Buzz Out Loud Podcast

Facebook's changing its privacy policy, and Molly and Rafe predict there will be groups. I don't think anyone cares about regional groups, but hey, I could be wrong. We also talk about why Steve Jobs personally approved an app that currently doesn't work. And Richard comes up with a brilliant idea for the future of news.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google alters news indexing to accommodate pay walls
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183526/google_alters_news_indexing_to_accommodate_pay_walls.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSGEE5B11Y120091202

AT&T customer satisfaction tanks
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/120209-att-customer-satisfaction.html?hpg1=bn

AT&T gives up on Verizon ad lawsuit
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10407717-266.html

New Facebook privacy controls just weeks away
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183505/
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=190423927130

Sprint fed customer GPS data to cops over 8 million times
http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/12/sprint-fed-customer-gps-data-to-leos-over-8-million-times.ars
http://paranoia.dubfire.net/2009/12/8-million-reasons-for-real-surveillance.html
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/gps-data

TomTom aggregates anonymous driver speeds; compiles list of most congested cities
http://richdemuro.com/tomtom-aggregrates-anonomous-driver-speeds-co

Google wants to eliminate drivers
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10407264-1.html

Web giants unite against Digital Britain copyright bill
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8390623.stm

Steve Jobs intervenes, approves Knocking streaming-video app
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/12/steve-jobs-intervenes-approves-knocking-streaming-video-app.ars

After Apple agreement, Psystar officially halts sales of clone Macs
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/12/02/after_apple_agreement_psystar_officially_halts_sales_of_clone_macs.html

Black screen of death not a Microsoft issue after all
http://www.prevx.com/blog/141/Windows-Black-Screen-Root-Cause.html

Dane, who ripped his DVDs, demands to be arrested under DRM law
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/01/dane-who-ripped-his.html

VOICE MAIL
Richard from California has an idea for CNN

E-MAIL
Google phone a certainty?I think they are right… But noting the way many people think. HTC
made the last google developer phone and in doing so got access to the
source code for 1.0 very early. This almost forced a partnership on
the G1. Simmilarly google is essentially forced to work with a
particular manufacture every launch in ever generation ( i.e. Droid
2.0). I would argue that in an attempt to not be “evil” that the phone
they launch is a developer version that will allow them to more
tightly control a symultainous launch. Thier current version is a bit
dated.

Making thier own consumer phone bypassing both hardware partners AND
wireless carriers is risky and potentially evil. Specifically given
that they have advertised this project as an open project.

Wallace R. Fanning

One thing Droid users can lord over iPhone fanatics is the new porn app. Yes, with no Apple adult minding its app catalog, Android users can go adult. We also debate the reality of Cyber Monday and congratulate Twitter on being word of the year. Plus, we know you're all wishing for Macs for Christmas, but you're going to get a Netbook. Amazon doesn't lie.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Black Friday boasts $595 million in U.S. online holiday spending, up 11 percent vs. year ago
http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2009/11/Black_Friday_Boasts_595_Million_in_U.S._Online_Holiday_Spending_Up_11_Percent_Versus_Year_Ago

Twitter’ top word of 2009
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10405994-2.html

Barnes & Noble delaying Nook shipments to stores
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2942046420091130

Kindle breaks record for sales in a single month during November
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Kindle-Breaks-Record-for-bw-1721662599.html?x=0&.v=1

Macs are Amazon’s most wished for, PC’s most given
http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/11/29/macs-are-amazons-most-wished-for/

Leak: The Google Phone “is a certainty”
http://gizmodo.com/5415169/leak-the-google-phone-is-a-certainty

Wikipedia denies mass exodus of editors
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8382477.stm

French court slams eBay with 1.7M fine over LVMH product resale dispute
http://eu.techcrunch.com/2009/11/30/french-court-slams-ebay-with-e1-7m-fine-over-lvmh-product-resale-dispute/
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/11/mininova-buries-pirate-booty-in-its-index-aims-to-go-legit.ars

Porn app store lands on Android phones
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183342/porn_app_store_lands_on_android_phones.html

Online “guilds” mirror real life gangs
http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/11/30/1358241/Online-Guilds-Mirror-Real-Life-Gangs

VOICE MAIL
Anonymous – how Bing is gaining share

E-MAIL
Look! In your hand, on your desk. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Twitter!!!!!!

