Hello DNS list!

Just a short note to say this is the penultimate scheduled news for 2008, with a further edition next Monday or Tuesday.

I will be monitoring the news over the christmas and new year period and if, like last year, there is a lot of news about, I will post a news then so the first news back is not too unwieldy.

The next scheduled news is for the week commencing January 5, but I will be posting regularly to my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - so you need not miss any of the more important or interesting news!

If anyone has any comments or suggestions on the news, feel free to send them through and I'll see how I can incorporate your ideas. You never know it could be something that a lot of people would like!

Thanks to auDA for their support through 2008 and I look forward to continuing to send you all the news through 2009.

Cheers
David


Editorial: Mr. Obama?s Internet Agenda
http://nytimes.com/2008/12/16/opinion/16tue3.html

New top-level domain plan dangerous, too costly, critics tell ICANN
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-icann.html

Business Gets Knickers Twisted on New gTLD Proposal
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=6820

ICANN plan for new TLDs comes under barrage of criticism
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081216-icann-plan-for-new-tlds-comes-under-barrage-of-criticism.html

Generic top-level domains could cause havoc
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2232738/generic-top-level-domains-cause

ICANN Advisory: Add Grace Period Limits Policy
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-17dec08-en.htm

ICANN: Cairo Public Forum Response Published
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15dec08-en.htm

Second Consultation on Registry/Registrar Report this Friday
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-15dec08-en.htm

Revisions in Proposed Changes to Registrar Accreditation Agreement
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16dec08-en.htm

Briefing Note: Overall Summary of the Cairo Meeting
http://blog.icann.org/2008/12/briefing-note-overall-summary-of-the-cairo-meeting/

Companies warm to .tel domain
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2232637/companies-warm-tel-domain

NZ ICT industry weighs in behind IPv6
http://www.itbrief.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3146&Itemid=808

First, the Scandal. Then the Web Site?
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/first-the-scandal-then-the-web-site/


**********************
GOVERNANCE
**********************
Editorial: Mr. Obama?s Internet Agenda
President-elect Barack Obama recently announced an ambitious plan to build up the nation?s Internet infrastructure as part of his proposed economic stimulus package. Upgrading the Internet is a particularly smart kind of stimulus, one that would spread knowledge, promote entrepreneurship and make this country more competitive globally.
http://nytimes.com/2008/12/16/opinion/16tue3.html

Google's 'Treat All Rich Companies the Same' Vision of Net Neutrality
Let?s not lose sight of this: There really is a war going on between the phone companies and Google over the way Internet traffic will be priced. And both sides want their self interest to appear to be morally superior.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/googles-treat-all-rich-companies-the-same-vision-of-net-neutrality/

Google draws up a plan to build broadband ?fastlane?
It is a basic principle of the internet that all content travelling over the network is treated equally ? from pirated songs to programmes made and delivered by the BBC.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5349769.ece

WSJ Story on Google's Net Neutrality Stance Raises Hackles
Google is either a major supporter of net neutrality -- the concept that all Web traffic from all companies should be treated the same -- or is quietly working behind the scenes to set up its own Internet express lane with ISPs. The incoming Obama administration is either a big fan of net neutrality, or its celebrated technology advisers are backing off their stances that no company's data traffic should get preferential treatment on the Web.
http://ecommercetimes.com/story/65507.html

Google says it still stands by Net neutrality [AP]
Google Inc. denied that it had reversed its stance on the issue of "Net neutrality" and dismissed a story in Monday's edition of The Wall Street Journal on the subject as "confused."
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2008-12-15-google-neutrality_N.htm

Google, Microsoft Say They Still Support Net Neutrality [IDG]
Google and Microsoft said Monday that they have not backed away from their support for net neutrality principles, despite a report to the contrary.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/155515/.html
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123518

Google says plan would not threaten net neutrality
Google Inc said on Monday it is committed to principles of equal network access, after a report said it approached Internet carriers with a proposal to create a "fast lane" for its content.
http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-37044520081215
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE4BE4JV20081215

Wanted: an ?Internetpol? to fight global online crime
The international Internet community should set up its own version of Interpol to fight cyber crime, says security specialist F-Secure.
http://web20.telecomtv.com/pages/?newsid=44255&id=e9381817-0593-417a-8639-c4c53e2a2a10&view=news

The Future of the Internet III
A survey of internet leaders, activists and analysts shows they expect major tech advances as the phone becomes a primary device for online access, voice-recognition improves, artificial and virtual reality become more embedded in everyday life, and the architecture of the internet itself improves. They disagree about whether this will lead to more social tolerance, more forgiving human relations, or better home lives.
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/270/report_display.asp

Study: Mobile phones to be primary Internet device by 2020
... Nearly four out of five experts agreed with this scenario, according to an online Pew survey which formed the basis of the report. Pew surveyed 578 leading Internet activists, builders and commentators, identified through various technology associations as well as an "extensive canvassing of scholarly, government and business documents from the period 1990-1995 to see who had ventured predictions about the future impact of the Internet." A few of the experts polled were Nicholas Carr, author of the Rough Type blog and The Big Switch; Havi Hoffman of the Yahoo Developer Network; Michael Botein, founding director of the Media Law Center at New York University Law School; and several members of the ICANN board.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-pew-report.html
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/271074/
http://computerworld.com.au/article/271074/
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/article/271074/

The Internet in 2020
Internet experts and activists weigh in with predictions on the future of the Internet. ... The Pew study, conducted jointly with researchers from Elon University, polled nearly 1,200 Internet activists and analysts from groups like the World Wide Web Consortium, ICANN and the Internet Society.
http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3791761

**********************
DOMAIN NAMES
**********************

**********************
 - ICANN
**********************
New top-level domain plan dangerous, too costly, critics tell ICANN
A controversial proposal to create hundreds of new generic top-level domains is generating harsh criticism as corporations and individuals question the need for additional competition in the domain name marketplace and expense for businesses.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-icann.html
http://computerworld.com.au/article/270997/
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123461
http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=108458

