COMPUTERS AND INTERNET BLOGGING

Five Ways To Protect Your I-Phone From Spies!

2011-12-03T12:28:00.001-08:00

http://mimbari.livejournal.com/144301.html

December 03-2011.

Five Ways To Protect Your I-Phone From Spies!

For the moment, the amount of detected smartphone malware is relatively low compared to malware that targets desktop or laptop PCs; but being aware that it exists is the first step toward protecting yourself
Research apps and their publishers thoroughly and check the ratings - better to install apps that are broadly used in the market and/or are recommended by your circle of friends and colleagues

It is wise to purchase from a well-known reputable app store market, such as the Android Market. One way for Android users to avoid installation of non-market applications is to de-select the “Unknown sources” option in the Applications Settings menu on their device. If the option is not listed, it means your mobile service provider has already done this for the user.

When you install an app, you’ll see a list of permissions for services that are granted access to the hardware and software components on your device, like contacts, camera and location. If something in the permissions screen doesn’t look right, don’t install that app! For example, a game or alarm clock app probably shouldn’t need to access your contacts or have the ability to transmit that data from your device.

Install antivirus software on your phone. It is a good idea to install an antivirus program when you get a new mobile device before you add any other apps.

This last one actually be the most crucial one that people are missing. McAfee argues now that because smartphone and tablet sales are eclipsing those of desktops and laptops, cyber crime is surging in the mobile sector.

Some Private Companies That Sells Your Personal Information!

2011-12-03T12:27:00.001-08:00

http://thehackernews.com/2011/12/spy-files-wikileaks-expose-mobile-phone.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheHackersNews+%28The+Hackers+News+-+Daily+Cyber+News+Updates%29

http://mimbari.livejournal.com/143970.html

December 03.2011.

Some Private Companies That Sells Your Personal Information!

Wikileaks has released (http://spyfiles.org/) dozens of new documents highlighting the state of the once covert, but now lucrative private sector global surveillance industry. According to Assange, over 150 private sector organisations in 25 countries have the ability to not only track mobile devices, but also intercept messages and listen to calls also.

Site founder Julian Assange has held a press conference, revealing the secrets of the industry. The whistleblowing site has published some 287 documents from its huge database, collected from 160 international intelligence contractors. The database includes internal documents of such companies like Gamma corporation in the UK, Ipoque of Germany, Amesys and Vupen in France, VASTech in South Africa, ZTE Corp in China, Phoenexia in the Czech Republic, SS8 and Blue Coat in the US, among others.

"The Wikileaks Spy Files reveal the details of which companies are making billions selling sophisticated tracking tools to government buyers, flouting export rules, and turning a blind eye to dictatorial regimes that abuse human rights."

“Who here has a BlackBerry? Who here uses Gmail? Well you are all screwed!” Assange exclaimed. “The reality is intelligence contractors are selling right to countries around the world mass surveillance systems for all of those products.”

Tell Google & Verizon To SHUV Those Proposals Up The Wazoo!

2010-08-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

August 10-2010:

Tell Google & Verizon To SHUV Those Proposals Up The Wazoo!

Google and Verizon wants to alter the manner in which Internet Users access this medium, and what they would be allowed to access, download, or share.

Here Are The Proposals:

* They want the continuation of DSL, Broadband Access, Land Line Access, and Wi Fi Access.

* They do not want users to download or share Files/Torrents via Land Lines, or access Files without certain stipulations, which would involve various charges depending upon the Type Of Service you are accessing?

* And these proposals would ultimately limit how the Internet is accessed. who can afford to access it, and what type of Internet Service the User could afford.

* In fact, with these proposals we would be in the situation like Television Customers. Those who can only afford The Basic Service, Those who can afford Cable TV, and those who can afford Pay Per View.

And this is totally un-acceptable!

Google & Verizon Is Bent On Fullfilling Their Capitalist Greed At Our Expense.