Hey all in Buzzington,
Yes, it’s me again. This time with some good news…I think. Just saw this post on TechCrunch and it reminded me of your carrier pigeon vs DSL episode. Only this time, it’s Twitter vs. the mainstream media, with Twitter coming out looking like The Flash. Seriously, the Tiger Woods accident was all over Twitter within minutes; ten minutes later Google was all over it. So in a matter of fifteen minutes everyone in on social networking knew all the details involving the Tiger Woods accident. It took CNN 45 minutes just to get the ‘breaking story’ that “according to officials, Tiger Woods had crashed.”

We are in a major transition here; the internet is taking over, like it or not.

JoshuaCaleb

**********

You remember the story about the “web loyalty” scam where company A gives company B your credit card number and you get a recurring monthly charge in exchange for nothing.

Well, I recently discovered a recurring charge on my wife’s credit card for “VPCLUBUS” for $14.95 a month (VP = Vista Print, one of the participants in this scam). I called the card company to complain, they said they could dispute this charge, or I could file a fraud report, and they’d dispute the whole chain of charges and give me a new card number, but they gave me the phone number for the company and suggested I try to work it out with them first.

So, I called the provided Vista Print 800 number (and recorded the conversation just in case), and was pleasantly surprised with how quickly I was able to get my money back. I got an automated system telling me to type in my rewards number or card number, so I key in the credit card number. The automated thing looked up my info and told me I signed up on Jan 20th, and told me to hit “1″ to cancel my subscription. So I hit “1″. It says its canceled and I get a refund on the last charge, and to hit “0″ if I want to talk to someone. So I hit “0″ and tell the lady that I never signed up and I want a refund for the whole string of charges. They transfer me to someone else who picks up and says: Sorry for any misunderstanding, we’ll refund everything. Expect to see it on your card in 3 days. Here’s my name and reference number for the transaction.

And that’s it. The whole call was 4 minutes and 14 seconds. They get so many of these that they’ve actually streamlined the refund process.

So, BOLers, if you see this kind of charge, call the credit card company, get the number for the loyalty program, and see if you can’t get the whole thing refunded. – Tyler

**********

Hi everybody,

I am split on the whole 3 strikes thing. On one hand, I do some questionable things online that whould probably violate this new law. But on the other hand, such a law is probably the only thing that will make me stop said questionable activities. So… why not?

Love the show – Chris

Microsoft is apparently willing to pay Rupert Murdoch to block Google from indexing any of his company's Web sites. Are we headed toward a world where the search engine you use determines what news you get? Probably not. We explain why Murdoch may be thinking in an old fashioned limited way rather than in the current infinite Internet way. We also declare the patent office baroque, and ask it to lose weight.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Microsoft offers to pay News Corp. to “de-list” itself from Google
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-offers-to-pay-news-corp-to-de-list-itself-from-google-2009-11
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10403336-93.html

Large Hadron Collider progress delights researchers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8372737.stm
http://www.dailytech.com/Scientists+Complete+First+Steps+to+Bring+LHC+Back+Online/article16909.htm

Another iPhone worm, but this one is serious
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10403425-2.html

B&N Nook sold out for the holidays
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10402710-1.html

Roku adds Flickr, Facebook, Pandora, and more video channels
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-10402856-260.html

Farewell, triangles: AOL preps its post-Time Warner look
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10403346-93.html

Smoking may void AppleCare warranty due to “health hazard”
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/21/smoking_may_void_applecare_warranty.html

Spotify expands its reach, but still can't get to the U.S.
http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20091123/spotify-expands-its-mobile-reach-but-still-hasnt-landed-in-the-u-s/

Gameloft and others, reigning in Android plans – game developers pulling back
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5AJ1EU20091120

Apple’s Schiller Defends iPhone App Approval Process
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2009/tc20091120_354597.htm

Man to marry his video game girlfriend this Sunday
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/20/man-to-marry-his-vid.html

VOICE MAIL
Brandon has a way to do hands-free texting

Gil in Iraq has a worry about Digital Britain

E-MAIL
Caroline wrote a great article about the re-branding of AOL as —> “Aol.” + the results of typing “random crap” into Google image search.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10403346-93.html

This is so FAIL, I am having trouble wrapping my head around it.
1) America Online, AOL is an acronym, so why “Aol”?
2) Again, AOL is an acronym not a fraking sentence, WHY IS THERE PUNCTUATION??
3) Based on the write-up, there is a finite number of ‘clip art’-esque backdrops for the now Aol (pronounced “OWL” now in my book). So, I’m glad that the online company went with an image of Scratchy from the Simpsons with an exploding brain containing tinier Scratchy heads. Marketing GENIUS.