The ICANN New Generic TLD Process (Las Vegas Edition) by Patrick Vande Walle
I have not submitted any comments on ICANN's new gTLD process, mostly because many other people have said more diplomatically what I think, but I thought I could blog about it. My main concern from the beginning was that the process should allow any serious candidate to run with a reasonable chance to be able to actually start running a gTLD. This includes small and medium sized communities and startup companies with little seed money. This also includes registry models that may not favour mass registrations. For all these, the current model is flawed.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20081216_icann_new_generic_tld_process/

Business Gets Knickers Twisted on New gTLD Proposal
Business is lobbying ICANN in an effort to stop the organisation allowing applications for new gTLDs. While the creation of new gTLDs will have brand owners and trademark holders sitting up to monitor the situation, it is most likely that if there are to hundreds of gTLDs approved, most will not have enough registrations for them to be unduly concerned.
http://technewsreview.com.au/article.php?article=6820
http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/12/16/business-gets-knickers-twisted-on-new-gtld-proposal/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/business-gets-knickers-twisted-on-new-gtld-proposal.html

ICANN plan for new TLDs comes under barrage of criticism
For an organization that describes itself as "a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable." ICANN sure seems willing to make decisions that go against the wishes of the corporations and governments it serves.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081216-icann-plan-for-new-tlds-comes-under-barrage-of-criticism.html

Generic top-level domains could cause havoc
The introduction of gTLDs could wreak havoc across the internet if not implemented carefully and with suitable regulations in place to help minimise the risk of abuse.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2232738/generic-top-level-domains-cause
http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/vnunet/news/2232738/generic-top-level-domains-cause
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=91312

National Advertisers Want ICANN To Reevaluate Domain Proposal
National advertisers want ICANN to at least slow down if, not stop, its proposal to open up top-level domain names beyond the current 12, which includes .net, .com, .TV to "virtually any character string."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6622949.html
http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=608252

Major trademark holders and national advertisers call halt to new gTLDs
Major trademark holders and national advertisers are calling on ICANN to stop, or at least slow down, its plan to roll out an unlimited number of new global TLDs in 2009. Last night Broadcast & Cable magazine reported that the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), in a letter to ICANN CEO Dr. Paul Twomey, called the proposal premature and counterproductive. ANA represents 9,000 brands that spend $100 billion annually on advertsing and marketing.
http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2008/dailyposts/12-16-08.htm

ICANN incurs the ire of big business
ICANN set December 15 as the final day for comments on its plan to launch anywhere from 200 to 800 new gTLDs starting next year.
http://www.telecomasia.net/article.php?type=article&id_article=11800

ICANN Advisory: Add Grace Period Limits Policy
ICANN is today announcing the implementation plan for the new Add Grace Period (AGP) Limits Policy adopted by the ICANN Board on 26 June 2008. A grace period is a specified number of calendar days following a gTLD registry operation in which the operation may be reversed and a credit may be issued to a Registrar. AGP is typically the five-day period following the initial registration of a domain name. Currently, when a domain name is registered through a registrar, that registrar may delete the domain name at any time during the first five calendar days of the registration (the AGP) and receive a full credit for the registration fee from the registry operator. AGP appears as a contractual term in some, but not all gTLD registry agreements.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-17dec08-en.htm

ICANN: Cairo Public Forum Response Published
A summary and response to questions raised at the public forum in Cairo has been published. The response seeks to capture the comments made during the public forum and, where possible, provide answers to questions raised. Input has been split into three areas - comments, questions and suggestions ? and split up according to subject.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15dec08-en.htm

Second Consultation on Registry/Registrar Report this Friday
Responding to community requests for additional dialogue about the requirements for the separation of gTLD registries and registrars, ICANN posted a 9 December announcement about two open consultations on the CRA International report titled, "Revisiting Vertical Separation of Registries and Registrars".
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-15dec08-en.htm

Revisions in Proposed Changes to Registrar Accreditation Agreement
ICANN today posted a revised set of proposed amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement. The amendments are intended to provide additional protections for registrants and improved enforcement tools. These most recent changes include two additional amendments and are a result of public comments received and subsequent community dialogue.
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16dec08-en.htm

Briefing Note: Overall Summary of the Cairo Meeting
ICANN?s 33nd international public meeting was the third held this year to conduct policy development and outreach. It was hosted by ICANN and the Government of Egypt. The meeting was opened by Dr. Tarek Mohamed Kamel, Egypt?s Minister of Communications and Information Technology. There were 1,702 attendees from 144 different countries. The participants engaged in a wide range of discussions about the Internet?s domain name system and related issues.
http://blog.icann.org/2008/12/briefing-note-overall-summary-of-the-cairo-meeting/

L.root-servers.net goes IPv6 by John L. Crain
Last week IANA processed a request to add AAAA records for one of the thirteen DNS root-servers.
http://blog.icann.org/2008/12/lroot-serversnet-goes-ipv6/

**********************
 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
**********************
All I want for Chritstmas is .eu
Tired of trawling through Amazon? Oxford St not doing it for you? Can't be bothered with eBay? Well, this just in from domain name marketplace Sedo. Why not buy your beloved a domain name for Christmas?
http://itsneak.vnunet.com/2008/12/all-i-want-for.html

Could .scot Be Coming?
The Scottish government is set to apply to create a new .scot domain for all those wanting to show tartan pride.
http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/18659/could-scot-be-coming

Companies warm to .tel domain
Well-known brands are flocking to snap up .tel top level domains, according to registry operator Telnic. The company said that it has already received thousands of applications for domains in the mobile-optimised contacts directory for the internet.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2232637/companies-warm-tel-domain
http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/vnunet/news/2232637/companies-warm-tel-domain
http://www.whatpc.co.uk/vnunet/news/2232637/companies-warm-tel-domain

Tawain domain names approach 400000 [sub req'd]
The number of domain names registered in Taiwan by the end of September approached 400000, according to data released by the Taiwan Network Information ...
http://www.telecom.paper.nl/site/news_ta.asp?type=abstract&id=242586

