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 *************************************************** IDN Usability by Tina Dam http://blog.icann.org/2010/05/idn-usability/ IDN TLD Update by Tina Dam http://blog.icann.org/2010/05/idn-tld-update/ By the way?Your IDN is live by Adrian Kinderis http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=391 First .emarat Arabic script domain name is live! by Jon Lawrence http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=384 The future of the Internet is here: non-English extensions hit the Web http://kierenmccarthy.com/2010/05/05/the-future-of-the-internet-is-here-non-english-extensions-hit-the-web/ Decision urged on .xxx porn web domain http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10098169.stm The Real Issue About ICANN and .XXX by John Levine http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100508_the_real_issue_about_icann_and_xxx/ How to Place Top-Level Domain Trust Anchors in the Root by Kim Davies http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100506_how_to_place_top_level_domain_trust_anchors_in_the_root/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** WEBINAR: Policy Development at ICANN: How You Can Help Shape the Future of the Internet (20 May 2010 at 12.00 UTC and 19.00 UTC) On Thursday 20 May at 12.00 UTC and 19.00 UTC, ICANN Policy Staff will host a webinar that introduces newcomers to the world of ICANN and policy development. The webinar will provide an overview of ICANN as an organization, what issues ICANN policy addresses, who develops policy at ICANN (and how), and most importantly, how you can become involved and help ICANN to shape the future of the Internet. This webinar provides useful, actionable information to you if you are wondering whether a role in Internet policy development could benefit your or your organization?s long-term goals. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-06may10-en.htm IDN Usability by Tina Dam Internationalized Domain Names and the usability of them is a key aspect of the ongoing introduction of IDN ccTLDs. http://blog.icann.org/2010/05/idn-usability/ IDN TLD Update by Tina Dam Following yesterday?s big news with the introduction of the first IDN ccTLDs we thought it was a good time to provide an update to where the Fast Track Process is. http://blog.icann.org/2010/05/idn-tld-update/ First IDN ccTLDs Available For the first time in the history of the Internet, non-Latin characters are being used for top-level domains. The first IDN country-code top-level domains were inserted in the DNS root zone earlier today. The associated countries and their respective IDN ccTLDs are: http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-05may10-en.htm By the way?Your IDN is live by Adrian Kinderis Just when you think ICANN has got it right, it shoots itself in the foot as only ICANN can. Unfortunately it seems this is yet another case of one step forward and two steps back. While we should be celebrating the fact that IDN?s have finally been entered into the Root Zone, we are instead left shaking our heads at the seemingly nonexistent process lines nor communication lines between ICANN and its technical off-shoot IANA. http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=391 First .emarat Arabic script domain name is live! by Jon Lawrence The .emarat Arabic script IDN ccTLD for the United Arab Emirates has been entered into the DNS Root Zone and is therefore now resolving. http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=384 The future of the Internet is here: non-English extensions hit the Web It?s taken far longer than it should but we are finally there ? new, non-English extensions exist on the Internet as of a few hours ago. http://kierenmccarthy.com/2010/05/05/the-future-of-the-internet-is-here-non-english-extensions-hit-the-web/ The Internet has changed forever, and no one seems to have noticed Yesterday, one of the biggest events in the history of the Internet took place; non-Latin top-level domains went live in the DNS root zone. In plain English, you can now type the whole of a domain name in Arabic script. Not just the left of the dot (as in dot org) but the right of it, too. The three new top-level domains are ????????. (?Al-Saudiah?), ??????. ( ?Emarat?) and ???. (?Misr?). They are country code names in Arabic for Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. http://crookedtimber.org/2010/05/07/the-internet-has-changed-forever-and-no-one-seems-to-have-noticed/ 'Historic' day as first non-latin web addresses go live Arab nations are leading a "historic" charge to make the world wide web live up to its name. Net regulator Icann has switched on a system that allows full web addresses to contain no Latin characters. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10100108.stm Worldwide web goes truly global with Arabic urls In a move that is being billed as a historic achievement for one of the world's leading languages, web addresses will now be available in Arabic as part of a wider move to open up cyberspace to domain names in multiple, non-Latin scripts. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/may/06/arabic-web-addresses-internet Domain Names Now Available in Non-Latin Characters Complete domain names can be registered in non-Latin characters for the first time as of May 5 with three Arab nations the first to have IDNs placed in the DNS root zone, ICANN announced. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=11208 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/05/06/domain-names-now-available-in-non-latin-characters/ Arabic domain names cleared [AP] Three Middle Eastern countries have become the first to obtain internet addresses entirely in non-Latin characters. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3668469/Arabic-web-domains-launched http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/arabic-domain-names-cleared-20100507-uhrh.html http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/06/financial/f103957D25.DTL http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/arabic-domain-names-cleared-20100507-uhrh.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/arabic-domain-names-cleared-20100507-uhrh.html http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/arabic-domain-names-cleared-20100507-uhrh.html First Arabic internet addresses go live [AFP] Internet addresses written in Arabic were live on the internet today, making history as the first online domains in non-Latin characters. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/first-arabic-internets-addresses-go-live/story-e6freuyi-1225863405760 http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/TechandScience/Story/STIStory_523641.html http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/first-arabic-internets-addresses-go-live/story-e6freonf-1225863405760 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/first-arabic-internets-addresses-go-live/story-e6frea73-1225863405760 http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/first-arabic-internets-addresses-go-live/story-e6frg12u-1225863405760 http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/first-arabic-internets-addresses-go-live/story-e6frfku0-1225863405760 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/arabic-websites-make-history-with-native-script-addresses-20100507-uha6.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/arabic-websites-make-history-with-native-script-addresses-20100507-uha6.html Icann makes history with first internationalised domain names Icann has heralded a new dawn for the internet after making IDNs available for the first time in its history. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2262592/first-idns-hit-internet ICANN unveils first non-Latin domain names The first non-Latin domain names made their debut on the Internet on Wednesday. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20004429-93.html First internationalised domain names go live The first top level domains with non-Latin characters went live on Thursday, just over six months after the process for doing so was approved, with another thirteen nearing registration. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/infrastructure/2010/05/07/first-internationalised-domain-names-go-live-40088872/ Transfer markets and the battle to come over IP address Whois by Brenden Kuerbis Network World writes that IPv4 depletion is happening faster than expected and that a black market might form to allow companies who need IPv4 addresses to get them. ARIN's CIO Richard Jimmerson notes that the ARIN community has been proactive in addressing this, "providing at least limited address transfer opportunities to mitigate that problem." (other RIRs have similar policies) For me, the emergence of transfer markets always seemed inevitable. The most important, and least talked about, aspect of the policies creating those markets has to due with the unanticipated use of registration records. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/5/5/4521733.html ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** New General Manager for DNS BE Philip Du Bois yesterday took up his position as General Manager of DNS.be. He takes over the job from Jo Van Gorp, who was appointed manager ad interim after the departure of Marc Van Wesemael in October 2009. http://www.dns.be/en/home.php?n=443 CZ.NIC Hosts Jubilee Meeting of the International Organization RIPE A meeting of representatives of European domain registries, internet specialists and employees of major internet companies starts today in Prague. The Marriot Conference Centre will offer lectures, discussions, workshops, public meetings and closed meetings about IPv4 and IPv6, DNS and ENUM from today until Friday 7 May. http://www.nic.cz/page/746/cz.nic-hosts-jubilee-meeting-of-the-international-organization-ripe/ The .CO domain registry announces global sunrise and public outreach initiatives at Web 2.0 expo .CO Internet S.A.S. announced today the launch of its Global Sunrise Process at the Web 2.0 Expo. The structured Sunrise Process is using best practices to provide trademark and IP protection for registered trademark holders worldwide to successfully secure their eligible .CO domain. http://www.cointernet.co/registry/media/co-domain-registry-announces-global-sunrise-and-public-outreach-initiatives-web-20-ex March sees strongest .ie domain registrations for 12 months; 2.2% year on year increase in March registrations The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the managed registry for Ireland's official internet address .ie today reported a 2.2% year on year increase in .ie domain registrations for March. Registrations for the month totalled 3,686; the highest number recorded in a single month during the past twelve months. The total number of .ie domains now stands at over 141,000. http://www.iedr.ie/NEWS/2010/News-20100503.php IEDR, the company that currently runs the .ie ccTLD, has announced an increase in .ie registration figures. According to a press release the registry is reporting that March 2010 saw a 2.2% increase in registrations, bringing the total number of .ie domains to over 141 thousand. ... Considering that no comprehensive studies of consumer attitudes to .ie have ever been conducted on what basis does the IEDR make these claims? http://www.isquattedyour.eu/2010/05/04/ie-registry-reports-growth/ Anders Flodstr?m is new chairman of the board of .SE From the June 1, 2010, he replaces Rune Brandinger, who has been chairman of the board since 2006. http://www.iis.se/en/om-se/pressrum/pressmeddelanden?anders-flodstrom-ny-styrelseordforande-i-.se .SE first to use OpenDNSSEC in full operation OpenDNSSEC is a free, open source management tool facilitating the implementation of secure DNS, thereby making the Internet more reliable. OpenDNSSEC simplifies the management of DNSSEC, an extension to the Internet?s open directory service DNS which secures that web and e-mail addresses are not manipulated, but actually lead to the right resource on the Internet. With OpenDNSSEC, which .SE has also been part of developing, all processes involved are automised so that no more manual management is necessary. http://www.iis.se/en/om-se/pressrum/pressmeddelanden?.se-forst-ut-med-opendnssec-i-skarp-drift si: Expired domain names April 4th is an important date. On that day approx. 