19th November 2008 Archive

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Teen hacker confesses three-year crime spree

DDoS, botnets, SWAT calls, bomb threats, credit fraud...

A juvenile hacker with a reputation for stirring up trouble in online gaming groups has admitted to multiple computer felonies, including cyber attacks that overwhelmed his victims with massive amounts of data and the placing of hoax emergency phone calls that elicited visits by heavily armed police teams. Known by the online …

Security 19 Nov 2008, 00:36
Mark Cuban answers SEC insider-trading charges

'Because that's just the kind of person he is'

Those betting attention-starved web entrepreneur Mark Cuban would keep silent about insider-trading charges filed against him by the US Securities and Exchange Commission just lost their dollar. Easiest cash I ever made. The Dallas Mavericks owner / Broadcast.com founder / Dancing with the Stars contestant / bazillionare has …

Financial News 19 Nov 2008, 03:10
Championship Gaming Series runs out of quarters

'The concept was ahead of its time'

For two short seasons, The Championship Gaming Series tried to transform the sun-starved denizens of musty, Cheeto-dusted basements into glorious "e-sport" cultural icons. The scheme of making video game playing a legitimate sport had its fair share of obstacles. For instance, there's some trouble in that watching a TV …

Software 19 Nov 2008, 03:20
EMC remixes Decho and the Funnymen

Connecting a Hoover to a personal information bank

What is Decho about? Decho is Pi and Mozy combined, headquartered in Pi Corporation's offices in Seattle, and with a Pi research centre in Montreal, the Mozy base in Pleasant Grove, Utah and coding development in Bangalore. There are twenty people in Seattle and eighty or so in the other three centres. The few staff we know …

Data Center 19 Nov 2008, 08:02
Yamaha DVX-1000 2.1 home cinema system

Review Only three speakers but an eight-channel experience

The DVX-1000 promises to be the last word in 2.1-channel home cinema, delivering a level of surround sound not heard before from a three-speaker system. Or so Yamaha would have us believe. It claims the DVX will deliver a 7.1-channel experience from just three speakers, a technique Yamaha's marketing droids have dubbed Air …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 09:02
NASA space tests 'interplanetary internet' protocol

New Vint Cerf network to fly on ISS in 2009

NASA has announced successful space tests of its new purpose-designed interplanetary communications networking protocol, which it calls Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN). Famed TCP/IP pioneer Vint Cerf was instrumental in the space net's design. "This is the first step in creating a totally new space communications …

Data Networking 19 Nov 2008, 09:53
Homework late? Blame Russian hackers

Teachers wise up to tech-based yarns

Teachers are increasingly subjected to tech-based tall tales from students who've failed to get their act together in the homework department, the Telegraph reports. Long-suffering Brit teachers are now apparently offered 15 different yarns a week, with many kids trying to "pull the wool over teachers' eyes by blaming modern …

Bootnotes 19 Nov 2008, 10:07
Nvidia pitches Tesla GPU-as-CPU tech 'personal supercomputer'

This time it's real, apparently

Nvidia has introduced a desktop computer architecture based on its Tesla graphics chip and it's calling the system the first "real" desktop supercomputer. The typical spec comprises an AMD four-core Phenom processor plus a trio of Tesla C1060 two-slot cards and a Quadro FX card to take the GPU total to four. The Quadro handles …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 10:20
BlackBerry Storm is a little too consumer for some

Enterprise-ready version coming soon, says Voda

Enterprise customers getting hold of a BlackBerry Storm are finding the handset is not quite as enterprise as they might have hoped. The issue arise with the way that RIM, owner of the BlackBerry brand, segments customers. There are those who use Blackberry Internet Solution, and those using Blackberry Enterprise Solution. And …

Mobile 19 Nov 2008, 10:22
BNP races to get membership list off the net

Updated Brown ~~shirts~~ trousers

The BNP membership list containing over 10,000 names and addresses, which we revealed yesterday is still plastered over the internet despite the far right party's desperate efforts to get it yanked from websites. A message on the party's website from Nick Griffin, BNP leader, details the list leak and apologises to people …

Law 19 Nov 2008, 10:41
Visa's digital credit card could raise legal stakes

Competitors may hop on bandwagon

Visa has introduced a computerised credit card which it hopes will help banks battle fraud. The innovation could force other card issuers and banks to implement similar technology, one data protection expert has said. Four banks have agreed to trial Visa's card, which generates a unique, one-use code to verify each transaction …

Security 19 Nov 2008, 10:45
Ex-CEO says BAE's British future 'in doubt'

Also: Eurofighter development far from complete

The just-retired chief executive of BAE Systems plc has once again suggested that the company will move to America if it doesn't get what it wants from the British Ministry of Defence. Mike Turner also admitted that the controversial Eurofighter superjet is far from fully developed, calling on the MoD to "finish the job" and …