**********************
 - DNS SECURITY
**********************
Kaspersky: Interview with a virus-hunter
We recently got the opportunity to interview Eugene Kaspersky, the man behind Kaspersky Anti Virus. Here's what he had to say about the evolution of malware, the future of cybersecurity, the problems with the internet, and more.
http://pcworld.in/india/news/5800181/Spyware__Security/If_Kaspersky_were_God
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-eugene-kaspersky-on-malware-the.html

**********************
 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
**********************
Domain Names Equivalent To Billboards?
Seizing a domain is like seizing a billboard, argue the attorneys appealing Kentucky governor Steve Beshear?s attempt to take possession of 141 gambling domains. Even if domains were forfeited, users could still access gambling sites via IP addresses, which become destinations without signs over them.
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/12/15/domain-names-equivalent-to-billboards

Judges hear owners' case against Kentucky governor's administration for seizing Web domain names
Lawyers representing online gambling interests told the Kentucky Court of Appeals on Friday that Gov. Steve Beshear's effort to seize domain names is blatantly unconstitutional.
http://www.physorg.com/news148559600.html

Kentucky Appeals Panel Hears Oral Arguments
Kentucky is after poker moneyA Kentucky appeals panel heard oral arguments Friday from lawyers representing several online gambling companies and two online trade groups as Kentucky?s attempt to seize 141 domain names used for both gambling and online poker continues.
http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/5741/kentucky-appeals-panel-hears-oral-arguments

Kentucky-Backed Online Gambling Continues Despite Case
The irony is that this promotion of Internet gambling is happening even as the host state tries to forcibly shut down all online gambling from outside the state.
http://www.onlinecasinoadvisory.com/casino-news/online/twinspires-still-gambling-online-42403.htm

**********************
 - IPv4/IPv6
**********************
NZ ICT industry weighs in behind IPv6
The ICT industry has agreed New Zealand needs to develop a transition plan from IPv4 to IPv6, the next generation Internet addressing protocol, following a workshop convened by the Ministry of Economic Development.
http://www.itbrief.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3146&Itemid=808

New Zealand wakes up to the need for IPv6
Major ICT industry and stakeholder organisations in New Zealand have agreed on the need for a transition plan from IPv4 to IPv6 that would include education, and identification and removal of roadblocks to IPv6 deployment. However it lags well behind Australia in IPv6 transition planning.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22323/127/

NZ IPv6 Transition Plan Needed
Following a workshop convened by the Ministry of Economic Development, major ICT industry and stakeholder organizations have agreed on the need for New Zealand to develop a transition plan from IPv4 to IPv6, the next generation Internet addressing protocol. The transition plan will include education, and identification and removal of roadblocks to IPv6 deployment.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/ipv6-transition-plan-needed/5/6716

NZ ICT industry agree on need for transition plan to IPv6 [sub req'd]
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=650092

Countdown to IPv6 ? it's Time to Plan for Migration
IPv6 offers almost limitless addresses, in the trillions, among other benefits such as simplifying networks with the auto-configuration of mobile devices, but there are a few issues to be aware of when planning for IPv6.
http://www.cio.in/news/viewArticle/ARTICLEID=5832711
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/article/270907/
http://www.cio.com/article/470915/

**********************
 - MISCELLANEOUS
**********************
First, the Scandal. Then the Web Site?
In the digital age, it seems that no Wall Street debacle is complete without domain speculators trying to get a piece of the action.
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/first-the-scandal-then-the-web-site/

WIPO bumps Aussie domain name dispute panel numbers
The name principal of a Melbourne law firm is the latest admission to the World Intellectual Property Organisation?s (WIPO) domain name panel, which examines domain name disputes globally.
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=91270

United Internet Intends to Acquire United-Domains
Sedo?s parent company United Internet AG, has announce its intent to acquire United-Domains for ?34 million. However, the final value of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009, will depend on the 2008 financial results.
http://www.sedo.com/links/showhtml.php3?Id=2265

Go Daddy Defies Economic Trend -- Planning Enormous Holiday Party! [news release]
While most American companies are cancelling their annual holiday parties and scaling back cash incentives for their employees this year, Go Daddy is throwing its biggest party ever! In fact, Go Daddy is pumping $2MM into the economy to fuel the holiday party.
https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/news/release_view.asp?news_item_id=198&app_hdr=

GoDaddy Booms in 2008
Even though 2008 was a bad year for the economy it was a boom year for the world's biggest domain registrar - GoDaddy.com. The company's sales shot up a stunning 42% this year and GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons made sure his employees knew they were appreciated by treating them to a $2 million holiday party last Saturday night in Phoenix.
http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2008/dailyposts/12-17-08.htm

Go Daddy celebrates 42% sales jump
Video clips from It's a Wonderful Life played on the Jumbotron above the baseball field-turned-banquet-floor. And for employees and guests of one of Scottsdale's high-profile, fastest-growing companies, such was life Saturday night.
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2008/12/15/20081215sr-godaddy1216-CP.html

Recognizing the Trademark Domain Name Scam
Let?s take a quick look at a common domain name scam that is very effective. I know it?s effective because over the past year I?ve received e-mails from smart friends who are CEOs of companies here in Austin asking if these emails are legitimate.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/12/17/recognizing-the-trademark-domain-name-scam/

2008: Bigger Networks and the DNS Boogyman
We may take how we connect to the Internet for granted, but 2008 was a very big year for networking, good and bad.
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3791976

**********************
 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
**********************
Kredit.de Worth a Lot of Credit for Sedo
Sedo had some big sales in the week to December 7, with kredit.de (credit) the biggest seller selling for ?892,500 (US$1,244,700) followed by another six-figure seller, sc.com ($300,000). The former sale showed there is still a lot of money in the financial world despite the current financial crisis and the latter showing the value of two-letter domains.
http://www.domainpulse.com/2008/12/17/kreditde-worth-a-lot-of-credit-for-sedo/
http://www.domainnews.com/en/general/kredit.de-worth-a-lot-of-credit-for-sedo.html

