uk posts

Don't Tread on Our Web! U.K. Reportedly Seeking Absolute Net Control

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Nov 19th 2009 at 6:10PM

For over a year, France has been considering plans to ban illegal downloaders from the Web. In the U.S., the FCC may actually begin regulating the Web by forcing providers to charge various fees. But neither of those disturbing developments compare at all to the rumors gathering momentum in England.

Various outlets are reporting that the U.K. Secretary of State Peter Mandelson, referred to as the "Pirate-Finder General," hopes to make harsh amendments to the nation's 'Copyrights, Designs, and Patents Act.' The disgusting affront to privacy rights and personal freedom would empower the Secretary to make a wide variety of decisions without any form of oversight. Among other frightening things, the totalitarian plan would allow the Net overseer to impose jail terms for file-sharing, and to create a "pirate-hunting militia" that could compel Internet service providers to divulge private user information, like the contents of e-mails.

Once a virtual New World of free and limitless information, the Net is increasingly becoming a tool controlled by power-hungry suits. These so-called representatives of the people are increasingly ignoring the rights of individuals in order to fatten their own bloated coffers with tainted money from multinational corporations.

The fledgling Pirate Party, which focuses on fighting exactly what England wants to enforce, recently claimed a second seat in the European Parliament. After this shocking and revolting Redcoat development, you can expect British party membership to skyrocket astronomically. [From: Download Squad, via BoingBoing]

Tags: copyrights designs and patents act, CopyrightsDesignsAndPatentsAct, government, net neutrality, NetNeutrality, peter mandelson, PeterMandelson, piracy, pirate party, PirateParty, top, uk

Web, Social Networking

City Workers Banned From Facebook -- After Spending 572 Hours On It

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 4th 2009 at 4:06PM

It's no secret that Facebook is productivity's biggest enemy. With all those gifts to send, games to play, and friends to stalk, there's no time for work once you log in to the social networking site. While many offices and schools have caught onto this, it took one British city council a little longer than most.

According to The Daily Mail, the Portsmouth City Council recently banned the staff of 4,500 at its town hall from using Facebook, after discovering that employees spent an average of 413 hours per month perusing the site. Not only were these Brits spending a jaw-dropping amount of time logged-in, but they were also logging in often -- about 270,000 times a month. Things really spiraled out of control this past July, when the staff totaled 572 hours and 38 minutes, or 71 working days, on Facebook, even though they were only supposed to visit the site during lunch or after work. That's taxpayers' money hard at work, folks.

While the site has been blocked, the staff can apply to access Facebook only if it's necessary to complete their job (although it'd be hard to imagine too many instances where this would apply). This ban is a commendable effort by the local government, but the council shouldn't forget that there are plenty of other ways to waste time on the Internet -- Youtube, Hulu, eBay, Switched... [From: The Daily Mail]

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Web's Biggest Time Hogs

There's no question that the Internet saves us time, thanks to services such as e-mail, Google Maps and FreshDirect to name just a few. So, what are people doing with their newly found free time? They're wasting it on the Internet playing games, Twittering away, browsing for movies, updating blogs and looking for love. Without further ado, here are the Web's top time sucks.

AP Photo/Georgia Tech, Ron Felt

Death of Print

Elle Girl
In April 2006, Elle Girl's print edition was closed down, but the Web site lives on at ellegirl.com.

CosmoGirl
Though it will be folded into Seventeen magazine, the teen version of Cosmopolitan will publish its last print issue in December 2008. It will live on at CosmoGirl.com.

Christian Science Monitor
Founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, this venerable paper will move all its daily content to the Web starting in 2009, though it will still publish a weekly print version.

Radar Magazine
Was it too snarky for its own good? We'll never know, but this modern-day successor to '80s-era Spy magazine shut down in October. AMI, owner of the National Enquirer, bought RadarOnline.com, however, which will focus on celebrity gossip a la TMZ.com.

US News and World Report
Once a serious competitor to Time and Newsweek, US News and World Report is now best known for its College guides, which it will continue to publish. The weekly newsmagazine, however, will be turned into a monthly, and all daily operations are moving to the Web at usnews.com.

Tags: facebook, government, internet, office, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, uk, workplace

Web

'Intimacy' Device Lets Long-Distance Lovers Express Affection With Light

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Aug 6th 2009 at 2:39PM

Cell phones and computers have made it much easier for long-distance lovers to remain romantic. However, text messages and e-mails lack that intimate touch. While it's still not quite the same as being there, a new device from Distance Lab aims to keep that flame burning strong in long-distance relationships.

