Tech Thoughts Daily Net News – August 23, 2009

CDC: Video gamers are fat, introverted and depressed – It might not come much as a surprise that the average video game player is now 35 years old – studies commissioned by the Entertainment Software Association have confirmed this over the past few years – but 2006 research recently unveiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims video game players were more likely to be overweight, depressed and introverted.

Is AT&T’s Denial of Service to Hacker Justified? – hacker turned security expert Kevin Mitnick has been denied service by both his web host and his cell phone provider. HostedHere.net and AT&T argue that the barrage of hacker attacks on Mitnick’s accounts make them too difficult to defend.

Should Apple make its own TV? – There’s a good amount of buzz about a new report handicapping a possible move by Apple to reinvigorate its Apple TV lineup and even enter the living room with a television set. Should Apple make its own TV?

Debate: Is SOA still too immature to secure? – Two recent posts by leading SOA thinkers have different takes on the state of SOA security. Is it a monstrosity that is almost impossible to secure end to end, or is it something that can be started relatively simply and grown with proper attention and management?

Twitter: 40% babble, but what about the users? – On Monday, research carried out by Pear Analytics determined that 40% of all messages (”tweets”) on Twitter are pointless babble. It doesn’t say anything about the users though, but does give a rough indication of their personalities without any direct specifics.

Buying Guide: How to Buy a Point-and-Shoot Camera – Deciding to buy a new digital camera is the simple part, but with hundreds of models to choose from, selecting the best model for your needs and budget is no easy feat. Following our seven rules will help bring your perfect point and shooter into focus.

Facebook Hit by Cross-Site Request Forgery Attack – Researcher discloses an attack where simply looking at image could steal Facebook info.

Heavy Hitters Taking Swings at Google Book Search – Microsoft, Yahoo and Amazon joining new coalition aiming to block Google’s settlement agreement with authors and publishers.

Off Topic:

Mexico Decriminalizes Small-scale Drug Possession – Mexico enacted a controversial law Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging free government treatment for drug dependency.

The Top 10 Things We’re Glad the Recession Killed – With the near constant barrage of unemployment statistics, budget deficits, and bankruptcy announcements, it’s easy to get swept up in all the doomsday rhetoric surrounding the recession. But not all the effects of the economic downtown are bad. Some of them are actually a cause for celebration.

Describe yourself in 50 words or less…

Advocates for mentally ill target heart of bias – `Schizo, the horror movie.” Not exactly what you would expect from a government-funded mental health awareness program. But it is the basis of a new British mini-film aimed at smashing stereotypes. The film is part of a movement to break down barriers faced by people coping with mental illness, a movement gaining momentum around the world. The message: stigma and discrimination can be more devastating than the disease.

What Really Happens When You Divide By Zero – PIC

Today’s Free Downloads:

Spyware Doctor – is an advanced adware and spyware removal utility that detects and cleans thousands of potential spyware, ad ware, trojans, keyloggers, spy ware cookies, trackware, spybots and other malware from your PC. Protect your privacy and computing habits from prying eyes. Version 6.0.1.445 includes protection against the latest malware and internet threats.

LimeWire – LimeWire is a P2P file-sharing application for all types of computer files, including music, video, pictures, games, and text documents. Other features include dynamic querying, file previews during download, advanced techniques for locating rare files, and an easy, clean user interface.

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