http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124636491863372821.html
A day before implementation, the Chinese government postponed the implementation and mandate of Web-filtering software to be installed on all computers in China. The delay was said to be mainly caused by PC makers concerned about not having enough time to implement the filter effectively by deadline.
There has been much controversy over the web-filtering mandate proposed by the Chinese government. Many feel that it is intrusive, and allows the Chinese government to further encroach on censorship of its citizens.
While PC makers complained that they didn’t have enough time to meet the deadline of implementation, governments abroad including the European Union and the U.S. have voiced concern about the filtering mandate. Additionally, many citizens within and outside the boarders of China have been against the filtering system feeling it allows the government to have more control over personal life. However, the government says the filter will only block “unhealthy” content from youth and does not keep track of users’ behavior online.
Calling the filter, the Green Dam Youth-Escort, the main purpose of the filter is to implement in schools and web cafes in order to protect the youth from unscrupulous content. However, some who have already used computers containing the filter say that it also blocks users from travelling to sites with controversial political content.
Although big PC makers, including No. 1 PC exporter Hewlett Packard is willing to comply, agreement to including the filter in their products does not come without hesitation. However, China is No. 2 in the world for consumption of computers behind the U. S. and PC makers know that they must include the filter in order to continue to capitalize off of the growing Chinese market. Companies such as Sony have already began making products with the Green filter while other companies such as Dell and Acer are asking for more time to test the filter before they rush it to market.
All in all, it seems like another way for the Chinese government to control content disseminated by their population. Moreover, it is awesome that the PC makers really have no power to protest this border-line immoral act of control because China is such a huge part of company revenue.
Sources:
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090608_chinas_green_dam_youth_escort_software/
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Journal 14, July 1
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203872404574260031716614544.html
Real Player has just released a new video downloading platform called the Real PlayerSP. The Real PlayerSP enables users to download videos and transfer them to various portable devices. It is very convenient because it has an easy-to-use interface and is free to download. Once installed, you can use the new player to download videos on the web and convert the files to place on different mobile devices. This is the key differentiation with the software. It can convert and transfer files to work on the iPhone, Blackberry, T-Mobile Sidekicks, Palm Pre, and and several other portable devices.
RealNetworks, Inc. who has been a long-time player the data transfer industry is also the parent company of Rhapsody Music and the ever evolving Real Player used to play music and videos. The new RealPlayer SP(SP stands for social and portable) is the latest product offering for consumers in this fast-paced digital society.
However, there are a few glitches and concerns with the software. Typically, many videos that people want to rip are larger in size and copyright protected. Thus, the RealPlayer SP can can mainly be used with only small videos. Additionally, the iPod Touch has just released an application that allows users to download videos, movies, and tv shows directly to the device. RealPlayer SP is only currently only compatible with PC but RealWorks plans to unveil a Mac version later in the year. Also, users have found that sometimes when attempting to download a video, it will download only commercial prior to the video but the software will show a full video has been downloaded.
However, the RealPlayer SP makes it easier to go between different social networks to share video. Users find it quite simple to convert one video with software to be viewable on various sites like Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook.
However, Youtube lets users embed videos on these social networking sites as well. The true mark if this new software video converter will have staying power and facilititate further innovation in the market is if its ease of use surpasses current market offerings and if its various platform capabilities will prove useful in a market where many platforms have their own channels of getting videos to portable device users.
Sources:
http://www.realnetworks.com/
http://www.real.com/realplayer?src=realplayer_8020&pcode=rn&opage=realplayer_8020
Real Player has just released a new video downloading platform called the Real PlayerSP. The Real PlayerSP enables users to download videos and transfer them to various portable devices. It is very convenient because it has an easy-to-use interface and is free to download. Once installed, you can use the new player to download videos on the web and convert the files to place on different mobile devices. This is the key differentiation with the software. It can convert and transfer files to work on the iPhone, Blackberry, T-Mobile Sidekicks, Palm Pre, and and several other portable devices.
RealNetworks, Inc. who has been a long-time player the data transfer industry is also the parent company of Rhapsody Music and the ever evolving Real Player used to play music and videos. The new RealPlayer SP(SP stands for social and portable) is the latest product offering for consumers in this fast-paced digital society.