Government 19 Nov 2008, 10:51
MS kills off OneCare to introduce free security software

Pay less for Morro

Microsoft has abandoned its attempt to make money from selling anti-virus software to consumers, two years after entering the cut-throat market. The Windows Live OneCare consumer security service will be discontinued from the end of June next year in favour of a free consumer product, codenamed Morro, currently under …

Security 19 Nov 2008, 11:01
Judge dismisses Hackintosh maker's anti-Apple lawsuit

Setback for Psystar

Apple has successfully had the lawsuit brought against it by Hackintosh system builder Psystar thrown out of court - at least until its opponent can come up with a better case. So said California District Court Judge William Alsup yesterday in response to the Mac maker's request that Psystar's lawsuit - filed in response to …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 11:04
Hitler had one ball: Official

Other not in Albert Hall, however

It's official: Hitler really did have only one ball, confirming the suspicions of Brits who during WWII musically suggested* the Führer was a 'nad short of a full lunchbox. That's according to the Sun, which says the fact was confirmed by German army medic Johan Jambor who saw an injured Hitler during the 1916 Battle of the …

Bootnotes 19 Nov 2008, 11:19
Most biometric checks will bypass ID database

Will use data stored on ID cards

Identity checks will normally rely on the biometric data held on cards and passports rather than the National Identity Register "Verification checks of biometrics identifiers will be made against the card in most cases using the biometrics stored in the chip, for example if the facial image or fingerprint biometrics are …

Government 19 Nov 2008, 11:28
BT silences customers over Phorm

Down banhammer

BT has banned all future discussion of Phorm and its "WebWise" targeted advertising product on its customer forums, and deleted all past threads about the controversy dating back to February. Subscribers to BT's broadband packages had used the BT Beta forums to criticise its relationship with Phorm and raise concerns about the …

Broadband 19 Nov 2008, 11:30
What's lurking in your data centre?

Legacy IT - a burden or tech age-ism?

It's a shame, isn't it. The term 'legacy' could mean such good things, but in IT we use it in the same condemning way we might refer to burnt out old warehouses, or rusting farm equipment. No system worth its salt wants to be considered as part of the legacy environment, and indeed, it's a CV decision as to whether people want …

Systems 19 Nov 2008, 11:36
HP unfolds touchscreen tablet

Laptop-cum-tablet

HP is eager to prove that it’s still in touch with your mobile computing requirements, so it’s launched a convertible notebook with a touch-sensitive display. The TX2’s display can be rotated by 180° to let you to use it as either a traditional notebook or as a tablet PC. Only a fingertip’s required to navigate your way around …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 11:44
Premium-rate industry pushes into class

Hay kids, let's do the show on a mobile phone!

Budding entrepreneurs are to be encouraged to develop premium-rate content by the industry regulator, with free lesson plans and downloads from the Ministry of Sound to make ringtone creation part of the UK curriculum. The plans come from PhonepayPlus, the regulator formally known as ICSTIS, and comprise a new programme called …

Mobile 19 Nov 2008, 11:48
IBM gets into server transit business

Goes Transitive for dynamic apps translation

Put a Big Blue wrapper around your legacy apps and cut data centre operational expenses, floor space and energy costs. IBM has bought a company so it can migrate applications from competitor's boxes onto its own mainframes, PowerPC and Intel servers. The company is Transitive and its QuickTransit technology can dynamically …

Virtualization 19 Nov 2008, 11:53
What next for virtualization after we sort our servers out?

Virtual Insanity?

When we asked Reg readers for their views on virtualization last year, we thought we’d found the voice of reason. We still do. As a rule, mainstream businesses were getting stuck into x86 server virtualization, often in the name of consolidation. It was nice to have side effects, like smaller electricity bills and positive …

Infrastructure 19 Nov 2008, 11:54
Main BBC channels to be broadcast live via web

TV licence required

Viewers in the UK will be offered broadcasts of BBC One and Two live online from 27 November, the BBC said today. The long-trailed move will see Auntie's top-rated channels join its yoof channel BBC Three, highbrow channel BBC Four, the BBC News channel and children's channels live online. As with iPlayer, video will be …

Media 19 Nov 2008, 11:54
Boffins discover digital-camera 'fingerprints'

Pictures reveal make and model

If you recently murdered someone and took a picture of the victim as a little memento, you’d be wise to ditch the camera. Because imaging boffins have developed a way of identifying a camera’s particulars from its pictures. Scientists at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University, New York …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 11:57
Pininfarina B0 production schedule slips

'Leccy Tech Well sorted for lithium, though

The Pininfarina B0 – that's B 'zero', not B 'oh' – may be a few months late. The word from Pininfarina HQ in Cambiano, Italy is that the start of B0 production is now “scheduled for late 2009/early 2010” rather then being a dead cert for the end of next year. First shown at the Paris Motor Show, the B0 certainly sits on …

Science 19 Nov 2008, 11:58
Collaboration: dream or nightmare?