BBC News reports that the Mutsugoto, which has been in development for nearly two years, will be tested this weekend by a couple in Edinburgh and London. Here's how this weird device works. Each person wears a touch-activated ring. When the person living in Edinburgh, for instance, moves his or her hand, a camera detects the movement and transmits signals to a mechanism that displays a beam of light on the person living in London. Essentially, the system enables you to draw on your significant other's body with beams of light. The device is meant for use in a private place like a bedroom, which would lend a different level of intimacy than, for instance, using a cell phone in public.

This is definitely one of the more bizarre devices to have come along lately. It just doesn't make much sense. How exactly does a beam of light represent an 'intimate' connection? It seems like Web cams or even a phone call would prove more intimate. After all, what happened to using words to express how you feel? [From: BBC News and Distance Lab]

Tags: camera, intimacy, long distance relationships, LongDistanceRelationships, love, online dating, OnlineDating, relationships, top, uk, weird

Cameras

British Government to Install CCTVs in 20,000 Homes

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Aug 4th 2009 at 2:46PM

Brits Turn Family Turmoil into Reality TV for Government Agents

On July 23rd, the British Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, announced a plan to spend a potential £400 million (over $675 million) on the installation of closed circuit cameras (CCTVs) in the homes of 20,000 "problem families" -- which include homes with truant children, alcohol abuse, or reports of malnutrition -- according to the Daily Express.

The program would put the families under 24-hour surveillance and subject them to surprise checks by government agents (in some circles, they might be called "thought police"). Balls believes this is essential to preventing youth with unstable family lives from turning to crime and drugs. Amazingly, Conservative party member Chris Grayling believes these strong measures to be "much too little, much too late."

The so-called "sin bins" have been tested in 2,000 homes so far, and supporters hope to expand that number to 20,000 within the next two years. That's 20,000 houses with government agents watching every move, 24/7. It's good to know that Orwell was generally right, even if he was off on the date a bit. [From: Daily Express, via Wired]

Tags: 1984, big brother, BigBrother, cctv, government, privacy, surveillance, top, uk

Computers

Mother of Autistic U.K. Hacker Calls on Obama for Help

by Kaiser Hwang (RSS feed) — Aug 3rd 2009 at 12:01PM

Forty-three-year-old Londoner Gary McKinnon is facing extradition to the U.S. (as well as up to 60 years in a U.S. prison) if convicted of hacking into government computers, reports the BBC. He also has Asperger's syndrome, a type of autism disorder. After numerous failed attempts to have her son tried in the U.K., McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp (pictured) is pleading directly to President Obama for help, having sent him a letter signed by 40 Members of British Parliament asking him to "bring this shameful episode to an end." Speaking outside the High Court last week, she added, "I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing."

McKinnon claims he was simply looking for suppressed UFO-related documents, and that the attacks were in no way malicious. Still, laws were broken, and two judges found that extradition was the proper response, but also admitted that extradition and prison in the U.S. for the handicapped McKinnon might be "very difficult indeed." With the U.S.-U.K. extradition treaty recently failing to get a revision, it's unknown exactly what Obama's choices are in the matter. But Sharp is hopeful. Outside the High Court, she told reporters, "Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's, a UFO guy." [From: BBC News]

Tags: aspergers, government, hack, international law, InternationalLaw, law, top, ufo, uk

Cameras, Computers

Principal's Intercepted 'Sext' Scandal Rocks UK High School

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — May 31st 2009 at 4:29PM

A scandal involving sexting, the risque practice of sending illicit texts or photos, predominantly attributed to teens, is currently rocking a high school in England. The students in question weren't circulating photos of themselves or their classmates, though. The photos were of their principal.

According to The Telegraph, the headmistress, Sue Brearley, told colleagues that she uploaded the photos of herself posing in her underwear (which were intended for her fiance) from her mobile phone to her laptop. Brearley's laptop was later connected to the school's computer system, which is how the students found the photos after allegedly hacking their way in. Police have spoken to two boys about stealing the uploaded photos and circulating them throughout the school, but no disciplinary measures have been levied against them or Brearley.

Even though punishment is not a certainty, one thing is for sure. Students who saw the pictures will never view Brearley in the same fashion again. [From: The Telegraph]

Tags: education, hacking, highschool, security, sex, sexting, students, teacher, teens, top, uk

Video Games

Queen Elizabeth Gets Golden Wii

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — May 22nd 2009 at 10:16AM

So let's say you're a video game company with a new release called "Big Family Games" to promote. You've decided it'd be a great gimmick to send the game to one of the world's most famous big families -- namely, the Royal Family of England. And, more specifically, to its matriarch Queen Elizabeth.

Of course, there is one problem with your plan -- the Queen doesn't have a Nintendo Wii. So, now you'll have to get Her Majesty a royal console, but wandering down to Wal-Mart to pick up the same Wii that every other schmuck has just isn't going to cut it. What to do?

