26th November 2008 Archive

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US Army in $50m video game upgrade

But can they run Crysis on full settings?

The US Army plans to spend $50m over five years to develop more video games for training soldiers for combat, according to the Army pub Stars and Stripes. The money was approved to fund a new "games for training" program beginning in 2010. It intends to watch for trends and technologies used in commercial video games that can …

Government 26 Nov 2008, 00:17
Google silences Gmail security blogorumors

Domain hijack vuln doesn't exist

Google security pros have taken exception to recent reports of a Gmail vulnerability that led to a rash of domain hijackings. They were the result of a plain-vanilla phishing campaign, they say. The erroneous reports appear to have originated here, when the MakeUseOf blog reported its domain name was commandeered after someone …

Security 26 Nov 2008, 00:27
Facebook spams social networkers with phishy email

Click on this link...bitch

Facebook has taken the unusual step of sending its users email asking them to click on a link so they can restore site configuration settings that were recently lost. Facebook isn't kidding, and neither are we. "Unfortunately, the settings that control which email notifications get sent to you were lost," the email says. "We' …

Spam 26 Nov 2008, 02:41
RISC daddy conjures Moore's Lawless parallel universe

The 64-core laptop

The oft-cited Moore's Law is the fulcrum of the IT industry in that it has provided the means of giving us ever-faster and more sophisticated computing technology over the decades. This in turn allowed the IT industry to convince us that every one, two, or three years, we need new operating systems, better performance, and new …

Servers 26 Nov 2008, 07:38
Government data review grants more data sharing power

Gets rid of pesky need for legislation and oversight

Buried in the small print of the government's response to the Data Sharing Review is a line which grants the secretary of state power "to permit or require the sharing of personal information between particular specified persons, where a robust case for so doing exists." Although the Information Commissioner, who wrote the …

Government 26 Nov 2008, 08:56
Elgato EyeTV DTT Mac digital TV tuner

Review Turn your iMac into a telly

For a company that claims to be a leader in the field of video and multimedia, Apple has always had a strange blind spot when it comes to TV tuners. It’s largely resisted building them into Macs, and doesn’t even include one in its Apple TV set-top box. Undoubtedly, it would rather sell you film and TV downloads from the …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 09:02
HMRC estimates its IT project costs

We can't be just giving away information you know

HM Revenue and Customs is running 25 major IT projects worth at least £197m, but is unwilling to provide accurate estimates. Its largest IT project appears to be its estates consolidation and transformation programme, valued at £32m-£35m and due for completion in March 2012. In a parliamentary written answer on 24 November …

Government 26 Nov 2008, 09:48
Quantum parks 180 staff

Not running out of cash

Data protection vendor Quantum is laying off 180 people and cutting expenses to preserve its business in the face of what it calls a global financial crisis. Quantum supplies tape libraries and disk-based protection arrays, including its DXi de-duplicating arrays. The DXi technology has been licensed to EMC and Quantum is …

Storage 26 Nov 2008, 10:25
Government finally names the day for porn ban

It's the end of your smut as you knew it

Sixty-one days and counting: if your stash contains any material that is or may fall foul of the Government’s new laws on extreme porn, then that is how long you have left to destroy it or otherwise get rid of it. Because, courtesy of Consenting Adult Action Network (CAAN), The Register can reveal today that the law is going …

Law 26 Nov 2008, 10:38
Acer confirms 10in netbook for Q1 2009

Threat to mainstream laptops

Acer will release a 10in netbook in Q1 2009, an senior executive has revealed. Scott Lin, the head of Acer Taiwan, said the Aspire One's bigger sibling would debut in February or March, DigiTimes reports. The move comes after Asus' President, Jerry Shen, indicated the most popular members of its Eee PC line were the 10in …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 10:44
Juror dismissed over Facebook poll

'I don't know which way to go, so I'm holding a poll'

