer to read as part of my learning process. This is also a long way to go just to recommend a reading list.
• Hospitals concerned at disruption from white space devices
  Not sure how this is noteworthy for any two or more applications using unregulated spectrum. The fact that medial systems are involved increases the costs, but the article notes they had a protected channel legislated, this would be an opportunity to utilize it.
• Parallel programming language, CUDA
  Language developed by Nvidia for its GPUs which are very parallel. Being used on that hardware for non-graphics applications. Seems to be adding positively to the academic discussion and Nvidia seems willing to share, support others in implementing.
• Stanford secures funding for many core research
  This seems to be a competing yet complementary effort to the one at Berkeley. I can’t help but think such generous funding will help in arriving at feasible, approachable solutions.
• Pro-IP Act passes the House judiciary committee
  Not surprising since the author is on the committee. The increased damages have been stripped but the seizure aspects and pulling in of the DoJ for enforcement remain.
• HOWTO protect your laptop’s data when traveling
  Some food for though around why drive encryption may not be as good as common wisdom suggests. Not having sensitive data on portables may be better, relying on secure VPNs to store and fetch from business site may be a better compromise.
• Lifelock proves too good to be true
  Service turns out to be now better than what is already available from credit agencies. CEO’s own data has been compromised, massively, and apparently he is himself being investigated for fraud from a previous gig.
• Two level encryption keys
  The idea is the key incorporates effective policy as well as just crypto parameters. The research is very new so it is unclear how to implement it. The potential benefits are pretty obvious in granting differential access instead of all or none to encrypted data.
• New OLPC president
  New prez, Charles Kane, seems more concerned with improving sales, adoption than philosophical questions of open versus proprietary software. His attitude may realize fears of exiting chief, Bender, of OLPC becoming just another laptop vendor as opposed to a force for social change.
• Author takes Rowling to task over Lexicon case
  Many have criticized Rowling, now including Card, and few, if any, have defended. Given Card’s thoughts, I am more inclined to consider the Lexicon fair use, agreeing with his characterization as “scholarly comment” and that the author isn’t claiming it to be a wholly original work of any kind.

• Mac hack won exploiting year old bug
• State of the security industry as seen in snapshot at RSA
• Using swarming to fight botnets
• Next generation CAPTCHA
• Security issues with DNS cooption

• District court finds part of copyright act unconstitutional
  This overturns a recent bit of law, in California, on the basis that the state’s sovereignty trumps an infringement suit. It’s a narrow ruling but encouraging for states’ efforts in information production, especially in the public university system.
• Legislator wants nation-wide wireless broadband, but without porn
  This is partly a response to the failure in the 700MHz D-block auction but also partly an endorsement, so it seems, of a small carrier that has been trying to push for just such a nation-wide network. I am not so sure about the filtering provisions, though I understand why they are included.
• Integrated optics may be key to scaling quantum computers
  Looks like this research is actually borrowing from fiber optics and may be key to finally build quantum computers with registers large enough to do actual work.
• Infineon and PGP to collaborate on whole disk encryption
  This story seems pretty straightforward and seems like a very natural collaboration. I do wonder how some of the reports about Infineon struggling as a business may effect anything actually being brought to market by this partnership.
• Neuros, TI partner on open source media platform
  This seems to be groundwork for the next version of Neuros’ OSD but with much broader and ambition goals, as well. The participation of TI could enable many complementary and competing devices, all open.
• Microsoft will be turning off DRM authorization servers
  This is pretty much the scenario DRM-opponents have been fearing all along. Customers can retain their music, but at the loss of the ability to shift it to even just newer versions of Windows.
• NJ recognizes electronic right to privacy
  Laura clarifies that this is only effective in NJ but it is significant in setting an example for other states’ to potentially follow. The state supreme court ruling was unanimous and supersedes weaker federal rulings in this area.
• First anniversary of pixel-stainedtechno peasant day
  I am glad to see this tradition continue beyond the initial controversy last year.
• Interview with Donald Knuth
  The interview is less inflammatory than the summary makes out. Most of it is spent on Knuth’s work on TAOCP and a much lesser fraction on the state of the industry, including his thoughts on many core, which specifically are more personal.

• Comcast wants P2P, ISP bill of rights
  It remains to be seen how the development of such a set of rights will proceed. It could be a very good thing, if they extend the invitation to consumer advocacy groups. It shouldn’t matter that their motivations are probably just avoiding cumbersome regulation if consumers and technology creators win.
• PirateBay launches censorship free blog hosting
  The only limit they admit is the scope of Swedish law, so be advised. Still, it appears to allow more room than US law, under which WordPress.com operates.
• Comcast disconnects Dave Winer
  This is another instance where the technical details aren’t that big a deal, per se, but the communication from Comcast was thoroughly abysmal it turned it into such a horror story and raises questions about their professional ethics and how they must view their own customers.

• Virgin Media CEO dismisses net neutrality
• More calls for neutrality, including a clear definition
• App Engine ported to Amazon’s EC2
• Hearing on 700Mhz D block
• e-voting bill coming up for vote
• e-voting bill fails to pass
• Smithsonian joins Flickr’s The Commons
• Republicans accusing Google of gaming spectrum auction

I got in too late last night to post these and didn’t think to do so yesterday when I had some spare time at Penguicon 6.0.

