Top Items:
Kevin Newcomb / ClickZ:
Amazon Hosting Author Blogs — Adding to its user-generated content, Amazon.com has launched a program to allow authors to blog on the Amazon.com site. — The Amazon Connect program, in beta for the past month, aims to increase the engagement between readers and authors, and between readers and Amazon.com.
microsoft.com:
Microsoft Security Advisory (912840) — Vulnerability in Graphics Rendering Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution. — Microsoft is investigating new public reports of a possible vulnerability in Windows. Microsoft will continue to investigate the public reports to help provide additional guidance for customers.
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Wired News:
Hackers Rebel Against Spy Cams — BERLIN — When the Austrian government passed a law this year allowing police to install closed-circuit surveillance cameras in public spaces without a court order, the Austrian civil liberties group Quintessenz vowed to watch the watchers.
David Pogue / New York Times:
10 Greatest Gadget Ideas of the Year — ON New Year's Eve, don't be surprised to witness more heartfelt celebrating than usual; 2005 was not a year noted for its tidings of good cheer, and plenty of people will be happy to see it go. — Still, there were inspiring and gratifying success stories …
John Battelle / John Battelle's Searchblog:
INTERVIEW: FOR AOL/GOOGLE, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS — I had a good conversation with Marissa Mayer this morning, who had the unfortunate task of clarifying the terms of Google's recent deal with AOL. I say unfortunate for two reasons: one, I did sort of call her out after her post went up …
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komotv.com:
Hole In Fuselage Forces Emergency Landing — SEATTLE - A foot-long hole in the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines jet caused the plane to lose cabin pressure, forcing the crew to make an emergency descent from 26,000 feet and return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, authorities said Tuesday.
Discussion:
Get Real, Poynter Online, Gizmodo, kgw.com, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Lost Remote TV Blog
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Nate Mook / betanews.com:
Preliminary Settlement Filed in Sony Suit — Lawyers in a class action lawsuit filed against Sony BMG, First 4 Internet and SunnComm last month have submitted a preliminary settlement, which calls for Sony to stop manufacturing CDs with XCP and MediaMax DRM, provide replacement discs, and make cash payments to affected customers.
Discussion:
TechBlog
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Ken Belson / New York Times:
Offspring in Charge, and Ma Bell Gets a Makeover — NO one will ever fault the new AT&T for not having big ambitions. — AT&T became the country's largest phone company in November when SBC Communications, one of the original seven Baby Bells, bought AT&T, the old Ma Bell.
Discussion:
IP Democracy
Jenstar / JenSense:
Malicious software targets Google AdSense ads — It was only a matter of time before a trojan or virus targeted AdSense or YPM for malicious activity, and the time has come. A new trojan horse discovered by an Indian publisher replaces Google AdSense ads with their own ads …
Discussion:
AdMoolah News and Views
Danny Sullivan / Search Engine Watch Blog:
Google Base Switches To Force All Searchers Through Jump Pages — When Google Base first launched, one of my key questions was whether people could click on a entry and go directly to the submitter's web site. Yes, you could. Now, you can't. Instead, you're forced to go through a …
Associated Press:
'Ear bud' headphones can cause hearing loss, experts warn — All those ears ringing from newly gifted iPods and MP3 players may not be able to hear next year's Christmas bells as well if music lovers aren't careful, hearing specialists are warning. — "We're seeing the kind of hearing loss …
Discussion:
The Consumerist
Bloomberg:
Online Ad Growth Accelerates, Outpacing Newspaper, TV Spending — Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) — The move to online advertising is happening faster than analysts anticipated as companies devote more of their budgets to the Internet than traditional media. — The market for online ads …
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch:
Magnatune's Answer to the Music Problem — Magnatune, founded by John Buckman in 2003, is a music label with an associated website. Today was the first time I heard about Magnatune (thanks to Ajay Juneja), but I agree entirely with their business philosophy. I really think this is the music business model of the future.
Discussion:
Darwinian Web
microsoft.com:
MSN Video Brings New York City Times Square New Year's Eve Celebration to Worldwide Audience Online — Provides viewers with party coverage, live performances and a number of exclusive online entertainment appearances; real-time experience to be provided by as many as 26 cameras …
Niall Kennedy / Om and Niall PodSessions:
Towards a two-tier Internet — In this week's podsession Om and I discuss network neutrality and the tolls paid by content networks to network providers to boost the performance of online applications. The telecom world is emboldened after the Supreme Court decision last summer in the case …
