Buzz Out Loud

Buzz Out Loud 1016: Summon the royal Twitterer

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:07:00 PDT

The monarchy comes to Twitter, but of course the Queen doesn't sully her fingers on the keyboard, she has a royal twitterer do that. We also discuss whether the new Universal Music Group deal with TuneCore will change the landscape of music. We also absolve North Korea of the botnet.

Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 1016

Universal/TuneCore deal opens major doors for indie artists
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/07/universaltunecore-deal-opens-major-doors-for-indie-artists.ars
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-10283224-27.html

Korean DDoS Bots To Self-Destruct
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/07/10/0452256/Korean-DDoS-Bots-To-Self-Destruct
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/07/pcs_used_in_korean_ddos_attack.html

Looks like it's not DPRK either
http://intelfusion.net/wordpress/?p=593

Google's Schmidt initially opposed to Chrome, says Microsoft is welcome to port Internet Explorer on over
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/10/googles-schmidt-initially-opposed-to-chrome-says-microsoft-is/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10283555-250.html

Report: 20% of online video fans watch less TV
http://arstechnica.com/media/news/2009/07/report-20-of-online-video-fans-watch-less-tv.ars

New York Times Considers $5 Monthly Web-Access Fee
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a8GofbbtFf8w

Google image search gets usage rights filtering
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10283315-2.html

Clippy stars in new Office 2010 promo video
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10282944-56.html

Royal household turns to Twitter
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8144381.stm

But there will be no twittering from the end-zone
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Trenches/entry/view/28161/no_fun_league_bans_in-game_twittering

VOICEMAIL
Joe from Baton Rouge has a mulitfunction device issue of his own

RogueTess has good news for recent Kindle purchases

EMAIL
sup Buzz Crew

Regarding Pandora and the 40 hours per month cap; couldn't anyone just create an additional account, therefore getting 40 hours per account per month for free?

Granted 99 cents a month isn't a lot of money to spend, but in these troubled times -DRINK- , it could be a relatively simple alternative for any frugal music listener.

Stay awesome,
Terrence the Fraud Analyst from Madison, WI

**********

Hey, Buzz-keteers:

I know there's only about one day of voting left - and you've already received a couple of kickin' campaign videos for Molly's effort to become President of the Internets - but I had some extra time last night when it turned out I couldn't sleep. So I thought I'd whip up a little website to go along with everything else that's been done to-date.

It's not much, but it helped me pass a couple of hours. And maybe it can be used as an information portal or something when our new benevolent overlord takes office in the fall. Pardon the strange URL, but - hey, whaddya want for work done at 3 AM: http://www.wix.com/pbrentwilliams/mollywood

Good luck, Miss Molly! Love the show!
http://www.wix.com/pbrentwilliams/mollywood

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,

Regarding your discussion of lithium polymer batteries (lipos for
short) in episode 1015, they are not immune to exploding.

Lipos are a common power source in electric powered radio controlled
models, particularly RC helicopters, due to their high energy-to-
weight ratio. If they are compromised, they can spontaneously combust.

Also, if the cells are overcharged, they can outgas, causing a
condition called puffing, and can explode if charging is taken to an
extreme. Special cell-balancing chargers are typically used to avoid
overcharging battery packs consisting of series-connected cells.

This doesn't instill my confidence in lipos as a power source in cars,
particularly if you're in a crash.

Love the show.

Alan in McKinney, TX

Buzz Out Loud 1015: Keep it convenient

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:25:00 PDT

We all get in a big arguments over whether all-in-one devices are more convenient than discrete devices. Cooley thinks discrete devices are un-American. I think the opposite. And Molly has the logical arguments for discrete devices. We also find out a judge has ruled IP addresses can only prove a computer existed and not a person. Good on ya, Judge!

Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 1,015

Google names Chrome OS compatriots, Dell noticeably absent
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/google-names-chrome-os-compatriots-dell-noticeably-absent/

OEMs mum on actual partnerships
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349895,00.asp

Intel thinks Chrome is peachy
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/intel-doesnt-view-chrome-os-as-a-threat-to-moblin-just-wants-w/
http://chrome.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-chrome-os-faq.html

Meanwhile LiveAndroid lets you try Android OS on any computer
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10282885-94.html

Judge rules IP addresses not “personally identifiable”
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/07/08/1522247/Judge-Rules-IP-Addresses-Not-Personally-Identifiable

Netflix streaming coming to Sony TVs, not yet the PS3
http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-streaming-coming-to-sony-tvs-not-yet-the-ps3-2009-7

