AP:
Airline passengers who buy a preapproved security pass could have their credit histories and property records examined as part of the government’s plan to turn over the Registered Traveler program to private companies, federal officials say.
How To Foil Search Engine Snoops
On Thursday, The Mercury News reported that the Justice Department has subpoenaed search-engine records in its defense of the Child Online Protection Act, or COPA. Google, whose corporate credo famously includes the admonishment “Don’t Be Evil,” is fighting the request for a week’s worth of search engine queries. Other search engines have already complied.
The government isn’t asking for search engine users’ identifying data — at least not yet. But for those worried about what companies or federal investigators might do with such records in the future, here’s a primer on how search logs work, and how to avoid being writ large within them.
Google’s data mining tools are not without controversy. Battelle has more here.
Fascinating Charts
Fascinating charts by Karl Hartig.
Adults Can Take Steps to Delay Alzheimer’s
Older adults who exercise at least three times a week keep their minds sharper as they age, a new study shows.
Researchers at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle found that regular exercise, in as little as 15 minute intervals, can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in adults over 65. Their study offers the most conclusive evidence to date that physical activity can help stem the degenerative diseases.
iPod Personal Trainer
But that was before she tried MP3 workouts. Taking advantage of sale prices last January at www.cardiocoach.com, she downloaded the first three volumes of a five-part series. Cardio Coach audios are designed to be used during any kind of cardiovascular exercise: running, stair climbing, even walking. For 30 to 60 minutes Sean O’Malley, the personal trainer who created the programs, offers encouragement as he guides the listener through a series of sprints – and for those exercising on machines, hills – that alternate with easier periods. Original music accompanies the ebb and flow of the intervals.
Experimental Film
Chris Oakley takes a “Minority Report” view of shopping malls. A well done, rather scar look at where we’re going.
Governor Doyle’s State of the State Coverage
WisPolitics has a useful roundup of Doyle’s speech and reaction around the state.
The Read / Write Internet
This will be the next big copyright war — whether this form of noncommercial creativity will be allowed. But there will be a big difference with this war and the last (over p2p filesharing). In the p2p wars, the side that defended innovation free of judicial supervision was right. But when ordinary people heard both sides of the argument, 90% were against us. In this war, the side that will defend these new creators is right. And when ordinary people hear both sides, and more importantly, see the creativity their kids are capable of, 90% will be with us.
Roof Ads
Some commercial outfits are painting giant ads on their roofs for the benefit of the aerial/satellite photos used by services like Google Earth/Google Maps.
Archives Help Businesses Learn From Past Mistakes
NPR:
The documents, products and records a company keeps in its archive help it to create institutional memories — good and bad. Nike turns to shoes in its archives to be reminded of past successes and failures.