Apple updates iPod software for Europe only [The Macintosh News Network]

What this update does is reduce the output of the iPod to put it under the 100 decibels required by french law. The EU only has a 104 decibels restriction, which the iPod already satisfies. Is this a case of one country laws forcing an EU effect? Not a good precedent. On the other hand, doesn't it make sense to download this update even if you live outside Europe? I mean french law probably has some reason for the limit, no? I'm afraid I won't be able to apply later updates and will be force to wait for an european update.

5:04:19 PM  What do you think? ( Thoughts) Who linked? []   

Steven Levy's wireless neighbors. After discovering an open wireless net available from his sofa, Steven "Hackers" Levy interviewed lawmen, academics and WiFi activists about the legality and ethics of using open wireless access points.

I downloaded my mail and checked media news on the Web. When I confessed this to FBI agent Bill Shore, he spared the handcuffs. "The FBI wouldn't waste resources on that," he sniffed. Now I know that if it did, it would be hard to argue that I broke a law. What's more, I certainly didn't feel illegal. Because[~]and this is the point of all that war-driving and -chalking and node-stumbling[~]when you get used to wireless, the experience feels more and more like a God-given right. One day we may breathe bandwidth like oxygen[~]and arguing its illegality will be unthinkable.

[Boing Boing Blog]

When I went wardriving in Santa Barbara the clearest signal I got was right in front of the Police station. I chicken out. I did find a couple of good spots, though. I am wondering about opening up my own wireless signal, right now is very secure... should I do it? will it get me in trouble? My main concern will be a slow down in my connection... But since the signal doesn't go very far, how many people could use it simultaneously?

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Palm Unveils Cheap PDA for Masses. In a move that marks an image makeover for Palm, the handheld computing pioneer on Monday releases a sleek, affordable personal digital assistant for first-time buyers. By Elisa Batista. [Wired News]

Only two megs and butt ugly. This is supposed to save Palm from Sony's competition? They are planing a 1-20 reverse stock split. My advice is: Short Palm right after the split.

4:42:11 PM  What do you think? ( Thoughts) Who linked? []