Kindle’s $9.99 books may shrink publishers’ profits
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aWhjmdVFcC2Q

Amazon opens AmazonWireless, for no-hassle cell phone buying
http://richdemuro.com/amazon-opens-a-real-wireless-website-no-rebat

Standalone GPS receivers going the way of the dodo
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/09/07/09/1339225/Standalone-GPS-Receivers-Going-the-Way-of-the-Dodo

Hyundai hybrid launched with li-Polymer batteries
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5670CF20090708

Designers conjure up wacky ‘car of the future’
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/07/09/atnmbl/

E-MAIL
This is Chip the Mech. Engineer and on episode 1013 you were talking about Sprint offering a netbook with broadband. I am looking at getting one because not everyone can get wireless everywhere they go. I live in a small town in Virginia that has 2 maybe 3 places that offer wireless (coffee shop type places). I have it at my house but the wireless at work is locked down so not everyone can get on it. Also my family has a cabin on the Blueridge Parkway and there is cell service there, Sprint and Verizon are the only ones that can get service though (don’t even turn on your phone if it’s AT&T). No DSL offered there, only dial-up so this would be great for weekend trips to the cabin and moving about around the town I live in.

PS
I have a PRE and LOVE IT. I am listening to your podcast, texting my brother and typing this email.

Love the show, keep up the great work.

Chip

**********

Something that might help the residents of buzztown … I purchased a
kindle on tuesday and of course the price drops the next day. I
didn’t hear about the price drop until I listened to your show in the
evening – but at that point I opened my kindle, loaded it with a bunch
of stuff and started reading.

Of course after hearing about the price drop the day after my purchase
I contact Amazon about getting some kind of a price adjustment. Their
first response from the initial support person was they don’t do that
and if I want I can either return the item and repurchase it or keep
it and take a $20 gift card to make up for the $60 price difference.

I calmly explained to the support person that this was idiotic – for
me to have to do repackage it, get a refund, repurchase and reload the
new kindle – and stupid for amazon to pay for shipping it back, and
basically replace a brand new (but now used) kindle for another one -
when the end result is the same. I had to demand to speak to a
supervisor, but he relented and gave me the refund.

Normally I have found Amazon’s service to be very good – I have only
had to call a handful of times (and this is the first time I have had
to ask for a supervisor) – but you think amazon would have had a
solution for this already in place – I am sure I am not the only one
that purchased a kindle recently who is still in the return window.

Anyway – just thought that there might be people in buzztown who are
in a similar situation.

Love … The … Show

Matt Brown
Louisville, CO (hopefully soon San Francisco, CA)

**********

Dear Buzz Gang,

After the chat room today, I just COULDN’T stop myself from making a campaign ad for Molly to be President of the Internets.

Here is the download –
http://kelvington.com/MollyWoodPresident.avi

Here it is on YouTube –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD9HziisdSM

And Yes that is my voice… Love the show, I’m still working on my Buck Rogers Parody, Rafe “Rubbings” Needleman – In The 19th Century!

Take Care,
Rick Kelvington

**********

Kevin Chen made one too – http://tr.im/ruOC

**********

hi buzz generals!

for a few weeks i had my exams at the end of high school here in
switzerland. The oral exam was about a newspaper article, and guess
what… it was about something you have brought up several times in
the show: the grand dam youth protection software!
i almost didn’t have to read the article at all, i already knew
everything thank’s to you. a just talked and talked and talked… even
gave updates about the story, the teachers were very impressed. now
i’ve recieved my results: i got the highest grade possible.
i really can’t thank you enough for the great show you do, i’ve been
listening to it since a couple of years now and it has really helped
me to improve my english. when i started i often had to rewind, listen
again, but now everything goes just fine.

right now i’m on holiday in sweden, i’m on a train between Stockholm
and Göteborg, traveling at 200km/h, i’ve got free wireless internet
with 3mb/s download 1mb/s upload! nice! all that thank’s to a
combination of satellite and 3G.
another funny thing is that on the train there is a Sony Ericsson
salesman that you can borrow a phone (W995) from, for free, and it’s
packed with movies! really nice!

have a great week

Pierre from Switzerland

Buzz Out Loud 1014: Goobuntu lives

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:20:00 PDT

On today's Buzz Out Loud, Natali and Molly form a new Amazonian society in advance of the development of artificial sperm. But in much more important news, Google is finally building the thin-client, Netbook-friendly operating system that Molly predicted back in 2005. And poor Yahoo is stuck in 2005: it just announced Search Pad. Aw. Poor Yahoo.

Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 1014

Introducing the Google Chrome OS
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10281744-2.html

Which Molly predicted in 2005!
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-5759958-1.html

Yahoo Search Pad
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=394383

Michael Jackson memorial pushes Internet traffic to its limits
http://gigaom.com/2009/07/07/michael-jacksons-memorial-online-traffic-pushes-internets-limits/
http://mashable.com/2009/07/07/cnn-live-stream-michael-jackson/
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-jackson-memorial-stats-roughly-6000-facebook-status-updates-per-minute-/

Federal sites hacked
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070703250.html
http://government.zdnet.com/?p=5093

RIAA/music streaming sites agreement
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/technology/internet/08radio.html
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/07/08/1339224/Pandora-Stabilizes-No-Longer-Completely-Free

LG Chocolate Phone: what is this aspect ratio??
http://gizmodo.com/5309204/new-lg-chocolates-secret-feature-is-an-800x345-resolution-219-cinema-widescreen-display

West Virginia sues Comcast over cable box tying
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/reviews/2009/07/west-virginia-sues-comcast-over-cable-box-tying.ars

Gaze-tracking software protects computer privacy
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/07/07/1946217/Gaze-Tracking-Software-Protects-Computer-Privacy

British scientists can make sperm
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/07/08/3007405-british-scientists-claim-to-create-human-sperm

VOICE MAIL
President of the Internet

Dwight on Gmail

E-MAIL
Team Buzz

During your discussion of Google Chrome OS today, I am curious as to what impact, if any, GCOS might also have on older PCs. Since GCOS is already targeted at low-powered Netbooks, it stands to reason GCOS might also breathe some extra life into that 5-year-old laptop you were thinking of ditching. By moving a lot of the processing power from your lap to the cloud, could an unintended consequence be a reprieve on hardware's life cycle? Certainly Google wouldn't complain.

Mike in Dayton

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

Hello Buzz crew!
We are one month away from the coolest day/time, according to my friend, Saud:

On August 7, 2009
At 12hr 34 minutes and 56 seconds on the 7th of August this year, the time and date will be
12:34:56 07/08/09

Khaled from Saudi Arabia.

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

iTunes 5-star club
The Geek Master
zippyg
3thom
Norman from Novato
BryanBR
delmauriow
Vance M
ihatebillg
iFOREIGNi
jbpounders
Tommollijas
yoyojam55
legend2k
niatish
pmm217
johnnyg123
yokonative
ct06
shetbomb78
Club Debit
Nostra Thomas
Tiki Guy
vaso247
Sunder_r
poly915
mdr33
tav72
tecknodragon
greghutch
techgolf
cubanmike82
natePickard
Gildorluthien
Dingo42
pmm217
Kenwait
Big JT
BraveJHawk
mike e_p
drsid
HonestReviewer9000
Real_MrHappy
Polarfreeze
colintethys
michelleh45
mhanley
satguy (a little weird with the wal-mart tale there)
currently downloading
merrittgene
sandbox32
ewavemedia
Mareshalu
Jasc79
Mike798001
Gale the Third
macSK
BobMac
Matt1212

CrAzY Tom M.
Jesse Vazquez
KeatonTech
Dfaoj
Dr. Sanseveria
zypher.the.one
MiliaryLovesBOL
Ikcor
watchmesoar
slamshrk31
Jonathan55
njk828
SmittyRedcard
yourmomisanillegalimmigrant

Buzz Out Loud 1013: 21st century episode for the 21st century listener

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:20:00 PDT

Just like the LG Watch, we are a 21st century product for the 21st century consumer. Which means we exist now for people who exist now. Sigh. Ryan Block of Gdgt joins us to talk about an algorithm to steal your Social Security number and how Gmail finally came outta beta! Yay! Bad times and good times all in one. Now if only we could get those implants for cell phones. In our neck people, in our neck!

