Buzz Out Loud Podcast

The rumors about the Apple Tablet are getting crazy and special guest Cali Lewis nails it when she calls it a unicorn. We also get the first look at the Google OS, and nobody is very excited about Microsoft Office 2010. Except the one person who never uses it: me. And we get some of the inside scoop behind the FAA outage.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Liveblog today: Google Chrome OS press conference
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10401095-2.html

Apple Tablet that has never been more than a rumour now delayed until 2H 2010
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20091118PB201.html

Ian Paul at PC World declares Tablet dead
http://www.pcworld.com/article/182571/

ATandT loses first legal battle against Verizon ads
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10401094-266.html
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/18/atandt-hits-back-at-verizons-map-for-that-campaign-with-an-ad/

Microsoft launches Office 2010 beta with social networking in Outlook
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10400648-56.html
http://blogs.msdn.com/outlook/
http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/11/18/linkedin-microsoft-outlook-connector

FAA Computer Glitch Causes Widespread Airline Delays
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/11/19/152243/FAA-Computer-Glitch-Causes-Widespread-Airline-Delays

Programmers Guild protests visa extension laws
http://www.infoworld.com/d/adventures-in-it/tech-workers-take-h-1b-case-supreme-court-024

California approves new standards on energy-hungry TVs
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-big-screen-tvs19-2009nov19,0,4027697.story

Next-gen Flip camcorder to boast Wi-Fi
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/29658/cisco-prepping-wi-fi-enabled-video-camera
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/18/the-next-flip-camera-will-have-wi-fi/

US government using PS3s to break encryption
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/11/18/2149202/US-Government-Using-PS3s-To-Break-Encryption

Lab worms are stunned by phaser
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8367081.stm

VOICE MAIL
Anonymous on Film and Games

Brian on the in-dash robot

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz Crew,
Chris the former SNOWMAN HUNTER (and secret robot resister) here to say I too was creeped out by Aida, the backseat driving robot on Episode 1108. A passenger in my car that scolds and nags and guilt-trips? What a clanking piece of Hell in the car pool lane.
But then it hit me. Give it a thin British accent, paint it gold and call it C-3P0… and I’d buy one tomorrow.
Love the show… until we’re all turned into a warm slurry by the coming robot hoards.
Chris

**********

Hi Buzz Crew,

Watching episode 1109.

Tom the circle on you iPhone next to the bars as far as im aware means you have cell data.
the bars are the signal strength from the mast. the circle is cell data, and E is Edge, 3G is 3G.

Over here in the UK on O2 we have pretty good 3G coverage and every time iv used my iPhone
to load a page – it loads, what ever i’m on (cell,edge,3g), yes on cell it takes a bit longer – but it loads,
sounds like AT&T should give up and go do something else

Love the show guys.

Thanks
Carl

England, UK

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,

Xerox has setup http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html to have people sign up to send free printed postcards to troops overseas. You select one of the designs, add a message, your name and hometown and they send it for free to a random troop.

I thought this was a neat idea from Xerox and I’m hoping that you’ll put the link in your shownotes.

Thanks and “Love the show.”
Hutch from Grand Rapids

IBM is working on an artificial brain they think they'll have done by 2019. And we figure once that happens, the robots will rise and we will become your pets. And like cats we'll think that we're in charge. In other news, Modern Warfare 2 beats Harry Potter to a pulp, and Verizon and AT&T are a'courting! Actually they're in court. Being sued.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Modern Warfare 2 tops entertainment industry, not just games
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10400394-235.html

Google-branded phone coming early next year?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/18/google-branded-phone-coming-early-next-year/

Chrome OS demo event tomorrow
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10400012-265.html

Azure goes live in January, paying customers in February.
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/11/microsoft-azure-to-go-live-january-for-pay-february.ars

“Map for That” campaign goes to court today
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2009-11-18-att18_ST_N.htm

Did feds uncover most successful Web scam ever?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10399880-93.html

T-Mobile says workers sold customer data
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10400213-245.html

Microsoft: mobile apps aren’t important
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/17/ms.ozzie.claims.mobile.apps.secondary/

Ordnance Survey maps to go online
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8366190.stm

No More Yahoo Go for TV
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/18/yahoo_go_gone/

Computing rivaling human brain may be ready by 2019
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10400362-52.html

VOICE MAIL
Tone on MW2

Ben the Canadian gets pushy

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz crew..
Your discussion of social viewing on NBC.com’s Communicator, had me yelling at my Zune HD, yes it looked wierd. Anyway, I was yelling because I do this on CBS.com now. CBS.com has watch and chat rooms on the site, in flash! I have some old college roommates and we are all NCIS, so when NCIS is showing in one of the rooms we make a point to head in to it, and chat about it. We like it!