These two Mugols are Hell Bent on satisfying their Capitalist Greed and Cravings for Monopolizing the Internet. Which brings to mind the initial expressed intent by the Google Owners, that they were on the side of those who Want and Expect that The Internet should remain FREE, and Affordable, and Available to all.

Regardles of any new innovations that may arise from time to time!

Tell GOOGLE and VERIZON TO SHUV THOSE PROPOSALS UP THE WAZOO!

Derryck.
NYC.

2010-04-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

April 17-2010:

Dear Senator/Representative,

Please Help Us Save The Freedom Of The Internet For All To Access!

The FCC must reclassify broadband as a "telecommunications service" so that it can keep the Internet open and free of corporate gatekeepers.

Without vital Net Neutrality protections and the ability to enforce them, the Internet will cease to be a public platform for free speech, equal opportunity, economic growth and innovation. Instead, companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast, which have a commercial incentive to limit the free-flowing Web, will decide whose voices are heard.

You still have the power to protect the public interest. Please stand with us and keep the Internet in the hands of the people who use it every day.

Sincerely,

Please Go To congress.org, and petition your state's representative NOW!

2010-04-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

http://mimbari.livejournal.com/

April 08-2010:

Who Are My Online Social Network Friends!

I was watching the animation episode on TV tonight, when the subject of FaceBook friends came up. One of the characters claim that the friends on FaceBook are not really true friends, and he will not be sucked into it because some of his real life friends are on FaceBook.

However, he was subsequently coerced into doing so by his own father, who wanted to be his FaceBook friend too.

What Are FaceBook Friends?

These networking sites have categories like Friends, Followers, Followed, and Contacts. It is based on the ability to get as many people on your Friends/Contact list, so that it would seem like you are very popular. But I get the real deal. It is all about EGO.

Some people are so self-centered or narcissistic, that they actually believe that those individuals on their Friend's List are true friends. So when some situation arise, and some of their so-called friends leave, is suddenly being reduced, or is not growing, they are appalled and offended.

Online Social Networking Sites Are Just That:

These sites are established for people to make contacts about common interests, share ideas, compare experiences, and even seek help in many common concerns. Most people get carried away with this idea, thinking that the individuals on their friend's list are theirs alone, and would move Hell to ensure, that no one who they do not appreciate get into contact with any of their friends.

It can sometimes seem childish to see comments like the following.

* A certain individual is a creep, and should not be allowed to follow you.

* Or that some individual is not Cool enough to be on their friend's list.

* Or that some individual is too old to be a friend of theirs.

All of this Trite, Frivolity, and Mundaneness, are all part of the Online Networking Climate. So be warned whenever you see some of the above comments, not to take it seriously.

Because this is the only place where some people can communicate with other humans.

Derryck.
NYC.

What Would The Internet Of Tomorrow Look Like?

2010-03-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

March 14-2010:

What Would The Internet Of Tomorrow Look Like?

This question was aired on France24.com, and was thought about by me for some time now. So here are some of my expectations and hopes for this global medium or communication.

Global Internet Service:

The Global Cyber World is still not yet global in it's entirety. There are many countries that still cannot provide the very basic services of the Internet to most of their populations.

Especially countries that are economically poor, the Internet still does not get the necessary funding priority, and freedom of use that it deserves to work for all users, to promote education, information sharing, and Freedom Of Expression.

State Control:

There are also several state governments that are legislating who, what, and how information sharing must be conducted on the Internet. Some are even trying to curtail Free Speech and Publishing via this medium, with legislation that Police the Internet, with rigidity and censorship. Making it almost impossible for users to fully express their opinions, be it political, social, or national.

Cyber Crime:

This phenomenon is not new to global communication networks. And the Internet MUST never be used as the principal
modus-operandi for Crime Fighting, Spying, or Monitoring. It has become commonly known, that Internet Users are best qualified to monitor themselves, and Ignore, or Remove any Spammer or individuals who is bent of inflicting damage or criminal acts upon others on the Internet.

