[Slashdot] Stories for 2008-04-09 ======================================================================
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======================================================================

Slashdot Daily Newsletter

In this issue:
    * Yahoo! Rejects Microsoft's Offer, Says 'Still An Option'
    * Imperial Storm Troopers Skirmish in Latest IP Battle
    * Richard Dawkins to Appear on Doctor Who
    * EU Recommends Slashing Search Data Retention
    * Astronomers Locate Solar System Very Similar To Our Own
    * ICANN Moves Against GoDaddy Domain Lockdowns
    * Rumors of a 'Whisper Campaign' Forming Against Fair Use
    * Google Previews App Engine
    * Sony Thinks Blu-ray Will Sell Like DVDs by Year End
    * California Lawmaker Proposes Music Download Tax
    * Alligator Blood May Be Source of New Antibiotics
    * Important Court Decisions Chip Away At ISP Liability Shield
    * HP Unveils Small Commercial Linux Laptop
    * Google StreetView Is In Your Driveway
    * AMD To Shed 10% of Its Workforce
    * Xiotech Unveils Disruptive Storage Technology
    * Purdue Students Win Rube Goldberg Contest
    * Apple Error Leaves iPhone Developers In the Lurch
    * AT&T, 2Wire Ignoring Active Security Exploit
    * VIA Announces Open Source Driver Initiative
    * $90 Asus Sound Card Whips Creative's Best
    * Scammers Exploit DTV Coupon Program

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Yahoo! Rejects Microsoft's Offer, Says 'Still An Option'           |
|   from the oh-just-get-a-room-already dept.                        |
|   posted by Zonk on Monday April 07, @21:33 (Yahoo!)               |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/07/236215          |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]mikkl666 writes "In response to an [1]open letter from Steve Ballmer,
Yahoo! posted a press release claiming that [2]Microsoft's offer
'substantially undervalues Yahoo!' and is therefore not in the best
interest of the company. They also bemoan that the letter
'mischaracterizes the nature of our discussions' and that the threat to
make an offer directly to the shareholders is 'counterproductive and
inconsistent with the stated objective of a friendly transaction'.
Nevertheless, they explicitly point out that a transaction with Microsoft
is still an option, but only if they are willing to pay 'a price that
fully recognizes the value of Yahoo!'"

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/07/236215

Links:
    0. mailto:uctret@arcor.de
    1. http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/05/1925237&tid=109
    2. http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=303369


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Imperial Storm Troopers Skirmish in Latest IP Battle               |
|   from the oh-those-wacky-imps dept.                               |
|   posted by Zonk on Monday April 07, @23:21 (Star Wars Prequels)   |
|   http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/005248           |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

fm6 writes "According to guardian.co.uk, George Lucas is [0]suing the
designer of the Imperial Stormtrooper armor. Andrew Ainsworth took the
original molds he used to make the props for the movies, and has been
using them to make outfits that sell for up to ï¿½ï¿½1,800 (US$3,600) apiece.
Ainsworth has countersued for a share of the $12 billion that Star Wars
merchandise has generated since the first movie."

Discuss this story at:
    http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/005248

Links:
    0. http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2271561,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=16


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Richard Dawkins to Appear on Doctor Who                            |
|   from the do-the-evolution-baby dept.                             |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @01:20 (Sci-Fi)              |
|   http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/009220 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

Ravalox writes "In an interview with The Independent, current curator of
the [0]Doctor Who legacy Russell T. Davis announced that distinguished
evolutionary biologist [1]Richard Dawkins would be [2]making an
appearance in the new season of Doctor Who. To quote Davies: 'People were
falling at his feet ... We've had Kylie Minogue on that set, but it was
Dawkins people were worshipping.' Dawkins is the author of many
best-selling non-fiction books, from [3]The Selfish Gene and [4]The Blind
Watchmaker to [5]The God Delusion, and a renowned advocate of both
Darwin's evolutionary theory and the merits of atheism."

Discuss this story at:
    http://entertainment.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/009220

Links:
    0. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/
    1. http://www.richarddawkins.net/
    2. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/russell-t-davies-return-of-the-tea-time-lord-805255.html
    3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Selfish_Gene
    4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blind_Watchmaker
    5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Delusion


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| EU Recommends Slashing Search Data Retention                       |
|   from the tracks-in-the-snow dept.                                |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @03:18 (Privacy)             |
|   http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/0335200          |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

Wayland writes "The European Union's Article 29 Working Group has
completed its [0]PDF report on data protection and search engines. The
group recommends that search engines only be [1]allowed to hold onto
search data for six months. 'To hang onto data for longer, search engine
operators will need to show that such data is "strictly necessary" to
offer the service. Google and others have long said that they need to
retain data in order to refine search results, prevent click fraud, and
launch new services like spell check (which, in Google's case, was built
from user search data). In addition, the data that is kept will need to
be guarded more closely. The working group concluded that IP addresses
could be used to identify individuals; if not by the search engine
itself, then by law enforcement or after a subpoena.'"

