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McCain Interviewed Via Twitter, Results Disappoint

McCain Interviewed Via Twitter, Results Disapoint
This Twitter phenomenon is getting out of control. Yesterday afternoon, Senator John McCain conducted an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News via our favorite microblogging service. The results were less than impressive, with McCain's glib answers never actually advancing any sort of constructive dialog, altogether unsurprising for those who follow the Senator on Twitter.

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The interview was little more than a publicity stunt, and clearly so. While we applaud the effort, and Stephanopoulos's crowd sourcing of questions via Twitter, the discussion was a little one dimensional. This is certainly not the first interview we've seen held via Twitter, but this it is certainly the least informative and interesting.

Still, if you're feeling compelled, you can read the entire interview in reverse chronological order here at All Things Digital. [From: All Things Digital]

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Computers, Celebrities

Once-Arrested White House CIO Steps Out, Then Back In

White House CIO Steps Aside Over 12 Year-Old Theft
Remember that new Chief Information Officer (CIO) that President Obama recently appointed? As was the case with many of the other seemingly ill-vetted appointees, it now seems like Vivek Kundra too has a couple of skeletons in his closet that almost stopped him from accepting the position for the newly created post.

As with Tom Daschle, Nancy Killefer, Charles Freeman, Ron Kirk, Timothy Geithner, and Bill Richardson before him, it looked like Kundra was going to have to step aside. This time, however, it had nothing to do with unpaid taxes. It looks like Kundra was arrested (though not convicted) on charges of theft back in 1997, and that some in his office are embroiled in a bribery scheme.

According to public records dug up by Valleywag, Kundra received probation before judgment (and a $500 fine, of which he only paid $100) for a theft of less than $300 in value. That information, along with news that Kundra had taken a leave of absence from his new post, started making the rounds on the Internet earlier this week and prompted many to assume that he would soon be gone. In fact, he had already taken a leave of absence relating to a raid by the FBI on his office last week that led to the arrest of two Washington DC officials.

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Senate Hopeful Coleman Deals With Donor Data Breach

Senate candidate Norm Coleman has a massive, self-inflicted headache to deal with after the personal information for thousands of his donors' was leaked in January.

Supporters were notified, not by the Coleman campaign (which had known about the security breach since January), but via an e-mail from the nonprofit Wikileaks site on Tuesday. Cullen Sheehan, Coleman's campaign manager, sent out an e-mail the next day urging all registered donors to cancel their credit cards. Coleman's camp insists that the leak was due to "sloppy handling by the Coleman campaign" and not hacking. Whew, what a relief!

Being viewed as sloppy should be the least of their worries -- according to Minnesota Statute 325E.61, any person affected by just such a breach of security should be notified as soon as possible after an incident takes place. We find it extremely interesting that Coleman, who is in a bitter legal battle with Democratic Challenger Al Franken and is extremely reliant on donations, would choose not to alert his supporters immediately after such a massive security breach. Coleman's camp says it didn't notify people about the breach because it determined that no unauthorized sources had accessed the leaked info.

We are sure that makes everyone involved feel much better, especially the people whose credit card numbers, complete with security codes, have been floating around in cyber space. [From: CNET]

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Audio/Video

Bob Barr Takes a Stand on DVD-Copying

Back in September, we said it was only a matter of time before the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) went after RealDVD, the software that lets you copy entire DVDs onto your computer for personal use. Studios are currently involved in a heated lawsuit with RealNetworks in Federal court that aims to ban the sale of the product.

The MPAA claims that the software violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by encouraging DVD piracy. Conversely, RealNetworks says that the software merely allows DVD owners to save their discs to their own personal hard drives, a practice fully in line with DMCA stipulations. Currently, the court has issued an injunction against the sale of RealDVD. Meanwhile, the MPAA is accusing the company of destroying evidence that would show the software is "based in part on the work of ... hackers."

The case has attracted the attention of 2008 Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr, who, in a San Francisco Chronicle editorial, called the suit "knee-jerk, anti-technology litigation" that should concern those who hope for "fair play and innovation to remain valued commodities in 21st-century America." He believes the product would actually benefit the MPAA by encouraging the legal use of DVDs, saying that RealNetworks has "the law, the facts and common sense on its side." We have to agree, although it would seem like an easy way to copy your Netflix rentals. Either way, we'll certainly keep an eye on the case. [From: SFGate and Wired]

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Computers, Celebrities

Dems Mock Limbaugh With Online Form Letter Apology

Dem's Mock Limbaugh With Form Letter Apology

As if the Democrats needed to rub in the fact that they still have a leg up in the 'Internet' and 'sense of humor' departments, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched a new site called "I'm Sorry Rush." Here, visitors can construct apology notes to Rush Limbaugh from a number of elected Republican officials who have recently crossed the talk show gasbag.

The site hosts a form letter, equipped with drop-down menus in order to complete sentences. The letter begins, "Dear Rush, I'm sorry that I called you [an opportunistic brick thrower/ugly/an idiot]," in reference to comments made by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Congressman Phil Gingrey of Georgia, and Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina. All three men have made comments that were dismissive of Rush, only to later backtrack and apologize for repudiating the conservative, talk-radio star.

Of course, this is all part of an attempt by Democrats to make Rush Limbaugh the unofficial figurehead of the Republican party. Their rationale does make a lot of strategic sense when you consider that this is a man who mocked Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's disease, used illegal prescriptions to feed an oxycodone habit, and said, "Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." He is a fine American, that Rush Limbaugh. [From: I'm Sorry Rush, and Daily News]

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Computers, Celebrities

Vice President Biden Forgets His 'Web Site Number'


Vice President Joe Biden appeared this morning on the CBS Early Show to raise awareness about Recovery.gov, a Web site that details the monetary breakdown of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Instead, he appeared unfortunately unfamiliar with not only the site but with Web browsing in general, joining the ranks of other well-known politicians like Senator Ted "Series of Tubes" Stevens and the most recent President Bush.

Asked how to access the site, Biden embarrassingly acknowledges having forgotten the "Web site number." So, If you love surfing the internets but have trouble remembering all the pesky "numbers," seek solace in the fact that the Vice President of the United States shares your pain. For future reference, if anyone does have trouble finding or remembering a number, just use the Google to find the site you're looking for. [from TechCrunch]

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Computers

Republican Bill Requires You to Keep Home Networking Records

Republican Bill Requires You to Keep Home Networking Records

Republicans in Congress are pushing for a new data retention law that will require anyone providing access to electronic communication to keep records of users for at least two years. Europe has similar requirements for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and telephone providers, but the new proposal in the U.S. legislature goes far beyond the European regulations.

The proposal requires all providers of electronic communications access to retain records. That would, at least in theory, include small coffee shops, public access points (like libraries and schools), and even private citizens who operate home networks, whether wireless or wired. How this would even be possible for a home user is lost on us.

The truly surprising (read: frustrating) part is that Democrats proposed similar legislation three years ago for ISPs and phone providers, but Republicans squashed the legislation after businesses such as AT&T put pressure on them.

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Cell Phones, Computers, Celebrities

At Last, John McCain Gets His Twitter On

John McCain Gets His Twitter On
Well, he's a little late for it to make a difference in the race for president, but John McCain has joined the Twitterverse.

So what exactly have we learned about John McCain in his four days as a Twitizen? We know he was traveling with Senators Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman yesterday, and that he's a big Arizona Cardinals fan. Nothing terribly surprising. Still, it's nice to see yet another politician join the microblogging and social networking service. Any additional (and more immediate) way to reach out to your representatives in government is always a welcome progression.

Check out these other politicians on Twitter:
[From: Politico]

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Under Bush, the NSA Snooped on 'All Americans,' Says Former Agent

George W Bush on screen


Remember those pesky little warrant-less wiretaps George W. Bush defended back in the day? Remember how he said that only those guilty of talking to terrorists would be targeted by surveillance? Well, it turns out -- surprise, surprise -- that wasn't exactly the whole truth.

In an interview with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann last week, Russell Tice, a former National Security Agency (NSA) analyst, admitted that the NSA had monitored all forms of communication. Did you get that? All forms. Tice elaborated, saying, "The National Security Agency had access to all Americans' communications. Faxes, phone calls and their computer communications. They monitored all communications."

An especially dark aspect of this story is the manner in which journalists were singled out by the NSA. According to Tice, he was instructed to concentrate on certain groups so that they could be assessed as potential terror suspects. Those groups were journalists and news agencies. The problem is that these citizens of the United States were never eliminated from any list -- they were just monitored 24/7. Selected journalists were under government surveillance at all times. Really? Journalists? That's so Joseph McCarthy.

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Computers

Obama to Hire New National Cyber Adviser



The challenges facing Barack Obama have been well-documented (to say the least). One of the most important (and least publicized) of those challenges is fortifying the nation's cyber security. In response to the growing number of cyber-threats and challenges, both indigenous and foreign, Barack Obama will be hiring a national cyber advisor.

According to the agenda of Homeland Security, "The top item under protecting information networks is to strengthen leadership on cyber security by establishing a 'position of national cyber advisor who will report directly to the president and will be responsible for coordinating federal agency efforts and development of national cyber policy.'"

