ARIN6902 Internet Cultures and Governance

BROADCASTERS will be able to air extra advertising on their digital free-to-air channels and erase breaches of the rules governing free-to-air TV if they swiftly correct errors, under significant concessions given by the communications watchdog.

Article from PC World dated 19/3/2010 Talks about the the enduring legal battle between Viacom and Google over intellectual property rights which have been (arguably) 'violated' by the Video sharing website, Youtube. This is another prime example of the indefinable nature of the digital medium and the problems inherent in resolving issues of ownership and distribution of information in the context of the internet. The inability to fully implement control in free flowing information forums again raises the question who can really be made responsible for copyright infringements?

Article from today's Sydney Morning Herald about the settlement of a lawsuit related to a program called Beacon. I think its important that Facebook is scrutinised regularly, particularly in relation to its quite invasive policies when it comes to collecting data about its users for marketing purposes.

US focus, however amazing to see the article talks to 90% of email being sent is Spam. Organisations need greater controls and security measures for any disgruntled employees.

Possible opt-out for web visitors. As the article suggests if this is possible, certainly presents a challenge for marketers, as well as the value of Google Analytics!

Possible opt-out for web visitors. As the article suggests if this is possible, certainly presents a challenge for marketers, as well as the value of Google Analytics!

Possible opt-out for web visitors. As the article suggests if this is possible, certainly presents a challenge for marketers, as well as the value of Google Analytics!

The internet has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its help in "advancing, dialogue, debate and consensus." According to the article if the internet were to win it would be a "win for each and every one of us." Go Internet!

We tend to think of the digital divide in geographical terms (developed vs developing nations). But what does it mean for citizens of developed nations to be on the wrong side of this divide? This article gives a brief insight into the subject in Britain.

When government censorship becomes too much for a company to handle. What will Google decide, stay in the most populous country, or leave because censorship has become too much.

The Pentagon receives thousands of attempts to from hackers/crackers to access their defense computers. They are deciding to fight fire with fire and train their employees to understand hacking so they can be prepared. Sounds like a good idea, just maybe one they should have had years ago...

Once again, a social networking site Facebook is targeted, this time through email.

The White House will now archive its tweets. Wonder what role Twitter will play in the not-so-far-away 2012 US presidential campaign. If Obama runs for re-election... will he start the race ahead?

The findings of this article definitely portrays an extremist view of the internet. It shows the internet to be extremely dangerous which would add to the already growing nervousness which I think many parents experience in letting their children surf the web. While cybersecurity is an increasingly prominent issue I don't see how producing a bubble of fear around the online world can improve the situation. You generally cannot function without the internet and being fed these alarmist ideas only furthers the notion that people should be fearful and avoid the internet rather than be engaging with it and appreciating it for being an amazing tool to communicate and learn.

Well, Fox News is just unbelievable... guess who they consider their competitor, CNN or Comedy Central.

yayy for fear-mongering....

A GROUP of Google's partners in China have sent an impassioned plea to the internet giant, saying their businesses are in jeopardy if Google closes its Chinese search engine, and demanding to know how they will be compensated.

The deal has been done, it's only the matter of how Googld deal with those partners and its financial problem accordingly.

GOOGLE is considering a plan to keep many of its operations in China, even though it is resigned to closing its flagship search engine over a censorship dispute with the Chinese authorities.

I reckon, google is still waiting for the time to cut in, after all it's the biggest market.

With ICANN's decision to add new categories of names to top level domain names, organisations are already embarking on the process to register their brand. Regsitering a name won't come cheap though. Yet another example of the internet well and truly being commodified, Canon will pay $185,000 for the privilege. Perhaps the media attention in being first will be worth the outlay.

The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) scheme has been adopted in Uruguay and Panama, in a move that has received support from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The article also refers to the need for more laptops in disaster-affected Haiti, as well as Clinton's opinion on the Google China controversy.

This article is dealing with the recent disclosure by Google that it had fallen victim to a cyber attack. It renews the growing sentiment that a global response to the issue of cybersecurity is needed with particular emphasis on the cooperation between the government and business sectors.

Interesting comparison was made in this article regarding President Obama's priorities. It stated that "Obama has made cyber security a top priority for his administration, and has listed the threat from cyber weapons along with other weapons of mass destruction - such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons." Is it fair to make a comparison between the threat of nuclear weapons and threats which exist within the world of computers?

Who's a villain and who's not? "Villain"? That's like a comics term..... Lex Luthor better not have Facebook.... "Bought 300 grams of kyyptonite today..."

Obama's "Organizing for America" was an attempt to channel digital political organizing toward an established candidate. It was the first time a mainstream candidate used the internet effectively to organize. But now they're using it to organize while in government... will it continue to work? Perhaps the fact this year's election is still 9 months away is the problem.