Internet2 To Get GigaFast

Internet2, a network primarily used by academic and research institutions is plenty fast when it comes to speed. It currently runs at about 10 gigabits per second. But that might seem downright glacial when the network operators are done with an upgrade. Plans are afoot to use 80 channels to pump 10 gigabits per second per channel, and upgrade the total backbone bandwidth to a whopping 800 Gbps. The upgrade will use 80 different wavelengths to send the traffic that could make it possible for uncompressed hi-def video and video conferencing, over the net collaboration and even give a massive boost to grid computing. Internet2, a consortium of 201 academic institutions plans to phase out its Abilene network, which has been in service for seven years. The consortium will not renew its fiber contract with Qwest Communications. The Abilene Network used 10,000 route-miles of Qwest’s 10-Gigabit-per-second optical network. This was seized 4 u at GigaOM

posted by Roland at 5/30/2006 02:16:00 PM | links to this post | 1 comments | Listen to this article

Who needs a Web Office when you have an inflatable office

posted by Roland at 5/29/2006 10:24:00 AM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Biology inspired computer networks

Today, for many, computer networks are an indispensable infrastructure that interconnects people, places and organisations. But increasingly they are beginning to creak as their complexity grows. Biological systems through years of evolution can offer clues on how to cope, as a research project has demonstrated. "Even a minor perturbation on a network can cause major problems," says Dr Ozalp Babaoglu at the University of Bologna. "Simply adding a computer or installing an operating system can suddenly mean that the printer stops working or you can't access your files." The problem is caused by complex systems, where a large number a simple elements interact. And networking can be complex. Millions of interconnected nodes create inherent complexity and a growing sophistication of interactions between devices means complexity exists even when the number of devices is modest. Enter the BISON project funded under the European Commission’s FET (Future and Emerging Technologies) initiative of the IST programme. BISON is inspired by Complex Adaptive Systems like ants, fireflies and even single cells. "Complexity in computing is already a problem, and traditional methods are no longer adequate to address the problems," says Babaoglu, BISON’s coordinator. "And it's going to get worse as the internet becomes increasingly complex. Biological systems, on the other hand, are incredibly resilient and amazingly robust, so we're taking inspiration from a system that we know works." BISON took a 'modular' approach, using simple and predictable services as building blocks, or protocols, to develop more complex functions. Using simple protocols the group validated its approach by developing a load-balancing protocol, which is very important to stop traffic from overwhelming a particular node. With the proof of principle established, it's hoped others will begin designing further tools. BISON focused on adaptive routing and radio power management to tackle the fundamental challenge in ad hoc networks of a constantly changing network topology. Not only are nodes moving but they are constantly entering and leaving the network. What's more, power is a crucial issue: use more power to boost the signal and the device runs out of energy. Lower signal power and the network becomes disconnected. It used Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO), a computing scheme inspired by the way ants leave and follow paths to find the shortest route to food. In the computing paradigm, tiny packets of data, called ants, are sent out to find the most efficient routing choice based on the twin needs of connectivity and power management. Called AntHocNet, it is an attempt to create an ACO routing algorithm, which works efficiently in Mobile Ad hoc Networks, combining reactive path finding and repairing with proactive path maintenance and improvement. The attempt looks successful. BISON conducted a large series of simulations of its AntHocNet against an algorithm for routing data across Wireless Mesh Networks called AODV, an important reference in the computer science field. "We were successful in developing robust, adaptive protocols," said Babaoglu. "But we were surprised that their performance was so good. We expected to lose performance, but our protocols are comparable to what's available today." BISON also developed a synchronicity protocol inspired by fireflies. Synchronicity is important to time the execution of certain functions in a network. Fireflies very quickly synchronise their light emission, rather like clapping in an audience, and Babaoglu says it could become the basis for developing a heartbeat on the internet. Read more... This was seized 4 u at Science Technologies Society & BISON

posted by Roland at 5/26/2006 09:52:00 AM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Earthshine inspires hunt for alien life

