Must have GIZMOS

Teen cracks AU$84 million porn filter in 30 minutes

Tom Wood, 16, claims to have broken the filters, which were released as part of the government's Net Alert scheme earlier this month, within half an hour.

The ease with which the filter can be broken came as a surprise to Wood, he told Channel Seven. "For that money, I thought it must have been unbreakable." After circumventing the filter in half an hour, Wood claims to have broken a second version of the porn-blocking software released on Friday, within 40 minutes.

The Internet filtering scheme comes as part of a wider AU$189 million package of measures announced by the government earlier this month. The NetAlert -- Protecting Australian Families Online program will also see publicity campaigns stepped up, including a AU$22 million awareness scheme to "inform parents and carers of children about online safety issues and provide information about where they can go to receive support and assistance", and 10 new ACMA Internet safety officers who will visit schools to talk about online dangers. Article

My guess is Tom will soon be the most popular guy in HS.

Bill Banning Electronic Gadgets In Crosswalks Slated For Big Cities in NY

If State Sen. Carl Kruger has his way, a bill set for Albany banning the use of electronic gadgets in crosswalks will soon become law [with video] in big cities across New York state with fines of $100.

"We're talking about people walking sort of tuned in and in the process of being tuned in, tuned out," Kruger said. "Tuned out to the world around them. They're walking into speeding cars. They're walking into buses. They're walking into one another and it's creating a number of fatalities that have been documented right here in the city."

"If you want to listen to your iPod, sit down and listen to it," Kruger declared. "You want to walk in the park, enjoy it. You want to jog around a jogging path, all the more power to you, but you should not be crossing streets and endangering yourself and the lives of others."

Send Senator Kruger an email on how you feel about his bill set for Albany banning the use of electronic gadgets in crosswalks. via

Micron Buys Lexar for about $688 Million

Micron News Release: Micron Technology, Inc. and Lexar Media, Inc., today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Micron to acquire Lexar in a stock-for-stock merger. Under terms of the agreement, each outstanding common share of Lexar will receive 0.5625 shares of Micron stock. Micron anticipates issuing shares in exchange for 81.6 million Lexar shares outstanding. Additional Micron shares will be issued upon the exercise of assumed stock options. Source Digotal Photograpraphy Blog

Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business

In an era of increased competition,  Konica Minolta announcement indicating a company is leaving the business of producing photographic equipment. While they are not engaged in the direct production of "professional" gear, Konica Minolta has been (under the Minolta) brand making photographic gear for the better part of a century.

Read the 1/19/06 PRESS RELEASE