Clearly, the marketing team was part of, and stayed with, Time Warner. Not like I’d ever use Aol., but this is some serious marketing FAIL.

Love,
Dr. Karl

**********

Buzz Gang…

I dont remember which episode it was, (1099) but it was when you were
talking
about the ACTA Treaty. I thought I would send this little graphic I threw
together which I will be posing on my sites with a link to the Electronic
Frontier Foundation: http://tekpedia.net/files/2009/11/no_acta.png
https://secure.eff.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=383.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention and many others. Until I heard
this,
I thought the Net Neutrality issue was the big issue, now Im not so sure.

Rob Truman, USN Ret.
Tucson, AZ
http://tekpedia.net/files/2009/11/no_acta.png

**********

A short time ago,
in our very own galaxy……….

Patent Wars
(cue Imperial March)

Hi all in Buzzington,
This has got to be the worst and/or scariest patents I’ve seen. Slashdot has a report that some company called Volomedia, got a patent that grants them exclusive rights to create, download, and sync podcasts. Them and no one else. The way it’s worded not only spells doom for nearly every online news/media site, but possibly TV shows to an extent.

Ok, so I want to patent the rights of creating a sequel work based on an original intellectual property. Oops, there goes the media/entertainment industry.

Please tell me I’m misunderstanding this patent, otherwise BOL and every other podcast that I love could be wind up on the streets.

JoshuaCaleb

**********

Hey BOLers,

I love you guys, but every time you start to talk about Windows Mobile and the Zune and Microsoft’s strategy (or lack thereof), it makes me want to blow a gasket.

While WinMo is clearly behind compared to several other mobile OSes, everyone seems to forget that Windows Mobile has had apps available for a long, long time. I have a great Twitter app (Twikini), an official Facebook app, mobile maps with driving directions (Bing), and more.

Could it be better? Absolutely. There are still a lot of aspects of the OS that are behind the times. But if you look at the published required specs for WinMo 7 phones, it looks like it’s going to be really powerful and full of cutting edge features. Additionally, the Zune platform will reportedly be intergrated into Windows Mobile 7, so why would MS put out a Zune phone when ALL the WinMo 7 phones will be Zune phones?

Even though I disagree with your thoughts on Windows Mobile, I still … Love the show.

George A. Roberts IV
President and CEO, Purity Networks, Inc.
http://www.purity.net/

There's a little panic over the fact that Bing's market share dropped last month, but you have to remember, folks, Bing is young. Rafe puts it in perspective for us. Also, Kindle gets a price cut and goes worldwide, yo. That's big. What is also big is the keylogger network that's hijacking everyone's Web mail accounts. We can help you out with that, a bit.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Another Kindle price cut…and it goes wireless internationally
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/10/06/financial/f210208D88.DTL&tsp=1
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10369321-93.html

AT&T to allow VoIP iPhone apps on 3G network
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10368955-37.html

Huge Web mail phishing scam spreading fast
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8294714.stm

Australian ISP in court for not disconnecting users
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/10/australian-isp-in-court-for-not-disconnecting-users.ars

Court rules for software ownership over licensing
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/10/06/2245214/Court-Rules-For-Software-Ownership-Over-Licensing

HitWise says Microsoft Bing fell 0.5 percent to Google’s gain
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/HitWise-Says-Microsoft-Bing-Fell-5-to-Googles-Gain-529954/

DoubleTwist unveils an alternative to the iTunes music store, powered by Amazon MP3
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/06/doubletwist-unveils-an-alternative-to-the-itunes-music-store-powered-by-amazon-mp3/

E.U. approves test of Windows 7 ‘Browser Ballot’
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2353906,00.asp

Fans come together to complete "Star Wars Uncut"
http://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/09/10/06/1647234/Fans-Come-Together-To-Complete-Star-Wars-Uncut

“Apps for Innovation” Developer Contest
http://www.ce.org/GovernmentAffairs/Innovation_Movement/apps-contest.asp

VOICE MAIL
Rick on Vonage

Stewart on gas masks

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz-Crew,

In ep 1077 you asked for a CIO/CTO to weigh in on the IBM Inotes vs Goolge Docs hypothetical prize fight for our hypothetical business. While I am not of that stature at my company I do sit right outside the out CIO’s office so I wrestled him down, duct taped him to his chair and made him answer this very question!

