Michael Arrington blogged that Microsoft, Yahoo, Red Hat, and AOL are urging the REAL ID Act of 2005. This Act will require citizens to go out of there way to attain the National ID Card by proof of Social Security, ID Number, and/or another proof of identification. Thus, making a standardized form of identification throughout the 50 United States. In a sense it gives the governement more control of its citizens which may be a good thing, yet if one was to get hold of this information, they would, in turn, also be in control. It's not as safe to say that your information couldn't be hacked by anyone these days.
The whole program would be about $17 billion of which each prior company would benefit in one way or another. It seems odd why they would be urging for the immediate funding of the Act because of profit related situations, for they each are already multi-million/billion dollar industries. As many as 17 States have already passed laws in which prohibit the implementation of the ID cards, some asking Congress to revisit the issue.
And although the ID cards would be on a National scale, it definitely does not make it plausable that they cannot be replicated. We already have Driver License and DMV ID cards, it would seem very chaotic to always carry three forms of ID in you pocket at all times.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Google Facing a $5 Billion Suit for intrusion of privacy?
A blog posted by Jacqui Cheng stated that a complaint has been filed against Google for invading a certain individual's privacy, Dylan Stephan Jayne. In his complaint he stated that there is a certain "Google Code" within his Social Security number when turned completely upside down, spelling "GoogleR". The plaintiff even goes as far as to claim that Google is supporting Terrorism because the information is readily available for any terrorist looking for a SSN.
These claims have been somewhat reviewed by Cheng and he had a hard time finding his claims to be real for the information when typed into a search engine would only come up with Dylan's own claims that he filed to the District of Pennsylvania.
I personally believe that there would be no significance in google coding anyone's SSN. I also believe it to be more apparent that a suit for 5 billion dollars against what other company than Google is outrageous because why would one individual ask for so much money? Jayne has not incurred any injuries at all, none of his family members or friends have been affected, and why should he receive such a large sum of money for a complaint such as this? I guess it's up to the courst, but in my opinion, I would like to know the result of the court trial because the situation seems quite ridiculous.
Cases like this makes you think, "What is the moral world coming to?" And actually, I'd say the world has always been like this. The only difference is that now, we're a little more technologically advanced, and for many people, money can be tighter than pants two sizes too small.
These claims have been somewhat reviewed by Cheng and he had a hard time finding his claims to be real for the information when typed into a search engine would only come up with Dylan's own claims that he filed to the District of Pennsylvania.
I personally believe that there would be no significance in google coding anyone's SSN. I also believe it to be more apparent that a suit for 5 billion dollars against what other company than Google is outrageous because why would one individual ask for so much money? Jayne has not incurred any injuries at all, none of his family members or friends have been affected, and why should he receive such a large sum of money for a complaint such as this? I guess it's up to the courst, but in my opinion, I would like to know the result of the court trial because the situation seems quite ridiculous.
Cases like this makes you think, "What is the moral world coming to?" And actually, I'd say the world has always been like this. The only difference is that now, we're a little more technologically advanced, and for many people, money can be tighter than pants two sizes too small.
Friday, September 14, 2007
iPod discontinued for Linux?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Nielsen Cosino
According to a recent blog posted by Will Fisher, iPod has decided to cut off Linux as an iPod customer because of the programs in which uses to manage music, a couple of examples being Gtkpod and Rythmbox.
For the older versions of iPods--ending at the 5th Generation Video iPod--it turns out that reverse engineering of the system was fairly simple. But with the iPod Classic, the upcoming new Nano, and iPod Touch, iPod has created some sort of hash to control it's management.
The database for the iPod becomes locked to only one iTunes database and prevents the modification of the database as well. If tampered with, the iTunes will show that it contains 0 songs.
With technology today, programs and systems can usually get hacked or be detoured. The question is, should it? I believe that different programs for music management is inevittable for the reason that although iTunes can be very convenient in its set-up and options for management, one can also develop an application that is better, which is the basis of what drives technology everyday. "Moor's Law: Every 18 months, Twice as Fast, Half the Price," for customers, that is a very compelling statement because money is tight for the general public. iPod's are not cheap and it would be most convenient for anyone to purchase an iPod knowing that they have options on how they can manage it.
So even though the future generations of iPod are going to have a tighter grip on how to manage their devices, I think that there will also be the programs that other people develop to express their style of music management and interface.
For the older versions of iPods--ending at the 5th Generation Video iPod--it turns out that reverse engineering of the system was fairly simple. But with the iPod Classic, the upcoming new Nano, and iPod Touch, iPod has created some sort of hash to control it's management.
The database for the iPod becomes locked to only one iTunes database and prevents the modification of the database as well. If tampered with, the iTunes will show that it contains 0 songs.
With technology today, programs and systems can usually get hacked or be detoured. The question is, should it? I believe that different programs for music management is inevittable for the reason that although iTunes can be very convenient in its set-up and options for management, one can also develop an application that is better, which is the basis of what drives technology everyday. "Moor's Law: Every 18 months, Twice as Fast, Half the Price," for customers, that is a very compelling statement because money is tight for the general public. iPod's are not cheap and it would be most convenient for anyone to purchase an iPod knowing that they have options on how they can manage it.
So even though the future generations of iPod are going to have a tighter grip on how to manage their devices, I think that there will also be the programs that other people develop to express their style of music management and interface.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)