Last thing, about Rupert and paying for news, does he intend on putting his Cable news sites behind a pay wall? If not then this plan of his won’t effect me since I get most of my news from the website of his cable channels..Although i do pay for the Wall Steet Journal online since it's cheaper than the Kindle edition of it.
Love the Show,
Stephen
Charlotte, Nc

PS
Love my Sprint 4G!

**********

Hey Buzz crew,

Haven’t listened to Ep. 1108 yet, so you may have reported on this already, but the town of Coshocton, Ohio has their Wifi back:

http://consumerist.com/5407138/free-muni-wifi-back-after-mpaa-shut-it-down-for-1-download

Consumerist links to this story:

http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20091117/NEWS01/911170301/1002/Downtown-Wi-Fi-connection-back-on

FYI: the town name is pronounced Cah – shock – ton.

Keep on keepin’ on.

Tim
Dublin, OH.

**********

Hi all in Buzzington,
Several days ago you reported on that 60 minutes story about hackers taking down the Brazilian power grid. This report was later proven to be false. Well, maybe they were just telling the truth ahead of time. According to Slashdot, a group of hackers were inspired by the 60minute story and actually did hack into the Brazilian power operator using an SQL injection.

It’s times like these when I wonder if the world wouldn’t be a better place if we all just kept our mouths shut.

Love the show,
JoshuaCaleb

P.S. Don’t know if caught my mention of it in the chat room yesterday Tom, but I finally got Digital City to introduce themselves….halfway through the show.

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,

I’m writing regarding episode 1107 where Molly said she would be willing to pay for a great newspaper aggregatation service. I remember hearing about such a thing a couple of months ago at a site called pressdisplay.com . They have newspapers from all over the world including (for Tom) the International Herald Tribune, The Washington Post and hundreds of others. Also, they have different subscription plans ranging from a pay as you read option to a monthly unlimited option. Just wanted to shed some light on this service for those who want to read the newspaper online. Love, the, show!

Miguel in San Francisco.

PS:They have a mobile site to access your subscriptions on your smartphone.

We get an email telling us our podcast RSS feed is now blocked in China after talking about the dispute over World of Warcraft between two Chinese government departments. Really? THAT is what got us blocked. We also get a kick out of good old Grandpa Murdoch's latest ramblings. And happy birthday Firefox. You're vulnerable.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Murdoch: We'll probably remove our sites from Google's index
http://mumbrella.com.au/murdoch-well-probably-remove-our-sites-from-googles-index-11366

Murdoch Making News Invisible To Search Engines? Not So Fast
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-video-murdoch-making-news-invisible-to-search-engines-not-so-fast/

New Verizon ad calls iPhone ‘misfit toy’
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10393072-71.html
http://gizmodo.com/5399850/verizon-wireless-launches-three-more-anti+att-3g-network-commercials

Apple said to be working on ‘world-mode’ iPhone
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10392936-94.html

First iPhone Worm Discovered, Rickrolls Jailbroken Phones
http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/slashdot/eqWf/~3/Zk3O3lh2r0U/First-iPhone-Worm-Discovered-Rickrolls-Jailbroken-Phones
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/09/2737673.htm

Happy 5th birthday
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110901228.html

Firefox Tops Vulnerability List
http://www.internetnews.com/software/article.php/3847461

Nvidia CEO says ‘no’ to Intel-compatible chip
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10393045-64.html

Nook e-Book Reader on Back-Order
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904574523994119321648.html

Massive Brazilian Power Outages In 2005 and 2007 Caused By Hackers
http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/slashdot/eqWf/~3/wi_T-0ljnAw/Massive-Power-Outages-In-Brazil-Caused-By-Hackers

First look: Motorola Droid, HTC Droid Eris are risky for business
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/first-look-motorola-droid-htc-droid-eris-are-risky-business-434?source=fssr

Comic Books Improve Early Childhood Literacy
http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/slashdot/eqWf/~3/N-w3O-DaOFI/Comic-Books-Improve-Early-Childhood-Literacy

