Understanding Islam Through Virtual Worlds launch in NYC, Jan 29

My pals Rita King and Josh Fouts have just completed an ambitious public diplomacy report on using virtual worlds to create understanding between Islamic and western societies. The book itself is presented in Understanding-Comics-style graphic novel format. They're holding a public launch in New York this month and I expect the report will hit the web around the same time.

After a year of research spanning four continents and interviews with dozens of people across the virtual world of the Internet Dancing Ink Productions is pleased to announce the release of our findings from the Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds project on Thursday, January 29 at 6 PM Eastern at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Space is limited so please RSVP to attend the event.
The report will include a trilogy of deliverables, including formal public diplomacy policy recommendations for the Obama Administration; a broadcast-quality short machinima documentary; and a graphic book chronicling the people, places and findings of the project.

Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds report to release January 29

January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

JetBlue and TSA pay $240,000 to man refused boarding because of Arabic writing on shirt

JetBlue and the TSA have settled a lawsuit brought by a man who was refused boarding on an airplane because he was wearing a shirt with Arabic writing on it (the TSA said that this was like "wearing a T-shirt at a bank stating, 'I am a robber.'"). They've paid him $240,000.

Only 14 days until we get a change in administration. Maybe the new guys will appoint someone who understands that Arabic writing doesn't ake airplanes fall out of the sky. Kudos to the ACLU for kicking ass and taking names on this one.

The lawsuit claimed Jarrar, 30, invoked the First Amendment but acquiesced after it became clear to him that he would not be allowed to fly if he did not cover his shirt with one given to him by JetBlue officials.
"All people in this country have the right to be free of discrimination and to express their own opinions," Jarrar wrote on his blog. "With this outcome, I am hopeful that TSA and airlines officials will think twice before practicing illegal discrimination and that other travelers will be spared the treatment I endured."

TSA, JetBlue Pay $240,000 to Settle Discrimination Suit

Previously:

T-shirt: "I am not a terrorist," in Arabic - Boing Boing

January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

NZ File-Sharers, Remixers Guilty Upon Accusation

An anonymous reader writes "Next month, New Zealand is scheduled to implement Section 92 of the Copyright Amendment Act. The controversial act provides 'Guilt Upon Accusation,' which means that if a file-sharer is simply accused of copyright infringement he/she will be punished with summary Internet disconnection. Unlike most laws, this one has no appeal process and no punishment for false accusation, because they were removed after public consultation. The ISPs are up in arms and now artists are taking a stand for fair copyright."

Pentax’s Optio P70 and E70 digicams won’t break banks, hearts, or kneecaps

Pentax is kicking its CES festivities into medium gear with a pair of cheapo point-and-shoot digicams that we expect will be a tipping point to a great avalanche of affordable shooters. The $199.95 Optio P70 features a 12-megapixel sensor, can capture 720p video at 15 FPS, ISO from 64 to an astounding 6400 (though only at 5-megapixels), has a 4x zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, and comes in silver, white, or red. The E70, meanwhile, sports a 10-megapixel sensor, a 2.4-inch display, 3x zoom, but delivers the same staggering ISO range as the P70 for a slightly more affordable $129.95. Both models feature "Pixel Track Shake Reduction" and face-detection, will be available in February, and have put at least one editor to sleep.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Pentax's Optio P70 and E70 digicams won't break banks, hearts, or kneecaps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Samson delivering Zoom H4n handheld recording device at CES

Samson isn't bothering to wait until NAMM kicks off on January 15th; instead, it's bringing its newest handheld recording device to Las Vegas. The Zoom H4n takes off where the H2 and H4 left off, offering up an improved user interface, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics, a digitally controlled mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. You'll also find a spacious LCD, a Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp, track marker functions and audio recording at up to 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media. Unfortunately, there's no word on a price, but we are told that its rugged exterior can handle even the rowdiest of shows. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Samson delivering Zoom H4n handheld recording device at CES

Filed under: CES, Handhelds, Portable Audio

Samson delivering Zoom H4n handheld recording device at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: “I Put A Spell On You”

Here is an absolutely stupendous video of Screamin' Jay Hawkins in full witch doctor regalia performing "I Put A Spell On You". (Thanks, Kirsten Anderson!)

