The 2007 Grammy Awards: Reflections

(Simul-post)
Every year I make it a habit to do two things: first, watch the live Grammy broadcast to pick up on new talent. Then, next morning, I check the complete winners list to see who the Academy honors and who they miss. It’s a good way for an old man (who just turned [...]

Don’t make these mistakes

YouTube censors readings from the Koran

Recently YouTube deleted the account of Nick Gisburne after he posted a video consisting of verses said to be drawn from the Koran. The verses concerned killing infidels, infidels burning in hell, that sort of thing. Follow the link if you want to see for yourself.
YouTube deemed the posting of this material inappropriate. I guess [...]

Japanese Bikini Rodeo Pie Fight Show

I tip my hat to the creative genius of the people of Japan. In some matters, they are light years ahead of everyone else.

AACS cracked?

According to boingboing, the AACS encryption system used to protect high def DVD’s has been cracked.
The exploit sounds more like a circumvention than a crack, but the end result is the same. I believe I have mentioned before that DRM schemes are doomed to failure. In war, the attacker has the advantage. DRM, the [...]

Don’t hold your breath

Via the Financial Times:
Iran will be able to develop enough weapons-grade material for a nuclear bomb and there is little that can be done to prevent it, an internal European Union document has concluded.
In an admission of the international community’s failure to hold back Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the document – compiled by the staff of [...]