*HOT* Tech News And Downloads, I Would Read This Thread And Post Any Good Info

iRecord handheld USB storage video recorder unveiled

Generally anyone interested in carrying recorded TV programmes on the move would have had to go through a fairly tedious process to take recordings on the move. For example, one method would be to record it from the source on to DVD, re-encode the DVD recording on a PC to a format supported by the portable player and then transfer it to the player. Another method would involve getting a TV tuner to record the TV programmes on the PC, but this may run into problems if the user tries using the PC during the recording, since any heavy CPU usage could potentially interrupt the recording. A more popular method is to purchase the programme as a download (if available), but this can be quite costly if the user regularly watches pre-recorded TV programmes on the move.

Streaming Networks has unveiled iRecord, a handheld recorder that aims to overcome the issue of carrying recordings on the move. It is a handheld device that captures video on its S-Video or RCA input in real time and stores it on almost any USB attached storage device, such as a USB flash drive, an iPod, a Sony PSP or even a USB hard drive. If the recordings are made to a H.264 compatible media player (such as an iPod or PSP), the recording is available for immediate playback, much like a recording made on a PVR. Recordings are captured at 320x240 using the H.264 video codec. It has a recommended retail price of $199.99 in the US.

Further info can be found at the Entertainment Wise source here.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/iRecord-handheld-USB-storage-video-recorder-unveiled.html

 

DoubleTwist iPod interoperability software due for 2007

DVDs Jon, the person behind cracking DVD's CSS expects to have software to allow the iPod work with 3rd party stores available beginning 2007, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Despite various 'Too good to be true' subscription-based unlimited download music services on the market, the main catch is that none of these offer iPod support. This also seems to be the main reason behind the failure of music download services offered through Universities, as while students are free to download as music as the like for free throughout their term at college, the majority of students have an iPod.

Unlike software widely available to strip DRM from downloaded music, Jon's software DoubleTwist is actually a more music industry friendly approach in that it replaces a music service's DRM with FairPlay DRM, that used by the iPod. It also looks like his software will be able to do the reverse to allow iTunes music be played on other manufacturer's MP3 players that use WMA PlaysForSure DRM or some other DRM system, assuming they take on DoubleTwist’s solution. At present, iTunes makes up 88% of the legal music download market and the iPod makes up 75% for the digital music player market.

Unlike RealNetworks method of getting around Apples DRM, which led to Apple attempting to block out Real in software updates, Jon claims that his implementation will be difficult to block, as it applies FairPlay DRM to music in pretty much the same way as applied to iTunes music. While Jon’s solution may require music providers to offer their music in the MP4 format that is compatible with the iPod to avoid conversion, if Jon’s solution works the other way around, it will need to re-encode iTunes music to the WMA format (or what the player supports) for it to be supported by that player.

It is unclear at this time how this system will work with time-limited music, such as that downloaded as part of subscription, unless FairPlay DRM already supports some sort of time limited feature. At this time, Apple does not offer any subscription based download service, in that music from iTunes must be bought by the track or album. If Jon's software turns out successful and the company succeeds in licensing out DoubleTwist to Napster, Yahoo, Rhapsody and other competitors to Apple, this will give iPod owners the freedom to shop around, rather than be locked to iTunes, compact discs and MP3 sources.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/DoubleTwist-iPod-interoperability-software-due-for-2007.html

 

Wii is all over the PS3

Out of focus group loves Nintendo

By Nick Farrell: Thursday 23 November 2006, 16:04
NINTENDO'S Wii console has come out tops in a focus group review carried out by the Washington Post.

The Post played off the Wii against the PS3 with a totally unbiased group of a hack's mates. When we say focus group it was more of an all weekend party and therefore an out of focus group really.

Only a couple were video game experts and they wanted to get their paws on the PS3. However it turned out, much to everyone's surprise, that the Wii was the hit of the party.

Testers didn’t really like the Wii's graphics and they thought the games looked cheesy, particularly because they were playing on a 50-inch plasma telly.

However everyone was won over by the motion controller and while everyone liked to look at the PS3 games,they had more fun playing the Wii.

The PS3 controller frustrated all who tried to use it. A typical game required players to have memorised the buttons and know what they do. The Wii allowed people just to pick up the controller and play, the Post noted.

The hack who threw the party, and wrote up the results, felt however that the Xbox360 was better at getting online, where as the PS3 was pants to try to connect without a USB-compatible keyboard. Using the game controller to enter user information was as tedious as filling in a mortgage application on a mobile, he said.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35937
You can read the full review here. µ

link

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/22/AR2006112201857.html

 

British users squirrel £16 billion of content

DRMit

By INQUIRER newsdesk: Thursday 23 November 2006, 16:06
UK COMPUTER USERS with broadband have a whopping £16 billion stored away in total on their PCs, according to a new study by Orange home broadband.