Earthshine – the dim glow from sunlight bouncing off the Earth, and reflected back from the Moon's surface – may aid in the search for life on other planets, say scientists. It may also give insights into climate change on Earth. However, experts are split on how useful a tool Earthshine may be. Researchers demonstrated the potential for using Earthshine as a “practice” case for spotting life signs from other Earth-like planets, in a session at this week’s joint assembly of the American Geophysical Union in Baltimore, US. Leonardo da Vinci is credited as the first to explain the Earthshine effect, which is caused by sunlight reflecting off the Earth and illuminating the parts of the Moon that would otherwise be in total shadow. Earthshine observations offer a potential window into the role of clouds in climate change. Variations in cloud cover affect Earth’s total reflectivity and so register as slight changes in the brightness of Earthshine from month to month. “It gives us an absolutely calibrated measure of the Earth’s reflectance,” says Phil Goode, director of the Big Bear Solar Observatory in California, US. The usefulness of Earthshine has been disputed by some climate experts, and particularly after 2004, when astronomer Enric Palle and colleagues at Big Bear reported a reversal in the Earthshine trend. Prior to 2000, the group found the brightness of Earthshine decreased steadily, suggesting that there were progressively fewer clouds reflecting sunlight onto the Moon. But after 2000, they found the brightness of Earthshine increased again. Although the cause of the change is not known, the degree of the change is enough to affect climate models. Now a composite of twenty-seven years’ worth of data on ultraviolet reflectance from eight different NASA and NOAA satellite instruments appears to confirm the Earthshine observations. “Our data agree astonishingly well with the Earthshine data,” says Steven Lloyd, of the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, US. Traub and other researchers detailed how the spectrum of Earthshine reveals the presence of ozone and chlorophyll, both sure signs of biological activity on Earth. In the future, it is expected that planet hunting space telescopes will be able to resolve Earth-like planets as tiny pinpricks of light circling around their parent stars. And though such a “pale blue dot” would not likely reveal any visual details, its spectrum might be enough to distinguish between a sterile and a living world. Traub has calculated what the spectrum of Earthshine would have looked like at different times during Earth’s geological history, when gases such as methane and carbon dioxide were more dominant and oxygen was not yet present in large quantities. “By comparing what we know about Earth with the spectrum of an extrasolar planet, there is a good chance we would see what stage of evolution the planet was in,” says Traub. This was seized 4 u at New Scientist

posted by Roland at 5/25/2006 05:27:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Sony BMG "rootkit" DRM case settled (submit your claim)

A federal judge on Monday gave final approval to a settlement in a class action suit against Sony BMG Music Entertainment over anticopying software the company had embedded in some music CDs. The agreement (click for PDF) covers anyone who bought, received or used CDs containing what was revealed to be flawed digital rights management (DRM) software after Aug. 1, 2003. Those customers can file a claim and receive certain benefits, such as a nonprotected replacement CD, free downloads of music from that CD and additional cash payments. The court action picked up last fall when security researchers discovered vulnerabilities posed by two pieces of software, First4Internet's XCP and SunnComm's MediaMax, which are automatically installed on a user's computer upon loading certain Sony BMG music CDs. The software's presence was masked by a "rootkit" that can make the PC more vulnerable to viruses and other hacker attacks. The software also allegedly transmitted information about the listener's computer use back to Sony BMG, although a company-commissioned privacy assessment later determined that it collected only "non-personal information tied to a particular album and its usage." At least 15 different lawsuits were filed by class action lawyers against the record label, and the New York cases were eventually consolidated into one proceeding. The parties reached a preliminary settlement with Sony BMG in December, leaving it up to a judge in a U.S. District Court in New York to make it official. Sony BMG had already begun taking steps to remedy the situation. It yanked the affected discs off the shelves, suspended production of CDs containing the technology and issued a recall of the 4.7 million XCP CDs, offering MP3 downloads in return. Anyone who "purchased, received, came into possession of or otherwise used" music CDs containing Sony's flawed DRM software anytime after August 1, 2003 is entitled to file a claim for a replacement CD, free downloads of music from that CD (with Apple's iTunes named as one of the three download services, ironically), and even "additional cash payments". Read more... This was seized 4 u at CNet news

posted by Roland at 5/23/2006 05:39:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Turn your cellphone into a full-size piano or a drum kit

The popular science magazine New Scientist has again dug their way through the patent office. Here is the one that got my attention: Samsung says it can turn a cellphone into a full-size piano or a drum kit. A recent patent filing from the South Korean company explains how. Earlier in 2006 Motorola patented a way to use a cellphone screen and keypad to mimic a guitar. But there is little hope of squeezing 88 piano keys or a full set of drums into a handheld device. Samsung's idea is to use a small video projector, embedded in the phone, to project an image of a keyboard or drum skins onto a plain, flat surface. As the owner presses the keys or hits the drums a camera in the phone would detect the motion and convert it into the appropriate musical sound. The phone could either play the sound out loud or make a recording and the phone's camera could even make a video of the performance. The only issue the Samsung patent does not address is how much of a drain this will be on the phone’s battery life. Read the full patent, here. This was seized 4 u at New Scientist

posted by Roland at 5/22/2006 05:10:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Why building a robotic Giraffe?

Well, for years I have been coming to Burning Man, dressed up in my zebra costume. Yes, a zebra costume. Anyway, I've wanted to build something that went along with that decoration. So I rode around on several art cars during 2002 and 2003. What data I gathered suggested these parameters: It should be tall, because the view one gets at BM from just being 8 feet up is amazing. It should be an animal, since I love animals and like the idea of an animal as a form of decoration. It should play music and be able to carry a small number of people, probably no more than 4 to 6 max. Almost immediately a giraffe came to mind. I had thought of making a zebra, but, that would be redundant and on top of that, it had been done already. So, the initial design saw the giraffe on a wheeled frame, driving around much like a car. But I wanted the legs and neck to move as well, so I started looking at motion systems for ideas. Initially, the thought of the giraffe actually walking crossed my mind, but was quickly written off as being impossible or at least, very difficult to try. So the giraffe would "walk" but, it would be faked motion, with the hooves barely touching the ground. It was to be very much like a real giraffe skeleton, that walked and moved like a real one would. Well, along comes this model from Tamiya. I spotted it while searching information on the net about giraffes. The little thing uses this very simple method of operating all 4 legs at the same time from a single geared motor source. I took the thing to my friend Gary and showed it to him, placing it on the table, and as it walked, I talked about how this motion would look nice on the wheeled frame, imitating a real walking giraffe. Well, Gary shot straight out of his chair and pointed at the thing, saying here was all the design criteria I needed. To borrow the mechanism of this toy and build a full size walking machine! I was stunned and at first rebelled against the idea, having invested 2 years in solid thought and design with the project, and had a very clear idea of how it would look and operate. But what I was also planning was terribly complex and demanding. It could take years to complete, and here I was, in late 2004 wanting to build a machine for 2005 in august. The prospects were not looking good for this more artistic giraffe I was planning. But the more robotic and stiff looking machine was suddenly looking very possible. After about 4 hours of discussion, Gary and I came to agree that this little model would provide the basis of what was going to become the wildest thing I have ever built so far. And it would really walk! From there I entered into a world of welding every weekend and spare hour during the week for 10 solid months. We got a 7 year rain cycle that came through, my day job became an utter nightmare due to its own parameters, and I passed through more misery and injuries than ever. Needless to say, I was having the time of my life, spending every dollar I earned on this project, and loving it more and more as the days passed and the machine neared completion. It seemed like everything fate could toss me to trip me up on the project was happening, plus all sorts of help manifested itself at the same time. New friendships were created on many levels, and I remain deeply pleased with what has arisen from a pile of steel so far. This was seized 4 u at ElectricGiraffe & Make

posted by Roland at 5/21/2006 03:22:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Iowa Co. Hopes to Make Gasoline Obsolete

posted by steve at 5/20/2006 07:06:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Internet addiction

NEW YORK (Reuters)-- For some, the Internet it has become an addiction, adversely affecting their lives and their family's lives. While not yet defined as a true addiction, many people are suffering the consequences of obsession with the online world, warns Dr. Diane M. Wieland, who treats patients with computer addiction in her practice in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. For some people, the Internet may promote addictive behaviors and pseudo-intimate interpersonal relationships, reports Wieland in the journal, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. "Such cyberspace contacts may result in cyber disorders such as virtual relationships that evolve into online marital infidelity (cybersex) or online sexually compulsive behaviors," she writes. "Obsession with and craving time on the computer results in neglect of real-life personal relationships to the point of divorce," Wieland says. The prevalence of Internet addiction is hard to gauge at the moment, Wieland notes. Extrapolating from prevalence rates of other addictions, she thinks that 5 percent to 10 percent of Internet users will most likely experience addiction. Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction include a general disregard for health and appearance; sleep deprivation due to spending so much time online; and decreased physical activity and social interaction with others. Dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive motion injuries of the hands and fingers are common. Internet addicts may also get the "cyber shakes" when off line, exhibiting agitation and typing motions of the fingers when not at the computer. ...aehh - hi guys - I've to visit my shrink... If you neet to know more please proceed here. This was seized 4 u at CNN

posted by Roland at 5/19/2006 09:06:00 PM | links to this post | 5 comments | Listen to this article

If computers could create a society, what kind of world would they make?

Thanks to the work of an ambitious project that adds a whole new meaning to the phrase, ‘computer society’, in which millions of software agents will potentially evolve their own culture, we could be about to find out. With funding from the European Commission’s Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) initiative of the IST programme, five European research institutes are collaborating on the NEW TIES project to create a thoroughly 21st-century brave new world – one populated by randomly generated software beings, capable of developing their own language and culture. This kind of social interaction is a tantalising prospect for the artificial intelligence (AI) experts, computer scientists, sociologists and linguists working on NEW TIES. The keyword here is ‘social.’ “While individual (or machine) learning and evolutionary behaviour have been quite well studied, social learning is still an unknown quantity,” says project coordinator Gusz Eiben, an AI professor at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. “For the linguists and sociologists, the main motivation is to study existing processes in societies and languages,” Eiben explains. “The computer scientists on the other hand want to develop and study machine collaboration, with an eye on future applications in robotics. Robots in the home are only five to 10 years away, and in the future we might be able to send robot rescue teams to disaster areas to search for survivors. They could even one day travel to Mars. Obviously, it will be important for them to be able to cooperate with each other – especially if they are in a hostile environment.” Future disaster victims rescued by robots may perhaps owe their survival to the software agents currently being prepared for life in the NEW TIES engine – which, within a few months, will be running across a Grid of 60 computers. “No one has ever created an engine of this complexity,” says Eiben, adding that it will support about 1,000 agents at first, building up to millions – each one a unique entity with its own characteristics, including gender, life expectancy, fertility, size, and metabolism. The agents will not be labelled, but will have their own distinguishing characteristics to make them recognisable. Their traits will be inherited from their parents, and passed on to their offspring, but they will be able to learn from their own experiences and from each other. “It’s a given of the NEW TIES project that we are not hardwiring agents,” says Eiben. “We are not programming how they behave. Each entity has its own ‘controller,’ analogous to a brain. And because we want to create an interesting controller, we have to produce a challenging world – otherwise there would be no impetus for development. So, in one scenario, we have created a world with seasons – so that the agents have to learn to find, transport and store food. And there are two rival groups, so they will have to learn to tell friend from foe.” The agents will have the ability to communicate, using a ‘native vocabulary’ of a few simple words like, ‘food’, ‘near’, and ‘agent’. “One interesting question is how they will communicate,” says Eiben. “Naturally, the linguists want to see how they develop a spoken language, but for the AI researchers we will also test to see if there are possible alternatives – telepathy, for example.” Some basic rules will also be given, along the lines of, “if it’s hot, it burns,” but agents are expected to add to the rule set as they discover new ‘laws of nature.’ Currently, NEW TIES is on the brink between development - now pretty much complete - and scientific experiment, which can begin once calibration is completed. “We are ready to start the interaction,” says Eiben, adding that the team hopes to scale up to 5,000 computers, and a vast population of agents, because “then we’ll really see some emergent behaviours.” In the meantime, he points to some intriguing results obtained from other platforms. His own findings have established that aggressive behaviour, surprisingly, increases in agent-worlds as life becomes easier, while an ideal world (‘ideal’ meaning maximum survival) has two main attributes: flexibility and mobility. Eiben cautions against applying the findings from simple computer worlds to reality, yet admits that this ‘shadow world’ effect is the reason why the press have shown so much interest in NEW TIES, and why the project’s ‘it might look like this’ images have been taken as literal representations. Now, in fact, the project is working on a state-of-the-art visualisation for its interface, to make its agents more comprehensible to a public well versed in The Sims and other computer realities. By the time it has run its course in August 2007, NEW TIES will have provided food for thought in several fields, and perhaps taken us a step closer to the days Eiben anticipates, when politicians will be able to run simulations on computers to test scenarios (for new tax laws, for example) before carrying them out in real life. “Simulators now allow us to optimise car engines or train timetables,” says Eiben. “But why shouldn’t they help us optimise social decision-making?” This was seized 4 u at Information Society Technologies