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1013

Gdgt
http://www.gdgt.com/

New algorithm guesses SSNs using date and place of birth
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/social-insecurity-numbers-open-to-hacking.ars

Google Apps shed beta label
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10280473-2.html

Palm Pre hitting U.K., Ireland, Germany and Spain by Christmas
http://www.slashgear.com/palm-pre-hitting-uk-ireland-germany-spain-by-christmas-0748655/

Sprint offers a Netbook for under a buck. Will ATandT and Verizon follow?
http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/06/cheap-netbook-from-sprint/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10280886-94.html

Sony Viao W: the actual Sony Netbook
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349770,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121

LG Watch really coming!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/07/07/lg-to-finally-sell-that-dumb-phone-watch-for-2000/

Microsoft opens Hohm to energy monitoring
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10280237-54.html

Toyota going whole hog on plug-in hybrids by 2012
http://www.reuters.com/article/earth2Tech/idUS23679304520090706

VW to sell electric car by 2013
http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20090706-153053.html

McDonald's to charge electric vehicles
http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/07/07/green-mcdonalds-installs-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/

Haystack, anti-censorship tool specifically for users in Iran, to launch soon.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/07/06/haystackanticensor.html

Facebook's own estimates show declining student numbers; now more grandparents than high school users
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/facebooks_own_estimates_show_youth_flight_from_sit.php

Sprint to preload bar code reader on Samsung Exclaim: a first for a U.S. carrier
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/ScanLife/Exclaimpreload/prweb2611374.htm

Voice mail
Mike the Sales Guy to potential sponsors

E-mail
Hi Buzz Crew,

Just wanted to remind you that there is a very special time occurring
tomorrow.

12:34:56 7/8/9

The only time this occurs this century. Unless, of course you follow
the d/m/y standard. Then YOUR special time will occur on August 7th!

Thought Tom, in particular would appreciate this!

Can you recommend an online clock site that has the time/date
displayed in that format?

Shove the low!

Todd in PEI Canada (where I will experience my special second 4
hours before you do in SF!)

***********

Hello Tom and various rotating Buzzing hosts,
I just might have an extreme solution to getting those pesky LinkedIN profiles deleted ... The next time I am over at my Data Center I will see if I can hook a cable off the LinkedIN server farm in the cage next to mine and when the guy comes over to fix it I will hold him hostage until we get some deletions.

Peper 'PKTHerder'
The Packet Herder from Denver

(Pronounced like Pepper ... and no I am not a Dr., I was not a Sgt, I don't have a lonely heart, I don't belong to club or a band, and my wife's name nor nickname does not happen to be salt, however, my family does have a six pack of Dr. Pepers. ... Wouldn't you like to be a Peper too?)

Buzz Out Loud 1012: Disregard this episode

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:07:00 PDT

Well, you don't really need to totally disregard this episode, but that is what 10-12 means in CB radio talk. And the news is light. Although we do learn that the head of MI6's Speedo is not a state secret. But it SHOULD be!

Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 1012

MI6 boss in Facebook entry row
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8134807.stm

Small towns and farms to get Net Neutrality
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10278484-94.html

Apple orders up a ton of cameras, rumored to hit the iPod
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/07/06/apple-orders-up-a-ton-of-cameras-rumored-to-hit-the-ipod/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/06/prepare-yourself-for-ipod-video/

iPhone 3GS unlocked with Purplera1n + UltraSn0w
http://gizmodo.com/5307693/iphone-3gs-unlocked-with-purplera1n-%252B-ultrasn0w

For Mac, too
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/05/iphone-3gs-jailbreak-mac/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10279029-1.html

Free Wi-Fi for the residents of Venice, Italy
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/09/07/04/2236213/Free-Wi-Fi-For-the-Residents-of-Venice-Italy

We rent movies, so why not textbooks?
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/07/05/1546214/We-Rent-Movies-So-Why-Not-Textbooks

AOL shuts down CompuServe
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/07/04/169220/AOL-Shuts-Down-CompuServe

Billions stolen in online robbery
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8132547.stm

Desperate-to-leave LinkedIn users rename accounts “delete delete delete”
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/07/05/desperate-to-leave-l.html

Geek Atlas provides tour guide for geeks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8132924.stm

VOICEMAIL
Kelly the Gaffer on why OS X is so cheap

E-MAIL
Hi Buzz crew this is Marlon – “guyfromtrinidad”, I am a lover of Nokia’s E series and am absolutely delighted with my E71. So I got even more excited when I saw this article concerning Android coming to Nokia’s smartphones, http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2009/jul/06/nokia-mobile-internet-phones. I mean the idea of a very slick touchscreen E series phone had me super excited, gone would be the dated OS that I tolerate, yes, yes, yes. And then I read this http://gigaom.com/2009/07/05/will-nokia-jettison-symbian-for-android/ and this http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL613838520090706. A a quick and emphatic no, no, no by Nokia. Though it still leaves the door open for the Nokia/ Intel partnerships to embrace Android. What do you think?
Luv the show

Guyfromtrinidad
Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

**********

Hey Buzz Crew

As self appointed captain of the Buzz Navy’s ship “paradigm panda”, i hereby issue a call to arms for all buzz citizens!

