Buzz Out Loud Podcast

EPISODE 725

**NOTE: We are making a change to our podcast feed system on Monday, May 19. You do not need to subscribe to a new feed, however. One important thing to know: if you have your podcast catcher set to download “all unheard episodes” in a feed, you will probably find a bunch of already heard episodes in your feed on Friday as a result of the changes. To lighten the hit, set your podcast catcher to only download “the latest episode” for the week of May 19-23.

CBS to buy CNET Networks
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9944882-7.html
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/ 419-breaking-cbs-acquiring-cnet-for-18-billion/

Yahoo faces struggle for control
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7401855.stm
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9944488-7.html

Air Force aims for ‘full control’ of ‘any and all’ computers
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/05/air-force-mater.html

Comcast goes social with Plaxo acquisition
http://www.news.com/8301-13953_3-9944352-80.html

AT&T’s 3G comes out on top in speed tests, will only get faster in 2009
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/ atandts-3g-comes-out-on-top-in-speed-tests-will-only-get-faster/

Nintendo ordered to pay $21 million to patent troll
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/15/ nintendo-ordered-to-pay-21-million-to-patent-troll/

Aliph Jawbone 2 (gold) printer-friendly version
http://reviews.cnet.com/headsets/aliph-jawbone-2-gold/ 4514-13831_7-33018887.html

Twit-out: A day-long worldwide Twitter boycott
http://jerseysuburbia.com/?p=30

Swiss man soars above Alps with jet-powered wing (Thanks Russ)
http://www.physorg.com/news130056672.html

Swarming ants destroy electronics in Texas
http://news.slashdot.org/news/08/05/15/129244.shtml

Voicemail

Bob, New Jersey
Semantic Web alternatives

Lori, Houston
XP SP3 breaking.

E-mail

I have an old computer at home that is not being used. Could I download the Air Force botnet virus and be part of the military Botnet reserve?

LTS

Darren
Columbus, Ohio

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

Hello, Michael the limnologist (and super geek) here. I like the idea of a USAF botnet. Well, sort of. I don’t necessarily trust the government to always do the right thing, but I would bet that if the USAF built this and offered citizens the ability to participate by sharing your computer, many people would do it. This could be a lot like SETI's distributed computing. I'd even contribute one of my computers, providing the system was truly idle when not activated and no personal data would have to be shared. Perhaps the citizen component could sit idle in a sandbox-like environment.
Think of it as national defense. The future of war will be electronic.

Michael

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

Boy - I get my first e-mail on the show and I am wrong. How sad is that....

As it turns out the Large Hadron Collider is not going live on May 15and the countdown clock had not been reset when the live date was changed.

On the countdown Web site:
The countdown timer was set to the May 15 because there was no definite time given for the actual activation, recent events show that CERN won't be dividing by zero until much later on in the year, so now the countdown timer will be reset again, and will be continually tweaked to go by the latest info that CERN are releasing.
So, sorry to disappoint you all, but you won't be dying tomorrow.
Sorry L

David A Zirpolo

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

Hey guys!

So after listening to Wednesday's BOL (iPod is on other side of room; not going to go check the episode No. could use Web, but won't) and your caller's tip about the Canadian iPhone coming around the “end of this month, beginning of the next,” I found this story on MacRumors. If this rumor — which they themselves have taken with a large grain of salt — is to be believed, the iPhone will be launched in May to make room for the announcement of a brand new device at WWDC. That, of course, would sit with the whole “end of this month/beginning of next month” equivocalities if, in fact, a brand new something will be coming on June 9 @ WWDC.

Although I’m sure that the majority of the attendees of the sold-out WWDC will be less than thrilled to find that they won’t be witnessing the second coming, their anger may be mollified and assuaged if the new device is a more reasonably-priced Macbook Air thingamadoodly. Well, only if they stay out of Steve Jobs’ RealityDistortionField. Otherwise, they won’t care.

~ J-2 in Maryland ~

P.S. Yes, RealityDistortionField (RDF) is one word — in its self-produced alternate reality that is mysteriously auto-emanating…

P.P.S. Molly, I find myself saying “blah-de-blah” and “What the doodly-doo?” a lot now. Um, thanks?

Source:

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

Hi buzz out loud……
In Tuesdays podcast episode 723 you requested that people who had non-hp machine that experienced the endless reboot problem to let you know.
Well I am letiing you know right now.
I have a Sony Vaio PCG-GRT170 laptop that when ever XP SP3 is installed it goes into that endless reboot thing.
This has happen twice. Once when I downloaded it from a non- micrsoft site, and through windows update.
Just wanted to let you know. Thanks love that show, yada yada yada.
By the way, my laptop has a Intel pentium 4 CPU.
Brian, Royal Oak MI

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

Big potential problems of having your face on Street View:
? Abused wives hiding from their husbands. They may have had to leave town to get away, and if the guy is trying to stalk her, it might put her at risk if he knew where to look ? Witness protection program ? Any target of stalking ? Cheating b@$t@rds who don't want to get caught stepping out ? Closeted homosexuals

All of these groups might take exception to their faces appearing with a location on the interwebs. Just a thought.

LTS,

Jomichael

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

Hi guy,

The recent study that you mentioned is fascinating to me as it is in one of my areas of research.

On of my students (Rob the honours student… did his honours thesis with me this year comparing co operative play vs. deathmatch play in Doom 3 on the xbox. We added a new dimension, co operative talk vs. confrontational talk. So the design looked like this:

chat condition

co op confrontational

Co Op 10 people 10 people

game

deathmatch 10 people 10 people

So we had 10 subjects in each group (randomly assigned). The subjects were first year university students. Some were gamers, some were not. They were told that we were interested in their hand eye co ordination.

We found absolutely no difference between the four groups in aggression levels, measured right after 5 minutes of play. We measured aggression with an established situational aggression questionnaire.

Of course after the experiment Rob was sure to debrief people and tell them that he was being mean to them for a reason. (Rob is actually a really nice guy, and he cannot beat his thesis supervisor at NHL 08….)

Now I know this is with a different population (not kids but adults) but it is heartening. We will be presenting the data at FuturePlay, a video game conference that is held annually in Toronto.

Oh, and there was no difference between the gamers and the non gamers on their level of aggression. There were no sex differences either.

Dave (the psychologist)

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

So I guess this is good news (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24643793/) especially those with stock options… Just think of the possibilities: Molly on CSI, Katie on BuzzOutLoud, Tom could do a spinoff of Survivor - Tech Survivor, etc.

Frank,
Blacksburg, VA

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

Hey JaMoTo,

I don’t know if CBS buying CNET is good or bad news for you guys but I want you to know that I’ll remain loyal to you all as a good Buzztown citizen should be, even if it means watching Tom anchoring news on CBS News or Molly presenting showcases on The Price is Right or even Jason showing up on the camera from time to time behind the big sound console on the Late Show with David Letterman. I’ll stay true and faithful and no matter how hard it would be, I will not cheat on you by watching Jeff Probst trying to talk about the semantic Web, botnets, or Twitter. I will remain a BOLer forever!

Love the show (and hope it doesn’t change… too much)

Giorgio
from Montreal, Canada

EPISODE 723

Note: We are making a change to our podcast feed system on Friday, May 16. However, you do not need to subscribe to a new feed. One important thing to know: If you have your podcast catcher set to download "all unheard episodes" in a feed, you will probably find a bunch of already heard episodes in your feed on Friday as a result of the changes. To lighten the hit, set your podcast catcher to only download "the latest episode" for the week of May 19-to-23.