Most web sites have this option as part of their user participation privileges. And rely on the honesty, credibility, and co-operation of all users in the fight against spamming, crime, and pornographic targeting.

The Internet Of Tomorrow:

No one knows for certain how the Internet will evolve in the next few decades. But I am sure that it will be much better, faster, more accommodative to user's needs, expectations, and freedom. And with constant vigilance by users, advocates for Internet Freedom, and Access, collectively will ensure that this global reach of communication and information sharing continues to evolve and grow!

Derryck.
NYC.

March 14-2010:

What Would The Internet Of Tomorrow Look Like?

This question was aired on France24.com, and was thought about by me for some time now. So here are some of my expectations and hopes for this global medium or communication.

Global Internet Service:

The Global Cyber World is still not yet global in it's entirety. There are many countries that still cannot provide the very basic services of the Internet to most of their populations.

Especially countries that are economically poor, the Internet still does not get the necessary funding priority, and freedom of use that it deserves to work for all users, to promote education, information sharing, and Freedom Of Expression.

State Control:

There are also several state governments that are legislating who, what, and how information sharing must be conducted on the Internet. Some are even trying to curtail Free Speech and Publishing via this medium, with legislation that Police the Internet, with rigidity and censorship. Making it almost impossible for users to fully express their opinions, be it political, social, or national.

Cyber Crime:

This phenomenon is not new to global communication networks. And the Internet MUST never be used as the principal
modus-operandi for Crime Fighting, Spying, or Monitoring. It has become commonly known, that Internet Users are best qualified to monitor themselves, and Ignore, or Remove any Spammer or individuals who is bent of inflicting damage or criminal acts upon others on the Internet.

Most web sites have this option as part of their user participation privileges. And rely on the honesty, credibility, and co-operation of all users in the fight against spamming, crime, and pornographic targeting.

The Internet Of Tomorrow:

No one knows for certain how the Internet will evolve in the next few decades. But I am sure that it will be much better, faster, more accommodative to user's needs, expectations, and freedom. And with constant vigilance by users, advocates for Internet Freedom, and Access, collectively will ensure that this global reach of communication and information sharing continues to evolve and grow!

Derryck.
NYC.

Should Google Pull Out Of China?

2010-01-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

January 14-2010:

Should Google Pull Out Of China?

Personally, I think this question involves moral, social, human rights, and economic considerations. And should not be hastily acted upon.

However, Google's time in China so far, has not shown much Internet growth, in relation to it's other rivals therein. I think Google has only about 35% of the National Online market. But this alone must not be the reason to pull out just yet.

If the administration of Google is truly concerned about the inability of Online Advocates and Bloggers, from Freely expressing themselves online, without censorship. Then this is the moment of decision.

Sometimes the majority have to make some sacrifices for the few. If it entails setting the stage for something Bigger & Greater than the immediate concerns and benefits.

Derryck.
NYC.

Internet Privilege & The Lack Of It!

2009-09-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

September 25-2009:

Internet Privilege & The Lack Of It!

Today, most of us in the developed and developing countries have some access to the Internet. Be it via Dial Up, Broadband or DSL connection. In some developed and developing countries there is a tendency for governments,to curtail certain web sites they feel does not auger well for their political or citizen's moral values.

Others curtail Internet access if they feel that information transmitted from within does not support the State's expectations politically or socially, so they curtail access to certain web sites, online Bloggers, and anyone who is deemed to be a political problem.

Internet Access Limitations:

In some countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and The Caribbean, governments have a major say in who accesses the Internet. They even advise I.S.P.'s prevent access to certain citizens, and call on I.S.P.'s provide information about consumers/subscribers that the state wants to penalize for surfing the Internet, or broadcasting anything deemed Politically Insensitive to the outside world Online.

No Electricity Means No Internet Access:

In some African , Asian, Latin American, and Caribbean countries, electricity is limited in certain interior regions. Thus making the Radio, Pure Drinking Water and Sewerage disposal and supplies null and void.

