Science and Technology

The results of a new survey on e-government reflect a common sense understanding of the Internet in general: the convenience is great, but there is concern about privacy and security issues: The report said that 49 percent of its general American population survey believe it is appropriate for the government …

On the Penguinal Ebullience blog, a fascinating transcript of the DMCA exemption hearings from Friday: The first of several hearings for exemptions under section 1201 of the DMCA took place at the Library of Congress today. Fortunate enough to have a cool boss, I was able to attend ‘on detail’. …

We had a couple of reports yesterday about a possible Apple bid for Universal Music: GERALDINE FABRIKANT with LAURA M. HOLSON see the glass as half empty: Apple, the iconoclastic computer maker, has discussed an investment in Universal Music, the world’s largest recording company, people close to the discussions said …

Our pal Shannon Campbell will soon be our next artist on Blogcritics Radio – boy, is she busy: Don’t forget: Tori Amos Tribute 2003, Saturday April 12 at the Temple Ball Gallery in Carrboro, NC. Doors at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. There are no …

Montana Republican Sen. Conrad Burns and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden introduce bill that would require Internet marketers to provide legitimate return addresses with their crap: “This bill will help to keep legitimate Internet traffic and e-commerce flowing by going after those unscrupulous individuals who use e-mail in annoying and …

Rupert buys largest satellite television provider: leverage ensues: Murdoch’s News Corp. agreed to acquire control of Hughes Electronics Corp., DirecTV’s parent, in a $6.6 billion cash and stock deal announced Wednesday. Murdoch would transfer control of DirecTV to his Fox Entertainment Group subsidiary, which includes the Fox News Channel. ….DirecTV’s …

Interesting look in NY Times at the growth of entertainment and communication services: it is not the cost of the machines that has most altered household budgets. Instead, all that cheap computing power embedded in scores of new gadgets and married to communications networks has resulted in a growing number …

It doesn’t get much more surreal than this deranged buttplug waving his arms and flapping his lips about Iraqi invincibility even as reality closed around his bubble of smug fantasy. Who? Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Minister of Information (currently on administrative leave), of course. This site is dedicated to him. …

The rescue of captured American Pfc. Jessica Lynch seemed a real and psychological turning point in the war: the unambiguously good news of the rescue itself, but also the reassuring, stirring good will and bravery of Iraqi lawyer “Mohammed,” who risked his own life to aid an American. This at …

Where is the noblesse oblige among my Pro-Military Action compatriots? Why all the gloating?