Buzz Out Loud Podcast

I'm not sure why I mentioned an actual piece of horse, but it had to do with trojan horses and mysterious laptops showing up at Governor's offices around the US. We also help you get hooked up with Snow Leopard compatibility and warn you against a couple of scary government initiatives.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Snow Leopard Application Incompatibilities Compiled
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/27/snow-leopard-application-incompatibilities-compiled/
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3258

Snow Leopard’s malware protection only scans for two Trojans
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4139

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

Quantum Cryptography for the Masses
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/23317/?a=f

FBI Investigating Mystery Laptops Sent To US Governors
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/08/28/0210225/FBI-Investigating-Mystery-Laptops-Sent-To-US-Governors

Investor Group Makes Play For Skype
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/28/investor-group-makes-play-for-skype/

Storm 2, Touch Pro2, Omnia II and possibly the Pre – all in Verizon’s inventory database
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Storm-2-Touch-Pro2-Omnia-II-and-possibly-the-Pre—all-in-Verizons-inventory-database-article-a_6641.html

Yelp Brings First US Augmented Reality App to iPhone Store
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/yelp_brings_first_us_augmented_reality_to_iphone_s.php
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/the_wall_has_fallen_3_augmented_reality_apps_now_l.php

IBM Images a Single Molecule
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/08/28/1119203/IBM-Images-a-Single-Molecule

Loch Ness Monster surfaces on Google Earth
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/28/google_earth_nessie/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10318790-36.html

Vote for Buzz Out Loud at SXSW 2010
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10311505-10.html

VOICEMAIL
Anonymous solution to earbud problem

Anonymous2 on Firefox private browsing

EMAIL
Hey guys,

love the show, with Tom’s virtualization (show 1051) idea, there are a few fantastic products like Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop. With XenDesktop you get a whole virtual desktop deliver to your computer which can either run using the power of your computer or of the servers and means you can run pretty much any OS on your laptop but for company work use their virtual access, you can even access the desktop through the web so you could use a netbook .

At my current company we heavily use virtualization like this because everyone uses different operating systems but all the companies core apps are windows based, as I am writing this to you I am in the Outback of Australia using my companies internal applications through my web browser running on my Mac.

Cheers,

Ray the systems admin guy

**********

Hello Buzz Crew,

I'm not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but did you know that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is allowed to seize your laptop or other electronic device without cause when you enter the US?

This applies to everyone, US Citizens and foreign nationals. The rules were recently updated, partially under pressure from a recent ALCU lawsuit, but the ALCU wants further changes. Under the revised rules, CBP and ICE are also allowed to keep your laptop for up to 30 days to perform the search. The ACLU asserts that the rules are still too broad and have the potential for abuse.

While the occurrence of this happening appears to be quite uncommon, is does happen. The CBP reported they only did about 1,000 laptop searches during a 10 month period, and only 46 were in-depth searches. The CDP processed 221 million passengers during that same time frame. Rare as it may be, I certainly would not want to be on of the travelers who were subjected to this search and seizure of their laptop. The thing that really bothers me is they are allowed to do this without cause.

Quoting the PC world article linked below:

"CBP has asserted that it can search all files, including financial documents and Web browsing history, on travelers’ laptops and electronic devices “absent individualized suspicion.” The agency does need probable cause that a crime has been committed to seize a device."

I guess all of this is something to think about when deciding if you should take your laptop, smart phone, or any other electronic device on your next overseas trip.

Here are the relevant links:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/170963/us_dhs_revises_border_laptop_search_rules.html
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251393255852.shtm http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320116-38.html

Thanks for such an informative and fun show.