Okay, well not really that first part but he did answer and here is what he said:

“We actually looked at Google Docs for cost reduction and there is no way we could use it. With all the customer data that we have and the nature of our business (not to mention internal systems) having something in the cloud would be much to risky. Cloud stuff just isn’t reliable enough for us to even consider using it. Not only that but there was no way that Legal would let us (not to mention that it didn’t clear SOX compliance). And let us not forget about our ‘wonderful’ users. The learning curve that they would have to deal with might just break them.”

So there you have it. The argument against clouds at my company are (1) Reliability, (2) Legal / SOX issues and (3) Inept users.

Love the show,

M
The overweight I.T. Ninja

P.S.- Sorry for the anonymity but I’m just covering my bacon (if you know what I mean).

**********

Hey, Buzz crew,

With all the discussion about mobile OS platforms and developers in
yesterday’s show (episode 1078), I’m surprised you didn’t mention the
announcement Adobe made on Monday about how they’re going to enable
Flash developers to code apps in Flash that can then be converted into
native iPhone apps. Technical merits aside, it’s an interesting move by
Adobe to keep Flash application and game developers from abandoning
Flash to take a swing at developing apps solely for the iPhone, and you
have to wonder if Apple is somewhat annoyed that five iPhone apps
created with this technique made it into the app store.

–Brian from Bowie, MD

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,
I am listening to Episode 1076, (I’m a bit behind) and upon hearing Tom’s dreams of “Tenspeed and Brownshoe” being streamed online, I ran over to Google to find out what in the world he was talking about. So of course, I wound up at IMDB reading up on the subject, how mundane right? Why would I be emailing to tell you this? Well, I noticed at the top of their page, a popularity ranking, and had to laugh when I saw that the popularity of the series went up 34% this week. Glad I wasn’t the only one left wondering “wtf?” after that comment!

Love the show!

Patrick Sullivan
Augusta, GA

**********

Hey guys,
I’m a couple episodes behind, so you may have already talked about this but: things just got real with Palm http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/05/palm-throws-the-doors-open-review-free-app-distribution-over-th/

What better way to compete with the iTunes app store than to lower the barrier of entry for open source apps and decentralize the distribution of free apps.

Jake (the computer science student in Grand Rapids)

As AT&T tries to accuse Google of violating Net neutrality, Molly wonders if they really just want to be seen as a villain. Also while you should never call anything unhackable, the Netbooks being given to students in Australia are pretty tight. Physical-layer BIOS protection is unusual in an educational situation like that. And we also get a little frustrated at people who don't listen. So please. Listen. Thanks.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Orange U.K. gets iPhone 3GS, O2 loses exclusivity
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/09/28/orange.uk.to.carry.iphones.in.2009/

Apple's Apps flying off the virtual shelves: 6.6 million downloads per day
http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20090928/apples-apps-flying-off-the-virtual-shelves-6-6-million-downloads-per-day/

Apple behind Intel’s USB competitor?
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/09/09/27/1427241/Apple-Behind-Intels-USB-Competitor

Critics: AT&T griping over Google Voice a “red herring”
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/google-critics-slam-att-on-google-voice.ars

Yahoo's new TV ad: Count the 'yous'
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-yahoos-new-tv-ad-count-the-yous/

Music player noise limit planned
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8279348.stm

A.U. government to build “unhackable” Netbooks
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/09/27/0252235/AU-Government-To-Build-Unhackable-Netbooks

Ignoring RIAA lawsuits cheaper than going to trial
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/ignoring-riaa-lawsuits-cheaper-than-going-to-trial.ars

Porn row pizza workers strike
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/porn-row-pizza-workers-strike-14502739.html

Send in your questions for Steve Ballmer
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30966_3-10362159-262.html

VOICE MAIL
RogueTess
Extra security for PayPal

Jack
Stealing thunder from Microsoft

E-MAIL
BOL,

They should have either (1) an application/PDF document that you can
store on your mobile phone or (2) a URL printed inside the glove
compartment that you can enter on your phone to view the manual. The
latter would be better in general (because who remembers to download
the documentation *before* you have problems), but the former would be
better for areas with poor or no cell phone access, like the San
Francisco area.