However, there are a few glitches and concerns with the software. Typically, many videos that people want to rip are larger in size and copyright protected. Thus, the RealPlayer SP can can mainly be used with only small videos. Additionally, the iPod Touch has just released an application that allows users to download videos, movies, and tv shows directly to the device. RealPlayer SP is only currently only compatible with PC but RealWorks plans to unveil a Mac version later in the year. Also, users have found that sometimes when attempting to download a video, it will download only commercial prior to the video but the software will show a full video has been downloaded.
However, the RealPlayer SP makes it easier to go between different social networks to share video. Users find it quite simple to convert one video with software to be viewable on various sites like Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook.
However, Youtube lets users embed videos on these social networking sites as well. The true mark if this new software video converter will have staying power and facilititate further innovation in the market is if its ease of use surpasses current market offerings and if its various platform capabilities will prove useful in a market where many platforms have their own channels of getting videos to portable device users.
Sources:
http://www.realnetworks.com/
http://www.real.com/realplayer?src=realplayer_8020&pcode=rn&opage=realplayer_8020
Journal 13, July 1
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/technology/internet/01yuan.html?_r=1&ref=technology
The increase of virtual currency trading in China has government officials scared and making moves to limit the activity in the country. Currently, China has the largest market in the world for such games as Tecent, World of Warcraft and other interactive platforms that have virtual currency features. These games allow participants to accrue, trade, and even purchase real items such as food and clothing with this virtual currency. Close to $2 billion dollars worth of virtual currency was traded last year alone in China.
The government is concerned because they feel that the increased popularity and value of virtual currency can affect the economic state of real currency. At one point, virtual currency was valued at more than the Chinese currency, the renminbi and Chinese officials were worried that this virtual worth could degrade the value of real money in the country.
Interestingly enough, online retailers are feeding into the virtual marketplace. E-markets such as eBay and Taobao sell World of Warcraft virtual gold coins and swords. China has taken action by banning real goods being bought with virtual currency. Evidently, virtual currency however, holds true weight among users. Reportedly, a man in China was sentenced to prison for beating up a man in a café and demanding him to turn over virtual currency and valuables in value of $14,750. It is ironic how intangible goods now have society taking tangible action. Even more intriguing is the fact that clandestinely, we have been using virtual currency since the inception of online banki ng. However, as a new threat comes into town, governments are raising eyebrows at the true implications of this new phenomenon predicated by gaming technology.
The regulation of virtual currency in China comes at a tense time however where China has been criticized for its proposed national implementation of filtering software on all computers sold in China. This filtering software would block pornographic and other unhealthy sites. While China is making a bang-up effort to thwart the control of money by programmers, it is interestingly ironic how the government can become scared over money that isn’t real and even outwardly showing it through deeper restrictions to protect their control.
Sources:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/165447/china_sentences_virtual_currency_extorter_to_prison.html
http://www.china.org.cn/english/business/239421.htm
The increase of virtual currency trading in China has government officials scared and making moves to limit the activity in the country. Currently, China has the largest market in the world for such games as Tecent, World of Warcraft and other interactive platforms that have virtual currency features. These games allow participants to accrue, trade, and even purchase real items such as food and clothing with this virtual currency. Close to $2 billion dollars worth of virtual currency was traded last year alone in China.
The government is concerned because they feel that the increased popularity and value of virtual currency can affect the economic state of real currency. At one point, virtual currency was valued at more than the Chinese currency, the renminbi and Chinese officials were worried that this virtual worth could degrade the value of real money in the country.
Interestingly enough, online retailers are feeding into the virtual marketplace. E-markets such as eBay and Taobao sell World of Warcraft virtual gold coins and swords. China has taken action by banning real goods being bought with virtual currency. Evidently, virtual currency however, holds true weight among users. Reportedly, a man in China was sentenced to prison for beating up a man in a café and demanding him to turn over virtual currency and valuables in value of $14,750. It is ironic how intangible goods now have society taking tangible action. Even more intriguing is the fact that clandestinely, we have been using virtual currency since the inception of online banki ng. However, as a new threat comes into town, governments are raising eyebrows at the true implications of this new phenomenon predicated by gaming technology.
The regulation of virtual currency in China comes at a tense time however where China has been criticized for its proposed national implementation of filtering software on all computers sold in China. This filtering software would block pornographic and other unhealthy sites. While China is making a bang-up effort to thwart the control of money by programmers, it is interestingly ironic how the government can become scared over money that isn’t real and even outwardly showing it through deeper restrictions to protect their control.
