John Gilmore on American free speech Free Speech 5/2/2000; 10:55:48 PM Feb. 22, 2000: "The rest of the world does NOT want American ideas of free speech shoved down their throats." The converse is true, too; America does not want the rest of the world's idea of free speech stuffed down our throats. The problem is that in a globally integrated environment, there aren't room for a couple thousand rulesets like we have now; if there's room for two, it will come as a surprise to many people.

Privacy on the Internet Privacy from Companies5/2/2000; 10:54:15 PM Feb 22, 2000: "No one tracks a shopper as he visits various stores in a mall or keeps notes on what products he looks at. But in cyberspace, that shopper's behavior -- which Web sites he visits, and which ads he clicks on -- can all be instantly recorded and compiled, albeit through computer-based identifiers rather than by name."You know, I've heard that a lot.

THE REGISTER: FBI seeks to apply RICO laws to hackers Good Laws, Bad Uses 5/2/2000; 10:52:05 PM Feb 21, 2000: "FBI Director Louis Freeh recommends invoking Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statutes in prosecuting some cyber crimes." No, using cookies isn't stalking, and 'hacking' computers isn't racketeering either. Who needs new laws when you can creatively interpret old ones?

The Risks Digest Volume 20: Issue 81 Privacy from Companies 5/2/2000; 10:50:12 PM Feb 21, 2000: The attorney general of Michigan has filed a "notice of intended action" against DoubleClick, charging the Web advertising firm with "failing to disclose to Internet users that DoubleClick is systematically implanting electronic 'cookies,' or electronic surveillance files, on hard drives of users' computers without their knowledge or consent." Hey, that's my state! Go Michigan!

Manila Express(tm) for Netscape Fun Stuff!5/2/2000; 10:48:40 PM I have created an interface to Manila Express(tm) for Netscape, but it is not quite as easy to set up. However, once set up, it is just as easy to use.Unfortunately, this requires you to have access to some sort of non-EditThisPage web space at this time... Javascript can't open a file on your hard drive. Normally, this is good, but in this case, it means you can't just dump the form on the hard drive and be done with it.

Colo. Lawmakers OK Internet Ad Bill Spam & E-Mail 5/2/2000; 10:46:04 PM Feb 17, 2000: "Internet spammers would have to slap a crystal-clear "advertisement" label on all electronic junk mail and provide an easy way for consumers to scratch their names from mailing lists under a bill passed Thursday by a state House committee."

Copy protection proposed for digital displays Misc. 5/2/2000; 10:43:14 PM Feb 18, 2000: "The High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) approach encrypts each pixel as it moves from a personal computer or set-top box to digital displays, such as digital flat panels and high-definition televisions." OK, but what benefit does this offer to the consumer? None? Scrap it.

Next generation iCraveTV? Humor/Amusing5/2/2000; 10:41:36 PM Feb 17, 2000: This is a great article about Garner Bornstein's and Andy Nulman's spoof of ICraveTV, iCraveiCraveTV.com.A press release on the spoof site declares "iCraveTV is the first generation of Internet parasites; we're the next generation. As an upstart Internet company, we are seeking the maximum content value with the lowest possible levels of investment and effort. What better way than to just swipe someone else's signal?

DoubleClick in Full Retreat Privacy from Companies5/2/2000; 10:38:15 PM Feb 16, 2000: "DoubleClick has never and will never use sensitive online data in our profiles, and it is DoubleClick's policy to only merge personally identifiable information with non-personally identifiable information for profiling, after providing clear notice and choice," Wondering why this apparent change of heart? DoubleClick shares fell more than 12 percent on Thursday morning to a low of 92-7/8, before recovering slightly to 94-1/8, down 12-3/8.

U.S. to China: Change Crypto Regs Surveillance and Privacy from Government5/2/2000; 10:36:13 PM Feb 15, 2000: She [Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky] said her U.S. negotiators have repeatedly pressed China authorities to reform these rules and also dismissed Chinese efforts to restrict information over the Internet as futile. LOL! When the US wants to restrict encryption and regulate the Internet, it's for the protection of our children, only a matter of obtaining and using the right censorware, importent for the preservation of right-thinking society, etc.