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[APPLe list] general internet news - May 1
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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
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And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings.
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The domain name news is supported by auDA
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Has Google solved the problem of image search?
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3833337.ece
BT rolls out 'faster broadband' in UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7376173.stm
uk: Internet provokes more complaints than newspapers or magazines
http://out-law.com/page-9086
Microsoft: we'll keep 'chipping away' at Google
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3850028.ece
Identity 'at risk' on Facebook
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/7375772.stm
MySpace wins suit against 'spam king'
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9930977-7.html
Rural Australians missing out on broadband
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/30/1209234927110.html
au: Identity Theft - Is Your Number Up?
http://www.maddocks.com.au/download/ipt-april-2008.pdf
Payment fraud moves to Internet in Europe, says Commission [IDG]
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;799801520;fp;2;fpid;1
Microsoft highlights efforts to police the net - Efforts made in cause of 'good citizenship'
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/483CCFC36F505465CC25743A0010A12E
Google Warns Users About Phishing
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207403606
EBay-Craigslist Fight Is About Kijiji and Control, Complaint Shows
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/ebay-craigslist-fight-is-about-kijiji-and-control-complaint-shows/
Worldwide music download information campaign helps parents and teachers advise children
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7375621.stm
Chinese authorities crack down on internet use
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/29/2230082.htm
China - The Great Firewall of China [ABC Television]
http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2008/s2225682.htm
fr: F1 chief loses bid to ban Internet sex vid [AP]
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/04/29/mosley.judge.ap/
Japan police tells Internet providers to remove suicide tips [AFP]
http://news.theage.com.au/japan-police-tells-internet-providers-to-remove-suicide-tips/20080501-29uz.html
In the UK, when does kinky porn become illegal?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7364475.stm
Microsoft to get tough with Yahoo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/29/microsoft.yahootakeover
More than one way to beat NZ Telecom
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=137&objectid=10507217
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INTERNET USE
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Has Google solved the problem of image search?
Google has unveiled a technology which it says will make the task of searching for images on the web far simpler and more effective.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3833337.ece
BT rolls out 'faster broadband' in UK
Faster broadband speeds could soon be on offer to a limited number of people in the UK as BT starts offering access to its 21st Century Network.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7376173.stm
uk: Internet provokes more complaints than newspapers or magazines
The internet is now the second most complained-about advertising medium, overtaking newspapers and magazines for the first time.
http://out-law.com/page-9086
Microsoft: we'll keep 'chipping away' at Google
Microsoft has said that it will continue "chipping" away at Google in the market for internet search, but warned that there would be no magic bullet to increase its share overnight.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3850028.ece
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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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Identity 'at risk' on Facebook
Personal details of Facebook users could potentially be stolen, the BBC technology programme Click has found. ... But a malicious program, masquerading as a harmless application, could potentially harvest personal data.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/7375772.stm
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SPAM
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MySpace wins suit against 'spam king'
Sanford Wallace, the so-called spam king, has often been accused of sending annoying messages that are typically ignored by the recipient. Perhaps he considered a series of court orders as something he could blow off.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9930977-7.html
Chinese spam complaint center kicks off operation [news release]
A complaint center to deal with the increasing volume of spam on telecom networks in China kicked off operations yesterday, the Internet Society of China announced. The complaint center, named 12321 after the hotline number people can call to report spam, was authorized by the Ministry of Industry and Informatization (MII) and set up by the Internet Society of China.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=4770
Colorado Has a New Spam Law by John Levine
The governor of Colorado recently signed a new anti-spam law into effect. Since CAN SPAM draws a tight line around what states can do, this law is mostly interesting for the way that it pushes as firmly against that line as it can.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/84308_colorado_new_spam_law/
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DIGITAL DIVIDE
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Rural Australians missing out on broadband
The digital divide appears to be growing, with less than a quarter of rural communities having access to high-speed internet, according to a recent report. A study by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, titled 2008 Country Matters: Social Atlas of Rural and Regional Australia, has found that only 24 per cent of remote communities have access to broadband, compared to 46 per cent of homes in major cities.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/30/1209234927110.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/30/1209234927110.html
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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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au: Identity Theft - Is Your Number Up?