Is there a silver lining in the dark cloud Google cast over PPC conpanies last week?
For the domain parking companies there may be a silver lining in the dark cloud Google cast over their businesses last week when the search giant announced they were going into direct competition with their own downstream PPC service providers. As I said here Friday the bottom line will be whether or not domain owners can make more money going direct with Google than they can with their current parking companies. It is still way too early to say for sure, but some of the early feedback indicates those looking for the pot at the end of the rainbow aren't going to find it in Google's expanded Adsense for domains program.
http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2008/dailyposts/12-15-08.htm

Google Partners Question Company?s Domain Parking Decision
Imagine times were still good in auto sales and you wanted to start a Cadillac dealership. You paid Cadillac a hefty franchise fee, spent several million dollars building a showroom, and then bought a couple hundred cars as inventory.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/12/15/google-partners-question-companys-domain-parking-decision/

Sedo Domain Sales Booming as Parking Flounders
Despite parking meltdown, Sedo ?s sales success keeps it on the right path.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/12/16/sedo-domain-sales-booming-as-parking-flounders/

GoDaddy Stops Domain Warehousing Through Standard Tactics LLC
As mentioned in an ongoing radio conversation with Andrew Allemann of DomainNameWire on Radio GoDaddy, Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy announced that he has taken the entire portfolio of 33,000 names owned under the Standard Tactics company and has listed these for sale on TDNAM with a starting price of $10 and a valuation number.
http://www.domainnamenews.com/registrars/godaddy-stops-domain-warehousing-through-standard-tactics-llc/3503

Go Daddy To Shut Down Standard Tactics, LLC
I just concluded my interview with Go Daddy CEO Bob Parsons on his internet radio show. It will be available for listening later today at RadioGoDaddy.com.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/12/17/go-daddy-to-shut-down-standard-tactics-llc/

GoDaddy Changes Expired Domain Pricing
Last week I mentioned that GoDaddy was making a change to its TDNAM auctions based on some of my commentary on Standard Tactics. In my commentary I had suggested that, by setting minimum bid prices higher than the standard $10 bid price, GoDaddy was effectively bidding against its customers on TDNAM.
http://domainnamewire.com/2008/12/16/godaddy-changes-expired-domain-pricing/


**********************
RESEARCH PAPERS
**********************
Obama's Online Opportunities: What Our Research Suggests about where President-elect Obama's Technology Policy May Lead
There is no shortage of suggestions to the incoming Obama administration about what to do about communications policy in the United States. The body of research from the Pew Internet Project, dating to 2000, indicates that online Americans might have one more suggestion: Make sure the internet remains a place where users define what it means to be digitally connected.
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/268/report_display.asp

**********************
INTERNET USE
**********************
The Guardian's 100 top sites for the year ahead
Two years after we last picked the web's cream of the crop, our latest selection finds that location-based services, work-anywhere collaboration and video are prominent
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/dec/18/internet-websites

COMMENTARY: How long can newspapers keep delivering the news?
This might go down as the week that they took paper out of the newspaper business. Detroit's two daily newspapers announced Tuesday that they plan to reduce home delivery to just three days a week. And the trade organization for newspaper editors scheduled an April vote on whether to drop "paper" from its name.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-onthemedia17-2008dec17,0,5954741.story

Mobile phones to be primary Internet device by 2020, experts predict
By 2020, mobile phones will be the primary Internet devices for most people in the world, according to a panel of experts, who also predict that Web technologies will probably not lead to increased social tolerance.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-pew-report.html
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/271074/
http://computerworld.com.au/article/271074/
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/752E5200370A65E7CC2575220007A654

Browsers fail password-management security tests
Google's Chrome browser and Apple's Safari have received poor marks in a new set of tests evaluating the security of password-management features in five popular Web browsers.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39578379,00.htm
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/security/0,39044215,62049375,00.htm

Programme to monitor real time web use
When Elie Khoury, a self-confessed ?computer guy? since the age of 12, started a website about playing the guitar, he struggled to find an analytical programme to give him timely data about who was looking at his website and what they were looking at.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f266496-cb8d-11dd-ba02-000077b07658.html

uk: Virgin unveils next-gen broadband
Cable firm unveils details of its much anticipated 50Mbps broadband service.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7776139.stm

Britain's fastest broadband service
But almost a quarter of UK internet users won't be able to receive the highest-speed services due to inadequate infrastructure.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/3775894/Virgin-Media-launch-Britains-fastest-broadband-service.html

**********************
SOCIAL NETWORKING
**********************
Computer hackers selling stolen Facebook accounts to gangs for 89p
Computer hackers are selling stolen Facebook social networking accounts to gangs for only 89p.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/3778807/Computer-hackers-selling-stolen-Facebook-accounts-to-gangs-for-89p.html

Cyberscams Slide onto Social Networks [CSO]
A warning to those who love such social media sites as Facebook: The bad guys are coming for you.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155448/.html

'Facebook for Kids' slammed by security researchers
A new social network website claiming to be a "Facebook for Kids" is riddled with security shortcomings, security researchers at Cambridge University have warned. The site - School Together Now - said that it took security seriously and promised to review the findings of the Cambridge researchers.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/12/school_together_now/

************************************************
CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
************************************************
How to make child-porn blocks safe for the internet
Last week, an obscure quasi-non-govermental agency called the Internet Watch Foundation was catapaulted into the spotlight on the news that they'd classed an image from Wikipedia as child pornography and that as a result, the page was blocked for 95% of the internet users in Britain. That's because the IWF is charged with creating a secret blacklist of child-porn URLs that it distributes to subscribed ISPs, who then block those links for their users.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/dec/16/cory-doctorow-wikipedia

How To Keep Kids Safe Online
Every parent worries about the power of the Internet to expose kids to online predators. Less often discussed: tech's power to expose kids to their own bad judgment.
http://www.forbes.com/security/2008/12/15/online-safety-kids-tech-security-cx_ag_1215kids.html

au: Policing essential for cyber-safety [news release]
Today's Australian Federal Police (AFP) crackdown on internet child abuse imagery demonstrates the importance of online law enforcement, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said today.
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2008/095