A juror in a sex abuse case was kicked off the case after using Facebook to ask her mates whether the suspect was guilty or not. The female juror was removed from the case at Burnley Crown Court on 18 November after her poke against justice was revealed, AP reports. Jurors are forbidden from talking about cases outside court …

Law 26 Nov 2008, 11:06
IT departments VAT-whacked

Up, down, trouble all around

As Alistair Darling scrambles to deny plans to raise VAT to 18.5 per cent in order to pay for his borrowing binge the row over the problems it will cause for UK businesses deepens. A Treasury document, available here, apparently put online accidentally, showed the government did have plans to jack VAT up to 18.5 per cent from …

Small Biz 26 Nov 2008, 11:15
VW to speed up rollout of cut-price EV

'Leccy Tech Fast track for Chico

German car maker Volkswagen is to accelerate development of its two-seat electric city car, it has been claimed. VW's up!: low-cabon ICE first, 'leccy later Based on a modified version of the VW up! chassis, the new micro-car is tipped to be called the Chico and will initially feature a selection of high-efficiency three …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 11:16
Luke Skywalker's lightsabre goes on sale

But no match for a good blaster...

Consoles a-plenty already offer gamers the chance to wield lightsabres in virtual Star Wars battles. But if you crave something more realistic then go and raid your piggybank, because the film's original lightsabre will go on sale next month. Mark Hamill's lightsabre: an elegant weapon from a more civilised age It won’t …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 11:26
Gov backs campaign to save Scott's Antarctic hut

£3.5m appeal needs your support

UK culture minister Barbara Follett has called for donations to save the base hut built by Captain Robert Falcon Scott and members of the ill-fated 1910-1913 "Terra Nova" Antarctic expedition, which famously ended in death for Scott and four companions. The government has already stumped £250,000 to the £3.5m United Kingdom …

Science 26 Nov 2008, 11:27
Apple forced to pull misleading UK iPhone ad

Small print fails to provide get-out clause

Apple's latest iPhone advert has been condemned by the ASA for giving the impression the phone could download and install applications quickly and easily, forcing the firm to pull the ad. The advert shows the usual downloading and installing of an application with amazing ease, and ends with the small print reading: "Steps …

Mobile 26 Nov 2008, 11:35
UK's Watchkeeper drone in first autonomous flight

Over Israel

The British Army's new Watchkeeper robotic surveillance aircraft has made its first autonomous test flight, carrying out a full mission without remote piloting. The tests took place in Israel, at a facility operated by Israeli drone manufacturer Elbit. Watchkeeper is being made jointly by Thales UK, the British arm of the …

Government 26 Nov 2008, 11:42
Lapdancing 'not sexually stimulating', MPs hear

Parliamentary committee 'astonished' by industry claim

The Commons culture committee yesterday heard claims that lapdancing is "not sexually stimulating" during a hearing into the Licensing Act which is pondering reclassifying lapdancing clubs as "sex encounter establishments" - something which would make it easier for local councils to refuse them licences. According to the …

Law 26 Nov 2008, 12:02
Secunia tool helps surfers to keep up to date with patches

An Anadin Plus for patching headaches

Security notification firm Secunia released the final version of its software inspector tool on Tuesday, 17 months after the first beta of a product that aims to help surfers to keep up to date with security patches. The Secunia PSI utility, which comes free of charge to consumers, scans Windows systems to provide a clear …

Enterprise Security 26 Nov 2008, 12:16
Google exempts self from Apple rules

Some developers are more equal than others

Google has admitted using forbidden APIs to get its iPhone application working, but despite that admission the application remains available on iTunes in apparent breach of the store rules. Apple provides documentation on the APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that developers are allowed to use, and restricts access to …

Mobile 26 Nov 2008, 12:22
Copyright-bothering web TV outfit rises from the grave

TVCatchup.com says it's cracked it

TVCatchup.com, a web-based TV recording service which was shut down last year under pressure from broadcasters, has returned, and this time it assures us it's legal. The original service allowed members to stream shows on all the main channels for up to 60 days. If a member forgot to set his account to "record" a particular …

