4th November 2007 Archive

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Downing Street's website, the e-petitions hit tart

Large tail wags boring, unsuccessful dog

Number-10.gov.uk, the stultifyingly dull home to Downing Street's idea of news and absurdly astroturfed 'webchats' with our leaders, has released its visitor numbers for the year so far, showing an amazing increase in traffic over the previous year. Or alternatively, suggesting it's been going nowhere for most of this year. …

Government 4 Nov 08:02
Mobile networks: the state's new bloodhounds?

Dial L for location

So, you're a master criminal, or perhaps a cheating spouse, but either way you've covered your tracks and have a high court judge ready to confirm your alibi - you were eating dinner in a club when the deed occurred. Tickets paid in cash, and a hoodie to hide from the CCTV, your story is safe - except your mobile phone network …

Mobile 4 Nov 09:02
No email privacy rights under Constitution, US gov claims

You pronounce it 'sä-fə-strē'

On October 8, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati granted the government's request for a full-panel hearing in United States v. Warshak case centering on the right of privacy for stored electronic communications. At issue is whether the procedure whereby the government can subpoena stored …

Government 4 Nov 12:02
Brown will 'scrap ID cards' for UK citizens, claims paper

Next phase of the long trek back from the brink?

Compulsory ID cards are to be scrapped, claims the Sunday Mirror today. And although the claim was immediately denied by ministers, the tone of the denials so far has been mysteriously unconvincing. Home Office Minister Tony McNulty in particular seems to give the impression of a man who suspects he might not know what's going …

Government 4 Nov 14:47
Carnegie Mellon wins the robotic Urban Challenge

Stanford relegated to second

Carnegie Mellon University has redeemed itself by winning the $2m first place prize in the DARPA Urban Challenge. Stanford University took second and $1m, while Virginia Tech took $500k for third. Six vehicles of the 11 vehicles finished the sixty-mile course with Stanford, Carnegie Mellon and Virginia Tech all closing within …

Rise of the Machines 4 Nov 18:43
AOL spammer gets two years in the slammer

Spam scam sting yields results

A New Jersey man has been jailed for more than two years after he was convicted of sending millions of junk mails to AOL members. Todd Moeller, 28, was sentenced to 27 months behind bars and fined $180,000 at a sentencing hearing last Friday after he admitted offences against US anti-spam legislation. Moeller and partner in …

Spam 4 Nov 21:07
Buffy mastermind returns with new TV series

Once more with feeling

Joss Whedon, creator of sci-fi fan favourites Buffy and Firefly, is to return to television with a new series. Dollhouse, a Fox series starring Eliza Dushku (who played Faith in Buffy), follows a group of mind-wiped individuals kept in a child-like state until they are programmed to carry specific assignments. After each …

Entertainment 4 Nov 21:21