Google has rejected claims that it broke copyrght laws on its YouTube.com website. Viacom filed a Billion Dollar lawsuit agains google in March. After Google showed their plan to defend itself against these alligations they also requested a jury trial.
"By seeking to make carriers and hosting providers liable for Internet communications, Viacom's complaint threatens the way hundreds of millions of people legitimately exchange information, news, entertainment, and political and artistic expression," Google said in its response.
Viacom has demanded that Google remove 100,000 clips from YouTube.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
New US-Asia fiber optic cable under construction
The Asia-America Gateway will span 12,428-miles. It is designed to provide additional communication capabilities, so that in case an earthquake or other disaster takes down existing connections, there will still be this backup communication system in place. 17 companies involved and 500 million dollars.
Surfpup
Daily Tech
Surfpup
Daily Tech
Microsoft Launches Xbox 360 Elite in U.S.
Microsoft Sunday launched it's latest retread of the Xbox 360 games console. The Xbox 360 Elite has a mammoth 120GB hard drive, and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) connector for HD TV playback. This positions the Xbox closer to Sony's PlayStation 3, although that console is more expensive.
It is available in the U.S. for a recommended retail price of $480, the Xbox 360 Elite is not yet officially available in the U.K., although some offshore websites are shipping it to U.K. customers. In anticipation of demand in the U.S., many retailers are charging a premium.
It is available in the U.S. for a recommended retail price of $480, the Xbox 360 Elite is not yet officially available in the U.K., although some offshore websites are shipping it to U.K. customers. In anticipation of demand in the U.S., many retailers are charging a premium.
How not to pack a laptop
How many people experienced to pack your laptop into checked baggage?
Well, I do not want to do that if it is possible.
I have found couple of things that we can do to protect our laptop.
1. Back up your data before you begin your trip, and make sure it's password protected at a minimum. Consider removing your laptop's hard drive and packing it (carefully) in your carry-on bag.
2. Pack the notebook in a shock-resistant case, such as an OtterBox, or buy a ruggedized notebook.
3. Put a TSA approved lock on your checked bag to reduce the chances that an unscrupulous baggage handler will steal your laptop.
Look into buying insurance for your laptop from the likes of Safeware
Consider using a service that tracks, locates, and recovers stolen laptops, such as LoJack for Laptops ($50 a year).
Well, I do not want to do that if it is possible.
I have found couple of things that we can do to protect our laptop.
1. Back up your data before you begin your trip, and make sure it's password protected at a minimum. Consider removing your laptop's hard drive and packing it (carefully) in your carry-on bag.
2. Pack the notebook in a shock-resistant case, such as an OtterBox, or buy a ruggedized notebook.
3. Put a TSA approved lock on your checked bag to reduce the chances that an unscrupulous baggage handler will steal your laptop.
Look into buying insurance for your laptop from the likes of Safeware
Consider using a service that tracks, locates, and recovers stolen laptops, such as LoJack for Laptops ($50 a year).
Is Metro Wi-Fi Faster Than Cellular?
Metro Wi-Fi networks in 14 North American cities and towns delivered twice the performance of even true 3G cellular data networks, according to tests conducted by Novarum, an independent consulting company. In Novarum's tests, metro Wi-Fi offered average speeds of 869 kilobits per second downstream. In comparison, true 3G networks ran at 300 kbps to 400 kbps downstream, while 2.5G networks offered only a fraction of that.
Mosquito Ringtone
Mosquito ringtone has been around for a while so I assume many people already know about this.
Mosquito Ringtone is a popular ringtone that was hijacked from a technology that was originally used to repel loitering teens from shops in the UK. Inventor Howard Stapleton developed the "Mosquito device" for Compound Security Systems. This device emits a modulated 17khz sound that proves to be a great annoyance to teenagers or anyone younger, but leaves most over twenty years of age unaffected. This is due to presbycusis, a normal loss of acute hearing that occurs with advancing age. Teen Buzz was developed using the same technology, but as a constant 17khz high frequency ringtone. It is primarily used in the classroom, allowing students to be alerted of incoming text messages on their mobile phones without the knowledge of their teachers.
Here it is! check this out and see if you can hear it!
http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/
Mosquito Ringtone is a popular ringtone that was hijacked from a technology that was originally used to repel loitering teens from shops in the UK. Inventor Howard Stapleton developed the "Mosquito device" for Compound Security Systems. This device emits a modulated 17khz sound that proves to be a great annoyance to teenagers or anyone younger, but leaves most over twenty years of age unaffected. This is due to presbycusis, a normal loss of acute hearing that occurs with advancing age. Teen Buzz was developed using the same technology, but as a constant 17khz high frequency ringtone. It is primarily used in the classroom, allowing students to be alerted of incoming text messages on their mobile phones without the knowledge of their teachers.