Music's the biggest culprit for most of the money on an average computer, with one in 20 downloaders apparently storing the equivalent of £500 worth of music on their 'puters. On average, each British Interwebnaught carried around £350 on their hard drives, with the Scots right in the North being the biggest downloaders of 'em all. Och aye.

20% of the UK's downloaders legally download music, while four percent download movies legally - software however is still the most popular when it comes to legal downloads, with 44% of the interweb population downloading away.

The study found that those legally downloading content grab a saving of around £4 per music album and £5.50 for each film downloaded.

Director of product management at Orange Home said on the matter that "the money to be saved through downloading rather than buying hard copies of movies and albums is extraordinary," with some torrent sites saving users an average of 100% on products. He went on to warn downloaders of download limits, saying that "those with a flavour for building their collections," and he did not specify what collections specifically, "should opt for unlimited broadband - otherwise they may find themselves cut short." µ
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35935

 

More Google movie trouble

p2pnet.net News:- Google is in movie trouble again. But this time, it's nothing to do with its newly acquired YouTube.

Rather, France's Flach Film has issued a writ against Google and its French arm Google France for copyright infringement, says Reuters.

Flach is complaining that its The World According to Bush is being distributed by Google for free and is demanding compensation for lost online business, says the story.

"Who are the Bushes?" - asks Flach, going on:

Apparently, the 'quiet dynasty' of modern America. But in reality a 'dynasty' whose inconceivable family secrets are painstakingly concealed. The grandfather of the current President, Prescott Bush, made his fortune by managing Nazi companies after Hitler seized power. In 1942, his companies were confiscated for collaboration with the enemy. George Bush Senior, Ronald Reagan's Vice-President and then President from 1988 to 1992, armed and financed Saddam Hussein. He approved the shipping of germ warfare strains to Iraq, thus enabling the country to launch a chemical attack against Iranian troops and the Kurdish population.

This film aims to pass through the looking glass and to show how the Bushes, father and son, have not only dined with the devil but have often invited themselves to his table. The bin Ladens and the Bushes have always been business partners and the family of the future terrorist chief indirectly financed George W. Bush's political career. This unnatural alliance has continued since the September 11 attacks: Bush Senior is a top official in one of the biggest private investment funds in the USA, Carlyle, a group that has invested heavily in the arms industry: the Bradley tanks and the missiles used in the latest war against Iraq are made by firms controlled by Carlyle… and the bin Ladens. For the latter are Bush’s associates within this investment fund.

The World According to Bush is accessible free on Google Video France, "through a simple click, as a stream or a download, and according to Google's own sources, had had in excess of 43,000 hits in 'a very short period'," says Reuters.

"Never before in the history of the world’s democracies have one man and his team acted with such arrogance and impunity, defying international law and creating an unprecedented grouping of interests: the project blends politics and personal interests in an atmosphere of total cynicism," says the Flach site.

The film's producer Jean-Francois Lepetit says Google cut the web links to the film after being notified of Flach's legal action, says Reuters, adding:

" 'We made estimates of the prejudice and its goes well beyond 500,000 euros ($648,700). The film has been downloaded about 50,000 times and it has certainly been copied afterwards,' Lepetit said in a telephone interview."

Also See:
Reuters - Film producer sues Google France, November 23, 2006
Flach - A film by William Karel in collaboration with Eric Laurent



(Thursday 23rd November 2006)
http://p2pnet.net/story/10532?PHPSESSID=5a08d40852e29510d1520f3074279955

 

Nero Burning Rom 7.5.9.0
Publisher's Description:

Nero is a flexible, reliable, and easy-to-use application designed to write both data and CD audio to CD-R and CD-RW discs. It supports ISO 9660 images as well as ISO mode 1 and XA mode 2, and allows for on-the-fly disc recording in addition to overburning (if supported by hardware). It also supports multisession and mixed-mode recording, HFS, ISO/HFS hybrid, UDF, PSX, OFAS (optimal file access speed), track-at-once (TAO) and disc-at-once (DAO) writing, digital audio extraction, and more. In addition, Nero can dynamically disable automatic-insert notification, offers support for multiple languages, and works with all major models of CD-R and CD-RW drives. This also contains a standalone Cover Editor for designing and printing CD covers.


Download Now
File Size: 150,950 KB
Add to Download Cart
Released: November 22, 2006
Publisher: Ahead Software
Homepage: Nero Burning Rom
Downloads: 722,210
License: Commercial Demo
OS Support: Windows (All)
Uninstaller?: Yes


GET IT HERE
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Nero_Burning_Rom/942634103/1

ownload the latest Nero 7 Ultra Edition ENHANCED Update –

* Version Numbers - List of application versions currently available
* Release Notes - List of changes/updates in new version
* More Info – Check out the new features included in ENHANCED

Please Note - System Requirements have changed, please review prior to downloading update

Click here to view System Requirements
Choose from the options below:

Option 1 (Recommended) - If you want to update your Nero 7 Ultra Edition installed on this PC please launch the Nero ProductSetup for the most convenient update.

Option 2 - If you don't have an internet connection at the PC you want to update your Nero 7 Ultra Edition please download the offline installer here.

* Select a language of choice or English as default language
* Temporary disk space required – 328 MB
* Permanent hard disk space required – 288 MB




Ask Toolbar Click here to close this window

Nero 7 Ultra Edition ENHANCED users now have the option of integrating Ask Toolbar with the trial version download. The Ask Toolbar is a value add-on for Nero users, and installation is not required for the operation of any Nero application. If you choose to install, please click
» Learn more.









Help files Click here to close this window

Please be advised that help files are not integrated in the software at this point. In order to use the help files, you have to download them separately.


Language: English
Current version: 7.5.9.0
OR AT NERO
http://ww2.nero.com/nero7/enu/nero7-up.php

 

FREE,Freeware Utility to ... 450+


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Anti-Spyware/Anti-Virus/Anti-Rootkit Freeware Utilities : I want to ...

1. check if there is a rootkit installed on my computer : F-Secure BlackLight
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A LONG READ AND A GOOD READ..

For iTunes hacker, the freedom of the open code

In the late 1990s, Norwegian hacker Jon Lech Johansen became a cyberspace sensation when he broke into the encryption system designed to prevent copying of traditional DVDs and then posted it on the Web.

He was 15 years old at the time and quickly became known in hacker circles as "DVD Jon," a wunderkind of reverse engineering who tore down cumbersome technological barriers.


Which way Apple will fall
DVD Jon may or may not have his day in court. Apple hasn't revealed what it plans to do and isn't commenting on his latest exploits. But copyright lawyers in the U.S. say Apple would certainly have a strong case. Indeed, most experts believe that given the legal precedents, Johansen might be clutching at straws, using arguments already rejected in prior cases.


U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York, in a 90-page opinion, upheld the constitutionality of the DMCA.

Johansen may be on shaky ground. The DMCA allows it only if the circumvention does not independently constitute copyright infringement. Part of Johansen's defense "would have to be that breaking FairPlay and making an iTunes file playable on another device, when FairPlay is intended to prohibit that, does not constitute copyright infringement," says one lawyer.


THE TOTAL ARTICLE CAN BE READ HERE
ITS A GOOD READ,3-PAGES

http://news.com.com/2100-7348_3-6136367.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

 

Cell phone unlocking legal (for three years)

11/24/2006 10:43:53 AM, by Nate Anderson

The newest list of exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is out, and the Register of Copyrights is recommending six exemptions this time around. If you've been hankering for the legal authority to remove Sony's rootkit or to unlock your cell phone, then this will be big news. If you were hoping for the ability to make backup copies of your legally purchased DVDs, you're (still) out of luck.

Every three years, the Copyright Office develops a list of approved exemptions to the DMCA's anti-circumvention protections. This is the third time through the process, and the government has approved the largest number of exemptions to date—though they're still incredibly narrow.

Exemptions are allowed for 1) the educational library of a university's media studies department, in order to watch film clips in class; 2) using computer software that requires the original disks or hardware in order to run; 3) dongle-protected computer programs, if the the dongle no longer functions and a replacement cannot be found; 4) protected e-books, in order to use screen-reader software; 5) cell phone firmware that ties a phone to a specific wireless network; and 6) DRM software included on audio CDs, but only when such software creates security vulnerabilities on personal computers.

The provision likely to be of most interest to consumers is the one allowing cell phones to be unlocked and used on other networks. The Copyright Office allowed this exception because the software that prohibits users from accessing their phone's firmware has little to do with copyright and much to do with a business model. "The underlying activity sought to be performed by the owner of the handset is to allow the handset to do what it was manufactured to do—lawfully connect to any carrier," writes the government in explanation. "This is a noninfringing activity by the user... The purpose of the software lock appears to be limited to restricting the owner's use of the mobile handset to support a business model, rather than to protect access to a copyrighted work itself."

Although six exemptions is the most ever issued by the Copyright Office, some exemptions that were allowed in the past are no longer acceptable. The 2003 rule-making allowed an exemption for researchers attempting to uncover the blacklists used by Internet filtering software, but the 2006 rules make no mention of it. The government explains that people who want exemptions must argue for them every three years. "The record tells us nothing about today's market with respect to filtering software and the need to circumvent access controls placed on lists of Internet locations blocked by filtering software. Nor is there any evidence in the record that there has been any use of the exemption in the past three years, or that there would be likely to be any use of an exemption during the next three years. In 2003, this exemption found virtually all of its support from a single proponent, Mr. Seth Finkelstein."