Where their is no Internet access that people can afford, the population is left in the dark educationally, and Information about Global affairs and concerns. The Illiterate and Ignorant is vulnerable to Fundamentalist teachings and doctrines, and Mass Indoctrination by the State and Religious organizations too.

U.N.E.S.C.O and Developed Countries MUST Help Technologically:

It is the responsibility of all developed countries to share or provide fiber optic technology, and other related technology to countries that need or require it cheaply. So that at least, the basic services of Electricity, Radio, and Internet access can be established, and encouraged too.

In countries that decree for the arrest and imprisonment of Bloggers, Journalists, and Dissenters from within. MUST be called out, brought before the International Community, and be EMBARRASSED, for these actions against Civil & Human Rights.

And it is also the responsibility of all Internet Users, to constantly Monitor Online for such violations of Internet Freedoms like File Sharing between Users online, Blogging, Video Conferencing Online, and Surfing wherever the user wants to.

Derryck S. Griffith
NYC.

Celebrate The Internet's 40Th Year Of Service To All:

2009-09-02T17:49:00.001-07:00

Let Us Celebrate The Internet's 40Th Year Of Service To All Users & Bloggers!

And Let Us Keep vigilant For Any State, Government, Or Organization That Want To Prevent Us From FREELY Accessing This Vital Medium Of Communication Worldwide.

Petition Against The NEW US CYBER SECURITY BILL S.773!
Go To congress.org and petition your political representative there please!

NEW US CYBER SECURITY BILL S.773 Proposal:

2009-09-02T07:15:00.000-07:00

September 02-2009:

NEW US CYBER SECURITY BILL S.773!

This bill would allow the president to have the Internet access of any suspect DISCONTINUED in the so-called National Interest.

This to my mind is just another way to control who accesses the Internet by the state. And to further LIMIT Internet or Cyber access to those the STATE feels are terrorists, Anti-American, or want to prevent from so doing for political reasons.

If this is what president Barack Obama intends to do to his supporters and the American people. I say it MUST be RESISTED with URGENCY and fortitude.

This also reminds me about the intention that George W. Bush, and his acolytes had, when they too imposed the Ascroft Bill/Act, which Barack Obama promised to revamp or amend, but has not touched as yet either.

This Bill MUST never be allowed to pass PERIOD!

Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger

Please go to congress.org to petition your political representatives NOW!

---------------------------------------------
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html
August 28, 2009 12:34 AM PDT
Bill would give president emergency control of Internet
by Declan McCullagh Font size Print E-mail Share 1362 comments Yahoo! Buzz
Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet.
They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency.