600 .si domain names have expired and have been assigned quarantine status (30-day period before unconditional deletion). On May 6th 2010 quarantine status will expire and domain names will be deleted. http://www.registry.si/news/news-item/article/expired-domain-names/285.html IDNs under .si coming soon Implementation of .si internationalized domain names (IDNs) is on the way. We expect to be able to register first IDNs in late 2010. http://www.registry.si/news/news-item/article/idns-under-si-coming-soon/285.html Groundhog Day: 10,000 reminders of why ICANN?s public comment period on the .xxx domain is stupid by Milton Mueller We knew ? and we suspect that ICANN knew ? that calling for public comment on the future of the .xxx domain after ICANN was slapped on the wrist for its mishandling of the proposal was a useless procedure. Now we have confirmation. As we approach the comment deadline (May 10), we have a flood (6,000 and counting) of comments from the same rightwing religious groups that mobilized against .xxx back in June and July of 2005. We also have another 150 comments from the Free Speech Coalition ? a group of online porn providers who also didn?t like the idea 5 years ago and mobilized against it. And a petition with thousands of signatures for xxx. Does this sound vaguely familiar? http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/5/7/4523393.html Decision urged on .xxx porn web domain Moves to create a web domain for adult content have intensified with the group which has applied for the .xxx address demanding a decision on its fate. Net regulator Icann ... has been delaying its vote. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10098169.stm The Real Issue About ICANN and .XXX by John Levine Way back in 2004, ICANN invited applications for a round of new TLDs. They got quite a few. Some were uncontroversial, such as .JOBS for the HR industry. Some were uncontroversial but took a long time, such as .POST which took five years of negotiation, entirely due to the legal peculiarities of the registry being part of the UN. But one was really controversial, .XXX. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100508_the_real_issue_about_icann_and_xxx/ The Web Doesn't Need .xxx Porn Domain The BBC has an interesting story today about stepped-up pressure on ICANN ... to decide on the proposed .xxx domain for adult content. http://www.pcworld.com/article/195787/.html .xxx debate puts spotlight on ICANN?s accountability The ongoing struggle between ICM Registry, the company pushing to get a .xxx domain for online adult entertainment, and ICANN, the independent body responsible for managing domain names, has nothing to do with the merits of a domain for x-rated web content and more to do with ICANN's accountability and transparency, says Stuart Lawley, chairman and president of ICM Registry. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/16126/digital-life/the-xxx-debate Kill the .XXX Domain -- Start a War on Pornography Instead [news release] "The .XXX domain should be killed and a stake driven through its heart so it never rises again," said Patrick Trueman, former U.S. Department of Justice pornography prosecutor. For more than ten years, the promoter of this new porn domain for the Internet has tried to get ICANN, the Internet governing agency, to establish an additional place on the Internet for access to pornography, Trueman noted. "Not one sound argument has been put forward for why the world needs more Internet pornography." http://www.earnedmedia.org/mim0506.htm Religious Group: Pray for Rod Beckstrom, Kill Porn Domain At first it was silly. Then it got annoying. Now it?s ridiculous. The comment period for what ICANN should do about an independent review board?s finding in favor of ICM Registry to operate .xxx has become a mockery. You can mostly thank conservative organizations for creating robo forms for their constituents to send mindless comments. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/05/07/religious-group-pray-for-rod-beckstrom-kill-porn-domain/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** How to Place Top-Level Domain Trust Anchors in the Root by Kim Davies The project to sign the DNS root zone with DNSSEC took an additional step toward completion yesterday with the last of the "root server" hosts switching to serving signed DNSSEC data. Now every DNS query to a root server can return DNSSEC-signed data, albeit the "deliberately unvalidatable" data prior to the final launch. Another key piece for a working signed root is the acceptance of trust anchors in the form of DS records from top-level domain operators. These trust anchors are used to form the chain of trust from the root zone to the TLD. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100506_how_to_place_top_level_domain_trust_anchors_in_the_root/ DNSSEC: the internet's International Criminal Court? The DNSSEC protocol could have some very interesting geo-political implications, including erosion of the scope of state sovereign powers, according to policy and security experts. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/05/07/dnssec_and_geo_political_implications/ Net's 13 root servers now DNSSEC-signed Concerns over disrupted online access went unfounded, even as all of the Internet's root servers completed the transition to a more secure protocol known as DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) Thursday. http://www.zdnetasia.com/net-s-13-root-servers-now-dnssec-signed-62063125.htm Battling the Cyber Warmongers: Cyberattacks are inevitable but the threat has been exaggerated by those with a vested interest A recent simulation of a devastating cyberattack on America was crying for a Bruce Willis lead: A series of mysterious attacks?probably sanctioned by China but traced to servers in the Russian city of Irkutsk?crippled much of the national infrastructure, including air traffic, financial markets and even basic email. If this was not bad enough, an unrelated electricity outage took down whatever remained of the already unplugged East Coast. The simulation?funded by a number of major players in network security, organized by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington-based think tank, and broadcast on CNN on a Saturday night?had an unexpected twist. The American government appeared incompetent, indecisive and confused (past government officials, including former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, were recruited to play this glamorous role on TV). "The U.S. is unprepared for cyberwar," the simulation's organizers grimly concluded. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704370704575228653351323986.html Dell founder calls for global cybersecurity rethink Cybersecurity needs a global rethink, and fast, Dell's CEO Michael Dell and Services CIO, Jim Stikeleather, have warned experts at the EastWest Institute Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit in the US. http://news.techworld.com/security/3222634/michael-dell-calls-for-cybersecurity-rethink/ http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3222724 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/050610-michael-dell-calls-for-cybersecurity.html VeriSign Report Details Five Ways to Arm Against Latest Wave of DDoS Attacks VeriSign, Inc. ... released a new report aimed at helping online businesses and other enterprises protect themselves against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=AFC0FF0DB5C560D3&version=live&prid=616444&releasejsp=custom_97 ICANN, Verisign place last puzzle pieces in DNSSEC saga [Computerworld Australia] The industry bodies responsible for the root servers that underpin the Internet have claimed success in implementing its DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to the last clusters. The deployment is the final step before implementing the security required to prevent DNS cache poisoning attacks on Internet addresses. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/050610-icann-verisign-place-last-puzzle.html http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=6E27ED84-1A64-67EA-E4791C7B984260C4 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** How to Get Your Lost Domain Name Back When Cybersquatting Law Will Not Help What do you do when your domain name has been stolen but you lack the requisite trademark rights to recover the domain via a domain arbitration under Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) or a lawsuit under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA)? http://tcattorney.typepad.com/anticybersquatting_consum/2010/05/how-to-get-your-lost-domain-name-back-when-cybersquatting-law-will-not-help.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** IPv6 tunnel basics More Internet traffic is expected to be carried via tunnels as the Internet infrastructure migrates from IPv4, the current version of the Internet protocol, to the long-anticipated upgrade known as IPv6. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/050610-ipv6-tunnel-basics.html http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=6F3A8AE9-1A64-67EA-E4E299DD311FE8F9 ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** UK election: Who owns GordonBrown.com? As all eyes turn towards the UK election, online domain marketplace Sedo reveals that leading candidates of today?s election have neglected to register crucial domain names. http://www.netimperative.com/news/2010/may/uk-election-who-owns-gordonbrown.com ARIN XXV Meeting Report Now Available From 18-21 April, the ARIN community took part in the ARIN XXV Public Policy and Members Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. The report of that meeting, which includes presentations, summary notes, and transcripts of the entire meeting, is now available on the ARIN website. https://www.arin.net/announcements/2010/20100503.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Get Your ?Call-To-Action? .Me Domain At Auction Today Beginning today at Noon ET, an auction for some of the best call-to-action .ME domains opens on Moniker? and SnapNames?. If you ever wanted to LookAt.Me, Feel.Me or Design.Me, you can bid on .ME here. http://www.nic.me/news.php?news=191 Sofas.com Lounges at Top of This Week's Domain Sales Chart After $231,500 Sale Through RickLatona.com A pair of nice 6-figure domain sales sit at the summit on our latest weekly Top 20 Sales chart. Sofas.com set the pace after changing hands for $231,500 via RickLatona.com. The stunning $151,000 sale of CamRoulette.com in the DomainMadness 2 auction holds the runner up spot. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20100421.htm Huge Brazilian ccTLD Sale Tops This Week's Domain Sales Chart The year's 2nd biggest ccTLD sale and the largest sale ever reported for Brazil's .com.br extension leads our latest weekly Top 20 Sales Chart. Seller Gustavo Volcan banked $300,000 in a private transaction for Imoveis.com.br - the Portuguese word for "real estate" or "properties." The only bigger ccTLD sale reported thus far in 2010 was Credit. fr for $851,875 through Sedo in January. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20100428.htm ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Politics and Twitter: Twitter makes politicians seem more accessible. To matter, it needs to change their behaviour Since feudal days, subjects have hoped that petitioning the sovereign can have great effects. E-mail made writing to politicians easy. Now a new technology is making those missives public. Twitter messages (?tweets? in the jargon) are like public telegrams. No more than 140 characters in length, they can be sent from any computer or mobile phone. Anyone with an account (there are 100m and rising) can send a public message to anyone else by placing the § sign before a username or a # sign before a topic. http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=16056612 A Google Tool to Translate a French Menu Watch any science fiction television show, including ?Star Trek? and ?Doctor Who,? and you will likely hear about a little gadget called a ?Universal Translator.? This fictitious device could instantly translate two languages between anywhere in the galaxy. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/google-launches-image-to-text-translation-feature/ Adultery site aims to hook New Zealanders Typical male: no commitment and lots of sex. That's one of almost 3000 taglines used by Kiwis who have signed up to a website designed to help people have extra-marital affairs. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10643696 Social gaming industry consolidates The multi-billion dollar industry that has built up around ?social gaming? ? casual video games played on social networking websites ? is rapidly consolidating. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8fa0c88-5b92-11df-85a3-00144feab49a.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Social Media's New Mantra: Location, Location, Location; Fast-growing network Foursquare is luring potential buyers Here's Dennis Crowley's ideal way to end the day: At 6 p.m., his iPhone alerts him to the evening's plans. It has already checked his friends' calendars and knows who's free tonight, so it suggests a restaurant they've all wanted to try. It notes when a table is available and informs him that three other friends are planning to hang out across the street so they can meet up later. And it all will happen?soon, he says?through Foursquare, the location-based mobile application and Web site Crowley co-founded with Naveen Selvadurai last year. "Every day, we tick off another couple of things that get us closer to being able to do that," says Crowley, 33. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_20/b4178034154012.htm Visualizing Your Privacy on Facebook Privacy on Facebook has been a hot topic of discussion in tech circles for a few months now, but it can be difficult for users to understand what information is going where and how policies have changed. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/05/07/visualizing-your-privacy-on-facebook/ Consumer groups hammer Facebook privacy violations in federal complaint Facebook users were shocked to learn this week that private chats could have been viewed by their friends because of a security hole that was only recently closed, and also that new Facebook features can secretly add applications to your profile. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9176399/Consumer_groups_hammer_Facebook_privacy_violations_in_federal_complaint Privacy groups take Facebook complaint to US regulators [AFP] More than a dozen privacy and consumer protection groups have banded together to protest what they see as duplicity by Facebook when it comes to safeguarding people's information. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/privacy-groups-take-facebook-complaint-to-us-regulators-20100507-uhjt.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/privacy-groups-take-facebook-complaint-to-us-regulators-20100507-uhjt.html Facebook Privacy Complaint: A Complete Breakdown The Electronic Privacy Information Center and 14 other consumer protection groups lodged a formal complaint against Facebook with the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday. The groups take issue with Facebook's privacy policies and accuse the site of unfair and deceptive trade practices that "violate user expectations, diminish user privacy, and contradict Facebook's own representations." http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/345685/facebook_privacy_complaint_complete_breakdown/ Understanding Facebook's privacy aftershocks It's been a long time since it got in the way of the World Series, but the threat of seismic tumult still hangs over Silicon Valley. When earthquakes elsewhere in the world dominate the news, people get a little more sensitive to their own vulnerability in the Bay Area. The ground might really have just given a twitch. Is it moving? http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20004379-36.html Ask Facebook Your Privacy Questions As I reported on Thursday, Facebook users stumbled across a technical glitch on the Web site that exposed supposedly private information for a limited period of time. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/ask-facebook-your-privacy-questions/ ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Obama stresses education over iPod, Xbox President Barack Obama told college graduates on Sunday the era of the iPod and the Xbox has not always been good for the cause of a strong education. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-48350220100509 Obama bemoans 'diversions' of IPod, Xbox era [AFP] US President Barack Obama lamented Sunday that in the iPad and Xbox era, information had become a diversion that was imposing new strains on democracy, in his latest critique of modern media. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/obama-bemoans-diversions-of-ipod-xbox-era-20100510-ulz9.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/obama-bemoans-diversions-of-ipod-xbox-era-20100510-ulz9.html Obama: iPod, iPad don't empower Revolutions are difficult things. One person's change is another person's threat. One person's magic is another person's incarcerating sorcery. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20004516-71.html Dodging presidential scorn of the iPad After President Obama on Sunday cited Apple's iPad--among other devices--as being a "distraction" rather than a tool for learning, he spoke of only one possible vision of the tablet's future. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20004517-64.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ au: Conroy pledges not to broaden filter scope Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has given a pre-election undertaking not to broaden the Government's proposed level of internet censorship. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/10/2894468.htm au: New laws to target cyber bullies Young victims of cyber bullying and tormenting classmates will be given legal protection under new anti-harassment laws to be introduced by the federal government. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/new-laws-to-target-cyber-bullies-20100508-uktp.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/new-laws-to-target-cyber-bullies-20100508-uktp.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/new-laws-to-target-cyber-bullies-20100509-ulca.html au: 'Sexting' film to lay bare the risks of SMS VICTORIA Police wants a 15-minute film on ??sexting?? to be shown in schools to educate children on the dangers of using mobile phones to send sexually explicit images. http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/sexting-film-to-lay-bare-the-risks-of-sms-20100510-um7a.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/sexting-film-to-lay-bare-the-risks-of-sms-20100510-um7a.html au: Teenagers to get powers to fight 'sexting', bullying STUDENTS under the age of 16 victimised by ''sexting'', cyber-bullying or any other type of sexual harassment will for the first time have recourse to Australia's anti-discrimination laws. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/teenagers-to-get-powers-to-fight-sexting-bullying-20100508-ul2r.html au: Federal Government laws give children help to tackle cyber-bullies EXPERTS have praised moves by the Federal Government to give children under the age of 16 the right to pursue cyber-bullies. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/federal-government-laws-give-children-help-to-tackle-cyber-bullies/story-e6freon6-1225864234235 Mums weary but have no regrets MOST Australian mums feel burnt out, overwhelmed and wish they could be better mothers, according to a new poll. ... The greatest concern was the safety of their children, being exposed to drugs, their health and cyber bullying. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mums-weary-but-have-no-regrets/story-e6frf7jo-1225864064995 Australian mothers are tired, stressed and happier than ever MILLIONS of mothers will wake up to a chorus of "Happy Mother's Day" today and it turns out those words ring true Aussie mums really are a happy bunch. ... When it came to the kids, mums worried most about their safety, being exposed to drugs, their health and cyber-bullying. http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/australian-mmothers-are-tired-stressed-and-happier-than-ever/story-e6frer4f-1225863946330 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/nature-of-nurture-keeps-our-mums-happy/story-e6frea6u-1225864033548 nz: Think carefully about private info: Privacy Commission research finds people worried about information children post about themselves on the internet A new study shows there is a high level of concern over individual privacy and personal information on the internet. http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=114054 gu: 'Sexting' a serious offense The attorney general of Guam is researching how local laws could adapt to "sexting," a dangerous teenage fad that has swept schools and courtrooms across the nation. http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100510/NEWS01/5100302 us: Washington Supreme Court, 6-3, Backs Library System's Full Filtering Policy In a decision that may lead some libraries to adopt more stringent Internet filtering policies, the Supreme Court of Washington, in a 6-3 decision has agreed that a public library can filter Internet access for all patrons without disabling the filter on request of an adult library patron to allow access to websites with constitutionally protected material. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6728037.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Copyright exceptions must be expanded and clarified, says new European group Librarians, digital activists, ISPs, music managers and other associations and trade bodies have called for the relaxing of copyright law in the EU to allow more people to access and re-use copyrighted material. http://out-law.com/page-10997 EU must break down national copyright barriers, says Commissioner Piracy has created the single market in music and films that EU legislators have failed to build, European Commission Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes has said. http://out-law.com/page-10996 Digital music sales In 2009 sales of recorded music totalled $17 billion globally. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a music-industry association, overall sales were hit by the recession, falling by 7.2% from their 2008 level. But sales of music in the form of digital files for use on computers, mobile phones and MP3 players grew by 9.2% to exceed a quarter of total sales during 2009. http://www.economist.com/markets/indicators/displaystory.cfm?story_id=16064168 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Nokia launches patent suit over iPad The burgeoning legal challenges to Apple over its rapid advances in mobile computing mounted on Friday when Finland?s Nokia launched a patent infringement suit over the iPad. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/09ab7468-59e8-11df-ab25-00144feab49a.html Nokia sues Apple for 'patent infringement' The world's biggest mobile phone maker, Nokia, has filed a lawsuit against Apple claiming the iPad 3G and iPhone infringe five of its patents. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8669529.stm Nokia targets Apple's iPad in new lawsuit Nokia today expanded its legal attack against rival Apple to the iPad, alleging that Apple's tablet and iPhone violate five Nokia patents, federal court documents show. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9176429/Nokia_targets_Apple_s_iPad_in_new_lawsuit Nokia broadens legal row with Apple to include iPad Nokia Oyj, the world's top handset maker, broadened its patent fight with Apple Inc on Friday to include the iPad, deepening the bitter legal disputes between the two smartphone rivals. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6464OM20100507 Nokia lodges another complaint against Apple [AP] Finnish cell phone maker Nokia Corp. said Friday that it has extended its patent-infringement claims against Apple Inc. to include the new iPad. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050702676.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/nokia-lodges-another-complaint-against-apple-20100508-uk03.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/nokia-lodges-another-complaint-against-apple-20100508-uk03.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/technology/08nokia.html Chinese workers link sickness to n-hexane and Apple iPhone screens Next month, amid the usual hoopla, Apple is expected to officially unveil its latest gadget: the much-awaited iPhone 4G. But halfway round the globe from the company's California headquarters, a young worker who has spent months in an eastern Chinese hospital wants consumers to look beyond the shiny exterior of such gadgets. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/07/chinese-workers-sickness-hexane-apple-iphone ********************** SPAM ********************** Why Aren't There More Spam Lawsuits? by John Levine The CAN SPAM act has been in place for five and a half years. Compatible state laws have been in place nearly as long. Anti-spam laws in the EU, Australia, and New Zealand were enacted years ago. But the number of significant anti-spam lawsuits is so small that individual bloggers can easily keep track of them. Considering that several billion spams a day are sent to people's inboxes, where are all the anti-spam lawsuits? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20100506_why_arent_there_more_spam_lawsuits/ us: Spammers ordered to pay tiny ISP whopping $2.6m A small internet service provider has been awarded nearly $2.6m in a lawsuit it filed against a company that sent just under 25,000 spam messages over an 18-month period. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/05/06/spam_judgment/ ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Editorial: Video Games and Free Speech There are countless parents who will not allow their children to play violent video games, in which players are able to kill, maim, dismember or sexually assault human images in depraved ways. The video game industry rates them, and some stores use that rating to decide whether to sell a particular game to a minor. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06thu3.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Battling the Cyber Warmongers: Cyberattacks are inevitable but the threat has been exaggerated by those with a vested interest A recent simulation of a devastating cyberattack on America was crying for a Bruce Willis lead: A series of mysterious attacks?probably sanctioned by China but traced to servers in the Russian city of Irkutsk?crippled much of the national infrastructure, including air traffic, financial markets and even basic email. If this was not bad enough, an unrelated electricity outage took down whatever remained of the already unplugged East Coast. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704370704575228653351323986.html Dell founder calls for global cybersecurity rethink Cybersecurity needs a global rethink, and fast, Dell's CEO Michael Dell and Services CIO, Jim Stikeleather, have warned experts at the EastWest Institute Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit in the US. http://news.techworld.com/security/3222634/michael-dell-calls-for-cybersecurity-rethink/ http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=3222724 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/050610-michael-dell-calls-for-cybersecurity.html New research on how ISPs could combat botnets by Brenden Kuerbis New analysis, by a group of researchers including IGP's Michel van Eeten, suggests that by focusing mitigation efforts on a subset of ISPs could eliminate the bulk of zombie computers responsible for generating spam and initiating other online threats. As reported in MIT Technology Review: http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/5/5/4521521.html How an unfixed Net glitch could strand you offline In 1998, a hacker told Congress that he could bring down the Internet in 30 minutes by exploiting a certain flaw that sometimes caused online outages by misdirecting data. In 2003, the Bush administration concluded that fixing this flaw was in the nation's "vital interest." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/08/AR2010050801652.html au: Groggle bamboozled by new legal bid As Google is granted a one-month extension to lodge opposition to the Groggle trademark, discount alcohol search website Boozle has registered its own last-minute opposition to the same trademark. http://www.zdnet.com.au/groggle-bamboozled-by-new-legal-bid-339302961.htm East Africa Unites Against Foreign Cyber Attacks Communications regulators in East Africa are teaming up to combat foreign attacks on communication equipments and systems in East Africa, a top official has said. http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/-/688322/912832/-/dycm72z/-/index.html http://allafrica.com/stories/201005060421.html Worm infecting PCs via Yahoo Messenger A worm is spreading via Yahoo Instant Messenger that tricks people into downloading what they think is a photo from a friend but is instead malware that installs a backdoor on Windows systems and spreads to a victim's IM contacts. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2010/05/07/worm-infecting-pcs-via-yahoo-messenger-40088866/ The cybersecurity boom When cybersecurity firm Triumfant was founded in late 2002, it developed software meant to assist help desks in managing information technology problems. The company soon found a more valuable use for its software: detecting malicious acts on networks of computers and making automatic fixes. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704503.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Thailand censors more websites as protests persist [AP] George Orwell's "1984" had its Big Brother, and Thailand has Ranongrak Suwanchawee. The country's information minister stares down from billboards along Bangkok's expressways, warning that "Bad websites are detrimental to society" and should be reported to a special hot line. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/thailand-censors-more-websites-as-protests-persist-20100508-ukrp.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/thailand-censors-more-websites-as-protests-persist-20100508-ukrp.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** CDT Applauds Reports of FCC Action on Internet Neutrality The Center for Democracy & Technology issued the following statement in response to reports that the FCC is poised to use its Title II authority to exercise limited jurisdiction over the Internet's "on ramps" -- the physical transmission lines that people use to connect to the Internet: http://www.cdt.org/pr_statement/cdt-applauds-reports-fcc-action-internet-neutrality Chaotic British election polling problems lead to calls for e-voting Voting electronically could prevent future problems at election polling stations, some experts claim. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10102126.stm US States Move to Allow Overseas and Military Voters to Cast Ballots by Internet Nearly three million overseas and military voters from at least 33 states will be permitted to cast ballots over the Internet in November using e-mail or fax, in part because of new regulations proposed last month by the federal agency that oversees voting. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/us/politics/09voting.html InternetNZ targets seminars at Copyright (Infringing File Sharing Amendment) Bill [news release] InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) will host seminars this month on the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing Amendment) Bill, to assist with submissions to the Select Committee. http://internetnz.net.nz/news/media-releases/2010/internetnz-targets-seminars-copyright-infringing-file-sharing-amendment-bil ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Twitter archive at Library of Congress could help redefine history's scope When the Library of Congress announced this month that it had recently acquired Twitter's entire archive of public tweets, the snarkosphere quickly broke out the popular refrain "Nobody cares that you just watched 'Lost.' " Television tweets are always the shorthand by which naysayers express how idiotic they find Twitter, the microblogging site on which millions of users share their thoughts and activities in 140 characters or fewer. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/05/AR2010050505309.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** EU to dampen mobile interference with radios and TVs Countries in the EU will have to adopt certain technical standards to allow more devices to carry wireless services without causing crackling interference on other services, according to a decision taken at the European Commission yesterday (6 May). http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/eu-dampen-mobile-interference-radios-and-tvs-news-493864 Telstra not essential for national broadband network success The federal government's new national broadband network will be commercially viable without Telstra's involvement, but taxpayers will have to fork out $26 billion over the next seven years to fund it. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/telstra-not-essential-for-national-broadband-network-success/story-e6frg9hx-1225863326817 Stephen Conroy optimistic on Telstra national broadband network deal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is optimistic a deal can be reached with Telstra that would slash the cost of the national broadband network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/stephen-conroy-optimistic-on-telstra-national-broadband-network-deal/story-e6frgakx-1225863493887 NBN can be built without Telstra, study finds A national high-speed broadband network can be built without Telstra's involvement and delivered to consumers at lower prices than many are paying today, a study has found. http://www.theage.com.au/national/nbn-can-be-built-without-telstra-study-finds-20100506-ugyg.html Most internet users would prefer slower, cheaper plans Only a small number of internet users look like taking up Kevin Rudd's $43 billion promise of a 100-megabit-per-second broadband service when the network gets up and running. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/most-interner-users-would-prefer-slower-cheaper-plans/story-e6frg6n6-1225863336449 A gold star for broadband effort, now to deliver After a bad few weeks at the office, the government was mightily pleased with itself for producing a worthy-looking tome suggesting it could do what it said it would do, and possibly better, on broadband. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/a-gold-star-for-broadband-effort-now-to-deliver-20100506-ugyh.html NBN study highlights IPTV hurdles The federal government has been advised to prepare the national broadband network to carry wholesale next-generation video services but remain cautious about expecting radical improvements in pay-TV competition without regulatory change. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-study-highlights-iptv-risks/story-e6frgakx-1225863495419 NBN good for most, not Opposition The National Broadband Network implementation study has been welcomed by ISPs and industry experts but for the Opposition it is still a ?risky adventure with taxpayers? money?, and should not be built. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-good-for-most-not-opposition-20100507-uih6.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/nbn-good-for-most-not-opposition-20100507-uih6.html LTE, WiMAX unlikely to find a future in the NBN Fourth-generation wireless technologies Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the more widely known WiMAX are unlikely to play a part in delivering the National Broadband Network. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/345628/lte_wimax_unlikely_find_future_nbn/ Landmark Study confirms NBN vision is achievable and affordable The Rudd Government today released the National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study which confirms that high-speed broadband for all Australians is achievable, and can be built on a financially viable basis with affordable prices for consumers. http://www.dbcde.gov.au/nbn_implementation_study National Broadband Network Implementation Study On 6 May 2010 the Australian Government released the National Broadband Network Implementation Study. The Implementation Study examines the Government?s coverage, commerciality and competition objectives as well as the detailed operating arrangements of NBN Co Limited, its ownership and structure, ways to attract private sector investment and longer term privatisation. http://www.dbcde.gov.au/broadband/national_broadband_network/national_broadband_network_implementation_study F.C.C. Proposes Rules on Internet Access The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission outlined a plan on Thursday that would allow the agency to control the transmission component of high-speed Internet, but not rates or content. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/technology/07broadband.html FCC chairman proposes increased regulation of Internet service providers Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski on Thursday proposed putting ISPs into the same category as telephone companies, a move aimed at solidifying the agency's authority over the fast-growing broadband industry. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/06/AR2010050606160.html US internet groups eye fight on tighter rules High-speed internet providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon were on Thursday gearing up for battle with the Obama administration after the US media regulator unveiled plans to impose tougher rules on the companies. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2a7d0a1e-594b-11df-99ba-00144feab49a.html US regulators map 'third way' for net access for all US regulators have announced plans to salvage efforts to give every citizen access to high speed internet with the aim of heading off legal problems. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8666026.stm Illinois House approves rewrite of telecom bill [AP] A plan to modernize Illinois telecommunications law and create jobs unanimously passed the Illinois House on Wednesday, despite warnings from consumer groups that it may mean higher prices and poor service. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/06/financial/f080853D19.DTL Questions linger over Ill. telecom overhaul bill [AP] This much is certain: For Illinois consumers who want basic land-line telephone service, a proposed overhaul of the state's 1985 telecommunications law provides low-cost options. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/06/financial/f181815D27.DTL uk: BT plans expansion of superfast broadband BT is set to use its full-year results on Thursday to outline an expansion of its superfast broadband network. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e547dec2-5a14-11df-acdc-00144feab49a.html 4G rollout to be delayed until '2013' The roll-out of 4G mobile networks will be delayed until at least 2013, a leading telecoms analyst said on Friday. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/mobile-it/2010/05/07/4g-rollout-to-be-delayed-until-2013-40088877/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- 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 "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 FlanneryReceived on Sun May 09 2010 - 20:25:00 UTC
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