Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Domain naming system set for revamp http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/22/2604459.htm Internet body considers domain name expansion http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/24/2607581.htm Rees backs domain names for cities http://www.afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?EDP://20090623000031274223§ion=information&title=Rees+backs+domain+names+for+cities Domain names get an international flavour http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/domain-names-get-an-international-flavour-20090622-ctw0.html ICANN: New domains coming in 2010 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062409-icann-new-domains.html New call for ICANN to be privatised http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=117953 Rees backs 'dot Sydney' domain http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National-Regional/2009/06/22/Rees_backs_dot_Sydney_domain_344732.html Global internet regulator finds new chief http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,25685711-36418,00.html au: Small is big as the web goes local http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/small-is-big-as-the-web-goes-local-20090619-cob9.html U.S. Military Command Is Created for Cyber Security http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579956278644449.html NZ government failing on IPv6 migration http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/42667E5782517978CC2575DC006A96C2 http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=08A8E68A-1A64-67EA-E49DEEE27EC2C313 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/06/22/nz-government-failing-ipv6-migration ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** EU calls for independent governance of the Internet The European Commission (EC) is calling for changes in the way the Internet is governed. On 30 September, the agreement expires between web governance body ICANN and the US Department of Commerce, and as a result the EU said this is the right time for ICANN to shift to more "open, independent and accountable governance of the Internet." http://www.techcentral.ie/article.aspx?id=13579 European Commission praises ICANN, but wants more independence from U.S., transparency and accountability The European Commission last week called for more transparency and multilateral accountability in the governance of the internet while praising ICANN saying that the organisation has worked well. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=8472 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/06/21/european-commission-icann/ ICANN doesn't reflect global nature of the web. The European Commission is calling for more transparency and accountability in internet governance in the run up to the expiration of contracts held by ICANN. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/148044,eu-demands-greater-input-into-internet-governance.aspx ICANN should open up [AFP] The European Commission on Thursday called for the ICANN Internet body to open up to greater number of countries, loosening the United State's grip over the private group. http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Internet/8481.html Europe calls on US to let go Icann The European Commission has called on the United States to let the internet's main governing body become accountable to the whole of the world. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62055287,00.htm ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN SYDNEY ********************** Domain naming system set for revamp A major international conference in Sydney today will look at how to expand the internet's address system, known as domain names. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/22/2604459.htm Internet body considers domain name expansion Within 12 months Australians could see an expansion of web domain names, beyond the present 21 domains, which include .com, the .org and .net. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/24/2607581.htm http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2607245.htm Chief search down to short list THE search for a new leader to replace the outgoing chief of the world's peak internet regulator, Australian national Paul Twomey, will enter its final stages at ICANN's 35th international meeting in Sydney this week. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25673233-15306,00.html Rees backs domain names for cities NSW Premier Nathan Rees has backed the purchase of internet domain names for major cities as new generic top-level domains have begun to be emerge at the ICANN conference in Sydney. http://www.afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?EDP://20090623000031274223§ion=information&title=Rees+backs+domain+names+for+cities Domain names get an international flavour This time next year, you may be able to register your online business domain name in another language, thanks to a concept called Internationalisation of Domain Names (IDNs). http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/domain-names-get-an-international-flavour-20090622-ctw0.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/domain-names-get-an-international-flavour-20090622-ctw0.html http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/smallbiz-tech/domain-names-get-an-international-flavour-20090623-cuym.