The new version would allow the president to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" relating to "non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.
"I think the redraft, while improved, remains troubling due to its vagueness," said Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, which counts representatives of Verizon, Verisign, Nortel, and Carnegie Mellon University on its board. "It is unclear what authority Sen. Rockefeller thinks is necessary over the private sector. Unless this is clarified, we cannot properly analyze, let alone support the bill."
Representatives of other large Internet and telecommunications companies expressed concerns about the bill in a teleconference with Rockefeller's aides this week, but were not immediately available for interviews on Thursday.
A spokesman for Rockefeller also declined to comment on the record Thursday, saying that many people were unavailable because of the summer recess. A Senate source familiar with the bill compared the president's power to take control of portions of the Internet to what President Bush did when grounding all aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001. The source said that one primary concern was the electrical grid, and what would happen if it were attacked from a broadband connection.
When Rockefeller, the chairman of the Senate Commerce committee, and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced the original bill in April, they claimed it was vital to protect national cybersecurity. "We must protect our critical infrastructure at all costs--from our water to our electricity, to banking, traffic lights and electronic health records," Rockefeller said.
The Rockefeller proposal plays out against a broader concern in Washington, D.C., about the government's role in cybersecurity. In May, President Obama acknowledged that the government is "not as prepared" as it should be to respond to disruptions and announced that a new cybersecurity coordinator position would be created inside the White House staff. Three months later, that post remains empty, one top cybersecurity aide has quit, and some wags have begun to wonder why a government that receives failing marks on cybersecurity should be trusted to instruct the private sector what to do.
Rockefeller's revised legislation seeks to reshuffle the way the federal government addresses the topic. It requires a "cybersecurity workforce plan" from every federal agency, a "dashboard" pilot project, measurements of hiring effectiveness, and the implementation of a "comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy" in six months--even though its mandatory legal review will take a year to complete.
The privacy implications of sweeping changes implemented before the legal review is finished worry Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco. "As soon as you're saying that the federal government is going to be exercising this kind of power over private networks, it's going to be a really big issue," he says.
Probably the most controversial language begins in Section 201, which permits the president to "direct the national response to the cyber threat" if necessary for "the national defense and security." The White House is supposed to engage in "periodic mapping" of private networks deemed to be critical, and those companies "shall share" requested information with the federal government. ("Cyber" is defined as anything having to do with the Internet, telecommunications, computers, or computer networks.)
"The language has changed but it doesn't contain any real additional limits," EFF's Tien says. "It simply switches the more direct and obvious language they had originally to the more ambiguous (version)...The designation of what is a critical infrastructure system or network as far as I can tell has no specific process. There's no provision for any administrative process or review. That's where the problems seem to start. And then you have the amorphous powers that go along with it."
Translation: If your company is deemed "critical," a new set of regulations kick in involving who you can hire, what information you must disclose, and when the government would exercise control over your computers or network.
The Internet Security Alliance's Clinton adds that his group is "supportive of increased federal involvement to enhance cyber security, but we believe that the wrong approach, as embodied in this bill as introduced, will be counterproductive both from an national economic and national secuity perspective."
Update at 3:14 p.m. PDT: I just talked to Jena Longo, deputy communications director for the Senate Commerce committee, on the phone. She sent me e-mail with this statement:
The president of the United States has always had the constitutional authority, and duty, to protect the American people and direct the national response to any emergency that threatens the security and safety of the United States. The Rockefeller-Snowe Cybersecurity bill makes it clear that the president's authority includes securing our national cyber infrastructure from attack.
The section of the bill that addresses this issue, applies specifically to the national response to a severe attack or natural disaster. This particular legislative language is based on longstanding statutory authorities for wartime use of communications networks. To be very clear, the Rockefeller-Snowe bill will not empower a "government shutdown or takeover of the Internet" and any suggestion otherwise is misleading and false.
The purpose of this language is to clarify how the president directs the public-private response to a crisis, secure our economy and safeguard our financial networks, protect the American people, their privacy and civil liberties, and coordinate the government's response.
-------------------------------------

GOOGLE & YAHOO-Two Vampires Contemplate Merging Search Engines!

2009-07-31T14:58:00.001-07:00

July 31-2009:

GOOGLE & YAHOO-Two Vampires Contemplate Merging Search Engines!

Do you recall some months or years ago, Google and Yahoo sold Internet Monitoring Software to Communist China's government, so that they could SPY on Internet users and Bloggers.

This decision was made by Google and Yahoo to expand, Capitalize and Increase their overseas revenue in China's burgeoning billions of Internet users.

Some months after this deal was made, China arrested several Online Journalists/Bloggers and had them imprisoned, for information that the government did not want the global community to be Privy to.

Currently, Google and Yahoo wants to indulge yet another EVIL transaction with each other, to capitalize once more on Internet users activities.

Let this be known Google and Yahoo, we haven't forgotten what you did to innocent Online Users in China, and who knows how many others elsewhere, from that transaction. And we DESPISE you both for that despicable act to fellow Humans, and Online Users in China.

Organizations like yours make the Creation and Intention of The Internet a FARCE!

Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.

.

The Advent Of Google Wave!