But Finkelstein has abandoned censorware research, for reasons he made clear in his blog three years ago, and the Copyright Office notes that no one else stepped forward to defend the exemption this time around.

What else did the government reject? Proposals against space-shifting, playing DVDs on Linux, bypassing region coding on DVDs, bypassing copy protection on legally purchased computer software, audiobooks distributed by libraries, all works protected by DRM that prevents backups, and all works protected by a broadcast flag. There's not a whole lot in the new exemptions for consumers to love, and many activists are already pinning their hopes on a Democratic Congress that might be more open to reforming the DMCA or refusing to legislate broadcast flags. On the other hand, plenty of Democrats side with Hollywood, and it's not at all clear what legislation might emerge from committees in the next year.http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061124-8280.html

 

forgot to post this

DVDFab 3.0.4.0 is out


Dear all,

DVDFab products 3.0.4.0 is out (11/23/2006):

DVDFab Platinum/Gold 3.0.4.0:
http://www.dvdfab.com/download.htm

DVDFab Decrypter 3.0.4.0:
http://www.dvdidle.com/free.htm

What's New:
* New: Added support for a new Sony ARccOS protection as found on a special version of "Little Man" (R1).
Note: It's clear that there are two versions of "Little Man" (R1) with different protections: one is already supported, and we add support for the new one.
* New: Improved Sony ARccOS support.
* New: You can set exact write speed in "Settings" window now. If media doesn't support the write speed, a pop up window will ask you which speed to use.
* New: Added display for real-time burning speed.
* New: Added confirmation when output need single layer media, but user insert double layer media.
* New: Added check when output need double layer media, but user insert single layer media.
* New: Added AutoPlay handler. Optionally, you can start DVDFab Platinum/Gold/Decrypter when DVD inserted.
* New: Updated language files.
* Fix: Error 400 when copying DVD in certain cases.
* Fix: A crash problem when opening DVD in certain cases.
* Fix: Nero Burning ROM error "Invalid - parameter".
* Fix: Burning freeze problem when source and target drive is same, and Nero Burning ROM is used as burning engine.
* Fix: A/V sync problem in certain cases for "DVD to Mobile".
* Fix: Several minor problems.

Best Regards,
Fengtao
__________________
DVDFab - The ultimate DVD copying/converting/burning software!
DVD Region+CSS Free - Watch and copy any region code CSS-encrypted DVD on any DVD drive!
DVDIdle - Extend lifetime of your DVD drive!
http://www.dvdidle.com/


there might be a problem read here


http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=1650a214e7f74632fe61c6534f4cfb04&t=200276#post1612672

 

Friday, 24 November 2006
Trade Any File Type with the Zune
Topic: Things




Recieved Someone clever figured out a way to transfer any type of file onto the Microsoft Zune portable media player,

read here
http://www.zunescene.com/zune-mass-storage-mod/

after which the files can be wirelessly traded to other Zune users. The technique involves modifying your Windows registry to make the Zune show up as a mass storage device in Windows, renaming the files or zipped version of them as JPEGs, and copying them onto the Zune.

After disconnecting your Zune from your computer, you can trade MP3s, movies, or any other file to your friends using the device's Wi-Fi connection. When your friends get home, they modify their registries in the same way, copy the files onto their computers, rename the files to their original extensions, and Bob's their uncle. But the party may not last too long after Microsoft gets wind of the hack.

The reason the technique works is that the Zunes are under the impression that the files are very large JPEGs. Using a firmware update, Microsoft could curtail this type of sharing by limiting the file size of tradable JPEGS. I'd imagine it won't be too long before such a limit appears. Rumor has it that Microsoft will also be limiting the file size of tradable video files if/when video trading is officially activated, so it already probably has much of the code it would need to add a JPEG file size sharing limit.

If you follow the below tutorial and decide you want to keep your Zune's ability to trade such files, you may not want to agree to any Zune firmware updates from Microsoft, although since the technique involves some use of the Zune software, Microsoft could make the firmware update mandatory.

Unrestricted file sharing tutorial on Zune Scene, incorporating this registry editing technique and this method of copying data onto the Zune.

(image from Zune Scene, via Engadget)

link
http://blog.wired.com/music/2006/11/trade_any_file_.html

 

Top Ten Things Wrong With Zune

Posted by Rupert Goodwins

Yeah, we know. Won't work with Microsoft's oh-so-ironically labelled Plays For Sure, won't work with Vista, won't work with the Mac, has really really naff DRM, has wasted its Wi-Fi and requires you to buy a non-convertible currency called Points before you can actually get music. It's a hideous car-crash of a product.

