Technobriefs
Internet Archive vs. FBI's NSL: we are lucky there are American heroes like Brewster Kahle of the Internet Archive. Faced with a secret "nation security letter" he fought it in court, challenging the constitutionality of the program, causing the FBI to reconsider and back down: Internet Archive Challenges F.B.I.’s Secret Records Demand and FBI rescinds secret order for Internet Archive records.
Music and money: two big wins for big media companies: What the ASCAP music decision means for consumers and TorrentSpy ordered to pay $110m. The TorrentSpy case is especially interesting, that is a lot of money considering that the company did not sell, host or distribute copyrighted material. All they do is provide links to other sites. Who is next, the yellow pages? Google?
Maker Faire: this third annual event has almost doubled in size each year. From the crowds and lack of parking they may need a new venue next year. For those who didn't make it to this year's delightful event, several collections of photos: Thousands Gather to Make Their Own Fair, Lights, Rockets, Robots Take Center Stage at Maker's Faire, Maker Faire unboxed and Maker Faire more popular than ever.
Technobits: Google to Verizon: Don't shirk open access responsibilities --- New Software Allows ISPs and P2P Users to Get Along Without Getting Too Cozy --- those swell guys in Redmond are at it again: Microsoft May Build a Copyright Cop Into Every Zune --- On Variety's 10 Innovators to Watch: Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, the people behind flOw and Cloud --- series of free textbooks on electricity and electronics by Tony R. Kuphaldt: Lessons In Electric Circuits --- Airline Emissions: Even Worse Than You Think --- Robotic wheelchair docks like a spaceship --- possible interaction of acetaminophen and the MMR vaccine, and a connection to autism? --- the hodge-podge creature has hodge-podge DNA: Platypus Genome --- I've spent a little time playing the beta of foldit a unique human-based computation project developed by some friends at UW: Computer Game's High Score Could Earn The Nobel Prize In Medicine --- microscopic beauty: Each Grain of Sand a Tiny Work of Art.