2009-07-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/22/220226

GOOGLE WAVE:

Michael_Curator writes

"Developers are finally getting their hands on the developer preview of Google's Wave, which means we can finally get some first-hand accounts of what it's really like to use, unfiltered by Google's own programmers.

Ben Rometsch, a developer with U.K. Web development firm Solid State, blogged that, it's 'probably the most advanced application in a browser that I've seen.'

Wave is like giant Web page onto which users can drag and drop any kind of object, including instant messaging and IRC [Internet Relay Client] clients, e-mail, and wikis, as well as gadgets like maps and video. All conversations, work product and applications are stored on remote servers — presumably forever. 'It's like real time email. On crack,' he wrote.

And unlike the typically minimalist Google UI, 'It feels a lot more like a desktop application that just so happens to live in your browser.'"

Copyright Laws & Current 21St Century Internet Technology!

2009-07-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

July 21-2009:

Copyright Laws & Current 21St Century Internet Technology!

It is generally understood that the current International Copyright Laws MUST be updated to allow for the Freedom to Access, Share materials of all sorts on the Internet, without the infringement of governments, commercial interests, and imposed Legislation.

The point I am making are the following:

* Any individual male or female, adult or child MUST be allowed access to the Internet.

* Internet access MUST be FREE.

* Internet use must be based on need, affordable provider, variety, Fiber Optic technology, and without Commercial Coercion.

* No Internet user should be denied access to the Internet if he/she downloaded music, or movies from another Internet user.

* No Internet user should be judicially penalized because he/she shared files (music, movies or videos), with friends or contacts on the Internet for FREE.

* And no Internet user should be penalized by any Judge, the State, or Private Enterprise, because he/she downloaded some copyrighted material from another Internet user online, for FREE. To view, or listen to, regardless of who legally owns it.

So long as those Internet users did not personally sell those materials that they accessed freely.

Furthermore:

There seem to be the attitude of some governments and commercial enterprises to suggest, that Internet users MUST comply with their wishes. And this attitude and behavior conflicts with the established understanding, that the Internet was originally created for FREE use by anyone who chose to do so.

Derryck S. Griffith
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.

The Wars Of The Future Are Cyber Wars!

2009-06-30T14:26:00.001-07:00

June 30-2009:

The Wars Of The Future Are Cyber Wars!

Today global communication is conducted primarily via computer technology and Internet accessing. The computer has become the modus operandi for us to communicate with each other on a global scale, hitherto unheard of.

Our military systems are also dependent on this technology to operate missiles, launch missiles, launch satellites, and launch directives or cods that will send drones, or warheads towards an enemy thousands of miles away, that is unseen.

The ability to hack into military systems, or law enforcement systems, or National Security Systems are VERY REAL indeed, with expert computer hackers. Some of which do so for a fee, others to interrupt or sabotage, others to brag about.

This reality is the concern or most or all governments worldwide, and are being contemplated on with their own defense systems manned by officially conscripted hackers to work for the state, to guard or prevent their individual systems from being sabotaged or compromised by hackers.

So How Could We Avoid Any Major Catastrophe?

There have been some state to state hacking already, and the victimized states are already known. But hacking into computers worldwide is being done on a daily, and hourly basis. So those governments that are seriously bent of protecting their security networks or systems, MUST endeavor to implement certain technological changes and Fire Walls, to prevent sophisticated hacking into their systems.

And this will naturally cost large sums of revenue to pay for the know how, the recruits, and systems to build, develop, and monitor.

But it has to be done!

Derryck.
NYC.

Should Congress regulate your Internet service plan?

2009-06-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

June 23-2009:

I Support The Bill (H.R. 2902) That Will Review/Regulate Internet Pricing!

Dear Senator/Congressperson,

I agree that some legislation MUST be put in place to prevent greed, and arbitrary increases of charges to customers, for their much needed Internet Connection and usage.