Todd

**********

Props to Nick the biochem grad student for the helpful link regarding Windows 7 for students. I checked it out and all you need is a valid .edu address and $29.99. It’s pre-order right now and they’re allowing downloads on October 22. Now that some of my textbooks cost upwards of $160 (I’m a nursing student) saving $90 on an OS that’ll hopefully save me from the hell I’ve been living in called Vista is quite the boon. Thanks Nick and thanks Microsoft, though I doubt I’ll be having any kind of cuddle party there might be some kind of ritual involving lighter fluid and my Vista disc…

–
Derin from Scottsdale

**********

A few episodes ago, you guys talked about wanted AM radio on the Zune HD, and I would agree. I was looking at the teardown of the Zune HD on iFixit, and noticed something interesting. In Step 8, they reveal that the Zune HD has a SiPORT HD Radio chip which just so happens to support AM radio. All Microsoft has to do is turn it on.

Thanks for the great work.

Andrew
Bangor, ME
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Microsoft-Zune-HD/1170/1

**********

BOL

I have tried a few times now to locate the bonus material for the show, and have been totally unsuccessful. Could you please clarify where this is located, or put it in the iTunes feed?

aaren

We could have talked about yet another Apple tablet rumor but the chat room vetoed it. The chat room rulez! We do discuss Google's CEO leaving the Apple board and Microsoft shipping the normal Windows 7 to Europeans. And also robots that can run. That's not a good idea. Especially if they run towards you.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 1032

Google’s Schmidt resigns from Apple board
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10301612-37.html

Microsoft: No browserless Windows 7 after all
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10301299-56.html

FCC’s Speed Shockingly Fast Looking Into iPhone-Google Voice Fiasco
http://www.businessinsider.com/fccs-speed-shockingly-fast-looking-into-iphone-google-voice-fiasco-2009-8

AT&T Does Not Manage or Approve Apps for the App Store
http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20090803/att-does-not-manage-or-approve-apps-for-the-app-store-though-we-may-bitch-about-the-ones-we-dislike/
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=22069

Apple tried to silence owner of exploding iPod with gagging order
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article6736587.ece

Analyst claims first hand knowledge of Apple gaming, home media center tablet
http://www.9to5mac.com/apple-tablet-september-barrons

Defcon air traffic control hacker: Excuse me while I change your aircraft's flight plan
http://deals.venturebeat.com/2009/08/01/defcon-hacker-excuse-me-while-i-change-your-aircrafts-flight-plan/

Verizon drops pricing on almost all existing smartphones to under $99
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/08/02/verizon-drops-pricing-on-almost-all-existing-smartphones-to-under-99/

Radio Shack rebadged “The Shack” in mobile push
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/08/02/radio.shack.rebranding/
http://www.radioshack.com/theshack/

Robot Runs For Real
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93586-Robot-Runs-For-Real

Ask Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra a question on Buzz Out Loud
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10301736-10.html

Bing's June bump won't be enough to take significant share from Google according to JP Morgan analysts. Of course, analysts will say anything anyway. And apparently so will we. It's kind of a complaining podcast today, but we do find a shining example of good at the end.

EPISODE 1018

Netflix rises on speculation of Amazon.com buyout

Verizon to start it's own app store
http://gigaom.com/2009/07/13/verizon-to-mobile-developers-can-you-hear-me-now/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/13/verizon-to-its-smartphones-thou-shalt-have-no-other-app-store-b/

RIM Launching A BlackBerry social network for venting tomorrow
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/13/rim-launching-a-blackberry-social-network-for-venting-tomorrow/

Windows Marketplace taking app submissions on July 27, coming to WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 later this year
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/windows-marketplace-taking-app-submissions-on-july-27-coming-to/

JP Morgan survey shows Bing won't gain much against Google
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-survey-confirms-bing-will-bomb-2009-7
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10285524-2.html