Lenny the Globetraveler

**********

I thought you guys might get a kick out of this. Two Swedish geeks spent six months putting this stop-motion music video together for their electronic music. They used a Nikon DSLR, a lot of legos, and even more patience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qsWFFuYZYI&feature=channel_page

Thomas,
Stockholm, Sweden

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Apple lead barely shrinks in customer-satisfaction survey
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2009/08/apple_lead_barely_shrinks_in_c.html?hpid=sec-tech

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10311373-92.html

Microsoft to adopt dual-platform strategy to compete with Android and iPhone, say handset makers
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090819PD210.html

Shocker: Windows 7 to sell in UK for half the US price!
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49303374,00.htm

New Dell-ARM combo poised to take on Wintel Netbooks?
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/08/new-dell-arm-combo-poised-to-take-on-wintel-netbooks.ars
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10251841-64.html

New alliance aims to unite malware fight
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10313027-83.html

Study touts Internet Explorer 8 as world's most secure browser
http://www.pcworld.com/article/170316/study_touts_internet_explorer_8_as_worlds_most_secure_browser.html
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/08/microsoft-sponsors-two-nss-reports-ie8-is-the-most-secure.ars

I4i says OpenOffice does not infringe like MS Word
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/18/190227/i4i-Says-OpenOffice-Does-Not-Infringe-Like-MS-Word

Microsoft asks for stay of Word injunction
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10311065-56.html

URL Shortener tr.im To Go Community-Owned, Open Source
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/08/19/120206/URL-Shortener-trim-To-Go-Community-Owned-Open-Source

How the short URL game is rigged
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10311749-250.html

Vote for Buzz Out Loud at SXSW 2010
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10311505-10.html

E-MAIL
The Southeastern Conference has revised and cleared up its fan policy.
http://mashable.com/2009/08/18/sec-social-media-policy/

In this interview, Charles Bloom, the SEC Associate Commissioner of Media Relations clears up what the new policy means. Basically, they dont want anyone live streaming the games from their phones, but almost everything else is ok.

http://buzzmanagerblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/official-interview-sec-hears-fans.html

GEAUX TIGERS!

John in Louisiana

**********

Hey BuzzCrew-

Rare and elusive as it is for BOL to breach my field, I do love it. In Episode 1044 you discussed fake DNA for crime scenes etc. Now you were worried that this could be 1) Easily done 2) not discovered.

Well worry not, it was slightly explained in the NY Times article and a little was scene in the original paper’s abstract. The simplistic explanation is that natural DNA is methylated, a chemical process done by the cell to prevent certain genes from activated when not needed. But any DNA created by scientists isn’t methylated. There are quick and easy tests that can be done to prove whether DNA is methylated or not. As for how “simple” this process is to replicate DNA and fake it, well--in my world, relatively, I could probably do this in a few tries and be a pro by next month. As for your common murderer/thief– not likely to have the equipment or more importantly the MONEY to do so.

This would have to be a grand conspiracy and well thought-out.

Sadly we as tax payers will now have to fork over even more for our justice system/labs to add this extra experiment onto the forensics process.

And let me also say, most genetics folks always knew this was possible- just it has now been peer reviewed & published.

Cheers from Oxford
Tom Merritt the Doppelganger, PhD (Okay I never add this, but figured it works this time)

**********

Hey BOL, it’s Oliver in Portland, Oregon.

In yesterday’s episode 1044 an emailer said he was surprised you hadn’t tested the voicemail-bypass tip. I’m writing to say I’m even more baffled that you never hit up Google for a solution. Here’s a link to a Lifehacker article from a few weeks ago. By pressing one-star-pound you guarantee instant access to the beep, regardless of the carrier. Points to you though for the conclusion that Verizon only sometimes works when pressing “one” – the article confirms this!

Sorry to drag this story into a third show, but I think your listeners would appreciate a more solid conclusion. Love listening to you guy!

Cheers.

Oliver
http://lifehacker.com/5326511/bypass-cellphone-voicemail-instructions-with-one-star-pound
**********

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you know that in Louisiana Tyson Foods is building a bio-diesel Plant that
turns chicken fat into high quality bio-diesel and jet fuel. So Molly is right when she said “we grow a lot of chickens, maybe we should start shoving them into gas tanks”.

http://domesticfuel.com/2009/05/04/louisiana-chicken-fat-biodiesel-plant-nears-completion/

Also, on the topic of the SECs ban on the use of Twitter and other social media during games. Les Miles, the head coach of LSU, which is an SEC school, said he will
be twittering before, during and after games. I guess the rule passed by the SEC was meant to discourage coaches and players as well as fans.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-04-28-twitter-cover_N.htm

