Don't forget to check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for today's edition of the complete domain news, including an RSS feed - already online! Headlines from the October 28 edition of the news include: IGF To Return To Critical Internet Resources Issue by Monika Ermert | Rocky road to navigate for next chairman of internet governing body | Will Whois stay public? | To break deadlock over privacy, some seek to scrap Whois databases on domain name registration | Internet Policymakers May Punt on Privacy Issue | Warning over net address limits | .CAT - 25,000 registrations and counting | DENIC reports progress in the fight against spam | InternetNZ and ICANN renew relationship | .uk Registry: DNSSEC Needs "Enhanced Cooperation" by Brenden Kuerbis | Free White Paper on domain names | Achtung, Google! Cyber-squatter demands a job | Domain name olimpic-sochi.ru sold for $1.8 million And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Kremlin Seeks To Extend Its Reach in Cyberspace http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/27/AR2007102701384.html IGF Rio to be Supported by Online Community by Derrick L. Cogburn http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/21/3304633.html ICANN Ombudsman Releases Annual Report http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-26oct07.htm Internet pioneer Cerf steps down after 7 years heading key Internet oversight group [AP] http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555566207.html Vint Cerf has 5 books to write [AP] http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555559850.html WHOIS Redux: Demand Privacy in Domain Name Registration by Wendy Seltzer http://wendy.seltzer.org/blog/archives/2007/10/25/whois-redux-demand-privacy-in-domain-name-registration.html http://www.circleid.com/posts/710254_whois_privacy_domain_name_registration/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Kremlin Seeks To Extend Its Reach in Cyberspace After ignoring the Internet for years to focus on controlling traditional media such as television and newspapers, the Kremlin and its allies are turning their attention to cyberspace, which remains a haven for critical reporting and vibrant discussion in Russia's dwindling public sphere. Allies of President Vladimir Putin are creating pro-government news and pop culture Web sites while purchasing some established online outlets known for independent journalism. They are nurturing a network of friendly bloggers ready to disseminate propaganda on command. And there is talk of creating a new Russian computer network -- one that would be separate from the Internet at large and, potentially, much easier for the authorities to control. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/27/AR2007102701384.html IGF Rio to be Supported by Online Community by Derrick L. Cogburn As most of you know, the Inaugural Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Athens spawned a number of "Dynamic Coalitions.? These multisakeholder Dynamic Coaliations (DCs) were designed to include all interested parties from both developed and developing countries, and to advance the work of the Forum. One of these DCs, the Online Collaboration Dynamic Coalition (OCDC), has developed a suite of collaboration tools to facilitate a degree of online participation at the upcoming Internet Governance Forum in Rio. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/21/3304633.html Internet set for new frontier [AFP] AFTER expanding across Earth, the internet is set to spread into outer space to reach parts where no network has gone before, one of its co-creators predicts. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22666609-15318,00.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Ombudsman Releases Annual Report The Ombudsman for ICANN released his annual report today, which lays out how his office has helped individuals and organizations with disputes come to a resolution while avoiding formal processes like the courts. http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-26oct07.htm Internet pioneer Cerf steps down after 7 years heading key Internet oversight group [AP] In the 1970s, Vint Cerf played a leading role in developing the Internet's technical foundation. For the past seven years, he's faced the more daunting task of leading a key agency that oversees his creation. After fending off an international rebellion and planting the seeds for streamlining operations, Cerf is stepping down this week as chairman of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/30/1193618846318.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/30/1193618846318.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555566207.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555566207.html http://www.latimes.com/technology/ats-ap_technology11oct28,1,6839041.story http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22664604-16123,00.html http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2007-10-28-cerf-leaves-icann_N.htm http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Oct29/0,4670,InternetNamesCerf,00.html http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/20070630-170o.html Biographical information on Vint Cerf http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555559846.