Wyden to Block Telecom Bill Without Net Neutrality

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has placed a "hold" on major telecommunications legislation recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee until clear language is included in the legislation that prevents discrimination in Internet access... "The bill makes a number of major changes in the country’s telecommunications law but there is one provision that is nothing more than a license to discriminate. Without a clear policy preserving the neutrality of the Internet and without tough sanctions against those who would discriminate, the Internet will be forever changed for the worse."

Oregon takes a stand, thank you Sen. Wyden.

iView joins Microsoft

"iView has been acquired and is now part of the Microsoft Corporation... digital asset management has become an essential requirement for all creative professionals... You all can continue to use and buy iView products knowing that they will be fully supported as Microsoft evolves the products in the future on both the Windows and Mac platforms"

This is an interesting development in DAM. Portfolio and now Adobe's Bridge (that ships with CS) have been gaining share on the Mac side. Now microsoft can quickly jump in and try to make Media Pro the leader on the Windows side. I think that Extensis has the most to worry about in this situation.

Adobe Releases Flex 2 + Flash Player 9

"Adobe Flex 2 is the most complete, powerful application development solution for creating and delivering cross-platform rich Internet applications (RIAs) within the enterprise and across the web."

Adobe continues effort to attract web application developers.

Corporate America wakes up to Web 2.0

"Top-down pronouncements on collaboration technology are starting to give way to an embrace of consumer Web software... Though it lacks a precise definition, Web 2.0 generally refers to Web services that let people collaborate and share information online. In contrast to the first generation of Web offerings, Web 2.0 applications are more interactive, giving people an experience more akin to a native desktop application as opposed to a static Web page..."

I had to keep this one, since it has a pretty good definition included.

Opera Version 9 Released

Opera has some new features including: BitTorrent, Content blocker, Widgets and more...

Toon Boom Releases "Storyboard"

"Toon Boom Storyboard is the leading storyboarding system for visual storytelling, perfectly suited to traditional and paperless methods. Truly completing the production pipeline, Storyboard helps you take an idea and translate it into a visual story that will become a complete program, whether animated or live-action."

This was a smart move to release a pre-production tool like this. It looks like it would be useful for both live action and animation storyboarding. I'll be keeping my eye on it as the final candidate is released.

"See Windows Vista" Slick Demo

Microsoft has a very nice interactive demo highlighting features in the upcoming Vista release. It's even 'hosted' by actor Tom Skerritt, but no Aliens involved (unfortunately).

Thanks to All Forces for the heads up.

Google AJAX Search API Launches

O'Reilly Radar: "Google has released a new, experimental AJAX Search API that will allow you to embed search results into your pages. The AJAX search widget is very simple, powerful and will help you keep people on your website while they are searching..."

13-Inch MacBook Benchmarks - 4 Part Series (Updated)

creativemac.com has posted a series of very useful Apple MacBook benchmarks:

• 13-Inch MacBook Benchmarks 1


• 13-Inch MacBook Benchmarks 2


• 13-Inch MacBook Benchmarks 3


• 13-Inch MacBook Benchmarks 4

Firefox 1.5.0.4 Released

FYI - "Firefox 1.5.0.4 is a security update that is part of our ongoing program to provide a safe Internet experience for our customers."

Yahoo! Video Launches

You never saw this coming, did you? The search work well, for example searching for "Spoon" actually finds music videos of the band, rather than a baby eating with a spoon like Google video suggested. However, it leans heavily on Y! music and other Mac-discriminating sites.

Adobe: GoLive and Freehand development will continue

Macworld: News: "Several online Web sites have posted information in the past couple of days stating that Adobe Systems will discontinue development and support for two of its products: GoLive and Freehand. Adobe says the reports are not correct and the products are not being discontinued.

'Adobe plans to continue to support GoLive and Freehand and develop these products based on our customer's needs,' an Adobe representative told Macworld in a statement..."

iLounge Offers Up "The Free iPod Book 2.0"

"It's here: The Free iPod Book 2.0, by iLounge.com! Weighing in at 194 pages, this revised and expanded second edition of our popular Book is your one-stop answer to every major iPod and iTunes question..."



iLounge does it again with another well designed e-book chock full of all things poddish.

Microsoft officially launches paid security product

USATODAY.com: "Microsoft will announce Wednesday that it is releasing software that aims to better protect people who use its Windows operating system from Internet attacks. The move pits the world's largest software maker head-to-head with longtime business partners Symantec, McAfee and others."

Well first it was the browser wars, and now it looks like it's going to be the 'Germ Wars' on the PC front for '06-'07.

Apple Upgrades its "Pro" Site

Apple has made some nice upgrades to this section.