1: For once! SOMEONE must defeat Leo Laporte in an online poll, and hence, Molly must be declared president of the internet!

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=1894

2: Tom must defeat Patrick Beja in a different online Poll! To prove that A: The Buzz Brigrade always wins, and B: Brian Coulis-ites (anti european) can get along with regular folk in a common cause!

http://frenchspin.com/en/2009/07/a-feud-of-epic-proportions/

(Robot Voice) Love-The-Show

Techpriest

PS: (Tom merrit shouting voice) DON’T OPEN ATTACHMENTS! (old skool joke i know, couldnt help it…)

**********

Hey Buzzers,

I’ve got fios at my house here in Camarillo, Ca and one of the selling points for me, my girlfriend not as much, is the Fios. The only other option for internet here is Time Warner and given their track record I will do nearly anything to not give them a penny of my money. So yes, Fios can be a selling point, especially for a buzz listener.

Secondly I’ve got a pre and let me tell you, RocknRollHax is great. I get html formatted emails fairly regularly and some (looking at you newegg) benefit greatly from landscape mode (for readability). There is no need for landscape while composing (obviously) and I really wish they included an option foramdscape on email reading only.

Anywho, I’m also part of the engineer/architect/programmer cabal when it comes to caps lock…but it should be moved.

Keep up the good work,
Ted the Engineer

Buzz Out Loud 1011: User clips galore

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT

CNET's U.S. offices are closed today, but we have a special episode for you. We had so many great submissions to our 1,000th episode that we couldn't fit all the clips in the show and do everything else we wanted. So, today you get all the clips--or at least most of them. Every clip sent to us that is usable is in today's montage. We've credited everyone who sent us a clip, even if there was a problem with the submission and we couldn't use it. You're too cool BOL audience. Thanks for listening! And believe us, we know it's long. You don't have to listen to the whole thing if you don't want to. We'll be back with regular episodes Monday.

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1011

Credits for clips (a huge thank you to all of you!):
Sean P.
lightningboy7
Elie R.
Jared S.
Sam S.
Aaron B. aka AngryFrench
Matt from NIH
Anthony in Michigan
Robert the Consultant in Dallas
Nathan
Tony@TWiT
Shareef from Philly
Uzetaab
The Fabless Damien aka Fabtraption Surveyor
Burke in Detroit
Alfredo O.
Ted the Mechanical Engineer
COBOL-Steve
Joe R.
Frank L.
Aaron G.
Joseph aka AtomicBrahms
Greg S.
Elissa G.
Blair H.
MC Fisticuffs
Patrick the sysadmin in Quebec
Forrest in Texas (somerandombystander)
M. Wong
Warren
Aaron the Delorean Driver
Jeff from London
Chris in Detroit
Michael from NC
Rafa

Buzz Out Loud 1010: Who loves the show? Metrologists

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:48:00 PDT

On today's show, we discover that Microsoft is a fine American company that thinks nothing of shafting its highest-paying users or subjecting the entire Internet to multiple episodes of projectile vomiting. And Apple shouldn't be forced by some pissy little upstart to change its perfectly legitimate EULA. And don't even get Cooley STARTED on sending self-replicating nanobots to Mars. Good times all around. Plus: Metrologists!

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1010

Microsoft to offer Family Pack for Windows 7 Home Premium
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1145

Some Vista users say they’re getting the Ultimate shaft
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10277506-56.html

Psystar out of chapter 11 with new Xeon-based models
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/psystar-bounces-back-from-chapter-11-intros-new-high-end-hardwa/

Bing expands its piece of the search market pie in June
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/07/bing-grabs-a-larger-piece-of-the-search-market-pie-in-june.ars

Microsoft chucks vomit ad
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10278063-71.html

Traffic rockets to Twitter site
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_8129000/8129340.stm

Can Twitter trademark “tweet”?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/07/will-trademarkhungry-twitter-beat-tweet-to-genericide.html

Firefox 3.5 downloaded 5 million times in first 24 hours
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/07/firefox-35-downloaded-5-million-times-in-first-24-hours.ars

And it’s the third-fastest browser in the world.
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49302846,00.htm

But Chrome is getting extensions
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10277385-2.html

NASA Suggests Nano Robots To Explore Mars
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/07/02/138237/NASA-Suggests-Nano-Robots-To-Explore-Mars

VOICEMAIL
Jason in Marietta on Natali’s tax idea.

