the Web Chef's e-Bytes

Big Brother Internet Surveillance to Increase?

In yet another example of Government run amuck, the Justice Department is investigating instituting requirements that video and photo sharing sites maintain records about who has uploaded content to their sites for a two year period.  This requirement is being pursued according to CNET because the government feels it would be valuable in investigating terrorism, child pornography and other crimes.

This "data retention" concept has been pursued by the Bush Justice Department for a number of months.  According to CNET "Internet service providers typically discard any log file that's no longer required for business reasons such as network monitoring, fraud prevention or billing disputes".

Privacy experts are alarmed that this government intrusion is yet another step in government access to a full range of private information that could be used in a politically and personally harmful manner.

You'd think with the heat that the Justice Department has been under for their many unpopular positions and recent mass firings of a number of Federal Attorneys, that these types of initiatives would be put on the back burner.

Attack on the Clones

Universal has sued Grouper and Bolt.com claiming copyright infringement according to Mike Zazain at WebProNews.  In what could be the beginning of the end for the video lookalikes, Universal is claiming that their business models are inherently illegal in that they are based on "mass infringement" according to the article.  With "GooTube" having entered into agreements with Sony, Universal and NBC; this lawsuit could be the start of greater market consolidation, sell-offs or the shutdowns of some of the video sharing sites. 

Video Search Engine and Aggregator
In other video resources - PureVideo provides a search engine for video sites.  It also aggregates and displays the top 10 results from over 35 sites.

Ying and Yang at Target

Clouds over Target store
Originally uploaded by bitters2005.

Target has been in the news for suing a blogger who revealed anti-shoplifting policies according to Blog Herald and is being sued by the National Federation for the Blind for allegedly not creating a website that is accessible by the blind according to Accessibility Blog.  These two cases provide interesting perspectives on how a design and merchandising leader like Target can be impacted by its online strategies and tactics.

Sounds to me like Target is becoming a TARGET... maybe WalMart has fallen off the radar due to their expensive and potentially effective PR initiatives to become the "darling of America". 

Podcasting Legal Guide & Update

iPod iPod
Originally uploaded by jakerome.

Creative Commons has published a comprehensive legal guide for Podcasting.  It looks like a pretty complete review of the topic.

For other Podcasting information see my earlier post on the state of podcasting.  Also take a look at the Podcasting resources that I've put together on my web site.

Joining the iPod Generation
I'm happy to report that beyond listening or viewing podcasts on my desk or laptop, I've joined the younger generation with the acquisition of a 30 GB 5G iPod.  In addition to using my iPod for Podcasts, Videocasts and music I intend to use it as a storage device for uploading photographs while out on the road.  This will reduce the need for a large inventory of memory sticks for my Sony Cybershot when I'm remote from a PC. 

Thanks to John Brzezinski, my friend and the publisher of the OKO blog for convincing me to take this step.