April 2007
Supreme Court ruling makes "obvious" patents...
A new ruling from the Supreme Court says that patents cannot be granted if they fail a test of obviousness. Although it may disappoint some companies with hefty patent portfolios, it’s good news for a patent system in dire need of reform. (via Digg / Technology)
Dell to choose Ubuntu
Several sources within Dell have told DesktopLinux.com that Dell’s desktop Linux pick is going to be Ubuntu, and that Ubuntu 7.04 will be available preinstalled on three Dell desktop and notebook lines by the end of May. (via Digg / Technology)
Beta 9.5 version of Pligg released
Yesterday evening Pligg released beta version 9.5, the last installment of the beta series for Pligg. (via Digg / Technology)
Sexual Threats Stifle Some Female Bloggers
“As women gain visibility in the blogosphere, they are targets of sexual harassment and threats. Men are harassed too, and lack of civility is an abiding problem on the Web. But women, who make up about half the online community, are singled out in more starkly sexually threatening terms, a trend is now moving to the blogosphere.” (via Digg / Technology)
Chris Brogan: Listening to an amazing choir, who...
Chris Brogan: Listening to an amazing choir, who are anxious for pizza that we just delivered to them. (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Is your MacBook battery not working well? You are...
Apple has said that “some batteries” in its range of MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops have “performance issues”. (via Digg / Technology)
Josh: looking for a new hoody, my blogger hoody is...
Josh: looking for a new hoody, my blogger hoody is showing it’s age… (via Twitter / James with friends.)
amber mac: I am explaining Twitter to Farah at...
amber mac: I am explaining Twitter to Farah at Citytv…she’s online! (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Justine: Heading to a shoot for Macbreak.
Justine: Heading to a shoot for Macbreak. (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Google Checkout Homepage Hijacked by Hibidder.com!
I just searched for “Google Checkout” on Google and the first result (not sponsored) displayed a title of “use google checkout on hibidder com free.” See the screenshot! (via Digg / Technology)
Rackable president ousted after two days
Ejector Board seat
Tom Barton got to play king for a day — or two days, as it were — reigning over Rackable systems as CEO and President over the entire weekend before being offed completely.… (via The Register)
James: its coming.......
James: its coming……. (via Twitter / James with friends.)
James: talking to The Kenty
James: talking to The Kenty (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Top 10 Reasons you should quit your job and become...
An amusing list to lighten up a Monday in the office (via Digg / Technology)
Shelby announces 725 HP "Super Snake" Mustang
With anywhere between 600 and 725 HP, this looks like it’ll have a helluva bite for a street-legal car! (via Digg / Technology)
Microsoft flashes up Silverlight media challenge
So many languages, so little time
Mix 07 Microsoft is adding .NET Framework development for Silverlight, its wannabe challenger to Adobe Flash, which is released today as a beta.…
(via The Register)
The Definitive Guide to Semantic Web Markup for...
You’d think that as a result of open-source development practices, blog architectures would be pretty close to perfection in areas like Web standards and maximum SEO impact. You’d be wrong. Follow the guidelines here to get your site ready for prime time performance! (via Digg / Technology)
Child porn investigations keep FBI agents busy
Guilty plea, charges in two unrelated cases
A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography using peer-to-peer software provided by iMesh. David Leroy Knellinger Sr, 59, faces five to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and supervised release for an indefinite term after being released from prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 17, 2007.… (via The Register)
Google turns over goverment information to the...
It is a common misnomer that “everything is available on the web.” You’ll also here people say that the answer to any question is just a Google search away. Neither of these ideas are true, but hopefully over time they’ll become more and more the reality. Today came news that we’re one baby step closer to that reality. (via Digg / Technology)
Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 345
Episode number345Summary
Is technology to blame for Virginia Tech, Veronica looks at Spore, and deleting iTunes dupes…
For detailed show notes visit techguylabs.com.
Bandwidth for the Tech Guy podcast is provided by DSL Extreme
Teaser
Is technology to blame for Virginia Tech, Veronica looks at Spore, and deleting iTunes dupes…
Hosts
Host: Leo Laporte
Topics
Is technology to...
Chris Brogan: Hanging with rev Jon Swanson waiting...
Chris Brogan: Hanging with rev Jon Swanson waiting for Hope and a friend. High Schools are the same everywhere in small towns. (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Daily Giz Wiz 301: Suitcase With Scale
Episode number301Summary
Never again have to guess how heavy your suitcase is with the Pullman Suitcase with Scale from Ricardo of Beverly Hills.
Bandwidth for the Daily Giz Wiz is provided by AOL Radio
Teaser
Never again have to guess how heavy your suitcase is with the Pullman Suitcase with Scale from Ricardo of Beverly Hills…
Hosts
Hosts: Dick DeBartolo with Leo Laporte
Topics
Never...
Supreme Court: Microsoft off the hook in AT&T...
Decision could save companies billions in future patent battles
The Supreme Court has sided with Microsoft today, in a patent infringement case filed by AT&T over international copyright liability.… (via The Register)
How to Stop Digg-cheating, Forever
“Recently author Annalee Newitz created a bit of a stir with the revelation that she had bought her way to the front page of the story-ranking site Digg.” A very interesting read. (via Digg / Technology)
Chris Brogan: Hello, Indiana. Lots of fighter jets...