Sources:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/165447/china_sentences_virtual_currency_extorter_to_prison.html
http://www.china.org.cn/english/business/239421.htm
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Journal 12, June 21
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23526/
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23526/
Better Place has demonstrated its new proposal for battery switching stations. The company did a demonstration of how it would work this morning in Yokohama, Japan. The battery-switching stations would be placed at various points on the highway and enable electric car drivers to swap out their low-charged batteries for fully charged batteries. The battery station swap has a proposed time less than that of pumping gas and would enable electric car drivers to travel long distances. These stations would the alternative to drivers having to re-charge their batteries which could take hours.
Japan is currently studying the implementation of stations to reach its goal of half of all cars purchased being electric vehicles by 2020. Inevitably, this would put Japan ahead of many of the major world powers in terms of creating an sustainable national infrastructure.
However, the stations do not come without a few setbacks. Currently, electric car developers are using different battery packs. If the stations carried too many battery packs, it would make switching stations too costly. Chrysler, who just unveiled five different battery packs are an example of the battery pack variation.
Better Place, the world’s leading electric vehicle service provider is racing to be one of the first to provide battery switching stations to various global markets. Their innovative ideas coupled with the electric technology can ultimately propel this new electric market to mainstream consumer appeal and feasibility.
If implemented, these swap stations could thwart more than one obstacle at providing electric cars that could go long distances and bring us one step closer to a green society. Through these new electric technologies, zero-emission cars can emerge as our gateway to cutting down on CO2 tremendously. It is so exciting to see companies working with governments in order to provide technologies that can better society, the planet, and humanity.
View Swap Video bElow:
Sources:
http://www.betterplace.com/company/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30744602/
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23526/
Better Place has demonstrated its new proposal for battery switching stations. The company did a demonstration of how it would work this morning in Yokohama, Japan. The battery-switching stations would be placed at various points on the highway and enable electric car drivers to swap out their low-charged batteries for fully charged batteries. The battery station swap has a proposed time less than that of pumping gas and would enable electric car drivers to travel long distances. These stations would the alternative to drivers having to re-charge their batteries which could take hours.
Japan is currently studying the implementation of stations to reach its goal of half of all cars purchased being electric vehicles by 2020. Inevitably, this would put Japan ahead of many of the major world powers in terms of creating an sustainable national infrastructure.
However, the stations do not come without a few setbacks. Currently, electric car developers are using different battery packs. If the stations carried too many battery packs, it would make switching stations too costly. Chrysler, who just unveiled five different battery packs are an example of the battery pack variation.
Better Place, the world’s leading electric vehicle service provider is racing to be one of the first to provide battery switching stations to various global markets. Their innovative ideas coupled with the electric technology can ultimately propel this new electric market to mainstream consumer appeal and feasibility.
If implemented, these swap stations could thwart more than one obstacle at providing electric cars that could go long distances and bring us one step closer to a green society. Through these new electric technologies, zero-emission cars can emerge as our gateway to cutting down on CO2 tremendously. It is so exciting to see companies working with governments in order to provide technologies that can better society, the planet, and humanity.
View Swap Video bElow:
Sources:
http://www.betterplace.com/company/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30744602/
Journal 11, June 21
http://www.technologyreview.com/business/22898/page1/
An automotive company based in Santa Monica, CA is trying to be the first to bring an electric sedan to market. The company, Coda Automotive, is a start-up company and will have the car made by a Chinese Manufacturer. The manufacturer, Hafei, plans to make 200,000 cars in the first year. Coda plans to offer the car for $45,000 but it may be lower than this after government subsidies.
There are many car makers racing to put an electric car on the road as well including GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford and Chrysler. Analysts are skeptical of Coda will be able to beat some of the big automakers to the punch. Coda however says that it has differentiated its model by pairing up with a lithium-ion battery maker. Coda, who owns part of the factory says that this partnership enables them to have a steady supply of batteries for its cars. Other Japanese car producers such as Nissan and Toyota also have partnerships with battery makers but Coda feels its scale and speed will surpass these makers and allow their product offering to reach consumers first.
Coda hopes to sell enough of its first generation model in order to create market share and demand for its second generation offering. They plan for their second generation car to go up to 150 miles without re-charging and would cost less than their first release. However, current sedans on the market are $15,000 cheaper than Coda’s offering price for its electric car and analysts are skeptic as to the willingness of consumers to pay the premium price for a greener vehicle.
Inevitably, it is healthy competition for all the companies and extremely beneficial for consumers. With competition, the automakers are having to provide the best quality and mileage for an electric vehicle. This healthy rivalry in the industry assures that the best green technologies for cars with be presented to the market. Additionally, consumers will have a range of choices which will be truly remarkable. As battery technologies evolve, and re-charge station chains start to pop up to replace gasoline stations, the evolution of transportation technology will take sustainable turn.
Sources:
http://www.codaautomotive.com/#/who
http://en.lishen.com.cn/newEbiz1/EbizPortalFG/portal/html/ProgramShow.html?ProgramShow_ProgramID=c373e9199832bda28f7eaf1f67cddb91
An automotive company based in Santa Monica, CA is trying to be the first to bring an electric sedan to market. The company, Coda Automotive, is a start-up company and will have the car made by a Chinese Manufacturer. The manufacturer, Hafei, plans to make 200,000 cars in the first year. Coda plans to offer the car for $45,000 but it may be lower than this after government subsidies.
There are many car makers racing to put an electric car on the road as well including GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford and Chrysler. Analysts are skeptical of Coda will be able to beat some of the big automakers to the punch. Coda however says that it has differentiated its model by pairing up with a lithium-ion battery maker. Coda, who owns part of the factory says that this partnership enables them to have a steady supply of batteries for its cars. Other Japanese car producers such as Nissan and Toyota also have partnerships with battery makers but Coda feels its scale and speed will surpass these makers and allow their product offering to reach consumers first.
Coda hopes to sell enough of its first generation model in order to create market share and demand for its second generation offering. They plan for their second generation car to go up to 150 miles without re-charging and would cost less than their first release. However, current sedans on the market are $15,000 cheaper than Coda’s offering price for its electric car and analysts are skeptic as to the willingness of consumers to pay the premium price for a greener vehicle.
Inevitably, it is healthy competition for all the companies and extremely beneficial for consumers. With competition, the automakers are having to provide the best quality and mileage for an electric vehicle. This healthy rivalry in the industry assures that the best green technologies for cars with be presented to the market. Additionally, consumers will have a range of choices which will be truly remarkable. As battery technologies evolve, and re-charge station chains start to pop up to replace gasoline stations, the evolution of transportation technology will take sustainable turn.
Sources:
http://www.codaautomotive.com/#/who
http://en.lishen.com.cn/newEbiz1/EbizPortalFG/portal/html/ProgramShow.html?ProgramShow_ProgramID=c373e9199832bda28f7eaf1f67cddb91
Journal 10, June 21
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/guest/23691/
Currently during the tumultuous election instability in Iran, the government has increased censorship of the internet. Reportedly, the Iranian government has upped the anty and filtered such websites as Facebook and Twitter. Suspecting these types of sites have information that is unfavorable to the current government situation, the increased filtering actions are just another way for the government to control public opinion. The latest Iranian election was to approve continuing power of current president and conservative leader Ahmadinejad. His opponent, Mousavi, who is more liberal and supports improving relations with the U.S. had a strong youth following with over 66% of his supporters under the age of 30.
With social networking sites being popular with this demographic, it is easy to see why the government wants to censor correspondence through these networks. When Ahmadjinejad won by a landslide, the revolt began in Iran and there have been more riots over the election since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
To overcome the internet censorship, the use of proxies have risen with internet users in Iran. By using proxies, users can bypass the filtering through diverting internet content to pass through machines outside or Iran. Currently, internet traffic flows through one, government owned ISP. Iran has responded to proxies by blocking them as they are found but within the past week, the usage of these proxy tactics have doubled.
The information about the ongoing protests over the election are being disseminated through such sites as Twitter and Facebook and at one point, the government even turned off internet access in the country completely.
Technology now links the world and I believe we truly take for granted the freedoms and access to information that we have in the U.S. I believe that citizens have a right to speak out against what they dislike about their country and should not be censored off. Restricting internet access to free speech portals like Facebook and Twitter will only fuel the yearning for freedom and reform.
