Archive for the ‘Tech Politics’ Category
Let me be the first to say that the state of Oregon kicks most pretty much every other 49 states butts. Now, it isn’t because I live here (well, kinda) but it probably has to do with the amazingness that comes from here and the rest of the Northwest. With the upcoming election to replace U.S. Rep. David Wu, who had to resign after a spicy sex scandal, voters will find it much easier this time around to cast their ballots. Oregon previously made it easier to vote being the first state to allow ‘vote by mail,’ but with the rise in technology, why not make it even easier.
The disabled in 5 counties around Oregon will try their hands at using iPads to cast their votes. By just pulling up the ballot and tapping the screen to pick the candidate they want, they’ll be able to easily cast their votes. Connected to portable printers, they then can print the completed ballot and stuff it in an envelope to sign, drop in an official ballot box, mail off or take with them. Since we all know how amazing the iPad really is, those with poor vision will be able to adjust the font size, or even have the iPad read them the candidates’ names.
Apple Inc., which makes the iPad, has donated five of the devices for the experiment, and the state spent about $75,000 to develop the software. Oregon would need at least 72 iPads, two per county, to bring the program statewide, Trout said.
If this pilot project is successful, the state would look at purchasing at least 72 iPads (two per county) to bring the program state wide. Oregon has spend over $300,000 to create and maintain accessible voting tools, so dishing out $36,000 on iPads for the State, and licensing the software, we could already save 10′s of thousands moving to the all digital iPad solution. State election officials believe that Oregon is the first state to use iPads to mark ballots.
For now, this remains for the disabled, but if it ever moves into the hands of us normal voters, I’ll be there first to bring you a hands on 
- September 20, 2011 2:09 pm
How would you feel if your internet usage habits were governed by an initiative led by China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan? Yeah, positive words aren’t exactly floating to the top of our minds either. Nonetheless, it could become a possibility if a new proposal by the aforementioned countries submitted to the UN gets ratified. The gist of the proposal:
“curbing the dissemination of information that incites terrorism, secession-ism, or extremism, or that undermines other countries’ political, economic, and social stability, as well as their spiritual and cultural environment.”
Not overly broad at all…. /sarcasm.
It’s worth noting the proposal and its requirements would be voluntary for each and every country which makes any form of governing of actual laws seem a lot less reliable.
But before your nerves get too paranoid, don’t forget that such a decision would require a mountain of negotiations (and concessions) before anything remotely close to a “global internet law” could become official. Not to mention there are some countries that will just never get a long.
When will governments realize the internet cannot be and never will be (hopefully) governed by any one power?
Full proposal can be found here (PDF)
If you live in California, frequently commute via bike, and resort to yakin’ or texting it up as you move along be warned. California is coming for you — your phone specifically. Apparently the texting/phone ban while driving is doing so well, the state of California wants to pass along the law (and fines) to bicyclists. The first offense will cost you $20 with each subsequent offense dinging your bank account another $50.
Considering the traffic that major California cities can have, we don’t see how you could (or would want) to talk on a phone while navigating traffic and people during rush hour. But if there’s a will there’s a way we guess…
If you had any doubts about RIM’s handling of the Middle East/security situation that has been ongoing the last few months, a recent interview between RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis and BBC isn’t going to do much to stem your worries. While the interview itself is much longer than the short ~ minute long clip, it does give us a good look at a legitimate, ongoing issue despite claims from Lazaridis and RIM stating otherwise.
During the clip, the BBC journalist conducting the interview, Rory Cellan-Jones, inquires about the India-BlackBerry “back door” that captivated tech geeks and technology media for many weeks. Lazaridis responds by saying “that’s not a fair question” (?) before going on a mini-rant about how awesome BlackBerry is. Regardless of where your loyalty lies, it’s clear that RIM finds the India topic (and security scares overall) as a major sore point.
Be sure to check out the video over at BBC and let us know your thoughts…
- November 11, 2010 6:19 am
Remember those lucky Google employees we talked about a couple days back, regarding the company-wide pay raises and holiday bonuses? Well, Google is still planning on doling out the promised cash. The engineer who leaked the email from Eric Schmidt himself, isn’t so lucky. Apparently, this was a “confidential” confidential email. According to CNN’s David Goldman, a few hours after the Google pay raise/bonus story went viral, Google execs sent out a follow-up email stating that they had already identified and fired the source of the leak.
