Archives
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Mac OS X Approved
Government office adds Mac OS X to list
The U.S. government is now officially recognizing and supporting Mac OS X as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a revised version of its Technical Reference Model (TRM) that adds the operating system and Linux to its list of “supporting platforms,” according to Federal Computer Week.
When the viruses were going around I walked into my library to find that every PC in the place was shut down. Luckily we have mostly Macs so we weren’t shut down too.
Computing News — laura
Teenager arrested in Blaster worm case
Teenager arrested in Blaster worm case
A Minnesota teenager will appear in federal court in St. Paul Friday to face charges stemming from the release of a variant of the virulent W32.Blaster Internet worm that ravaged computer systems worldwide earlier this month.
Computing News — laura
Friday, August 29, 2003
Demise of Microsoft in Brazil
Brazil believes that free software is an excellent tool for the democratization of knowledge, foreign currency savings, and the optimization of institutional investments and costs. The model also offers perspectives for Brazilian industries to research, create, and develop new free software programs.
Open-Source Software — laura
How RIAA tracks downloaders
CNN.com - Revealed: How RIAA tracks downloaders - Aug. 28, 2003
For example, the industry disclosed its use of a library of digital fingerprints, called “hashes,” that it said can uniquely identify MP3 music files that had been traded on the Napster service as far back as May 2000. Examining hashes is commonly used by the FBI and other computer investigators in hacker cases.
By comparing the fingerprints of music files on a person’s computer against its library, the RIAA believes it can determine in some cases whether someone recorded a song from a legally purchased CD or downloaded it from someone else over the Internet.
Copyright — laura
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Full Feed Available
Do to a request, I’ve added another XML feed with the full contents of my posts. It’s available up at the top under the imaginative name of “Full XML”. The original will stay with the excerpts because that’s my personal preference but hopefully this way everyone will be happy.
Site — laura
Friday, August 22, 2003
Individual challenges RIAA
Individual challenges RIAA subpoena
Glenn Peterson and Dan Ballard, lawyers with the Sacramento-based law firm of McDonough, Holland & Allen who are representing the “Jane Doe,” said in a statement that the RIAA’s subpoena campaign has far-reaching implications in terms of consumer rights and privacy.
“The recent efforts of the music industry to root out piracy have addressed a uniquely contemporary problem with draconian methods — good old fashioned intimidation combined with access to personal information that would make George Orwell blush,” Peterson said in the statement.
Copyright — laura
Recall Microsoft
The Register: Forget California, it’s time to recall Microsoft
For the second time this year, Microsoft is the source of a major internet security event. First was Slammer/Sapphire in January that seriously impacted networks and corporations around the world, including shutting down ATM machines at some large banks. And now, we’ve got MSBlaster taking advantage of a years-old vulnerability in Microsoft Windows operating systems. But unlike Slammer that only targeted servers, this one goes after desktop computers as well - meaning that ninety percent of the world’s computers are potential targets and victims this week.� Consumer desktops are significantly more plentiful than corporate ones but less-protected against viruses, worms, and other attacks. As low-hanging fruit goes, they’re a perfect target of opportunity for cyber-mischief.
An interesting take on the realities of the current virus problems. He concludes that people might be better off trying other software.
It may take a little bit of effort to switch and get used to the new product, but the long-term payoff will be worth it.
I have macs at the office (not my decision) and home (my decision) as well as a pc and I really do prefer OSX to XP. An idea that doesn’t require new hardware is Linux, not only is it free, there are free guis for working with it as well.
Computing News — laura
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
OSS in Use
- Open Source Goes Mainstream From Library Journal, a good overview of what open source is.
- Open Source ILS-
The Nelsonville Public Library is proud to announce the deployment of the MARC-compatible version of Koha , “the first open source integrated library system”.
Check out the catalog link.
Open-Source Software — laura
The Shifted Librarian
- Learning about NetGens in their Natural Habitats- These are the future tax-payers libraries will be relying on for support. Now is the time to catch their interest, before they get caught up in the cycles of schedule and habit.
- Better *Public* Libraries-
Better Public Libraries illustrates through a number of case studies current best practice in library design from radical thinking “Idea Stores” in Tower Hamlets, London to small branch libraries and thoughtful refurbishments and conversions.
Libraries are the ideal public spaceas where members of the community can gather and relax and maybe interact with each other to form a community identitiy. - Librarians Fighting for Your Fair Use-
Unfortunately, DRM does not distinguish among uses. Fair use and piracy are viewed the same. Thus, uses of materials that are legal and, many would argue, essential for education and the advancement of culture are in danger of being denied by DRM….
Library Links — laura
RIAA Appeals
Recording, movie industries appeal file-trading ruling
Late Monday, the Recording Industry Association of America Inc. (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the National Music Publishers’ Association Inc. filed an appeal to a Los Angeles district court judge’s decision that said the operators of the Grokster and Morpheus peer-to-peer (P-to-P) services couldn’t know when users were trading copyrighted works.
Has the backslide begun?
Copyright — laura
Thursday, August 14, 2003
RIAA undeterred by subpoena setback
RIAA undeterred by subpoena setback
They just don’t get the point, do they?
Copyright — laura
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Websites and Business Brands
Five Effects of a Site on a Service Business Brand
Good things to remember when designing or redesigning. Libraries aren’t businesses but the principles are still applicable.
Website Design — laura
Monday, August 11, 2003
Catalogablog
A blog for catalogers, it had to happen sometime. 