But those aren't the reasons Zune is doomed to become known as the New Coke of failure in the drinks holder of the Edsel of marketing misfires. Here are ten much better reasons to point and openly mock

10 It wants to be an iPod. Look at it. Fake scroll wheel. Fake iTunes. Fake buzz. Comes in black and white. Five years to come up with something new, and this?

9 . It so fails to be an iPod. It comes in brown. Brown! It's fatter, it's heavier, it looks like a lump of robot poo from a big, fat, heavy robot. Do you want robo-poo in your pocket? From a fat robot? Exactly.

8. ZuneScene are selling it in the States with the tagline "Dude, you're getting a Zune." Not only is this a recycled tagline, it's recycled from Dell - possibly the lowest-rent source of high-tech ideas outside Dixons.

7. Microsoft is selling it in the States with the tagline "Welcome to the Social". My uncle used to go down the Social. It was a frightening place full of coffin-dodgers trying to hide from the Grim Reaper behind a smokescreen of Benson and Hedges. It smelled of at least six things at once, none of them good. The only technology they had was a 78RPM record player and hearing aids with valves in. Is this how Microsoft wants us to think of Zune?

6. Zune 1.5? Two words. Orange. Pink.

5. The accessories are even uglier than the Zune itself. There are these things called Speck cases, which make the Zune look like the sole of a Doc Marten boot, like it's stuffed inside one of those gym shoes with the silly rubber dimples around the toes, or like it's been pushed into a big, big wad of chewing gum and pulled half out. These are bad things. These are embarrasing things. This is the world you'll enter if you buy a Zune, dude.

4 Zune Masters. Microsoft is trying to recruit college kids to go out there and evangelise about the Zune to their friends. Qualify, and you're called a Zune Master. The only good thing about this is that if they try it here, the poor saps will have the robo-poo beaten out of them faster than a first generation iPod drained its batteries. And did Apple ever need an iPod master? Quite.

3 They're not selling it here until 2008. Why should the Americans have all the fun watching Microsoft making a complete arse of itself for more than a year? It's bad enough them keeping the good telly.

2 www.zune.net - the home page. Go on, take a look. Not only did Microsoft fail to get zune.com, but the dot net looks like it was put together by a fourteen year old in 1997 using a 'My first web site' primer from Computer Newbie magazine and Notepad.. And the main graphic looks like a young man straining at stool.

1 If it succeeds, we'll get to see Steve Ballmer jumping around on stage in a tight black poloneck jumper.
http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10004582o-2000331777b,00.htm

 

Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted in uk


An Apple iPod connected to a radio transmitting device
The devices allow iPods to be used in cars
Ofcom is legalising the use of FM transmitters that allow iPods and other MP3 players to play through car radios.

The use of devices, such as Griffin's "iTrip", was banned in the UK as their transmissions can interfere with broadcasts by legal radio stations.

However, the device and other similar accessories for MP3 players have been widely available online.

Now certain FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies, will be legal from 8 December.

Ofcom will also remove the need for a licence to use Citizens' Band radio.

The regulator's move follows a public consultation exercise.

Stamp of approval

The devices fell foul of the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949, which forbids the use of radio equipment without a licence or an exemption.

But strong consumer demand for the devices led Ofcom to rethink the legislation.

Liberal Democrat MPs were also prominent in asking for iTrips and similar devices to be legalised.

The new Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 mean that certain low-power transmitters will now be legal.

However, many devices currently on the market will remain illegal as they do not meet the legally required technical specifications and could interfere with radio broadcasts.

The new amendments will also reflect a European standard on the low-power transmitters.

All approved transmitters will carry a CE mark indicating approval for sale in the European Union.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6177820.stm

 

HP unveils hd100, its first HD DVD-ROM drive

http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/HP-unveils-hd100-its-first-HD-DVD-ROM-drive.html

Hewlett Packard has unveiled its first HD DVD drive, the hd100 according to PC Pro. This external drive connects via a USB 2.0 connection and is capable of reading HD DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, CD-R/RW and CD-ROM discs. The drive is expected to launch in the UK before the end of December, however no pricing and software bundling information is currently available, although according to HP's press about the drive, it comes bundled with Cyberlink PowerDVD HD DVD edition. The drive itself is a rebadged Lite-On. HP claims that over 100 HD DVD titles have already been released by Hollywood, which feature full HD resolution.