Hacker posts personal information on 6 million people
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=4841870

Microsoft blames PC makers for XP SP3 crashes
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/196905/ microsoft-blames-pc-makers-for-xp-sp3-crashes.html

Dell halts high-end XPS production
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006946.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121063491209086661.html

Apple iPhone sold out online
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/37402/145/

Apple signs on HBO for iTunes Store, giving in to variable pricing
http://www.betanews.com/article/ Apple_signs_on_HBO_for_iTunes_Store_giving_in_to_variable_pricing/1210689456

Harvard researchers: Violent video games OK for kids
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9942041-1.html

Charter to begin tracking users' searches, inserting targeted ads
http://consumerist.com/5008801/ charter-to-begin-tracking-users-searches-and-inserting-targeted-ads

Air Force colonel wants to build military botnet
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/05/air-force-col-w.html

Google extends online-video lead
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9941820-7.html

Welcome to the social mess?
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9941984-2.html

Microsoft research launches WorldWide Telescope, Scoble cries
http://www.cnet.com/8301-13515_1-9942537-26.html

VOICE MAIL

Tony
When will we have on standard for wireless.

Ryan Colorado
A little bit about Back to my Mac.

E-MAIL

Genesis of the drug printer

In episode 722 you discussed the idea of printing drugs. I suggest chemical stability as a reason that such an idea could prove useful. The next wonder drug could, for example, lose its wonderful properties when exposed to oxygen (as oxygen is highly reactive). Perhaps this drug could be synthesized through the simple mixture of several, independently stable and innocuous chemicals. The mixture, however, could require a proficiency of titration not realized by the average afflicted individual. What is an inkjet printer other a highly accurate fluid dispersal and mixing device? (flash to lightbulb and corresponding Bing!).

I really do adore your shows. Keep up the terrificness.

--DS

Google does semantic search?

While listening to the show, you guys made mention of the natural language search tool, I think it was called Power Set Symantec Web. I went to Google.com and put in some natural language searches and got the same answers that you guys got when searching. The search queries were:

What is Buzz Out Loud?
Who was King Henry VIII first wife.

Both of those questions were answered correctly. Maybe I missed something, but I hope you guys can address it and clear it up for me. Love the show.

Long time listener, three time caller, first time e-mailer.

--Joseph

http://searchengineland.com/080512-000100.php

Spreading the fud

When I went to work yesterday in a call center for a telecom/Internet provider that rhymes with “horizon”, I found that copies of an article about Comcast’s proposed caps had been put on everyone’s desks, even though the middle paragraph did explain just how much content one truly gets for 250GB. I really don’t think that the majority of my co-workers really understand what they are selling on a technical level, since the training we got was really just aimed at how to sell it. All they’re going to take away from that article is “Well, ours is unlimited and theirs isn’t, so we’re better!” (Even if we can only give most of you 3Mb/768k service.)

Way to spread the FUD, “Horizon!”
--Anonymous

Obsolete words (or soon to be)

At the end of BOL 722, when Jason was talking about changing the subscription to make sure we download latest, Tom said if you don’t understand that, rewind.

Hmm, since the podcast is digital, how does one “rewind”? Wouldn’t that term have died with the cassette/VCR tapes? Open letter to mfg: please stop putting RWD on DVD remotes. My I propose fast backward, a technology neutral term (why is there only fast forward?)

Other somewhat obsolete terms I noticed lately: clockwise/counterclockwise (who owns an analog clocks when we have computers and cell phones), light bulbs (compact fluorescent lights are not really bulbs, just twisted tubes).

Sorry for random crap like this. The cough syrup is making me loopy.

--Dickson

Macbook Pro trackpad bubbles?

Hey Buzz out Crew,

Maybe that’s just me, but if you think that’s a lead worth investigating:
http://hervalicio.us/blog/2008/05/12/ breaking-news-the-new-macbook-pro-is-afraid-of-heights/

Found that problem on my MacBook Pro today and found that several other people are experiencing similar occurrences. Do I smell manufacturing issues…?

Love the show! Bye,

--Herval

EPISODE 722

Note: We are making a change to our podcast feed system on Friday, May 16. However, you do not need to subscribe to a new feed. One important thing to know: If you have your podcast catcher set to download “all unheard episodes” in a feed, you will probably find a bunch of already heard episodes in your feed on Friday as a result of the changes. To lighten the hit, set your podcast catcher to only download “the latest episode” for the week of May 19-to-23.