Thanks for the time.
LOVE THE SHOW

Paul from Baton Rogue, LA

Radio Shack, as we mentioned yesterday, is changing to The Shack. But a good restaurant in Connecticut is also called The Shack and has pie. Radio Shack does not have pie. They lose. We also talk about Google dropping search share and the rumored new PS3.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Buzz Out Loud interviews Aneesh Chopra, Obama's Chief Technology Officer
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10302978-10.html

Google search share drops as Bing gains momentum
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/08/bing-continues-to-chip-away-at-googles-search-share.ars

Misunderstandings abound about the ‘Windows Phones’ branding. Head’s up: Nothing has changed. Nothing.
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/08/02/misunderstandings-abound-about-the-windows-phones-branding-head-s-up-nothing-has-changed-nothing.aspx

Report: White House acting cyberspace chief resigns
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10302297-38.html

Sony dropping 80GB PS3 in Japan?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10302534-1.html

Sony hints at $100 game titles
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10301854-17.html

U.S. Marines not allowed on social networks
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/marines-ban-twitter-myspace-facebook/

Twitter warms up malware filter
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10302479-83.html

Delicious reborn as real-time news tracker
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/delicious_reborn_as_real_time_news_tracker.php

Netflix Watch Now on the iPhone
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/netflix-rumored-to-be-bringing-watch-instantly-to-iphones-skept/

Ridley Scott signs up to direct Alien prequel
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/03/alien_prequel/

VOICE MAIL
David Google Voice would make people use phone more

RogueTess we need specific driving laws

E-MAIL
Hate to be one of those “well actually” individuals but when Tom said that nobody used Pointcast I felt the need to geekily speak up as its only apologist (no doubt

I was in tech college at the time Pointcast was around and didn’t have anything but really slow dialup at home. Getting a bunch of articles pushed to my laptop that I could then read at my own comfort when I got home was fantastic. I also really enjoyed the interface and the story ticker. Pointcast was Google reader before RSS and I still wish Google reader would get its own desktop news ticker of some sort.

Spencer Kyle

***********

Hello All,

When I heard of Radio Shack’s name change, I had to laugh, since there is a restaurant called the Shack here in Southeastern Connecticut. They serve great meals, and their motto is “Life is short, have pie.” Why would I go “The Shack” since I could go the other Shack to get pie?

Take care,
Keith

Let's be clear: we don't know how to cook a Mammoth. But Natali would like to know, because apparently she eats her pets. That is not true at all. But what is true is Google turned the whole Internet into malware this weekend. And that we can tell you why. And will. So listen in.

EPISODE 902

Google flags whole Internet as malware
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/31/google-flags-whole-internet-as-malware/
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2009/01/google-broke-the-internet-malware-detector-went-haywire.ars
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10153942-92.html

Gmail spam filters broken
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-mornings-spam-filter-issue.html

Senate passes second bill making the digital TV switch voluntary for broadcasters
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-senate-passes-second-bill-making-the-digital-tv-switch-voluntary-for-br/

Windows 7 less annoying, but also less secure?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10153817-56.html?
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F02%2F02%2F0119204

Helio Ocean 2 coming on Feb. 12
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/01/29/helio-ocean-2-coming-february-12th/
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/helio-ocean-2/4505-6454_7-33507715.html

eSlick reader
http://www.gearlog.com/2009/01/esleek_ebook_reader_aims_to_un.php

Netflix hints at premium streaming channel
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/02/netflix-hints-at-premium-streaming-channel.ars

Sirius for iPhone?
http://i.gizmodo.com/5142096/sirius-satellite-radio-iphone-app-could-come-within-a-week

Extinct Pyrenean ibex cloned
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F02%2F01%2F1657215

NASA offering free zero-gravity flights
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F01%2F31%2F0710235

Virgin offers up 25 million ‘Velocity Points’ to put you in space
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/25-million-virgin-frequent-flyer-points-nets-you-a-trip-to-space/

Google earth will see the ocean floor
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/01/google-earth-oceans-project

VOICEMAIL
Lee
More bandwidth makes me paranoid

Alex from Buffalo
Russian Linux will help IT

E-MAIL
Hey.

I just wanted to make a correction to one emailer that was talking about Microsoft mesh and Sky drive. Skydive has 25gigs of storage but this will be upped as long as you are not abusing it. You can use Live Sync to sync your documents to skydive.

