TECH.BLORGE.com » John Lister

YouTube introduces automatic video captioning

John Lister — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:13:59 +0000

YouTube has announced it will offer automated video captioning for clips. It will serve as an accessibility tool for hard-of-hearing viewers, but could also make clips easier to find.

The site already allows manual captioning, but most clip uploaders don’t take advantage simply because of [...]

FAA computer glitch causes air travel chaos

John Lister — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:46 +0000

A problem with the Federal Aviation Authority’s computer system has caused widespread delays and cancellations. The agency stresses there is no security or safety risk stemming from the glitch.

The problem affects the automated process by which flight plans are added to the [...]

What to look for in Google OS launch

John Lister — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:14:44 +0000

Google is scheduled to give the first public demonstration of its forthcoming Chrome operating system tomorrow. Here are some of the questions which could be answered by the event:

What’s the selling point? Is it speed? Price (or lack of it)? The Google [...]

“Unfriend” leads tech charge in 2009’s top words

John Lister — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:02:25 +0000

Unfriend – to remove a contact on a social networking site – has been named the word of the year by staff from the New Oxford American Dictionary. Its editors say several tech-related words were considered for the honor.

As somebody who writes [...]

China a contender in speedy computer stakes

John Lister — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:47:38 +0000

China has joined the short list of nations with one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. And IBM has been knocked off the top spot for the first time in five years.

The figures come in the TOP500 list issued twice a year by [...]

YouTube to launch full-fledged HD

John Lister — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:56:26 +0000

Google has announced that YouTube will soon include 1080p format videos. That’s the higher-resolution high definition format, sometimes known as Full HD.

The site launched high definition videos late last year, but restricted them to the 720p format which is the minimum resolution required under most definitions to qualify as “high [...]

Yo mama case could set precedent for online anonymity rules

John Lister — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:49:32 +0000

An Internet war of words has produced a case which could further clarify how the legal system tracks online discussion. The ruling involves both the limits of freedom of speech and the procedures for dealing with anonymous posters.

The situation involves [...]

Facebook group “hacking” proves overblown

John Lister — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:32:17 +0000

Recent reports that a gang hacked into dozens of Facebook groups appear to be somewhat overplayed. Instead those involved have exploited a flaw in the way such groups work which could cause embarrassment rather than a security risk.

The issue affects common interest groups set up [...]

Rupert Murdoch threatens to pull content from Google

John Lister — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:58:30 +0000

News Corporation supremo Rupert Murdoch says he may block Google from indexing any content from his Web sites, accusing the search engine of “stealing” content. Google appears unconcerned by the threat and noted that Murdoch could simply request that it no longer link to his sites.

Murdoch’s organization runs many major newspapers [...]

China bans beatings of Internet addicts

John Lister — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:27:57 +0000

The Chinese government looks set to ban clinics for Internet addiction from physically punishing patients. It follows an incident in August when a 15-year-old was beaten to death.

As we noted at the time, although only a small proportion of Internet users suffer a genuine form of addiction, in a country [...]