While I understand the email specifically stated “confidential”, as All Thing D’s Peter Kafka points out, the news was fare better than the typical corporate-based layoff-laden news that has filled the airwaves the last few months. So in that light, it’s slightly surprising that Google canned the guy over something that doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Though, as you can imagine, if the source was willing to leak the good news, I’m sure the bad wouldn’t be too far behind if/when it developed.
The real irony however, is that Google is a company who loves consumer data. And time and time again they have brushed off consumers’ fears concerning their privacy (or lack thereof). But now that the privacy/confidentiality issue is focused back on them, they’re not so kosher and nonchalant about it.
Foxconn has been in the news quite a bit this past year, though not in the way that I’m sure the executives would like. First it was for poor working conditions. Then it was for mass suicides occurring on a daily basis attributed to the poor living/working conditions. And now some more less than stellar news for the consumer electronic manufacturering giant. Truth be told, it’s not really another “bad” story per say. Just a handful of pictures from a recent Wired/Gizmodo project showing the rather bleak living arrangements in this factory that honestly looks like it hasn’t seen much TLC in years.
Supposedly, Foxconn recently outsourced their building upkeep and maintenance to a third party to avoid conflicts of interest lawsuits. While we’re on the topic of the building itself, you’ll see from the images inside that the interior decor is completely void of any “homey” feeling. Stark, dirty walls, a lone TV (they have one per floor) in the TV room, and rooms that look more like jail cells spell out a life that lacks any type of creature comforts.
If you’re interested to see what working minimum wage in your typical overcrowded Chinese factory is like, hop on through. It’s actually quite eye opening…
- October 26, 2010 10:14 pm
Back in my younger years, Limewire was my Napster. For by the time I was old enough to understand how it all worked, Napster had already walked the walk. Well, Limewire put up a much longer fight, but they too are succumbing to the same organizations as Napster — the recording industry — in response to a court ruling late last year.
Limewire:
While this is not our ideal path, we hope to work with the music industry in moving forward. We look forward to embracing necessary changes and collaborating with the entire music industry in the future.
I doubt the people behind Limewire are “looking forward to working with the recording industry”. Because they know just as much as you and I that once Limewire flips the switch on download/upload/searches, their traffic is going to tank. The final blow to Limewire will take place after the recording industry relaunches a few months to years down the road with some copycat, no-one-is-going-to-remember music store front with crappy prices and poor selection. Aw well. It was great while it lasted. Then again, Limewire and similar services are for kids. Torrents are where the adults play, right?
On the flipside, Limewire’s parent company, “Lime Group” has stated that they have a new music service in the works, and that we can expect to see it within the next month. Optimistic? Limewire CEO official statement after the jump…
I was reading a couple of stories over the weekend — mainly on Consumerist and TechDirt — and came to the realization that as consumers, we’re destined to be screwed by big companies. This fact was perfectly highlighted by one Consumerist commenter, obits3.
In reply to T-Mobile’s new “Unlimited” plan that’s soft capped at 5GB and killing of tethering — You should never have to pay twice to use your data! — obits3 stated the following:
You forget that it is only wrong when customers lie to companies (tethering).
Companies lying to customers (saying unlimited and then limiting data/speeds) is just good marketing.
And you know what? Obits3 is right. How many times do we see individual consumers lambasted either by the company they’re “violating” or general power trip internet users who feel it’s their duty to “protect”? At the same time, how often do we actually see the same companies getting their fair share of consumer outrage? Outside of a few tech blogs and website comment systems — none.
Those same companies will lobby government for stronger anti-consumer policies and sue end users who violate such things until their heart’s content. And yet if a consumer(s) tries that approach, they usually end up loosing, a paltry settlement, or worst of all, the company doesn’t get so much as a slap on the wrist.
Happy Monday.
There isn’t anything more eye opening and humorous than watching an out of touch, technologically incompetent organization try to justify their bassakwards beliefs and rules. Today’s fine example comes from the Boy Scouts of America. While everything for the nature-loving type is all well and swell, when it comes to electronics as a whole, they’re about as retarded as it gets.
Exhibit A: In a recent publication of “Scouting Magazine”, (the official magazine of the Boy Scouts), the braniacs behind the article recommend parents not play burnt discs (legal or not) because it could confuse children and comes out and calls innovative bands like Radiohead “a problem”.
Clearly, this is an organization that knows what they’re talking about… –>
