Don't forget to check out www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Big changes ahead for the Internet, says Vint Cerf [IDG] http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/3CF40A6D671EB7AACC2574E9007214CF Don't want .com? Alternatives could cost you US$200K [AP] http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10539106 Explanatory Memoranda Papers for New GTLDs Applicant Guidebook http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-21oct08-en.htm Bulk Transfer of Esoftwiz Domains to Name.com http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-21oct08-en.htm Public Comment: AGP Limits Policy http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-20oct08-en.htm Linux.conf.au hits domain disaster http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Linux-conf-au-hits-domain-disaster/0,130061791,339292792,00.htm nz: Policy Reviews: Disputes and Complaints Process, Investigations and Inquiries Process http://dnc.org.nz/story/30325.html How Telnic Will Revolutionize Dialing http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb20081022_946906.htm Flanders demands its own top-level domain http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/22/flemish_toplevel_domain/ Kentucky judge OKs 141-site net casino land grab http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/20/kentucky_domain_name_seizure_upheld/ Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake [IDG] http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=105980 Without typo-squatters, how far would Google fall? http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/google_and_typosquatting/ What Google Gains From The Crisis http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/10/21/google-downturn-monopolist-tech-enter-cx_ag_1022google.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Big changes ahead for the Internet, says Vint Cerf [IDG] The Internet will get support for IPv6, a more secure domain name system and international characters, during the next couple of years, according to Vint Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist at Google. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102108-big-changes-ahead-for-the.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152534/big_changes_ahead_for_the_internet_says_vint_cerf.html http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/3CF40A6D671EB7AACC2574E9007214CF Warning over higher broadband bills for British internet users Consumers have been warned that their broadband bills could soar after the EU opened the door to "net neutrality" ? unrestricted, first-come-first-served access to the internet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/oct/20/internet-europe ICC: Regions prepare for Internet Governance Forum Members of the International Chamber of Commerce and its Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) initiative participated in a meeting this week in Strasbourg convened to focus on European stakeholders? perspectives on main themes of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The IGF is due to take place in Hyderabad, India in December. http://finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22437&Itemid=8 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Don't want .com? Alternatives could cost you US$200K [AP] The Internet's key oversight agency issued preliminary guidelines Wednesday for the introduction of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of alternatives to ".com" in the first sweeping changes to the network's 25-year-old address system. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10539106 http://www.thestate.com/techwire/story/564007.html http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D93VP6SO7.htm http://news.smh.com.au/technology/draft-rules-issued-for-new-net-suffixes--at-200k-20081023-56lb.html http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/sns-ap-tec-techbit-internet-names,0,3393400.story http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2008-10-22-dotcom_N.htm http://news.theage.com.au/technology/draft-rules-issued-for-new-net-suffixes--at-200k-20081023-56lb.html Bespoke top level domains 'to cost $200,000' Internet overseer ICANN plans to reform the top level domain (TLD) naming system so anyone can set up a new registry, but it seems web plebs will have to make do with boring old .com and friends. According to a report, the price for a bespoke TLD will be announced this Friday at about $200,000. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/icann_tld_reform_charges/ ".??" domain names to open for application next year China has acquired the operation capabilities of ".??" ("Chinese for China") domain names, a leader at ICANN said in Beijing recently. http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6519500.html Explanatory Memoranda Papers for New GTLDs Applicant Guidebook In the lead up to ICANN's Cairo public meeting, the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) Applicant Guidebook, also called the ?draft Request for Proposal (RFP)?, will be released for public comment. This document will provide information to applicants wanting to apply for a new gTLD. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-21oct08-en.htm Bulk Transfer of Esoftwiz Domains to Name.com As a result of the de-accreditation of registrar Esoftwiz Inc., ICANN initiated a process to identify a gaining registrar to receive Esoftwiz's gTLD names. In accordance with ICANN's Interim Terminated Registrar Transition Procedure, on 12 September 2008, ICANN initiated a Request for Statements of Interest (RFI) from registrars interested in receiving the names. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-21oct08-en.htm Public Comment: AGP Limits Policy ICANN is today opening a public comment period on the draft implementation plan for the AGP Limits Policy. This recently approved consensus policy is intended to limit the behavior known as domain tasting through modifications to the AGP. The Policy will affect gTLD Operators (hereinafter referred to as "Operators") and ICANN-accredited registrars (hereinafter referred to as "Registrars") and become effective following appropriate comment and notice periods on the implementation plan. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-20oct08-en.htm ICANN Releases Four Updates for New gTLDs ICANN today published four draft papers about the introduction of new gTLDs. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/10/22/icann-releases-four-updates-for-new-gtlds/ New Top Level Domain Names: Challenges and Opportunities A look at the coming launch of new top level domain names and what it means for trademark holders, domainers, and the internet community. The overview of the new TLD (top level domain) process below is based on my research and a discussion last week with ICANN?s gTLD Program Director Karla Valente. Opinions are my own and not those of Valente or ICANN. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/10/21/new-top-level-domain-names-challenges-and-opportunities/ Domain Registrars Identified Web Addresses Referred in Spam The Internet's main governing body, ICANN said on October 15, 2008 that a German organization, Joker.com and a Chinese organization, DNS.com.cn are selling domain addresses connected to spam mails. http://www.spamfighter.com/News-11155-Domain-Registrars-Identified-Web-Addresses-Referred-in-Spam.htm ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Linux.conf.au hits domain disaster The website of Australia's annual Linux conference has become temporarily inaccessible scant months before the event because of policy confusion over whether or not it is allowed to use its long-standing domain name. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Linux-conf-au-hits-domain-disaster/0,130061791,339292792,00.htm http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Linux-conf-au-hits-domain-disaster/0,339028227,339292792,00.htm nz: Policy Reviews: Disputes and Complaints Process, Investigations and Inquiries Process The DNC is now reviewing the Disputes and Complaints Process (DCP) and the Investigations and Inquiries Process (IIP). These two policies interrelate and it is reasonable to review both at the same time. http://dnc.org.nz/story/30325.html How Telnic Will Revolutionize Dialing Say you want to reach an old friend who's always on the move. Calling her at home using the number listed in the phone book (what a quaint notion!) probably won't work. But how else can you find the various other ways to reach her?via mobile, or at work, or perhaps e-mail, instant messaging, Skype (EBAY), Facebook, or Twitter addresses? http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb20081022_946906.htm 'Dot-tel' names emerge as catch-all ID for Web contact Asking a prospective date for a phone number is so last century. Starting soon, it will be "What's your dot-tel?" There's a new online gold rush gathering momentum as pre-registration ramps up for the Internet's new ".tel" domain that lets individuals, companies and organizations store all their contact information in a virtual phone book for life. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=9c99f2ea-249f-4ba0-add9-41fd16d715be 100 Registrars To Offer .tel The registry operator for the new ".tel" top level domain, Telnic Limited (www.telnic.org) has announced that 100 ICANN-accredited registrars have signed up to sell .tel domain names well in advance of its December 3 launch. http://www.thewhir.com/marketwatch/102208_100_Registrars_To_Offer_tel.cfm Telnic Woos Developers for Web-free Web Applications Telnic invites developers to its .tel "Webless Web" platform with open source code and sample applications. .tel is a service that allows users to store and manage all their contact information and keywords directly in the Domain Name System without the need to build, host or manage a Web site. http://www.publish.com/c/a/Online-Media/Telnic-Woos-Developers-for-Webfree-Web-Applications/ Hundred registrars sign up with Telnic for .tel domain names [sub req'd] Registry operator for the new .tel top level domain Telnic has signed agreements with 100 Icann-accredited registrars to sell .tel domain names before its... http://telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=641948 http://telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=235314 Flanders demands its own top-level domain The detente between Belgium's fractious regions is under strain again after the Flemish parliament demanded its own top-level domain. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/22/flemish_toplevel_domain/ Belgian bun fight erupts over Flemish domain The Flemish government is making a move towards unilateral online independence by demanding its own top level web domain extension. http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/10/22/flemish-demand-own-seperate-web ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** How DNS cache poisoning works This vendor-written tech primer has been edited to eliminate product promotion, but readers should note it will likely favor the submitter's approach. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1298660999 http://www.techworld.com.au/article/264408/how_dns_cache_poisoning_works http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152513/how_dns_cache_poisoning_works.html http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1298660999 Report: Operatives Will Use Internet to Suppress the Vote From carefully targeted denial-of-service attacks to fake websites with false polling place addresses, online voter-suppression tactics could wreak unprecedented havoc on the November election, according to a new report released Monday by a group of privacy and election protection organizations. http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/10/new-report-warn.html VeriSign Strengthens Critical Internet Infrastructure in Spain Terremark Worldwide, Inc. ... announced that VeriSign, Inc. ... has expanded its Internet infrastructure by deploying additional infrastructure in Terremark's Madrid facility, NAP de las Americas Madrid. The deployment is part of VeriSign's Project Titan initiative to strengthen and secure its global Internet infrastructure. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=444778&releasejsp=custom_97 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Domain Names that Use Translations of Known Trademarks are Confusingly Similar to such Trademarks The administrative panel at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has held on a number of occasions that domain name registrations that use translations of known trademarks are confusingly similar to the original trademarks. Where the registered domain names are confusingly similar to a known trademark, and where the domain name registrant is found to have registered such a domain name in bad faith and does not use it ?legitimately,? the registrant will, most likely, be asked to relinquish the domain name in favor of the original trademark owner. http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=articles&id=37FA1448-5B8C-4B92-B56D-AC0AD6800619 Domain Names Incorporating Trademarked Fictional Characters Found Infringing The administrative panel at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has held on multiple occasions that domain names that use the names of trademarked fictional characters infringe upon those trademarks. On such occasions, the panel has ordered that the infringing domain names be transferred to the respective trademark owners. http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=articles&id=FCC769A2-72E3-4734-80B5-3E1D619A1209 Kentucky judge OKs 141-site net casino land grab A Kentucky judge has upheld that state's seizure of some of the world's most popular online casino domain names, ruling they constitute a "gambling device" that is subject to Kentucky's anti-gambling laws. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/20/kentucky_domain_name_seizure_upheld/ Kentucky vs. 141 Domain Names by Joseph Lorenzo Hall Yes, that is a title of a real, current legal case and controversy. And, no, the links in this post are not spam... mostly gambling news sites seem to be reporting on this. The Governor of Kentucky, through his Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, has moved in court to have 141 gambling-related domain names transferred to the Kentucky state government, partially because other legal gambling operations in Kentucky, like horseracing, lose revenue to online gaming. Yes, you read that right: by allegedly violating KY law, the state can move to have property used in these unlawful acts transferred to the state. In this case, the "property" in question is the domain names themselves. This case is definitely novel in the realm of cyberlaw, but also is a bit controversial for how it originally proceeded. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20081020_kentucky_141_domain_names/ Kentucky overstepping bounds: Recent lawsuit to seize Internet domains grossly violates citizens' rights Kentucky is on the move - better watch your back. Recently, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear moved to seize 141 domain names registered to Internet gambling sites, filing suit in Franklin County Circuit Court. The move, which came with essentially no warning, targets some of the biggest firms. The governor claims the sites are unregulated and "are leeches on our communities." http://media.www.dailygamecock.com/media/storage/paper247/news/2008/10/23/Viewpoints/Kentucky.Overstepping.Bounds-3500522.shtml Kentucky Court Affirms Seizure of Poker Domain Names A Kentucky Circuit Court judge has dismissed all objections brought by representatives of as many as 141 Internet domain names subject to seizure and forfeiture to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the result of an order issued by the same court late last month. Many of the domain names listed as being subject to seizure are connected with major US-facing poker sites, including PokerStars, Full Tilt, UltimateBet, Doyle's Room, Absolute Poker and others. http://swisspoker.ch/newsflashartikel2.cfm?art=News&key=367798 Kentucky Online Gambling Domain Seizure Case: Judge Considers Stay Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate has taken into advisement a Motion of Stay during a hearing today that would determine if 141 online gambling domain names are to be seized on November 17. http://www.gambling911.com/gambling-news/kentucky-online-gambling-domain-seizure-case-judge-considers-stay-102208.html Americans for Tax Reform on Kentucky Internet Gambling Grover Norquist is the head of the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a Washington-based organization fighting for lower and more transparent taxes in the United States. The ATR has also been one of the leading organizations fighting for the rights of online poker players in Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear has seized 141 internet gambling domains. The ATR is also working for proper internet protection at a national level. http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/americans-for-tax-reform-on-kentucky-internet-gambling-587/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake [IDG] The Internet will get support for IPv6, a more secure domain name system and international characters, during the next couple of years, according to Vint Cerf, chief Internet evangelist at Google. http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=105980 http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/10/21/Big_changes_ahead_for_the_Internet_says_Vint_Cerf-IDGNS_1.html http://www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?newsid=23242 http://www.pcworld.com/article/152534/.html http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102108-big-changes-ahead-for-the.html http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9117640 http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;424225321 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Internet Development ?Governments as Catalysts For The Internet Protocol Address Challenge The RIPE NCC recently held a Roundtable for European government representatives to discuss Internet addressing and the protection of best practice development of the Internet for the region. The author introduces issues surrounding the underlying infrastructure of the Internet and calls for governments to take a leading role in Internet development. http://egovmonitor.com/node/21606 MarkMonitor Advises on New TLDs Corporate identity protection provider MarkMonitor announced on Monday it has released its TLD Advisory Services to assist brandholders in developing customized brand strategies in response to ICANN's recent expansion of top level domains. http://www.thewhir.com/marketwatch/102008_MarkMonitor_Advises_on_New_TLDs.cfm Following Mobile Search: the dotMobi Way Everyone is asking about the next big thing in mobile technology. Surely one of the next big things is mobile search, but that's just one part of the mobile web. Will Google gain a lock on that, or will it go in a different direction? Keep reading for a perspective on one possibility. http://www.seochat.com/c/a/Search-Engine-News/Following-Mobile-Search-the-dotMobi-Way/ Risks Remain for IDN Investors For years, domain names were only available in roman characters. Domain names in these characters don?t make a lot of sense to web users who?s primary languages don?t use these characters. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/10/20/risks-remain-for-idn-investors/ Fleeing U.S. Registrars? Not so Fast. A blog post over at Wall Street Journal today titled ?Online Businesses Subject to Local Laws?Everywhere? discusses the Kentucky gambling domain seizure. It mentions that the businesses who have had domains seized don?t have any presence in Kentucky. http://domainnamewire.com/2008/10/21/fleeing-us-registrars-not-so-fast/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Without typo-squatters, how far would Google fall? How much money is Google making from the world's typo-squatters? God only knows. Or rather: God, Eric Schmidt, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and a few Oompah Loompahs inside their Mountain View Chocolate Factory. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/google_and_typosquatting/ What Google Gains From The Crisis Last year's question of whether Google might be invulnerable to a recession has officially been answered. Since the beginning of the year, investors have sliced the company's stock price nearly in half over fears that spending on online ads will slow or fall as the credit crunch freezes wallets. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/10/21/google-downturn-monopolist-tech-enter-cx_ag_1022google.html Professor: Google earns millions from ads on typosquatting sites Google earns between $32m and $50m (?18.7m and ?29m) from placing its AdSense text ads on 'typosquatting' sites, says a Harvard Business School professor. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=105957 Harvard Prof: Google earns "$32-$50 million" annually from typosquatting websites Harvard Business School professor Benjamin G. Edelman estimates Google makes between $32 and $50 million in gross profit each year -- potentially much more -- from placing its AdSense text ads on so-called "typosquatting" sites. http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/10/20/harvard-prof-google-earns-32-50-million-annually-typosquatting-websites Harvard prof sues Google over ads on typosquatted domains Google is accused once again of making money from typosquatters?those who register mistyped domains and throw ads on them to make money. This time, a Harvard law professor says he's looking out for trademark holders who are suffering from the actions of typosquatters. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081022-harvard-prof-sues-google-over-ads-on-typosquatted-domains.html PR tries to sell 'afterthebailout.com' on eBay for $1m Kudos to Annie Jennings for trying, but something tells me that she?s not going to sell the domain name ?AfterTheBailout.com? for more than a million bucks. http://www.e-consultancy.com/news-blog/366559/pr-tries-to-sell-afterthebailout-com-on-ebay-for-1m.html AFTERTHEBAILOUT.com...can it get over $1mn? Generally speaking, buyers usually wait until the last minute to bid for the auctioned item. http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=82222 Are Domain Names Recession Proof? by Alex Tajirian We'll only be able to tell whether domain names are recession proof by waiting for the performance of e-commerce sites during the holiday shopping season. Domain name owners and buyers have to remain in suspense a while longer. Some domainers are experiencing drops in sales and prices. However, it is not clear whether those drops are because of changes in valuations by buyers, sellers, or both. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20081021_are_domain_names_recession_proof/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** 'Digitally addicted kids threaten to return civilisation to the Dark Ages' by Andrew Keen The internet is creating a generation of ignoramuses with tiny attention spans, who will surely become the dumbest generation in history. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/digitally-addicted-kids-threaten-to-return-civilisation-to-the-dark-ages-966660.html NYT's Sulzberger: 'We can't care' if newspapers die Could the Information Age's fast-paced news overload be a boon to the old-media companies that it was supposedly going to force out of business? That was one of the suggestions brought forth by Arthur Sulzberger Jr., chairman and publisher of The New York Times Company, at his keynote address at the WebbyConnect conference here Wednesday morning. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10072968-36.html Women 'prefer computers to men' Women office workers spend almost three times as much time with their computer than their husbands or boyfriends ? and they prefer it that way, an American study has revealed. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/3231543/Women-prefer-computers-to-men.html au: On-line transactions, streamed content, email and social networking signal changes in how Australians use the internet [news release] Email, on-line banking, paying bills and news and weather updates are the most common uses of the internet by Australians this year, according to research released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311468 au: Online shopping growth flat: ACMA Growth in the number of Australian consumers using the internet for shopping flattened during the last 12 months, a new report by the communications regulator has revealed. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24536259-5013040,00.html au: Internet usurping TV, radio, newspapers and magazines: ACMA ACMA research finds men more likely to access porn, video, news and sport. Women prefer education, health and social networking. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;855342377 http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php/id;855342377 http://www.techworld.com.au/article/264654/internet_usurping_tv_radio_newspapers_magazines_acma http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;855342377 au: Revealed: How we really surf the net Pornography might be the greasy wheel that makes the internet profitable, but it seems to hold little interest for Australians if the results of government-commissioned research are to be believed. http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/revealed-how-we-really-surf-the-net-20081022-563c.html 54% Of Net Users Buy Something Online Australian householders are accessing the Internet more frequently, according to a survey by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It says an increasing number of households are recording "heavy" use, which ACMA rates as 8 or more times per week. http://smarthouse.com.au/Wireless_And_Networking/Broadband/K6R5G9N4 More Chinese Children Using The Internet According to a report on Chinese minors' use of the Internet jointly conducted by the China Youth Social Service Center, the Youth Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Youth University for Political Sciences, about 85.6% of Chinese minors that participated in the investigation have accessed the Internet and about 66.7% of them access the Internet at least once a week. http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/10/22/7794-report-more-chinese-children-using-the-internet/#more-7794 eBay in worldwide ban on sale of ivory to save endangered elephants A worldwide ban on the sale of ivory was announced today by the internet shopping site eBay after campaigns by wildlife conservation groups to save endangered elephants from extinction. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4985387.ece One paw up: A mixed report in bid to end Net traffic of protected species One small step for animals, one giant step for animal kind? Maybe. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is celebrating a decision by eBay to issue a global ban on the sale of elephant ivory products by January 1, 2009. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10787_3-10071623-60.html EBay to ban sales of ivory goods EBay has announced a worldwide ban on the sale of ivory products on its auction websites from next year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7681903.stm eBay's Ivory Ban: Why It Happened and What It Means A newly expanded ivory ban on eBay highlights the challenge of running a global marketplace while complying with local laws. eBay has decided to stop all sales of ivory products on its auction site, the company announced this week, following concerns over endangered elephant species often targeted for their ivory tusks and teeth. http://www.pcworld.com/article/152582/ebays_ivory_ban_why_it_happened_and_what_it_means.html What Google Gains From The Crisis Last year's question of whether Google might be invulnerable to a recession has officially been answered. Since the beginning of the year, investors have sliced the company's stock price nearly in half over fears that spending on online ads will slow or fall as the credit crunch freezes wallets. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/10/21/google-downturn-monopolist-tech-enter-cx_ag_1022google.html Our Dangerous E-Mail Addiction With the economy in trouble, job security has become a major fear for many people. As a result, the need to be in contact with your workplace 24/7 has led to a growing trend of e-mail addiction, according to a report conducted by Osterman Research for the IT data recovery firm Neverfail. http://www.pcworld.com/article/152546/our_dangerous_email_addiction.html 25 years of Guardian computer pages 25 years ago today, the Guardian published its first "microcomputer page", which led to a computer section, and much more http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2008/oct/20/25years-guardian ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook?s Roar Becomes a Meow Facebook was going to become the new Google, the Silicon Valley hypemeisters claimed. Millions of people would join this social-networking site, advertisers would rush in and revenues would skyrocket. But something went wrong. The users arrived?there are now 110 million of them?but the money hasn't kept up. Revenues this year, according to researcher eMarketer, will be $265 million, well below what Facebook's 24-year-old founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was predicting eight months ago. What happened? Sure, the faltering economy has made advertisers skittish. But Facebook's main problem is not the economy. http://www.newsweek.com/id/163120 German privacy watchdogs agree social networking ground rules Social networking sites are not permitted to store information about people's use of the sites beyond the duration of a particular session in Germany, according to a panel of all that country's data protection officials. http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=9521 Facebook is to blame for 'friendship addiction' and is fuelling insecurity in users Facebook, the social networking site, is to blame for 'friendship addiction' and is fuelling insecurity in users, according to psychologists. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3242129/Facebook-is-to-blame-for-friendship-addiction-and-is-fuelling-insecurity-in-users.html ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** uk: We own chunks of the banks, now what about broadband? For those of us passionate about reducing Britain's digital divide, these are the best and worst of times. The worst of times, we all know about: a gaping hole in the public accounts means little money available for good works that don't have immediate electoral appeal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/23/michael-cross ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** The Growing Security Concerns... Don't Have Nightmares by Bill Thompson Anyone concerned about the security of their computers and the data held on them might sleep a little uneasily tonight. Over the past few weeks we've heard reports of serious vulnerabilities in wireless networking and chip and pin readers, and seen how web browsers could fall victim to 'clickjacking' and trick us into inadvertently visiting fake websites. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20081021_security_concerns_dont_have_nightmares/ Keyboard sniffers to steal data Computer criminals could soon be eavesdropping on what you type by analysing the electromagnetic signals produced by every key press. By analysing the signals produced by keystrokes, Swiss researchers have reproduced what a target typed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7681534.stm Researchers log keystrokes from afar [IDG] Computer keystrokes can be snooped from afar by detecting the slight electromagnetic radiation emitted when a key is pressed, according to new research previewed on Monday. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9117554 Cyber-attack theory as al-Qaida websites close Websites being used to disseminate propaganda by al-Qaida appear to have come under systematic cyber-attack, forcing the closure of three for well over a month and fuelling speculation that governments are targeting them in a shadowy new front in the "war on terror". http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/22/alqaida-terrorism-internet Pirates prefer Windows XP over Vista, says Microsoft Software counterfeiters pass on Windows Vista and instead prefer to pirate Windows XP, a Microsoft Corp. attorney said today, outlining a practice that tracks with the leanings of many of the company's customers. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9117569 Microsoft celebrates antipiracy day Microsoft plans on Tuesday to announce "Global Anti-Piracy Day," an effort to gain attention for the steps the company undertakes in order to thwart those who would profit from illegitimate software. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10070706-56.html A Robot Network Seeks to Enlist Your Computer In a windowless room on Microsoft?s campus here, T. J. Campana, a cybercrime investigator, connects an unprotected computer running an early version of Windows XP to the Internet. In about 30 seconds the computer is ?owned.? http://nytimes.com/2008/10/21/technology/internet/21botnet.html http://iht.com/articles/2008/10/21/technology/21botnet.php Hacker paid in dodgy web tools for US attack: prosecutor [NZPA] The American man jailed yesterday for hacking a University of Pennsylvania computer server "effectively hired" a New Zealand teenager to carry out an attack on internet chat groups, a prosecutor says. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/compute/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501832&objectid=10539102 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4737258a28.html Unconvicted Kiwi hacker's partner in crime gets jail time [AP] A federal judge questioned why a white college student, who the FBI says worked with a New Zealand teenager to hijack computers worldwide and who was found with thousands of images of child pornography, was spared a decade-long prison sentence that a black convicted child pornographer faced at the same hearing. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10539058 au: Nigerian Commissioner says look for love at home Nigeria's High Commissioner says he is disturbed by the large number of internet fraud and romance schemes linked to his country. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/21/2397248.htm Fraudsters profit from financial crisis by using fake websites to steal bank details Online banking customers have been warned to be on the alert for a fresh wave of phishing e-mail attacks in the wake of the banking turmoil. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/consumer_affairs/article4965394.ece Microsoft described as 'biggest hacker in China' Chinese internet users have reacted with fury after Microsoft launched an anti-piracy tool to combat the widespread sale of fake software. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/22/microsoft-china Chinese surfers see red over Microsoft black-outs Chinese Internet users have expressed fury at Microsoft's launch of an anti-piracy tool targeting Chinese computer users to ensure they buy genuine software and not a copy. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-36090120081022 http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49L11G20081022 Microsoft blacks out Chinese computers Chinese computer users have reacted angrily to a stealth anti-piracy program from Microsoft that blacks out their screens. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3240457/Microsoft-blacks-out-Chinese-computers.html Dutch teens convicted of virtual theft A Dutch court has convicted two teenagers of theft for stealing virtual items in a computer game and sentenced them to community service. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/22/1224351307430.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/22/1224351307430.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** uk: Hoon defends giant database plans Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has said the government is prepared to go "quite a long way" with civil liberties to "stop terrorists killing people". He was responding to criticism of plans for a database of mobile and web records, saying it was needed because terrorists used such communications. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7674775.stm uk: Big Brother database threatens to 'break the back of freedom' Government plans to build a giant database holding information about every phone call, email and internet visit were last night dealt a major blow after the man in charge of prosecuting terrorism in England and Wales warned of the dangers posed by a "Big Brother" security state. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/big-brother-database-threatens-to-break-the-back-of-freedom-967673.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Will record labels control digital-music lockers? A fitting anthem for Michael Robertson these days would be The Rolling Stones' hit, Get Off of My Cloud. For nearly a decade, Robertson, the often controversial cofounder of MP3.com and Linspire, has toiled to store music in the cloud, the term used to describe the seemingly limitless amount of data and services accessible with a Web browser. But in the past, Robertson's efforts have led him into epic legal battles with the music industry. That's where he finds himself once again. In November, EMI filed a copyright suit against him and his music service, MP3tunes.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10072496-93.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ EU lawmakers approve crackdown on Internet violence Cyber-bullying and child pornography will be targeted in a ?55 million (US$70.9 million) scheme agreed by European Union lawmakers on Wednesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49L5G320081022 http://in.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49L5G320081022 http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE49L5FK20081022 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4737116a28.html Commission welcomes European Parliament?s strong support for a new Safer Internet Programme [news release] The European Parliament cast an overwhelmingly positive vote today on the report drafted by MEP Roberta Angelilli which supports the launch of a new EU Safer Internet programme. The 5-year programme (2009?13), proposed by the European Commission last February, will have a budget of ? 55 million to combat illegal online content but also to tackle illegal and harmful conduct such as grooming and cyberbullying. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1571 Aussies to get no opt-out of filtered internet Australians will be unable to opt-out of the government's pending internet content filtering scheme, and will instead be placed on a watered-down blacklist, experts say. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/ABB8A8122037EE84CC2574E7007E2BDE au: WA schoolchildren tell of poisonous cyber bullying UP TO 10 per cent of children in WA schools say they have been subjected to cyber-bullying over the internet or on mobile phones. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21498,24536721-2761,00.html Cyber bullying an increasing problem: academic [ABC] An expert on cyber bullying has warned the problem could escalate to the point where half of all Australian children are harassed online. http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/australian-news/5096043/cyber-bullying-an-increasing-problem-academic/ EU to take action against "cyberbullying" and "cybergrooming" The third edition of the European Union's Safer Internet Programme will put a stronger focus on targeting cyberbullying and cybergrooming. Next to malicious and illegal content, the new program will also tackle problematic behaviour on the net, said Richard Swetenham of the Information Society and Media Directorate-General at the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) in Strasbourg. The term "cyberbullying" is used by educators to describe aggressive attacks and bullying attempts on the web. http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/117707 http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/EU-to-take-action-against-cyberbullying-and-cybergrooming--/111757 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Where the major U.S. presidential candidates stand on tech issues [IDG] The 2008 U.S. presidential election gives CIOs and other IT executives a choice of two major-party candidates who are interested in technology-related issues. While the U.S. economy and the war in Iraq have dominated the debate between Republican nominee Sen. John McCain and Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, the two men have also hit on such IT hot buttons as telecommunications and tech jobs. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9117557 http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/10/21/Where_the_presidential_candidates_stand_on_tech_issues_1.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152505/where_the_us_presidential_candidates_stand_on_tech_issues.html Obama gets backing of Google CEO Schmidt Eric Schmidt, CEO of Silicon Valley heavyweight Google, plans to campaign on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10069998-38.html What Google Could Gain From An Obama White House Barack Obama is building some powerful Silicon Valley support for the home stretch of his presidential campaign. Google CEO Eric Schmidt says he's officially endorsing Obama and will join him at rallies and events over the coming days. Schmidt had previously served as an informal adviser to the Democratic campaign. http://www.pcworld.com/article/152519/what_google_could_gain_from_an_obama_white_house.html ********************************* COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS ********************************* Google Learns Lessons in the Ways of Washington After Google and Yahoo announced an advertising partnership in June, letters from consumer groups and advertising associations poured into government regulators, urging them to support or block the proposed deal. http://nytimes.com/2008/10/20/business/media/20lobby.html One Bad Apple: Apple Squeezes Competitors Apple is looking like what Microsoft was 10 years ago?a Bigfoot that squeezes smaller competitors. http://www.newsweek.com/id/157545 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** UK tech, media and telecoms attract investment The UK technology, media and telecoms sector has this year recorded its highest level of foreign investment since the dotcom boom, according to the latest research. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e6e027ba-a06d-11dd-80a0-000077b07658.html Gizmo puts cold callers on hold A device which claims to alleviate the problem of cold calling has been launched by two British inventors. The TrueCall device acts as a buffer between the phone and the outside world and learns to distinguish between welcome and unwelcome callers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7682111.stm nz: Broadband Pledges: Is That All? The broadband commitments being made by both major political parties are a move in the right direction, but not enough by themselves, according to the ICT change consultancy firm, Voco. http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/broadband-pledges-all/5/4533 au: Broadband timetable blowout FRESH doubts have arisen about the federal Government's timetable for the National Broadband Network. The Government had planned to finalised the tender process for the multibillion-dollar project by June this year, with construction of the network to have begun by the end of 2008. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24528933-15306,00.html au: CEOs say better broadband is good for business: survey A FEDERAL Government-backed survey has found that businesses are hoping advances in Australia's laggard broadband infrastructure will lead to an increase in financial activity. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24530113-15306,00.html AAPT boss calls for broadband rethink DAYS after pulling AAPT out of the Terria broadband consortium last week, the telco's chief executive Paul Broad has called for an independent inquiry into the broadband issue and a recasting of the Government process. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24526575-15306,00.html au: Better faster Broadband vital to boost competitiveness [news release] An Australian Industry Group / Deloitte CEO Survey has highlighted the critical importance of lifting the performance of Australia?s broadband network. The survey, High Speed to Broadband: Measuring industry demand for a world class service, explores the views of Australian business leaders in this important area of public policy. http://www.aigroup.asn.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=aigroup/ccms.r?PageId=4569 Business leaders demand faster broadband: survey A survey of business leaders has found nearly three quarters of companies want a faster national broadband network. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/21/2397063.htm Australian economy critically reliant on National Broadband Network: survey A survey of business leaders by Australian Industry Group (AiG) and Deloitte has further cemented the critical reliance of Australia?s economy on the National Broadband Network (NBN). http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1587683187 CEOs say better broadband is good for business: survey A FEDERAL Government-backed survey has found that businesses are hoping advances in Australia's laggard broadband infrastructure will lead to an increase in financial activity. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24530113-15306,00.html Australian telephone service complaints soar Complaints about telephone services to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) have rocketed in the past 12 months. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24535827-15306,00.html au: Telcos ring up complaints record Complaints against telecommunications providers have reached an all-time high, with Telstra attracting more than 50,000 complaints alone over its landline, internet and mobile phone services over the past year. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/22/1224351319323.html Your complaint isn't important THE Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has expressed dismay that so many disputes are ending up in her office, as complaints about phone and internet services reach an all-time high. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/10/22/1224351351129.html Record increase in complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman [news release] The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has recorded the biggest rise in complaints for the past 10 years. http://www.tio.com.au/media_statements/RELEASES/2008/22_10_2008%20Annual%20Report.html ACMA fines Dodo for flouting telemarketing THE Australian Communications and Media Authority has slapped telco company Dodo with a fine of $147,400 for allegedly engaging offshore call centres to make around 70 calls on its behalf to numbers on the Do Not Call Register. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24535504-15306,00.html Dodo pays penalty for calling numbers on the Do Not Call Register [news release] Telecommunications provider Dodo Australia Pty Ltd has paid a penalty of $147,400 after the Australian Communications and Media Authority alleged that an offshore call centre made telemarketing calls on its behalf to numbers on the Do Not Call Register. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311469 Dodo cops record fine for do-not-call breach The Australian Communications and Media Authority has fined Dodo $147,400 for calling people who are on the Do Not Call register - the highest penalty of its kind so far. http://smallbusiness.theage.com.au/starting/finance/dodo-cops-record-fine-for-do-not-call-breach-906181736.html Dodo's public relations stuck on the ground THERE have been better days for telco Dodo. First, the St Kilda Road-based company was slugged $147,000 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for calling people who had added their phone numbers to ACMA's Do Not Call register. http://business.theage.com.au/business/dodos-public-relations-stuck-on-the-ground-20081022-56g2.html http://business.smh.com.au/business/dodos-public-relations-stuck-on-the-ground-20081022-56g2.html Dodo's Philippines call centre cops fine ISP Dodo Australia has been slapped with the heftiest fine ever dished out as part of the Do Not Call Register Act: a $147,000 penalty for making unsolicited calls to Australian consumers. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Dodo-s-Philippines-call-centre-cops-fine/0,130061791,339292783,00.htm Dodo pays $147k for telemarketer fumble The largest penalty in the history of the Do Not Call Register has been slapped on discount telco Dodo Australia after its offshore call centres rang de-listed Australian phone numbers. http://pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1280003619 http://www.cio.com.au/index.php/id;1280003619 http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php/id;1280003619 http://www.techworld.com.au/article/264628/dodo_pays_147k_telemarketer_fumble http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1280003619 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102208-dodo-pays-a147k-for-telemarketer.html ACMA makes an example of Dodo The Australian Communications and Media Authority has handed out its largest fine to date for infringement of the Do Not Call Register to telco provider Dodo Australia Ltd. http://www.bandt.com.au/news/76/0C05B276.asp Record fine for telemarketer Dodo after disturbing peace UNSOLICITED dinner time interruptions from overseas-based telemarketers are likely to decrease after a record fine was handed out yesterday. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24538293-5001021,00.html Kiwi internet providers get better The quality of broadband in New Zealand overtook that in Britain after the top five internet service providers raised their game, said a study carried out for the Commerce Commission. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4733933a28.html Kiwi broadband picks up the pace The latest Commerce Commission report out on New Zealand broadband performance is generally good news for New Zealand consumers. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10538657 NZ Telecom boss fronts up on regulation Telecom chief executive Paul Reynolds has launched an attack on the country's regulatory framework, saying it hinders investment in infrastructure. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4737254a28.html Debt-Heavy Telecoms Won't Escape the Credit Crunch As earnings estimates shrink, the financial crisis should crimp telecommunications carriers' spending. Sprint is at risk of default http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2008/tc20081019_305088.htm Top US regulator seeks telecom firm fee changes [AP] The US's top telecommunications regulator wants to overhaul the fees that phone companies pay each other to connect calls and the fund that subsidizes phone service in underserved areas. Supporters say the changes will help bring broadband to places that lack high-speed Internet, but consumer advocates question how much the plan will raise phone bills. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/20/BUQP13HFFJ.DTL Will Next US President Address Telecom Issues? The next United States president and the 2009 Congress will face a logjam of telecommunications issues ranging from network neutrality to broadband coverage that now may only be a sideshow to the economic disaster on center stage. http://www.redherring.com/Home/25290 Nigeria sees growth in country's mobile phone use Nigeria has achieved 80 percent phone penetration since the liberalization of the country's telecommunications sector eight years ago, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) CEO Ernest Ndukwe announced this weekend at a public lecture. http://nytimes.com/external/idg/2008/10/21/21idg-Nigeria-sees-gr.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Taliban orders mobile shutdown in Afghan province Taliban insurgents said Tuesday they had told mobile phone operators to shut down their networks during the day in the Ghazni province, southwest of Kabul, saying signals help track insurgent fighters. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49K3OR20081021 U.S. survey shows risky use of mobile e-mail devices ... Despite such risks, many Americans send and receive text messages on mobile e-mail devices in dangerous situations, according to a survey released on Tuesday that showed 77 percent have used such a device while driving a moving car. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE49K0VV20081021 Is Anyone Buying the Googlephone? I wandered down to the T-Mobile store at Ninth Ave. and 43rd St. in New York City to see what kind of crowds ? if any ? were lining up to buy the new T-Mobile G1 which went on sale Wednesday. No lines out the door. No crowding at the counter. Just a couple talking to a salesman who too was figuring out how to work the new mobile phone which is powered by Google?s new Android operating system. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/is-anyone-buying-the-googlephone/ Mobile phone malware in our future? VeriSign CTO cites the popularity of faster, smarter phones and the lack of native applications on them as possible reasons for malware to target mobile phones in 2009. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-10071982-57.html NZ Telecom reveals hand, but is it a winner? Telecom has been splashing some bold messages across full-page newspaper ads since last week's announcement it will launch its new cellular network by June next year. The hyperbole includes: "The mobile phone revolution begins" and "A new era in New Zealand's telecommunications is at hand". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10538970 'We should be able to challenge ComCom' - NZ Telecom Telecom chief executive Paul Reynolds said telcos should be able to challenge Commerce Commission decisions by seeking a review of the merits of its decisions. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4736354a13.html HP unveils consumer smartphone Hewlett-Packard (HP) will unveil two smartphones today, marking its entry into the consumer mobile market, as the computer giant takes on the BlackBerry and the iPhone in the increasingly crowded sector. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article4981835.ece New HP iPaqs offer 'gliding' optical control HP has unveiled two iPaq models aimed at mobile business users, one focused on messaging and the other on voice capabilities, both featuring a distinctive new navigation control. http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2228648/hp-ipaqs-offer-gliding-optical Specially designed ?jammers? can allow mobile use on flights The Government agency that controls telecommunication in Australia has proposed allowing air passengers to use mobiles on aeroplanes. http://www.entertainmentandshowbiz.com/specially-designed-jammers-can-allow-mobile-use-on-flights-200810213776 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN ********************************** au: MP's son has child porn case adjourned The court case of Lismore man Ned Saffin, who is facing three counts of possessing child pornography, has been adjourned until November 18. http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/australian-news/5093323/mps-son-has-child-porn-case-adjourned/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2008 --------- David Goldstein address: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA email: Goldstein_David §yahoo.com.au phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home) "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery Make the switch to the world's best email. Get Yahoo!7 Mail! http://au.yahoo.com/y7mailReceived on Thu Oct 23 2008 - 04:02:01 UTC
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