Links for September 6th through September 8th

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on September 8, 2008). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Sometime between September 6th and September 8th, I thought this stuff was interesting. You might think so too!

  • The Cyber Crime Hall of Fame: In compiling our list, we looked for a few things: ingenuity (had it been done before?), scope (how many computers, agencies, companies, sites, etc. did it affect?), cost (how much in monetary damages did it cause?), and historical significance (did it start a new trend?).
  • Big data: Welcome to the petacentre: What does it take to store bytes by the tens of thousands of trillions? Cory Doctorow meets the people and machines for which it's all in a day's work.
  • Man rubbed with spices, other beaten with sausage: A stranger broke into a home east of Fresno, rubbed spices on the body of one of two men as they slept and used an 8-inch sausage to whack the other man in the face and head before he fled, Fresno County sheriff's deputies said Saturday.
  • International Action Day “Freedom not fear – Stop the surveillance mania!” on 11 October 2008: A broad movement of campaigners and organizations is calling on everybody to join action against excessive surveillance by governments and businesses. On 11 October 2008, concerned people in many countries will take to the streets, the motto being "Freedom not fear 2008". Peaceful and creative action, from protest marches to parties, will take place in many capital cities.
  • A DSLR Catechism: Should sound very familiar to anyone with a DSLR.
  • Hi, I’m a Mac… Beep, beep!: It's pretty common, when reading discussion of Apple's “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads, to come across the comment: "Sure, they're great ads but they don't work. John Hodgeman’s PC is far more likeable than Justin Long’s smug hipster Mac." This is missing the point.