Chris Brogan: Hello, Indiana. Lots of fighter jets just took off. Any news? (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Proposals would turn highways into wind farms
Clogged highways and frustratingly waiting while your gas needle plummets to empty usually doesn’t conjure up thoughts of green, but it seems like these very roads could become the source of a lot more energy. Several recent student designs have proposed that major roadways be retrofitted with various forms of wind energy collection devices… (via Digg / Technology)
The Travails of Tracking Web Traffic
The practice of using consumer panels to estimate Web-site traffic is coming under increased scrutiny and fueling calls for industrywide standards… At first, Digg Chief Executive Jay Adelson thought he just couldn’t count. By Digg’s estimate, 15 million individuals were visiting the news bookmarking site each month. But advertisers said… (via Digg / Technology)
Chris Brogan: I'm on a stunt plane. Sweet zombie...
Chris Brogan: I’m on a stunt plane. Sweet zombie Jesus! (via Twitter / James with friends.)
PyDigg - A Python Toolkit for the Digg API
PyDigg is a Python toolkit for the Digg API. It provides an object-oriented interface to all of the available endpoints of the API. It is offered under the MIT License. (via Digg / Technology)
12 Ways to Be A Security Idiot - A Slideshow.
Here’s how to join the ranks of the attachment-opening, virus-downloading masses. (via Digg / Technology)
150 Photos of Various Spiral Shapes (ooh pretty)
Impressive collection of photos all depicting spiral shapes found in nature, architecture, and people. (via Digg / Technology)
The RIAA's worst nightmare: computers that...
New programs can listen to and transcribe polyphonic music in real time and can even adjust to a live performer. (via Digg / Technology)
Xbox 360 Elite arrives in US - or does it?
Big-name sites show limited availability
Microsoft’s ‘none more black’ Xbox 360 Elite has gone on sale in the US, allowing Xbox buffs to trade up to a 120GB hard drive and HDMI connectivity for just $480 - if they can find one, that is.… (via The Register)
Chris Brogan: I'm in Cleveland, on the way to...
Chris Brogan: I’m in Cleveland, on the way to meeting a longtime internet friend in person. Hooray! Oh, and a conference. (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Dodge Challenger preproduction body shells caught...
These images showing multiple preproduction Dodge Challenger body shells are what you might call radioactive. (via Digg / Technology)
MS to 'backport' Office 2007 security improvements
Papering over the cracks
Microsoft plans to push security improvements made in Office 2007 down the food chain with the next major update for Office 2003.… (via The Register)
Powering 4000 Homes: One Wind Turbine (PHOTOS)
This turbine produces 6 MW of power, it’s the world’s most powerful turbine, and it has innovative features like a gearless drive system. (via Digg / Technology)
EVGA 680i LT SLI nForce-based motherboard
Cut-down 680i - or shoved up 650i?
Review For some time, Nvidia’s 600 family of chipsets has had a gaping chasm between the nForce 650i SLI, which typically sells for £90, and the nForce 680i SLI, which starts at £165. Enter the 680i LT SLI chipset, a budget version of the 680i SLI.… (via The Register)
A tribute to Jim Gray
Lost, but not forgotten
As we post this, Jim Gray has been missing for three months. It now seems very unlikely that he is still alive, although his family has not given up hope.… (via The Register)
Josh: going home early for an osteopath...
Josh: going home early for an osteopath appointment :) (via Twitter / James with friends.)
Home Secretary bigs up fingerprint-activated iPods
Jeesh Maria
Home Secretary John Reid is asking Apple and Sony, and other manufacturers, to join his crime fighting summit.…
(via The Register)
Euro police data plan attacks "fundamental rights"
Third EDPS critique of police data sharing proposals
A proposal to allow European police forces to share data undermines fundamental human rights, the European Data Protection Supervisor said today.… (via The Register)
An interesting way to explore DIGG by walking...
Creates map of web pages dynamically. A visual map tool. (via Digg / Technology)
F1 engineers plan appeal in Ferrari espionage case
In the pit
Two former Ferrari engineers accused of stealing trade secrets have been convicted of industrial espionage.… (via The Register)
Top 100 Most Influential People in IT
A great slideshow overview. (via Digg / Technology)
Beeb's iPlayer service gets greenlight
Video thrills the radio star
Viewers in the UK will be able to access a full weeks’ worth of BBC output via their PCs and other digital devices when the broadcaster finally launches its iPlayer service later this year.… (via The Register)
Will Backdating Accusations Upset the Apple Cart?
“It doesn’t look good for Steve, no matter how you look at it. There’s a reasonable chance that he will get charged. The evidence looks pretty damning,” said Rob Enderle, founder and principal analyst at San Jose-based Enderle Group, which analyzes the tech industry. (via Digg / Technology)
Top scientists list favourite gizmos
Innovations that changed the world
A survey, asking the world’s top boffins what they think the greatest innovations have been in their fields, has turned up a dizzying list of inventions, from the world wide web to the humble microscope.… (via The Register)
Chris Brogan: I made my flight! Hooray!
Chris Brogan: I made my flight! Hooray! (via Twitter / James with friends.)
MySpace China, a place for censorship
The look and feel of MySpace China may resemble its US cousin, but its editorial policy couldn’t be more different. Perhaps an inevitable concession to doing business in the country, News Corp. and its local Chinese partners have implemented filtering software to prohibit users from discussing topics such as Taiwanese independence, the ‘Fa Lun’ .. (via Digg / Technology)