The Three Laws of Clusters

Well, more like Two Laws, but the wording in the clause these lads have added to their software licence to effectively prevent military use of their work sounds very similar to Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics.

It’s a pity this exception and others like it can’t be built into the GPL and similar licences, but they really can’t: the GPL’s beauty is it’s simplicity, if you take that away you defeat the entire purpose.

Manage your privacy

An article about managing your identity and a new privacy service via the Swedish Pirate Party. Commentary later if I get a mo.

• Keeping your identity on a short leash
• Pirate Party Launches Commercial Darknet

We don’t need no steeenking evidence!

Has there been a shred of evidence yet in this alleged “terror plot“? The story has been running for a day now, and I haven’t seen a jot of it. Links in the comments please.

EU Domain Dream in Disarray

JMCC in Wired

Europe must reboot its fledgling domain name to avoid a system crash, critics say, after alleged missteps allowed cybersquatters to stockpile trademarks for auction.

CNET Mines AOL Data

Probably the best insight yet into the privacy implications of the release of AOL search data. Everybody has something to hide; even the people that say “if you have nothing to hide…”

Radio discussion on data retention

This morning at 9-10am on Radio 1, with TJ McIntyre of Digital Rights Ireland, Karlin Lillington of the Irish Times, and Noel Dempsey of the Useless Governement Ministers Club. Loads of details here via Bernard Tyers. Well done DRI for taking the Government to task for this awful abuse of authority.