Controversial Ruling on Library Filters Free Speech6/1/2001; 1:12:34 PM 'In early 1997, the Minneapolis Public Library began giving its patrons unfettered and unlimited access to the Internet. The library’s First Amendment-inspired policy was intended to provide a needed service to the community. But Wendy Adamson, a reference desk librarian at the library's central branch, said it effectively made her working life a nightmare, and federal officials appear poised to agree with her.

Response to Request for Clarification DVD & DeCSS 5/31/2001; 12:15:38 PM The responses to the request for clarification from the judges in the 2600 vs. MPAA case are in. You can read the response from 2600 and the response from the MPAA. I recommend reading them side-by-side and comparing the answers, as hopefully the judges will. Commentary later... I haven't been able to read them yet.

Scott McNealy and FUD on Privacy Privacy from Companies5/29/2001; 7:57:55 PM I'm not normally prone to paranoia, but I'm seriously beginning to wonder about people like Scott McNealy. Mr. McNealy wrote another essay on privacy in the Washington Post. The quote that most raises my ire is this:' I know medical records are a hot button for a lot of people, and I agree they need to be protected. But it would be a mistake to lose sight of the real benefits of sharing information about ourselves.

Conspiracies of Common Cause Glossary 5/29/2001; 7:36:12 PM Another idea I want to write on iRights so I can refer to it later, ''conspiracies of common cause'' occur when groups of people act in such a way that it may lead you to believe there is a conspiracy, when the reality is simply that they share motivation. (Links lead to a longer explanation, which is the one I intend to link to in later conversations.

Web form allows people to opt out of data collection Privacy from Companies5/27/2001; 4:59:30 PM 'People seeking to protect their privacy can complete a single Web form to keep major advertising companies from collecting data about their Internet browsing and shopping habits.'Under pressure to protect privacy better, the advertising industry has set up two new Web sites that let computer users refuse to have their personal data collected and profiled when they visit popular commercial Internet sites.

Pioneer cybercrime pact tightens privacy rules Surveillance and Privacy from Government 5/27/2001; 4:42:33 PM 'Stiff criticism from the EU and pressure groups has prompted drafters of the world's first treaty against cybercrime to tighten provisions protecting privacy online, the final text showed Friday. 'The Council of Europe, a 43-state human rights watchdog, has amended the text to ensure police respect privacy rights when they follow digital trails to fight online crimes such as hacking, spreading viruses, using stolen credit card numbers or defrauding banks.

FTC blesses Amazon's privacy sleight-of-hand Privacy from Companies5/27/2001; 4:41:57 PM 'At issue was the company's sudden decision to cease allowing customers to opt out of having their personal details shared with marketing outfits and Amazon partners. Previously, customers could opt out by sending a blank e-mail message to 'never@amazon.com'.'The word 'never', the December petition reasoned, gave customers a reasonable expectation that their opt-out decision would be honored permanently. 'The FTC reply, dated 24 May by Commissioner Jodie Bernstein, regards this as a lot of theoretical nonsense.

Two RIAA Lawsuits for the Price of One Music & MP35/25/2001; 5:02:14 PM First up this week was Aimster, being sued for copyright infringement. Aimster is a clever little service that piggy-backs on Instant Messaging and allows people to exchange files securely and easily, and of course music is one of its most common uses. Aimster has a page where you can find out what Aimster is.Next up is Launch, which allows you to tell the service what music you like, and rate what it sends you, so it tends to start sending you more music you like and less you dislike.

Smart Alecs Misc.5/24/2001; 11:54:23 PM I don't talk about education much, but inasmuch as we have the "right" to education, the internet and computers is certainly impacting that right. ''Smart Alecs'' is a fairly even-handed article laying out the pros and the cons of computers (and by extension, the Internet) as they are affecting education. I would like to say one thing: Basically, both sides of the debate are correct.

Report Downplays Echelon Effect Surveillance and Privacy from Government 5/24/2001; 11:37:37 PM 'A global surveillance system known as Echelon does exist and has the ability to eavesdrop on telephone calls, faxes and e-mail messages, a European Parliament committee has concluded. 'In a 250KB draft report, the committee said that Echelon -- operated by English-speaking countries including the United States, Canada and Great Britain -- is designed for intelligence purposes but that no "