Poor Anthony

EMAIL
Tom
Hi Buzz Crew,

I smiled as I listened to your discussion on measurements in episode
1008.

Being a metrologist [met-rol-o-gist] or measurement scientist (not
meteorologist, that is weather) it always amazes me that most people
take the measurements that support every facet of their lives for
granted.

Without all the metrologists that go about their jobs each day,
measuring and calibrating everything in the background, in mostly
unseen laboratories, you wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed in
the morning.

Who has the time standards used to set your alarm clock, metrologists.
Who calibrates the scales that were used to make and package your
food, metrologists.
Who calibrates the measurement systems used to generate and monitor
your electric power, metrologists.
Who calibrates the temperature systems for your weather reports,
metrologists.
Who calibrates the liquid flow systems used to measure the gas
(petrol), diesel etc. into your car, Cooley?, metrologists do.
Who calibrates the measurement systems used to make medicines,
metrologists.

I could go on but I think you will see what I am getting at.

While it may sound like a boring job and definitely not a high profile
glamourous job like a podcast host, it is one of those things that
goes on in the background helping to make your day go smoother.

I love my job and while metrologists are only a small group of people
in the scheme of things, I find it tremendously satisfying to know
that what my colleagues and I do, ensures that we all live better lives.

Love the show.

Mark (the metrologist)

PS: See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrology if you want to know
more about metrology.

Buzz Out Loud 1009: Pirate Bay or Cruiseship Bay?

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:59:00 PDT

As the new owners of the Pirate Bay take over they will have to eventually change things and sell out. So Rafe has dubbed them as Cruiseship Bay. We also discuss the pyrrhic victory of RIAA over Usenet.com and Rafe and Natali hate some more on Verizon.

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1009

RIAA triumphs in Usenet copyright case
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10276607-93.html

Cash for Pirate Bay file-sharers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8128551.stm

Twitter reworks following lists, adds functionality
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13515_3-10276568-26.html

Obama adminisration lauches IT spending tracking site
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/technology/01dashboard.html?_r=1

Verizon says house shoppers crave high-fiber Internet diet
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/verizon-says-house-shoppers-crave-high-fiber-internet-diet.ars

New Click-Fraud Attack Is Stealthiest Yet
http://it.slashdot.org/story/09/06/30/2237256/New-Click-Fraud-Attack-Is-Stealthiest-Yet

Frustratingly long secret code enables totally useful landscape email on Pre
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/frustratingly-long-secret-code-enables-totally-useful-landscape/

GDGT launch
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10276755-2.html

Chicago ‘burb ditches red light cameras, no safety advantage
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/chicago-burb-ditches-red-light-cameras-no-safety-advantage.ars

Most Complete Topographical Map of Earth Complete
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/06/30/1650208/Most-Complete-Topographical-Map-of-Earth-Complete

VOICEMAIL
Nick wants to take over the world… or at least the Internet

EMAIL
in an effort to confirm Molly’s suspicion of AT&T as the worst 3G network, i present this link to PC World’s 3G test they ran in 13 U.S. cities

summary:
Verizon=fastest
Sprint=most reliable (by a small margin over verizon)
AT&T=blows (~20% less reliable than the other 2)

and a good note at the end that seems to be a recurring statement:
“Somewhat surprisingly, our testers also found that the “bars of service” readings on their phones were rarely an accurate predictor of the quality of the ensuing connection. In most places and with most wireless providers, the “bars” did little more than indicate whether the phone had access to some service or to no service.”

thanks for an entertaining show
corey
http://www.pcworld.com/article/167391/a_day_in_the_life_of_3g.html

**********

Hi Buzz crew,

Just a quick e-mail on the subject of the Amazon referral scheme and the
impact of local tax legislation here in Hawaii.
When the legislation went through state and house, very few locals
seemed aware of it, then all of a sudden one of the members of a major
local tech community site here, TechHui, caught wind of it and alerted
everyone:
http://www.techhui.com/profiles/blogs/urgent-help-stop-hb1405-the?id=1702911%3ABlogPost%3A44364
From there numerous letters and petitions to house representatives and
Governor Lingle went out explaining the significant financial impact it
was liable to have on local business and citizens, along with TV and
radio interviews; no doubt, though, a number of residents here not
members of techhui were surprised to receive e-mails telling them their
referal income was suddenly being stopped by numerous websites, not just
Amazon.