VOICEMAIL

Anonymous thoughts about free speech

Terry on the bus – Teaxed twice by subsidies

EMAIL

Hey Buzz Crew,
I know from an earlier episode that many of you no longer use the
actual Google homepage, opting for search bars and other fancy means.
But, as someone who uses the homepage everyday, the things that Google
chooses to put on their home really makes an impact on me as a Google
user. Much to my surprise, this morning when I login, what do I see? A
shameless plug for the Verizon Droid phone. Now, I think this phone is
great and I would even purchase it myself if I was not broke. But, I
feel that this kind of promotional advertising on the Google homepage
crosses that line from normal to extremely sleazy. I tend to be ok with
Google and their enormous corporate clout because they typically are
innocuous in their products and launches. More like “Hey, here is a
really cool product, do what you want with it” instead of “Yo, yo, yo,
check out this sweet product that you need to have to change your
life”. But, this advert on the homepage seems more like the typical
marketing tricks by a very large company. What do you guys think?

chris
the computer science grad student

***********

So, I had been wondering why the last couple BOL’s weren’t coming down through iTunes, so I decided to check the blog and see what’s up, and I see the story about the infighting between the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the GAPP over WoW. Apparently somebody didn’t like the way you guys talked about it. I have seen other podcasts mysteriously stop downloading (happened to Radiolab after they did a piece on a Chinese zoo that does live feedings), but oddly I wouldn’t expect it to happen to Buzz, since you’ve covered China’s censorship before without getting blocked. Could just be coincidental, after all, I would really expect the Instance to get blocked because of Scott’s “Ding Pong” act, but it hasn’t.

Anyway, no reason to shut up about it, your pod is still accessible from the blog page, so China listeners aren’t totally out of luck.

Also, I posted a rough overview of WoW’s China troubles here: http://gacorley.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/chinese-government-departments-fighting-over-wow/ — doesn’t say much new, though one huge question I still have is why skeletons are such a big deal to China’s censorship regime. I was hoping someone would eventually give me a good cultural answer, but it may just be that moral authorities have strange fetishes.

GAC in China

***********

Hey buzz crew in episode 1101 you were talking about whether or not
Netscape was free or not. As someone who is greatly interested in the
browser wars past and present I feel I can settle this argument.
Netscape was free for educational and personal use and they charged for
enterprise accounts. This may have changed at the end, but the primary
way that Internet Explorer won was by making it default on windows, and
they also made a deal with Apple to make internet explorer the default
browser on Mac OS (late 9 and early X). Love the show, hopes this helps!
-SamsNotUnix

Apparently the Large Hadron Collider is doomed. It can't even survive a bread bombing by birds. The Droid arrived on the scene though, and people actually lined up. However tethering is gonna cost you on the thing. Are you still in love? And Gwen Stefani doesn't like you making her sing Honky Tonk Women.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Episode

Midnight Droid madness in Manhattan
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10392128-266.html

Verizon Droid Tethering Will Cost You
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/181590/verizon_droid_tethering_will_cost_you.html
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/psa-sears-charging-50-less-for-new-droid-activations-than-veri/

Windows 7 sales exceed Vista sales by 234%, new PC sales not as strong
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_091105a.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10391484-75.html

Confirmed: Skype Founders Settle With eBay And Others, Get 14% Stake In Skype, Not 10%
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/06/confirmed-skype-founders-settle-with-ebay-and-others-get-14-stake-in-skype-not-10/

Twitter Cleaning Up Trending Topics Spam
http://mashable.com/2009/11/05/twitter-trending-topics-spam/

No Doubt sues Activision over Band Hero [Updated]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/no-doubt-sues-activision-over-band-hero.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10391715-17.html

Judge Halts Online Sale of Beatles Songs
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/11/bluebeat-claims-to-own-new-copyrights-to-old-beatles-songs/
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/11/about-those-beatles-songs-its-weirder-than-you-thought.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Betting on a Metal-Air Battery Breakthrough
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23877/?a=f

LHC Shut Down Again -- By Baguette-Dropping Bird
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/11/06/0824213/LHC-Shut-Down-Again-mdash-By-Baguette-Dropping-Bird?from=rss

Sony to bring Risk to the big screen
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/06/risk_movie/

VOICEMAIL

Brian in Virginia on the PS3 Netflix

Anonymous Tony about 3G maps

EMAIL

Hey Buzz crew,

I am sure you will have this in today’s lineup..but just in case:

Comcast’s new throttling policies.

