- Telehack re-creates the internet of 25 years ago
Slashdot links to an impressive re-creation that draw in large part on the archival work done by Jason Scott from textfiles.com. In addition to the immense nostalgia factor they mention, I believe there a good deal of historical value, here. Using this site, the degree that the internet has changed can much more viscerally be understood by those that didn’t necessarily live through its earliest days. - Author is using pirated copies to rescue out of print backlist of titles
Cory at BoingBoing links to a post from science fiction author, Walter John Williams. Williams has put the call out to readers and fans to help proof read pirated copies of his no longer in print titles so that he can more easily assemble new electronic editions of the works. He’s offering signed editions and a credit in the ebook version, a pretty nice reward for doing a good turn. No details on whether the new ebooks will sport digital locks or not. I hope Williams recognizes how the lack of such barriers has helped him and forego DRM. - British outfit recycling 2nd hand computers
Glyn Moody has a piece at ComputerWorldUK discussing an endeavor in the UK that helps cushion the impact of e-waste by re-furbishing old PCs and selling them for a much reduced price tag. One of two stock options for software re-loaded onto the scrubbed out machines is Linux, a very reasonable choice for its more modest hardware requirements and open licensing. Moody takes a moment to make a point around the other option, also expected, of Windows with a few proprietary packages installed. Buyers essentially have to prove reduced means in order to get a lower cost license for the more popular OS and bundled software. I’m not sure I am comfortable with how this unrelenting need from Microsoft to extract even pennies on the dollar could be hindering the larger good of such recycling programs. - DoJ wants mobile carriers to retain location data to aid investigations, InformationWeek via Groklaw NewsPicks
- Syrians using donkeys to help haul information after the government shuts down Internet access, dBune via Slashdot
- Tech support for the Analytical Engine, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal via BoingBoing
- New bill upgrades unauthorized internet streaming to a felony, Ars Technica
- Update to FLOSS Manuals guide to bypassing online censorship, EFF
Exploring digital citizenry as a creator and a consumer.