Yesterday I wrote that ISP's in the Netherlands are thinking about blocking website which are known to contain child pornography. In that post, I also asked myself; "What's next??".....
Well, it isn't going to be the blocking of gay sites, or satanism.. No, it's gonna be
AllofMP3.com (according to
nu.nl). Well, if the dutch RIAA (
Brein) gets what they want :-( .
A study by the University of Rochester shows that playing action games on the computer improves the eyesight.... Better start gaming again then :-)
Some large ISP's here in the Netherlands will block about 3000 websites, which are known to host child pornography. Several other ISP's are thinking to follow. Even my own ISP XS4ALL is looking into it. There's nothing wrong with blocking access to these websites, because in my opinion you may shoot them onsite, and hang them by their balls who trades or deals child pornography. On the Internet, or in real life.
The question is; Is blocking content it a good idea? I have my doubts;
- Who decides if a website is really hosting child pornography. Most of these websites deal with it behind close doors. You have to get in to get access. Which organization is maintaining the list, AND who verifies the list. It won't be the first time that websites get banned for all the wrong reasons.
- What's next to be blocked? Websites about abortion? gay people? satanism?
Let's face it, more and more stuff is being controlled, and/or censored around the world. What will become of our freedom of speech, and privacy. Where will it end?
- Die-hard sicko's know about the dangers of searching for their 'fix'. These 'people' won't use the normal routes to get their stuff. Anonymous proxies (like the TOR network), and alternative networks like Freenet will become more popular.
B.t.w. If you're a customer of one of the ISP's, you have the opportunity to object/complain against blocking these websites. Don't think that that will happen a lot though :-) .
Blu-ray HD is falling behind on HD-DVD. Why? Well, it seems that Sony (the 'owner' of Blu-ray HD technology)
doesn't allow porn on Blu-ray discs.
The first porn titles are being released on HD-DVD, and we all know what that means.... (remember VHS versus the superior Video2000 or Betamax), and as a matter of fact, the Internet got its boost from the online porn business.
Byebye Blu-ray, and hello HD-DVD
The highly anticipated MacWorld 2007 starts tomorrow with Steve Jobs' keynote (18:00 hours CET). During this keynote, Steve will discuss the last years highlights, but will also introduce, or comment on the new hardware, and software which will be release this year.
The following items are rumoured to be announced/introduced:
- iPhone (phone, PDA, music player hybrid)
- iTV (a sneak preview was provided in 2006)
- Dual Quadcore Mac Pro's (8 cores instead of the current 4 cores)
- New Apple Cinema Displays (larger, and improved with the Apple iSight)
- More info on the new features in OSX Leopard
Anyway, I'll be scouting the Internet tomorrow for 'live' coverage of the keynote. Hopefully a decent video stream will be available for those who can't attend the keynote.
So, if I'm not responding to phone calls, e-mail, or on IM......
Good news for the air-traveller, who owns an iPod. Apple is planning a cooperation with several Airliners to integrate iPod support in the seats on the planes
Apple Teams Up With Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM & United to Deliver iPod Integration
Even though that the Dutch airliner KLM denies it at this moment, it definitely adds up to earlier news that KLM would invest millions of euros on improving the interior of their planes.
UPDATE: The denial from KLM seems to hold. Apple acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding. iPod integration is scheduled for Continental, Delta, and Emirates though.
I can't stop wondering (for about 6 years now), how the hell the Republicans won the President elections. G.W. Bush itself has an
IQ of a walnut;
".... The non-partisan researchers who evaluated the twelve presidents determined that the six Republican presidents for the past 50 years had an average IQ of 115.5, with President Nixon having the highest IQ, at 155. President G. W. Bush was rated the lowest of all the Republicans with an IQ of 91. ......"
So he couldn't have won on his own. He needed lots, and lots of intelligent people to get him into office.
But who are those people? .... not your
average Republican senator I hope
.
Even I wouldn't go around violating speedlimits when we get the 'Denmark' sign here in Holland.....
Speed Bandits
Slighty
NSFW
via vkmag.com
Earlier,
Google announced that it had bought
YouTube (the site where you can upload your personal videos, and stuff). The amount of money paid was around 1.6 BILLION dollars.... (in Google shares).
Since YouTube was founded in February 2005, that makes way over 2 million dollars a day... There are days that I don't make that kind of money :(
/me calls his manager for a raise.....