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/11/04/2026206/Comcasts-New-Throttling-Plan-Uses-Trigger-Conditions-Not-Silent-Blocking

“Its network throttling implements a two-tier packet queueing system at the routers, driven by two trigger conditions. Comcast’s first traffic throttling trigger is tripped by using more than 70 per cent of your maximum downstream or upstream bandwidth for more than 15 minutes. Its second traffic throttling trigger is tripped when the Cable Modem Termination System you’re hooked-up to - along with up to 15,000 other Comcast subscribers - gets congested, and your traffic is somehow identified as being responsible. Tripping either of Comcast’s high bandwidth usage rate triggers results in throttling for at least 15 minutes, or until your average bandwidth utilisation rate drops below 50 per cent for 15 minutes.”

So…by analogy, will cops start giving out speeding tickets if you travel >=70% of the posted speed limit for more than 15 minutes as well?

Wasn’t there a recent story about the FTC/FCC rules about “Truth in advertising” about ISP speeds? Now Comcast pretty much says, that whatever the ADVERTISED bandwidth, you will be punished for using more than 70% of your ACTUAL bandwidth.

Lima Tango Sierra!

Bob in NJ…

**********

Hey,

First off, Love the Show

My brother just alerted me to the Darpa Network Challenge, http://networkchallenge.darpa.mil/, which is to mark the 40th anniversary of the Internet.

The goal of the Challenge is to be the first to submit the locations of 10 large red weather balloons scattered throughout the continental united states. One person can’t do it alone, so the winner will be the best one to use Social Networking to solve the challenge, and what better then getting the word out on BOL?

I’ve seen others on Facebook with the same idea, but I’m also shamelessly running a contest website at http://www.mgatelabs.com/wiki/Darpa_Network_Challenge

Thanks,
Michael Fuller
Graduate Student of Software Engineering @ Auburn University
Developer of Port Defender on the AppStore

**********

Greetings buzztown,

Tom, you were concerned about the lack of competition in the chip market.
Well actually there was more in the early days of Windows NT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windo
NT was initially available on these platforms: Intel X86, MIPS R3000/R4000 DEC Alpha, IBM PowerPC, Itanium and AMD64.

I was in software development back then. With four Unix platforms, we had 10 platforms to develop and support. Expensive!
With the market consolidation, It is so much easier now. We support Windows X86, OS X, Solaris and HP-UX.
Any new chip maker is going to have to emulate the X86 instruction set.

AMD, in 1982 licensed the X86 architecture. That, I believe, is why they still exist today.
I can’t imagine Intel would do that again, Unless the Government ordered it.
It is nice to have a standard PC that can boot Windows, OS X and Linux as needed.

There is more competition in electrical outlets around the world.
There are 12 different connectors and about 6 different voltages.
It’s tough charging you laptop around the world.

Love the Show,

Henry C.
Livonia MI

The European Commission has decided that every citizen has a right to the Internet, but still made it fairly easy for the media industry to cut the Internet off. We also see that Intel is in hot water again. And we ask that perennial question, "Why can't I own a Canadian?" And Google answers.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Intel in threats and bribery suit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8343179.stm

Google Dashboard lifts curtain on stored privacy data
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10390941-265.html
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/transparency-choice-and-control-now.html

EU Breaks deadlock in debate over right to Internet access
http://www.pcworld.com/article/181472/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8344174.stm

Tell the FCC to say no to Hollywood’s insane “Selectable Output Control” kill-switch
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/04/tell-the-fcc-to-say.html

Congress may require ISPs to block certain fraud sites
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10390779-38.html

Verizon offers prepaid, no-contract 3G data bundled with a USB airstick
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10391153-94.html

Man-In-the-Middle Vulnerability For SSL and TLS
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/11/05/144252/Man-In-the-Middle-Vulnerability-For-SSL-and-TLS

eBay launches online fashion magazine
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/ebay-comes-out-of-the-attic-and-starts-a-fashion-magazine/

WoW may be banned in China
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE5A32GE20091104

What does Google Suggest suggest about the state of humanity?
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49304156,00.htm

VOICE MAIL
Brent from Lake Elsinore on Paypal

E-MAIL
Hello Buzztronauts

The NASA Space Elevator 2010 competition is currently ongoing at
Edwards airforce base in California. There are now only 3 teams
competing and well my university is one of those teams. There’s some
really cool tech involved with records being broken for the most power
wirelessly beamed over a distance and also just some really cool stuff
to see a robot climb 1 km vertically while being powered by a giant
laser.