January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Skype 2.8 for Mac: Your Online Demo Is Calling

Skype Here at ReadWriteWeb, we're not usually in the "report it before you've tried it" camp, but a couple of trusted sources - Dan York and Rafe Needleman - are reporting that the latest version of Skype for Mac - Skype 2.8 - will include the ability to share your screen during a Skype call. And that's a feature that is sure to change the way many of us engage in Web-based demos.

Sponsor

Given that we're big Skype users around here and we see more than our fair share of Web-based demos, we're excited to see Skype finally offering the the ability to combine the two. No more setting up WebEx or LiveMeeting. Just share your screen via Skype during your next briefing call.

In addition to screen sharing, Skype 2.8 promises to offer a number of other features including improved chat and per-minute calling access via wifi hotspots like Boingo.

Granted, screen sharing has been available through Skype add-ons, but having the features core to the client - and easily accessible - will only help increase the use of Skype for these kinds of online conversations.

Perhaps more importantly for Skype, it's something which is sure to attract new users. At five years old, Skype is among the old guard of this generation of Web apps. This long-awaited screen sharing feature could help revitalize the product, encouraging a whole new crop of business users to add Skype to their cadre of online tools.

And when you couple these new features with Skype's latest hire, it leads one to wonder if 2009 could be a comeback year for the company.

The latest version isn't available for download yet, but it is slated to be released on Tuesday, January 6.

Discuss

January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Motorola’s SURF A3100 headlines three-pack of new phones

If these fine specimens look familiar, well, they should -- one's already been announced (albeit on a different carrier) and the other two have been thoroughly scooped. Motorola's CES haul includes the eco-tastic Renew W233, a simple candybar destined for T-Mobile that features a neutral carbon footprint and components made of recycled water bottles; the Tundra VA76r, a rugged 3G flip with push-to-talk that previously launched on Rogers and has its sights set on AT&T this time around for a January 13 release; and the headliner of the bunch, the SURF A3100. The WinMo 6.1-based SURF -- alias A3000, alias Atila -- features a full 2.8-inches of touchscreen adorned with a custom skin designed by Moto, 7.2Mbps triband HSDPA, a 3-megapixel autofocus cam, AGPS, and support for microSD cards up to a purely theoretical 32GB in size. Though the radio is fully equipped for North American action, no stateside launch is in the cards just yet; for now, you'll find the SURF in Asian markets before the quarter's out.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Gallery: Motorola's SURF A3100 headlines three-pack of new phones

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Motorola's SURF A3100 headlines three-pack of new phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

HP greets us with 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3 entertainment laptop

While you and HP can argue the rest of the night away about the most accurate moniker for its Pavilion dv2, the dv3 is definitely an ultraportable. The AMD-powered machine comes in a plethora of configurations with CPUs ranging from 2GHz (Athlon X2 QL-62) to 2.4GHz (Turion X2 Ultra ZM-86), ATI's Radeon HD 3200 graphics, up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM, 160/250/320/400GB hard drive choices, WiFi / Bluetooth, a dual-layer DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, an ExpressCard slot and a satisfactory array of ports including three USB 2.0 sockets, VGA, HDMI, eSATA combo (with a third USB port) and audio in / out. Users can select from a six or nine-cell battery, and there's even an optional fingerprint reader if you're unashamedly paranoid. Interested? It's available today, junior, for $799 and up.

Gallery: HP greets us with 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3 entertainment laptop

Filed under: CES, Laptops

HP greets us with 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3 entertainment laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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January 6th, 2009 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

HP officially launches Firebird with Voodoo DNA

We figured it was destined for a CES release, and HP has confirmed that today's the day. The hotly anticipated Firebird with Voodoo DNA has been properly introduced to the world, and within it will come an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU, twin NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards in an SLI configuration, hot-swappable 320GB hard drives (two of 'em) and an advanced thermal management system to keep things cool, calm, collected and quiet. As we'd heard, the rig will be available starting on January 9th for as little as $1,799 directly from Voodoo, while those too frightened to hand over their credit card information online can hold tight 'til it hits select retailers (read: Best Buy, most likely) on February 1st. Have a look at Rahul Sood and team gloating ad nauseum over this thing just after the break.

Gallery: HP officially launches Firebird with Voodoo DNA