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/biz-tech/domain-names-get-an-international-flavour-20090622-ctw0.html New gTLD rules could damage brands The world's big brands have been warned that they could be financially burned by proposals for new rules with the introduction of new generic top-level-domains (gTLDs). http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25682716-15306,00.html Debate flares on net rules Sydney will this week host a heated international debate on the regulation of the internet, as its peak governance body resists pressure from Europe to become more independent of the US. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25673235-15306,00.html Internet gets set for big bang [AFP] The internet looks set for one of the biggest shake-ups in its brief history if the web's regulator votes this week, as expected, to allow new domain names such as .love or .paris. http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/internet-gets-set-for-big-bang-20090619-cqfo.html ICANN: New domains coming in 2010 Internet policymakers are forging ahead with a controversial plan to introduce hundreds of generic top-level domains -- such as .nyc, .sport and .food -- next year. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062409-icann-new-domains.html New gTLDs active by end 2010 Kurt Pritz, Senior Vice President of Services at ICANN, gave details on the projected timeline for the rollout of new gTLDs during the GNSO Council's meeting in Sydney today. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/245-New-gTLDs-active-by-end-2010.html New call for ICANN to be privatised The world's regional Internet registries (RIRs) have added their weight to call for Internet governance to be privatised. The RIRs have followed the European Union's demand, proposed by European Commissioner Viviane Reding last month, for the ending of the collaboration agreement between ICANN and the US Department of Commerce. http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=117953 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062409-new-call-for-icann-to.html http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=128E5BEC-1A64-67EA-E42EDD561D4146F3 http://www.cio.de/news/cio_worldnews/889731/ http://www.infoworld.com/t/networking/new-call-icann-be-privatised-863 America recommended by NRO to let ICANN go As the US pursues to retain overseeing of ICANN Number Resource Organization (NRO) addressed the authorities saying that it would be better to end the collaboration between ICANN and the US Department of Commerce. http://ecommerce-journal.com/news/16397_america_recommended_by_nro_to_let_icann_go NRO tells US Govt ?ICANN is no longer your domain? The Number Resource Organisation (NRO), which consists of five of the world?s top regional internet registries, has expressed its support in ending the collaboration between the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the US Department of Commerce. http://www.businessandleadership.com/technology/news/article/14206/ http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/13257/comms/nro-tells-us-govt-icann-is-no-longer-your-domain ICANN ordered to become more 'universally accountable' The European Commission last week called for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Internet body to open up to more countries, loosening the US grip over the private group. http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20090624091315346 Icann security group calls for end to 'wildcarding' Security advisors to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) have called for a ban on the practice of 'wildcarding', in which internet service providers and registrars redirect queries for inactive domains to their own holding pages. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2244661/icann-security-group-calls http://www.itnews.com.au/News/148402,icann-security-group-calls-for-end-to-wildcarding.aspx Rees backs 'dot Sydney' domain NSW Premier Nathan Rees has thrown his support behind a push to register geographic internet domain names, saying he'd like to see 'dot Sydney'. http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National-Regional/2009/06/22/Rees_backs_dot_Sydney_domain_344732.html http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/828477/rees-backs-dot-sydney-internet-domain Global internet regulator finds new chief The world's peak internet authority has chosen security expert Rod Beckstrom as its preferred candidate to take over the role of chief executive and president of the organisation. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,25685711-36418,00.html http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25685711-36418,00.html Breakfast with Rob Beckstrom Rob Beckstrom came across as a friendly and enthusiastic person, taking the necessary time to get to know every one present at this breakfast. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/241-Breakfast-with-Rob-Beckstrom.html Probable new ICANN CEO Rob Beckstrom is in Sydney Former Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity Center Rob Beckstrom is in Sydney attending ICANN's 35th international meeting. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/240-Probable-new-ICANN-CEO-Rob-Beckstrom-is-in-Sydney.html ICANN security experts criticise DNS redirections The Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) of ICANN has warned against the increasingly popular practice of Top Level Domains (TLDs) redirecting DNS queries for inactive domains to their own pages. http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/140969 New call for ICANN to be privatised The world's regional Internet registries (RIRs) have added their weight to call for Internet governance to be privatised. http://www.techworld.com/networking/news/index.cfm?newsid=117953 ICANN security experts criticise DNS redirections The Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has warned against the increasingly popular practice of Top Level Domains (TLDs) redirecting DNS queries for inactive domains to their own pages. http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/140969 Icann security group calls for end to 'wildcarding' Security advisors to Icann have called for a ban on the practice of 'wildcarding', in which internet service providers and registrars redirect queries for inactive domains to their own holding pages. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2244661/icann-security-group-calls http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/148402,icann-security-group-calls-for-end-to-wildcarding.aspx http://www.crn.com.au/News/148402,icann-security-group-calls-for-end-to-wildcarding.aspx Domain Name News Worth Reading Over the past 24 hours I?ve read two great domain name articles I want to pass along. The first is an editorial by Jeremy Rabkin, Professor of Law at George Mason University. Rabkin discusses what ICANN independence from U.S. oversight would actually mean. He points out that independence may be a bad thing, even for countries that disdain U.S. control: http://domainnamewire.com/2009/06/24/domain-name-news-worth-reading/ ICANN Sydney The 35th public ICANN Meeting got underway Sunday in Sydney, Australia where the event will continue through Friday. Those on the scene say it looks to be one of the largest crowds ever for an ICANN meeting. Of course there are a number of hot topics that are drawing a crowd this time, including the introduction of new gTLDs and attempts by trademark interests to change dispute resolution procedures that, if successful, could have a huge negative impact on registrant rights. http://dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2009/dailyposts/06-22-09.htm Domain name expansion focus in Sydney The expansion of the internet's address system - domain names - is set to be the centre of discussions at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers' (ICANN) international conference in Sydney. http://www.globalgold.co.uk/web-hosting-news/domains-news/domain-name-expansion-focus-in-sydney-19230563.html Exporters to speak your language online The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) hopes to roll out their Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs) project after their next meeting in Korea later this year. http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/news/exporters-to-speak-your-language-online00318/ New geographical domain names good for business NSW Premier Nathan Rees has welcomed the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announcement of location and category specific domain names. http://www.dynamicbusiness.com/articles/articles-news/new-geographical-domain-names-good-for-business3823.html ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Extends Public Comment on Expense Analysis The Public Comment period originally announced 29 May 2009 for ICANN's new financial reporting format, Expense Area Group (EAG), has been extended to 13 July 2009 in response to requests from the ccNSO and other community groups at the Sydney meeting. This will allow community members the time required to provide proper feedback on whether this type of reporting meets their initial requirements on ICANN's budget allocation in various interest areas. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24jun09-en.htm Advocating for Domain Name Registry-Registrar Separation by Alexa Raad .ORG, The Public Interest Registry has, since its inception, advocated for policies designed to reflect the public interest, namely of fair and open competition that benefits not only .ORG, but all Internet users. ICANN is now faced with a critically important decision on whether to remove the trusted and proven safeguards that prevent domain name registrars from owning and operating domain name registries. Because of its concern for end users, support for the success for new Top-Level Domains (TLDs), and strong belief in the benefits of fair competition, .ORG vigorously opposes removing these critical safeguards and strongly supports registry-registrar separation. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090621_advocating_for_domain_name_registry_registrar_separation/ Careful What You Wish For: Why ICANN "Independence" is a Bad Idea by Jeremy Rabkin ICANN controls the "root" of the naming hierarchy, designating the operators and managers of the top-level domains, like ".com" and ".net" and ".uk." Since its founding in 1998, ICANN has operated under a "Joint Partnership Agreement" (JPA) with the U.S. Department of Commerce. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090622_careful_what_you_wish_icann_independence_bad_idea/ Extending the JPA is the Right Thing to Do by R. Shawn Gunnarson Internet governance is getting a thorough look under the hood, thanks to the National Telecommunication and Information Administration. NTIA recently concluded its public comment period under a Notice of Inquiry (NOI), which asked for public comments regarding the future of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Department of Commerce and ICANN. At its core, the NOI asks whether the White Paper's original vision of privatizing the technical coordination and management of the Internet is working. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090622_extending_jpa_right_thing_to_do/ Accomplish: Paul Twomey [sub req'd] This company says it builds an international community through an institution organised from the bottom up. http://www.brw.com.au/login.aspx?EDP://20090725000031276775 ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Small is big as the web goes local From Bathurst to Beecroft and Broome, community groups will for the first time be able to set up geographic website names to help their areas. http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/small-is-big-as-the-web-goes-local-20090619-cob9.html Shaq wants a Dot Basketball Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal is endorsing a request for the creation of a .BASKETBALL TLD. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/243-Shaq-wants-a-Dot-Basketball.html Belfast has chance to be the master of its own domain The web has been buzzing this week with discussion of what will happen when the organisation that controls the internet?s address system, ICANN, throws the system open to big changes. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/opinion/watching-web/belfast-has-chance-to-be-the-master-of-its-own-domain-14354546.html A .eco echo in green domain bid Icann, the internet organisation that decides on generic top-level domains (TLDs), is being lobbied at its meeting in Sydney this week by supporters of a rival bid emerging for the .eco ending to web addresses. http://blogs.ft.com/techblog/2009/06/a-eco-echo-in-green-domain-bid/ Top Level Domains Get .eco Friendly Can a domain name help save the environment? An effort is now underway to create a new top level domain (TLD) called .eco, which would aggregate environmental information about organizations and individuals along with a .eco domain name. http://www.internetnews.com/webcontent/article.php/3826611 Eco website to help businesses fight ?greenwashing? A new .eco internet address will help individuals, businesses, and organisations fight ?greenwashing? as part of a globally-backed bid launched this week in Sydney. http://www.dynamicbusiness.com/articles/articles-news/eco-website-to-help-businesses-fight-%E2%80%98greenwashing%E2%80%993811.html .Eco to be proposed as the new domain at the ICANN Annual The green fringe of the Internet is surely on the grind as we slowly head towards the birth of a new domain ? .eco. There shouldn?t be any real problems with the creation of the domain but just like old times, even this name has to go through a process. http://www.greenpacks.org/2009/06/23/eco-to-be-proposed-as-the-new-domain-at-the-icann-annual/ New Top Level Domain Names for Internet Go 'Green' B.C.-based Internet company Big Room Inc. will lead the application process for new ?dot eco' top-level domain (TLD) Internet addresses, when ICANN launches the next TLD application process. http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?aid=1000331793 Chef Wolfgang Puck throws dotfood into the mix Computers as well as canapes are on the menu for Wolfgang Puck this week when the LA-based celebrity chef visits Sydney to publicly launch his bid to register a new top-level domain, dotfood. Puck will personally lobby the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers, which is meeting to discuss domain name issues, including dramatically expanding the number of generic TLDs beyond the existing dotcom, dotorg, dotnet, dotgov and so on. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25669099-5013404,00.html Online servings Wolfgang Puck's vast food and restaurant empire stretches from 100 dining establishments to various cookbooks, television shows and a series of branded products. But the future lies online, he says. The American chef is in Sydney to add his weight to a campaign aimed at registering food as a top-level internet domain. If it succeeds, .food would operate in the same way as .com and .org. http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/good-living/online-servings/2009/06/22/1245522775897.html Hollywood chef to buy .food domain Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has arrived in Sydney from LA to push his US$180,000 application bid to own the .food top level domain name which will brand his restaurant empire. http://computerworld.com.au/article/308447/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062209-hollywood-chef-to-buy-food.html http://www.infoworld.com/t/applications/hollywood-chef-buy-food-domain-601 http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=0C99FBF4-1A64-6A71-CEE231FF6D48E64C http://www.techworld.com.au/article/308447/ Why Wolfgang Puck wants his .food network I'm sorry. Were you looking for CocaCola.com, CocaCola.food or CocaCola.beverage? Cocacola.Sydney, perhaps? CocaCola.NewYork? On the new Web you may not know where you're going anymore. http://blogs.computerworld.com/will_the_real_coca_cola_please_stand_up Wolfgang Puck Wants to Serve .food If celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has his way, anyone wanting to end a Web address with ?.food? will have to go through him and his partners. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/06/23/wolfgang-puck-wants-to-own-food/ .FOOD Launched by Wolfgang Puck at ICANN Sydney Internationally-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck launched a bid for the .FOOD generic Top Level Domain at the ICANN Sydney meeting today. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=8478 http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/06/22/food-launched-by-wolfgang-puck-at-icann-sydney/ Celebs Endorse ICANN Domain Plan Internationally renowned chef Wolfgang Puck flew to Sydney, Australia for this week's meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to promote a forthcoming .food Internet address amid fears by big brand owners like Marriott, Nike, and Verizon that a planned expansion of the domain name system will require them to spend big bucks protecting their name from fraudsters and cybersquatters. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/06/celebs-endorse-icann-domain-pl.php Private enterprise push for .ROMA Italian capital Rome is the latest major city to declare an interest in its own Top Level Domain. The .ROMA initiative is actually not an official push by the city's government, but the result of efforts by a Roman entrepreneur to get his hometown on the CityTLD map. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/244-Private-enterprise-push-for-.ROMA.html Rome applying for its own extension, .roma Having .nyc, .berlin , .london and others as an example,Roma TLD Srl wants to apply for .roma extension. http://www.domainnews.com/en/rome-applying-for-its-own-extension-.roma.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** U.S. Military Command Is Created for Cyber Security Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579956278644449.html New Military Command for Cyberspace Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday ordered the creation of the military?s first headquarters designed to coordinate Pentagon efforts in the emerging battlefield of cyberspace and computer-network security, officials said. http://nytimes.com/2009/06/24/technology/24cyber.html Pentagon creates 'cyber command' for waging online warfare America has confirmed that it will be creating a new Pentagon "cyber command" to bring together the country's various hi-tech military units under one roof. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/jun/24/usa-defence Gates Creates Cyber-Defense Command Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates issued an order yesterday establishing a command that will defend military networks against computer attacks and develop offensive cyber-weapons, but he also directed that the structure be ready to help safeguard civilian systems. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/23/AR2009062303492.html Defense Secretary Gates approves creation of U.S. Cyber Command Defense Secretary Robert Gates today approved the creation of a unified U.S. Cyber Command to oversee the protection of military networks against cyber threats. http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9134744 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062409-defense-secretary-gates-approves-creation.html New cyber chief to protect against computer attacks Britain is to appoint its first national cyber security chief to protect the country from terrorist computer hackers and electronic espionage, Gordon Brown will announce tomorrow. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-cyber-chief-to-protect-against-computer-attacks-1715969.html DNSSEC Showing More Signs Of Progress The Domain Name System (DNS) security protocol is finally making inroads on the Internet infrastructure front, but big hurdles remain for widespread, smooth adoption http://www.darkreading.com/securityservices/security/government/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218100391 Affiliate fraud cybersquatting model more lucrative than pay-per-click While pay-per-click (PPC) sites remain a large part of the cybersquatting business model, there is another wave of massive-scale online infringement monetization called affiliate fraud that often goes undetected. http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=7666 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** National Arbitration Forum FAIL Last week I wrote about a WIPO domain arbitration case in which a complainant refiled a case after losing the first time. The arbitrator ruled that the complainant didn?t include any information in its refiled case that it couldn?t have discovered and filed in its original case. So he dismissed the case. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/06/23/national-arbitration-forum-fail/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** NZ government failing on IPv6 migration While other governments are leading the charge to upgrade IP networks, New Zealand is stuck in the slow lane. Frank March, a specialist advisor in the digital development group at Ministry of Economic Development and a member of the IPv6 Steering Group, says when it comes to the adoption of a new Internet Protocol, government is a tough nut to crack. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/netw/42667E5782517978CC2575DC006A96C2 http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=08A8E68A-1A64-67EA-E49DEEE27EC2C313 http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/06/22/nz-government-failing-ipv6-migration ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Guest comment: Making the most of domain names A key asset for any internet professional is their domain portfolio, something that organisations have initially used to establish a presence on the internet and protect their online brand. However, there is a growing trend where brands and companies use domain names as an asset that will drive ROI from the digital arena. Nora Nanayakkara, Director of Business Development at Sedo discusses some of the key ways to maximise the potential of online properties. http://www.netimperative.com/news/2009/may/guest-comment-making-the-most-of-domain-names ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Ten million log on to Facebook to claim their own 'vanity' web addresses Insomniac entrepreneurs stand to profit handsomely from Facebook's "vanity URL" giveaway, after millions snapped up the choicest profile addresses in the hours after they became available in the middle of Friday night. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ten-million-log-on-to-facebook-to-claim-their-own-vanity-web-addresses-1711257.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Great Wall of Facebook: The Social Network's Plan to Dominate the Internet ? and Keep Google Out Larry Page should have been in a good mood. It was the fall of 2007, and Google's cofounder was in the middle of a five-day tour of his company's European operations in Zurich, London, Oxford, and Dublin. The trip had been fun, a chance to get a ground-floor look at Google's ever-expanding empire. But this week had been particularly exciting, for reasons that had nothing to do with Europe; Google was planning a major investment in Facebook, the hottest new company in Silicon Valley. http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/17-07/ff_facebookwall Google defamation trial over YouTube 'bullying' video adjourned The defamation trial of four Google executives over the broadcast in Italy of YouTube video showing the bullying of a teenager with Down's syndrome will resume in September, lawyers said on Tuesday. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/google/5612571/Google-defamation-trial-over-YouTube-bullying-video-adjourned.html au: Website to log racist attacks Western Australia's peak ethnic group has set up a website for foreign students to confidentially report racist attacks, amid claims Australia is becoming more racist. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25669097-5013404,00.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Ten million log on to Facebook to claim their own 'vanity' web addresses Insomniac entrepreneurs stand to profit handsomely from Facebook's "vanity URL" giveaway, after millions snapped up the choicest profile addresses in the hours after they became available in the middle of Friday night. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ten-million-log-on-to-facebook-to-claim-their-own-vanity-web-addresses-1711257.html Twitter on the Barricades in Iran: Six Lessons Learned Political revolutions are often closely linked to communication tools. The American Revolution wasn?t caused by the proliferation of pamphlets, written to whip colonists into a frenzy against the British. But it sure helped. http://nytimes.com/2009/06/21/weekinreview/21cohenweb.html Just watch MySpace ? it's not dead yet It has 127 million users around the world, including more than 70 million in the US. It brings in more advertising revenue than any other social networking site. It is the go-to website for people wanting to explore new music. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/just-watch-myspace-ndash-its-not-dead-yet-1711256.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Ending the American panic on 'sexting' Text messages are forcing us to rethink the way we deal with the difficult issues that arise when teenagers get involved with sex; The Times addressed this touchy issue in its June 1 editorial, "Keeping an eye on ?sexting.? " Some in law enforcement have taken extreme measures against teens who send sexually explicit words and images using cellphones and Internet sites. Their solution? Treat these kids just like adults who traffic in pornographic pictures of children. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-oew-walsh22-2009jun22,0,4020842.story ITU, experts adopt strategy for protecting children in cyberspace IF the global telecommunications regulatory authority, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has its way, nations around the world would be encouraged to quickly adopt a framework for achieving safety to increase literacy and awareness among children and young people who visit the Internet. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/compulife/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=240609&ptitle=ITU,%20experts%20adopt%20strategy%20for%20protecting%20children%20in%20cyberspace ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Free downloads damage Britain's musical diversity and creativity Charles Arthur, the Guardian's technology editor, says: "We saw the release last week of some 'research' that said 7 million people 'use' illegal downloads in the UK, 'costing the economy billions of pounds and thousands of jobs'" (Filesharing isn't music's biggest foe, 11 June). He points out that these numbers don't stack up - that you can't equate every illegal download with a "lost sale"- and asks why the music industry keeps putting them forward. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/24/response-free-downloades ********************** SPAM ********************** Spam King Alan Ralsky Pleads Guilty Alan Ralsky, a 64-year-old Michigan man that federal investigators say was among the world's top spam kingpins, pleaded guilty on Monday to running a multi-million dollar international stock fraud scam powered by junk e-mail. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/06/spam_king_alan_ralsky_pleads_g.html Spammer Ralsky Pleads Guilty to Stock Fraud [IDG] Alan Ralsky, a spam kingpin who was convicted of felony bank fraud in 1995, could face more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty in a stock fraud case involving spam messages that pumped up Chinese "penny" stocks. http://www.pcworld.com/article/167153/.html http://www.infoworld.com/t/business/spammer-ralsky-pleads-guilty-stock-fraud-607 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062309-spammer-ralsky-pleads-guilty-to.