The USST (University of Saskatchewan Space design Team) will get their
first run tomorrow morning at 7 AM and the competition can be viewed
at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/space-elevator

News of today’s happenings can be found here. http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/11/04/2117873.aspx

Love the Show

Scott “The Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering Student” Theede

**********

Hi Buzz Crew,

Listening to the commentary on episode 1099 about the ACTA treaty and the possible resulting three-strikes law, it occurred to me that perhaps what we need is a co-ordinated campaign against the lawmakers. In each country where these laws are enacted, people could make claims of copyright infringement against the legislators at both home and work. After receiving three such complaints the ISPs would have no choice but to cut off their internet connections. It would be interesting to see how quickly the laws would be repealed when those that made them became personally affected by the severe defects and opportunity for abuse in the legislation.

Love the show,
Doug

**********

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/04/latest_snow_leopard_build_resurrects_atom_compatibility.html

You guys had a pretty good go at Apple on Monday for getting rid of
Atom compatibility. Was that really warranted given that it was a
private beta release given to select developers? Anyway, now they’ve
put it back in.

I’m about 99% sure they put it back because they heard Molly’s rant.

Love the show,
scottjackson

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,

After watching the podcast last night I went to Google Maps and looked
up this mythic town of Argleton. I was poking around the area and
noticed something else. Just to the south of the supposed site of
Argleton is a train station. The name of this train station is the
Maghull Rail Station. It made me laugh because it reminded me of what
Natalie said about not being able to see it because we are “Muggles”.
I got a kick out of it anyway.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the show,

Aaron (Graphic artist from Garland, TX)

Leaks from the secret negotiations of the ACTA treaty allege that ISPs worldwide would be required to lose safe-harbor protections, implement three-strike antipiracy policies, and worse. We think this is outrageous. AT&T thinks Verizon is outrageous because of its commercials and so is taking Verizon to court. Also, EMI finally got around to suing BlueBeat.com for selling Beatles tracks online. But you can buy a Beatles USB stick for $280. So, you've got that going for you.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

AT&T vs. Verizon: There’s a lawyer for that
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10389960-266.html

AT&T sues Verizon over ‘there’s a map for that’ ads
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/atandt-sues-verizon-over-theres-a-map-for-that-ads/

T-Mobile USA says it has fixed voice, data outages
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091104-710151.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10390097-56.html

Leaked ACTA Internet provisions: Three strikes and a global DMCA
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/11/leaked-acta-internet-provisions-three-strikes-and-
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/03/secret-copyright-tre.html

EMI sues Beatles-download Web site
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8342277.stm

The Beatles catalog being released on limited-edition USB stick
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/the-beatles-catalog-being-released-on-limited-edition-usb-stick/

Nvidia confirms Intel chipsets won’t support USB 3.0 until 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/nvidia-confirms-intel-chipsets-wont-support-usb-3-0-until-2011/

…So, will Nvidia go rogue with its own x86 chipset?
http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2009/11/nvidia-x86-cpu-rumors-resurfaceis-it-a-plausible-scenario.ars

UPDATE: Personal Droid data will cost $30
http://www.gearlog.com/2009/11/personal_droid_data_will_cost.php

Verizon looking to bump early termination fee to $350 on ‘advanced’ devices
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/04/verizon-looking-to-bump-early-termination-fee-to-350-on-advanc/

Another Verizon Droid commercial, Stealth, and it's awesome
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/11/03/another-verizon-droid-commercial-stealth-and-its-awesome/

PayPal unveils plans to open payment service
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/ebusiness/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221600183

In test, Windows 7 vulnerable to 8 out of 10 viruses
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/11/03/2123258/In-Test-Windows-7-Vulnerable-To-8-Out-of-10-Viruses

E-MAIL
Hi BOL crew!
I love the show but it can be hard to sit and listen to somebody for 5 minutes going on about a software licensing system that should be put into place, when it’s been around for 15 years or so.
It’s called Microsoft Open Licensing with Software Assurance. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/default.aspx
Small and large corporations can purchase from this programme to license their applications and OS from Microsoft. They can opt in for Software Assurance which means they get any and all paid upgrades at no extra charge during the license period (Usually 3 years)
They also get support and other benefits. Media is sent out when required.
Some versions of the MS OLP allow companies to pay annually over the 3 years rather than up front if that helps their books. It does give you predictable IT expenditures.