The number of villains and their various modern methods of identity theft has grown exponentially in recent years. Some estimate the financial cost of modern day identity theft at over $2 billion each year in Australia, a figure itself dwarfed by the more than $100 billion estimated to be lost worldwide annually. In this Update, we have collated a number of very practical means to reduce your chances of becoming another victim of identity theft.
http://www.maddocks.com.au/download/ipt-april-2008.pdf
Payment fraud moves to Internet in Europe, says Commission [IDG]
Electronic payment fraud is increasingly moving to non-face-to-face situations such as Internet payments, according to a European Commission report. Despite recent efforts to clamp down on electronic payments fraud, the crime is still rife and is undermining citizens' confidence in buying and selling over the internet, the European Commission said Monday.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;799801520;fp;2;fpid;1
Microsoft highlights efforts to police the net - Efforts made in cause of 'good citizenship'
Microsoft spends millions of dollars each year developing security products that it gives to law enforcement agencies, knowing that it may not make any money directly in return. The work is part of the company's efforts to be a good corporate citizen, although there are also some business benefits from the work it does.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9080959
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/483CCFC36F505465CC25743A0010A12E
Google Warns Users About Phishing
In advising users to be wary of clicking on links in e-mail messages or responding to requests for personal information, Google is trying to protect its own business.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207403606
Criminal hackers claim copyright over malware
Even criminal hackers want to protect their intellectual property, and they've come up with a method akin to copyrighting - with an appropriate dash of internet thuggery thrown in.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/05/01/1209235009545.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/05/01/1209235009545.html
Feds tout malware as Australia's biggest cyber threat
The director of the Australian High Tech Crime Centre believes that the diversity of malware and its abilities to circumvent security products, is the greatest threat on the local cyber crime landscape.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;451574834;fp;2;fpid;1
Hackers focus efforts on Firefox, Safari
Many people are switching from Internet Explorer to alternative browsers such as Firefox and Safari. Though that might make them feel more secure, the shift has also opened new doors for bad guys.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/28/Hackers-focus-efforts-on-Firefox-Safari_1.html
EBay-Craigslist Fight Is About Kijiji and Control, Complaint Shows
Last week, eBay sued the classified advertising site Craigslist in a Delaware court. The suit received widespread coverage but its causes were opaque, since a copy of the complaint was not made public and the parties were not speaking publicly.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/ebay-craigslist-fight-is-about-kijiji-and-control-complaint-shows/
eBay releases complaint against Craigslist
The mystery over what prompted eBay to sue Craigslist last week appears to have been solved. Apparently eBay feels that its ownership stake in Craigslist was unfairly reduced because of eBay's rival online classifieds service Kijiji, which was launched overseas in 2005 and in the U.S. in 2007, according to the 26-page complaint, which was filed in Delaware's Court of Chancery and made available online by eBay on Wednesday.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9933088-7.html
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ONLINE TV & MUSIC
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Worldwide music download information campaign helps parents and teachers advise children
The charity Childnet is launching a global information campaign to warn children about the potential dangers of downloading music illegally. The campaign, which is supported by the music industry, will distribute a pocket-sized guide to schools and colleges in 21 countries.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7375621.stm
Worldwide music download information campaign helps parents and teachers advise children [news release]
Childnet launched today a global information campaign to explain the world of music downloading to teachers and parents worldwide.