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** U.S. Military Command Is Created for Cyber Security Defense Secretary Robert Gates created a new military command dedicated to cyber security on Tuesday, reflecting the Obama administration's plans to centralize and elevate computer security as a major national-security issue. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579956278644449.html New Military Command for Cyberspace Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday ordered the creation of the military?s first headquarters designed to coordinate Pentagon efforts in the emerging battlefield of cyberspace and computer-network security, officials said. http://nytimes.com/2009/06/24/technology/24cyber.html Pentagon creates 'cyber command' for waging online warfare America has confirmed that it will be creating a new Pentagon "cyber command" to bring together the country's various hi-tech military units under one roof. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/jun/24/usa-defence Gates Creates Cyber-Defense Command Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates issued an order yesterday establishing a command that will defend military networks against computer attacks and develop offensive cyber-weapons, but he also directed that the structure be ready to help safeguard civilian systems. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/23/AR2009062303492.html Defense Secretary Gates approves creation of U.S. Cyber Command Defense Secretary Robert Gates today approved the creation of a unified U.S. Cyber Command to oversee the protection of military networks against cyber threats. http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9134744 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/062409-defense-secretary-gates-approves-creation.html New cyber chief to protect against computer attacks Britain is to appoint its first national cyber security chief to protect the country from terrorist computer hackers and electronic espionage, Gordon Brown will announce tomorrow. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-cyber-chief-to-protect-against-computer-attacks-1715969.html uk: Plans to crack down on online criminals with 'cybercrime' units Regional ?cybercrime? units are to be set up across the country to try to crack down on sophisticated gangs of online criminals who make billions of pounds every year. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article6569092.ece Microsoft offers free anti-virus A trial version of Microsoft's free anti-virus software has been launched in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) promises to provide people with basic protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits and spyware. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8116387.stm Men are less security savvy than women When it comes to online security, men are less savvy than women, according to PC Tools. Research by the security firm revealed that 47 percent of men use the same passwords when signing up to online banking and shopping facilities, compared to just 26 percent of women. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=117689 http://computerworld.com.au/article/308232/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Web Pries Lid of Iranian Censorship Shortly after Neda Agha-Soltan bled her life out on the Tehran pavement, the man whose 40-second video of her death has ricocheted around the world made a somber calculation in what has become the cat-and-mouse game of evading Iran?s censors. He knew that the government had been blocking Web sites like YouTube and Facebook. Trying to send the video there could have exposed him and his family. http://nytimes.com/2009/06/23/world/middleeast/23censor.html US lodges China censorship complaint The US has complained officially to China over its strict new internet censorship rules as tension builds over an issue causing consternation among international technology companies and Chinese internet users. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/874ca00e-5e9e-11de-91ad-00144feabdc0.html As Blogs Are Censored, It's Kittens to the Rescue To censor the Internet painlessly, undetectably, is the dream that keeps repressive governments up late at their mainframe computers. After all, no users are so censored online as those who never see it. http://nytimes.com/2009/06/22/technology/internet/22link.html Chinese Government Attacks Google Over Internet Porn Beijing's Internet censors are on the rampage again. But this time the victims are not the country's nearly 200 million surfers but one of the most-recognized names on the Web: Google. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1906133,00.html Google forced to shut sites The Chinese government will force the world's biggest technology company Google to block a raft of overseas sites on its search engine. This is China's third major internet censorship move in a month amid growing internet activism in the country and in the shadow of a strong online element in the disputed election in Iran. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25669725-15306,00.html China raises 'Great Fire Wall' on internet The phenomenal growth of the Google search engine in China may be about to end, after authorities accused it of allowing access to pornography - a claim that observers see as pretext for a crackdown on internet freedom. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/24/2607284.htm?site=news Google Censors China Porn Searches [IDG] Google engineers have put in place several measures to remove pornography from search results in China, after the government warned the company its filter was too weak. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/167164/.html CCTV: Google China Is A Gateway To Vulgar Internet Content China Central Television has exposed in its news and Focus Report programs that the website for Google China contains links to a large number of websites hosting pornographic and vulgar content. http://www.chinatechnews.com/2009/06/19/10009-cctv-google-china-is-a-gateway-to-vulgar-internet-content/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Broadband tax is the only option, says U.K. communications minister Lord Carter Lord Carter has defended plans to levy a ?6-a-year tax on every phone line to raise up to ?1.5bn to help pay for the next generation of super-fast internet networks, as the most transparent way of investing in a critical part of Britain's infrastructure. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/22/digital-britain-broadband-tax Fight over German filtering law sends MP into Pirate Party Germany's Bundestag has approved a bill that would roll out a national filtering system designed to warn people off child porn. That action may have helped push a Social Democrat into the Pirate Party. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/fight-over-german-filtering-law-sends-mp-into-pirate-party.ars ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** ACMA: SMEs satisfied with broadband Internet More than 80 per cent of small to medium enterprises (SME) are satisfied with their broadband Internet services, according to a study by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/308511/ Most Australians satisfied with communications services [AAP] More than 70 per cent of Australians are satisfied with their communications services, although the number of complaints is continuing to rise, a report shows. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25678711-15306,00.html Aussies 'happy' with telecom services [AAP] Three-quarters of Australians are satisfied with their communications services, although the number of complaints is continuing to rise, a report shows. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/aussies-happy-with-telecom-services-20090623-cv00.html http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Australians-mostly-satisfied-with-telcos/0,130061791,339297063,00.htm http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Aussies-happy-with-telecom-services-TA9MB http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/18485/ http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=582629 http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-business/aussies-happy-with-telecom-services-20090623-cv00.html http://www.businessday.com.au/breaking-news-business/aussies-happy-with-telecom-services-20090623-cv00.html Consumers become more savvy on internet providers Australian consumers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to phone and internet services. Research shows they are more likely to switch providers or make complaints if they are unhappy. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/consumers-become-more-savvy-on-internet-providers-20090623-cvdr.html Spam help just one click away Computer users frustrated by spam cluttering email inboxes are being urged to report the messages to a national database. http://www.businessday.com.au/small-business/spam-help-just-one-click-away-20090619-cohv.html Complaints about telecommunications services surge ? survey Complaints about internet services have surged, but most Australians intend to stick with their current provider, a report shows. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25679304-661,00.html Telecoms services users satisfied, but complaining a lot more The ACMA has released results of its survey of consumers' and SMEs' satisfaction with fixed, mobile and broadband services reporting high satisfaction levels with most services, but noting also a very large increase in the level of complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25835/1231/ Most Australians satisfied with communications services A new Australian Communications and Media Authority report, Australian Consumer Satisfaction with Communications Services, has confirmed that while most Australians are satisfied with their communications services, they are also becoming more likely to switch providers or make complaints if dissatisfied. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311777 Most Australians Satisfied with Communications Services A report from the Australian telecoms regulator, the ACMA has confirmed that while most Australians are satisfied with their communications services, they are also becoming more likely to switch providers or make complaints if dissatisfied. http://cellular-news.com/story/38144.php Minchin claims there is no need for NBN Shadow Communications Minister Nick Minchin has seized on an ACMA report showing most Australians are satisfied with their ISP to claim the country does not need a National Broadband Network (NBN). http://www.itnews.com.au/News/148360,minchin-claims-there-is-no-need-for-nbn.aspx +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home mail: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA "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 Access Yahoo!7 Mail on your mobile. Anytime. Anywhere. Show me how: http://au.mobile.yahoo.com/mailReceived on Wed Jun 24 2009 - 12:31:27 UTC
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