Defense Rests in ElcomSoft Trial

The defense rested its case Tuesday in the trial of ElcomSoft, a Russian firm accused by U.S. federal authorities of illegally selling a program that disabled security settings on Adobe eBook documents.

Jurors are scheduled to begin deliberations Thursday, following closing statements by prosecuting and defense attorneys in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California.


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Raided Firm's Software Checks Out

Software designed by Ptech, a Massachusetts technology firm U.S. federal agents suspect might be linked to terrorist groups, does not appear to threaten national security.

Federal agents raided the company's Quincy offices early Friday morning. Officials are investigating allegations that investors in the company also finance terrorist organizations.

News of the raid sparked concerns that Ptech's software could have been engineered to allow attackers access to classified national-security data. The Army and Air Force, Congress, the White House, the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI use the company's knowledge-management software.

Initial reports indicate that Ptech's software was not engineered to allow attackers easy access to government databases.

But security experts warned that while Ptech products might be safe, the raids highlight the need to secure systems from internal as well as external threats.

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Novel fridge cools with sound

Some of the coolest sounds in the world are coming out of a laboratory in Pennsylvania.
At the lab, two US researchers are working on ways to use sound to chill food.

They have produced a sonic fridge that converts very loud sounds to directly cool a fridge containing ice cream.


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FatWallet.com fights back in WalMart DMCA action

FatWallet, the bargain hunters' site that was forced to take down sale prices after several retailers claimed their publication was an infringement of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), has struck back, contesting the retailers' "frivolous copyright assertion" and demanding damages.

According to Megan Gray, acting for FatWallet, the retailers are well aware that "simple sales prices are not protected by copyright. Copyright only covers the expression of ideas, not facts." Deirdre Mulligan of the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic of Boalt Hall School of Law commented: "This is an example of corporations using allegations of copyright infringement to silence speech."


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Mac Loyalists: Don't Tread on Us

There are 25 million people around the world who use Macintosh computers, according to Apple. But unlike ordinary personal computers, people don't simply use Macs, they become fans. They develop a passion for the machines, which can sometimes turn into an obsession.

"Apple is like a strange drug that you just can't quite get enough of," the musician Barry Adamson told the Guardian newspaper. "They shouldn't call it Mac. They should call it crack!"

Mac loyalty is so well-known, it's a cliché. Mac users are routinely referred to as Apple's faithful, Mac zealots, members of the cult of Mac, Appleholics, Macheads, Maccies, Macolytes and Mac addicts. The biannual Macworld conference is often compared to a religious revival meeting, where Steve Jobs is worshipped like a rock star, or a charismatic cult leader.

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TEN STORIES TALL AND ARMED TO THE TEETH!

In the near future, military unrest runs rampant and you've just been promoted to chief pilot! Your weapon? The state-of-the-art, tactical battle-mech known as the Vertical Tank (VT). It's the most evolved, hi-powered form of military weapon ever created. To succeed, you will master the integrated control interface in the most realistic battle-mec simulator ever created for the home. Steel Battalion includes a 40+ button, cockpit simulator to pilot your VT into battle and on to victory. Designed specifically for the power of the X-Box, Steel Battalion propels you into the world of hi-tech robot battles in the middle of a massive military coup. The success of every mission lies in your hands.


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Napster's Assets Go for a Song (Chuckle)

Napster will rise again -- sort of -- thanks to a software company that makes CD- and DVD-burning software. The company, Roxio, faces the long odds of transforming the network into a secure, legal service.

Roxio purchased the company's intellectual property for $5 million on Wednesday, rescuing it from bankruptcy court, where it had languished since June. Roxio's plan is to create a subscription music service that can be combined with its software.

Roxio has received ... all of Napster's intellectual property including but not limited to the name, trademarks, domain name and their extensive technology portfolio," the company said in a release. But Roxio won't take on any debt stemming from previous lawsuits against Napster.

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First Look: Philips JackRabbit32

Now that Firewire and USB 2.0 are frequently found on computers, external CD burners work almost as well as their internal brethren. Philips has found a way to improve on the external CD burner, with the JackRabbit32. This external drive lets you burn CDs, watch DVDs, and much more.

When connected to your computer, the JackRabbit32 can act as either a CD Burner or a DVD Player. In the former, you can burn CD-Rs at 32x and CD-RWs at 10x, or read at 40x. Any software you might need is provided, including Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 (or Toast 5 for Mac OS X) and PowerDVD

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Cops Bust Massive ID Theft Ring

Federal prosecutors have arrested three men involved in what officials are calling the largest identity fraud case in American history.

In a press conference on Monday, law enforcement officials described the inner workings of the scam, which they said ran for two years and resulted in thousands of people across the country collectively losing millions of dollars as their bank accounts were drained and credit cards maxed out with bogus charges.
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You Better Shop Around -- Not!

In Canada, they'll be dressed as a "blind consumer sheep." In Japan, Zen-ta Claus will lead a group meditation. And in London, there'll be tables where someone will cut up your credit card.

On Friday -- the day after American Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year -- and throughout the weekend, thousands of anti-consumerism activists worldwide will take to the malls to persuade shoppers not to shop.
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