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Where leaping to conclusions is my primary form of forward motion.

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Friday, April 18, 2003

CryptoHeaven Test Partners

Of course, not everything needs to be encrypted. But there are certainly times when secure document delivery and file exchange might be useful, especially when working as an outside consultant for large corporations -- i.e. sensitive M&A documents, financial contracts and audit data, personnel files, etc. There could also be times when companies might want to keep certain internal info -- audits, etc. -- off its own systems. In these cases a secured environment could provide an extra layer of comfort for the client.

But I need some help. To test the CryptoHeaven environment I need some fellow experimenters to sign up for the company's free trial accounts. The nature of the system is such that, IMO, it isn't likely to be used as a substitute for regular collaboration. Rather, it looks like a good option for handling limited, sensitive projects.

If you're interested in testing CryptoHeaven with me download the company's free software and create a trial account. You can ping me via my username of Aristotle5.

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 11:51 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Bloglet and Radio

Update: Rick Klau has pointed to the obvious and simple solution, using Bloglet's RSS-type for my website. Rick explains how it works in his comment. Thanks Rick!

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 8:21 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Global Canasta

Pfizer plays gin rummy

Oligopolies collect brands like gin rummy players collect good cards; they want to put together the right combination of winners in the right categories. But they also discard brands, which get picked up by other players. (Actually, they act more like players in the old-fashioned gin-related game of canasta, where players can hold as many cards as they can pick up.)

The discards come from two reasons: a product doesn't fit into the strategy of the oligopoly, or a merger when regulators demand that brands/products be spun off to maintain some level of competition in specific categories or subcategories. Their discards are usually picked up by another oligopoly. [...] [Oligopoly Watch]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 8:16 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Writing Blurbs

Writing useful introductions can sometimes be a challenge. In journalism it's called the "head-deck-story" structure -- you try to inform at each level while successively providing more detail. James Robertson points to a very helpful article on Blurbs that includes explanation, instruction, and examples of both good and bad usage. Additionally, there are links to a blurb gallery and other blurb writing resources.

Blurbs: Writing previews of web pages. Dennis G. Jerz discusses how to write blurbs, the brief descriptions that summarise what readers will find at the other end of links. To quote: A good blurb should inform, not tease. Usability testing will help you determine the best... [Column Two]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 7:48 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

I Want My ENT

As soon as Matt releases lT 1.3.3 I'll have topics in my own feeds (At least in the full version.) I have to check with Mark Paschal to see about the truncated and headline feeds I create using his Stapler product. I suspect Stapler and liveTopics never see each other. Hmm.

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 11:19 AM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Thursday, April 17, 2003

The Buffalo Theory

The Buffalo Theory

As explained by Cliff Clavin, of Cheers. One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his buddy Norm. Here's how it went:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and Weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. "In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks The slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the Brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

[347.com || Andy's World] [Ye Olde Phart]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 9:15 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Marvin Gaye and Steve Jobs

Personally, I think Bill Gates would love to be as cool Steve Jobs. I don't think he obsesses over it the way Jobs does, but I do think it bugs him. I mean, doesn't every geek want to have their own reality-distortion zone? There are some things money can't buy, and Steve Jobs has one of them. And Cringely is right about one thing -- it's all a game.

04/17/03: What’s Going On. What does Marvin Gaye have to do with Apple buying Universal Music? Bob explains all.

[...] Steve Jobs is envious of Bill Gates’ power and wealth, while Bill Gates is envious of Steve Jobs’ charisma and vision. All interactions between the two are dominated by Steve, both because he has the greater need to dominate and because Bill is just too busy being fascinated watching Steve to bother taking charge. [...] [I, Cringely @ PBS Online]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 9:03 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Patriot Act Faces Opposition

[...] Sensenbrenner maintains that because the department refuses to be forthcoming, it is losing the public relation battle needed to extend the law beyond its October 2005 expiration, much less expand it. [...]

Toward the end of the article there is a quote from Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, regarding his desire to see the Act's limited sunset provisions removed.

[...] "It seems to me to be ridiculous to take away the best law enforcement tool against terrorism before we get rid of terrorism," said Hatch, R-Utah. "This bill has helped us protect ourselves from terrorism both inside and outside the country. It's a tough bill, but it's constitutional and it works." [...]

There is no way to know how this will shape up, but there is clearly a battle brewing over the extent and duration of the Patriot Act. The proper approach is for the Administration to be straightforward and forthcoming about exactly what they're doing, how they're doing it, and precisely what costs are being exacted in American liberty.

If this law been, as Hatch suggests, wildly successful in protecting us then the DoJ should be more than willing to show just how Patriot made possible what other laws could not, and how any mistakes have been corrected and compensated.

It is up to the people of America to choose the proper balance between Liberty and Security, not unelected bureaucrats in the DoJ. An open debate about the Act, its consequences and ramifications, and its innocent victims is the best way to make that choice. And Senator Hatch would be well advised to keep that in mind.

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 7:54 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 
Categories: Homeland Security, Patriot Act

No Sunset for Patriot Act

The Patriot Act already has fairly weak sunset provisions, as significant portions of the law are not open to review -- in particular, provisions regarding new electronic surveillance measures. You can read more about what does, and does not, sunset in this Electronic Frontier Foundation review. Note the numerous sections of the bill labeled DOES NOT SUNSET.

But Hatch seemingly wants to remove any review of the bill, no doubt recognizing Americans' past intolerance of such abusive laws once the immediate need for them has passed. It is a shame we have anyone in our Government who would consider such a review unnecessary, given the sweeping new powers created by Patriot, and Hatch should be roundly rebuked by his constituents at the next election.

[...] Once in a while, you have to thank goodness for the extremists – or at least those people with steady, definable values.