I also believe that Internet Service Providers MUST improve, with Fiber Optic Technology (if they do not yet have it), to allow for more efficiency, speedy transmission, and for greater consumer satisfaction.

This is the technology currently being used in Japan, and other developed and developing countries.

And with Fiber Optics Speed, more consumers will be encouraged to use the Internet, as another medium of communication, and business.

Also, File Transfers, Video Uploading and Sharing are a few of the PRIMARY aspects of Internet use, especially for the young and Internet savvy.

Sincerely,

Go To congress.org

Should Congress regulate your Internet service plan?

Internet providers who charge customers by how much they use would have to justify their prices to federal regulators under a bill introduced last week.

Freshman Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) filed the bill after some providers tested plans to charge customers more if they download video or otherwise use a lot of bandwidth. The companies argue that the increasing popularity of online video is taxing their ability to provide Internet service and that increased regulation could lead to higher prices for other customers.

The bill, H.R. 2902, would allow the Federal Trade Commission to review whether the pricing plans are fair.

Do you think federal regulators should review Internet pricing plans?

Arbitrary Internet Penalty In France!

2009-06-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

June 23-2009:

Arbitrary Internet Penalty In France!

There is now a law in France to punish anyone who downloads music and movies online three times. If caught, they will be disconnected from accessing the Internet for three years as a penalty.

This law to my mind, is what I call and infringement upon the right to access the Internet for FREE, to download and share music or movies with friends and contacts, by using the strong arm of the law to debar these freedoms.

This Law MUST be fought aggressively online and everywhere, even without France. Because it is only a matter of time, when other governments may be tempted to take similar legal action.

Mimbari.
New York City.

Surveillance Technology Explained!

2009-06-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

June 23-2009:

Surveillance Technology Explained!

This is a concept that is being used currently around the world. Mostly by private enterprise, to monitor consumer behavior in stores, on the streets, and other areas of interest.

Governments with the help of private technologists have developed, and are constantly developing technology for surveillance of their citizenry.

This is done in China, Burma, India, the UK, The USA, Germany, Russia, the EU, and everywhere around the globe, where it is felt that the people must be monitored. Especially where there are terrorist activities.

However, in light of the current terrorist activities in the political arena, globally, technology for surveillance purposes are constantly being improved and tweaked to provide for specific needs of clients. Be it government or private enterprise.

So the next time you see that commercial bill board in lights, it may be monitoring you as you pass by and stare at it, because of it's lure. And you may never be aware that it is monitoring your interest in it.

This type of technology also infringes upon the commonweal's privacy in public places. Because if the citizenry is constantly being watched every way he or she goes in public. Then who is to stop the state from arresting anyone they feel, if he or she fits a certain profile or behaves according to certain observations on record.

This is very disconcerting for those of us who believe that the any state or private enterprise, that indulges in such activities must be stringently controlled, less we all find ourselves pawns or targets, for the state's covert actions or designs!

Derryck.
New York City

Inside A Downloader's Head:

2009-06-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/06/18/2111209

Posted by timothy on Thursday June 18, @05:50PM

from the dude-pirate-is-not-the-prefered-nomenclature dept.
iateyourcookies writes.

Inside A Downloader's Head:

"As opposed to enforcement which usually makes the headlines, The BBC is running an article called Inside A Downloader's Head which looks at the film and music industries' attempts to prevent copyright infringement. It details some of the campaigns, their rationale, controversy surrounding them and notes that 'there are plenty, even among the young, who can be eloquent about why they believe illegal downloading is not wrong.

These can include everything from what they see as the unacceptable "control freakery" of DRM and regional coding, to overcharging and exploitation of the very artists the music industry claims to protect.'

However, PR company for the industry Blue Rubicon attests that 'campaigns can change hearts and minds... If you do them right you can make a material impact on people's behaviour.'"

