Slashdot Mirror
Domain: xmoo.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to xmoo.com.
Stories · 5
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Planet Saturn Closest In 30 Years
maliabu writes "Saturn will be coming to opposition (opposite the Sun in relation to Earth) on New Year's Eve. More details here. And of course a dedicated website Celestron Saturn Opposition 2003 too." -
Sites Shut Down to Protest Software Patents
blueser writes "I went today to TUTOS homepage to check for a newer version, and I was surprised to see that the author replaced the homepage by a 'Closed because of Software-Patents' page, with a brief explanation." Just one site? that's hardly a big deal, but there's more. maliabu writes "Knoppix is closed, apparently waiting for the European Parliament to decide about the legalisation and adoption of so-called 'software patents' in Europe." And still more. SLbigE writes "The Wine HQ website has temporarily shut down its webpage in protest to a proposed law in Europe regarding Software Patents." There's many more sites as well, these were just the first I was alerted to, Feel free to note some more in comments. Looks like they're doing a good job of illustrating what could be lost soon. -
Symantec Adds Product Activation
maliabu writes "GlobeTechnology/CNET reports that Symantec has added an antipiracy technology to the new version of its main virus-zapping program, in the form of compulsory product activation. It is intended to protect consumers from widespread counterfeit copies of Symantec programs. The company estimates at least 3.6 million bogus copies of its programs are sold annually, causing headaches both for Symantec and unsuspecting buyers, who find out too late that the software isn't doing the job." -
Boeing Moves Towards New Planes
maliabu writes "Boeing has named its new plane DreamLiner with plans for its future, which is set to fly in 2008. It'll be interesting to see how 'internet-ready' this 7E7 is. It can be very entertaining for all ages as you can brower the net, check emails, weather, watch movies (on demand), listen to music (on demand) or even cut codes some 30,000 feet in the sky! These articles also stated that "The 200-seat 7E7 is meant to replace [a faster plane called] Sonic Cruiser as Boeing's next new major commercial initiative" " I think most people following the airplane builders knew the Sonic Cruiser was dead before birth; but I still don't see how this plane is going to solve Boeing's sales problems. -
How Good Is BlueTooth's Security?
maliabu writes "If (not when) BlueTooth becomes really popular or populated in all the personal devices, will we start experiencing another wave of frauds similar to the current credit card strip-reading, or ATM machine shoulder-spying incidents? In this article about BlueTooth Security, the author asks 'but is Bluetooth secure enough for larger ad hoc networks, money transfers and transferring other sensitive information?' Even when the security standard becomes higher in BlueTooth, will the end users become victims of themselves by neglecting simple security rules, similar to not covering the keypad when entering your pin number? Remember personal devices such as mobile phone, heartrate sensor, blood-pressure alarm, vision-correction lenses etc, are more 'forgettable' than laptops/computers on WiFi. And the chances of strangers getting close enough to it is also higher, such as in the train, bus, cinema etc."