Apr 18 2009

Swedes Demonstrate Against Pirate Bay Verdict

More than thousand people have gathered in the streets of the Swedish capital Stockholm today, to protest against yesterday’s Pirate Bay verdict. The demonstration was organized by the Swedish Pirate Party that is campaigning for the European Parliament elections in June.

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Apr 18 2009

Looking to Spammers to Solve Hard AI Problems

An anonymous reader writes “With bots getting closer to beating text-based CAPTCHAs for good, New Scientist points out that when they do, OCR technology will at least have advanced. The article goes on to suggest that whatever kind of reverse Turing Test that comes next should be chosen to motivate spammers to solve other pressing AI problems, such as image recognition. Are there any other problems that criminal crowdsourcing could help with?”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Apr 18 2009

What’s up, bot? Google tries new Captcha method

Google researchers hope to keep nefarious computer bots from posing as humans by requiring them to orient images upright.

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Apr 18 2009

Crank directors fantasize about shooting in 3-D Blackberry

Neveldine: “We always stay in touch with Canon or Sony or Red about what’s coming out, and we’ve been talking to Red about the latest incarnation of 3-D. We’re on the internet all the time just seeing who’s got the latest thing. Pretty soon, I think we’ll both walk to set with Blackberries that have HD capabalities, and then we’ll just shoot…”

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Apr 17 2009

Predator C Avenger Makes First Flights

stoolpigeon writes “General Atomics’ new unmanned combat aerial vehicle, the Predator C Avenger, has been making test flights. This new Predator has a stealthy design, 20-hour endurance, is jet powered and has an internal weapons bay. A number of photos have just become available. ‘The aircraft was designed so the wings can be folded for storage in hangars or aircraft carrier operations if a naval customer is found. Cassidy, a retired admiral, has talked about a possible Navy role for Predator C since 2002. The Navy was interested in the Predator B’s capabilities, but didn’t want to introduce any new propeller-driven aircraft onto carrier decks. The UAV also comes with a tailhook, suggesting that carrier-related trials are planned. The inner section of the cranked wing is deep, providing structural strength for carrier landings and generous fuel volume while maintaining a dry, folding outer wing. Right now, the US Air Force and Royal Air Force are considered the most likely users.'”

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Apr 17 2009

Time Warner Pulls Plug On Metered Billing Tests

fudreporter is one of many who writes to tell us that Time Warner is not planning to continue their tiered consumption tests at this time. The company is not completely admitting defeat, stating that they “may return to the idea in the future,” but for now the test has been ceased. “The plan would have established several tiers based on how much consumers use the Internet. Time Warner Cable had said at the time that it believed that consumers who download the most content need to pay more to cover infrastructure upgrades. The plan was first announced two weeks ago, then modified with higher download caps last week. In a news release yesterday, Glenn Britt, the chief executive of Time Warner Cable, said, ‘We will not proceed with implementation of additional tests until further consultation with our customers and other interested parties, ensuring that community needs are being met.'”

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Apr 17 2009

Why Republicans Won’t Retake Silicon Valley

An anonymous reader writes “Republican consultant Patrick Ruffini, who counts Google as one of his clients, sketches out a way that the GOP could ‘win back’ Silicon Valley — but he gets smacked down by tech businessman Francis Cianfrocca. ‘Patrick’s basic thesis is that the VC firms that fund the Valley will rebel at being regulated by [Treasury Secretary] Tim Geithner, who is talking about increasing reporting requirements for both private equity and venture capital. Assuming I understand them both correctly, something tells me that neither Geithner nor Ruffini understand deeply what venture capital is all about.'”

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Apr 17 2009

Winnipeg begins arresting residents for disobeying evacuation – Vancouver Sun


CTV.ca

Winnipeg begins arresting residents for disobeying evacuation
Vancouver Sun
By Bartley Kives, Winnipeg Free PressApril 17, 2009 7:36 AM An abandoned truck sits half-submerged on Hwy. 247 close to the junction with Hwy.
Worst of Winnipeg flooding 'over' Canada.com
Winnipeg flood outlook improves but is far from over CJOB
Winnipeg Free Press – Globe and Mail – CBC.ca – CBC.ca
all 623 news articles
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Apr 16 2009

They’re gone! After outcry, Time Warner uncaps the tubes

Internet revolt worked! Time Warner cancels capping plans….. for now.

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Apr 16 2009

Time Warner Shelves Plans For Tiered Pricing

The FNP writes “Time Warner has postponed their plans to test tiered data caps in Greensboro NC, Rochester NY, San Antonio TX, and Austin TX. This announcement comes shortly after the media started reporting on Eric Massa’s opposition and protests planned for this Saturday outside of Time Warner’s offices in Greensboro and Rochester.” There’s also a good piece at Ars on the fall of the current tiered-pricing plans.

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