Impact of Net filtering overstated, claims agent
The vendor supplying internet filtering software to the NZ Department of Internal Affairs says Australian ISPs and civil liberties lobbies are overstating the likely impact of filtering on the efficiency of website access, in response to plans by the Australian Federal government to trial ISP-based filtering.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/B19B97FFCABDB41FCC257520001096CF

NetAlert filters not given a chance: Webroot
The Rudd government has served an injustice on Internet users by prematurely cutting the previous government?s NetAlert family-side filter program and replacing it with an ?unworkable? plan for ISP-level net filters, according to security company Webroot.
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/NewsStory.aspx?story=91359

NetAlert filters not given a chance: Webroot
The firm?s managing director for its Asia Pacific operations, Charles Heunemann, accused the Federal government of being ?so hell-bent on discrediting the previous government?s scheme that it overlooked the portions of the scheme that may have worked?.
http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/131309,netalert-filters-not-given-a-chance-webroot.aspx

sg: Cyber bullies turn vicious [The Straits Times]
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl here created fake profiles on popular social networking sites MySpace and Facebook with a single-minded purpose: To befriend those she disliked in school.
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=102200

Free broadband plan stirs debate on filtering [AP]
M2Z Networks' proposal to build a free wireless broadband network is not the only controversial part of its business plan. Just as contentious is its intention to filter the content delivered over that network to block any material deemed inappropriate for children.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121401354.html
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/16/apworld/20081216121804&sec=apworld

Anti-porn cyber laws in India set to change
Anti Porn Cyber Laws in India were first passed in 2000 through Section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000 (ITA 2000). Now the ITA 2000 amendment bill 2006 has been introduced in the Parliament on December 15th.
http://www.ciol.com/News/News-Reports/Anti-porn-cyber-laws-in-India-set-to-change/161208113815/0/

Mobile phones may be banned in Japan to stop bullies
Mobile phones may be banned in Japanese schools in a bid to stem soaring levels of bullying. Nearly 6,000 incidents of mobile phone-related bullying were reported in schools last year, a rise of more than 1,000 compared with the previous year, according to government statistics.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3810633/Mobile-phones-may-banned-in-Japan-to-stop-bullies.html

Australien: Kritik an geplantem Internet-Filter w?chst
Die Kritik an den Pl?nen der australischen Regierung, die einen Internet-Filter einf?hren will, w?chst. Bereits 85.000 Menschen haben eine Online-Petition unterzeichnet, die sich gegen das Vorhaben ausspricht. Auch die australischen Internet Service Provider (ISP) stehen der Idee des Kommunikationsministers Stephen Conroy ?u?erst kritisch gegen?ber. Dieser will die Provider im Rahmen eines gro? angelegten Cyber-Sicherheitsplans verpflichten, tausende Internetseiten mit Kinderpornografie oder terroristischen Inhalten zu sperren. Ein Testlauf des Filterprogramms wird noch diesen Monat starten, berichtet die New York Times.
http://www.zdnet.de/news/tkomm/0,39023151,39200282,00.htm

"Wir verbannen Kinderpornografie wieder unter den Ladentisch"
"Die Sicherheit im Lande und Ordnung in den St?dten schaffen", nennt die Homepage des nieders?chsischen Innenministers Uwe Sch?nemann als Hauptziele. Mit seinem gestrigen Vorschlag geht der CDU-Mann noch einen Schritt weiter. Er will die Monitore auf bundesdeutschen Computerbildschirmen sauberhalten: "Wir verbannen Kinderpornografie im ?bertragenen Sinne wieder unter den Ladentisch", so Sch?nemann gestern gegen?ber der Presse in Hannover.
http://www.heise.de/tp/blogs/8/120474

**********************
ONLINE TV & MUSIC
**********************
iiNet to fight piracy claims
In a landmark case set to rock the internet industry, iiNet has until early February to file its defence against claims by movie studios that it willingly permitted its customers to download movies illegally.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/12/17/1229189665528.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/12/17/1229189665528.html

700,000 Swedes involved in Internet file sharing: study [AFP]
Nearly 700,000 Swedes regularly used peer-to-peer file sharing programmes at the beginning of 2008, 38 percent of young men engaging in such often illegal Internet activities, according to a study published Wednesday.
http://news.smh.com.au/technology/700000-swedes-involved-in-internet-file-sharing-study-20081218-70wz.html
http://news.theage.com.au/technology/700000-swedes-involved-in-internet-file-sharing-study-20081218-70wz.html

New York considers taxing iTunes downloads
New York wants a share of iTunes' money. The state is staring at a $15.4 billion deficit so Gov. David Paterson is proposing an "iPod tax" as part of his state budget. Under the plan, New York would charge state and local sales tax for "digitally delivered entertainment services," according to a story in The New York Daily News.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10125089-93.html

Gov. David Paterson unveils dire New York State budget that includes new taxes, layoffs and cuts
... Trying to close a $15.4 billion budget gap, Paterson called for 88 new fees and a host of other taxes, including an "iPod tax" that taxes the sale of downloaded music and other "digitally delivered entertainment services."
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/12/16/2008-12-16_gov_david_paterson_unveils_dire_new_york.html

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Gartner: Mobile phones to overtake landlines in business by 2011
Pointing to a trend expected to profoundly affect how businesses plan and pay for telecommunications services in North America, an analyst firm says mobile phones will outnumber wired lines and desktop phones in the office by 2011.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123733
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155652/.html

Secretive North Korea launches restricted mobile phone service
A mobile phone service has been launched in North Korea, one of the world's most secretive and tightly controlled states, the official news agency has reported.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/16/mobile-phones-north-korea-restricted

N Korea launches 3G phone network
A giant Egyptian telecoms firm has launched the first hi-tech mobile phone network in North Korea. Orascom telecom says it is investing $400m (?262m) in the service over four years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7784211.stm

North Korea launches 3G cellular service [IDG]
A 3G cellular service was launched in North Korea by Cheo Technology, a company in which Egypt's Orascom Telecom holds a majority stake.
http://computerworld.com.au/article/271024/