http://childnet-int.org/news/articles/290408.html
US Federal Court Dents RIAA Strategy Against File-Sharers
A federal judge's ruling against the Recording Industry Association of America not only represents a setback for the litigious trade group in one particular intellectual property case, but also opens a Pandora's box of technicalities that could mean a few speed bumps ahead for its legal steamroller. The case in question is Atlantic v. Howell.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/62822.html
Coldplay to give away latest single as free download
Coldplay have bowed to the realities of a music business afflicted by file-sharing by announcing that their new single will be given away tomorrow as a free download.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3832158.ece
Online music services could pay royalties
Time Warner's AOL unit, RealNetworks and Yahoo could stand to pay up to $100 million (50.3 million pounds) in royalties owed to thousands of songwriters and publishers, after a federal judge established a formula for determining the payments.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN3056366720080501
Australian musicians unite against illegal file sharing
Australia's biggest musical acts are crying poor in a new documentary that seeks to discourage people from obtaining music illegally and change the public's perception that they live a high life of riches and glamour. Ironically, the 10-minute documentary, which was developed by the music industry and will be distributed for free to all high schools in Australia, has been designed so it can easily be spread virally across the file sharing websites that also hold much of the pirated music the industry is seeking to eradicate.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/29/1209234824947.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/29/1209234824947.html
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CENSORSHIP
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Chinese authorities crack down on internet use
In the run-up to the Olympic Games, Chinese authorities are cracking down on certain internet users, especially on bloggers who say anything critical about the event. Ironically, other sites have been unblocked for the first time in years.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/29/2230082.htm
China - The Great Firewall of China [ABC Television]
There are an estimated 60 million bloggers in China and 230 million Chinese internet users, making it the fastest growing market in the world. Internationally people assume the internet is an open and uncontrollable phenomenon, but in China popular western web sites like Wikipedia, Flikr and YouTube are all restricted.
http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2008/s2225682.htm
Carrefour Removed From Chinese Internet
According to staff from Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Chinese word for "Carrefour" has been screened and removed from all the major Chinese search engines.
http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/04/30/6693-carrefour-removed-from-chinese-internet/
fr: F1 chief loses bid to ban Internet sex vid [AP]
A French judge said Tuesday it was not within his jurisdiction to ban an Internet video of motor racing chief Max Mosley with prostitutes but ordered the French recall of newspapers containing photos of the scene.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/04/29/mosley.judge.ap/
Japan police tells Internet providers to remove suicide tips [AFP]
The Japanese police moved Wednesday to stop a string of suicides using detergent, asking Internet providers to remove information on how to generate the deadly gas.
http://news.smh.com.au/japan-police-tells-internet-providers-to-remove-suicide-tips/20080501-29uz.html
http://news.theage.com.au/japan-police-tells-internet-providers-to-remove-suicide-tips/20080501-29uz.html
Japanese police ask ISPs for help in reducing suicides
Japanese police are apparently trying some desperate measures in order to stop a string of suicides by asking ISPs to remove information on how to carry them out. Almost 50 suicides have been attempted within the last month using a newly-popular method of extracting hydrogen sulphide out of bath salts and detergent, the instructions for which are easily found on the Internet.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080430-japanese-police-ask-isps-for-help-in-reducing-suicides.html
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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
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au: Schoolboy, 12, bombarded with porn videos via mobile phone
Children are viewing graphic pornography, including acts of bestiality, on their mobile phones and parents appear powerless to stop them without banning their phones completely.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23614743-2,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,23615248-3462,00.html
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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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Australian minister addresses APEC meeting in Bangkok [news release]
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, today addressed the 7th APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. “The Australian Government is firmly committed to broadening and deepening our links in the Asia–Pacific region and APEC is one of the most important regional forums,” Senator Conroy said. “Today I called on my APEC counterparts to support regional cooperation to make the internet a safer and more secure environment.”
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2008/028
In the UK, when does kinky porn become illegal?
A bill outlawing the possession of "extreme pornography" is set to become law next week. But many fear it has been rushed through and will criminalise innocent people with a harmless taste for unconventional sex.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7364475.stm
Cuba walks tightrope of reforms
In a campaign that bears much similarity to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's 1980s appeal for glasnost, Cuba's President Raul Castro has been urging the public to investigate social shortcomings, denounce them and propose improvements. And in concessions to allow Cubans some access to 21st century technology, Castro's government recently announced the lifting of bans on cellphones and personal computers.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fg-glasnost29apr29,1,1548876.story
eu: State aid: Commission approves £3.4 million public funding for broadband in Scotland [news release]
The European Commission has authorised under the EC Treaty state aid rules £3.4 million (€4.32 million) of public funding for a broadband measure in remote and rural areas of Scotland. The measure is the final step to bring affordable broadband services to all Scottish citizens. The Commission concluded that the aid is well-targeted to achieve this objective and contains adequate safeguards to ensure that Scottish citizens will enjoy the benefits of a competitive broadband market.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/668
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COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS
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Can Windows XP survive its death sentence?
