| |
| "Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind... War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." -- John F. Kennedy |
|
ZNet | Mideast | Chomsky Interview |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Politics and Law |
1:26 am EDT, Apr 25, 2002 |
Great Chomsky interview. Especially for people who have been turned off of him in the past because of the hard line he draws on certain issues. Here he is very good about making it clear what his issues are in a pretty balanced way while still taking one side of the issue. ZNet | Mideast | Chomsky Interview |
|
CERT - Overview of Attack Trends White Paper |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Computer Security |
12:29 am EDT, Apr 21, 2002 |
Excellent "State of the Union" paper on current trends in attacks on the Internet at large. Probably a must read for anyone in the security community. Also, very valuable, when performing a business and cost/benefit analysis for implementing certain security measures within your organization. CERT - Overview of Attack Trends White Paper |
|
Welcome to the War on Piracy |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Intellectual Property |
1:27 pm EDT, Apr 20, 2002 |
[Originally from Jeremy...] Legislators and law enforcers will have to fight and win a "war" against online piracy in order for the digital marketplace to have any chance of realizing its full potential. "This war against piracy must be waged on several different fronts, including the commitment of adequate resources to law enforcement, the cooperation of various industry players, and the education of consumers. Only when the war against piracy is effectively waged and won, will businesses and consumers move in significant numbers to the online marketplace. [Copyright piracy] is growing exponentially with billions of unauthorized music downloads per month. Until we can stop the growth of piracy online, it will be difficult to truly create a marketplace that will work for digital online content." More silliness ... Obviously this guy didn't get the memo about cutting back on the "war" metaphors. These statements are so clearly baseless as to be meaningless. Billions per month, and growing exponentially? So in a few months, we'll have 100 trillion downloads per month? I think not. But who cares, any way? Why doesn't anyone recognize the success stories? The Wall Street Journal has a profitable online subscription service. Lexis-Nexis is popular and has been sustainable over a long period of time. The IEEE has a successful online library. Clearly there are no overwhelming technical challenges to running a successful business selling digital online content. I'm waiting for the intellectual property version of the film _Traffic_ ... Welcome to the War on Piracy |
|
Online Political Activism |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Internet Civil Liberties |
10:05 pm EDT, Apr 19, 2002 |
A quite excellent article about practical political activism on the Internet. I have to say that coming from the infamous cDc I'm surprised at the quality and thought that is very practical methodologies for making a difference. They are quite clearly trying to make the same kind of distinction that is made between the "Anarchists" at the Seattle WTO who were quite violent and those who thought carefully about how to provide passive resistance without engaging in a physical power struggle with the authorities. Clearly the latter methodology is less likely to create ire and to make a real impact. Say no, but don't punch the other guy to prove your point. Online Political Activism |
|
EFF Analysis of USA PATRIOT Act (Oct. 31, 2001) |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Internet Civil Liberties |
11:07 am EDT, Apr 19, 2002 |
The EFF's analysis of the PATRIOT act. This is from a while back, but a good read nevertheless. I'm not sure if it has been recommended before, but you should know what kind of mess your duly elected representatives have gotten you into. Probably one of the more startling pieces of evidence showing the "herd" mentality of various representatives directly following 9-11. In a nutshell? More sweeping powers for law enforcement when it was not clear that they need them in order to prevent terrorist attacks. EFF Analysis of USA PATRIOT Act (Oct. 31, 2001) |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Internet Civil Liberties |
1:34 am EDT, Apr 18, 2002 |
Another excellent argument about why the RIAA, MPAA, and others are definitely stunting the ability of people and artists to interact. Sharing Doesn't Hurt |
|
Why free online books are good. |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Literature |
10:06 pm EDT, Apr 17, 2002 |
"Jim Baen and I set up the Free Library about a year and half ago. Leaving aside the various political and philosophical issues, which I've addressed elsewhere, the premise behind the Library had a practical component as well. In brief, that in relative terms an author will gain, not lose, by having titles in the Library.
What I mean by "relative" is simply this: overall, an author is far more likely to increase sales than to lose them. Or, to put it more accurately, exposure in the Library will generate more sales than it will lose. ... What the Free Library provides-as do traditional libraries, or simply the old familiar phenomenon of friends lending each other books-is a way for people to investigate a new author for free, before they plunk down any money. ... The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that, based on FACTS." More rational information about why free Intellectual Property is good. Information wants to be free. . . Why free online books are good. |
|
PPJC - Calendar of Events |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: SF Bay Area Events |
11:43 am EDT, Apr 17, 2002 |
wh00p! Protest time. Who's going with me? PPJC - Calendar of Events |
|
So Sue Me -- New flurry of suits alleging telecom stock inflation |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Economics |
3:14 pm EDT, Apr 16, 2002 |
A spokesperson for JDS Uniphase declined to comment on the suits, as did FLAG Telecom, another company that saw a steep dropoff in stock prices--from $40 at one point to around 15 cents today--and is also being sued for alleged misrepresentation. Wow. Even if iAsiaWorks had sold to FLAG we would all be screwed still. At least it would have been 8 months later, though . . . So Sue Me -- New flurry of suits alleging telecom stock inflation |
|
