PGTS Journal Edition 0023
February, 2004

Mind Your Language!

This month has also seen an extraordinary development in the availablity of Windows Source Code. Large chunks of Windows Source Code is now publically available! And there is much consternation at the discovery of obscenities in the comments. It possible to appreciate how MS programmers may be driven to the occasional strong language. Although these pale in comparison to the obscenities on the lips of many of the users of the software.

ARIA Pounce on Kazaa

This month MIPI, a subsidiary of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) launched a number of raids aimed at Kazaa. These included Sharman Networks, ISPs and Universities. The ISPs were Telstra, Akamai, iHug and ITT. The Univerities were UNSW, Queensland and Monash. News about the initial raid can be found on ABC News. Since then Judge Wilcox has adjourned a hearing for further submissions. See this ITWorld article for a follow-up, which explains how MIPI obtained an "Anton Pillar order", which apparently enables them to act as the self-appointed enforcers, and empowers them to carry out searches of an individual's citizen's premises as well as raiding public institutions such as Universities. Such invasions of privacy are likely to become more commonplace, if the Australian Senate allows passage the US FTA. Of course the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) actually boast that Australian citizens will benefit from such trends. The sacrifice of civil liberties are small price to pay for the FTA. So we will all learn to enjoy having our doors kicked in by the ARIA "thought police", in order to ensure that media oligopolies can continue to derive an uninterrupted cash flow.

There is still time to write to your state senators and register your protest.