U.K., not North Korea, source of DDOS attacks, researcher says
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135492/U.K._not_North_Korea_source_of_DDOS_attacks_researcher_says

First portable HD Radio on the way, and it's cheap
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10284790-1.html

Swiss Postal Service lets users check snail mail online
http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2009/07/swiss-postal-service-lets-users-check-snail-mail-online.ars

NASA has the lost tapes
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/07/13/2342220/NASA-Has-the-Lost-Tapes

Photos: Paws-on with the Pet's Eye View Cam
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/0,39029552,49302958,00.htm
http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/cc_index_en.htm

Make sure to check out Dan Lueders' remix of "In The Chatroom" at the end of today's episode! It's pretty awesome.

VOICE MAIL
Ted in Farmington on how downloading could show as streaming

Jim the SysAdmin on Google's plan

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz Crew!

Molly, this is specially for you. On his last encyclical letter, Pope Benedict XVI talked about the "unduly rigid assertion of the right to intellectual property, especially in the field of health care."

In a way, it's a holy rant... check it out:

http://www.keionline.org/blogs/2009/07/07/pope-ipr/
http://legalpad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/things-the-pope-doesnt-like-poverty-injustice-ip-lawyers.html
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html

All the best,

Henrique from Brazil

**********

Hi Buzz Crew,

Long time, first time. I was just listening to your audio podcast today and you reported a story where 6 out of 10 corporations don't plan to migrate to Windows 7. Tom specifically mentioned Intel as still being on Windows XP. I am an Intel employee and I can confirm that we had a pilot program for Vista but our IT department decided not to go through with the migration for several reasons (security issues, hardware requirements etc.) We had a couple of members of our group participate in the pilot and they couldn't stand it. During meetings the Vista people were always a few minutes behind the rest of us because it took them that much longer to come out of sleep mode, collaboration was nightmare for them as well (Live Meeting and Sharepoint were hit or miss on Vista). Bottom line, I believe we still use XP because it just works. I haven't heard anything about migrating to 7 anytime soon, will keep you posted if I do.

Love. The. Show.

Anonymous Intel ASIC Designer

P.S. Tom, cheer up! You'll get sponsors any day now.

**********

Dear Buzz Out Loud,

I just finished listening to epsiode 1017 and i am truly sickened by your continuous criticism, pot shots, and negative comments towards the blu-ray format, sony's playstation 3 game console, and apple's iphone as well as other products. I understand as well as anyone that companies often make stupid decisions, boneheaded moves, and other poor choices. Sony's game marketing in itself is a tragedy. They have at least ten (10) potential million+ selling games but only three to four will ever sell to that level due to poor marketing. if the Playstation 3 had Microsoft's marketing they would be on the heels of the Wii in sales by now.

The reason i write though is that the extent to which you all HARP on the negatives is just too much. Nearly every week (if not every other day) you heap more criticism on top of the mountain that you have already created. Natali and Molly are especially guilty. I doubt that they even reasearch into, inquire about, or ever use a PS3 to even be knowledgeable about it. I fear that they just repeat what they hear others say without ever verifying the information... much like a lazy and ignorant parrot would.

I admit that i love the Playstation 3 because of the incredible amount of features that it has. And it does irritate me, not that you criticize the console, but that you do it while omitting, skimming over, or rationalizing the faults of its competing products and even the console's strengths. For example Molly trashes the PS3 because it costs $100 more than the midrange xbox 360 pro but actually justified the additional xbox live yearly fee as a "cost as a online gaming." For her it may be something she pays for without a second thought, however after five years that very xbox live membership costs the same as a Wii and listeners should be made aware of that additional cost when they listen to a technology journalist (who we are told by CNET is both objective and knowledgable) compare the two consoles.

Also you fail to mention that the PS3's hard drive can be upgraded with any off the shelf laptop hard (2.5" SATA) which is an incredible strength in terms of storage costs of the limited Xbox 360 options. Playtv allows the PS3 to act as a digital video recording device even while you are playing a game (currently avilable in Europe and possibly Asia). Remote Play allows PSP owners to access data and even play select games on the PS3 from any wireless hotspot anywhere in the world. Each point is a significant strength kept from listeners by Buzz out Loud and also CNET. Please note that keeping information away from the public is the opposite of respected journalism.