Last year, when the “moderates” of both political parties were falling all over themselves to hand sweeping new police powers to the federal government, a coalition of leftwingers and rightwingers in the House objected. These representatives were unable to stop the so-called “Patriot Act,” but they did succeed in attaching a “sunset” provision to the law. That means that unless the full Congress reviews the act and decides it must be continued, it will expire in 2005.

Now, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wants to get rid of the sunset provision and make the Patriot Act permanent. [...] [Montana forum]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 2:52 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Oligopoly Watch

Steve and I have been friends for a long time too, and I've encouraged him to start a weblog. For the last few years he's been following the seismic shifts wrought in the business world by the Internet, technology, and globalization and he has some interesting things to say about business, markets, and the effects of global conglomerates.

Now Steve's decided to take the plunge and launch a Radio weblog, Oligopoly Watch, as a precursor to a book he's writing on the same topic. He takes a look at current news items and provides some interesting insight into what they really mean. If you're interested in what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite multi-national check it out. You might be surprised at what you find.

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 9:35 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Three Strikes for Freedom

Next we have USA Today reporting that the Bush Administration is seeking a broad expansion of the Federal DNA database, including not only juveniles but also those who have been arrested but never convicted.

White House seeks to expand DNA database

By Richard Willing, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — DNA profiles from juvenile offenders and from adults who have been arrested but not convicted would be added to the FBI's national DNA database under a Bush administration proposal.

Under current law, only DNA from adults convicted of crimes can be placed in the national database, which is used to compare those samples with biological evidence from the scenes of unsolved crimes. As of January, there were about 1.3 million DNA samples in the database, U.S. officials say.

Adding profiles from thousands of adult arrestees and juvenile offenders would greatly expand the DNA system's worth by increasing the number of potential matches, administration officials say. Justice Department officials have discussed potential changes in federal DNA law with key members of Congress and are pushing for legislation this year. [...] [USA Today]

Finally, we have the Associated Press reporting that the FBI Crime Lab is under investigation, again, for falsifying evidence.

New allegations cast a shadow on FBI crime lab

By John Solomon, Associated Press, 4/16/2003

WASHINGTON -- Reorganized after controversy in the mid-1990s, the FBI crime lab is dealing with new allegations of wrongdoing by employees that have opened the door for challenges of the lab's science in scores of cases involving DNA and bullet analysis, internal documents show.

An FBI lab scientist, who connected suspects to bullets through lead analysis, has been indicted after admitting she gave false testimony, and a technician has resigned while under investigation for alleged improper testing of more than 100 DNA samples, according to records and interviews.

In addition, one of the lab's retired metallurgists is challenging the bureau's science on bullet analysis, prompting the FBI to ask the National Academy of Sciences to review its methodology, the records obtained by the Associated Press show.[...] [Boston Globe]

Words cannot express how safe I feel knowing our fearless leaders are working night and day to protect us from....well, something.

Law enforcement is sort of like public education. I know some good folks who are on the streets doing police and detective work. They try hard, use the system as best they can, and want to do a dangerous job to the best of their ability. But the law enforcement bureaucracy is another matter -- populated by egomaniacal, power-mongering, self-serving bureaucrats who get real jollies wielding power over everyday citizens. The reality of law enforcement and criminal investigation is nothing like CSI Miami, any more than your local high school runs like Boston Public.

We need to be very vigilant about how this administration changes the rules of law enforcement and alters the balance between liberty and security. It is far easier to give away liberty than to get it back.

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 7:19 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

Civil Forfeiture Pressures Police to be Extortionists

PayPal meets the Patriot Act

CEI
by Solveig Singleton

"It would be one thing if the law served consumers, or targeted dangerous criminals. But as long as prosecutors and police are tempted by forfeiture laws, law enforcement will remain divorced from ordinary concepts of individual responsibility and the civil servant's duty to the public. And it will begin to look a lot more like legalized extortion." (4/15/03)

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 6:54 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

DMCA Not Needed to Stop Theft

As reported Sunday, Blackboard, Inc. was seeking to stop a presentation by two students at the Atlanta hackers conference where the two claimed they would show how to link any device to a Blackboard network.

According to the article, an initial Cease and Desist letter made reference to DMCA violations, but the actual complaint made no such reference. This points out two things:

• We don't now, and never did, need the DMCA to prevent the outright theft of legitimate trade secrets and copyrighted works
• State laws are, in many cases, much more restrictive than federal laws.

The reason the recording and film industries wanted the DMCA was to bypass the government bureaucracy that often gets in their way when pursuing such cases, and to avoid having to deal with 50 different sets of IP laws at the state level. In short, to make their lives easier at our expense.

But as we have now seen, the MPAA and the RIAA have already begun lobbying state governments to promote Super-DMCA bills that strip even more rights from users. Thankfully, the technology and user communities are awake this time around, and we can expect the recording industry to have increasing difficulty passing laws of convenience.

Court blocks security conference talk

By John Borland
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
April 15, 2003, 1:13 AM PT

A pair of students were blocked by a state court from presenting information at a Georgia security and hackers' conference on how to break into and modify a university electronic transactions system.

Washington D.C.-based education software company Blackboard successfully convinced a Georgia state court to block the students' presentation, which was scheduled to be given at the Interz0ne conference in Atlanta last weekend. [...]

Although an initial cease and desist letter sent to the Interz0ne conference organizers hinted that the students may have violated the DMCA, the complaint that resulted in the temporary restraining order did not touch on that copyright law.

Instead, the restraining order was grounded largely in federal and Georgia state antihacking laws and a state trade secrets act. [...] [C/Net News]

Posted by:  Terry Frazier at 6:43 PM  | Permanent Link  | Trackback URL | 

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