Music and Media 26 Nov 2008, 12:32
UK.gov abandons income splitting tax law

'Economic challenges' puts lid on controversial overhaul

The government has dumped legislation intended to overhaul income splitting arrangements among individuals that would have effectively forced small, family-run businesses to pay more tax. In an embarrassing U-turn, Chancellor Alistair Darling said during his pre-budget speech on Monday that Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs ( …

Small Biz 26 Nov 2008, 12:38
Intel details objections to antitrust probe

S'not fair!

Intel says it is unable to respond to the European Commission investigation into its business practices unless the regulator gives it access to certain documents from AMD. Intel is seeking to extend the deadline it has to respond to a month after it gets its hands on documents from AMD - the complainant in the case. Back in …

PCs & Chips 26 Nov 2008, 12:47
The Legacy Dilemma

Architecture giveth, vendors taketh away?

In IT circles, the term ‘legacy’ is generally banded about as a kind of shorthand, to suggest that a system or application has reached a certain point in its existence where the only way is down. There is no concrete definition – well there is if you browse the 'net, but it tends to reflect the above (for example, “a system …

Systems 26 Nov 2008, 12:52
Nokia N96 16GB smartphone

Review Heavyweight upgrade packs in a hefty multimedia punch

As the muscular successor to the N95, it’s no surprise that the N96 packs in a flagship set of high-end features. It's beefed-up spec list pushes up the on-board storage capacity to 16GB and adds Micro SDHC expansion to a formidable spread of functionality that includes Wi-Fi and HSDPA high-speed connectivity, A-GPS satnav …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 13:02
A Geeks Guide₂... Christmas - Part 1

GG₂ Up to 40% off at Reg Books

Welcome to the first part of our trilogy of Christmas goodies. With St Nick expected to turn up in less than a month, those of you who have yet to get your act together for the holidays (much like us) are in for a treat. We’re offering up to 40 per cent off the list price on a host of books from programming to chocolate, from …

Site News 26 Nov 2008, 13:03
Peaches Geldof - she's back!

Discordant lounge jazz in Brooklyn thrift stores

Peaches Geldof has returned to the virtual pages of Nylon, having copped a savage shoeing for her first dip* into hackery. Apparently none the worse for wear for the righteous critical beating administered by outraged Nylon readers, Peaches now offers insights into what's hot in the world of music, including The Junkman Band, …

Bootnotes 26 Nov 2008, 13:06
How can effective IT drive business?

Reg Event Free expert advice for mid-sized companies

What is it: A Free, live, interactive Regcast you can join from your PC or Mac When is it: 3rd December 2008, 11am (GMT) What's the schedule? Join The Register's panel of experts live and online, as they provide you with hints, tips, advice and anecdotes on effective IT use to help you enable the business front end, in a …

Small Biz 26 Nov 2008, 13:08
DARPA wants to develop an 'iPhoD'

Photonics bit cops perfect-storm tech acronym

The maverick military mayhemware mavens of DARPA have once again sent ripples of sensation oscillating through the world of acronyms, as they ask the US tech community to build them an "iPhoD". This is not, perhaps curiously, a fruitbite-branded music appliance and/or smartphone. The boffinry chiefs of DARPA may be eccentric, …

Physics 26 Nov 2008, 13:11
Nokia launches DIY phone design studio

Make your own mobile

Off-the-shelf phones are so old school, according to Nokia. So it’s launched a build-your-own-talker website where you can create your very own phone, sort of. Nokia Build lets you design your own 7310 Yeah, we know - stick the the day job, right? Sadly, the Nokia Build website only has one phone to choose from: the 7310 …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 13:12
What’s driving collaboration?

Taggers and microbloggers, eat your hearts out

Thanks, folks, for your responses to last week's collaboration poll. Jolly interesting reading it made too. It puts the lie to all these people who claim social tagging tools and microblogging are taking over the business world. They're not. But then, five years ago, you could have said that blogging and wikis wouldn't …

Productivity 26 Nov 2008, 13:13
Bear/woods alert: Entire world not quite virtualized yet

Savvy readers expectations met: it's no doddle

We asked, and you told us. Virtualization is making its presence felt, but not in a way that would make an evangelist faint with excitement. Instead, it all looks rather sensible, with just over 60% of the hardy poll-completers telling us they are pretty active across the board when it comes to virtualizing environments which …

Infrastructure 26 Nov 2008, 13:15
MySociety puts e-democracy up for sale

Political accountability on the block

Digital democracy charidee mySociety* is flogging two places on its annual retreat to anyone who wants to know more about open source, government technology and access to data. MySociety is responsible for the turbo-useful TheyWorkForYou, which allows us all to keep tabs on our MPs and saves El Reg a tedious daily drudge …

Bootnotes 26 Nov 2008, 13:20
Aussie government muffs plans for internet filtering

Greens borrow Sex Party clothes

Plans for filtering of all internet content in Australia could well backfire on the Labour Government, with talk of "socialism" banned, and muffins off the menu entirely. On a more serious note, the Rudd Government has finally scared a concerted anti-censorship movement into being, which could in the long run lead to a …

Law 26 Nov 2008, 13:22
Nominet fingers governance scrutineer

Good luck

Nominet has appointed management academic Professor Bob Garratt to conduct an independent review of its governance structures as it aims to steer though a crisis prompted by member unrest and pressure from Whitehall. He'll report back before Christmas on whether Nominet's current set-up is able to effectively represent the …

Telecoms 26 Nov 2008, 13:37
ISS drinks dispenser now taking the p*ss

Urine Processor Assembly up and running

The International Space Station's cantankerous Water Recovery System (see pic) is now apparently up and running following a few issues with the unit's Urine Processor Assembly (UPA). The crew of space shuttle Endeavour extended their mission STS-126 to the outpost by a day to tackle the problem, which centred on a dodgy …

Space 26 Nov 2008, 14:02
Yes! It's the USB Toaster!

Tasty tech treat?

Register Hardware’s hacks are always tied to their keyboards, so going into the kitchen to prepare the morning toast is a right royal pain in the bum. So imagine our collective glee when we discovered this little number. The USB Toaster. What an idea! The techie toaster may only toast one slice of bread at a time and take …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 14:16
Microsoft ranks 5th on inglorious spam-friendly ISP list

Soft target

Microsoft is the world’s fifth worst spam service ISP, according to a new list compiled by Spamhaus.org. The software giant’s high ranking in the unsolicited email game might, it would be fair to surmise, cause a few blushes among Redmond wonks. Not so, according to Spamhaus chief information officer Richard Cox, who claims …

Spam 26 Nov 2008, 14:19
Tosh touts 16GB Micro SDHC memory card

Class two capacity

Toshiba has followed in SanDisk’s footsteps and launched a 16GB Micro SDHC memory card, the largest capacity of Micro SDHC currently available. Mass-production of the SD-C16G SDHC card will begin in January 2009. Rival SanDisk was the first company to bring 16GB Micro SDHC cards to the market, earlier in 2008. Toshiba’s card …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 14:38
WIN a Vodafone Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook

Competition Your chance to grab a go-anywhere mini-laptop

Dell's Vodafone-powered Inspiron Mini 9 HSDPA netbook scored 85 per cent in our review, and now Vodafone, Dell and Register Hardware have teamed up to give away one of these little beauties and three months' airtime. And that's not all. The mystery Vodafone agent known only as Liveguy has three more of the machines to hand out …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 14:41
The mobile operators' Three Ring Trick

Comment So you want us to use your networks?