Here it is! check this out and see if you can hear it!
http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/
What is Twitter???
Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send "updates" (text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) via SMS, instant message, the Twitter website, or an application such as Twitterrific. Twitter was founded in October 2006 by San Francisco start-up company Obvious Corp.
Twitter is for staying in touch and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing. For some friends you might want instant mobile updates—for others, you can just check the web. Invite your friends to Twitter and decide how connected you want you to be.
When you send in a mobile text (SMS), Twitter sends it out to your group of friends and posts it to your Twitter page. Your friends might not have phone alerts turned on so they may check your web page instead. Likewise, you receive your friends mobile updates on your phone.
Twitter is a free service. At some point we may introduce optional, for-pay features or services but basic usage will remain free. With phone alerts turned on, Twitter makes use of texting or SMS so check with your mobile provider to find out if this will cost you extra.
This is a new type of SNS and a lot of people are getting involved with Twitter in the world now.
Would you do it??
Well, you can at least kill your time!
Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send "updates" (text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) via SMS, instant message, the Twitter website, or an application such as Twitterrific. Twitter was founded in October 2006 by San Francisco start-up company Obvious Corp.
Twitter is for staying in touch and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing. For some friends you might want instant mobile updates—for others, you can just check the web. Invite your friends to Twitter and decide how connected you want you to be.
When you send in a mobile text (SMS), Twitter sends it out to your group of friends and posts it to your Twitter page. Your friends might not have phone alerts turned on so they may check your web page instead. Likewise, you receive your friends mobile updates on your phone.
Twitter is a free service. At some point we may introduce optional, for-pay features or services but basic usage will remain free. With phone alerts turned on, Twitter makes use of texting or SMS so check with your mobile provider to find out if this will cost you extra.
This is a new type of SNS and a lot of people are getting involved with Twitter in the world now.
Would you do it??
Well, you can at least kill your time!
Sony has intended to list Financial units
TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Sony Corp still intends to list its wholly-owned financial unit, Sony Financial Holdings Inc (SFH), but has yet to decide exactly how to go about it, Sony said.
'There is no change in Sony Corp's plan to make an initial public offering of SFH at an appropriate time during the fiscal year ending March 2008 or thereafter,' Sony said in a written statement.
'We would like to refrain from making any further comments.'
Sony's statement followed the appearance in the Nikkei newspaper of a report saying that the company plans to float at least 30 pct of SFH in the autumn here and so raise some 300 bln yen.
SFH is the holding company for Sony Life Insurance Co, Sony Assurance Inc and Sony Bank.
'There is no change in Sony Corp's plan to make an initial public offering of SFH at an appropriate time during the fiscal year ending March 2008 or thereafter,' Sony said in a written statement.
'We would like to refrain from making any further comments.'
Sony's statement followed the appearance in the Nikkei newspaper of a report saying that the company plans to float at least 30 pct of SFH in the autumn here and so raise some 300 bln yen.
SFH is the holding company for Sony Life Insurance Co, Sony Assurance Inc and Sony Bank.
Phishing on Myspace
I have been using Myspace over two years now and I finally got phished by someone....
Someone was sending messages to my friends by using my name.
So, I had to change my password several times to not to get phished...
I thought about stop using MySpace.
Someone was sending messages to my friends by using my name.
So, I had to change my password several times to not to get phished...
I thought about stop using MySpace.
Netflix video on demand sample
I tried saving the screenshot in every format I could think of, and they still come up blank as soon as I quit watching the movie. (No longer have DRM key.)
I finally ended up taking a screenshot with my digital camera. Not great, but I wanted you to be able to see the picture for yourself. It's a pretty dark scene, which my LCD monitor doesn't render particularly well.
You can click on the image to see a larger size of it.
Surfpup
Netflix's video on demand
I decided to try out Netflix's Watch Now Option that allows you to view a movie instantly through a streaming Internet download. I have to say I was pretty pleased. There was never a hiccup once during the entire 2 hour movie. You can pause at any time. The video quality was pretty good. The viewer allows you to scale the image to full-screen. I took a screenshot so that you can judge the quality yourself. I am running Windows XP at 1600 x 1200 resolution, and I have an Nvidia 7900GT which is doing the scaling using Nvidia's PureVideo. Your results may vary depending on your video card and Internet conncection speed.
Info on PureVideo http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html
Nvidia cards that support PureVideo http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo_support.html
ATI has cards with excellent scaling, too.
Surfpup
Update:
Oops, the screenshots are blank now. There must be some kind of digital rights management (DRM) that prevents you from taking snapshots of the movies. They are probably afraid that you could use software to snapshot the whole movie and keep a copy. :( I'm bummed. This is why we all need to vote with our dollars to not support anything with DRM.
Surfpup
Social security Number...
