Filed under: Computers, CelebritiesPolitics is a dirty, dirty game. Just ask Michael Dukakis or John McCain. But just as the Internet has emerged as one of the most potent tools of the modern day election cycle, push polling has given way to an even more blatant form of deception -- fake candidate Web sites.According to 'Wired,' the phenomenon seems to be particularly targeted at high-profile Republican candidates, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, and Mitt Romney. The sites feature "quotes" from the candidates espousing support for extreme positions they've never endorsed and supposed supporters letting loose with over-the-top tirades on forums. One poster called "Chuck Manson" expresses his confidence that a Thompson White House would employ IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Iraq, like those that insurgents use to ambush Western convoys.Lower-tier Republicans aren't free from these deceptive attacks, either. Big-on-the-Net candidate Ron Paul's campaign was tarnished by misleading spam mails that seemed to genuinely support his political run, but were more likely intended to discredit him through the use of illegal spam-bots.Christopher Soghoian, a grad student studying Web psychology and fraud techniques at the Indiana University School of Informatics, believes that the fake forums and spam are just the beginning, "The Internet will increasingly be used for dirty tricks."Even online security company Symantec is saying that the online element of this election campaign will see its share of Internet-related threats, and expects possible phishing attacks sent in the guise of an e-mail from your favorite candidate. From WiredRelated Links:How Presidential Candidates are Using the NetChinese Video Game Kills Corrupt PoliticiansBattle Over Obama Space Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Celebrities Rolling Stone, like many other traditional print media outlets, is struggling to maintain relevancy and profitability in this digital age. To this end the magazine has issued its first ever Digital Edition, a complete copy of the print version in digital format, including advertisements.The "magazine" is shown as a Flash presentation, with arrows to turn the page and a zoom feature for easier reading of the text. The Digital Edition features a detailed table of contents that includes the advertisements, a short cut collection, and search.The Digital Edition is an interesting initiative, but not the most convenient way of reading content. The application is slow to respond and is too small to read an entire page at once and requires you to zoom in then pan left or right and up and down to read all of the text.We applaud Rolling Stone's attempt to recreate the magazine reading experience online for free, but the Digital Edition needs some serious spit and polish before it could ever become a viable replacement for the physical publication.Related links:Most People Downloading Radiohead's New Album for FreeDid Radiohead's Experiment Fail?Matchbox Twenty and Others Release Music on USB Drives Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video GamesSaying this makes us feel a bit old but: What the hell is wrong with kids these days? It used to be that youthful acts of rebellion involved a piercing or running off for a day -- not hiring a hit man to murder your parents. 16 year-old Cory Ryder was grounded from playing his PlayStation or watching TV for weeks due to his inability to do basic things like not steal, go to school, and avoid getting arrested. After stealing $45 from his sister and getting into a heated argument with his parents, he was kicked out of his house, but not with out first threatening to have his family killed.His mother tipped off the police, who sent out an undercover agent to pose as a hitman. Cory offered the officer his father's truck as payment and is quoted as saying, "Two bullets is all it takes." He is now in custody awaiting trial in a Maryland court.From EngadgetRelated links:E-Mail Scam Threatens to Send a Hitman After YouThe Hit Man Spam ScamOnline Tools for the Criminally Minded Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell PhonesIn China, the Samsung cell phone has become the new Louis Vuitton handbag. Which is starting to piss some people off -- first and foremost, the folks at a little company called...Samsung. So in cooperation with Beijing's Haidian and Fengtai Industry and Commerce Departments, the Korean electronics giant has identified 88 fake varieties of its mobile phones floating around Beijing. The fake phones used such misspelled names as Samsumg, Samsong, and, uh, "Amycall" -- which, apparently, those with a rather undeveloped understanding of the English language often confuse for the real thing. Try saying "Samsumg" 10 times fast. Impossible, right?From China Tech NewsRelated links:Samsung BlackJack 2 Unveiled $99 Samsung Blast For Texters  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Video GamesIt was a big deal when, back in 2004, Electronic Arts decided to bring their massive platform of sports games to Microsoft's Xbox Live service. Before then, EA had its own online service and didn't want to have anything to do with Microsoft's, meaning Xbox Live sports gamers were out in the cold when it came to multiplayer. Today, it's not quite so major an announcement that ESPN has also signed up for Xbox Live, but this agreement has nothing to do with video games. ESPN will instead be using the Live Marketplace to hawk reruns of its shows and sporting events to the poor souls who didn't catch them live in the first place and forgot to set their DVRs. For between $2.00 and $2.40, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download episodes of ESPN original shows like 'World Series of Poker' and 'Madden Nation' in either standard definition or high definition. For $3 to $4.50 gamers can download days- or even months-old sporting events. Last Saturday's USC vs. Oregon NCAA football game is the most recent thing available at the moment, while other coverage events include last week's basketball games and last summer's X Games. These offerings are similar to what ESPN offers through Apple's iTunes service, both in terms of price and availability, though if you want high-def content you'll need to use Live. There's nothing close to a live sporting event on Live just yet (despite the name), but rest assured that if you missed last weekend's NCAA games you can now pay a couple bucks apiece and download 'em to your Xbox. Or you could save some dough and set your Tivo next time.From ReutersRelated Links: New 'Simpsons' Game Is Actually Good Player-Created Xbox LIve Games Look Like Ads IPTV Coming to Xbox 360 With Fall Update?  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Identity theft is so hot right now.Some enterprising, technologically empowered young thieves stuck a credit card recording device to a Safeway DVD kiosk in Colorado. They were apparently skimming the credit information of movie renters for some time, with the device only being discovered when a customer complained that their card wasn't swiping properly. The two-inch skimming device was attached to the top of the card reader. So watch out, people! As the sheriff on the scene warned, this could apply to ATM's, automated fuel station pumps, DVD rental boxes, vending machines, concert or event type machines, or "any other machine that may ask you to scan your credit card without actually dealing witha clerk or employee." In other words, what credit card machines really need is more humanity. Maybe the robots won't take over after all. From ConsumeristRelated links:EBay accounts hijacked and used to scam buyers Porn scammers get prison time  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video GamesWhen Sony finally got around to announcing their new $399 PlayStation 3 model, some (including us) lamented the system's lack of ability to play PlayStation2 games. This was a cost-cutting measure to get that system's price down, but it seems Sony isn't quite done re-tooling its console hardware just yet. Today they announced a new, more efficient PS2 model. This new model will share the same look as the previous "Slim" PS2 released in 2004, but will include an integrated AC adapter instead of the current big power brick. Sony say this change makes the system more portable and, if you count the power brick, lighter. However, the real improvement is of course cost savings for the somewhat embattled game console maker, savings that many believe will drop the new PS2 to just $99 from its current $129.However, don't go looking for one of these under the Christmas tree. Just like that luscious white PS3, this one's only for Japan for the time being. Expect a U.S. release sometime early next year. From Reuters and DailyTechRelated Links: $399 PlayStation 3 Coming, But It Won't Play Old Games $399 PlayStation 3 Confirmed (Again) New $399 PlayStation 3 Confirmed?  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, CelebritiesWe reported earlier on Radiohead's bold new experiment in online music sales, letting fans pay anything they like, or nothing at all, to download the band's new album 'In Rainbows.' Initial statistics indicated that hundreds of thousands still downloaded the music illegally, leading some to believe that the experiment had failed. Now, some new statistics are giving a better look at how fans have reacted to the album's release, and lots of analysts are clamoring to give their interpretation of just what the numbers mean.First, the facts: According to ComScore, 38% of downloaders have paid for the album, but a majority of 62% have so far opted to pay nothing for the thing but still download it legally through Radiohead's site. Of those who did pay, the worldwide average was $6 for the album, while seemingly more generous Americans paid $8.05 on average. The numbers are courtesy of comScore, which maintains a database of two million people who willingly let the Web-traffic-measuring-agency look over their shoulder and watch their every online move. So, it's worth noting that these are not official numbers released from Radiohead. That said, these stats do give an interesting look at the results of the album, said to have "sold" 1.2 million copies in its first week. If the ComScore numbers are correct, only about 500,000 people actually paid anything for the album. According to the ComScore report, some analysts are are calling those 62% who paid nothing "freeloaders" who are not willing to pay for downloaded music., and that ultimately the music industry needs to change its model to cater to them or die. Other music industry folk -- also quoted in the ComScore release -- believe that this sort of model will be great for established artists, but will injure record labels, which, in the long run, could hurt new talents. WIthout labels, where will new talent be discovered? We think what's most important is that the fans are happy. It's unclear just how much money the band has made from 'In Rainbows,' so far, but the members of Radiohead have every reason to be quite pleased with how this is all turning out. After all; 1.2 million downloads for an album that was virtually unadvertised is an impressive feat.From comScoreRelated Links: Name Your Own Price For New Radiohead Did Radiohead's Experiment Fail? Artists