Mesh is a separate system (why I don't know). Mesh works in a better way it gives you a mesh "desktop" in the cloud. Any folder on your local machine that is change to a Mesh folder is then automatically synced to your mesh desktop. Your mesh desktop any file on your mesh desktop can then be viewed anywhere with an internet connection. The reason I think it better then live sync is it is automatic and you don't have to constantly go into a browser, but mesh is limited to 5gigs

I use skydive for storage of files that I won't be changing a lot. I use mesh for files that will need a lot of editing. Sorry for writing such a long email about this subject I just think it's a great free service.

Mark

**********

Hey Tom, Molly, Jason and Natalie,
Chris the former Snowmen Hunter here to say recently I was catching up on my Buzz when I heard the back and forth about the kilowatt laser jets and remembered an evil epiphany I had awhile back.

Since at least the 1970s, various satellites, space stations and planetary rovers have sported solar panels to take energy from the sun.

In 1998 NASA launched the Deep Space 1 probe, which sported the first in-service ion engine.
Here’s a link: http://nmp.nasa.gov/ds1/tech/sep.html

In 2004, the U.S. Airforce successfully tested it’s 747 based Airborne Laser, and this year has been cleared to test it’s ability to shoot down a missile.
Link: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/boeings-747-laser-canon/5351

Lastly, in 2004, Spaceship One became the first privately funded spacecraft to put a person in space.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_SpaceShipOne

What do these technologies have in common? They all sport gear used by the Galactic Empire on their workhorse weapon of terror, the TIE Fighter. That’s right Buzztown. With enough money, we can now be the proud owner of a self-built TIE Fighter. The TIE stands for Twin Ion Engines for those of you who don’t speak Nerd.

Question is… if I’m realizing this, it’s only a matter of time before someone in the Twit Army realizes it. And can the listeners of NPR’s Science Friday be far behind?

Can we let Buzztown fall behind in the TIE Fighter gap? I think you know the answer.

Thanks,
Chris

Love the show… and always will as it remains un-fried by a Science Friday-backed TIE Fighter attack. Those NPR listeners aren’t as docile as they appear.

**********

Hey BOL,

according to the Apple’s documentation available for the iPhone Developers, the iPhone and the iPod Touch can recognize 5 fingers simultaneously touching the screen.

Just thought you’d like to know.

Love the show,
Dimitris,
(normally in Greece, right now in Sweden )

**********

The reason the DMCA applies to wowglider is that it uses it’s own client by reverse engineering the wow client and allowing scripts. The reason blizzard used legal means is because WoWglider sued blizzard for banning their users.

–
Feldar, Aegwynn

**********

Thanks for the shout out!
I worked out just how much whiskey needs to be used in order to make a 150Kw data centre to work.

Average ounce of whiskey is 64 calories.
With 40 ounces to the bottle that would be 2,569 calories.

2,569 Calories is equal to .002988 Watts

But in order to get to the Kilowatts you would need to take in 859,800 Calories AN HOUR.

That is equivalent to 21,495 bottles of whiskey per hour to equal 1 Kilowatt.

So, for the 150Kw data centre to work that would be 3.224 Million bottles of whiskey an hour.

Between Cooly and I, I think we could maybe light up a 15 Watt bulb… As long as he doesn't get distracted. But I am not feeling the love to save the earth on my own.

But throw in a sorority house, and I will be willing to give it a shot.
CrankyCanuck

Episode 827

WiMAX launch
http://cnettv.cnet.com/9742-1_53-50004011.html

Apple notebook launch!
https://twitter.com/natalidelconte/statuses/952901666

It’s official: Apple to talk laptops on October 14
http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10062305-73.html

$800 Apple notebooks?
http://www.inquisitr.com/4834/exclusive-apple-to-launch-800-laptop/

Touchpanel EEE PCs to debut at CES 2009
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20081008PD229.html

Asus ships Eee Box PCs with malware--Tanks Steve!
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2016&tag=nl.e589

Microsoft preps external Blu-ray disc optical drive for Xbox 360.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20081008073445_Microsoft_Preps_External_Blu_Ray_Disc_Optical_Drive_for_Xbox_360.html

Unbreakable’ encryption unveiled
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7661311.stm

SlingCatcher finally sees light of day–and may get a boost from Sling.com
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10060898-1.html

EMI to launch its own music portal
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b76fa624-94d1-11dd-953e-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Google’s Super Satellite Captures First Image
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/geoeye-1-super.html

Clickjacking threat!
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10061358-83.html

Google engineer wants the world to name his baby
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10061920-71.html

Study: Reading online privacy policies could cost $365 billion a year
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081008-study-reading-online-privacy-policies-could-cost-365-billion-a-year.html

Voice Mail
Adam: Why all the Zune hate?

