The Virtual Earth project at MSN will become local.live.com competing with other local search tools from Google and others. There will be some new features. It looks as though one is a 45 degree angle view of most large cities. Directions to a point by just clicking on the map (no address needed). It sounds like there are some interesting features here. Good to see some competition happening in the maps/local search space.
Category: General Web/Tech
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Sony releases XCP remover
Sony has had a busy day… they’ve released software to remove the XCP DRM program that was the start of all the recent SONY DRM rootkit controversy. Of course, the original DRM software had multiple problems in it’s concept AND implementation, the uninstallers and patches since have also had problems. Today I’ve seen reports that Sony’s uninstaller for the SunnComm MediaMax DRM software (the OTHER approach sony uses for copy protection) has some serious problems.
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Good beginners guid to SEO
There is a good beginners guide to Search engine optimization up at this site.
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DRM incompatibility
… and the true reason behind that… is the focus of an article today at freedom-to-tinker.com. Continuing on the whole Sony DRM mess… they take a look at the competing DRM methods, some of the “competition” between companies using different approaches and ultimately come to the conclusion that different DRM methods are used not as a tool against pirates, but as leverage against other media companies.
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Is the EFF helping? Which side?
The Register has an opinion piece today on the EFF, claiming that they’ll lose their case against Sony. They go back through the history of the EFF and it’s “successes?” or not… in the realm of attempted protection against IP overprotection.
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More on the Sony XCP DRM (Rootkit)
Freedom-to-tinker.com has some good detailed analysis on Sony’s (mis) use of GPL software in their XCP DRM (Digital Rights Management) software that’s been at the center of somewhat of a firestorm the last couple months. DRMS was the source of the code that was allegedly misappropriated, but the puzzle was why a Digital Rights Management removal bit of software was used in Digital Rights Management software to begin with…
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Mars was once a hostile environment?
This is just funny to me (as if it’s inviting now….) Rover’s find evidence that Mars was once hostile.
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How accessible is the Open Document Format?
Part of the big debate in Massachussetts over the Open Document Format has been it’s accessibility by persons with disabilities. The opponents have maintained that it will increase the difficulty of those people with disabilities in gaining access to vital public information. It’s also claimed that a Microsoft solution would be more accessible.
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XBOX 360 classaction suit?
Microsoft has been sued by an XBOX 360 owner over the overheating/locking up issues that have previously been reported here and other places around the web. He is looking for classaction status for the suit. Microsoft maintains that only 3% of shipped units seem to suffer the problem and that’s low for an electronics device product release.
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Rhapsody welcomes other operating systems
There was a time when you had to download Windows-only software to access Rhapsody (an online music service owned by real networks.) However, that has changed. It’s a move that I’m glad to see as a linux user, but just in general it makes sense that they can open it up to anyone with a web browser.