Discuss this story at:
    http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/0335200

Links:
    0. http://www.cbpweb.nl/downloads_int/Opinie%20WP29%20zoekmachines.pdf
    1. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080407-eu-issues-tough-data-protection-finding.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Astronomers Locate Solar System Very Similar To Our Own            |
|   from the i-think-it-is-awfully-pretty-out-there dept.            |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @05:26 (Space)               |
|   http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/0355232      |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]Smivs writes "Astronomers from St Andrews University in the UK have
[1]discovered a planetary system which looks much like our own. Dr Martin
Dominik told BBC news: 'We found a system with two planets that take the
roles of Jupiter and Saturn in our Solar System. These two planets have a
similar mass ratio and similar orbital radius and a similar orbital
period. The newfound planetary system, which orbits the star
OGLE-2006-BLG-109L, is more compact than our own and is about five
thousand light-years away. The OGLE planets were found using a technique
called gravitational micro-lensing, in which light from the faraway
planets is bent and magnified by the gravity of a foreground object, in
this case a another star.'" Update: 04/08 12:26 GMT by [2]Z : This story
is talking about [3]a subject we have already discussed.

Discuss this story at:
    http://science.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/0355232

Links:
    0. http://smivsonline.co.uk/
    1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7333155.stm
    2. http://slashdot.org/~Zonk/
    3. http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/07/2052251&tid=160


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ICANN Moves Against GoDaddy Domain Lockdowns                       |
|   from the they-delved-too-deep dept.                              |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @07:25 (The Internet)        |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/0349253         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "ICANN is finally [0]taking action against
Domain Registrar GoDaddy's controversial 'lockdowns'. GoDaddy has long
had a policy of 'locking down' domain names for 60 days after a customer
updated their contact details. This put customers in a Catch 22 position:
ICANN requires customers keep their contact details up to date, or risk
having the domain forfeited. Yet during the lockdown period the customer
is prevented from transferring the domain from GoDaddy to another
registrar. If the lockdown ran over the domain's expiry date,
[1]customers were forced to renew with GoDaddy or lose the domain. ICANN
proposes to [2]ban this practice. ICANN who is charged with overseeing
the Internet has long been accused of giving domain registrars a free
ride. But recently after ICANN failed to discipline [3]Network Solutions
over a front-running scam, they found themselves both [4]on the wrong end
of a lawsuit by lawyers Kabateck Brown Kellner. Is ICANN's action a
signal of increased vigilance in policing registrars, or is it a PR move
paving the way for a complete removal of [5]US Government oversight?"

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/0349253

Links:
    0. http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/registrars/msg05077.html
    1. http://forums.nodaddy.com/index.php?topic=215.msg979
    2. http://www.ag-ip-news.com/GetArticle.asp?Art_ID=5679â¨=en
    3. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080110-network-solutions-defends-frontrunningto-stop-frontrunners.html
    4. http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/25376
    5. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030800059.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Rumors of a 'Whisper Campaign' Forming Against Fair Use            |
|   from the not-stronger-quicker-easier-more-seductive dept.        |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @08:36 (Censorship)          |
|   http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/041237           |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "Ars Technica reports that a group of
companies and organizations it calls 'big content' is currently
[0]engaged in a worldwide 'whisper campaign' against Fair Use. 'The
counter-reformation in question takes the form of a "whispering campaign"
in which ministries in different countries are told that plans to expand
fair use rights might well run afoul of the [1]Berne Convention's
"three-step test." The Convention, which goes back to the late 1800s, was
one of the earliest international copyright treaties and is now
administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).'"

Discuss this story at:
    http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/041237

Links:
    0. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080407-patry-copyright-owners-wants-rights-expanded-to-were-rabbit-size.html
    1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berne_three-step_test


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Google Previews App Engine                                         |
|   from the what's-not-to-like dept.                                |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @09:12 (Google)              |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1218230         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "Google is giving a handful of web programmers
the opportunity [0]to create and run their own Web applications on their
servers. [1]Today's launch of a preview release of [2]Google App Engine
signals a new era of collaboration with third-party software developers.
'The goal is to make it [3]easy to get started with a new Web app, and
then make it easy to scale when that app reaches the point where it's
receiving significant traffic and has millions of users," said Google
product manager, Paul McDonald in a blog post."

