Technology

Format War Heats Up

Staff / Truthdig Jan 14, 2007 If you've been struggling to decide whether HD DVD or Blu-ray is right for your next-generation video needs, consider this: The porn industry has apparently chosen HD DVD as its preferred high-definition format. Sony, beware: The same people who probably gave VHS a win over Betamax in the last major format war have taken sides. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

UFO at O’Hare Experiences Heavy Delays

Staff / Truthdig Jan 3, 2007 At least a dozen United Airlines employees reported seeing a flying saucer hovering over Chicago's O'Hare Airport on Nov. 7, and they're upset that no one -- from the FAA to their own company -- is taking them seriously. One of the tower controllers summed up the generally disingenuous response to the sighting: "To fly 7 million light-years to O'Hare and then have to turn around and go home because your gate was occupied is simply unacceptable." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraqi Bloggers Cope With the Violence

Staff / Truthdig Dec 22, 2006 In this powerful collection of blogs from recent days, Iraqis react to the violence sweeping their nation Here's Meemo, a 19-year-old from Baghdad who's getting out: "I leave Baghdad in two days I'm not going to see death anymore; I'm not going to hear car explosions again; I will come back to life again". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

FCC Rules in Favor of Telephone Companies

Staff / Truthdig Dec 21, 2006 The Federal Communications Commission ruled along party lines on Wednesday to severely limit local governments' ability to regulate their cable markets. The decision will allow telephone companies greater freedom to compete with cable by offering television services, but Democrats on the panel cautioned that the FCC had overstepped its mandate. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

BBC Goes File-Sharing

Staff / Truthdig Dec 21, 2006 Have a hankering for "Fawlty Towers" or "Red Dwarf" (above)? You'll soon be able to watch many British programs free, legally, for the BBC has just announced a deal to make hundreds of episodes of original programming available through Azureus' file-sharing software. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Guide to Net Neutrality

Staff / Truthdig Dec 20, 2006 If you've been struggling to wrap your head around the hugely important issue of net neutrality, check out this excellent primer from the coalition SavetheInternet.com. (h/t: Crooks and Liars) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

McCain Hates Blogs

Staff / Truthdig Dec 15, 2006 Sen. John McCain has launched an assault against the independent blogosphere by introducing legislation that would, among other things, make bloggers responsible for comments and copyrighted material posted on their sites, with fines of up to $300,000. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Panel Rejects E-Voting Protections

Staff / Truthdig Dec 6, 2006 A federal advisory panel has ruled against a proposal that would have required electronic voting machines to produce a verifiable paper ballot. A report released last week by the National Institute of Standards and Technology that detailed the vulnerabilities of popular e-voting machines inspired the proposal, but was ultimately discarded. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Thus Passeth YouTube…

Staff / Truthdig Nov 24, 2006 YouTube is permanently deleting the accounts of contributors who are posting clips from Comedy Central Whether this is a direct result of Google's ownership is anyone's guess Why should you care? Read on . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Robot Army in the Holy Land

Staff / Truthdig Nov 18, 2006 The Israeli army, frustrated over the ineffectiveness of sending "a plane worth $100 million against a suicidal terrorist," is developing futuristic weapons, including a "bionic hornet" capable of photographing and assassinating a target. (h/t: Engadget) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

New Passport Security Chips Easily Crackable

Staff / Truthdig Nov 18, 2006 The new microchips slated for use in new U.S. passports are tantamount to "installing a solid steel front door to your house and then putting the key under the mat," in the words of one computer expert who hacked the chips. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

HBO’s ‘Hacking Democracy’

Staff / Truthdig Nov 17, 2006 Watch this full-length documentary that exposes the truly frightening security flaws in America's voting machines. Earlier: The woman at the heart of this film was recently one of our Truthdiggers of the Week Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )