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News

Security & Freedom of Speech

I had a passing interest over the past few weeks about the MIT students who were planning to present their research in to the flaws associated with the Boston “T”‘s transit card that make it possible for someone to “hack” the system. It was disappointing to see the response of the transit authority, filing a lawsuit to try to block release of the information, as opposed to actively working to eliminate the flaws in the system. This is especially disappointing in light of the fact that the transit authority had advanced notice of the vulnerabilities in the system and of the presentation and waited until the last minute to sue to block the release.

Bruce Schneier, commenting in Wired, argues that “Full Disclosure” is the only real motivation for companies and groups to fix their vulnerabilities as opposed to trying to force secrecy on all those who discover them. As an avid techie, I fully believe that it is only full disclosure that makes software and security systems stronger. The only incentive companies have is the fear of losing customers and the liability that might exist should it be clear that the company knew that the vulnerability existed but instead decided to ignore it. Full disclosure makes it clear to everyone that the vulnerability exists, preventing the responsible party from hiding or shirking their duty to plug the hole. His historical write-up makes it clear that only fully disclosing the vulnerability spurs action; otherwise denials and complaints about potential losses abound.

And as Bruce notes, “[t]he Dutch court got it exactly right when it wrote: ‘Damage to NXP is not the result of the publication of the article but of the production and sale of a chip that appears to have shortcomings.'”

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News

Being “Watched”

Good news if you’re on the T(housands) S(tanding) A(round) watch list – an appeals court ruled recently that you, in fact, can sue to have your name removed from the list.

The issue was decided entirely on procedural grounds, though, from the reading of this passage in the article:

Kozinski, joined by James Otero, found instead that the TSA’s no-fly and selectee lists were compiled and maintained by another agency — the Terrorist Screening Center — that wasn’t protected, so the challenge can proceed. Judge Randy Smith dissented, saying Congress clearly wanted to protect the TSA from such suits.

I imagine there will either be some quick administrative consolidation or another law passed to rectify this loophole, since, as the TSA points out, “court reviews would destroy the watch lists and lead to another hijacking like 9/11“.

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News

You Never Know

Wired writes about how to hotwire your car. Because, hey, you never know.

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News

Good Advice for GMail Users

My fellow GMail users should take a few minutes to read the article below.

Why You Should GMail’s SSL Feature On Now

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News Uncategorized

Caution: Difficult Material

We hear about them every day. Terrorist attacks, bombings, suicide attacks, etc. But while the description is usually scientifically horrific, what does it actually look like? What is it like to be there in the moment?

An embed photojournalist found himself caught up in a suicide bombing in Iraq on June 26th, where he was able to photograph the experience first-hand. He has posted some of his photos on his blog, giving you the opportunity (should you wish to take it) to view the aftermath through him. Caution: The photos are graphic, something you do not normally see on US TV.

Story courtesy of NPR’s On the Media.

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News Rutgers

Rutgers News Roundup

Rutgers is hitting the bigtime, with more success on the recruiting trail and more scrutiny over the athletic department. Although most of the negative articles seem to be reporters chasing a story more than a story waiting for reporters, it’s still news. And with that, here are a few worthwhile links I’ve read over the past few weeks.

Just a few of the key stories that have been written about in the lead up to the start of the next season. For which, I am happy to say, I can’t wait.

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News Work

Merck Adds Solar Panels; Can’t Give Guidance

In the Merck news category, the overall news is less than stellar these days. On the one hand, there’s some news about Whitehouse Station that should be interesting – we’re adding an array of solar panels in some of the open field area later this year. On the downside, earnings guidance wasn’t provided and clinical trial news continues to be negative overall.

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News

Life Imitating Art

Having traveled the world, the evolution of English has been a fascinating phenomenon to witness first hand.

Thanks to globalization, the Allied victories in World War II, and American leadership in science and technology, English has become so successful across the world that it’s escaping the boundaries of what we think it should be. In part, this is because there are fewer of us: By 2020, native speakers will make up only 15 percent of the estimated 2 billion people who will be using or learning the language. Already, most conversations in English are between nonnative speakers who use it as a lingua franca.

It’s true. I think back, for instance, to all the fantasy stories I read in the early 90s where there existed a kind of “common” language that enabled various groups to communicate with each other, when they had no other languages in common. It’s fascinating to see how English is taking on that role on a global scale. Of course, the ultimate evolution of English is represented in Firefly.

Of course, this must drive the persctipvies nuts.

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News

Save Duke Gardens

I received this e-mail on Tuesday.

Hello,

I’m sending you this email because you are one of over 200 New Jersey residents who contacted Governor Corzine via SaveDukeGardens.org in the last 2 weeks.(An additional 160 out-of-state residents also mailed!). Governor Corzine’s staff has access to that email account and a Community Relations staffer is working on the matter.

You may not know that the Display Gardens are still intact – their new owner the Duke Farms Foundation is holding a company picnic there this weekend (!), then the gutting will begin.

So many of you bitterly oppose this closure, and we are constantly trying ways to get your voices heard. Nonetheless, the media has provided little awareness of the destruction of these Historic Public Gardens. Here’s the latest way to try and bring pressure:

A Public Meeting at Duke Farms on Saturday June 14th, 1-3 pm. A flyer with full details is attached for you to share.

The ‘Jersey Jug handle’ at Duke Farms gate is large (>1/4 acre), prominent for waving at friendly cars, pleasant (lawn and flowerbeds) and the police have told us we are free to gather there. Parking is available just 400 yards away, and the weather is supposed to be lovely. Bring a lawn chair, bring a protest sign, bring your friends and kids who won’t run into traffic – have to leave mine at Scout camp or she’d be there!

This Meeting will be announced to all media, and we hope will generate both press and TV coverage. Please wear or accessorize something YELLOW to provide good TV.

You know this is New Jersey’s last chance to save something unique. Some have worked day and night on this cause, voluntarily reading tax documents and filing IRS forms!! Imagine!!

Even if you can only come for an hour, please only reply to say you are coming!

Petra Ross-Macdonald (runs SaveDukeGardens.org)
Ruth Schrey (gathered >1900 signature petition

CB and I visited the Indoor Display Gardens at Duke Gardens on May 21st for the first time, just a few days before they were to be closed forever. We had an amazing time for about an hour and a half wandering through seeing various gardens reflecting periods through time and locale. I wish the group the best of luck and urge those who have and those who would like to have an opportunity to see the Indoor Display Gardens one day send an e-mail via http://www.savedukegardens.org/. Unfortunately there remain only a few days before the demolish begins, destroying the gardens forever.

I will post my photos at a later time.

Categories
News Site News

Beware the Shiny Flying Beast

A plane in Brazil was able to capture photos of one of Brazil’s uncontacted indigenous tribes. It is hard to fathom what their experience must be relative to life in “modern society”.

Courtesy of Tym