Libromancer's Apprentice

Website Seeks to Make Government Data Easier to Sift Through Always awesome, and the site in question can be found here: http://datausa.io/ Sincerity is the Watchword On horror stories and what makes them compelling. Americanizing Words and Witches Super interesting, and I'm definitely wanting to read this book even if I tend to eschew horror. Blizzard Erases Gaming History By Axing a Fan-Made 'World of Warcraft' Server A commentary on the impermanent and changing natures of MMOs. Encryption bill would force companies to surrender user data More security theater.  Because weakening protection never goes wrong... How music streaming service exclusives make pirating tempting again Irony: the Hulu banner ad at the top of that page.  But access is an issue.  I know that if there's an album that my only option is to buy as a download from a walled-garden account, I will not buy it .  I'd rather give the artist money directly and pirate than deal with ...

Reading Privacy Enables Reader Sharing On privacy and e-reading. If your website still uses HTTP, the X-UIDH header has turned you into a snitch About privacy, HTTP/HTTPS, and online tracking. Preventing Digital Decay A lot of people are shocked that as a relatively technology savvy person and as someone under 30 that I think microfilm is awesome.  The reason I think microfilm is awesome is for all of its limitations it is a stable method for archiving. I'm really glad that the challenges of digital preservation are getting more attention.  The fact that you cannot rely on just shoving a photo somewhere on your hard drive and expect it to be readable in 10 years is really important for people to be aware of. Internet Speculative Fiction Databse A FANTASTIC resource for fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and other related genres that fall under the Speculative Fiction umbrella. War Ink : See Their Ink.  Hear Their Stories "The War Ink virtual exhibit is a pa...

MakerBridge Awesome set of resources.  Go look and play. How the Bible and YouTube are fueling the next frontier of password cracking I find stuff like this really interesting, and good to keep in mind. DCL Ebook Report for October 2013  The landscape is improving. Self-powered ereaders could be in the offing This is kinda cool. From the Sony Walkman to the humble zip: The past century’s top 100 inventions that changed our lives (yet most of us take for granted) Gadgets and such. Young People Are Not as Digitally Native as You Think Not surprising, but then from my point of view I might experience this more than others.  Interestingly by their metric I would have been considered a 'digtial native' when a teen (let alone now). A Map of Internet Freedom Around the World Always good to know that while it could get better in the US, it could be a whole lot worse. Galleys in Stores? Unfinished Work For Sale It's a bit of a conundrum.  I love having A...

Bruce Schneier: NSA Spying Is Making Us Less Safe "It’s sheer folly to believe that only the NSA can exploit the vulnerabilities they create. Additionally, by eavesdropping on all Americans, they’re building the technical infrastructure for a police state." Downloading Is Mean! Content Industry Drafts Anti-Piracy Curriculum for Elementary Schools  Because D.A.R.E. worked so well (if you think I'm serious I have a bridge you might be interested in buying).  I'm glad to see that it acknowledges Creative Commons but I definitely feel it largely gives the wrong impression and overly simplifies the admittedly complicated matter of copyright law.  I think they'd be better off teaching kids "don't be a dick" (in more polite wording) and save the subject of copyright for late elementary school or middle school.  Also, perhaps the curriculum could be drafted without major input from the MPAA and the RIAA?  It could just be me, but I feel in the wake of...

Three-strikes laws do not reduce piracy: study *gasp* Say it isn't so! I'm sorry, was that too much sarcasm?  The system has so many flaws across the different implementations, including in actually catching infringement, and it never does to underestimate the power of bored computer geeks (plus everyone who simply doesn't consider what they're doing breaking copyright).  There are incredible misconceptions of copyright law, horrible attempts at 'scaring straight' the copyright breakers (seriously... can you actually watch the "You wouldn't steal a car" anti-piracy ads without laughing?  Also, why would I buy a pirated movie... doesn't that defeat the point?), and incredible abuses by corporate rights holders.  The US concept of "pop up warnings" is highly unsafe and a vector for malicious attacks (as if "Windows Antivirus" scams weren't enough).  That's before we get into the increasing expectation of access to ...