Blogging — laura
Saturday, August 9, 2003
Library To Raise Emergency Funding
Library To Raise Emergency Funding- The NYC public library is starting a funding drive to make up for the money that’s been cut from it’s budget.
Not a new story, and unfortunately not the last.
Library Links — laura
Thursday, August 7, 2003
RIAA, Warpath, Backlash
TechnoBiblio: RIAA On The Warpath…And The Backlash is a nice summary of the developing problems for the Recording Industry Association of America. Even Microsoft knew better than to try and intimidate the American public.
On the other hand, TechnoBiblio has some very interesting posts. It’s going on my personal blog roll.
Copyright — laura
Linux for Systems
- AP Wire | 08/05/2003 | Linux OK’d for Use on Most-Sensitive PCs
- Terra Soft, Lockheed to put Xserves in U.S. Navy subs
The Linux operating system has been approved for the most secure government computers and is already being implemented on Navy subs. Could this help the US governments bad track record with unsecure data?
Open-Source Software — laura
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
The Copyright Cage
Legal Affairs: May | June 2003- The Copyright Cage is a passionate, authoritative and well-written essay on the effects of copyright in the digital age. A good link for those who don’t understand what the problem is.
Copyright — laura
Monday, August 4, 2003
Blogs for Libraries
WebJunction:Blogs for Libraries is a good overview of what blogs are and how libraries and librarians can benefit from them.
Blogging — laura
Friday, August 1, 2003
Pac Bell’s Internet arm sues music industry
Pac Bell’s Internet arm sues music industry over file-sharer IDs
“The action taken by SBC Internet Services is intended to protect the privacy of our customers,” said SBC spokesman Larry Meyer. “Misapplication of DMCA subpoena power raises serious constitutional questions that need to be decided by the courts, not by private companies which operate without duty of due diligence or judicial oversight.”
Well yeah.
Copyright — laura
Schools put privacy above subpoenas
Schools put privacy above subpoenas
The record industry this month subpoenaed Bentley College student records as part of the battle to halt Internet music downloading, but school officials yesterday said they believe student privacy should take precedence.
Bentley spokeswoman Janet Mendelsohn refused to discuss the subpoena yesterday, but said she believes student records fall under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, which would prohibit the school from handing over student names.
Looks like groups other than the ALA are starting to realize where all of this is going.
Copyright — laura
TV Viewers and Internet Users,Two Different Animals
TVSPY.com: TV Viewers and Internet Users,Two Different Animals
More on the lines that librarians need to market themselves and their libraries more effectively.
Web Tools — laura
Creating Your Niche on the Net
Ex Libris–an E-Zine for Librarians and Information Junkies — issue 185 : CREATING YOUR NICHE ON THE NET
…let’s take this a step farther and think about what internet niches our libraries could fill, what unique services we could render that would make librarians the go-to people for our bosses and for our local community.
Marylaine Block puts the idea better than I have. Libraries need to do mare than just supply information by request. They need to offer resources and fill needs in ways that can fit into people’s lives today.
Library Links — laura
LIS Blogsource
LIS Blogsource- A weblog for library weblogs. Now that’s metadata. 
It’s also a good idea, thanks guys. Already added to my RSS feeds.
Blogging — laura
Senator launches investigation into RIAA
Kansascity.com - Your Kansas City Everything Guide: Senator launches investigation into RIAA piracy crackdown
The chairman of the Senate’s permanent subcommittee on investigations Thursday began an inquiry into the music industry’s crackdown against online music swappers, calling the campaign “excessive.”
“Theft is theft, but in this country we don’t cut off your arm or fingers for stealing,” said Sen. Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican who was a rock roadie in the 1960s.
Another intelligent Senator? Where have these guys been so far?
Copyright — laura
Feingold Introduces Legislation to Protect Personal Information
Feingold Introduces Legislation to Protect Personal Information
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today introduced the Library, Bookseller, and Personal Records Privacy Act. This legislation is aimed at protecting the privacy of law-abiding Americans by limiting the ability of the FBI to obtain library, bookstore, medical, and financial records and other sensitive personal information under the USA PATRIOT Act. Feingold’s legislation would place reasonable limits on the FBI’s access to this information by requiring the FBI to show how the information it is seeking relates to a suspected terrorist or spy before the information can be obtained.
A politician with a brain? Who knew?
Patriot Act — laura
ACLU Files First-Ever Challenge to USA PATRIOT Act.
American Civil Liberties Union : MCA, et al. v. Ashcroft and Mueller
The ACLU files the first legal challenge to the USA PATRIOT Act, taking aim at a section of the controversial law that vastly expands the power of FBI agents to secretly obtain records and personal belongings of innocent people in the United States, including citizens and permanent residents.
“Ordinary Americans should not have to worry that the FBI is rifling through their medical records, seizing their personal papers, or forcing charities and advocacy groups to divulge membership lists,” said Ann Beeson, Associate Legal Director of the ACLU and the lead attorney in the lawsuit.
“We know from our clients that the FBI is once again targeting ethnic, religious, and political minority communities disproportionately,” she added. “Investing the FBI with unchecked authority to monitor the activities of innocent people is an invitation to abuse, a waste of resources, and is certainly not making any of us any safer.”
Patriot Act — laura
Mandrake Linux
Mandrake Linux - Friendly Linux operating system for both servers and desktop combined with KDE gui is said to make for a decent replacement for Windows. For free it’s worth trying if you’re using a PC.
Open-Source Software — laura