Today it was announced that Governor Lingle has decided to Veto the bill
(HB1405), amongst others:
http://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com/wp-content/upLoads/2009/06/govs-veto-list.pdf

That was one significant hurdle, now all that’s left is to persuade the
House not to override her veto. It’s an amazing tribute to what local
communities can do if they collaborate and put the pressure on.

Paul, the Brit in Hawaii.

**********

Two things..
I don't see any risk of microbes from earth infecting another local planet, since any microbes already on the planet are well adapted to local conditions and our microbes would be wimps in comparison.
Likewise microbes from space is not a real concern...do you have ANY idea about how many different microbes/viruses are already on this planet (check out Bergey's manual for a list of sorts..it is the bible of microbiology). The competition on this planet is extreme..
Have you not heard of Darwin?
From: Bob..Your tame microbiologist.

Your discussion about NASA was very interesting....it seems to support the concepts I've outlined at http://www.h2liftship.com , which has had no response to speak of since I put it up...such is the risk of being way forward thinking..

Thanks,
Bob Freeman

**********

Hey there buzz crew
This is Rohan from India.

It is my first time writing to you guys.

Regarding the whole debate over the caps lock key, how about adapting
the “double tap” of the shift key like the iphone/ipod touch to
regular keyboards. I too accidentally hit the damned caps lock key on
my macbook and just wish that they would get rid of it.

On other topics (just to fuel your anger towards your telecom
companies), we Indians only have to pay 1 paisa (the “cent” of Rupees)
for sending an SMS, and nothing for receiving. If you take the current
exchange rates, that would be just 0.00021 U.S. cents. Enjoy!

Oh by the way, we converted to the Metric system in 1954 and just last
year have also planted our Flag on the moon. You can ask ISRO (Indian
Space Research Organization) to help you convert NASA’s Imperial
measurements.

love the show!

Rohan

Buzz Out Loud 1008: China delays pr0k-blocker

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:05:00 PDT

China has delayed required installation of Green Dam Youth Escort, but we find out it does a better job blocking pork than porn. Whew. Protect those kids from the piggies! Also a big win for remote cable DVRs! And the Pirate Bay got sold. You can sell it?

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1008

Swedish company to buy Pirate Bay
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10275759-83.html
http://thepiratebay.org/blog/164

China Delays Mandating Filtering Software
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124636491863372821.html

China also filters Jonny Depp, Garflield, and Paris Hilton
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE55T26Y20090630

Remote Cable DVRs are legal: Supreme Court denies appeal of Cablevision decision
http://www.betanews.com/article/Cable-DVRs-are-legal-Supreme-Court-denies-appeal-of-Cablevision-decision/1246290931
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/cablevision-remote-dvr-stays-legal-supremes-wont-hear-case.ars

Senators want to bar contracts to foreign companies selling IT to Iran
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090629_3881.php

With 3.5 launch, Firefox faces new challengers
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10275396-2.html

Amazon drops Rhode Island just like they dropped North Carolina
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124630810805070105.html

Toyota thinks up mind-reading wheelchair
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10275267-1.html

New HTC Hero ROM leaked, Flash 10 already chugging along on a few lucky G1s
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/30/new-htc-hero-rom-leaked-flash-10-already-chugging-along-on-a-fe/

First manned solar plane unveiled in Switzerland
http://green.venturebeat.com/2009/06/30/first-manned-solar-plane-unveiled-in-switzerland/

VOICEMAIL
Dan likes the new lineup

Bruce about CapsLock

EMAIL
Just passing along this story where they said apple’s solution to the universal charger is to include an adapter from dock conector to micro usb, so no new hardware on the horizon…

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25149/next-iphone-charges-via-micro-usb.phtml

Love the show!
Javier Ardila

**********

The discussion of metric is interesting to me as we changed over here in Canada when I was in grade 4 or so. Now, what happened to those of us in this generation is that we know an odd mish mash of units. Temperatures outside, well that is in Celsius, but when I cook I use Imperial measures, including temperature. The temperature of my parents' pool, I still do that in F. Distances and speeds while driving, km and km/h are fine, distances to object, metres are great, but when I measure to say repair something in the house, I use inches. Oh and I am 6 foot 1 inch tall, and weigh about 175 lb, I have no idea what my height or weight is in metric. (I could convert of course, but I don't).

I am just confused.... My 15 year old daughter on the other hand, does everything in metric, no problem.

Dave (the psychologist)

Buzz Out Loud 1007: Crank up the beats on space

buzz@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:59:00 PDT

NASA may have found the lost moon tapes and our best hope is for some kind of remix. Also, Molly tells us all to beware the sticky death roller if we use the dead-fly-powered alarm clock. We also still don't have a sponsor. In case you were curious.