• Is it time to move past captcha’s?
• Security updates to Firefox, Safari
• An OSX security primer
• Exploiting null pointer de-references

• Australian government considering domestic online surveillance law
  Laws on the books already allow some surveillance by government for the stated purpose, fighting terrorism. This seems like too much of a reach, to grant similar powers to employers.
• Sun working on open media codec
  Why not invest in Ogg if the goal is royalty free, unencumbered media support? It is unclear how a technology based on H.26X will be unencumbered by that or how they plan to overcome the huge lag in adoption they will face.
• First single photon logic gate
  This research solves some of the issues of scale critical to moving quantum computing closer to practicality.

• Compromised legit sites spreading malware
• Discovering nationality of RFID passports
• Seven security fixes in Adobe Flash Player update
• Bounties for finding back doors in commercial software
• Googles considers security a cultural value
• Value of stolen data crashing

• European coalition opposes three strikes file sharing laws
  I am glad to see concerted opposition as I think the proposed punishment is way out of proportion with the problem, especially when copyright provides for more accurate complaint and resolution, if more time and effort intensive.
• French parliament rejects three strikes rule
  Despite opposition and internal devision, the European parliament rejected the Sarkovsky-style three strikes rule.
• Consider attack as part of a cyber defense strategy
  Looking to define online offensives by standards for traditional warfare but an early statement by Lt. General Elder hints at an ambiguity in operational boundaries the article doesn’t explore.
• Phorm’s harms beyond privacy
  Phorm uses custom routers to spook domain specific cookie. Harlan Yu clearly explains the risks of this practice.
• Free software self replicating printer
  I’ve read about RepRap before, this is a quick update and a nice confirmation that the project is still active and improving.
• Wrapping up the Sigler/Crown experiment
  Interesting to read Crown’s perspective, that they didn’t mean anything bad by the limited availability of the free PDF of Sigler’s book.
• Anti-fair use whisper campaign
  In simplest terms, those opposing reform are trying a new arena to increase control, namely appealing to the rigid rules of the Berne Convention to potentially reign in or eliminate fair use.
• Civil liberties groups ask EU to annul mass surveillance
  Part of ongoing concern over data retention, related laws in the EU. The petition appeals to rights of privacy, a tact that may be problematic in countries traditionally more willing to undertake government surveillance despite stronger corporate privacy protections.
• Microsoft calls for dialogue on security, privacy
  When Microsoft starts talking interoperability, be concerned. Probably more of a sign that their own efforts haven’t been adopted as quickly, deeply as they would like. Not sure what this will really mean for measurable security improvements.
• Foreshadowing of reactions to Canada’s forthcoming opt out legislation
  Similar reaction to US law, unclear if it will be more effective. Early experiment, in particular, appears to have attracted quick industry criticism.
• Symposium on voluntary collective licensing for music downloads
  A series of posts by authors from a variety of backgrounds, considering the relevant questions. Worth reading if you are interested in this proposed plan to address critics of file sharing.
• New Zealand to get its own DMCA as a result of US trade relations
  As with other nations, this is part of trade negotiations. At first brush, these seems pretty consistent with the form seen in other countries under trade pressure.
• Silver lining in NZ DMCA
  On further examination, some essential rights and freedoms appear to be preserved. Mostly these are realized in substantial limits to the anti-circumvention components of the law.
• Pirate’s Dilemma author recommends emulating pirates
  Clarifies and expands on ideas others have expressed. Goes further in suggesting there is an opportunity to be realized in examining and emulating pirates.
• Building an in browser database with HTML tables
  As browsers become more capable and the pressure to deliver ever more interactive applications increases, this sort of clever use of client side resources makes more sense.
• Using Google Earth to aid in humanitarian causes
  At this stage, it is a communication tool, not for relief workers but for politicians. Those involved see the potential for use on the ground but its a bit frustrating that that was not the first application.
• Why Google puts privacy second
  Soghoian dissects Google’s rationalization for defying the EU push to shorten retention periods for log data. At their base, that’s all they appear to be, after the fact rationalizations not a compelling argument.
• Early access build of Mozilla mobile browser
  A fellow up to the advanced look at Weave. The pre-release version, and the principles it embodies, are promising. I am also curious to see a positive second order effect on other mobile browsers.
• Are devices killing innovation on the internet?
  I just don’t buy his core contention, that enough users will give up general purpose computers for any reason, security or otherwise. If you agree with that assumption, I think he overlooks the underlying openness of the internet’s platform and standards.
• NYT article on ubiquitous computing
  This story is not new but it is a sign things are progressing to see mainstream media cover it. I like the mention of the LilyPad Arduino, the Arduino being a great DIY electronics platform.
• Proposals to modernize GTK
  The list of proposed features looks like a standard software project laundry list. The real story is that a break in backwards compatibility, a critical principal of GTK 2, is being considered.
• Extensive photos of Difference Engine for Computer History Museum
  Built for Myrhvold’s private collection, a little bit of paleo-computer porn.
• Latest research on 3D storage
  This is essentially a stack based memory register, nothing so esoteric as optical holography which IBM has explored in the past. It may have applications for processing elements, as well, if some of the remaining challenges can be overcome like waste heat.
• New attempts where muni wireless has failed
  Non-profits pick up where cities left off. They hope a mix of technologies and of models to manage and sustain the networks will prove more successful.
• Set top box for Bit Torrent downloads
  Interesting to see just how open this will be in practice when they are courting the official BitTorrent seal with the commercial entity of that name. Will it work with PirateBay is the real question.
• Other unusual chip architectures other than quantum
  Far out but very real experiments on computing in some very surprising media like slime moulds and ripples in water.

• More 700MHz auction details
• NJ voting errors worse than originally thought