The American Library Association has released an updated version of Libraries and the Internet Toolkit:
The American Library Association (ALA) has produced this “toolkit” to assist librarians in managing the Internet and educating their public about how to use it effectively.
As Seth says: Worth skimming if you’re interested in the topic
But not until after 9/11.
Read Jesse’s piece Misplaced Priorities: Why We’re Not As Safe As We Could Be.
Via Matt at Not Geniuses.
I don’t condone stealing other folks property even if it is overpriced shoddy music.
However, I applaud the US Court of Appeals of DC’s decision in RIAA v Verizon:
The recording industry’s effort to curtail online piracy was dealt a significant blow today when a federal appeals court ruled that Internet service providers cannot be compelled to disclose the identities of customers suspected of illegally sharing copyrighted songs.
Well, they really can be compelled but it must now be with full due process:
Using the DMCA subpoenas, the RIAA was able to obtain the names of suspected file sharers from ISPs without filing lawsuit and without getting a judge’s approval. Without that subpoena power, the RIAA would have to file suit against unnamed file-swappers in order to obtain their identities.
The complete opinion is here (PDF) and provides some entertaining reading as the court hammers the RIAA. On the other hand, the court did not address constitutional issues raised by Verizon thus leaving the door open for congress to mess things up again.
NASA released the first images from the Spitzer Space Telescope today:
Launched in August 2003 as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), Spitzer was renamed in honor of Dr. Lyman Spitzer, Jr, the first to propose placing telescopes in space.
I like this one the best of this first batch (caution: 1.3 Megabyte image).
Update: Jay Manifold, A Voyage to Arcturus, has a writeup on the Spitzer Space Telescope here.