posted by Roland at 5/18/2006 06:42:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Net Monitoring or how big brother is watching you

The equipment that technician Mark Klein learned was installed in the National Security Agency's "secret room" inside AT&T's San Francisco switching office isn't some sinister Big Brother box designed solely to help governments eavesdrop on citizens' internet communications. Rather, it's a powerful commercial network-analysis product with all sorts of valuable uses for network operators. It just happens to be capable of doing things that make it one of the best internet spy tools around. "Anything that comes through (an internet protocol network), we can record," says Steve Bannerman, marketing vice president of Narus, a Mountain View, California, company. "We can reconstruct all of their e-mails along with attachments, see what web pages they clicked on, we can reconstruct their (voice over internet protocol) calls." Narus' product, the Semantic Traffic Analyzer, is a software application that runs on standard IBM or Dell servers using the Linux operating system. Internet companies can install the analyzers at every entrance and exit point of their networks, at their "cores" or centers, or both. The analyzers communicate with centralized "logic servers" running specialized applications. The combination can keep track of, analyze and record nearly every form of internet communication, whether e-mail, instant message, video streams or VOIP phone calls that cross the network. Brasil Telecom and several other Brazilian phone companies are using Narus products to charge each other for VOIP calls they send over one another's IP networks. Internet companies in China and the Middle East use them to block VOIP calls altogether. But even before the product's alleged role in the NSA's operations emerged, its potential as a surveillance tool was not lost on corporate America. In December, VeriSign, also of Mountain View, chose Narus' product as the backbone of its lawful-intercept-outsourcing service, which helps network operators comply with court-authorized surveillance orders from law enforcement agencies. A special Narus lawful-intercept application does this spying with ease, sorting through torrents of IP traffic to pick out specific messages based on a targeted e-mail address, IP address or, in the case of VOIP, phone number. "We needed their fast packet-detection and inspection capability," says VeriSign Vice President Raj Puri. "They do it with specialized software that can isolate packets for a specific target." Narus has little control over how its products are used after they're sold. For example, although its lawful-intercept application has a sophisticated system for making sure the surveillance complies with the terms of a warrant, it's up to the operator whether to type those terms into the system, says Bannerman. That legal eavesdropping application was launched in February 2005, well after whistle-blower Klein allegedly learned that AT&T was installing Narus boxes in secure, NSA-controlled rooms in switching centers around the country. But that doesn't mean the government couldn't write its own code to do the dirty work. Narus even offers software-development kits to customers. "Our product is designed to comply (with) all of the laws in all of the countries we ship to," says Bannerman. "Many of our customers have built their own applications. We have no idea what they do." This was seized 4 u at Wired News

posted by Roland at 5/17/2006 09:57:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

False alarm: AllOfmp3.com is alive and kicking

The extremely popular, quasi-legal AllOfMp3 site went down over the weekend and we got worried. AllOfMp3 has had a lot of server maintanance outages lately but it is evident that the service is really improving. I have observed an improved response time and a lot of minor enhancements to the site. Nevertheless it seems like that AllOfMp3.com still has some work to do, because some of the functionalities still are unstable. Sorry for the false alarm. Stay tuned for further updates. If you are not familiar with the service, visit the site and judge by yourself.