E-mail

Hey JaMoTo & (fill in guest host here),

I’m a little behind on the episodes thanks to silly law school homework, but in your discussions on entertainment offerings that have been victims of copyright licensing, I think there’s one glaring omission- The Wonder Years. For years, I’ve been reading that the reason that the show is not available on DVD is because the show’s producers never anticipated needing licenses for the music used on the show when the show was created in the late 80s. And since the music was such an essential element of the show, DVD of the show’s seasons have never been released because licenses would be too costly and the show wouldn’t be the same without the music.

Love the show,

-Will

**********

I pity da foo!!!! The voice mailer from BOL 826 is infringing on our business model for an airliner. As the spokesman of BA Airlines I can tell you our founder is more than a little upset. It was us that developed the drugging and flying the passengers to their destinations. We were first and I’m not going to let some ninja wannabe steal our idea. If he does not cease and desist in his operation, our founder BA Baracus will certainly want a word with the foo. Of course we’ll have to drug him and have Murdoch break out of the mental hospital to fly him. Just thought the Ninja should know who he was messing with.

Considered Ninja Airlines Warned,

The Dingo

**********

Hey Guys,

Just heard my e-mail on today's BOL, and was mortified to realise that I had in fact used the word 'bust' when in fact I meant to say busy. Its not some cool Irish jargon, just a regular old typo. Thats what I get for sending e-mail on my crippling iPhone keyboard.

Dave the publicly shamed software developer
Ireland

**********

Hi I am a patent examiner. It didn't take the office nine years to get to the application, it took nine years to issue. Which means the examiner probably thought it was not patentable as presented and was trying to protect the market from another overly restrictive patent, which kills competition. In the nine years, the claims were probably rewritten multiple times and the examiner's decision was probably appealed. If you want it to be streamlined, complain to the applicants who file overly broad applications who want to stifle competition. Regardless all the blame doesn't fall on the patent office. Love the show (even with all uspto hate).

-Tim from VA

**********

Greetings! In show you were quizzing over Cox phone technology and its
connection to the internet. Short story: Even though Cox phone service
does use VoIP technology, the actual phone packets are encrypted
between the residence and the headend, where it either interfaces with
incumbent phone service for non-Cox users, or goes on to other
locations through Cox’s backbone. Even on the last mile, the data
doesn’t really travel through the Internet, but actually alongside it.
Therefore, unlike other VoiP services like Vonage, Cox customers are
not subject to the various issues surrounding Internet carriage.

Mark — Florida

Whether it's the BlackBerry, the Internet, CNET TV, or hilarious jokes about the Large Hadron Collider, it's a good bet that someone either on or in today's show invented it. Probably Molly. Also in the news today, Nintendo is super rich, the first Android phone is getting a Steve-note (sans Steve) on September 23, and some celebrity Internet gossip.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 811

I am a comic genius! Daily Show thinks so, too!
http://themolly.com/blog/?p=86

Official: First Android phone on September 23
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/09/official-first.html
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=2899

John McCain helped to create the BlackBerry? Really?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10043126-38.html

Pew survey suggests gaming improves 'Civic and Political Life'
http://blogs.pcworld.com/gameon/archives/007755.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10043945-62.html

Nintendo’s ‘profits per employee’ are higher than Goldman Sachs
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/nintendos-profits-per-employee-are-higher-than-goldman-sachs/

Brad Pitt named as top malware lure
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/09/17/Brad_Pitt_named_as_top_malware_lure_1.html

Casting call for YouTubers: $25K for green ideas
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10038664-76.html

Asus ships cracking software on recovery DVD
http://it.slashdot.org/it/08/09/17/1320239.shtml
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/224892/asus-ships-software-cracker-on-recovery-dvd.html

Citizens demand to see secret ACTA treaty
http://news.slashdot.org/news/08/09/17/022221.shtml

BLOG COMMENT
Almerica: Creator of Podcast app responds!
http://www.cnet.com/8601-11455_1-10042959.html?communityId=2014&targetCommunityId=2014&blogId=10&tag=mncol;tback#5000769

VOICE MAIL
Chris: Metallica?