Most people have SSN in the U.S.
I just met my friend last week and he told me that his SSN was used by someone else to make four credit card in Wells Fargo bank.
He said that the personal information can be stollen by someone who knows how to get them.
I really do not know how to prevent this happen.
Anyone has any idea that we can prevent from this incident?
If I put all my information in my computer security soft isnt enough for it??
Should I get something else??
I just met my friend last week and he told me that his SSN was used by someone else to make four credit card in Wells Fargo bank.
He said that the personal information can be stollen by someone who knows how to get them.
I really do not know how to prevent this happen.
Anyone has any idea that we can prevent from this incident?
If I put all my information in my computer security soft isnt enough for it??
Should I get something else??
Computerized musicians
This article was really interesting to me. Christopher Raphael of Indiana University has created a computer program that analyzes waveforms emitted by musical instruments, identifies the notes, and can then play back harmonies to accompany it in real time.
At a recent demonstration, Raphael started playing an oboe quartet by Mozart, and 3 computer assistants chimed in with their own instruments. They matched his pace, even if he slowed down or sped up.
More sophisticated software being developed at Columbia University is learning to interpret polyphonic (multiple musicians) sound in real-time.
It also mentions software called AutoTune which is already on the market. Apparently it corrects "out of tune" vocals in real-time, and certain popstars are rumored to use it for their CD recordings and concerts.
The full story is here:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070430-the-riaas-worst-nightmare-computers-that-understand-music.html
Surfpup
At a recent demonstration, Raphael started playing an oboe quartet by Mozart, and 3 computer assistants chimed in with their own instruments. They matched his pace, even if he slowed down or sped up.
More sophisticated software being developed at Columbia University is learning to interpret polyphonic (multiple musicians) sound in real-time.
It also mentions software called AutoTune which is already on the market. Apparently it corrects "out of tune" vocals in real-time, and certain popstars are rumored to use it for their CD recordings and concerts.
The full story is here:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070430-the-riaas-worst-nightmare-computers-that-understand-music.html
Surfpup
Metals that remember their shape
Engineers invented metals that can remember their shape after being dented. The atoms are packed into groups of different sizes. According to the engineers the metal does not matter, what matters is the grains in the micro structure and the size of the grouped atoms. The grains have to be brittle but not too bendy. After a disfiguring the atom grains let out energy that force other grains back to their original position. It be would be great if the metals are used in cars. It would mean no more expensive repairs on fenders.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263401,00.html?sPage=fnc.technology/innovation
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263401,00.html?sPage=fnc.technology/innovation
Nintendo to boost production of the Wii
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070429/ap_on_hi_te/japan_nintendo;_ylt=ApYART9g4G1n5wYKlu5QqpAjtBAF
I think this is a bad move for Nintendo. They are currently winning the Console Wars and the demand is stable for them. To me, increasing the production of the Wii will kill them in the long run since there support of games isn't that too great compared to the Xbox 360.
I think this is a bad move for Nintendo. They are currently winning the Console Wars and the demand is stable for them. To me, increasing the production of the Wii will kill them in the long run since there support of games isn't that too great compared to the Xbox 360.
NFL Draft
I never realized until now that I have been looking at blogs for a while. Once the NFL draft comes around I search the net looking at mock drafts and information on the players who may get drafted. Its a great way to find information about players and how the draft may pan out. Here are a couple of sites that I have been looking at for the;ast couple of years. Good luck to the chargers who were drafted this year.
www.footballsfuture.com
www.nfldraftcountdown.com
www.footballsfuture.com
www.nfldraftcountdown.com
NFL Draft
I never realized until now that I have been looking at blogs for a while. Once the NFL draft comes around I search the net looking at mock drafts and information on the players who may get drafted. Its a great way to find information about players and how the draft may pan out. Here are a couple of sites that I have been looking at for the;ast couple of years. Good luck to the chargers who were drafted this year.
www.footballsfuture.com
www.nfldraftcountdown.com
www.footballsfuture.com
www.nfldraftcountdown.com
A worldly Blackberry
The new Blackberry 8830 World Edition is compatible with both CDMA and GSM networks. This allows it voice capability in over 150 countries and data service in more than 60. Cost is $400, and you will be able to pick one up May 28th.
A bit pricey, but maybe very convenient for a world traveler.
Surfpup
http://www.dailytech.com/Sprint+and+Verizon+Offer+Worldwide+BlackBerry+Service/article7090.htm
A bit pricey, but maybe very convenient for a world traveler.
Surfpup
http://www.dailytech.com/Sprint+and+Verizon+Offer+Worldwide+BlackBerry+Service/article7090.htm
Sunday, April 29, 2007
HotEnough.org
I am sure it's possible to meet many nice people through online dating services, but this is rediculous! It's all smoke and mirrors...
