News:New Zealand's internet filter goes live

By ROB O'NEILL - Computerworld

The Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) internet filter is now operational and is being used by internet providers (ISPs) Maxnet and Watchdog.

Thomas Beagle, spokesperson for online freedom lobby Tech Liberty says he's "very disappointed that the filter is now running, it's a sad day for the New Zealand internet".

He told Computerworld the filter went live on February 1 but DIA has delayed announcing that until it held a meeting with its Independent Reference Group. He says he's disappointed the launch was conducted in such a "stealthy mode".

The manager of the Department of Internal Affairs' Censorship Compliance Unit, Steve O'Brien, denies any subterfuge in the launch, saying the trial has been going on for two years and that has been communicated to media for "quite some time".

More here: New Zealand's internet filter goes live

News:Hard drive evolution could hit Microsoft XP users

By Mark Ward
technology correspondent, BBC News

Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years.

By early 2011 all hard drives will use an "advanced format" that changes how they go about saving the data people store on them.

The move to the advanced format will make it easier for hard drive makers to produce bigger drives that use less power and are more reliable.

However, it might mean problems for Windows XP users who swap an old drive for one using the changed format.

More here

Acer servicing connundrum

A week ago a PC owner had problems getting on line with his Acer Aspire. He sent it to me to repair. His motherboard was dead, so I needed a replacement. The only one I had was a Gigabyte GA-M61P-ME-S2. After installation, it would not start. Maybe that's why it was still in the store!
The owner wants things to be the way they used to be. Telling him it is between difficult and impossible did not impress the situation on him. This gentleman wants what he wants! (his old PC back). Talking did not get far with him. Attempts at a rebuild have proved inconclusive.
All he wants is to have things back as they were before. From where I am it is not very likely. He does not seem to understand how fast the computer field is changing. What we could buy six months ago is out of date today! Finally when he learned it was not repairable, he demanded compensation or at least help to buy a replacement machine of the same type. I helped him as much as I could. He now has what he wanted all along. I still believe he made a bad choice. Suggestions welcome.

Battle to use the world wide web

US eases Cuba, Iran, Sudan sanctions to allow freer web

The US treasury department has eased sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of web services and support opposition groups.


US technology firms will now be allowed to export online services such as instant messaging and social networks.
More here:Freer web

News:Browser makers demand screen time

Makers of small web browsers want their programs to be given more prominence on Microsoft's browser choice screen.

Six software firms have complained to the EU saying many do not realize their programs were on offer.

To see all 12 web browsers, users must scroll to the right when viewing Microsoft's ballot screen.

The choice is being offered as part of a settlement of an anti-trust case brought against Microsoft by the European Commission.

Global choice

"The final choice screen design leaves the vast majority of users unaware that there are more than five browsers to choose from," the six firms said in their petition.
More here:Read more of "Browser makers demand screen time"

Learning to improve my 'adwords'

What are adwords? These are the crucial key words that either make your site interesting to visitors or get you ignored. It depends on the way they are used. Pick the right words and use them properly on your site and find it very quickly becomes a busy, popular place.

Get it wrong and things go on as before (often in the doldrums).

This afternoon I am meeting with someone who can help me do that. I will let you know how it turns out.

Large Collider to hit full speed in weeks

Published: 12:22AM Tuesday March 02, 2010

Source: Reuters
Particle beams are recirculating in the "Big Bang" collider at the Swiss-French border following a short break and are expected to reach maximum velocity in two to four weeks, a CERN spokesperson says.

"We had a technical stop over Christmas and that has finished. The beams are circulating again," Barbara Warmbein, press officer at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), told Reuters.

Collisions at the highest possible energy level, emulating conditions in the moments after the creation of the universe 13.7 billion years ago, should occur within two to four weeks, the spokeswoman said.

More here: Hadron Collider to hit full speed