E-MAIL
So, Google patented a system of floating a datacenter out at sea. Stated in the patent were the following two benefits: (A) the sea provides power (in the form of waves), and (B) the sea provides cooling (in the form of… well, the sea is cold).

In BOL you reported that added possibility of putting the whole mess in International Waters, and skirting all federal and state laws.

At the risk of deflating your hopes for a sinister conspiracy, let me point out the sad fact that when a company owns some equipment outside the US border, it doesn’t actually relive them of their duty to respect the laws of the land. No matte where they put their computers, Google’s still a US company.

Sorry Molly. I pretty sure we can make the next one stick.

Tyler

In Episode 810, you discussed the new peer-to-patent program and some of the flaws in the current patent system. I feel compelled to write because you (especially Leo) seemed dismissive of the work that patent examiners do. I am an examiner and, while I can understand and relate the frustration with some of the bad patents that have issued, I would like to point out a couple of factors that make the job sometimes difficult.

1- In order to reject an application, an examiner needs to find publicly available documentation (known as prior art) that the invention has already been invented. An examiner can’t just say “I’ve seen that”, stamp the application with a big “X”, and go grab some coffee. It is sometimes very difficult to find the relevant prior art, even when you know that is out there somewhere, and especially in rapidly developing technologies. This is why the peer-to-patent program could be a help to examiners.

2- Examiners have a very limited amount of time in which to find this prior art. In my technology area, examiners generally have only between 15-20 hours (depending on their experience) to work on an application.
That time includes reading the application to understand what the inventor is trying to patent, finding relevant prior art, and writing multiple formal correspondences to the applicant (or his lawyer). With only so little time available, it is inevitable that things slip by.

Again, while I understand that people are frustrated with the current patent system, please remember that the people doing the day-to-day work are public servants doing the best job they can with the time and resources they have. I don’t expect a parade for doing my job, but a little respect would be much appreciated after hearing our work so constantly maligned.

Sincerely
T the Patent Examiner

Hello Buzz-cast,

I’m a new listener from Houston, Texas
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but we were recently hit with Hurricane Ike leaving us not only with out water but without electricity.
On the day after the hurricane I went to work at Target, the only major store open, and sure there were people rushing to buy inverters, car chargers, and even plugging their own cell phone chargers in our outlets but most of the people there were actually buying games and systems I sold a PS3, an Xbox360 Elite, A ton of Nintendo DS’, Some PSPs with of course games for each system Not to mention we sold out of Rock Band 2 for the 360, notice I’ve worked plenty of times in the Electronics department but never had it been busy as this just for games.

Earlier I heard in the news that more than 2 million Houston residents still didn’t have electricity
And after a day of working in electronics again I sold a couple games Some Wiis and Wii fits, too.

I guess we will end up being “Video blobs”
Thanks and keep up the amazing work,
Christian.

Current TV to broadcast ‘tweets’ during debates

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_7734/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=2qEylcf8

Joe AKA dOgBOi

Hello buzz crew,
Molly you were outraged at having to have a CD inside the drive in order to play a game….but don’t you own an Xbox 360! Try playing Halo without a disk. Just a thought.
Love the show!

Ronald

EPISODE 719

Comcast mulling metered access, 250GB monthly bandwidth caps
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080507-comcast-mulling-metered-access-250gb-monthly-bandwidth-caps.html

It’s official: Sprint, ClearWire merging WiMax operations
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080507-sprint-clearwire-wimax-venture-sees-daylight.html
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9937513-7.html

AT&T: No vacation around the iPhone anniversary
http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9937632-37.html

Malware outbreak blamed on file-swapped MP3s, MPEGs
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9937818-7.html

Archbishop Desmond Tutu a fan of free music
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9937566-7.html

Europe PS3 sales ‘overtake 360′
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7386879.stm

Grand Theft Auto IV makes a killing in first week
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9937851-7.html

EA launches Steven Spielberg’s Boom Blox
http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9937525-52.html

Microsoft’s in-car software now in Hyundai and Kia cars
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006898.html

A yottabyte of storage per year by 2013
http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/08/05/07/1334246.shtml

VOICE MAIL

Anon:
You totally missed what’s going on with Apple.

Rory from Ohio
Microban on keyboards?

Forums:
Ellikelli:
http://www.bustedtees.com/Wikipedia

Every way to access us:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6035_102-0.html? forumID=97&threadID=293909

E-MAIL

Move to the U.K.

If you want to move to the U.K., Molly, you already know all our swearwords

;o)

Keith

*******************

FreeSat

Free Sat
1. BBC channels are not ad supported. They are TV licence supported. This ‘tax’ will cost you £135 this year. Probably more next year. If you don’t catch up with you, the BBC will write to you twice monthly until you ‘buy’ their tax or swear to them you don’t have a television (even then they’ll come out and check).

2. All other channels will carry adds like they do on Freeview (over-the-air, low-def TV).

3. BSkyB, the only other sat broadcaster, has been offering the same service for over a year, and their Website says it costs less, too. Sky also allow you to upgrade to Sky’s paid for sat TV service.

4. This is bad. ITV (broadcaster and partner in FreeSat) will use FreeSat to push its free HD services. However, they will be locked to FreeSat so cable and/or PaySat (i.e. the people who pay monthly for TV via sat) will have to buy into the FreeSat system.

If you ever need to do any U.K. fact checking, feel free to drop me an e-mail. I even know about Scotland!

$11k HDD Crusher
1. You own a large company. You need to destroy HDDs a lot because you are a bad company and need to hide the bad stuff frequently because you never know when the Feds are coming to raid your stuff. As a bad company you look at costs, hire a person. Let’s say $20K?? Buy a crushing thing and do it self-service style = £11k. I know which I’d go for…

NASA Phone vulnerability No.4
Your cell phone can track your location. Ahhh! Scary!

SF Geek Tours:
I’ll sell you geekmaps.com? I guess I could lease you sf.geekmaps.com if you are feeling poor.

That is all.

Ross (cbrown)

**********

Fast download!

Hey,

I was pleasantly surprised today when BOL downloaded at 1.2MB/sec! Usually I download all my other podcasts for the day in about 5 seconds, and then I have to wait several minutes while BOL takes its sweet time.

Great job, guys! I hope this is a permanent change

Love the show.
David

EPISODE 713

XP SP3 is out today! (oh wait… never mind)

iPhone coming to Canada
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9931208-7.html

Psystar in the wild
http://gizmodo.com/384526/exclusive-video-psystar-in-the-wild

OQO hacked to run Leopard, now world’s smallest Mac
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/29/ oqo-hacked-to-run-leopard-now-worlds-smallest-mac/

New Prius to be bigger, better
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-9930312-48.html

New way to save energy: Disappearing ink
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9930674-54.html

HDtracks: Why settle for iTunes now that you can get CD quality music downloads?
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9930420-1.html

WB comes back on the Web
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/ 419-warner-bros-tv-unveils-online-programming-slate-wb-gets-second-chance-a/

Start-up hopes to outdo eBay with online market
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9930528-7.html
http://venturebeat.com/2008/04/29/wigix-wants-to-kill-ebay/

Holographic storage, 150GB discs finally coming to market
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080428-holographic-storage-150gb-discs-finally-coming-to-market.html

EULAs For malicious software
http://entertainment.slashdot.org/entertainment/ 08/04/29/0057236.shtml
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/29/malware-gets-a-eula.html

Chore Wars
http://www.chorewars.com/

VOICE MAIL

Victor New York
My problem with Web version of sites.

Zander Canada
So about Microsoft delaying Yahoo stuff.

E-MAIL

Cell phone jammers on a plane

I am not unfamiliar with the cell phone jammers to which you referred in #712, having tested a few different models, from the “create your own peaceful bubble” model to the “silence a football stadium” version. I’m also a pilot. Lest anyone get the idea that cell phone jammers on a plane is a reasonable way to get some silence, let me point out something.

