Home / arstechnica.com rss archive / September-24-2007


Desktop deliverance: an overview of GNOME 2.20
The latest release of the open-source GNOME desktop environment includes a visual style refresh, several useful new features, and some architectural enhancements. Join us on a unique tour of the improvements to Deskbar, EOG, Tomboy, Glade, GTK 2.12 and more.Read More...

OLPC "Give 1 Get 1" initiative a sign of trouble for the project
In the midst of setbacks, price increases, and slow sales, the One Laptop Per Child project's "Give 1 Get 1" initiative hopes to raise money and get XO shipments up to scale.Read More...

Dark Australian patent cloud looms over 802.11n spec
The 802.11n specification may face a significant threat from apparently essential patents held by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO. Read More...

State bureaucrats trained to lobby for REAL ID
Equipment vendors are sponsoring a conference this week in DC that includes a panel encouraging state DMVs to help "smooth legislative changes" in support of REAL ID.Read More...

EU think tank calls for forced end to "Windows Tax"
A report by a European think tank suggests that the only way to weaken Microsoft is to forcibly unbundle Windows from desktop computers. Although trying to promote competition, the report actually imagines a world that could harm computing in general.Read More...

Apple: firmware update likely to make unlocked iPhones "permanently inoperable"
Apple issued a statement today confirming our report last week that users who have unlocked their iPhones will experience "irreparable damage to the iPhone's software" once a firmware update is released later this week. The company strongly discourages users from unlocking their iPhones and warns that it will void their warranties.Read More...

Virgin Digital can't reach escape velocity, to be grounded permanently
The UK-based Virgin Group has decided to close its doors on Virgin Digital, its online music store. Current users will have until the end of this week to use up song credits, and subscribers have under a month before being cut off. Read More...

Google testing "My World" for launch later this year
Google has been rumored in the past to be dipping its toes into creating a virtual world, but a questionnaire sent out to Arizona State University students raises questions about what, exactly, Google is planning for "My World."Read More...

German eDonkey servers stop braying after music biz wins injunctions
Seven of the largest eDonkey server operators in Germany were shut down after the music industry convinced a judge to issue injunctions against them, and other actions have already affected France and the Netherlands.Read More...

CCTV surveillance called ineffective, debate gets more data
A UK political party has released data showing that the number of CCTV cameras in a London borough has no real effect on the percentage of crimes solved.Read More...

Victorious RIAA defendant gets attorneys' fees, turns to class-action plans
A disabled single mother living in Oregon was awarded attorneys' fees for her long fight against a copyright infringement lawsuit. She is currently seeking class-action status for her malicious prosecution lawsuit against the record labels.Read More...