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1218230

Links:
    0. http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1913502382;fp;4;fpid;611908207
    1. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/developers-start-your-engines.html
    2. http://code.google.com/appengine/
    3. http://googleappengine.blogspot.com/2008/04/introducing-google-app-engine-our-new.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sony Thinks Blu-ray Will Sell Like DVDs by Year End                |
|   from the ambitious-planning dept.                                |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @09:54 (Sony)                |
|   http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1224241              |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "Sony CEO Ryoji Chubachi knows something we
don't. At a press conference, he announced Sony's plan to [0]increase
Blu-ray market share to 50% of all movie discs by the end of the year.
'DVD and BD currently account for about 80% and 20%, respectively, of
global demand for movie discs, Chubachi indicated. The new BD devices to
be offered by Sony include models integrating an HD LCD TV with BD
recording functionality, Chubachi pointed out. Sony has relied mainly on
the PlayStation 3 (PS3) to promote BD, and sales of the game console will
increase along with the offering by top Hollywood studios of new BD
movies, Chubachi noted. However, [1]Sony will extend its BD promotion
from the current focus on the PS3 and BD players/recorders to IT devices,
Chubachi pointed out.'"

Discuss this story at:
    http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1224241

Links:
    0. http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/4/sony_blu_ray_will_be_half_of_market_by_end_of_2008_sne_
    1. http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20080407PD201.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| California Lawmaker Proposes Music Download Tax                    |
|   from the ideas-from-up-north-moving-south dept.                  |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @10:31 (Businesses)          |
|   http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1346200         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]modemac writes "Sacramento, California Assemblyman Charles Calderon
wants to expand a 75-year-old sales tax on 'tangible personal property'
to [1]include music downloads from iTunes and other music-download sites.
The tax would specifically apply to music downloads, but the estimate
used in this article for revenue generated by 'Net downloading also
"includes pornography downloads." The measure, AB 1956, will be
considered on Monday, April 14th."

Discuss this story at:
    http://news.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1346200

Links:
    0. http://www.modemac.com/
    1. http://www.mercurynews.com/businessheadlines/ci_8837145


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Alligator Blood May Be Source of New Antibiotics                   |
|   from the darn-tasty-eating-too dept.                             |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @11:16 (Medicine)            |
|   http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1351212      |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

esocid writes "Biochemists from McNeese State University have described
how proteins in gator blood may provide [0]a source of powerful new
antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers and
severe burns. This new class of drug could also crack so-called
'superbugs' that are resistant to conventional medication. Previous
studies have showed alligators have an unusually strong immune system;
unlike humans, alligator immune systems can defend against microorganisms
such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria without having prior exposure to
them. Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary adaptation to
promote quick wound healing, as alligators are often injured during
fierce territorial battles."

Discuss this story at:
    http://science.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1351212

Links:
    0. http://www.physorg.com/news126764714.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Important Court Decisions Chip Away At ISP Liability Shield        |
|   from the i-kind-of-like-the-open-internet-personally dept.       |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @11:56 (The Internet)        |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1516250         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "News.com is reporting on a pair of court
cases that could prove very important to ISPs in coming years. They both
[0]subtly chip away at the legal shield service providers have enjoyed
against liability for hosted content. Further court cases could result in
a 'chilling effect' on social networks and hosting services, as small
businesses steer clear of potentially contentious content. '[The judge's
ruling] differed from previous opinions in one important area. He refused
to dismiss Jane Doe's argument that FriendFinder's republication of her
profile invaded her 'intellectual property rights' under New Hampshire
law. She claimed to be concerned about violations to her 'right of
publicity,' which says an individual generally has the right to control
how his name, image, and likeness is used commercially--and the court
ruled that Doe's argument fell into the category of intellectual property
law.'"

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1516250

Links:
    0. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9911501-7.html?tag=nefd.lede


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| HP Unveils Small Commercial Linux Laptop                           |
|   from the micro-penguins-on-the-go dept.                          |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @12:32 (HP)                  |
|   http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/165249      |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]Ryan writes "HP had unveiled their version of [1]a miniaturized laptop
for school kids. The tiny device boasts speeds up to 1.6 gigahertz. They
haven't yet decided on a name, but 'netbooks' is one possibility. They
will be used for surfing the Internet and doing other basic tasks like
word processing. The company plans to have 50 million units available in
the marketplace by 2011. Optical drives have been left out to prevent
kids from playing 'unauthorized games.' Weighing less than 3 pounds with
a tiny 8.9 inch screen, the machines start below $500 for a Linux-based
model. Prices are expected to be higher for Windows Vista models."

