DIGITAL DIVIDE
UWC Supercomputer Switched On
BROADBAND
FBI Uneasy About Plan To Deregulate Fast Net
Cable Companies Cracking Down on Wi-Fi
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Consumers Caught In Tech Squeeze
INTERNET
Web Rebels Profit From Net Controls
DIGITAL DIVIDE
UWC SUPERCOMPUTER SWITCHED ON
On July 8, the first supercomputer in Africa devoted exclusively to research
was switched on at the University of the Western Cape. The Cray SV1 will be
used for tasks including the search for greater understanding of HIV. The
computer works at lightening speeds-several gigaflops. A gigaflop is a
billion operations per second. The supercomputer was installed originally to
help Africa become competitive in the field of genome analysis. But already
new uses have been found such as making cars safer, predicting severe
storms, creating life-saving drugs and probing the shape of the universe.
[SOURCE: All Africa, AUTHOR: South African Press Association]
(http://allafrica.com/stories/200207090009.html)
BROADBAND
FBI UNEASY ABOUT PLAN TO DEREGULATE FAST NET
If the Federal Communication's Commission (FCC) goes through with a decision
to classify broadband as an "information" service, the FBI is concerned it
will hurt their ability to trace terrorist email and Internet activity.
Under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA),
"telecommunications" services are required to design their networks to
facilitate government wiretaps. The FBI told the FCC if broadband providers
are not held to the same standard the FBI could be "hobbled in their ability
to enforce law and protect national security". The FBI is supporting
deregulation but has also asked that the FCC include broadband companies
under CALEA.
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/07/09/wiretap-net.htm)
CABLE COMPANIES CRACKING DOWN ON WI-FI
One of the best features of Wi-Fi networks is that anyone within 300 feet of
an access point can get on the Internet. At least, from the public's point
of view this is a benefit. But as more and more grassroots organizations and
public-minded citizens set up Wi-Fi "hotspots," ISPs are moving to shut them
down. Time Warner Cable of New York City has given 10 customers less than a
week to stop using their accounts to provide Wi-Fi access. Time Warner, AT&T
Broadband and other high-speed providers say that the redistribution of
bandwidth is illegal. Only one major company, Covad Communications, allows
paying customers to use their accounts for Wi-Fi networks. While many people
set up Wi-Fi networks specifically to permit access to anyone in range, a
number of people are unaware that their personal networks "bleed" for about
300 feet. Suzanne Guiliani, a spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable of New York
City, said that her company considers sharing of bandwidth not just as
theft, but as a drain on the existing resources for other subscribers. For
the present, companies are targeting only network groups who set up Wi-Fi
with the intention of sharing bandwidth.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Ben Charny]
(http://news.com.com/2100-1033-942323.html?tag=cd_mh)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
CONSUMERS CAUGHT IN TECH SQUEEZE
Widespread piracy has prompted the film studios and record labels to help
draft legislation that will require copyright protections be built into
electronic devices. They want to limit online distribution and prevent
consumers from making duplicates of movies and music. The technology
industry is resistant saying compliance could result in an entirely new
generation of devices that would not be compatible with existing DVD players
and computers thus forcing consumers to purchase entirely new systems.
Scott Dinsdale, executive vice president of digital strategy at the Motion
Picture Association of America said, "The broadband-wired world offers
enormous business opportunity, if you can make it profitable. But the
current infrastructure is not supportive yet." Tim Bajarin, president of
the Creative Strategies holds an opposing view, "We don't think Hollywood
should dictate design for its own needs."
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/07/08/consumer-confusion.htm)
INTERNET
WEB REBELS PROFIT FROM NET CONTROLS
An abandoned military platform, dubbed Sealand, is the base for a dot.com
venture with a difference. Internet hosting company HavenCo is using Sealand
to provide an offshore data haven free of government interference. The
English venture comes as governments around the world are busy tightening up
control of the Internet. Co-founder Ryan Lackey spent two years finding a
place to set up an electronic refuge. "We looked all around the world for
somewhere that would have secure Internet hosting, outside of government
regulation and we could not really find any," said Lackey in a BBC
interview. In the end, HavenCo settled for Sealand, a World War II relic.
Sealand is within the territorial waters of Britain and does not recognize
the sovereignty of the site. While HavenCo has few limits on the kinds of
websites it will host, it does draw the line at child pornography, spamming
and hacking. The company has been profitable for more than a year, but it
remains to be seen how long HavenCo will dodge British officials, who are
already insisting that Sealand will have to comply with British Internet
regulations.
[SOURCE: BBC News, AUTHOR: Alfred Hermida]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2115000/2115887.stm)
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