An excellent article in the New York Times covers most of the major forms of electronic surveillance currently being used to watch Americans in their homes and discusses the implications of some of these techniques.

In case anyone ever wonders why I keep this site mainly to news and opinion as opposed to personal information, here is an excellent reason why I will keep it that way (from the New York Times).

A lengthy article in Popular Science details some of the plans for replacement shuttles. Long, but interesting read.

Security Focus reports that an effort led by the ACM is attempting to get a security research exemption enacted for the DMCA. The idea is simple, since the "black hats" are going to violate the law anyway, the "white hats" should have a chance to legally locate, solve, and publicize …

I was sure that I'd seen it before, but then I couldn't find it, the elusive "Just Added" page on the iTunes Music Store. The key is to go to a genre first, and then you will see the Just Added link and can see what has been added in …

Did you know that your car keeps track of how fast you're going? I did, but this article claims that "most" drivers don't realize that their cars may have black boxes in them. This is now more of a concern, since they are starting to show up in court cases …

I've always liked my name. First, lots of people compliment it. Second, everybody remembers it (although this is a distinct disadvantage when I can't remember their names). But, now I can add a new reason: it's such an uncommon name, there are no terrorists with it and I am therefore …

According to a Yahoo Yahoo article, self-destructing DVDs (seen first last year for review-copies of the movie Die Another Day) are finally going to make it to rentals. But, what does it mean? More convenience? More pollution? Less freedom? I like the concept of the new format. The disk physically …

Yes, it's a sequel, so I shouldn't expect much. But, unlike the first one, they spent a hideous amount of money promoting it as the end-all, be-all of movies and so I think any over-expectations were the responsibility of those who wrote/directed/produced the film. Note: I didn't say …

It appears from this article off of CNET, that T-Mobile is not going to support the Microsoft Smart Phone initiative after all. Not surprisingly, they are concerned about stability, but there are also the relationships with Nokia and Sony Ericsson to consider.

A good article from CNET questions the long-term viability of Nintendo's home console (the Game Cube) in the light of this seasons poor sales showing against relative newcomer X-Box. If the software companies start to pull their support, Nintendo could try to make it on the strength of their …

According to a story on BBC News, the group drafting the new EU constitution is not including the idea of an elected president. Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing told the BBC it wasn't practical for now, but maybe in 50 years.

I didn't see them at E3, but X-tra Fun is advertising a new product that will allow up to eight of Nintendo's GBAs to communicate using Bluetooth. Not only can you play games together, but if you have a Bluetooth internet Access Point (AP), you can play over the …

As the number of media switchers continues to appear to climb, this Matrix- styled article from CBS News is a fun, if not entirely informative read. Warning, your Windows friends probably won't like it, because he likes the Mac and loves the iPod

The final installment of the online game track gave four (pardon me, three) case studies of companies that have brought out games with online components. Represented were FASA Studios for MechAssault, Zipper Interactive for SOCOM: Navy Seals, and Mythic for Dark Ages of Camelot. Rudely not showing up was Digital …

There are at least three different interpretations of the current licensing frenzy among the top titles at E3. I'll discuss each of them a little here. There are three basic attitudes towards licensing in the game market. I characterize them as: the valuable partner scenario, the juggernaut scenario, and the …

A good session with folks from Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, Ion Storm, and Double Fine each giving their input on what makes games successful. Continuing a trend for this show, there was much discussion about whether garage gamers could emerge once again on the scene. The general consensus is "no, but …

Perhaps not the end of E3, but it is the end for me, as I am returning on Friday. The final day involved a few sessions and a very good lunch presentation followed by one more swing through the booths and out. Here are some pictures of my trip as …

It seems that when John isn't busy making products for ID Software, he is working at Armadillo Aerospace on a project aimed at the X-Prize.

As an odd follow-up to this morning's story about too much salt in children's food comes this story from the BBC News. A woman is accused of attempting to kill an eight-year-old by giving the child solutions laden with large amounts of salt.