After China quake, seek Twitter for information, mainstream sites for rumors
http://www.cnet.com/8301-13908_1-9941600-59.html
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9941511-7.html

Gmail as open-relay spam server
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/11/014234

Powerset brings the Semantic Web to Wikipedia
http://www.news.com/8301-13953_3-9938959-80.html

BlackBerry makes a Bold debut with the 9000
http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=3009

AT&T’s bringing free Wi-Fi to the iPhone — once it finishes wigging out
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/12/ atandts-bringing-free-wifi-to-the-iphone-once-it-finishes-wigg/

Amazon Unbox on TiVo getting HD content
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9941552-1.html

Stolen Mac helps nab burglary suspects
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9941279-7.html

Windows XP SP3 adds 10 percent performance boost, tests show
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/operatingsystems/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207602577

Get off of my cloud: Rolling Stones on, then off eMusic
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080511-get-off-of-my-cloud-rolling-stones-on-then-off-emusic.html

Microsoft talks up using printers to make drugs
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/05/09/ Microsoft-talks-up-using-printers-to-make-drugs_1.html

The 25-year-old BSD bug
http://www.osnews.com/story/19731

Sailing robots to attempt Atlantic crossing
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/12/0121243

VOICE MAIL

Jamie Arizona
Military-grade hard drive destruction

Steven Scotland
Instructions for Molly

E-MAIL

Download limits

I have a slightly different problem with download limits. I have three children in my family who all use the computer as do my husband and I. Goodness knows what my husband downloads, I watch and listen to podcasts as I go through my day. My children all watch YouTube and other streaming things. My eldest is now into making short videos so she is uploading and downloading stuff.

Individually, we are probably downloading a high average amount of stuff… like any good nerd would. But, put it all together? As well as the streaming Netflix and downloaded material for TiVo? It probably adds up to an official boatload.

I guess the point is that a large family will come closer to the limit without doing anything close to suspicious use. Oh, also, if we switch to Fios TV, would that count against any limit as well?

--Amy, Owings Mills

T-Mobile’s 3G and lack of HSDPA and “cool” phones

Hi BOL boys and girl(s),

The main reason for TMO to struggle with phone offer for it’s new 3G network and consequently with HSDPA feature is the spectrum/band that is used to build the network on. Unfortunately for TMO it is a non “standard” one (read--not popular), not used in Europe or by AT&T in U.S.

So as almost all things on this world it comes down to cost and possible revenues from the initial investment. First the demand need to be “reasonable” (TMO need to guaranty certain volume of devices to be purchased) and second phone manufacturers have to go through development process and prepare new version of the phone which takes time.

This also explains (in big part) the situation that often new phones are launched in different parts of the world e.g. EU but not in U.S., the reason is that the market for such a devices is much bigger there (popularity of 3G, band standard) then in US.

Tom, you can not use unlocked 3G phone, e.g. AT&T one, on TMO network, it will simply not work.

Molly, hold on it is coming just little slower...

Regard,
--Emimo

EPISODE 721

House overwhelmingly passes controversial Pro-IP Act
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080508-house-overwhelmingly-passes-controversial-pro-ip-act.html

Infringement ‘detrimental to the public health, safety’
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/09/0029224

Windows XP SP3 sows havoc, users complain
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/ operatingsystems/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207600950

New bill ties net neutrality to antitrust law
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080508-new-bill-ties-net-neutrality-to-antitrust-law.html

Apple to provide refunds for power adapters
http://www.latimes.com/technology/ la-fi-apple9-2008may09,1,7640101.story

Nokia aiming to reinvent itself as an “Internet company”
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080509-nokia-aiming-to-reinvent-itself-as-an-internet-company.html

Interactive Liberty City map help guide
http://grandtheftauto.ign.com/articles/features/373/ Interactive-Liberty-City-Map-Help-Guide

R2D2 DVD projector
http://www.nikkor2d2.com/

Get out and play
http://www.get-out-and-play.com/index.php

Using a record-cutter to turn old CDs into 45rpm singles
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/09/using-a-recordcutter.html

This Week in Buzz Tech Out Loud Geek Brief - EP1
http://www.archive.org/details/ ThisWeekInBuzzTechOutLoudGeekBrief-Ep1

VOICE MAIL

Javier Puerto Rico
Some research into gaming data usage.

