14 December 2002

Red Alert! WIRED -- At the annual corporate security conference InfoSecuity 2002, new "computer forensics" software is on display, including software "that allows corporate IT folks to research employees' criminal histories, credit information, financial asset details, friends and associates." The software is called Red Alert 2.0, and more specifically the research software is an optional subscription based add-on called Intelligent Information Dossier plus. This software permits your employer to spy on your private life, in real time. [Michelle Delio and MetaFilter]   [Comment on Shoptalk]

Heidelberg Hat Einen Neuen Bücherbus RNZ de -- A rolling library to complement the rolling hills of the Rhein-Neckar Valley. The new mobile bookmobile carries 5,000 books, CDs, cassettes and magazines. We need this kind of highly visible resource driving into school playgrounds throughout southeast Ireland. [RNZ and netbib]   [Comment on Shoptalk]

Memory Stick Breaks Gigabyte Barrier ZDNET -- Memory stick has no reason to exist now that 3GB CompactFlash cards are easy to find. [ZDNET and Hack the Planet]   [Comment on Shoptalk]

Other Thoughts on the Evolution of Online Distribution OPEN P2P -- The continuing controversy over online file sharing sparked Tim O'Reilly to offer a few thoughts as an author and publisher. He writes an excellent piece on piracy that should be read by everyone with an online presence. [Tim O'Reilly and Chris Gulker]   [Comment on Shoptalk]

AOL Getting Into Blogging GOOD EXPERIENCE -- In an interview, Rick Robinson, VP of Community Products, AOL, said, "We've had them for a while. A few years ago, in our Digital City area, we called them 'comment boards.' Type your thoughts, click a button, and they're published sequentially on the page. It was essentially the same thing as blogging, only it was a group environment rather than one author publishing to many readers. So yes, we're looking at that type of environment for members to publish in." [Mark Hurst and Dan Gillmor]   [Comment on Shoptalk]

Moby Mauled MOBY -- The bald musician is a little confused as to what he did to deserve a beating outside a Boston club. "Maybe they don't like skinny bald guys who play cover songs," he writes. "I'm sure that's it. It's my fault." That could be it, and if so, "I sure hope Eminem has an airtight alibi". [Moby and Amy Reiter]   [Comment on Shoptalk]