When it comes to home users, most IT experts will agree that it’s usually best to use the OS that came with your computer and ignore major OS updates. Wait until you buy a new computer that comes with the new OS. Small updates like Snow Leopard on new computers like my March 2009 iMac make sense, especially at $30!
However, I like Tom, do not want to pay monthly or annually for my software. If it was an option it might be ok, but not the only one I hope.

I repeat, LTS!
Cheers,

Jay Rymal
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

**********

Re: Nook v. Alex. I am not sure what trade secrets were taken from
Spring Design. Judging from the documents filed, Spring Design didn’t
even have a working prototype in the Feb 09 meeting, so the only thing
they exchanged were probably concepts. If B&N did not have a dual
screen e-book reader in the final development phase already, i.e., they
came up with it only after seeing the drawings in Feb 2009, B&N must
have one crack hardware engineering team (or ODM)/Android programmers to
get to a final product in 9 months.

Also, what’s the big deal about dual screens–Nintendo DS (hence the
name) has been around for a long time with split screen functionality.
Expanding it to a tablet size seems like an obvious expansion. Nintendo
lawyers: start your engines.

Dickson

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Hey Buzz crew! Bryan the Insurance IT guy here in Springfield, Missouri. I've been listening to the show for several years without writing or calling in, but I was listening to the Verizon/Exchange discussion in episode 1098 on the way to work this morning and thought I'd finally chime in with a couple of tidbits!

First, I administer Exchange and mobile devices for my office, and I can tell you there's no simple way for Verizon or any other carrier to detect and block Exchange ActiveSync traffic. ActiveSync encapsulates all device-server communications in HTTPS packets for security, so the only port that needs to be allowed for ActiveSync to work is port 443 - and you can bet all hell would break loose if any carrier tried to block port 443, as that's the port used for ALL SECURE WEBSITES! One thing they might try is to profile traffic patterns for ActiveSync and block based on that, but I'm guessing that's harder than it sounds and would get very messy, very quickly. Good luck to any carrier trying to pull THAT one off.

Second, I've now been involved in setting up half a dozen users with iPhones in my office, some on personal plans, and some on our recently-established corporate account. NONE OF US is paying the 45 bucks for "Enterprise" data service on the iPhone. For the users who set it up on their personal accounts, that didn't surprise me. I DID expect to get some pushback on the iPhone data plans for the corporate accounts, but in every case, we looked the AT&T rep in the eye and said, "Yes, it's a corporate account, but I'm only going to check personal email", and in every case, they didn't even blink. Maybe this attitude varies by region, but here in Southwest Missouri, at least, I've never heard of a case of AT&T forcing the $15 premium on iPhone users, even on business accounts. Incidentally, there's only one time we've been required to pony up the $45 for the enterprise data plan - AND IT WAS TO SUPPORT OUR LONE BLACKBERRY USER.

Maybe next time I'll call in, but I like to take serious relationships slowly. For now I'm still listening to other shows, but BOL holds a special place in my heart, and maybe one day I'll be able to commit.

Rafe is being drawing in to a love story with the new Motorola Droid. Dare we call it a Dro-mance? It's certainly a flashy new phone for Verizon which hasn't always been known for flashy new phones. We also congratulate Google on getting the contract to provide email to the city of Los Angeles. Well congratulate and fear for them. Because if they mess this up, it is so over.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Los Angeles adopts Google e-mail system for 30,000 city employees
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/10/city-council-votes-to-adopt-google-email-system-for-30000-city-employees.html

Verizon and Motorola unveil the Droid
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10384994-266.html

Droid Eris: Verizon’s other Android phone?
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10384533-251.html

Google Maps adds turn-by-turn to Android phones for free
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10384544-265.html

Microsoft to shut down MSN Direct traffic service for GPS (in 2012)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/10/shutting-down-msn-direct-traffic-service-for-gps-units.html

Microsoft Signature computers dump crapware
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/10/microsofts_signature_pc_shows_its_vision_of_computing_perfection.html

Peek silling Twitter-only device. Why?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R5AG50?ie=UTF8&tag=livedigitally-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5AG50
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/the-twitterpeek-is-a-peek-for-twitter/

FCC Considers Shifting Some TV Airwaves to Broadband
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574499730302393274.html