E-MAIL

The new SecuROM

My group of friends and I have an annual vacation / LAN party where we don’t have Internet access for the week. This trend of games developers assuming we all have Internet access at all times makes it even more unlikely we will be able play their games at our get together. First it was Steam and not being able to install new games when we got there from a boxed copy. Then it was not having matching versions and giving us no way to patch without connecting to some far off server (I’m looking at you, Team Fortress 2). Now with this new SecuROM idea, we will might be able to play for the first few days but then the game disables itself because it can’t call home? Madness! Can we please just go back to the days were we could install and play an offline game while being offline.

Great show,
--Jack
Toledo, Ohio

Well actually (ISP backups)

Tom, Molly and Jason,
I’m just listening to episode 720 here while selling drugs to people I don’t know and I could swear I just heard Tom say the “ISPs have better backup systems than you do….” (32:43) What??? Do I have to remind you that my current provider, Charter, accidentally deleted e-mail accounts of thousands of subscribers earlier this year and basically said, “Whoops, we don’t have a backup. Our subscribers should take responsibility for this.” This is just one reason they are on the way out the door as my provider.
Keep up the great work, you bring sunshine to my nights.
Love the show,

--Kyle, the night pharmacist in Minnesota

Best Buy employees are liars (or just uninformed!)

I recently sold my Wii and went to Best Buy to get grab a Xbox 360. I know all about the Red Ring of Death and how Microsoft extended their warranty to 3 years because of this problem. Not to mention since they got the new Falcon chipsets those problems have been reduced. So the Bust Buy employee tried to sell me the service plan, no problem. I said no thanks and he came back at me and said Microsoft only has a 1 year warranty and it does not cover the red ring of death. WTF???? Not the mention he told me that rock band has no warranty at all!!!!!! I have no problem with employees selling service plans but don’t lie. If it was some mom buying a 360 for their 12-year-old son I’m sure see would have bought it hook line and sinker.

http://www.xbox.com/en-us/support/systemsetup/xbox360/ resources/warrantyupdate.htm

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20273

--Andrew

A detail of the Eee PC story

In episode 720 you missed one detail about the Eee PC with Linux costing more than the Eee PC with Windows. The Linux version comes with 20GB of flash storage, while the Windows version only comes with 12GB. I looked into how this would effect the price difference between the Linux and Windows versions based on the price of USB flash drives. The conclusion that the Linux version costs too much is still true, however, it is worth noting that some of the price difference (around $50) can be accounted for by this difference.

I wrote out my conclusion and my explanation for how I got to that conclusion here if you are interested:

http://www.linuxloop.com/news/2008/05/08/ analyzing-the-eee-pc-windows-linux-price-issue/

Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
--Anonymous

Comcast 250GB limit

Say you try and replace Comcast TV with watching videos on XBox 360 or Apple TV. The average American watches 4 hours and 35 minutes a day (2006). Assuming HD, at 6Mbps this uses 346GB in a 28 day month, more than the cap.

--GW

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.

EPISODE 708

FCC’s Martin: Comcast blocking was widespread
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/ 144942/fccs_martin_comcast_blocking_was_widespread.html

Microsoft XP SP 3 coming April 29
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9924500-56.html
http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9924689-57.html

Sony BMG joins Nokia’s unlimited music service
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9925046-7.html

Sony to delay Home online service for PS3 again
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/ idUST31089720080422

Big week in Microsoft-Yahoo battle
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9924976-56.html

Netflix CEO: Will charge ‘premium’ for Blu-ray Discs
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/netflix-ceo-charge-premium-blu-ray/story.aspx

And the Webware 100 Winners are…
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9921741-2.html

The military plans to regrow body parts
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/22/0133208

Stephen Hawking: Primitive alien life likely
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080421/ap_on_sc/ stephen_hawking_3

VOICE MAIL

Michael Hong Kong
Talking smack at a young age.