Listen now: Download today's podcast
Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

EPISODE 1007

Steve Jobs returns to work as Apple CEO after medical leave (thanks, Nate Lanxon on Twitter!)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aSy0WezEGvvY

Sony considers adding phone to PSP
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10274415-1.html?

Sony begins shipping PCs with Green Dam software installed
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=218101773

Google mistook Jackson searches for Net attack
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/06/29/003214/Google-Mistook-Jackson-Searches-For-Net-Attack

Amazon cuts off North Carolina affiliates
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/06/26/172248/Amazon-Cuts-Off-North-Carolina-Affiliates

Keeping news of kidnapping off Wikipedia
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/technology/internet/29wiki.html

Reading machine to snoop on Web
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13639_3-10274435-42.html

Universal phone charger deal done in Europe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_8124000/8124293.stm

Lenovo expanding Del and Esc keys, nuking Caps Lock
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/06/28/lenovo-expanding-del.html

Has NASA Found the Lost Moon Tapes?
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/06/28/186245/Has-NASA-Found-the-Lost-Moon-Tapes

VOICEMAIL
Dance in Boulder on Windows 7

E-MAIL
Dear Buzz Crew:

This is Siavash, alive and yet fighting.
You think airing trilogy of Lord of the Rings is a big thing? The channel 3 is going to AIR the whole Prison Break series, ha? What you have to say about that? I've heard it is 3 episode a day.
This is really stupid, let me tell you something, in Iran we have 7 channels over the air, analog and digital with standard definition, in Tehran less that 50% of people watch the Iranian TV and they mostly watch satellite TV. And most of the people have watched these movies and series on DVD, so who cares that they are aired on TV?
And there are some people like me that never watch Iranian TV. I don't have a antenna for Iran's TV , and I only watch satellite TV.( who chooses watching Mullahs instead of watching MTV?)
My source of movies and series are satellite TV and torrent download (sorry, but no copyright law here and I really love to watch the latest series and movies).
Series like Prison break, Lost, Heroes, Office, Friends, CSI , 90210 , 24 and etc are big hits and everyone watches them in DVD or downloaded Divx.

So, all I'm trying to say is that it does not matter if they air Lord of the Rings or Prison Break, because at least in Tehran no one cares and more than 60% percent or more don't watch any Iranian TV. We can buy a copied DVD for 2$ or an original one for 15$, now I buy BlueRay disks for 30$, why should we care what is one the TV when we can watch it with better quality and no censor?
They are doing anything they can to keep people off the streets but they can't, even one day marathon of Angelina Jolie movies can't do it.

Best Regards

Siavash

**********

It’s not enough that humans gave robots a place to congregate to plan our demise, now we’ve adapted them with the ability to extract fuel from the very nectar of life. All that innocent experimentation with fuel cells that run on blood has led to this, a flesh-eating clock. This prototype time-piece from UK-based designers James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau traps insects on flypaper stretched across its roller system before depositing them into a vat of bacteria. The ensuing chemical reaction, or “digestion,” is transformed into power that keeps the rollers rollin’ and the LCD clock ablaze. The pair offers an alternative design fueled by mice, another contraption whose robotic arm plucks insect-fuel from spider webs with the help of a video camera, and a lamp powered by insects lured to their deaths with ultraviolet LEDs. Man, this is so wrong it has to be right.

Michael

**********

The crew at BOL:

You had a round of derision for english units on the replacement for the
space shuttle. I’m glad to hear that you will be reporting the weight
of netbooks in grams, not pounds. The screen sizes will no longer be in
inches. Your CD’s and DVD’s will no longer be 5 1/2 inches. You won’t
be reporting how many pounds you lost on your last diet, and you will
report that the iPhone masses 0.135 kg instead of weighing 4.8 ounces.

As a practicing engineer (29 years), I have an intuitive understanding
of my designs in inches. I can convert to metric easily when needed,
but I have a storehouse of experience in English units. Unfortunately,
I’m passing that on to newly minted engineers, as well.

Charlie

Yes, as a matter of fact, it IS rocket science.

**********

I know one can’t predict the exact date of any given episode due to holidays, special episodes and what have you, but based on the average number of podcasts per month over year in the 2006 – 2008 period, I believe I can make at least a rough projection. I am greatly anticipating Buzz Out Loud’s Millionth Episode in October of 6120, give or take a decade.

Love the show.
-Mark, the person.