Tags: Big family games, BigFamilyGames, bling, custom, gold, luxury, nintendo, queen elizabeth, QueenElizabeth, royal, royal family, RoyalFamily, thq, top, uk, wii

Audio/Video

Cassette Tapes Still Rocking (in England)

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — May 18th 2009 at 1:07PM

Despite the current recession, some companies and industries remain not only unaffected by discerning shoppers, they're actually thriving. One such industry forging through the difficult economic landscape might come as a complete shock to many consumers, though. Cassette tapes, which many people gave up for dead years ago, still appeal to many consumers, and their sales have actually increased over the last year, according to Craig Hill of tape manufacturer TDK, who was speaking to Sky News.

Tags: business, cassette, cassettes, retrotech, top, uk

Computers

Computers, Video Games 'Infantalising' Our Brains, Says British 'Lady'

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — May 14th 2009 at 8:11AM

According to a British researcher, video games and computers are making us fat, stupid, and lazy. Baroness Susan Greenfield, director of the Royal Institution science research center, contends that gamers and computer users don't learn painful, real-life lessons -- such as those learned by a child who touches a hot stove or pulls a cat's tail. According to the Baroness, this leads people to repeat past mistakes, despite the negative consequences.

It also means we're not using certain parts of our brains -- in particular, the pre-frontal cortex ("You use it or lose it. And if you don't use it, you are infantalising the brain," she told some folks at a science seminar in London last week.)

'Lady Greenfield' also said that she believes we're on the road to widespread gluttony and sloth -- and then to stupidity. Greenfield seems to be unfamiliar with games that promote activity, such as 'Wii Fit,' and she must have missed the studies showing that video games improve eyesight, increase mental functioning, and can aid in the recovery of stroke victims.

Tags: addiction, obesity, top, uk

Computers, BlackBerry, iPhone

'Repetitive Surf Injury,' the New Scourge of Brit Office Workers

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — May 6th 2009 at 11:08AM

We don't want to inspire a Swine Flu-type hysteria, but there is a malady that currently plagues over 500,000 English workers and results in U.K. businesses' losing over 5 million days a year. Fortunately, the condition is not contagious, and seems to be easily prevented and remedied. According to the Economic Times, Repetitive Surf Injury (RSI) -- muscle, tissue and ligament damage caused by the excessive or improper manipulation of computers and mobile gadgets -- costs the nation's industries billions of dollars a year.

Tags: carpal tunnel, CarpalTunnel, health, jobs, repetitive surf injury, RepetitiveSurfInjury, top, uk, workplace

Cell Phones

Text-Message Spam Continues to Grow Around the World

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — May 4th 2009 at 4:39PM

According to the Observer, mobile phone owners in the U.K. are battling the latest spam scourge to sweep across the globe: SMS spam. Though not as pervasive as the e-mail variety, spam text messages usually attempt to lure people into signing up for expensive services that offer adult materials or promise cash settlements from accidents. The problem has been pervasive for over a year in places like China, and it's recently become a big enough problem in the States that the U.S. Senate last month proposed legislation to ban text-message spam.

Unfortunately, text-message spam doesn't stop unless the recipient actively opts out of future correspondence, which means replying to the original spam text (something that can cost around $0.15 per message if you don't have a texting plan). For those receiving the messages, however, there are avenues of recourse. The New York Times recently explained how to block such texts through your mobile carrier (usually something as simple as checking a few boxes online). If you're one of our British readers, you can file a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which regulates electronic data privacy. The U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will meanwhile handle complaints of misleading or false advertising.

Other than filing complaints with the proper authorities, the best course of action is to ignore the spam texts. After all, there is no guarantee that requesting your removal from a text-messaging list will work. In fact, the misleading nature of the texts may lead you to believe you're opting out when you're actually signing up for unwanted, expensive services. [From: Observer, via Textually.org]

Tags: scams, security, spam, text-message spam, Text-messageSpam, texting, textmessagespam, top, uk

Visionaries

'Most Confusing' Tech Terms Still Baffling Brits

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Apr 30th 2009 at 11:08AM

Keeping up with the latest Web and tech trends can be particularly difficult, especially for casual surfers who get easily confused and frustrated by the constant inundation of new terms and devices. To help lower the language barrier, according to the BBC, the master statisticians at Gadget Helpline surveyed 5,000 U.K. residents, and compiled England's 10 most confusing tech-related terms.

We thought that a few of the list's terms, like 'Digital TV,' 'desktop,' and 'phone jack,' have already become entrenched in our discourse, so how could they be so confusing. Others, however, like 'dongle' (another word for those little USB sticks you put into your computer), might seem to have salacious second meanings, so we can understand the mixups. Being barraged with such strange words can be intimidating, so Peter Griffiths of the Plain English Campaign told the BBC, "We need to pull our heads out of the digital clouds and use plain English." To combat tech-illiteracy, his campaign and the Gadget Helpline suggest compiling a glossary of terms to help explain gizmo lingo.