Since you all are so well adept at creating criticism though i challenge you to curb (or even shut down) the criticism until you can create a better portable high definition storage (i.e. blu-ray) format, or game console with online network, or even the perfect smartphone. You do not even have to create a physical product... just make the design and technical specifications for one that could be built. I really would like to see and hear your ideas. Then you could post the designs on your Buzz out Loud web site and have audience members vote on the best and also comment on them. Then you could show those companies how you are so much smarter than they are. I am sure that they would appreciate the education.

I certainly hope that your audience is more merciful on your work than you have been to the companies whose actual products you criticize.

Best Wishes,
-Playstation fanboy Raf (not Rafe)

P.S. I will not be surprised if you choose no to create because it is always easier to criticize than to create. That is why despite all of Molly's rants she will never change the world for the better. that is because it takes more than just hot air to make things better!

**********

Hey Tom,

About Episode 1017 and Blu Ray Players. I have actually read that Blu Ray is way up. EngadgetHD has several reports on this. Way back in January they reported that compared to the original rate of DVD adoption, Blu Ray is outpacing it 2 to 1 http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/06/blu-rays-first-two-years-outpaces-dvds/
They also reported that Blu Ray Player sales were up 72% in the 1st Quarter of 09
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/05/06/blu-ray-making-greenbacks-sales-up-72-to-start-09/ The fact is the Blu ray player being sold for under a $100 dollars is slow and just isn't very good. Don't take the experience of one Walmart in Wisconsin as the way BluRay is doing everywhere. Blu Ray is doing fine in the US and is doing even better overseas. Love the Show

Steve from Texas

According to the Office 10 Twitter account, Zune lovers will be happy in June. If that wasn't weird enough, they also warn you not to buy an iPhone or Palm Pre, which is probably standing orders at Microsoft. Also Natali carries knives in her sports bra quite often. Or so we have come to understand.

EPISODE 972

Report: Intel to join Microsoft in EU antitrust purgatory
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/05/report-eu-readying-to-fine-intel-for-antitrust-violations.ars

Apple freezes Snow Leopard APIs
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/12/0213242

Greece puts brakes on Street View
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8045517.stm

Vodafone app store
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE54B28X20090512

Users asked to design their own MMO levels make up really easy games
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/12/users-asked-to-desig.html

Pirate Bay founder proposes to pay his fine with tiny, expensive-to-receive payments
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/11/pirate-bay-founder-p.html

French adopt 3 strikes bill
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/12/1555231
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8046564.stm

Net firms reject ‘policing role’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8046028.stm

Gecko Netbook runs on AA batteries
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10238203-1.html

Microsoft: ‘June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers… hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre’
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/12/microsoft-june-2009-will-be-an-important-month-for-zune-lovers/

Brain scanning may be used In EU security checks
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/12/1234222&from=rss

Jonathan Coulton DVD features excerpt from CNET Live interview
http://www.jonathancoulton.com/2009/05/11/dvd-for-sale/

Voice mail
Paul in Hawaii
Hard to understand

Zack
Blackboard review

Jim the SysAdmin
Here’s what we did for University content

E-mail
I commute to and from work daily, but, thanks to a World of Warcraft
addiction, a Netflix account, Hulu and my PS3, I never ever leave the
house. I have a phone at home, and a phone at work.

BUT, I live out in the country, and I occasionally worry about getting
stranded in the desert. So I have, for the last few years, used
Alltel’s per-day pay as you go cell plan.

Just thought you’d like to know; it’s not only Jason Bourne that doesn’t
feel like paying $80 a month for two years for a phone he will only use
in emergencies.

Love,
Paul Tietjens
Linux Systems Administrator

**********

Hey guys,

about the assasin phone plan.. this plan would work great with Google
Voice. So, using Molly’s example, you would pick up the calls using
your work phone during the week, but you would use your personal
phones during the weekends and all people have to is to call you on
your google voice number. This way you don’t have to worry about
people not being able to reach you because you didn’t pay for that
particular day.

Sang Park

**********

Hey Sheba
I’m just naming your group something random since I don’t want to think too hard about the the current group nickname. (Lay off, I’m working.) Just wanted to bring up a little point regarding the retention rates of Twitter. According to other reports on this study, the study only covered the use of Twitter on the main twitter web page. Do not forget that Twitter is used via MANY third party applications such TweetDeck, Twhirl, Tweetie, TwitterFon, Twitterrific, Twinkle, and Twapple.

