A must read.

 χ 

If your computer has the DNS Changer malware installed, you’ll be unable to use the Internet from Monday (9 July 2012).

If your computer was infected, some of its vital internet traffic was being routed through rogue servers, which the FBI seized last year. They’ve been running nice servers in their place, to prevent infectees losing the ability to use the internet, but are turning them off on Monday.

It’s easy to check whether you’re infected at [http://www.dcwg.org]( http://www.dcwg.org]

 χ 

A ‘tribute’ band for Maroon 5 got to number 9 in the charts with Maroon 5’s latest song before Maroon 5 even released it.

The techdirt article explains the mechanics, but it’s a case of music being held back from release, and ‘enterprising’ people jumping in to fulfil demand. Apparently, it happened in the 50s and 60s with American music taking a long time to be released in the UK, so cover artists often beat the original track to it.

 χ 

They’ve posted a great set of photos of the new screen being put in

The pic of the old screen has an apocalyptic and theatrical feel to it.

 χ 

John Richards was advised [by police] that putting up a poster at his Vauxhall Road home denouncing religions as ‘fairy stories’ could be an offence under the Public Order Act.

How did the police get involved in this in the first place? The 1986 Public Order Act is certainly a scary piece of law, with lots of room for abuse.

The 1986 Public Order Act states that a person is guilty of an offence if they display a sign which is threatening or abusive or insulting with the intent to provoke violence or which may cause another person harassment, alarm or distress.

How can we really be that responsible for the sensitivity of others?

 χ 

This long article in Wired explains the history of Anonymous, and how it turned from a decentralized group looking for lulz, into political activists over the last couple of years.

They started out doing weird stuff online, but went on to have very real-world impacts.

For example:

Some who supported #optunisia were themselves Tunisians, including Slim Amamou, an outspoken blogger. After Amamou was arrested on January 6, 2011, the anons on the #optunisia IRC channel barely slept as they waited for word. But eight days later, the regime fell, and Amamou was appointed a minister in the new government.

2011 was an exciting year, with the Arab Spring, Lulzsec, Occupy and London’s riots. 2012 seems quiet so far, but things have started changing, like the news that ACTA is struggling to gain any ground in Europe.

 χ 

This project to redefine Microsoft has cool results.

Starting with Windows Phone, and now with Windows 8, Metro and Surface, a new Microsoft is emerging. They’re showing they can innovate and bring something new and fresh. It’d be cool to see Microsoft become more aggressive with their image and marketing, rather than the cheesy touchy-feely Windows 7 marketing campaign.

 χ 

Ars Technica have a good summary of the impact of the @facebook.com email address mess.

I checked my Facebook profile, and found that my actual email address had been hidden from my friends, and the @facebook.com one was being pushed out instead. I’ve changed that, but I’m pretty shocked Facebook thought it was okay to change my published contact details without even letting me know.

 χ 

Interesting retrospective on the impact the iPhone has had on phones and computers. It’s the name that confused all the naysayers.* *

 χ 

Rumours are that Daft Punk’s next album will be released on 21 July. There’s also rumours it will have a strong jazz influence.

According to Stoney Roadshttp://stoneyroads.com/daft-punk-rumored-track-title-release-date/, the magazine leaked information on the new material, which up until now had a big question mark over its head. Firstly they stated that they could confirm the title of a new album, Renoma Street, and after a fan’s persistance via Twitter regarding a release date, the editor responded: 21/7.

Update: turns out it was all a joke by some magazine

 χ