The drive features up to 2.4x HD DVD-ROM (CLV), up to 5x DVD (CAV) and up to 14x CD (CAV) read-back. The minimum PC processor requirement is a Pentium Extreme Edition 3.2GHz+, D 3.4GHz+, Core Duo 2GHz+, Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz+, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (or higher) or an AMD Athlon FX-60, FX-62 or TL-60. The graphics card needs to be PCI Express GeForce 7600 GT (or higher) or an ATI X1600 series (or higher) with at least 256MB RAM. The graphics card and monitor must both be HDCP compliant for HD playback. Further requirements and full specifications for the drive can be read here on HP's website.


link in pdf
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2006/psgconsumer/ds_hd_dvd.pdf

 

UK Schools Bans WiFi Due To Health Concerns
Posted by Zonk on Friday November 24, @08:39PM
from the no-bad-teeth-jokes dept.
Wireless Networking Science
Mantrid42 writes "Schools in the UK are getting rid of their WiFi network, citing health concerns from parents and teachers. The wireless emanations, parents fear, may be the root cause of a host of problems from simple fatigue to the possibility of cancer. A few scientists think younger humans may be more vulnerable to the transmissions, because of thinner skulls. From the article: "Vivienne Baron, who is bringing up Sebastian, her ten-year-old grandson, said: 'I did not want Sebastian exposed to a wireless computer network at school. No real evidence has been produced to prove that this new technology is safe in the long term. Until it is, I think we should take a precautionary approach and use cabled systems.'"

read the total story here
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,591-2461748,00.html

 

Science Student Develops Paper Capable of 450GB of Storage

Rainbow technology still in the works but holds promise

According to a report from the Arab News, a university technology student named Sainul Abideen has invented a method of storing massive amounts of digital data on a plain piece of paper that he claims could store many times the capacity of the best Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs. In fact, Abideen says that his Rainbow technology can enable him to store up to 450GB on a piece of paper. As far as a real life demonstration of a 450GB paper goes, the technology still needs development.

Abideen claims that that his Rainbow system is better than a binary storage because instead of using ones and zeros to represent data, Abideen uses geometric shapes such as squares and hexagons to represent data patterns. Color is also used in the system to represent other data elements. According to Abideen, all that's required to read the Rainbow prints is a scanner and specialized software.

The reporter at Arab News claims to have seen 450 pages of fully printed foolscap being stored on a 4-square inch piece of Rainbow paper. The reporter also claimed that he was shown a 45-second video clip that was stored using the Rainbow system on a plain piece of paper. Interestingly, 45-seconds of video isn't a lot, and if the Rainbow system can store up to 450GB, then we need to be watching full length high-definition videos from a piece of paper.

One of the major advantages of the Rainbow system is the fact that it should cost a lot less to produce than typical polycarbonate DVD and CD discs. Abideen claims that huge databanks can be constructed out of Rainbow-based storage mediums. Although the main attraction is cheap paper right now, other media can use the Rainbow system too.

As of right now, Abideen's system is still under research at the Muslim Educational Society Engineering College and although no major companies have expressed interest, Abideen is confident of the system's future. According to the report, Aibdeen is hard at work at developing a Rainbow scanner that would be small enough for integration into notebook computers. If developed, a Rainbow printer will likely be next up.

In other high-capacity storage news, DailyTech previously reported that Hitachi-Maxell is in the progress of producing holographic media for shipment this year. Holographic storage is one of the biggest forward-looking storage technologies and holds a great deal of promise -- as well as data.

link
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5052

 

Revolver's Paul Birch on DRM

p2pnet.net News:- Revolver Records' Paul Birch is being widely quoted, today, as saying the major labels will abandon DRM (digital restrictions management).

"DRM as we know it is over," New Music Strategies has him saying. But, "before you get all excited, the operative phrase is, 'as we know it'," we observed.

Meanwhile, "You're quoted in New Music Strategies as saying DM is all over, bar the shouting," - p2pnet emailed Birch. "Is this accurate?"

Here's his response.

It's accurate that I said it Jon, if it will come to pass is another matter. It's purely a prediction and not something I have overheard said at a board table.

I am neither advocating its demise or its continuance, by the way. Just reporting on where I see things heading.

The reference to partnership is the future, by the way; what I was discussing there was partnership with each other. I don't rule out a kind of partnership with the majors but that would depend upon the two sectors re-establishing trust.

The real challenge for Independents is abandoning the "don't crush us we are small and we hurt" sentiment, and picking up real differentiation strategies established through mechanisms such as corporate social responsibility.

Independents have difficulty in working together in real strategic partnerships. Corporations have practiced this since the days of the East India Trading Company.

It would be naive to think that:

1/ The majors wont be at the centre of the new model what ever that might be; or,

2/ Rights will in some way go unprotected.

I would expect to see some augmentation of existing structures but not the abandonment of the core values that bind the industry together.

By the way. if we look at the history of the Music Industry, there was corporate shuffling in the 80's and 90's when BMG took over RCA, when Warner merged with Time and then acquired AOL, when Sony took over CBS, when EMI de-merged from Thorn and when MCA was taken over by Matsusitu only then to be merged into PolyGram to form the new Universal company. Why should we be surprised then that these companies should now consolidate?

Corporations do it all the time. If HP and Compaq can do it why not Universal and BMG music publishing?

In fact, if they didn't consolidate the transition to the new model would fail. That would leave the Record Industry ripe to take-over by World sized corporation that dwarf the major labels.

Does the Industry seriously think that Apple, Microsoft or any Telco you care to mention would be better guardians of our fragile rights?

My money is on the majors acquisition of new media companies, placing them at the centre of a new world music entertainment industry.

The majors frankly have only the majors to worry about. They should neither be the way us Indie labels define ourselves, nor should they be our model for aspiration.

They are what they are.

The big question is what are we? What's our strategy? How will we move to the new model?

Stay tuned.

Also See:
abandon DRM - DRM bites the dust, November 25, 2006



(Saturday 25th November 2006)
http://p2pnet.net/story/10551?PHPSESSID=f173b54236babff9930bfc6b91bc1736

 

Wikipedia CD, 2007

p2pnet.net News:- A 'Wikipedia CD' has been made available for download on BitTorrent.com. The CD comprises more than 2,500 hand-picked educational articles aimed at helping schools enhance their curriculum, and children learn.

Wikipedia The CD has been compiled by volunteers for 'the world’s largest orphan charity', SOS Children. The articles, all of which are from the English language portal, are on common educational topics such as Geography, Science, Dinosaurs, Plants and Animals, to name a few.

Articles on all countries and their capital cities have also been included.

Apparently, each article has been 'checked for suitability' and 'cleaned by hand and script.'

The CD is currently at release 1.0. Previous versions contained 'disputed' articles relating to religion and politics, but they've subsequently been removed.

This CD is clearly aimed at schools and institutions with a slow, or non-existent connection to the Internet.

Unlike Encyclopodia, the popular open source project that puts all of Wikipedia on your iPod, the Wikipedia CD is aimed at a younger audience who might find it hard to discern the clearly inaccurate or false from the 'real' information.

It's a great effort, but at the same time one has to remember that the content on the CD is edited, and hasn't, therefore, been cross-checked by the innumerable people who frequent, contribute to and refine Wikipedia.

SOS Children didn't have permission to use the Wikipedia logo, so it's not present on the CD, but they've recently been granted permission and it'll appear on the next release in 2007.

Torrentfreak - The Netherlands
http://www.torrentfreak.com/



(Saturday 25th November 2006)
http://p2pnet.net/story/10552?PHPSESSID=e3ac95cf9fdf958088e94fd72031e9b9

 

Xbox 360 Live overloaded by Video on demand

Microsoft's new video on demand service for the Xbox 360 sparked such a strong interest that its servers were overwhelmed from the demand, leaving many users stuck attempting to start a download and many downloads being cut off, according to NewsFactor. To make matters worse, the service charges before the download completes, which means there are a lot of users who have been charged for something they never received.

Unlike music download services such as iTunes, Napster and so on, Microsoft's service offers complete movies and TV shows at standard definition, which can potentially be several hundred times larger than an individual song. Its High Definition versions are even much larger again. In an aim to overcome help overcome this issue, Microsoft has set up a hotline (1-800-4MYXBOX) for customers to call in about complaints or to get refunds for title purchases that failed to download.

While it appears that Microsoft has definitely succeeded in attracting attention to its Xbox 360 Live video service, unfortunately this first experience for its customers is bad news, as it will be enough to make some customers rethink about using this or any other online video on demand service. Satellite and Cable TV on the other hand is immune to large audiences, since even if everyone purchased a Pay Per View title at the same time, the source has to only broadcast the transmission once and every client just has to tune into this transmission. However, when it comes to online video on demand the source must send a separate copy to every client that purchased a title. This means that 1,000 online purchases for a given title at the same time means that the source needs to upload this title 1,000 times to cover all its clients, assuming everyone receives their copy successfully.

As Sony has yet to launch a TV show / Movie download service, this will surely give Sony advance warning on what it needs to watch out for in order to make a successful start.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/Xbox-360-Live-overloaded-by-Video-on-demand.html

 

A Wii Workout:
When Videogames Hurt
Nintendo's new system forces players to move their bodies, causing aches for some couch potatoes; a case of 'Wii elbow'
By JAMIN WARREN
November 25, 2006; Page P1

A videogame maker has finally succeeded in getting kids off the couch and moving around. But the new approach is turning out to be more exercise than some players bargained for.