Here's hoping this administration backs up its tough talk with tough/nerdy action. [From: cnet.com]

Cell Phones, Computers, Visionaries

Obama Staff Finds White House Stuck in the Technological Dark Ages

Obama Team Finds White House in the Technological Dark Ages
Well, it looks like Obama's staff has a major adjustment ahead of it. The team involved with the most tech-savvy presidential campaign and transition in the history of the country hit a brick wall Wednesday when it showed up for the first full day of work at ol' 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Just how bad is it? Obama spokesman Bill Burton described the transition as "kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari."

The White House is still stuck in the technological dark ages, and it's buried under piles of bureaucracy and security regulations. That means no Facebook, no outside e-mail, no instant messaging. Out are the Macs, in is Windows XP.

To make matters worse, there were glitches and red tape galore, leaving many an aide and staff member to work sans computer and office phone -- literally rushing around the West Wing to communicate messages in person or via personal cell phone.

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Computers

Obama Team Revamps WhiteHouse.Gov

Obama Team Revamps WhiteHouse.Gov, Starts Crowdsourcing
Before Obama was even sworn in, WhiteHouse.gov, one of the most valuable assets the White House has in the age of the Internet, was handed over to his control.

The site has received a face lift so that it more closely resembles that of Change.gov, the site for Obama's transition team, replacing the Bush-era WhiteHouse.gov, which was a static page with little chance for user interaction and a little reminiscent of a Geocities home page. Macon Phillips, Director of New Media for the Obama White House, detailed for the New York Times the administration's plans to reach out to citizens and to provide more transparency for the governmental process via the new site.

News about policy will be shared through e-mail alerts and blogs (something missing from the Bush White House Web site), and all of President Obama's proclamations and executive orders will be posted for the public to review. We're impressed by the commitment to, "publish all non-emergency legislation to the Web site for five days, and allow the public to review and comment before the President signs it."

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Computers

Obama Aides Not Happy About Giving Up IM -- :(



Barack Obama's aides learned Friday they'll have to give up one of their favorite means of communicating with each other, the media, and the outside world: the near-ubiquitous instant message.

The new White House lawyers say any communication involving government business that is sent via instant message will become a part of the official record and therefore subject to The Presidential Records Act, which states that official communication becomes public record five years after a president leaves office. This could open up Obama's staff to unwanted scrutiny; as the kind of conversation that occurs via instant message is often in an off-the-cuff, unguarded style, staffers could write messages that are easily misinterpreted, or just plain embarrassing.

Some messages could become public even before Obama leaves the White House, if there is a Congressional inquiry or lawsuit.

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Cameras

Politician Posts Nude Shower Pics on Her Facebook Page

Politicians are notoriously antiseptic characters (at least in public), so it was a shock when we found out that Daisy Tourne, Interior Minister of Uruguay, had posted a picture of herself in the shower on her Facebook page.

The picture alone is enough to make headlines, but it gets better. The caption below the picture elegantly states "there is nothing more natural than a woman in a shower." How awesome is that!?

Public criticism from fellow politicians both past and present has been fierce, but we won't concentrate on those squares. Instead we'll leave you with a quote from ruling party lawmaker Victor Semproni, who said "I'm thinking about taking a photo of myself in the shower, but a full body shot."

We have two simple questions. What is in the water down there? And where can we get some? [From: Telegraph.co.uk]


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Computers

Speaker Of The House, Nancy Pelosi, Rickrolls America


Even if you don't agree with her politics, you must admit Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has a sense of humor. To celebrate the launch of the U.S. Congress' YouTube channels for the House and Senate, Pelosi posted a video of her cats roaming around her Capitol office, playing with her gavel, and enjoying the view. That alone works well enough for us.

That she Rickrolls us halfway through the video is the piece de résistance. It's a nice nod toward the Web 2.0, social networking, tongue-in-cheek, spoofing, smirking, online crowd that funnels easily half their energy into viewing and contributing content to such sites as FailBlog, FailDogs, I Can Has Cheez Burger, and others.

What does it mean to be Rickroll'd? It's a basic bait-and-switch gag, bouncing around the Interwebs in many, many forms. Typically a viewer or reader is provided with a link to a Web site claiming to have some important information, something relevant to the serious topic at hand. The gotcha moment comes when you're presented with the video from Rick Astley's 1987 release "Never Gonna Give You Up." The use of Rickrolling is increasing, even crossing over into real-life situations.

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Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams

    Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
    When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.

     

    Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
    In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.

     

    Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
    Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.

     

    Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
    Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.

     

    17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
    When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.

     

    Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
    Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."

     

    Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
    Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?

     

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CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

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