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Friday, April 26, 2002
• Piracy cops
Should your tax dollars be used to help the music industry
shut down the Napsters of the future? That is what the recording industry
apparently is looking for, according
to ZDNet News. The Recording Industry Association of America is asking
Congress to boost funding for a Justice Department program called Computer
Hacking and Intellectual Property.
I have no problem with the feds going after organized
piracy rings like the ones cited by ZDNet News. But I just don't trust
the RIAA and wonder how long before they will want to snoop around my
hard drive.
• Making the rounds
This toad
story is little old, but it's still a favorite link, according to
the Daypop Top 40.
• The "Browser That Roared" to debut
Mozilla,
the open-source browser in the works for years, will be out soon, according
to Time.com. It calls the browser that will challenge Microsoft's
Internet Explorer fast, flexible. And, of course, it's backed by Time-owner
AOL-Time Warner.
React on the NetRunner
bulletin board.
Send an e-mail to Dave McPherson
Thursday, April 25, 2002
• You-Couldn't-Do-That-Before-the-Net Department
Timelessmail.com
will send out an e-mail written by you to your family and friends when
you die. It's not for me, and it's not free. Still, it's an interesting
idea that I'm sure will find an audience.
• Dial-up blues
I called my current ISP and local cable company to see
if I can get a high-speed Net connection. Not yet, but I'm getting closer.
The ISP says the phone company still isn't making DSL available in my
neighborhood because of its failure to upgrade the existing equipment.
But the cable company put me on its waiting list with a promise broadband
service on my street should be available in a month. I'm not holding my
breath, but there's hope at last.
Meanwhile, a new
survey says Net surfers sign up for broadband for the always-on connection,
not because they want to watch video or listen to audio online.
• The polish worked
The reviews are in. Bill Gates is getting better on
the witness stand. The Microsoft founder bombed in earlier videotaped
testimony in the antitrust case, coming off as an arrogant techie. But
this time Gates redeemed himself, according
to CNET News.com. Looks like the Microsoft image consultants can expect
a fat payday.
React on the NetRunner
bulletin board.
Send an e-mail to Dave McPherson
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