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555559846.html http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/64c6e65e44985619e5fb67b936bcc229.htm Vint Cerf has 5 books to write [AP] After leaving the helm of the Internet's key oversight agency, Vint Cerf plans to stay busy as an executive, advocate and author. Five books are in various stages of completion, and Cerf said he would "deliberately sequester some of the time" freed up by stepping down from ICANN. He estimates he has spent 25 percent to 40 percent of his time on ICANN business. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555559850.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193555559850.html http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/10/29/cerf_has_5_books_to_write/ http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/213764.html http://www.latimes.com/technology/ats-ap_technology12oct28,1,7232258.story ICANN as Fake Institution: WHOIS, Privacy and Credible Commitment by Milton Mueller TELNIC has a problem: ICANN's contracts require it to display all the personal contact data of its registrants through a service known as "Whois." But unrestricted access to personal contact data, aside from being a rather bad idea, is against the law in the UK. It follows European, not American, privacy and data protection rules. So after consulting with the UK's data protection authorities, TELNIC asked ICANN to modify its Whois requirement. But the US government, responding to trademark and copyright interests, won't let it, and is manipulating ICANN to get its way. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2007/10/23/3309763.html ICANN investigates domain name sharp practice ICANN has launched an investigation into the possibility that insider information is being used to snap up desirable domain names before the person or organisation likely to be interested in them has had a chance to buy. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/25/domain_name_front_running/ ICANN To Investigate Domain Claim Jumping Domain "claim jumping" has a better ring to it than domain name "front running," but ICANN isn't exactly known for its sexy monikers. Regardless, ICANN is investigating whether insiders are gaming the system for profit. http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/10/25/icann-to-investigate-domain-claim-jumping http://www.cscprotectsbrands.com/news.asp?newsId=18329026 ICANN Looks Into Domain Controversy ICANN is investigating into allegations of insider information being used to collect desirable domain names before they are registered by an individual or business. http://www.thewhir.com/marketwatch/102607_ICANN_Looks_Into_Domain_Controversy.cfm ICANN Investigates Insider Domain Name Snatching Tech.Luver sends us word that, hot on the heels of reports that Verisign may be planning to sell DNS root server lookup data, ICANN has opened an investigation into a suspected practice by registrars it calls "domain name front running." http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/25/1433207 IDN Status Report 1. .test IDN TLD Evaluations: On 9 October 2007, eleven evaluation-purpose IDN TLDs were inserted into the root zone and propagation was initiated to the 13 root servers. These IDN TLDs were inserted into the root zone as part of the .test Program that was subsequently launched on 15 October 2007 at 4.10am PDT. http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-28oct07.htm Someone might be stealing your domain name searches, says ICANN ICANN is investigating whether unscrupulous operators are stealing domain name ideas from customers. http://out-law.com/page-8580 WHOIS Redux: Demand Privacy in Domain Name Registration by Wendy Seltzer Doc?s post and the impending comments deadline for the next iteration of ICANN?s never-ending WHOIS saga finally pushed me to write up my thoughts on the latest iteration of ICANN debate. As Doc points out, much of the current debate is very inside baseball, tied up in acronyms atop bureaucratic layers. Small wonder then that ordinary domain name registrants and Internet users haven?t commented much, while the fora are dominated by INTA members turning out responses to an ?urgent request? to ?let ICANN know that Whois is important to the brand owners I represent?: see the call reproduced in this response. http://wendy.seltzer.org/blog/archives/2007/10/25/whois-redux-demand-privacy-in-domain-name-registration.html http://www.circleid.com/posts/710254_whois_privacy_domain_name_registration/ Maybe UCANN school ICANN on whois Raise your hand if you use whois every day. Even if your hand isn't up, and you just regard whois as an essential sysadmin tool, this post is for you. http://linuxjournal.com/node/1002555 ICANN Going Multilingual? by Michele Neylon On registering at the ICANN LA meeting all delegates are presented with a bag and tshirt. This time round the tshirt is black and reflects what seems to be a possible theme for this meeting - multilingualism. http://www.isquattedyour.eu/2007/10/29/icann-going-multilingual/ ********************** - (cc)TLD NEWS ********************** aero: The release of reserved domain names [news release] At the most recent meeting of the .aero council (DAC), on 6 June, it was recommended that SITA should release currently reserved special industry and other reserved domain names for registration by eligible members of the aviation community. http://information.aero/news/2007-10-24-07 Cyber Persia: The