Now, I’m not too concerned about the effects of cell phones on avionics; I’ve used my cell phone on my own plane many times without ill effect–many pilots’ headsets actually have cell phone adapters to make this even more convenient (officially for use on the ground only).
However, not all cell phones are created equal. Most phones are relatively safe, but the older, lower-frequency phones have been demonstrated on a few occasions to mess with the navigational radios.
Cell phone jammers, of course, are generally designed to block all cell phone frequencies, and are significantly higher-power than the cell phones themselves. The result: you’re going to make a lot of crew very angry very quickly. Along the same vein, TSA will probably pronounce you a terrorist if you attempt to bring one on a plane for this very reason.
And honestly, who would argue?

On a related topic:
For what it’s worth, many innocent-looking devices can interfere with cockpit instruments: For example, I heard a story from another pilot of a Palm Pilot messing with his in-flight weather instruments and showing up as a lightning strike every time the user tapped the screen. However, it’s all a balance between keeping the passengers both safe and happy. A certain amount of interference can be safely tolerated if the passengers demand it. No pilot worth employing is going to crash a plane just because his radio went all screwy half-way between LA and New York.
They’re trained to be better at it than that.

However, during takeoff and landing, stuff gets a bit more sensitive.
When the plane goes below 10,000 feet, you’re supposed to turn everything off, just in case. During this phase of flight, the pilots aren’t even allowed to talk about anything not related to the task at hand. When the pilot is landing the plane and getting time-sensitive instructions from the tower, the last thing he needs is the “beep-bipty-beep-bipty-buzzzzzz” of your cell phone screwing with his headset.

Don’t put everyone’s lives in jeopardy by choosing this, the worst possible moment, to send a text message to your girlfriend saying you’ve almost landed. Show a little sense, people.

Tyler

--Frank L announces candidacy for Mayor of Buzztown

My Fellow Podcast Listeners:

Like you, I am a great fan of CNET’s Buzz Out Loud. Every day I anxiously await for the latest episode to appear in my RSS feed. I fret over whether all three of our regulars will appear, or if there will be a co-host. Also, like you, I find myself not just entertained by Buzz Out Loud but energized as well. Each morning I scour my own tech and geek blogs to find something suitable to send in to Tom, Molly and Jason-or I listen intently, trying to find something intelligent to contribute to the conversation.

Over the last week we have heard listeners Larry and Shawn announce their candidacy for mayor of Buzztown-and we have heard Remy vocally offer his support to a candidate-calling all of his other Super-delegates to do the same. They have promised us things like Bacon and solutions to the CAPTCHA problem. They want us to vote for them, put them in a position of (pseudo) responsibility and power-and yet they’ve forgotten one of their largest constituencies.

E-mailers. I find myself worried by the prospect of either of two voice mailer callers assuming control of a tech town like Buzz-a largely e-mail, message board and wiki-site based community. Even though the phone is no longer, strictly speaking, a 19th and 20th century technology, the predominant use of voice mail shows a lack of understanding and compassion for the text based brothers and sisters of Buzztown.

This is why I find myself compelled to enter the race for Mayor of Buzztown. Having been almost exclusively an e-mailer to the show over the last 2+ years, I feel as if I have a connection with the “everyperson” of Buzztown. Further, while promises like Bacon and Captcha are easily made and broken, I think we as citizens of Buzztown can tackle far more important matters together than this. Such as:

The Brian Cooley/European Peace Talks: How long will this unnecessary war of words go on?

Brandy For All Co-Hosts: Why should our benevolent and loving dictator-hosts NOT have Brandy (or the drink of their choice).

Indeterminate Length, Not Indeterminate Slogan: As Mayor, I promise to do everything I can (which isn’t much, probably) to ensure that our favorite slogan stays the same, while the No Listener Left Behind Initiative will ensure new listeners know just what the show is about.

These are just some of the more pressing issues Buzztown faces, and as your mayor I would be happy to address your concerns as well-whether they are sent by e-mail, voice mail, MP3, message board or smoke signal (although I don’t read those yet). Thoughts are thoughts, comments are comments, ideas are ideas-and they should all be given equal weight, no matter what form they come in.

[Insert Love the Podcast here]

--Frank J. M. Lattuca, Esq.