Stalqer mobile social app finds friends in new ways
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10384727-250.html

How to Solve the Net Neutrality Issue
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/How-to-Solve-the-Net-Neutrality-Issue-68491.html

Ares I-X successfully launched
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8330424.stm

VOICEMAIL
Paul on call forwarding

EMAIL

Hey Guys
Remember Redlasso, where you could use their servers that are recording stuff from cable and local stations 24/7 to make clips to emvbed in your blog?
I was on the list for beta testing and they somehow made it back into service this week?
Who’d have thunk it?
J’Tao
in San Francisco
http://redlasso.com/

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Hey Buzz Crew,
Yesterday you asked if there is still a Universal Service Fund fee on phone bills, and the answer is YES! I currently work for a telco as customer service, and I get about 10 calls a week asking what that charge is on their bill. And of course no one ever likes the answer. In fact, I often have people tell me that our company should eat the cost of the taxes and fee’s. Yes, it would be nice if the telcos did that, but the taxes and fees are so high many companies would go out of business. If we had enough people complain about the USF fee or taxes to our elected officials we could probably reduce them. But don’t get angry with companies that are required by law to have them. I bet that most telcos would be fine will lower taxes or fees on their customers bills, because a happy customer is a customer who will generally stay. Love the show.

~Justin~

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Howdy Buzzians

I know the DMCA is last years hot topic, but I thought people would still enjoy this nonetheless. the EFF (Electronics Frontier Foundation) has set up a new site for their “Takedown Hall of Shame” displaying some of the most insane and ludicrous takedown notices people have recieved. Some of them are downright hilarious while others just make you contemplate the depths of human stupidity. Eitherway thought you guys might enjoy it

Buzz on
~Phillip from the Boonies

P.S. The degree of my adoration for this media outlet is unmatched

http://www.eff.org/takedowns

Bill Keller from the New York Times let slip he's been working on a version of the New York Times for the Apple Slate. Great! What the hell is the Apple Slate? well obviously it's a much-rumored Apple Tablet. We also discuss T-Mobile's unlimited plans and hope against all hopes that they are truly unlimited.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Bill Keller: Apple Tablet ‘Impending’
http://gawker.com/5389636/bill-keller-apple-tablet-impending

T-Mobile Adds ‘Even More Plus’ Plans
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354721,00.asp

Netflix Movies Stream to Sony's PlayStation 3
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/netflix-movies-stream-to-sonys-playstation-3/

Hollywood wants share of Netflix’s windfall
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10382717-261.html

Microsoft Offers Windows 7 on USB Drives for Netbooks
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Windows/Microsoft-Offers-Windows-7-on-USB-Drives-for-Netbooks-225258/

$180 BlackBerry Storm2 hits the shelves on Wednesday
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139892/_180_BlackBerry_Storm2_hits_the_shelves_on_Wednesday

Sprint Announces Nov. Launch Date for Palm Pixi
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354726,00.asp

Mobile net ‘heading for data jam’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8325634.stm

Verizon profit dips, but wireless stays strong
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10382841-266.html
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-earnings-verizon-profit-down-wireless-unit-revenues-jump/

Has AT&T Wireless data congestion been self-inflicted?
http://blogs.broughturner.com/2009/10/is-att-wireless-data-congestion-selfinflicted.html

Surgeon Performs World’s First 4X HD Surgery
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/10/25/2010236/Surgeon-Performs-Worlds-First-4X-HD-Surgery

VOICEMAIL
Ted from Berkeley on hacking the Pre

Ralph on Windows 7 problems

EMAIL
Hey Buzz Out-louders,

Was on my way to class this morning when I saw this article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1846104,CST-FIN-apple26.article

Apparently Apple may pay to upgrade a station at the North and Clybourn red line L stop. They are set to open a new retail location close to the stop. I live near it and I can say with full confidence that that stop is pretty nasty and run down (like most of the CTA's L stations.) I guess Apple thinks it's not very becoming to have your flashy products available via a not so flashy station stop and is willing to fork over the cash to fix that.

Thoughts?

I've been listening to your podcast for about three years now. Love the show!