most misrepresented and misunderstood country of the world ... It is not clear what companies will think of .Asia domains. There are already lots of country code generic domains in Asia region and most companies and business units active in Asia prefer to use the country code than .Asia domain. http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/cyberpersia/post.htm?id=63001025 be: Letter and attached remittance form from IRD [news release] Recently DNS BE received several reports concerning the commercial undertakings of the company Internet Registratie Dienst (IRD), located Jaargetijdenlaan 100-102, 1050 Brussels. The aforementioned company addresses letters with attached remittance form to the holders of .BE domain names asking to wire the amount of 14 EUR (ex. VAT) for the insertion or maintenance in an email/businessguide. From the reactions that we received so far, we can conclude that the letter and especially the name of the company are causing confusion and might give the domain name holders the impression that they are dealing with an official body. http://www.dns.be/en/home.php?n=408 Domain Registrations Available Again for Guyana (.GY) Unrestricted registrations for .GY domain names are available once again. The registry had previously suspended requests. Requests may be made for both second- and third-level domain names, including .GY, .COM.GY, .CO.GY and .NET.GY. There is no limit to the number of domain names that may be registered. http://blogs.verisign.com/brandprotection/2007/10/domain_registrations_available.php my: Internet Technology Innovation Seminar 2007 This seminar will function as a venue for you to exchange information on latest Telephone Number Mapping (ENUM) development and progress, a platform to highlight the features of Next Generation Networking (NGN) as well as to deliberate on the increase in DNS crime. It will also address the techniques used by cyber criminals and how to detect and prevent these threats. http://mynic.net.my/newhp/announcements/mynic-25oct07.html Reports Increased Sales of .US Domains It has been announced by 1&1 Internet, that they have noticed a significant increase in the popularity and sales of the .US domain suffix. http://webhostdir.com/news/articles/shownews.asp?id=22755 ********************** - DOMAIN SECURITY ********************** Mastering Your Own Domain Small business owner David Solomon was hijacked online. Or rather, his company's online address was claimed by someone else after he'd already moved in, leaving his business locked out of the Web home it had built for itself. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/small-business/2007/10/are_you_the_master_of_your_own.html Tech Road Map: Secure DNS? Not Just Yet Despite a real need, security extensions for the domain name system aren't ready for widespread use. Say you type a host name, like www.yahoo .com. How do you know the IP address in the response really points to one of Yahoo servers and not a rogue? You don't. In the past year, Symantec's DeepSight system reported 25 vulnerabilities on various DNS servers and resolvers. In fact, there are a number of ways DNS can be subverted to provide bogus information. http://informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202601690 ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Online Critics and Unlawful Harassment from Trademark Holders by Patel The following is based on my experience and interpretation of the UDRP and the relevant laws of the United Kingdom and European Union. This is not legal advice but just my own experience and interpretation. http://www.circleid.com/posts/harassment_from_trademark_holders/ in: HC restrains Polish company from using Ranbaxy's domain name The Delhi High Court has restrained a Poland-based company from using the domain name, which is similar to domestic drug maker Ranbaxy's domain name. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Healthcare__Biotech/HC_restrains_Polish_company_from_using_Ranbaxys_domain_name/articleshow/2493191.cms http://au.news.yahoo.com/071029/3/14shv.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** ICANN IPv6 Factsheet ICANN today released a factsheet covering Internet Protocol 6, or IPv6. The factsheet is intended to provide an explanation of the protocol upgrade for a non-technical audience in the hope of enlarging public understanding surrounding this and related issues. The factsheet briefly reviews the technology behind IPv6, explains why it is needed, why uptake has been slow, and outlines why a move to the protocol should be considered soon by many organisations and governments. http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-26oct07.htm IPv6 Deployment: A Very Complex Time Bomb with an Uncertain Trigger Date by Gordon Cook I did a 2 hour interview on October 23rd with John Curran, Board Chair of ARIN the North American Regional Internet Routing Registry for the last decade. I now understand what is at stake with IPv6. Outside of a key core group of network engineers I think darn few people do understand. And not all of them agree on how the scenario plays out though virtually all say the situation is very serious. John believes that it is huge. It is as big as Y2K except no one knows a precise date by which everything has to be done. http://www.circleid.com/posts/710261_ipv6_deployment_complex_time_bomb/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Mr. Joichi