Discuss this story at:
    http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/165249

Links:
    0. mailto:avfr_8022@yahoo.com
    1. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_hi_te/hewlett_packard_small_laptops


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Google StreetView Is In Your Driveway                              |
|   from the friendly-google-car dept.                               |
|   posted by Zonk on Tuesday April 08, @13:12 (Google)              |
|   http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1614206          |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

hermit_crab writes "Janet and George McKee are the neighbors of the
Borings, who we discussed yesterday as [0]the couple suing Google over
StreetView. The McKees own a house that is featured in a [1]much more
intrusive set of Google StreetView images. 'The Google car continued past
the steps leading to the McKees's front door and came to a stop outside
the house's three-car garage (and next to the family's trampoline and
portable basketball rim). Taking photos all the time, the Google vehicle
was squarely on private property, a fact that presumably should have been
apparent when the gravel path became paved.' Unlike the Borings, the
McKees have not announced intentions to sue Google, nor have they
requested to have the images removed."

Discuss this story at:
    http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1614206

Links:
    0. http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/06/1212248&tid=217
    1. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0407081google1.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AMD To Shed 10% of Its Workforce                                   |
|   from the hitting-the-streets dept.                               |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @13:53 (AMD)              |
|   http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1736244              |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

stress_life writes "Recent rumors about [0]AMD firing 5% of its workforce
proved to be understated. AMD just announced that the company is going to
deliver pink slips to 1600-1700 workers, or [1]around 10% of its
employees. AMD needs revenue of $2 billion per quarter, but Q1'08 is
expected to come in around $1.5 billion. These firings have to be
complete by Q3'08, the quarter by which [2]Hector Ruiz promised to be
profitable." We most recently discussed [3]AMD's struggles in February.

Discuss this story at:
    http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1736244

Links:
    0. http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36549/118/
    1. http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36823/167/
    2. http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=204301050
    3. http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/02/25/0234254&tid=142


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Xiotech Unveils Disruptive Storage Technology                      |
|   from the storage-that's-smarter-than-you-are dept.               |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @14:42 (Data Storage)     |
|   http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1835213     |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

Lxy writes "After Xiotech purchased Seagate's Advanced Storage
Architecture division, rumors circulated around what they were planning
to do with their next-generation SAN. Today at Storage Network World,
Xiotech answered the question. The result is quite impressive, a SAN that
can practically heal itself, as well as prevent common failures. There's
already [0]hype in the [1]media, with much more to come. The official
announcement is on [2]Xiotech's site."

Discuss this story at:
    http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1835213

Links:
    0. http://www.esj.com/storage/article.aspx?EditorialsID=3103
    1. http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=150462
    2. http://www.xiotech.com/Products-and-Services_ISE.aspx


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Purdue Students Win Rube Goldberg Contest                          |
|   from the lucrative-offers-from-mickey-dee dept.                  |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @15:27 (It's funny.  Laugh|
|   http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1911223|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]Dekortage writes "How long does it take to make a burger? Students
from [1]Purdue University's Society of Professional Engineers won the
2008 [2]Rube Goldberg contest with a [3]device that requires 156 steps to
assemble a burger. According to the team captain, 'We put 4,000 to 5,000
man-hours into this machine since September, and all the hard work has
been well worth it.' That's a long time to wait for dinner." Here's a
video of the [4]winning entry in operation.

Discuss this story at:
    http://entertainment.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1911223

Links:
    0. http://www.arrowbay.net/
    1. http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/x/2008a/080405RubeNatresults.html
    2. http://www.rubemachine.com/
    3. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/LOCAL/804060366
    4. http://www.rubemachine.com/rg108.html


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Apple Error Leaves iPhone Developers In the Lurch                  |
|   from the pretty-glass-bricks dept.                               |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @16:08 (Bug)              |
|   http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1932232           |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

canadacow writes "iPhone developers enrolled and active in the iPhone OS
2.0 beta program got a nasty surprise today when Apple inadvertently
'expired' the recently released [0]version. While for a beta program this
typically would not be an issue, Apple has yet to release a new
deployment of the iPhone OS. So developers like myself who use their
iPhone for both actual phone and iPod use are [1]bricked. Of note, this
particular expired build is just 11 days old."

