] Remote attestation works by generating, in hardware, a
] cryptographic certificate attesting to the identity of
] the software currently running on a PC. (There is no
] determination of whether the software is good or bad,
] or whether it is compromised or not compromised.
] "Identity" is represented by a cryptographic hash,
] which simply allows different programs to be
] distinguished from one another, or changes in their
] code to be discerned, without conveying any sort of value
] judgment.) This certificate may, at the PC user's
] request, be provided to any remote party, and in
] principle has the effect of proving to that party that
] the machine is using expected and unaltered software. If
] the software on the machine has been altered, the
] certificate generated will reflect this. We will see
] that this approach, although elegant, proves
] problematic.

READ THIS!

EFF: Trusted Computing: Promise and Risk

]
] ASHINGTON, Oct. 6 — The Supreme Court on Monday let stand
] a ruling by a federal appeals court allowing Arkansas
] officials to force a convicted murderer to take drugs
] that would make him sane enough to be executed.

Bunch of other SC bits here.

Ruling Allows Forcible Drugging of an Inmate Before Execution

] MOST electric vehicles work by connecting the wheels to a
] motor. But tomorrow a Dutch company plans to unveil a bus
] in which motor and wheel are one, a refinement that
] promises more miles per charge and a vehicle that is
] safer and easier to maintain.

I always thought this would be smart, though i was never convinced of the economic advantage. you sure better not smack into a curb too hard, b/c that's gonna be one expensive wheel replacement. still, sounds nice, and eliminating all those gears is probably good.

With a Motorized Hub, the Wheel on the Bus Goes 'Round

]
] HP plans to protect its Linux customers from the wrath of
] SCO by defending them in court at the company's own
] expense.

The Register

] An old battery stalwart is hoping to ride the wave of a
] new portable power technology with an investment in a
] young, upstart company.
] Gillette Co. is betting that fuel cells running on
] alcohol will give batteries and rechargers a run for
] their money. The Boston company has formed a strategic
] alliance with MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. to develop fuel
] cells for consumers.

I wasn't aware that Gilette owns owns Duracell.

BostonHerald.com - Business: Battery maker becomes investor: Gillette bets future brings fuel cell use

] A GROUP from the open source / free software community
] has put together a response to SCO CEO Darl McBride's
] "Open Letter to the Open Source Community". The INQUIRER
] is glad to print Groklaw's "Dear Darl" letter, along with
] their research.

Neat.

Groklaw sends a Dear Darl letter

] Within three years, most bank machines that dispense cash
] will run on the Windows operating system, according to a
] study published last week.

Doh!

Wired News: Windows to Power ATMs in 2005