"Since when do über hotties need a specialized online dating service? If evolutionary psychology and People magazine teach us anything, it’s this: When it comes to hooking up, the only thing the most attractive of the species need do is walk outside.
Hence the intrinsically flawed business model behind HotEnough.org, a matchmaking Web site exclusively for “fit, good-looking people.” Access to this database of desirability is granted to those ranked 8 or higher by HotEnough.org’s current members — those symmetrical few who themselves land on the high end of the Bo Derek periodic table. Only then are you allowed to pay $9.95 a month for the privilege of e-hitting on the site’s 1,000 or so members.
Strategy is the key to my success — honed from an embarrassing amount of years lurking on bulletin boards and social networking sites. As more people post their personals, online dating has gone from just trying to hook up to deeply layered game theory. Niche sites like HotEnough.org may seem like a tempting, time-saving filter — eliminating the risk of dating, or Heaven forbid, falling for, a genetic inferior. But like so many other things on the InterWeb, it’s an illusion.
HotEnough.org is going to fail, and not because it caters to a niche crowd. Hey, I read “The LongTail: Why the Future of Business is Selling More” by Chris Anderson (OK, I just read the Amazon review). This millennium, it’s all about serving niches. Certainly, there are plenty of successful specialized, online dating sites outside of the big catch-alls like eHarmony and Match.com, JDate, FarmersOnly.com, Gothic Match and Green Friends.
HotEnough.org is going to fail because Darwin says so. Any skin-deep beauty seeking love on the Internet is guaranteed damaged down to the bone. Yeah, yeah, they’re soooooooo busy, they “just don’t have time” to meet attractive equals offline. Guess what? Making movies is a major time suck, yet Johnny Depp sure didn’t meet Winona Rider, Kate Moss or Vanessa Paradis in cyberspace. Non-psychotic pretty people don’t seek peer validation from exclusive dating sites. They’re busy adopting third world orphans and designing clothing lines for H&M.
Meanwhile, for us above-average-to-ugly people, the Internet is a viable and respectable place to find love or something like it. It’s what Al Gore intended. Unlike those out-of-touch few who doubt the Internet’s ability to help you find a real world mate, I totally buy the empirical proof. Heck, I am the empirical proof. The Internet provided me with at least two decent relationships and countless ego-boosting flirtations. (Seeking peer validation is perfectly acceptable for us 7s and under.) "
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18313055/
"Since when do über hotties need a specialized online dating service? If evolutionary psychology and People magazine teach us anything, it’s this: When it comes to hooking up, the only thing the most attractive of the species need do is walk outside.
Hence the intrinsically flawed business model behind HotEnough.org, a matchmaking Web site exclusively for “fit, good-looking people.” Access to this database of desirability is granted to those ranked 8 or higher by HotEnough.org’s current members — those symmetrical few who themselves land on the high end of the Bo Derek periodic table. Only then are you allowed to pay $9.95 a month for the privilege of e-hitting on the site’s 1,000 or so members.
Strategy is the key to my success — honed from an embarrassing amount of years lurking on bulletin boards and social networking sites. As more people post their personals, online dating has gone from just trying to hook up to deeply layered game theory. Niche sites like HotEnough.org may seem like a tempting, time-saving filter — eliminating the risk of dating, or Heaven forbid, falling for, a genetic inferior. But like so many other things on the InterWeb, it’s an illusion.
HotEnough.org is going to fail, and not because it caters to a niche crowd. Hey, I read “The LongTail: Why the Future of Business is Selling More” by Chris Anderson (OK, I just read the Amazon review). This millennium, it’s all about serving niches. Certainly, there are plenty of successful specialized, online dating sites outside of the big catch-alls like eHarmony and Match.com, JDate, FarmersOnly.com, Gothic Match and Green Friends.
HotEnough.org is going to fail because Darwin says so. Any skin-deep beauty seeking love on the Internet is guaranteed damaged down to the bone. Yeah, yeah, they’re soooooooo busy, they “just don’t have time” to meet attractive equals offline. Guess what? Making movies is a major time suck, yet Johnny Depp sure didn’t meet Winona Rider, Kate Moss or Vanessa Paradis in cyberspace. Non-psychotic pretty people don’t seek peer validation from exclusive dating sites. They’re busy adopting third world orphans and designing clothing lines for H&M.
Meanwhile, for us above-average-to-ugly people, the Internet is a viable and respectable place to find love or something like it. It’s what Al Gore intended. Unlike those out-of-touch few who doubt the Internet’s ability to help you find a real world mate, I totally buy the empirical proof. Heck, I am the empirical proof. The Internet provided me with at least two decent relationships and countless ego-boosting flirtations. (Seeking peer validation is perfectly acceptable for us 7s and under.) "
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18313055/
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