-Casey the performing arts management student in Chicago

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Hey buzz crew, I don’t if you saw this BBC news item about twitter and other social networking sites costing UK companies 1.4 billion pounds a year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8325865.stm. The assumption is that because their survey of 1460 office workers indicated that people spent an average of 40 minutes a week on these sites that “such online behaviour clearly had a “productivity strain” on firms.” I call shenanigans, and I wish I could get my hands on the actually study so that I could fully debunk the it, but no such luck. My worry is that I read this at 8 am ET and I am sure by this afternoon mainstream media is just going to run with it with no thought or insight.

Love the show.
Marlon “the guyfromtrinidad”

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“Net Neutrality,” not allowing ISP to charge extra for special serves,
will kill the internet. If we don’t allow ISP to make profit from
investing in infrastructure, they will not invest money in
infrastructure. Unlike broadcast television, the internet does not
travel through a common good. Every inch of the internet in America is
built, owned, and maintained by private actors. In order to continue to
have good internet service, we have to allow those actors to make profits.

If you want better service, kill the government interference that
currently exists. Primarily this interference is cable monopolies that
are granted by localities. Since most broadband access comes in via
cable connections this directly hurts the quality of internet access in
America.

Kevin

OK yeah, we talk about Windows 7 and it's lovefest but it's so over. Time to get into the rumor mill again for the Windows 8 release. Why is Microsoft being so quiet about it?! We also cover the unnatural marriage of Verizon and Google over Net Neutrality. And Craigslist is not a pimp according to the law.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

500 people line up for Windows 7 in London
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8319083.stm

Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/burger-king-selling-a-windows-7-whopper-in-japan/

Businesses love Windows 7, survey says
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/174130/businesses_love_windows_7_survey_says.html

Microsoft adds PC’s and third-party software to its online store
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10381031-56.html

Eight things you need to know about Windows 8
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-windows-8-643699

Blu-Ray coming for Xbox, sort of?
http://gizmodo.com/5387238/ballmer-talks-natal-says-blu+ray-add+on-for-xbox-coming

FCC moves forward on Net neutrality rule-making in unanimous vote
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/fcc_moves_forward_on_net_neutr.html
http://www.fcc.gov/

New BFFs Verizon, Google agree on Net neutrality, except for wireless
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/new_bffs_verizon_google_talk_o.html

Google strikes a Twitter search deal, too
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10380615-36.html

Coming to Google Labs: Social search results
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10380739-36.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/21/web-2-0-summit-marrisa-mayer-shows-off-social-search-results-from-your-social-netowrk/

Nokia sues Apple, says iPhone infringes 10 patents
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/nokia-sues-apple-says-iphone-infringes-ten-patents/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8321058.stm

The iPhone is still a good thing for AT&T
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=26417

Judge: Craigslist not liable for prostitution ads
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10380799-261.html

Standard charging connector for cars about to be ratified
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-10380010-72.html

Voice mail
Heather has an idea for ebook sellers.

CJ on BlackBerry love

E-mail
Just want mention that most of Sony laptops are not going to be supported by Sony to upgrade to Windows 7. They suggest you by a new one and to shop on their web page to get one. I check many models and was told the same thing. You can upgrade, but Sony will not provide support for there drivers.
I bought my SR series laptop in Feb this year, P8400 dual core 3 gig mem w/Vista Home Prem – no Sony support. But, I could update an IBM C100 (old and slow) – IBM wil provide support. – rgolab

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I just received a Kindle as a gift last week from my wife and we went
with the $259 U.S. version for the “new low price” of.. well.. $259. I
considered the International version as we often vacation outside of
the U.S., especially during the holidays but opted out of the $20
premium.

Well, while perusing the Amazon site tonight I noticed that there is
already a thread on the Kindle board discussing the fact that the
“U.S.” (only) version of the Kindle is now gone and the $259 version
is the U.S./International version.

Is it just me or isn’t this a bit weird as the price decrease FOR the
U.S. version was only a week or so ago? New hardware just post-Holiday
season? Hmmmm.

Just thought I would share,

Tracy in Newport Beach, CA (SOOOO much better than Atlanta!)

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hey buzz crew!!!

I am a walmart employee and work in their connection center. The prepaid service you have talked about is called Straight Talk, and is owned by the same people who brought you TracFone. The service uses Verizon’s network as well as their data network. The 45 dollar a month plan includes unlimited data, voice and text. We have even gotten new phones, one of which has a slide out qwerty keypad! Our store was a market test store and we have had it for a few months and people are going crazy over it. Very good deal if you ask me. Keep up the good work guys… love the show

Chris Decker in newnan, georgia