No offense, guys, as this seems like a beneficial survey conducted with good intentions, but apparently news of Webopedia.com, an online tech dictionary, hasn't made it across the pond yet. Interestingly enough, none of the U.K.'s most confusing terms cracked Webopedia's Top 10, indicating a significant techno-babble barrier between the U.S. and the U.K. Maybe that's why our version of 'The Office' is so much funnier than theirs. [From: BBC]

Tags: gadget helpline, GadgetHelpline, lingo, luddites, Plain English Campaign, PlainEnglishCampaign, tech terms, techno-babble, technorati, TechTerms, top, uk

London Bookstore Gives New Meaning to 'Book Burning'

by Warren Riddle (RSS feed) — Apr 27th 2009 at 7:07AM

Online shopping enables consumers to easily find and purchase desired goods, but it also forces actual store locations to adapt to technological advances and offer unique services in order to compete. Book stores have been seriously affected by the rise of Internet shopping, as multitudes of independent stores and huge chains have been forced to close, or to offer their goods solely online.

One chain in England now provides a unique and fascinating service that rivals the ease of Web shopping and will surely lure buyers into their stores. According to The Daily Mail, the book chain Blackwell is test-driving a new device -- On Demand Books' Espresso Book Machine -- at its Charing Cross location in London. In the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee, the fittingly named machine can print books from a database of 400,000 titles, including out-of-print, out-of-stock and other hard-to-find tomes. The book chain hopes to have access to over 1 million texts by the summer.

After a prospective buyer peruses a list of titles, all she has to do is select "make book," and the book burner begins churning out 105 pages a minute. The machine creates a cover, collates the pages, and then clamps, glues and attaches the cover. Unpublished authors can even provide their own CDs of material to be printed and bound.

Tags: blackwell books, BlackwellBooks, book, bookstores, ebook, print, top, uk

British Secret Service Looking for Tech Genius

by Kaiser Hwang (RSS feed) — Apr 19th 2009 at 11:34AM

Do you love James Bond movies and high-tech gadgets? Are you often referred to as "grotesquely smart?" If so, then you might be interested to know that the Security Service (or 'MI5'), UK's security intelligence agency, is looking to hire a Chief Scientific Adviser.

The responsibilities of the newly established role, as stated in the official job application, include "developing and owning a clear science, technology, and innovation strategy for the Security Service," ensuring decisions based on science are sound, and "acting as Head of Profession for the Security Service's scientists and engineers."

While not explicitly stated, Fox News implies that it's very likely that the role will involve developing new technologies to help fight and prevent terrorism, from biological attacks to suicide bombers. A British government official spoke with the news agency anonymously, stating, "threat equals the capability of your enemy and their intention. What we've seen over the years is terror cells transferring both knowledge and technology. The intention is limitless."

If you think you have the scientific chops to take on such a hot job, head on over to MI5's official website and check out the full job description. And yes, you have to be British. [From: Fox News]

Tags: gadget, intelligence, jobs, terrorism, top, uk, workplace

Car Tech

CCTV-Equipped Police Cars Hitting the Streets in Manchester, England

by Peter Mychalcewycz (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2009 at 6:05AM

Intent on preventing people from using their cell phones while driving, police in Manchester, England are trying out a new method that has caused some public concern.

Two smart cars equipped with closed-circuit-TV (CCTV) have hit the streets in Greater Manchester in an attempt to spot and punish distracted drivers, according to the BBC. Each of the tiny cars, both of which take turns sitting at various intersections throughout the area, is outfitted with a camera on top of a 12-foot retractable pole. The camera films passers-by as it looks for anyone that may be engaging in distracting behavior while driving (talking on the phone, texting, eating, etc). Those unfortunate enough to be spotted by the mobile CCTV cars will receive a letter in the mail and a fine for their troubles. Mobile phone offenders will be charged around the equivalent of $90.

Some people are less than thrilled at the prospect of more cameras being put on the streets, saying that the lack of immediate censure will impede efforts to improve driver's habits. Paul Watters, of the Automobile Association, told the BBC, "CCTV enforcement lacks connection with the driver until after the event and some drivers might regard it as Big Brother. We think that most drivers would prefer police in cars to dish out tickets on the spot and instill better driving behavior."

With the British looking to CCTV as the solution to a host of other national problems, it's no surprise that they are using it here. [From: BBC]

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Tags: cctv, england, police, police car, PoliceCar, privacy, public safety, PublicSafety, texting while driving, TextingWhileDriving, uk

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'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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