posted by Roland at 5/16/2006 11:20:00 PM | links to this post | 3 comments | Listen to this article

Can't get much exercise? Buy "O2 Supli" (oxygen with the taste of your choice)

Exhausted Japanese workers in need of a pick-me-up will soon be able to get a hit of canned oxygen at their local convenience store. Seven-Eleven Japan will start marketing the new product, "O2 Supli," at select stores in the Tokyo area later this month and expand sales nationwide in June. "People are under a lot of stress and can't get much exercise, so they aren't getting enough oxygen," said Minoru Matsumoto, a spokesman for Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd, Seven-Eleven's parent company. "This is especially true of people who do long hours of desk work in front of a computer. They don't breathe that deeply." The oxygen will be sold for 600 yen ($5.50) in 3.2-liter spray cans of 95 percent pure oxygen, each of which comes with a small plastic mask attached to the top. Users place the mask over their mouth and nose, then push a nozzle, which dispenses the oxygen for two to three seconds. Each can contains enough oxygen for about 35 doses, in either a grapefruit or peppermint fragrance. "The peppermint should be really good for mornings when you're tired, or when you're driving, or when you really have to concentrate," Matsumoto said. "The grapefruit should be good before you do sports or while you're working really late." People involved in product testing gave favorable reports, Matsumoto said, noting that he had tried it himself. "Everyone found it extremely refreshing," he added. This was seized 4 u at Reuters

posted by Roland at 5/16/2006 06:56:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

A new invention: Human cannonballs

Here is a great new patent seized by my favorite popular science magazine: The old circus trick of firing a person from a cannon is being considered by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a way to get special forces, police officers and fire fighters onto the roofs of tall buildings in a hurry. A ramp with side rails would be placed on the ground near the target building at an angle of about 80°. A (very brave) person would then sit in a chair, like a pilot’s ejection seat, attached to the ramp. Compressed air from a cylinder underneath would be rapidly released to shoot the chair up the ramp's guide rails. At the top the chair would come to an instant halt, leaving the person to fly up and over the edge of the roof, to hopefully land safely on top of the building. Of course, the trick is to get the trajectory just right. But the DARPA patent suggests a computer could automatically devise the correct angle and speed of ascent. It also claims that a 4-metre-tall launcher could put a man on the top of a 5 storey building in less than 2 seconds. I think I'll take the stairs. Read the full patent here. This was seized 4 u at New Scientist

posted by Roland at 5/15/2006 09:33:00 PM | links to this post | 1 comments | Listen to this article

Skype calls free to the US & Canada for US and Canada based customers only

Skype, today announced that all US and Canadian-based Skype customers can now make free SkypeOut™ calls to traditional landline and mobile phones in the US and Canada. Previously, Skype users in both countries were required to pay for Skype calls from their PCs to traditional telephones. Free SkypeOut calls to the US or Canada will be available to US and Canadian-based Skype users until the end of the year. Skype has now removed any cost barrier for its American and Canadian customers to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates. Skype anticipates that completely free calling in the US and Canada will expand Skype’s increasing penetration in North America and solidify Skype’s position as the Internet’s voice communication tool of choice. More people will now have the chance to benefit from Skype’s premium services and online calling capabilities. If you want more countries you can call for free, you can call the following countries landline phone for free regardless from where you call by using the competing provider VoipBuster: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela. Conclusion: If you want to make high quality zero cost calls outsite the US use VoipBuster, if you live in the US or Canada calling to the US will be free only via Skype (for the time being;-)).

posted by Roland at 5/15/2006 06:59:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

AllofMP3 Down - For Good?