These surprisingly vigorous workouts are being triggered by Nintendo's new Wii videogames. The Wii game console, which went on sale last weekend, competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's new PlayStation 3. One of the Wii's distinguishing features is a motion-sensitive technology that requires players to act out their character's movements, wielding the game's controller like a sword or swinging it like a tennis racket.
[Wii Workout]

The new console has been wildly successful, selling out at stores and winning high marks from critics and game buffs. But as players spend more time with the Wii, some are noticing that hours waving the game's controller around can add up to fairly intense exertion -- resulting in aches and pains common in more familiar forms of exercise. They're reporting aching backs, sore shoulders -- even something some have dubbed "Wii elbow."

"It's harder than playing basketball," says Kaitlin Franke, a 12-year-old from Louisville, Ky. She has been camped out in front of her family's TV, fine-tuning her bowling motion and practicing boxing footwork in two of the Wii's games. Almost immediately, she says, her right arm started to feel numb.

In Rochester, Minn., Jeremy Scherer and his wife spent three hours playing tennis and bowling, two of the games included with the Wii. Mr. Scherer says he managed to improve his scores -- at the cost of shoulders and back that were still aching the next day. "I was using muscles I hadn't used in a while," says Mr. Scherer, a computer programmer who describes himself as "not very active." Mr. Scherer is vowing nightly "Wii workouts" to get in better shape.
Another hazard: collisions. All those flailing arms can sometimes inadvertently smack into lamps, furniture and even competing players. IGN.com, a popular site that reviews videogames, said one player testing the Wii lost her grip and sent the controller flying into a wall. Blaine Stuart of Rochester, N.Y., mistakenly whacked his fiancée, Shelly Haefele, while playing tennis and also accidentally hit his dog while bowling.

Nintendo itself warns players about this risk just before some of the games begin. A message flashes up on the screen saying: "Make sure there are no people or objects around you that you might bump into while playing." Some Wii games also have pop-up reminders every 15 minutes advising gamers to take a break.

Perrin Kaplan, a spokeswoman from Nintendo, says the company hasn't received complaints from any gamers about soreness. "It was not meant to be a Jenny Craig supplement," she says. "If people are finding themselves sore, they may need to exercise more." She says that while it might be more fun to play the games more aerobically, it's possible to play without leaving the couch.

The Wii's introduction is part of a critical holiday season for the videogame industry. Two big new players -- the Wii and the PS3 -- are getting their launch this year. Starting last week, shoppers have been lining up, but in many cases, stores are already sold out of both consoles. The Wii and the PS3 are now fetching more than $1,000 on some Web sites like eBay.

The Wii, which retails for $250, comes with a remote control-size device that communicates wirelessly with a sensor sitting on the TV. It also comes with a secondary device -- which attaches via a cable to the first device -- that can mimic a variety of objects, from fishing rods to samurai swords. With their purchase, gamers also get Wii Sports, a package of five games, including golf, bowling, tennis, boxing and baseball. More than two dozen games are available for about $50 each. In one of those games, "Rayman Raving Rabbids," players aggressively shake the controller; in the action game "Red Steel," players wield it as a handgun. Nintendo has marketed the Wii to non-gamers who might find activities like bowling or golf easy to pick up and play.

Ryan Mercer, a customs broker in Indianapolis, lifts weights several times a week. But that hasn't helped much with the Wii. After playing the boxing game for an hour and a half, his arms, shoulders and torso were aching. "I was soaking wet with sweat, head to toe -- I had to go take a shower," he says. And the next morning? "I had trouble putting my shirt on," says the 21-year-old avid gamer.

Some past games have involved physical exertion. The popular "Dance Dance Revolution" by Konami has players moving their feet to music across a pad on the floor. And RedOctane's "Guitar Hero" requires players to attempt air-guitar types of moves. Beyond those two individual games, Nintendo in the 1980s sold something called the Power Pad, a plastic mat that recorded players' movements as they ran or jumped. But the Wii is a far more ambitious attempt to integrate body movement into all games.

In the past, pain from videogames has more typically been associated with the small repetitive movements of thumbing a controller's buttons. In the 1980s, some players addicted to the game "Super Mario Brothers" came down with what was later called "Nintendo thumb."

Doctors advice: Stretch out and be sure to take care of any injuries afterwards. "It's just like athletic play," says Lana Kang, an orthopedic hand surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Ms. Haefele, who along with her fiancé is also a gamer, has been heeding that advice. Last year, she suffered a tendonitis injury and started wearing an elbow brace. Now, she also wears it when she plays the Wii.
http://online.wsj.com/public/articl...7hA_kHAA8w_20061224.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top