Ito Joins Sanrio Digital Board of Directors Sanrio Digital today announced that Joichi Ito has joined the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Joichi Ito is the founder and CEO of the venture capital firm Neoteny. He is a co-founder and board member of Digital Garage. He is the Chairman of Six Apart Japan the weblog software company. He is on the board of Technorati and helps run Technorati Japan. He has created numerous Internet companies including PSINet Japan, Digital Garage and Infoseek Japan. http://earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,209095.shtml ********************** - AFTERMARKET ********************** Track.com Laps the Competition with Six-Figure Sale That Tops This Week's Sales Chart As you have probably heard by now, Moniker.com sold over $8.1 million worth of domains in their live auction at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. last week. A silent auction is still going on and by the time it concludes Thursday (Oct. 18) there is a good chance the combined auction total will crack the 8-figure mark. You can see the complete results from the live auction. As those domains are paid for and transferred to the new owners they will become eligible for our charts so we will soon be seeing a number of blockbusters, including Computer.com at $2.2 million on the Big Board. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2007/domainsales10-23-07.htm Sedo Auctions - Turntable.com $45k Sale The Sedo Auctions are warming up, seeing ?turntable.com? sell after 16 bids for $45,000 just clearing its reserve price in the last few minutes of the auction. http://webhostdir.com/news/articles/shownews.asp?id=22751 http://domainnamewire.com/2007/10/25/turntablecom-turns-in-45k-bid-at-sedo-great-domains-auction/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** my: 11 sites shut down by MCMC A total of 11 websites, including those created by bloggers, have been shut down by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) this year for contravening rules and regulations concerning the publication of information on the Internet. http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/10/22/technology/20071022143857&sec=technology ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ EU tightens child porn laws Europe wants to clamp down on child sex abuse. Looking at child pornography online - even without downloading it - is to become a criminal offence in the EU, as is "grooming", gaining a child's trust online with the aim of meeting for sexual contact. But are the agreements workable in practice? http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/071025-child-sex-abuse 23 Council of Europe member states sign Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse [news release] Twenty-three Council of Europe member states today signed the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS n? 201), which represents a major step in the prevention of sexual offences against children, the prosecution of perpetrators and the protection of victims. https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1201419 nl: Viewing online child porn to become crime Looking at child pornography on the internet will become a criminal offence in the Netherlands under new legislation being drawn up by justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, ANP news service reports. The possession of child porn is already a crime. http://dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2007/10/new_law_makes_looking_at_onlin.php nl: New child porn law legally problematic Government plans to make viewing online child pornography a criminal offence are criticised by lawyers in today's Volkskrant. http://dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2007/10/new_child_porn_law_legally_pro.php ph: Online child porn should be made a heinous crime--CICT chair The peddling of online child pornography should be made a heinous crime, the chair of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) said Friday. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view_article.php?article_id=96972 Japanese Poll: 87% Accept Manga Child Porn Regulation The Japanese government's Cabinet Office issued on October 25 the results of its Special Opinion Poll on Harmful Materials, in which 86.5% of those who responded said that manga and art should be subject to regulation for child pornography, if they had to decide. 90.9% said that "harmful materials" on the Internet should be regulated, if they had to decide. The current child pornography laws in Japan do not regulate manga and art that depict children who are not real, or "virtual child pornography." http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-10-25/japanese-poll-87-percent-accept-manga-child-porn-regulation nz: Safety button protects children from bullies An Internet safety tool aimed at children as young as two will help protect them from paedophiles, bullies and identity fraudsters hovering on social networking sites. http://stuff.co.nz/4251742a6479.html nz: Hector's World Safety Buttons? launched at parliament [news release] A new tool to keep kids safe online launched today New Hector?s World Safety Buttons empower children to be involved in their own online safety http://www.netsafe.org.nz/isgnews/hwl_buttons_launched.aspx nz: New poster connects very young children to online safety [news release] A new poster campaign is being launched at Parliament today to help very young children, their families and school communities to keep safe online. The poster encourages children to connect with NZ?s Cybersafety Ambassador Hector Protector? on the Hector?s World website. http://netsafe.org.nz/isgnews/hwl_connect_poster.aspx au: ACMA asks for suggestions on restricted content The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is calling for comments on planned changes to the way online and mobile content is regulated. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/ACMA-asks-for-suggestions-on-restricted-content/0,130061791,339283325,00.htm New regulations for Internet and mobile content set for 2008 The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is seeking comment on proposed changes to a number of legal instruments ahead of the introduction of a new regulatory framework for Internet and mobile content in January 2008. http://computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1811228772;fp;2;fpid;1 http://reseller.co.nz/reseller.nsf/news/72B2883152D968E5CC257383000FFA29 http://cellular-news.com/story/26976.php ACMA calls for comment on changes to Internet content regulation The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has put out a call for comment on proposed changes to a number of legal instruments ahead of the introduction of a new regulatory framework for Internet and mobile content in January 2008. http://crn.com.au/News/63880,acma-calls-for-comment-on-changes-to-internet-content-regulation.aspx http://itnews.com.au/News/63880,acma-calls-for-comment-on-changes-to-internet-content-regulation.aspx au: Year 7 sex filmed: police investigate POLICE are considering laying charges over a sex video involving a year 7 girl, which was posted on MySpace and sent to mobile phones across Sydney's eastern suburbs. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/27/1192941400125.html US Senators Want Probe on Content Blocking [AP] Two Senators on Friday called for a congressional hearing to investigate reports that phone and cable companies are unfairly stifling communications over the Internet and on cell phones. Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said the incidents involving several companies, including Comcast Corp., Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc., have raised serious concerns over the companies' "power to discriminate against content." http://www.thestate.com/technology-wire/story/212249.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/27/1192941375340.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/27/1192941375340.html http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071026.wgtcomcast1026/BNStory/Technology/ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DATA_DISCRIMINATION_SENATE ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Google Earth used to target Israel Palestinian militants are using Google Earth to help plan their attacks on the Israeli military and other targets, the Guardian has learned. Members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group aligned with the Fatah political party, say they use the popular internet mapping tool to help determine their targets for rocket strikes. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/oct/25/google.israel us: Comcast - Self-Appointed Traffic Cop That's been a fear of some Internet users for a long time. Now many Comcast customers are anxious after reading the Associated Press report last week that the cable-modem service interferes with the BitTorrent file-sharing program. The news has put the Philadelphia-based corporation in an awkward spot and brought the network neutrality debate back to life, just when it seemed that the issue was dead in Washington. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/24/AR2007102402568.html U.S. Department of Justice Leads International Effort to Combat Intellectual Property Crime [news release] The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the opening of a regional conference of approximately 70 key law enforcement officials from more than a dozen nations, with the aim of developing an international network targeting large-scale intellectual property (IP) crimes. The DOJ has organized the week-long gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, with the assistance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Department of State. http://justice.gov/opa/pr/2007/October/07_crm_836.html ************************** PRIVACY ************************** uk: Privacy watchdog to lead data-sharing review The information commissioner, Richard Thomas, will work with Professor Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust, in looking at how personal information is shared and protected by the public and private sectors. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39290396,00.htm ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** de: Sch?uble renews calls for surreptitious online searches of PCs In his speech towards the end of the national conference of the Junge Union, the youth organization of the ruling conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in Berlin the Federal Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Sch?uble has again come out in favor of allowing authorities to search private PCs secretly online and of deploying the German Armed Forces in Germany in the event of an emergency. http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/97755 us: "The Road to Next-Generation Broadband" ITIF Research Analyst Daniel Correa?s article in the forthcoming issue of IEEE Internet Computing Journal that documents how other nations have more robust broadband than the United States and offers a framework for thinking about broadband policy to accelerate America down the path to next-generation broadband. http://www.itif.org/files/NextGenerationBroadband.pdf America's broadband shame In June 2004 George Bush declared that "what we are interested in is to make sure broadband technology is available in every corner of America by the year 2007." ... Since that point, however, the U.S. has continued to fall further behind. It is now ranked 15th. Indeed, the entire tenure of George Bush has been marked by a steady decline in the U.S.'s relative standing. In 2001, the U.S. was fourth. In 2004, 10th. In 2007, 15th. http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2007/10/25/america_s_broadband_shame/ US Congress Scrambles to Extend Net Tax Ban as Deadline Looms The United States Senate has agreed upon a bill that would extend the ban on taxes on Internet services. So has the House of Representatives. However, they have not agreed on the same bill -- one extends the ban for seven years, the other for four. The current ban expires Nov. 1, and President Bush appears eager to sign an extension into law. Congress has until Thursday to hammer out their differences. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60021.html http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-etax27oct27,1,7595256.story Senate proposes seven-year extension of Internet tax moratorium [IDG] The U.S. Senate last night passed legislation that would extend a moratorium on Internet access taxes for seven years, giving the bill's supporters hope that an extension will be signed into law before the current moratorium expires next Thursday. http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9044300 au: ACMAsphere: Issue 24 - October 2007 This issue features the launch of the new Internet Relay service that enables people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment to make phone calls from their computers. There are also articles about recently released ACMA reports on local content levels and consumer attitudes to telecommunications services. Reports on ACMA?s direction to an ISP to join the TIO scheme and revisions to the commercial TV code, as well as proposals for new digital radio services, are also included. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_9030 us: Get Your Hands Off the Web by Stephen H. Wildstrom A bit over a year ago, I wrote a column arguing that innovation on the Internet would be best served if the government mostly kept its hands off. I've changed my mind. The behavior of the top telecommunications companies, especially Verizon Communications and AT&T, has convinced me that more government involvement is needed to keep communications free of corporate interference. The incident that swayed me was a decision in September by Verizon Wireless, majority owned by Verizon Communications, to block Naral Pro-Choice America from using its system to send text-message alerts to supporters. Verizon, which had cited a policy barring distribution of content that "may be seen as controversial or unsavory," quickly backed down after a public outcry. But, a spokesperson says, Verizon "reserves the right to deny other programs in the future." http://businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2007/tc20071024_623695.htm us: Comcast?s Wrong Approach by Tom Evslin ISPs have to do a lot more than just provide a pipe from your residence to their facilities to assure that you have a good Internet experience. There is a raging debate, inextricable from the debate on Network Neutrality, both on what the proper responsibilities of an ISP are AND what methods are proper for carrying out those responsibilities. Recently Comcast has received a serious black eye for blocking BitTorrent traffic in what it says was just a legitimate exercise in protecting most users from the few who abuse their "unlimited access"... Even if we give Comcast the benefit of the doubt and assume they are not influenced at all in their decision of what traffic to block by the fact that P2P protocols like BitTorrent are used to distribute material which competes for precious user attention with the content that Comcast sells, what Comcast is doing is still wrong if not illegal. http://www.circleid.com/posts/710262_comcast_wrong_approach/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** NZ set to stagnate in broadband rankings New Zealand looks set to remain in 21st place when the OECD issues its broadband world rankings this week and, on current trends, its ranking is unlikely to change before next year's election. http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,0a28,00.html News Corp. and NBC launch online video site 'Hulu' as YouTube alternative The television networks NBC and Fox are set to launch an advertising-supported online video site that hosts programming from varied entertainment companies in a bid to seize viewers from Google Inc.'s YouTube, the broadcasters said. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193618787947.