Who Will Use North Korea's 3G Network? [AP]
Egyptian firm Orascom Telecom has launched a 3G wireless network in North Korea, a country with one of the most restrictive governments anywhere. It's unknown who might be allowed to use the network -- general Internet use is currently a privilege enjoyed only by the country's elites. The country briefly had a working cell phone network, but it was shut down shortly after a 2004 train disaster.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/65519.html

EU mulls mobile phone duty plan
The European Commission is planning to start taxing a number of high-end mobile phones, a move which would mean higher prices for consumers, the wireless industry said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE4BG4D820081217

U.S. cell-only households keep climbing
Nearly 18 percent of households in the United States have no traditional telephone and rely on wireless services only, which is up several percentage points from a year earlier, the government said on Wednesday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE4BG5GH20081217

Estonia to use mobile phones to simpify e-voting [IDG]
A decision in the Estonian parliament has opened the door for mobile phones to be used for authenticating voters in its 2011 election.
http://computerworld.com.au/article/270982/

Mobile phone market to shrink in 2009
Mobile phones sales will shrink next year at their fastest pace ever as consumers cut spending, a Reuters poll showed, with analysts increasingly concerned about unsold phones piling up in stores.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE4BF3EN20081216

Every Two Persons Has One Phone In Tibet
According to just-released statistics from the Bureau of Statistics of Tibet, by 2007 the number of fixed-line and mobile phone users in Tibet had reached 1.443 million, which means every two persons in Tibet had one phone.
http://www.chinatechnews.com/2008/12/16/8262-every-two-persons-has-one-phone-in-tibet/

Middle East mobile subscription rates set to hit 15 percent growth in 2009
The Middle East region represents one of the world?s fastest growing mobile subscription markets with a 47% year-over-year increase in 2008, even as the world economy struggles and slows, according to figures from Informa Telecoms & Media at this year?s GSM 3G Middle East Conference in Dubai.
http://www.menareport.com/en/business/238654

Mobile subscription to grow in Gulf states
Despite the global economic slowdown, the mobile telephony subscription market in the world is expected to grow further next year, driven by the growing demand in the Middle East region, according to data released at the GSM 3G Middle East Conference held in Dubai.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=December2008&file=Local_News200812176230.xml

European emergency number 112 now works in all EU Member States [news release]
People can now reach emergency services from anywhere in the EU, simply by dialling 112, the single European emergency number. Now that 112 can be called from any phone in Bulgaria, it has achieved complete availability just before the Christmas period when thousands of people travel between EU Member States to visit family, hit the slopes or look for winter sun. It also crowns the combined efforts of the European Commission and EU Member States to make 112 fully available everywhere so that Europeans will always have a lifeline in the EU.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1968

3G standards body gives the green light to 100Mbps data standard
Prospects for 3G cellular networks delivering data at tens of megabits per second improved significantly this week when the global 3G standards body, 3GPP agreed to include specifications for long term evolution (the standard for data over cellular beyond the HSPA deployed in networks today) in the upcoming release 8 of the 3GPP standard.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22356/127/

How to use public Wi-Fi safely
OPINION: Sandwich chain Pret A Manger became the latest venue to announce free wireless internet access this week. But while public 'hotspots' are growing in number, free bandwidth comes with an element of risk, warns security specialist David Hobson.
http://out-law.com/page-9661

**********************
SPAM
**********************
Personalized spam rising sharply, study finds [AP]
Yes, guys, those spam e-mails for Viagra or baldness cream just might be directed to you personally. So, too, are many of the other crafty come-ons clogging inboxes, trying to lure us to fake Web sites so criminals can steal our personal information.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/17/financial/f142932S93.DTL
http://www.thestate.com/technology/story/624697.html
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10548738

90 per cent of email is spam [AFP]
About 90 per cent of all email sent worldwide is spam, according to a Cisco report released today.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24808797-5005961,00.html

About 90 percent of all email is spam: Cisco [AFP]
Armies of hijacked computers are flooding the world with spam as hackers devise slicker ways to take over unwitting people's machines, according to a Cisco report.
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/292788.asp

Nine in ten emails now spam
Nine in ten emails are now spam with an estimated 200bn junk mail messages a day clogging up the internet, according to a new report by networking and security giant Cisco.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/16/spam_plague/

**********************
DIGITAL DIVIDE
**********************
Millions of Britons left in slow lane as Virgin broadband shows up web divide
It is the digital dream: an internet service fast enough to download a film in seconds. However, it remains an aspiration, rather than a reality, for millions of online customers as Britain becomes increasingly divided by access to broadband.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article5349124.ece

**************************
ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
**************************
German Journalists Worry 'Big Brother Law' Will Kill Press Freedom
A new law working its way toward passage in Germany has journalists worried. Certain provisions, they say, could eliminate the ability for reporters to protect their sources. Still, the measure is likely to go into effect early next year.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,596807,00.html

us: The Fed Who Blew the Whistle: Is he a hero or a criminal?
Thomas M. Tamm was entrusted with some of the government's most important secrets. He had a Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance, a level above Top Secret. Government agents had probed Tamm's background, his friends and associates, and determined him trustworthy.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/174601

Behind the legal fight over NSA's "Stellar Wind" surveillance
The most recent edition of Newsweek confirms a few long-held suspicions about the National Security Agency's controversial post-9/11 surveillance activities?such as the identity of the Justice Department lawyer who first tipped off The New York Times about the administration's warrantless wiretapping and the basis for the internal showdown that led to a now-infamous face-off at the attorney general's hospital bed. It also provides a few new revelations?including the classified name of the program: "Stellar Wind."
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081216-behind-the-legal-fight-over-nsas-stellar-wind-surveillance.html

Cisco: Cybercriminals Hiding Behind Legitimate Websites, Email Accounts
It's getting harder to tell the good guys from the bad: Sophisticated cybercriminals are increasingly taking cover behind legitimate Websites and email domains to lure their victims, according to Cisco Systems' annual security report, released today.
http://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212500417

Cisco: Cyberattacks growing, looking more legit
Internet-based cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and specialized as profit-driven criminals continue to hone their approach to stealing data from businesses, employees and consumers, according to a Cisco study released this week.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-cisco-report-cyberattacks.html
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123466
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/155457/.html
http://pcworld.idg.com.au/article/270999/