Ditching Record Labels, Offering Music for Free Online  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, MySpaceActing like a fool when drunk used to be something that you either kept from everyone you know, or your friends brought up to embarrass you, especially for young women. But something has changed in the past few years. Now drunken tom-foolery has become a point of pride, and if you need any proof, just look to social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.Groups like '30 Reasons Girls Should Call it a Night' on Facebook have sprung up dedicated to drunken women making fools of themselves. Public urination, passing out in the street, and even vomiting on one's self are no longer antics you hide like a second girlfriend, but are events to be documented and proudly posted on your social networking profile of choice. The group has close to 150,000 members.For illustation, here are the top five "reasons" the girls give to join their ranks:You have absolutely no idea where your friends are.You have absolutely no idea where your car is... wait did you bring your car??You've become convinced that dancing with your arms overhead, shaking your ass, and yelling WOO HOO is truly the sexiest dance move EVER.You've suddenly decided you want to kick someone's ass and honestly believe you can do it (bitch...i ain't playin...).You start singing 80's songs at the top of your lungs and showing off your dance skills to the car next to you.This new-found pride in inebriated debauchery goes along with an increase in the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed by young women and teenage girls. A study performed by the British government recently found that the average 15 year old drinks the equivalent of a bottle of wine every week.We're sure there are some who might be concerned by this statistic or the proliferation of drunken pride, but we just can't help but laugh at the girl who drunkenly fell into the bush. We'll let some of the pictures we found speak for themselves. Warning: some of these are not pretty, so be careful at work.%Gallery-9847%From Daily MailRelated links:Can Privacy Exist on the Internet?Facebook Employees Know Whose Profiles You Look AtYour Online Friends Aren't Really Your Friends, Study Says Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Celebrities, YouTubeOprah is launching her own YouTube channel. Anyone who tunes in to the queen of talk TV's program tomorrow, November 6, will get to see the official unveiling, along with guests (and YouTube co-founders) Chad Hurley and Steven Chen.As Oprah herself states on the preview site up now, the channel will feature show excerpts, backstage footage (some of it shot by Oprah herself on the Flip Video Camera), and previews of upcoming shows.Besides Hurley and Chen, guest stars on tomorrow's show include some of the original YouTube stars, from Tyson, the skateboarding bulldog to the "Evolution of Dance" guy.Oprah's done a lot for books, which would seem tobe a tough sell in this age of increasing Internet consumption. But technology is a touch sell for the mass majority of people, too, so we applaud Winfrey's efforts to evangelize the use of inexpensive video cameras (the aforementioned Flip) and viral video Web site phenomenons (YouTube).Related Links:Beware of the Oprah E-mail ScamThis 17,000-Watt Audio System Turns Your Car Into Jell-ONew 'Daily Show' Site Offers 13,000 Video Clips Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Advice, Top Lists, MySpace Everyone's doing it - over 40 percent of U.S. singles are finding matches online. That's more than 40 million single Americans cruising the Internet looking for love (based on census results that say there are over 100 million single Americans). So the Internet must be a great place to find true love, right? Not so fast. While online dating can be a great way to find someone new, dating sites are littered with scam artists, cheaters, and straight-up liars. Now, this doesn't mean you should avoid online dating altogether -- just don't believe everything you see out there. In order to help sort out the winners from the losers, we've compiled a list of the top five types of online daters you should definitely avoid, along with some tips to help you save some heartache. Be careful out there, and good luck!1. LiarsIn a recent survey, it was found that most online profiles contain some sort of lie, whether it's the person's age or -- in some cases -- relationship status. White lies -- adding an inch to height or dropping a couple pounds -- are the most common and not a big deal to most people.Consider these facts according to the April 2007 issue of Proceedings of Computer/Human Interaction:About 52.6 percent of men lie about their height, as do 39 percent of women.Slightly more women lie about their weight (64.1 percent) than men (60.5 percent).When it comes to age, 24.3 percent men lie compared with 13.1 percent of women.When it comes to misrepresenations of age or relationship status, be careful or you could get seriously burned. In one recent case, a woman met a man on a popular dating site with whom she immediately hit it off. She even put her life on hold to go with him to Dubai when he was transferred for work. Eleven months into the relationship, she came across an e-mail -- from his son! What's more, the e-mail said something about "Mom" saying hi. In one fell swoop, our poor girl found out the man she met online was not only a father -- he was married! She moved back to the United States and has given up on online dating since.How to Avoid Them:Ask questions. Though it may be listed on someone's profile, someone's age is fair game in the