The extremely popular, quasi-legal AllofMP3 site went down over the weekend and is not yet back up. The site currently says “We are sorry but the server is closed for maintainance.”We’ve written about AllofMP3 a number of times, including a review as part of a general review of downloadable music. AllofMP3 offers DRM -free downloadable music in a variety of different formats and quality levels, for $0.02 per MB, far below what legitimate music services charge.The site has evolved from being a little known cult favororite service to a powerful force in music sales. In April 2006 it was second only to iTunes in U.K. online music sales. Pressure on Moscow to close the site has been intense and is increasing. In recent comments, Russian President Putin stated that they would do more to fight copyright infringement in order to gain admission to the WTO. I am a fan of AllOfMP3 because it puts pressure on labels to strip out DRM and keep online prices low. It’s disruptive to a broken business model. I hope it comes back online. In the meantime check out the number two music service from russia (lacking some of the ease of allofmp3): Most of this was seized 4 u atTechCrunch

posted by Roland at 5/15/2006 04:55:00 PM | links to this post | 1 comments | Listen to this article

The Bean and us

Here some new pics of "The Bean", Anish Kapoor's artwork in Chicago's Millennium Park, staring Steve and Robin. The lines are gone and if you want to count the number of times we are reflected, please don't, because you will end up in an infinite series of mirror images causing confusion and headache. Thanks to Steve for his kind hospitality. It is a great city to live in! Read more about Cloud Gate on the Millenium Park homepage. This was seized 4 u by Robin

posted by Robin Engelhardt at 5/14/2006 02:01:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Zookoda - subscribe to the Reseize newsletter

Regular readers will notice that the Reseize email subscription submission form at the right hand menu has changed. This is because Reseize is testing a new email newsletter service called Zookoda which is designed specifically for bloggers wanting to offer their readers a way to subscribe to their blog via email. We have just swapped from Feedblitz to Zookoda and it is too early to give a definate comment on how the service works but the first impressions are quite positive. Zookoda is an Australian company that offers a range of email notification services, primarily email newsletters and "recurring broadcasts". The Zookoda team describes it as "web-based email marketing application designed specifically for bloggers". The best thing about this service is its powerful set of functionality, together with its flexibility and the fact that it is a free service without annoying advertisements. If you’re not already subscribed to the Reseize newsletter you can do so by simply adding your email address. If you’re a subscriber we would love to hear your feedback on the new format. Keep in mind it’s a beta test - but any suggestions you have as a subscriber will be appreciated.

posted by Roland at 5/12/2006 04:05:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

Insurerance policy for World Cup "sick days"

A Dutch insurer is offering employers in the country the chance to insure themselves against the sudden rise in staff sick days expected during next month's soccer World Cup. Tens of thousands of Dutch workers phoned in ill during the European Championships in Portugal in 2004, with sickness levels rising 20 percent on days when the Dutch national side played. "We are expecting a lot of claims," said Dennis Massaar of insurer SEZ. Under Dutch law, companies must pay employees who are too ill to report to work. They can insure themselves against this, but most policies apply only to absences longer than two weeks. SEZ said it would waive the usual two-week time limit and pay out for any employees absent on the day of a Netherlands match or the day after, regardless of the excuse given. "Obviously nobody will phone in and say they're ill because they want to watch the match or because they drank too much." This was seized 4 u at Reuters

posted by Roland at 5/11/2006 03:47:00 PM | links to this post | 0 comments | Listen to this article

How life is entering earth (interstellar organic materials in meteorites)

Once again, meteorites are turning out to be scientific treasure chests. Primitive meteorites do not only contain stellar dust that formed at high temperatures- they also contain traces of pristine organic substances, often in their original state, or sometimes just slightly altered. They built up at low temperatures in the interstellar gas and dust cloud that formed our solar system billions of years ago. These are the results of a study by researchers at the Carnegie Institute in Washington, Harvard University in Cambridge, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany. Some of these interplanetary dust particles seem to come from comets. They contain comparatively large amounts of stellar dust and organic material of interstellar origin. That material could be an important source of prebiotic molecules, building blocks for life on earth. We can also find presolar material in primitive meteorites, which originate from the asteroid belt. However, in the case of meteorites, it seemed until now that pristine organic material was not preserved as it was in interplanetary dust particles. Rather, the parent bodies and the original solar nebula went through thermal change, and we have lost information about the carriers of the pristine organic material.