Cisco Report Spotlights Worldwide Cyber Security Threats [news release]
Cisco today released a security report that warns that Internet-based attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and specialized as profit-driven criminals continue to hone their approach to stealing data from businesses, employees and consumers. In the 2008 edition of the Cisco? Annual Security Report, the company identifies the year's top security threats and offers recommendations for protecting networks against attacks that are propagating more rapidly, becoming increasingly difficult to detect, and exploiting technological and human vulnerabilities.
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2008/prod_121508.html

Cybercrime: The 2009 megathreat [CSO]
The 2009 Security Mega Trends Survey was conducted by Ponemon Institute and sponsored by Lumension Security Inc. to better understand if certain publicized IT risks to personal and confidential data are, or should be, more or less of a concern for companies. We asked 577 IT security practitioners to consider how 10 security megatrends affect companies today and to predict their impact during the next 12 to 24 months. The opinions of these experts, we believe, will be helpful to companies that are struggling to understand how they should allocate resources to the protection of data during these difficult economic times.
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123731

Prof: IP law only needs tweak to encourage open standards
Intellectual property and open standards are often portrayed as contradictory approaches to technology but, according to Berkeley Law professor Robert P. Merges, that isn't necessarily so. In his view, competition will solve the IP world's ills, and open standards can be encouraged with minor tweaks to existing law.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081217-prof-ip-law-only-needs-tweak-to-encourage-open-standards.html

Kaspersky: Interview with a virus-hunter
We recently got the opportunity to interview Eugene Kaspersky, the man behind Kaspersky Anti Virus. Here's what he had to say about the evolution of malware, the future of cybersecurity, the problems with the internet, and more.
http://pcworld.in/india/news/5800181/Spyware__Security/If_Kaspersky_were_God
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/121508-eugene-kaspersky-on-malware-the.html

au: Lawyers to serve notices on Facebook
Canberra lawyers have won the right to serve legally binding court documents by posting them on defendants' Facebook sites.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/12/16/1229189579001.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/12/16/1229189579001.html

Why an emoticon won't get a trade mark in the EU :-(
A Russian businessman says that he has trade marked the emoticon and that commercial uses of punctuation marks to convey a wink will require a licence costing over $10,000. A trade mark attorney said that his demands will be irrelevant to uses in the EU.
http://out-law.com/page-9657

Hasbro drops lawsuit against firm behind Facebook game Scrabulous
Games giant Hasbro has dropped its lawsuit against the developers of the hit Facebook game Scrabulous after they made changes that distanced their applications from the original and trademarked Scrabble game.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/16/hasbro-drops-scrabulous-lawsuit

Hasbro dropping suit against makers of Facebook game Scrabulous [AP]
Hasbro has dropped its lawsuit against the makers of a popular online version of board game Scrabble.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci_11238093
http://ecommercetimes.com/story/web20/65514.html
http://nytimes.com/aponline/2008/12/15/technology/AP-Facebook-Scrabble.html

**************************
PRIVACY
**************************
Yahoo throws down personal data retention gauntlet
Search engine Yahoo is to cut the time it stores personal data from 13 months to three. It is hoping its decision will provide a benchmark for industry. Currently Google stores data for nine months and Microsoft for six months.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7787846.stm

Yahoo Limits Retention of Personal Data
Yahoo said Wednesday that it would limit to 90 days the time it holds some personally identifiable information related to searches to address growing concerns from privacy advocates, policy makers and government regulators.
http://nytimes.com/2008/12/18/technology/internet/18yahoo.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/12/17/technology/18yahoo.php

Yahoo to scrub personal data after three months [IDG]
Yahoo will anonymise most of the data it collects about people's web searches after three months, a move that could put further pressure on competitors Google and Microsoft to do the same due to privacy concerns.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/scrt/5CD9D807AF497725CC257522006DBA38
http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9123700
http://www.pcworld.com/article/155610/.html

Yahoo outdoes Google, will scrub search logs after 90 days
Yahoo is trumpeting its commitment to privacy today after agreeing to anonymize its log files after 90 days. That moves it ahead of Google and Microsoft, and Congress has already taken notice.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081217-yahoo-outdoes-google-will-scrub-search-logs-after-90-days.html

BT set to go ahead with Phorm
BT has concluded its trial of the Phorm online advertising programme and is set to go ahead with its wide-scale deployment.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2232681/phorm-trial-ends

BT finishes trial, expects to use Phorm
BT has finished its third trial of behavioral ad-serving technology from Phorm, and has announced that it will probably go ahead with deployment.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39578006,00.htm
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62049320,00.htm

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
China Is Said to Restore Blocks on Web Sites
The Chinese government has quietly begun preventing access again to Web sites that it had stopped blocking during the Olympic Games in Beijing in August, Internet experts said on Tuesday.
http://nytimes.com/2008/12/17/world/asia/17china.html
http://iht.com/articles/2008/12/16/asia/china.php

China defends latest web censorship
Chinese government officials have defended their decision to block several foreign news websites, including the BBC, as the country moves away from its pledge for uncensored internet access during the Beijing Olympics.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/16/china-defends-latest-web-censorship

China says within rights to block some websites
China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday the country was within its rights to block websites with content illegal under Chinese law, including websites that referred to China and Taiwan as two separate countries.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKTRE4BF2WY20081216
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKTRE4BF2QA20081216

au: Internet filter protesters aim for Canberra
THE group responsible for last weekend's protests against the Government's internet filtering scheme now plans to take its fight to Canberra.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24804682-15306,00.html

Australia sees rallies against Internet filtering plan
Protests erupted across Australian capital cities on Saturday in opposition to the government's A$70 million national clean feed Internet scheme, which will impose blanket content filtering for all Web connections.
http://www.itworld.com/internet/59256/australia-sees-rallies-against-internet-filtering-plan
http://webwereld.nl/articles/53984/
http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/feature/3C6A578DB08781D2CC257520000FB252