questions department, so feel free to ask your potential date how old (or young!) they are. You may find that 35 suddenly becomes 42. While you don't want to ask too many questions and scare the person away, it's perfectly fair to verify the big things: age, weight, height, and -- most of all -- whether or not that person is, in fact, single. Half the time, people lie on their profiles to get people interested -- nine times out of ten, someone will level with you about their stats once you show some real interest, since they know they might have a chance of meeting you in person. Next >>  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, TVIs Blockbuster doomed to go the way of the dodo and Betamax? Crave, the gadget blog from the tech-obsessed at CNet seem to think so.Massive layoffs are in the cards at Blockbuster, as revenue slid almost 6 percent in the 3rd quarter, stock prices are down to an anemic $5.06, and 526 stores have been closed in the last year. It appears that Netflix has not only put a chink in Blockbuster's armor but given it a flesh eating virus.Blockbuster managed to put pressure on Netflix with lower prices, but all the focus on destroying the pioneer of DVD rentals via mail has taken an even worse toll on Blockbuster.Consumer familiarity with Netflix and its streaming films have proven too much for Blockbuster to battle. Blockbuster chairman Jim Keyes has even admitted that the focus on Netflix has damaged the company. He has decided to move the focus of the company to just increasing overall membership but it might be too late. Like the traditional print media outlets barely scraping by in this new online economy, Blockbuster may be staring death in the face.From CraveRelated links:Netflix Customer Service Drops E-Mail In Favor of Real PeopleNetflix "View It Now" Service Hacked - Users Downloading MoviesNetflix Subscriptions Drop, Despite Price Cut Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, iPodFor many, not having a music player for their morning roam to the coffee shop would make the trip unbearable. We can relate. So, it's with sympathetic hearts that we report on the banning of music players for those who are making more serious trips: marathon runners. Yes, due to a few different concerns, long-distance runners, like those from Sunday's New York Marathon, are being asked to do their running in silence -- or at least accompanied only by the sounds of feet on the pavement. The primary concern that led to this new rule was safety -- a runner who can't hear an approaching truck is at an even more distinct disadvantage against said truck than one who can. Another concern was that runners with music players might actually be able to gain an advantage over those who would not, perhaps being able to listen to songs that help them to maintain a pace or gain a little extra jolt of inspiration. ('Top Gun' soundtrack, anyone?)Not mentioned in the list of concerns was anything related to being struck by lightning thanks to carrying an iPod, which is a lot more likely to happen than any of you seeing any of us Switched staffers appearing in any marathon anytime soon.From GearlogRelated Links: Lightning Strikes iPod-Wearing Jogger iPhone: Is it "the Best iPod Ever?" Cell Phone Battery Explodes, Kills Worker  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell Phones, Computers, Google, iPhoneWell after months, -- nay, years of rumors the Google Phone (or gPhone) is upon us... almost. On a conference call this afternoon, Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google; Andy Rubin founder of Danger, the company behind the Sidekick and founder of Android, a mobile software company gobbled up by Google; and representatives of Motorola, HTC, T-Mobile, and many others revealed an open-source mobile platform that may actually, finally, live up to the title "iPhone Killer."Today's announcement was not the unveiling of an actual gPhone, but the announcement of a mobile platform, called Android, to be used by the 33 companies that make up what is called the Open Handset Alliance.The Android mobile OS is built on Linux and comes packaged with a user friendly interface and applications. In addition, the open nature of Android means plenty of powerful third-party applications will follow.The software will be made freely available within a week and we can expect to see phones sporting the OS in the second half of 2008.Part of the draw of Android is a "very robust HTML web browser," according to Eric Schmidt, likely based on Firefox.Schmidt also left the door open on the question of whether Google is still planning on developing its own branded cell phone. "We're not announcing anything, but this is THE (perfect) platform for building a gPhone." Oh Google, will you ever stop playing coy?Contrary to speculation, the platform will not be completely ad-driven (note the "completely"). Instead we expect Google is hoping that by giving away a full-featured OS with a "very robust" browser they can draw more users to their web services where they will beserved advertisements.Using Android will save handset makers money that would normally be used on purchasing licenses for Symbian or Windows Mobile, or for developing their own platform. We can only hope that this will allow them to spend more on phone hardware or cut the price of the handsets.Android sounds promising, but only time will tell if Google has another Gmail on its hands, or a failure like its lagging social network Orkut.From EngadgetRelated links:Google Plans to Digitize Your Medical Records Gmail Overhaul on the Way?Coming Soon -- The Fully Customizable Linux Phone Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments