The Internet

Cutting the Cord

A year ago, publications were touting municipal Wi-Fi as free for all and coming soon to a city near you. In recent weeks, however, the euphoria has turned to eulogies. But CNET writer Maggie Reardon says reports of Wi-Fi’s death have been exaggerated.


Hackonomics

A group of Russian computer hackers, called the Dream Coders Team, are selling a user-friendly hacking kit. It’s called M-Pack and comes complete with one year of customer service. Are the days of the underground, anti-establishment, renegade hacker over? Technology reporter Robert Lemos says that the hobby is increasingly becoming a commercial enterprise.


The Sex Drive

From early photography to the VCR to streaming video, innovations in communications technology have often been driven by porn. But sex and tech Wired correspondent Regina Lynn argues that porn may be losing its innovation mojo, at least online.


Cell Division

When the FCC devised new rules for some cell phone carriers this week there was an 800 lb. search engine in the room. Why would Google want to free you from your restrictive cell phone contract? Media professor Siva Vaidhyanathan explains how the internet giant is following the web wherever it leads.


Gated Social Networks

Teenagers are always ready for the next hip social networking site, many hoping that class barriers in the real world will vanish online. But after months of interviewing American teenagers, danah boyd has found that socio-economics help determine which site teens choose.


Measuring the Web

Ratings are never easy to calculate. Especially on the web, where visits to sites can last mere seconds. But now Nielsen has released internet ratings that include “total minutes” and “total sessions.” Abbey Klassen, writer for Advertising Age, explains who benefits from the new system.


Unbuckling the Beltway

A new website, makes it easy for anyone to search "DC Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s phone records. When ABC News producers had exclusive control of the list, they decided it wasn't news. So should the records be readily accessible? The site’s co-creator Daniel Silverman discusses the ethics of transparency.


Street Photographer

Thanks to Google, we now have instant access to detailed photographic images of nearly every street in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco. Tech and business consultant David Evans weighs in on whether “street view” is expanding our world or paving the way for Big Brother.


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