Big Brother ALP seeks to censor internet
On December 13 hundreds of people rallied in all Australian capital cities to protest against the federal Labor government?s plan to censor the internet.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/777/40118

Internet filter may spark 'adult-shop explosion'
Sex shops will inundate Queensland if the Federal Government filters internet pornography, an industry expert has warned.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/12/15/1229189511827.html
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/12/15/1229189511827.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4793612a27483.html

Protest rally against Australian government plan to censor broadband
A new, left-of-center politician seizes power in a wave of change against an unpopular right-winger who supported the war in Iraq. With him comes sweeping new policies that could change the fabric of society. But this isn't America.
http://www.betanews.com/article/1229370317

Aussie web censorship will trigger sex shop resurgence
PORN SHOPS might spring up like dandelions down under, if the federal government goes forward with plans to filter the Australian Internet, according to an adult industry executive.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/034/1050034/aussie-web-censorship-will-trigger-sex-shop-resurgence

The lies of the internet censors: Your. Filter. Won't. Work.
Gloves-off time. The purveyors of pervasive internet censorship -- handful that they are -- have burned their goodwill. It's time to call them out on their lies and demand to know why they're not advocating the real solutions to child s-xual abuse.
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20081217-The-dishonesty-of-internet-censorship-proponents-.html

Australia's web censorship plan could threaten freedom of speech
Australia's government has taken a step backward by attempting to set up a national censorship system for the Internet.
http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d8c8b73003001b&sectionId=65

**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
Editorial: Mr. Obama?s Internet Agenda
President-elect Barack Obama recently announced an ambitious plan to build up the nation?s Internet infrastructure as part of his proposed economic stimulus package. Upgrading the Internet is a particularly smart kind of stimulus, one that would spread knowledge, promote entrepreneurship and make this country more competitive globally.
http://nytimes.com/2008/12/16/opinion/16tue3.html

InternetNZ Releases Briefing To Incoming Ministers
InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) has today released its briefing paper for incoming Ministers, outlining the major ICT issues InternetNZ sees facing the country over the next year.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/internetnz-releases-briefing-incoming-ministers/5/6776

InternetNZ publishes briefing for incoming ministers
Global internet leadership and technical standards such as IPv6 and Enum also feature. Concerning broadband, InternetNZ strongly supports the National ...
http://telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=650182

**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
NZ's telecommunications future - the five options
Knowing where to invest capital is a complex decision at the best of times. But when the world's largest bank is on the cusp of collapse, a 150-basis-point drop in the OCR is just another day at the office, and our currency has dropped by 35 per cent in six months, investment decision-making starts to look downright impossible.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10548475

InternetNZ: deliver broadband through electricity companies
Extending Telecom?s network is not the only way to deliver broadband to every door, says InternetNZ. The lobby group says electricity companies would be a faster, cheaper option for building the new government's proposed fibre optic network.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/internetnz-deliver-broadband-through-electricity-companies-39099

Follow Scandi broadband model, says InternetNZ
Following the lead of Denmark and Sweden and using utility companies to deploy high-speed, fibre-based broadband is the best option for New Zealand's own broadband future says InternetNZ.
http://www.itbrief.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3150&Itemid=808

NBN alternatives: NZ does the homework Australia should have done
Amid all the controversy surrounding Australia's National Broadband Network, let's not forget that the promise of at least 12Mbps to 98 percent of the population for around $9b was basically an ALP 'back of the envelope' calculation. Thanks to InternetNZ, a much thoroughly researched approach has been taken across The Ditch.
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22324/1095/

A plan for faster broadband
A high-speed fibre-based broadband network could be established faster and cheaper in New Zealand with the help of electricity lines companies, according to a report prepared by the Internet watchdog group InternetNZ.
http://www.netguide.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=838&Itemid=16

Telstra to fight bar on broadband bid
Telstra is preparing for war with the federal Government, marshalling its lawyers for legal action and gearing up to go it alone with a high-speed broadband network after being tossed out of the tender process for a $15billion publicly backed national network, reports The Australian.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24806005-2702,00.html

au: Chinese spy fears on broadband frontrunner
NATIONAL security concerns about Chinese espionage could threaten the new frontrunner for Australia's $15 billion publicly backed national broadband network.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24817536-15306,00.html

Conroy right to back panel's NBN call
Although Stephen Conroy gains nothing by dropping Telstra from the bidding process for his broadband network he had little choice over the weekend but to call the company's bluff.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/8B9BF21FCA3E4321CC257521006E97E9

No more aces up his sleeve as Trujillo caught bluffing by Michael Sainsbury
Sol Trujillo and his amigos like to play cards. Gin rummy in private and high stakes poker on the gaming tables of Las Vegas. To be any good you've gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em. And how to bluff.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24805136-5013584,00.html

Trujillo and team play with fire
Forget its much lauded five-year turnaround plan. For the past few years, ever since Sol Trujillo was installed as chief executive, Telstra has employed a three-step strategy to muscle out any competition. It can be neatly condensed into three words: Bluster, Belligerence and Obfuscation.
http://business.smh.com.au/business/trujillo-and-team-play-with-fire-20081215-6z2o.html
http://business.theage.com.au/business/trujillo-and-team-play-with-fire-20081215-6z2o.html

Telstra loses $6bn in NBN hit
The investment community delivered a savage vote of no confidence in the management of Telstra yesterday after the telco was dramatically kicked out of the tender for the federal Government's $15 billion national broadband network.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24807150-5013041,00.html

Telstra quiet on NBN legal action
Telstra has not ruled out seeking legal action over its exclusion from the bidding process to build a $15 billion national broadband network.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24801170-5013040,00.html

Telstra loses $6bn in NBN hit
THE investment community delivered a savage vote of no confidence in the management of Telstra yesterday after the telco was dramatically kicked out of the tender for the federal Government's $15 billion national broadband network.
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24807150-5013041,00.html


 ---------


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



      Start your day with Yahoo!7 and win a Sony Bravia TV. Enter now http://au.docs.yahoo.com/homepageset/?p1=other&p2=au&p3=tagline