Pirate Bay Defendants Found Guilty And Jailed

2009-05-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

May 16-2009:

Pirate Bay Defendants Found Guilty And Jailed

Pirate Bay defendants found guilty and jailed Have media and software companies won a battle in the internet copyright war, or is it simply 'a theatre for the media'?
By Asavin Wattanajantra, 17 Apr 2009 at 11:18
A Swedish court has found all four defendants guilty in the copyright case against the Pirate Bay, one of the world’s biggest-file sharing websites.

According to a statement given to Reuters, the Stockholm district court found four individuals guilty of breaching copyright laws, with each of them sentenced to one year in prison.

They were also sentenced to pay over 30 million Swedish crowns (£2.4 million) to cover lost revenues.

The Pirate Bay is a Swedish website which stores and tracks BitTorrent files, billing itself as the "world’s largest BitTorrent tracker" with an estimated 25 million users.

While it is seen as a win for film and music companies, it is also good news for IT companies like Microsoft and Apple, which have repeatedly complained about copyrighted software kept on the website.

Earlier this year, thousands of users managed to download the Windows 7 Beta before Microsoft officially released it.

It may not be the end of the matter though. On the Pirate Bay website blog, it was posted that this would not be the final decision and that the losing party would appeal.

One of the convicted, Peter Sunde, also wrote on his Twitter feed: “Stay calm. Nothing will happen to The Pirate Bay, us personally or file sharing whatsoever."

He added: “This is just a theatre for the media.

http://www.itpro.co.uk/610548/pirate-bay-defendants-found-guilty-and-jailed?DCMP=KNC-1026&HBX_PK=piratebay+defendants&HBX_OU=50&gclid=CPSHmeqzwJoCFQVaFQodrl6Nqw

Freedom To Speak-Inform & To Offend Others!

2009-05-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

May 16-2009:

Freedom To Speak-Inform & To Offend Others!

There is always the possibility of someone feeling hurt or taking offense, after reading or hearing someone say something about him or her.

This element is human, and is found in every culture on this planet.

But when Freedom Of Speech, Writing, Publishing, and Dissenting becomes illegal or is prohibited.

Then the commonweal MUST agitate for this Ruling/Legislation/Decree, to be outlawed as quickly as humanly possible.

Any civilized and democratic oriented society will allow Freedom of Expression, be it via Speech, Writing, or Publishing.

Failing to allow such entitlements, jeopardizes or prohibits the people/commonweal from indulging or practicing true democracy!

Derryck.
NYC.

State Policing Versus Online Freedom!

2009-05-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

May 16-2009:

An Employee Was Dismissed For His Objection To Internet Law In France!

Recently, I circulated an article informing members that France has enacted a law to debar online users from downloading and sharing Movies and Videos. The penalty is after three downloads, the online user will get two warnings for the first two downloads, and after the third download, he or she would be disallowed from accessing The Web from any online. provider.

However, an online user petitioned his Member of Parliament about his objection to this law, and his e-mail was forwarded to the Minister who was responsible for this Law that was enacted. Then the said Minister of Government forwarded this e-mail to the person's employer, after which the employer FIRED the employee for his objection to the law.

As far as I gather, what we have here is a classic case of The State and the Business/Employer's Community are in collusion with this Law, against their own employees and populace.

Heaven Help us All!

An excerpt of this article is listed hereunder;

Derryck.
NYC.

neurone333 sends along the cause célèbre of the moment in France: a Web executive working for TF1, Europe's largest TV network, sends an email to his Member of Parliament opposing the government's "three strikes and you're out" proposal, known as Hadopi. His MP forwards the email to the minister backing Hadopi, who forwards it to TF1. The author of the email, Jérôme Bourreau-Guggenheim, is called into his boss's office and shown an exact copy of his email. Soon he receives a letter saying he is fired for "strong differences with the [company's] strategy" - in a private email sent from a private (gmail) address. French corporations and government are entangled in ways that Americans might find unfamiliar. Hit the link below for some background on the ties between TF1 and the Sarkozy government.

LINK: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/09/229217&from=rss