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/29/1193618787947.html Hulu readies its online TV, dodging insults The knives are out for Hulu.com. Hulu.com is the new-media creation of two old-media rivals, NBC, which is owned by General Electric, and Fox, owned by the News Corp. Since March, when the broadcasters announced their joint effort to bring free, ad-supported television shows to the Web, critics have pounced, predicting the venture would be doomed by diverging agendas, technical challenges and an all-powerful enemy: YouTube. http://nytimes.com/2007/10/29/business/media/29hulu.html http://www.news.com/2100-1026_3-6215702.html Hulu.com casting wide net to snag Web TV viewers The most ambitious attempt by television companies to retain their audiences on the Web begins today, and the early reviews are surprisingly good. http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-hulu29oct29,1,246038.story Google Scares The Search Crowd Google, for online businesses, has the impact that Alan Greenspan once had on the financial markets. Online companies pounce on every whisper or cryptic comment from Google about how it ranks pages as an indicator--up or down--of how online traffic will flow for millions of Web sites. On Thursday, Web site administrators for major sites including the Washingtonpost.com, Techcrunch, and Engadget (as well as Forbes.com) found that their "pagerank"--a number that typically reflects the ranking of a site in Google results for key search terms--had dropped precipitously according to Google Toolbar, a software program that tracks Google's assessment of a site. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/10/24/google-web-traffic-tech-cx_ag_1024google2.html Google algorithm tweak spooks WWW In the brave new world of online media, fortunes can be won and lost on the whim of Google's key search algorithm. And when, without warning, Google tweaked that mathematical formula this week, there was panic on the world wide web. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941308334.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941308334.html Loving the Internet [Reuters] Rather than looking for their perfect match, one in four Americans say the Internet can serve as a substitute for a significant other, according to a poll released on Wednesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKPAR55409220071025 http://stuff.co.nz/4251363a19716.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10472040 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071025.wgtnetlove1025/BNStory/PersonalTech/ http://www.cioinsight.com/article2/0,1397,2207580,00.asp Google to focus on mobile Internet in China [Reuters] Google says it's grappling with an unusual challenge in China's Internet market -- how to cater to masses of Web surfers who go online for the first time via mobile devices, rather than migrating from PCs. http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKSHA12677520071025 Nokia: Content is key to snapping up users [Reuters] Nokia sees content for the wireless internet as key to snapping up more mobile-phone users, including in emerging markets, the head of its key unit said on Tuesday. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39290360,00.htm Yahoo! Remains Leading Internet Property in Japan [news release] ... Yahoo! Sites remained the top-ranked property in Japan with 40.7 million visitors, while Google Sites experienced a 4-percent gain from August to September and ranked second with more than 32 million visitors. Microsoft followed in third with 30 million visitors (up 1 percent). http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1838 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Second Life Becomes First Job for Adventurous Few In this simulated land, more than 9 million computer users from around the world take on digital personas -- cartoon-like characters called "avatars" -- that allow them to live out their dreams, however unlikely or impossible. People get married, start businesses, build homes, travel and hold down jobs just as they do in their "first life." They buy and sell and start businesses. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60006.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** 839 teraflops per second. Beat that IBM! [AFP] Japan's NEC Corp has announced the launch of what it called the world's most powerful supercomputer on the market, meant for advanced use in the sciences. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941294254.html http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941294254.html NEC will be world supercomputer speed title contender Japan's NEC has taken a serious swing at the supercomputing crown, today releasing its SX-9 - which it claims is the fastest vector computer in the world. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10472744 ********************** SPAM ********************** Report: U.S. tops list of spam-offending countries The U.S. remains the world's biggest spammer, according to security firm Sophos, which on Friday released its quarterly report on the world's top spam-offending countries--dubbed the "Dirty Dozen." http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6215444.html http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39290391,00.htm Sophos reveals "dirty dozen" spam-relaying countries for Q3 2007 [news release] IT security and control firm Sophos has published its latest report on the top twelve spam-relaying countries over the third quarter of 2007. Experts at SophosLabs scanned all spam messages received in the company's global network of spam traps, and have revealed that yet again the US relayed more spam than any other nation, accounting for a massive 28.4 percent - meaning that almost one in three of all the world's spam emails is being sent through a compromised US computer. The gap between the US and its nearest rival has also increased significantly, with second placed South Korea only responsible for relaying 5.2 percent, or one in twenty spam messages. http://sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2007/10/dirtydozoct07.html ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Africa waiting for net revolution More than a third of Africa's citizens should have access to broadband internet by 2012, a conference of technology leaders is set to hear. Fewer than four out of 100 Africans currently use the internet, and broadband penetration is below 1%. The barriers to broadband access are key talking points at the Connect Africa meeting in Kigali, in Rwanda. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7063682.stm ********************** FILE SHARING ********************** uk: Record industry pushes ISPs to cut off file sharers The record industry is pressing the UK's ISPs for a deal that would see persistent illegal file sharers automatically booted off the net. High-level talks between the ruling council of internet trade body ISPA and the Music Publishers Association are aiming to settle the historic tension between the two industries. http://www.theregister.com/2007/10/25/triesman_isps_music/ ********************************* COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS ********************************* Google Loses Face Rain fell on what should have been Google?s parade Wednesday during the search giant?s annual analyst conference when Microsoft announced that it won a bidding war for a piece of Facebook. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/10/25/google-msft-facebook-tech-internet-cx_wt_1025techgoogle.html Microsoft Reports Strong Gain on Sales of PC and Server Software Microsoft reported strong quarterly sales and profit growth yesterday, surprising Wall Street analysts with the sales of its core software products. The company, the world's largest software maker, continues to trail well behind Google in the new markets for Internet services and online advertising. But the new versions of its lucrative personal computer businesses -- the Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Office 2007 -- appear to be selling better than industry analysts anticipated. http://nytimes.com/2007/10/26/technology/26soft.html Halo effect gives Microsoft eight-year high The success of the new Halo 3 video game has helped Microsoft post its strongest first quarter results in eight years, with profits soaring by 23 per cent. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article2744334.ece ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** nz: Telecom plans for 'separation day' Telecom has released its draft plan for undertaking the operational separation of its network, wholesale and retail units which has been ordered by the Government. One thing is clear - the separation won't happen overnight. Telecom's timeline for reorganising its divisions to give the same access to its own business units and competitors alike, stretches out to 2011. But the ball starts rolling on Separation Day, March 31st, by which time Telecom has undertaken to have in place an access network services unit, separately run and branded differently to Telecom. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10472267 Google ready ring in changes to mobile sector Google is on a mission to shake up the mobile communications industry, but it does not plan to change the world single-handedly and promises to ?play nice? with the industry?s existing powers http://www.ft.com/cms/s/12f3e01e-8583-11dc-8170-0000779fd2ac.html ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN ********************************** au: Tutor confesses to child porn A former casual tutor of the University of Melbourne has been convicted in Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court of possessing more than 7000 images of child pornography. Andrew Rodney Gemmell, 58, of Moonee Ponds pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child pornography and transmission of child pornography. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/25/1192941230790.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sources include Quicklinks <http://qlinks.net/> and BNA Internet Law News <http://www.bna.com/ilaw/>. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2007 --------- David Goldstein address: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA email: Goldstein_David §yahoo.com.au phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home) "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery National Bingo Night. Play along for the chance to win $10,000 every week. Download your gamecard now at Yahoo!7 TV. http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/national-bingo-night/Received on Thu Nov 01 2007 - 10:25:30 UTC
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