Yes, in businesses and on what Microsoft calls "ultra low cost PCs" such as the Asus Eee PC, but probably not otherwise. Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, visiting Belgium, prompted another round of speculation last week by quipping that XP could be given a stay of execution beyond June 30. "XP will hit an end-of-life," he said. "We have announced one. If customer feedback varies, we can always wake up smarter, but right now we have a plan for end-of-life for new XP shipments."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/01/windowsxp
Microsoft’s Board Meets on Yahoo Bid
Microsoft’s directors met Wednesday to discuss how to proceed with the company’s attempted takeover of Yahoo, according to a person briefed on the discussions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/technology/01soft.html
Microsoft to get tough with Yahoo
Wall Street expects Microsoft to enter a protracted period of "trench warfare" in its attempt to buy Yahoo after the failure of its three-month-long attempt to bring the online company's board to the negotiating table.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/29/microsoft.yahootakeover
Steve Ballmer ready to demand date from Yahoo!
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, will decide this week whether to step up his campaign against Yahoo! and is likely to nominate an alternative board of directors and demand that its target set a date for its annual meeting.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3835110.ece
No Break in the Standoff of Microsoft and Yahoo
The deadline that Microsoft imposed on Yahoo to reach a negotiated merger agreement passed three days ago, and the two companies are still not talking.
http://nytimes.com/2008/04/29/technology/29soft.html
Schmidt says Google still scratching head over YouTube profits
Google CEO Eric Schmidt likely surprised few by confirming Wednesday that his company's video-sharing powerhouse YouTube isn't quite throwing off lots of cash.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9932778-7.html
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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UK telecom firms ready to sue over sale of airwaves
Mobile phone operators are threatening legal action against Ofcom to delay September's multibillion-pound auction of phone spectrum. The operators are required to register their interest in the new spectrum in July. The industry is angry about comments last week by Ed Richards, head of Ofcom, that called for a re-think of the way they use their existing bandwidth.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/28/telecoms.telecoms
More than one way to beat NZ Telecom
It's fair to say the regulatory reforms unleashed on the telecommunications sector over the past year or so haven't played out the way some people expected. The unbundling of the local loop - the process of opening up Telecom's copper network to competitive broadband service providers - hasn't yet been the dream opportunity many of the incumbent telco's rivals were hoping for.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=137&objectid=10507217
Australian Senate to block broadband bill
Plans by the Coalition to use its senate numbers to block Labor legislation unlocking the $2 billion Communications Fund will put more pressure on Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's already tight time frame for the national broadband network tender.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23626914-5013040,00.html
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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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WiMax: The next Wi-Fi?
A wireless technology that Sprint Nextel plans to launch within a year makes high-speed and secure Internet access possible from almost anywhere.
http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/391590.html
Faster Wi-Fi raises concerns for some users at Interop
Higher-speed Wi-Fi in the form of 802.11n access points and related hardware began rolling out in earnest in the first quarter of this year, and the next-generation technology became an important topic at the Interop trade show this week.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9081338
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Check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the most recent edition of the domain news, including an RSS feed - already online!
The domain name news is supported by auDA
For information on subscriptions to the domain name and/or general internet news please contact me. For archives of postings to the list, see http://lists.technewsreview.com.au/pipermail/technewsreview/. Also see http://technewsreview.com.au/ for recent updates.
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(c) David Goldstein 2008
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David Goldstein
address: 4/3 Abbott Street
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email: Goldstein_David @yahoo.com.au
phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home)
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