Okay, I made that last one up, but still, I would argue that the large majority of people using Twitter do not access it through the main webpage. Discuss.
Love the show.

Bobby S.

**********

Well actually…

the only reasoning behind making it “required” it is then allowed to be purchased using financial aid and scholarships legally…. it is not actually needed… disappointed that y’all are so quick to jump and trash the iphone at any given chance….

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/09/missouri-school-of-journalisms-iphone-requirement-a-clever-in

-mike from texas-

Turns out surfing Facebook at work has a name and it's good for your productivity. A study shows that 20 percent of your time spent Workplace Internet Leisure Browsing (WILB) will improve your output. Texas also says hasta la vista to Vista, and AT&T tries to block movies on its wireless network.

EPISODE 945

Google reported sniffing at Twitter, but to what end?
http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/04/google-reported.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/04/02/sources-google-in-late-stage-talks-to-buy-twitter/
http://www.appscout.com/2009/04/google_incorporating_twitter_f.php
http://kara.allthingsd.com/20090403/sorry-to-get-you-all-a-twitter-but-google-is-not-in-late-stage-talks-to-acquire-the-hot-microblogging-service/

Google reveals “Secret” server designs
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/02/157244
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10209580-92.html

AT&T changes TOS to limit mobile video
http://newteevee.com/2009/04/02/att-changes-tos-to-limit-mobile-video/

Older Slingboxes incompatible with Sling iPhone app
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10210377-1.html

Study: Surfing the Internet at work boosts productivity
http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2009/04/study-surfing-the-internet-at-work-boosts-productivity.ars

Telcos said its testing plan to offer PCs to businesses
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10787_3-10211116-60.html

Texas Senate proposes a budget with a no-Vista-upgrades rider
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/02/2158253

OS diversity protects cell phones from virus outbreaks
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/04/cellphone-os-diversity-protecting-against-viruses.ars

Angry villagers run Google out of town
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/02/1731231

Robot achieves scientific first
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f2b97d9a-1f96-11de-a7a5-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10211175-1.html

MIT scientists build virus-powered batteries for Your next electric car
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/mit-scientists-build-virus-powered-batteries-your-next-electric-c

Chicks can do math
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/03/1525244

VOICEMAIL
Steve from Calgary
Howell world tour!

Alex in Buffalo
Linux not good on Time Warner Cable

Tony
West Virginia insulting issue

E-MAIL
This looks cool. Add this to the list of alternate game consoles.

http://digg.com/d1nnEK Envizions announced that it is taking orders for an open-source Linux gaming system, and will start shipping beta units to game developers, resellers, and software partners on April 10. The EVO Smart Console is based on a 2.4GHz Athlon, and includes a Fedora-based Linux distro.

-MC Fisticuffs

**********

Hi guys!

About the Windows Live update for Windows Mobile 6.5. Tom said “I don’t know how many folks use Windows Live anymore.” Well, here in the Netherlands and some other european countries many people use Windows Live Mail and almost everyone has a Windows Live Messenger account. Actually, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t use the Windows Live Messenger. Just wanted to let you know.

Love the show!

Wessel
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

**********

Forgot to tell you about this very clever conficker test in my previous email. Not sure if you’ve heard about it but if you haven’t it’s worth checking out:

http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html

Patrick Beja

**********

http://linux-foundation.org/weblogs/press/2009/04/02/linux-foundation-to-host-moblin-project/

Interesting one there. Mobilin is a linux distro created and until now
managed by Intel that is aimed at the Atom based MIDs and Netbooks.
It’s looked pretty interesting, taking lightweight and fast Xfce desktop
environment and a standardised API to make it easier for programmers,
whilst including GTK and QT as well.
It also manages something few other OSs have achieved, a true boot up in
just 5 seconds, from scratch not Suspend To Ram, not hibernation.

With that announcement Intel has passed over management of the
application to the Linux Foundation, whilst retaining a person on the
steering committee. What hasn’t changed is the core developers. Intel
is still employing them full time to work on it, so it appears to be an
almost political rather than practical change here to try and pull other
parties in and get them invested in the development.

Paul,
Hawaii.