I do however boycott Real Networks, not only because of the information they spam the user with, not only because of the recent privacy problems, and not only because streaming video stinks, but also because of the way they try to take over my computer when I install their product. The fastest way for a peice of software to get uninstalled from my computer is to install a task-bar icon that is useless, difficult to remove, unasked for, and consumes memory, just so the useless Real Player can load in .5 seconds instead of 2. My computer, not Real's!

I don't go in much for this style of idealism either, and I run a website dedicated to the cause :-). It almost seems hypocritical to expect the general public boycott anybody because of info-abuse.

In other words... don't hold your breath.

Pseudonymity Now: '"From an economics point of view, your data is becoming a commodity," said Hill, president of Zero-Knowledge Systems. "All of this is leading the charge for people to say 'I don't want to give up my data.'"' Here's one 'right' that won't be won in the courts... people need to more-or-less decide together that when a company abuses their personal information, not to shop with that company or give it any money. That's all it would take, universal cooperation in the consumer's best interest.

Wiretapping Unwarranted?: "'The FBI is seeking surveillance capabilities that far exceed the powers law enforcement has had in the past and is entitled to under the law,' said EPIC General Counsel David Sobel."

OK, I recovered the two lost message in the Discussion area from the crash yesterday, with permission from the owners. I think that completes the cleanup.

Schools crack down on Net music software Napster: You can probably guess Slashdot's reaction. I would point out that the Acceptable Use policy directly addresses this, and that university's don't truly have an obligation to provide any Internet servies. I think the most interesting thing is the primary cited reason is bandwidth, not legality issues. In other words, the university doesn't care that some of the copying may be legal. Another neat sidestepping of the issues (but in this case, that's probably good... university are in the business of education, not litigation).

Due to the EditThisPage.com crash, and subsequent restore from backup, a couple of messages in the Discussion area were lost. I'd like to state publicly... "I didn't do it, officer, it wasn't my fault!" I'll replace them, with permission from the posters involved. (You may also have lost membership if you signed up today.)