(There’s no F in Team)

Wave after wave of collaboration software keep crashing on our organisational shores. but with the latest wave of social networking software, should we run for higher ground? Many people like to collaborate: they enjoy the process and their organisation might benefit from the results. But, historically, this collaboration has …

Productivity 19 Nov 2008, 12:03
German bawdy house offers free entry for life

Willing punters queue for promotional brothel tattoo

Cologne überbrothel Pascha has been surprised at the number of punters rushing to avail themselves of its free-membership-for-life promotion - unsurprisingly since customers have to have the knocking shop's name tattooed on their arm to redeem the offer. Pascha's manager didn't expect many takers for the bold initiative, but " …

Bootnotes 19 Nov 2008, 12:08
Oz sex trade to spank parliamentary prudes

Sex and politics do mix

Australians are having a Sex Party – and before you all start sniggering at the back, this time they could be serious. Because depending on your point of view, this is either a cynical use of politics by an industry worried about its bottom line or the beginning of a fightback against government that has lost touch with ordinary …

Government 19 Nov 2008, 12:13
T-Mobile kicked for 'more minutes' ad

But TV challenge accepted

The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled against T-Mobile's claim that "You wont find more minutes for £30", but accepts that the TV challenge "See if you can find more minutes for £30" is OK. T-Mobile's print campaign made the bold claim and was challenged by UK operator 3, which pointed out that its own £27 tariff …

Mobile 19 Nov 2008, 12:43
Google tells the world how to talk

Received Pronunciation not received, Scots scotched

Google's voice search is, it turns out, optimised for North American accents and has distinct problems understanding proper English as the BBC defines it - forcing English users to adopt the kind of dodgy accents not usually seen outside a karaoke night. Google's iPhone application warns users that "Voice Search only works in …

Mobile 19 Nov 2008, 12:52
Lame Mac Trojan limps into view

Updated Malware targets grumble-flick fans

Security researchers have uncovered a rare example of a Trojan that affects Mac PCs. Lamzev-A creates a backdoor on compromised Mac OS-X systems. The malware typically disguises itself as video codec or game on dodgy websites. Mac users hoping to watch a clip from a grumble flick get infected instead, a trick well known from …

Security 19 Nov 2008, 12:54
Nikon Coolpix S710 compact camera

Review Ridiculously easy to use

The Coolpix S710 was one of four new compacts released by Nikon this autumn. It's the top-of-the-range model, so the person likely to buy this camera is someone looking for more than a basic compact but less than an entry-level DSLR. Will they be delighted or disappointed? Nikon's Coolpix S710: clean and uncluttered First …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 13:02
Spacewalking astronaut drops toolbag

'Steve, can you lend me a grease gun?'

Space shuttle Endeavour mission specialist Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper yesterday dropped her toolbag as she and Steve Bowen worked outside the International Space Station, in the process consigning to oblivion "two grease guns, scrapers, several wipes and tethers and some tool caddies". Bowen and Stefanyshyn-Piper exited the ISS …

Science 19 Nov 2008, 13:04
Transmeta takeover threatened by lawyers

Attorneys corral shareholders for class action suit

Novafora's takeover of Transmeta could be threatened by a class action lawsuit from disgruntled shareholders. Lawyers Levi and Korsinsky are calling on shareholders to join a class action case against Transmeta because, they say, the takeover is unfair. As we reported yesterday Novafora is offering $255.6m for the company, or …

Hardware 19 Nov 2008, 13:17
Follow the Somali pirate scourge via Google mashup

Indian navy sends buccaneer mothership to Davy Jones

The world's media continues to follow the long-running piracy problems in the Gulf of Aden, with interest stimulated by last week's fatal shootings by Royal Marines off the Yemeni coast and the reported sinking of a buccaneer "mothership" by the Indian Navy yesterday evening. Meanwhile, other seaborne raiders in the region …

Government 19 Nov 2008, 13:23
Oz driver pulled with todger in pasta sauce jar

Continued to crack one off 'while resisting arrest'

An Oz driver has been fined AU$600 for "offensive behaviour, resisting police and disobeying a police direction" after cracking one off into a pasta sauce jar even as coppers attempted to subdue him with batons and capsicum spray following a "slow-speed" car chase through Newcastle, New South Wales. The drama began when …

Bootnotes 19 Nov 2008, 13:29
BNP leaked list claims first victims

Genie + bottle = foot + mouth

The first public sector employees are waking up to the fallout from the leaking of the BNP membership list yesterday. Although the list was removed from its original blog home it has reappeared at several mirror sites, on bittorrent and on Wikileaks. Wikileaks uses encryption to protect its sources and is widely distributed …

Law 19 Nov 2008, 13:45
Academics warn of EU 'three strikes' back door plan

Disconnection looms

European law is introducing a "three strikes and you're out" law for ISPs to disconnect illegal file sharers "under cover of stealth", according to legal experts. The EU's telecoms reform package could guarantee the legality of such schemes. The content industry has lobbied to force internet service providers (ISPs) to …

Law 19 Nov 2008, 14:29
Warcraft player suffers seizure after marathon gaming session

...after playing for 24 hours

A teenage gamer collapsed and suffered seizures after playing World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King for 24 hours straight, it has been alleged. The 15-year-old boy from Sweden is thought to have suffered an epileptic seizure during the extended gaming session, according to a local newspaper Kvällsposten. “They played all …

Games 19 Nov 2008, 14:44
Filesharing ambulance chasers get into the gay smut racket

Davenporn Lyons defends Army F*ckers

The law firm Davenport Lyons, best known online for accusing people of illegally filesharing on behalf of video games companies and threatening to take them to court if they don't pay hundreds of pounds, has now begun doing the same for producers of hardcore gay porn. It denied any plans to work for "adult entertainment" rights …

Law 19 Nov 2008, 15:08
Celio extends 'smartphone terminal' line

Bigger screens and keyboards for your phone

Celio is convinced that some people don't want to lug around a smartphone and a notebooks, so it’s expanded its Redfly smartphone terminal range by two models. Celio's Redfly C8N: has an 8in screen If you’re not in the know, the Redfly range aims to overcome the drawbacks of the smartphone, namely its small screen and …

Mobile 19 Nov 2008, 15:14
NASA's curious climate capers

Computer says: It's getting warmer

There have been a few red faces at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in recent days, to match the predominant color of its October global temperature map. Based at Columbia University in New York, GISS is the division of NASA that is responsible for global climate data and is used by the media in assessing global …

Science 19 Nov 2008, 15:20
Computer virus quarantines London Hospital for second day

Plucky Brits shrug off Mytob network blitz

IT staff at three major London hospitals have spent a second day struggling to restore IT systems following a major computer virus outbreak. Computer systems at the St Bartholomew's (Barts) the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green were taken down on Tuesday in response to an …

Security 19 Nov 2008, 15:51
Baidu sorry for medical scam ads

The music machine rolls on

Unlicensed music distributor Baidu has admitted taking money from unlicensed medical companies. Baidu dominates the search business in China, the bulk of its revenue coming from pay-for-placement in its search pages, which it calls "Page Rank Bid". The company says it will now stop the practice, which accounts for 10 to 15 per …

Media 19 Nov 2008, 16:40
Super Micro super ready for Intel Nehalem Xeons

SC08 Boards galore, but still no chips

While there was plenty of talk this week at the Supercomputing 2008 trade show in Austin, Texas about the just-announced "Shanghai" quad-core Opterons, as well as GPU-powered personal supercomputers based on nVidia's Tesla co-processors, the hot topic at the show is Intel's forthcoming "Nehalem" Xeon processors, which will sport …

Servers 19 Nov 2008, 16:44
EU tables green CoC for datacentres

UPDATED: Regulating a uniform hue of greenwash

UPDATED: The EU is asking data centre owners and operators to "voluntarily" sign up to a Code of Conduct (CoC) which will include oversight of their energy efficiency in what could be green regulation through the back door. The European Commission has issued its Code of Conduct for Data Centres Energy Efficiency and invited …

Servers 19 Nov 2008, 17:25
LG to launch 125 phones in 2009

More than two a week

If none of LG’s talkers have yet taken your fancy then fear not, because the mobile maker's inked plans to maintain its fast-paced phone production. Next year, LG aims to launch a stupendous 125 new phone models globally. A spokeswoman for the company told Register Hardware that they would all be new models, and not just re- …

Phones 19 Nov 2008, 20:45
Sun commits to JavaFX despite uncertainty

Adobe MAX Layoffs be damned!

Sun Microsystems has promised to deliver on JavaFX despite uncertainty in the wake of massive layoffs and a corporate re-organization. Param Singh, senior director of Java marketing, told The Reg Sun's committed to delivering on the JavaFX roadmap announced for PCs, mobile devices and TVs. Sun had promised at JavaOne to …

Developer 19 Nov 2008, 21:42
PHP added to open-source NetBeans

Sun burnishes scripting credentials

Sun Microsystems has released its latest version of NetBeans, adding expanded support for dynamic languages. Version 6.5 of the web-legume-themed Integrated Development Environment (IDE) adds support for PHP, additional languages, and JavaScript and Ajax editing. PHP support's been in the works since spring following the …

Developer 19 Nov 2008, 21:46