Discuss this story at:
    http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1932232

Links:
    0. http://www.talkiphone.com/iphone-sdk-update-iphone-20-os-329/
    1. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1476975&tstart=0


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| AT&T, 2Wire Ignoring Active Security Exploit                       |
|   from the complicit-in-the-attacks dept.                          |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @16:51 (Security)         |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1946214         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "2Wire manufactures DSL modems and routers for
AT&T and other major carriers. Their devices suffer from a DNS
redirection vulnerability that can be used as part of a variety of
attacks, including phishing, identity theft, and denial of service. This
exploit was publicly [0]reported more than eight months ago and applies
to nearly all 2Wire firmware revisions. The exploit itself is trivial to
implement, requiring the attacker only to embed a specially crafted URL
into a Web site or email. User interaction is not required, as the URL
may be embedded as an image that loads automatically with the requested
content. The 2Wire exploit bypasses any password set on the modem/router
and is being [1]actively exploited in the wild. AT&T has been deploying
2Wire DSL modems and router/gateways for years, so there exists a large
vulnerable installed base. So far, AT&T/2Wire haven't done anything about
this exploit."

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/1946214

Links:
    0. http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/27246
    1. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20156920-DNS-Hijack-on-2wire-routers


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| VIA Announces Open Source Driver Initiative                        |
|   from the itching-for-source dept.                                |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @17:37 (Software)         |
|   http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/202227         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]Aron Schatz writes "VIA has announced that they will start a new site
(http://linux.via.com.tw ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ doesn't exist yet) [1]specifically for the
development of open source drivers. From their [2]press release: 'Over
the following months, VIA will work with the community to enable 2D, 3D
and video playback acceleration to ensure the best possible Open Source
experience on VIA Processor Platforms. 'To further improve cooperation
with the community, VIA will also adhere to a regular quarterly release
schedule that is aligned with kernel changes and release of major Linux
distributions. In addition, beta releases will be issued on the site as
needed, and a bug report and tracking feature will also be integrated.'
Nvidia should be next."

Discuss this story at:
    http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/202227

Links:
    0. http://www.aselabs.com/
    1. http://www.aselabs.com/singlenews.php?id=4532
    2. http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=2088


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| $90 Asus Sound Card Whips Creative's Best                          |
|   from the listen-up dept.                                         |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @18:19 (Music)            |
|   http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/222220      |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

[0]EconolineCrush writes "Sound card giant Creative caught plenty of flak
for its [1]recent [2]driver [3]debacle, and has long been criticized for
bullying competitors and stifling innovation. But few have been willing
to compete with Creative head-on, allowing the company to milk its X-Fi
audio processor for more than two and a half years. Now the SoundBlaster
has a new challenger in the form of Asus' $90 [4]Xonar DX, which delivers
much better sound quality than the X-Fi, PCI Express connectivity, and
support for real-time Dolby Digital Live encoding. The Xonar can even
emulate the latest EAX positional audio effects, providing the most
complete competition to the X-Fi available on the market."

Discuss this story at:
    http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/222220

Links:
    0. mailto:lunqsiinebtryo@hotmail.com
    1. http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/29/046201&tid=222
    2. http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/01/1938207&tid=153
    3. http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/04/1554250&tid=187
    4. http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500


+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Scammers Exploit DTV Coupon Program                                |
|   from the old-bait-and-switch dept.                               |
|   posted by kdawson on Tuesday April 08, @19:01 (Television)       |
|   http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/2245248         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

An anonymous reader writes "Analog TV users must purchase a DTV converter
box before broadcasts go digital in 2009, and the US Government is
[0]offering $40 coupons to support the transition. The coupon program
requires retailers to become certified by the NTIA (the Government body
running the program) before processing orders for the boxes. Apparently
the certification program is a bit lax, as the frenzy to purchase DTV
boxes using these coupons seems to have drawn unscrupulous fraud artists
into the mix. Memsen, via its web site [1]convertmy.tv and its hardware
partner [2]Maxmedia, partnered apparently to pull a bait-and-switch game
on unsuspecting consumers and the US Government." Read on for details of
the scam claimed by this anonymous reader.

This story continues at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/2245248

Discuss this story at:
    http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=08/04/08/2245248

Links:
    0. http://www.dtv2009.gov/
    1. http://convertmy.tv/
    2. http://www.maxmedia-usa.com/



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