Joe Westside
How do I get Geek Pop in my TiVo.

Anonymous
Here’s a thought.

E-MAIL

708 is special

Dear Buzzers out loud,

I noticed that episode 708 is coming up next. This is special because if you type “708″ into a calculator and turn it upside down, it spells "BOL." You can also try typing in 710.77345

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7527/ calc708upsidedownnw9.jpg

--Stephen Hart, Canada

Skype correction

Well actually,

The article from Reuters said, “Internet calling company Skype said on Monday that it would offer an unlimited long-distance calling service for customers who want to reach friends and family without computers or Internet access.”

This means that the receiving party of the call need not have Internet access or a computer. The calling party must still use a computer (or Skype handset) to initiate the call.

Love the Show!

--Daniel Smith

Vudu becomes more than just a set-top box

Good morning ToMoJa!

I don’t know if you’ve heard this, or if you care, but the Vudu box is about to become a multiroom video distribution server.

http://www.cepro.com/article/vudu_netstreams_deliver_multiroom_video_distribution?utm_source=CEPWeekly&utm_medium=email

--Rick

Windows release patterns

Releasing Windows 7 instead of fixing Vista takes Microsoft down an interesting road. They will just teach folks to skip every other generation. Microsoft would have to start planning a bum version of windows for folks to skip while waiting on the real upgrade.

98, Keep.
ME, Skip
XP, Keep
Vista, Skip
7, Keep

Leapfrog anyone?
--Mark P. Snyder, PE (RK in the forums)

EPISODE 703

Psystar: Apple's terms violate U.S. monopoly laws
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1685

Elusive 'Twitter ads' spotted in the wild
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9919041-36.html

Windows XP SP3 now set for April 29 debut
http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/ 2008/04/15/windows-xp-sp3-now-set-for-april-29-debut

NPD: Amazon’s MP3s not affecting iTunes
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9918981-7.html

Kid Breaks Vacuum to Play Xbox Instead of Doing Chores; Mom Sells Xbox, Pranks His MySpace
http://gizmodo.com/379633/kid-breaks-vacuum-to-play-xbox- instead-of-doing-chores-mom-sells-xbox-pranks-his-myspace

Flickr’s Doughnut Giveaway Morphs Into Worldwide Event
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/04/flickr-plans-to.html

Window stickers with cell phone number
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/14/window-stickers-with.html

Rocket Racing League announces August takeoff
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9917928-36.html

Iron Man’s New Villain--an Open Source Terrorist
http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/15/0037211

VOICE MAIL

Anonymous
But we gave the telcos money before.

Shelley Austin
I think hybrids are too quiet.

FORUMS

Introducing MollyRants.org
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6035_102-0.html? forumID=97&threadID=291447

E-MAIL

DC Flash Mob Participant Arrested for Dancing in Celebration of TJ Birthday

Hey Buzz Crew,
I just wanted to let Buzzville know about what happened to one of my friends (and yes, I was there) this past Saturday:

http://www.theagitator.com/2008/04/13/so-about-that- tree-of-liberty/

Tonight, a group of about 20 D.C.-area libertarians headed down to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for some flash mob fun. The prank was harmless revelry: To ring in Jefferson's birthday, we would meet on the steps of the memorial at 11:55 p.m., wearing iPods, then dance for about 10 minutes, capture the whole thing on video, and leave.

Note: This post made the digg front page this weekend.

Further reporting from Radley Balko available here:
Video of the incident: http://www.theagitator.com/2008/04/14/ jefferson-dance-party-video/
http://www.theagitator.com/2008/04/13/jefferson-arrest-update/

Brooke is fine and the most recent break down of the story (from a fellow participant) is available here:

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13056

Since this event was organized on Facebook, I thought you all might take some interest in the event.

In Freedom,
--Elizabeth

Elizabeth the Economist/Policy Analyst
in Alexandria, VA

Boy Scouts helping neighbors with DTV conversion

Hey Tom,

Listened to today’s BOL postcast (BOL 702) and you played a call from a Boy Scout in Nev. This is Ron, the one you met up at last week’s meetup. My last name is Larson, and I was up from Santa Barbara for the RSA Conference.

I got a laugh about the Jehovah's Witness help. You mentioned a message board about this, but I can’t find it. I looked at the BOL Forum. Nothing there. What Message Board?

Anyhow… it was good talking to you guys.

--Ron Larson

Amazon improving digital download quality?

Hi Tom, Molly, and Jason,

A while back when Amazon debuted their new digital download music service, you read my complaint that the tracks were encoded in joint stereo w/ a variable bitrate. I didn’t download anything from them since, but tonight I gave them another shot with the new Birthday Massacre album (yeah my taste is a bit obscure). Now, I look at the track encoding, and I see that it’s encoded with LAME3.91 at a constant 256 kbps… and in FULL stereo! I don’t think I could encode it any better myself. Amazon, I love you. (And I love BOL too!) I just hope this is across the board and not isolated to this particular album.

--Mike in Fla.

Well actually, Fry’s vs. Fry’s

Hey Tom,

Fry’s Food & Drug/Fry’s Marketplace is not owned by Fry’s Electronics.

Kroger which owns Ralph’s, Quik Stop, Food 4 Less, Hilander, and many other grocery chains is the parent company to Fry’s Food & Drug/Fry’s Marketplace.

Fry’s Electronics is run by the three brothers John, Randy, and Dave Fry.
Their father Charles Fry, sold the Fry’s grocery chain in 1972.
Kroger acquired the chain sometime later.

Fry’s electronics was founded in 1985 using some of the money that their father gave them after selling off the grocery chain.
One more bit of trivia is that the Fry’s brothers are or were part owners in the San Jose Sharks.

LTS KUTGW
Hershal, the former Fry’s (electronics) Employee

P.S. My brother works in the Meat Department at Fry’s …uh, the other one …no, not the electronics one …yeah, I assume you figured that …just in case though… okay, bye now.

Sväng, svang, svung? What is it?

Hi,

In episode 699, you guys were talking something about iPhone/N95 and a new word popped out: Sväng
Molly: Sväng is my new favorite word ever. Sväng me!
Tom: I read once something about that “Sväng” was standard English in 16th hundreds, and then went away.
Molly: Really? Because it sounded too funny?

Anyway,
I’m a developer, and a very long time regular listener of BOL from Finland, and this dialoge hit me because I’m also a member of a Harmonica Quartet called Sväng (www.myspace.com/svangharmonica and http://www.svang.fi ).
While this may sound like totally non_hi_tech thing, it is quite the contrary.

We deploy fully digital audio system on stage comprising a RME digital audio interface connected to PCI express card slot of MacBook Pro running Logic pro’s Main Stage and real time effects, eq’s and other plug-ins. Then we have a Bluetooth remote midi controller to switch between patches during the live performance.

Yes, I realize that our Sväng and yours are not the same thing, and while pronounced exactly alike the spelling most likely is not the same. I’m curious, however, what is the meaning of Sväng(?) in standard English?

-Pasi-

EPISODE 689

Approval for mobiles on aircraft
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7314362.stm

TiVo's take: It's a Comcast mistake
http://cultureofownership.org/?p=24

Comcast and Time Warner to bankroll WiMax joint venture
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9903411-7.html

Motorola to split into two, asexually
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9903426-7.html

AdWords Text Ads with Video on Google Homepage
http://www.labnol.org/internet/search/ screenshot-adwords-text-ads-with-video-on-google-homepage/2689/

Xbox Live taking action on Gamerscore tampering
http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9902810-52.html
http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Marks+Xbox+360+Cheaters+ Resets+Gamerscores+to+Zero/article11248c.htm

XP Service Pack 3 remains in testing
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9903004-56.html

Vista-capable lawsuit paints picture of buggy NVIDIA drivers
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/ 20080325-vista-capable-lawsuit-paints-picture-of-buggy-nvidia-drivers.html

Asustek to roll out second-generation Eee PC with touchscreen panels and possibly GPS support in May or June
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20080325PD226.html

South Park to Offer All Episodes for Free Download
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/03/south-park-to-o.html

Japanese ads downplay URLs, encourage searches
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/25/japanese-ads-downpla.html

Suspended Animation In Mice Without Freezing
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/25/2136206

VOICE MAIL

Dnic NY
Can’t have cake and eat it too.

Anon
All you have to do to preview Tiny.URL

E-MAIL

Netflix issues 5% credit as mea culpa

Dear Zoe,

As you may have heard, our shipping system was unexpectedly down for most of Monday. We should have shipped you a DVD but were unable to.
Your DVD was shipped today, Tuesday, March 25th, instead.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. We will issue a 5% credit to your account in the next few days. You don’t need to do anything. The credit will be automatically applied to your next billing statement.

Again, we apologize for the delay and thank you for your understanding. If you need further assistance, please call us at 1
(888) 638-3549.

-The Netflix Team

Zoe

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

Bell crimps P2P file-sharing during peak hours

Bell Canada is slowing down access on its Sympatico internet servers for users who file share during prime time, so that other users will not be overly delayed

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/03/25/bell-throttling.html

Bill

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

Muni WiFi alternative

Hey Buzz Crew,
You guys discussed the possibility of using cars and busses to create a mesh network in an urban environment, but do you know what would even work better? People. Implant everybody in major cities with a wireless repeater and voila! Instant network. It would be so much better than using cars because it would spread out vertically too. As we all learned in The Matrix, humans are excellent power sources and could surely power a small wifi hub. This is the solution to municipal wifi.

Erik the MBA student from Tulsa

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

Well actually, fiber is analog

Hi JaMoTo!

In Episode 686 (with Veronica!) Tom said "I think Verizon doesn't have an analog version because it's FIOS, it's over fiber."

Veronica responded, "It's digital right?"

Well, Actually: fiber simply carries a light signal which may be either digital or analog. FIOS uses a Passive Optical Network (PON) with three different colored lasers. One carries internet traffic downstream, one carries internet traffic upstream and one carries the television signal. At the customer's home, a termination box separates the colors using filters. The TV signal (which is at Radio Frequencies) is simply amplified and dropped onto a coaxial cable to handle the last 50 feet to the television. Thus, it can work without a set-top box on a cable-ready TV. The individual channels can be analog, digital or a mix of the two just like over the air.

In fact, Comcast (my provider) has been using a Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) network for more than a decade. It uses coax cable within each neighborhood and then converts to fiber for the longer-haul back to the cable headend. The big difference in FIOS versus cable is in its handing of internet and telephone. TV is pretty much the same except that FIOS converts from coax to fiber at the home where Comcast converts at the neighborhood.

So... presumably this means that Verizon does indeed intend to shut down existing analog channels (which they do carry). I'm not sure how the FCC requirement to extend analog transmissions will affect Verizon because they aren't a traditional cable company. Even if it does affect them my understanding is that the requirement only applies to local channels. Also, even though PON networks work with analog cable-ready TVs, I'll bet that the subscribers with this configuration are a tiny minority.

As my brother (an electrical engineer who helped design PON technology) says, "When the frequency is high enough, digital becomes analog."

Great show! And really fun to hear Veronica again!

Thanks,
Brandt in Provo

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

AJAX isn’t new

Javascript and CSS and HTML have been out for awhile, just thought I’d be 1/100,000,000 people who are probably letting you know.

Speaking of AJAX, know anyone hiring a web designer in San Francisco?
I need a job, and I’m super good.

I’m jobless/sad.

Love, Matt (the guy who beat Tetris many moons ago)