A classic magician’s tricks is to flash three solid steel rings then hand them to a punter to examine before spinning and linking them as though metal passes through metal. Mobile phone networks might wish to turn to magic to help with Subscriber Acquisition Cost. Margins are being squeezed by regulation - a problem they treat …

Mobile 26 Nov 2008, 15:25
Amazon intros early VAT cut

You can take your 17.5 per cent and shove it...

The government’s VAT cut doesn’t take effect until Monday, but one online retailer just couldn’t wait and has already introduced it. Amazon has created a promotional code called “LOWERVAT” that’ll give you a reduced rate of VAT instead of the full 17.5 per cent. Presumably Amazon’s decided to take a small financial hit on …

Reg Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 15:33
ASA slaps beer-punting ladyboy

Watchdog growls at Tiger Beer advert

The Advertising Standards Authority has ordered Tiger Beer UK Ltd not to rereun an ad which featured a rather fetching snap of a ladyboy punting the Asian throatwash. The advert - which ran in Metro and London Lite papers, as well as on posters - attracted eight complaints which insisted the image was offensive "because it …

Bootnotes 26 Nov 2008, 15:47
Porn doctor jailed for 33 years

Child images shared online

A Florida doctor has been jailed for 33 years and nine months over child porn offences. Dr Richard Carino, of New Port Richey, Florida, received the harsh sentence on Monday at a sentencing hearing following his July jury conviction on six counts of distributing images of child abuse. Images were found on PCs maintained by …

Crime 26 Nov 2008, 16:07
Dell zeroes in on US customers with 0% financing

Not coming to Europe - yet

Dell is offering its US corporate customers zero per cent financing to encourage them to buy more products in what has been a tumultuous year for the computer giant. The company is blaming the recessive economy for the decision, but it told The Register that – for now at least – there’s no plan to extend the financing deal to …

Channel Register 26 Nov 2008, 16:11
Sons of Macintosh - shaking the Apple family tree

Report Card, Part Three The Jesus Phone is not divine

When the original Apple Macintosh debuted in 1984, it carried a $2,495 price tag - roughly $5,250 in 2008 money. Ever since, the debate has raged over whether Macs are more expensive, feature-by-feature and capability-by-capability, than their PC brethren. And what a meaningless debate it is. Here at The Reg, we subscribe to …

Hardware 26 Nov 2008, 20:07
FBI warns NY officials of Thanksgiving Day terrorist plot

'Plausible but unsubstantiated'

Happy Thanksgiving holiday, United States. Here's your first helping of holiday terrorist panic. The US Department of Homeland Security and FBI has been issuing warnings to New York state officials and law enforcement of a "plausible but unsubstantiated" threat of a terrorist bomb attack on the New York City subway and train …

Security 26 Nov 2008, 20:09
Google - your source for ~~FREE~~ Adobe gear

Analysis Ad 'quality' meets scam shilling

With his ill-fated defense of Google's multi-million dollar Yahoo! handshake, chief legal officer David Drummond told Congress the search engine tie-up would rejuvenate the Yahoo! web with "better, more interesting ads." It's a common Google refrain. If you believe the party line, Mountain View's top secret advertising money …

Small Biz 26 Nov 2008, 20:34
Srizbi spam botnet in failed resurrection

Rebirth before redeath

After being stranded for weeks, a monster botnet responsible for an estimated 40 percent of the world's spam was able to briefly reconnect to its mothership in a tense international duel playing out online that could have a dramatic effect on the amount of junkmail flowing into inboxes everywhere. The rogue network dubbed …

Spam 26 Nov 2008, 20:48
Selfish worm targets month-old Windows flaw

'Find your own vuln. This one's mine'

More than a month after Microsoft issued an emergency patch for a Windows vulnerability that allows for self-replicating exploits, researchers have spotted a wave of new attacks in the wild that target the critical flaw. Exploits of MS08-067 have been reported on and off since Microsoft issued the patch in late October, but …

Security 26 Nov 2008, 22:17