Sources:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_presidential_election.html
Currently during the tumultuous election instability in Iran, the government has increased censorship of the internet. Reportedly, the Iranian government has upped the anty and filtered such websites as Facebook and Twitter. Suspecting these types of sites have information that is unfavorable to the current government situation, the increased filtering actions are just another way for the government to control public opinion. The latest Iranian election was to approve continuing power of current president and conservative leader Ahmadinejad. His opponent, Mousavi, who is more liberal and supports improving relations with the U.S. had a strong youth following with over 66% of his supporters under the age of 30.
With social networking sites being popular with this demographic, it is easy to see why the government wants to censor correspondence through these networks. When Ahmadjinejad won by a landslide, the revolt began in Iran and there have been more riots over the election since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
To overcome the internet censorship, the use of proxies have risen with internet users in Iran. By using proxies, users can bypass the filtering through diverting internet content to pass through machines outside or Iran. Currently, internet traffic flows through one, government owned ISP. Iran has responded to proxies by blocking them as they are found but within the past week, the usage of these proxy tactics have doubled.
The information about the ongoing protests over the election are being disseminated through such sites as Twitter and Facebook and at one point, the government even turned off internet access in the country completely.
Technology now links the world and I believe we truly take for granted the freedoms and access to information that we have in the U.S. I believe that citizens have a right to speak out against what they dislike about their country and should not be censored off. Restricting internet access to free speech portals like Facebook and Twitter will only fuel the yearning for freedom and reform.
Sources:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_presidential_election.html
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Journal 9, June 14
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/12/digital.TV/index.html
As of Saturday at 12:01am, all television had to switch to digital. Congress voted to delay the transission from the original February 17 conversion date because of the fact that almost 6.5 million homes were not ready for the transission. The Federal Communications Commission has been advertising the switch for some time now and trying to get citizens equipped with the proper technology so that the switch would be smooth.
Digital tv will also allow for ease of switching between watching regular tv and viewing television directly from the internet. This will open up many doors for independent networks and shows that will actually have a fighting chance against bigger more established networks.
The digital switch at first shocked many people, especially older citizens who really didn’t understand the reason or implications of the switch. I think the Federal Communications Commission could have done a better a job of explaining the purpose of the switch to citizens. However, people with satellite or tv service will be unaffected by the change.
The switch however was big business for the government as they solicited over twenty billion in auctions to sell off licenses for vacant frequencies abandoned by local users that could be used for broader commercial uses. Republicans were also against the delay on switching as they stated that citizens had years to prepare.
However for the lower income and elderly persons who were the majority people who had not switched by February 17, I believe that this shows the government did not do as good a job of informing and educating citizens about the switch. Inevitably, there are still some who still need to transission to digital tv, as of now, if you don’t have it than you are getting the snow white picture. It is definitely an evolutionary change in communications that surprisingly was mandated by the government. But once you see how much money the government made off of this, it is clear the implications as to the need for the switch can be questioned.
Sources:
http://topics.cnn.com/topics/digital_televisions
As of Saturday at 12:01am, all television had to switch to digital. Congress voted to delay the transission from the original February 17 conversion date because of the fact that almost 6.5 million homes were not ready for the transission. The Federal Communications Commission has been advertising the switch for some time now and trying to get citizens equipped with the proper technology so that the switch would be smooth.
Digital tv will also allow for ease of switching between watching regular tv and viewing television directly from the internet. This will open up many doors for independent networks and shows that will actually have a fighting chance against bigger more established networks.
The digital switch at first shocked many people, especially older citizens who really didn’t understand the reason or implications of the switch. I think the Federal Communications Commission could have done a better a job of explaining the purpose of the switch to citizens. However, people with satellite or tv service will be unaffected by the change.
The switch however was big business for the government as they solicited over twenty billion in auctions to sell off licenses for vacant frequencies abandoned by local users that could be used for broader commercial uses. Republicans were also against the delay on switching as they stated that citizens had years to prepare.
However for the lower income and elderly persons who were the majority people who had not switched by February 17, I believe that this shows the government did not do as good a job of informing and educating citizens about the switch. Inevitably, there are still some who still need to transission to digital tv, as of now, if you don’t have it than you are getting the snow white picture. It is definitely an evolutionary change in communications that surprisingly was mandated by the government. But once you see how much money the government made off of this, it is clear the implications as to the need for the switch can be questioned.
Sources:
http://topics.cnn.com/topics/digital_televisions
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