October 07, 2005, 2:20 PM PDT
Psst! Wanna swap a file?
Posted by: Molly Wood

The New York Times has a story about darknets, exclusive P2P networks where membership is limited to a small, trusted circle. When you make file sharing a crime, only criminals will share files. And they won't let you in their little clubs.

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October 07, 2005, 2:17 PM PDT
Google world domination watch
Posted by: Molly Wood

Add a newsreader to the growing list of tendrils Google is sending out into the world. When Google owns the entire Earth, will the newsreader be necessary? We'll just have to wait and see.

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October 07, 2005, 2:14 PM PDT
RIAA finds one it missed
Posted by: Molly Wood

Realizing it had overlooked a gross violation of music rights, the RIAA is now going after satellite radio. New devices from XM and Sirius have the capability to record the radio transmissions. However it wasn't until they added MP3 capability to the radios that the RIAA got involved. I think the RIAA folks just hear the word MP3 and go nuts these days.

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October 07, 2005, 11:15 AM PDT
The $44,000 MP3 player
Posted by: James Kim

London-based Douglas.J Music Group just launched the world's most expensive MP3 player, the Presidential. The Web site states: "Become part of the most exclusive club on this Earth... Entry fee: 25,000 pounds." And we thought Jens of Sweden's 24K-gold MP-400 was too hot to handle at $1,200.

The minimal Presidential MP3 player (endorsed by singer Xavier Aeon) is available in yellow or white gold, and the buyer can choose from a wide variety of diamond configurations; you can even cover the entire face with big fat diamonds. We couldn't find out how many songs it held, but when we clicked on the Specifications link, it took us to a page that charges 50 quid for a Gold Card, which you need just to take a closer look. In fact, the entire Web site is stylized and "exclusive" yet infinitely odd. I mean, what the heck is Class of 85?

We later discovered that the device and the lower-cost version, called the D.J.X.2, features 1GB of storage, an OLED, and USB 2.0, and it will measure about 2.2 by 1.5 by 0.3 inches. The Presidential will be hand-delivered to the owner anywhere in the world. And, yes, I've requested a review sample.

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October 07, 2005, 7:05 AM PDT
Microsoft security moves
Posted by: Dorian Benkoil

A few things from Microsoft are worth paying attention to if your business uses the company's products. (Is there a company today that is completely divorced from Microsoft products? Really? Say "browser" to your colleagues, coworkers, employees, boss. Then say "Internet Explorer." Which gets the look of recognition?)

Here, we learn that "Microsoft on Tuesday plans to release eight security alerts for flaws in the Windows operating system. At least one of the alerts is deemed 'critical.' " Microsoft didn't say if the flaws are with IE, but researchers have pointed out flaws that could let someone commandeer a PC, the story says.

Another story brings news of new Microsoft moves to get into the security protection market. The software giant plans, by year's end, to release an initial test version of a new product to protect business desktops, laptops, and file servers against malicious code attacks. The new Microsoft Client Protection product will guard against threats such as spyware, viruses, and rootkits, the story says. Microsoft also announced a new security alliance and said it plans antivirus software for its e-mail servers.

Both stories are on News.com. Here's one more that explains some of what Microsoft intends by getting into this market.

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