http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/ Knowfirst en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:10:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/styles/aria/misc/rss.jpg http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/ http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32054&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:53:52 GMT The Federal Opposition says people in regional areas do not need the high speeds of internet that would be offered by Labor's National Broadband Network (NBN).

Remote area mayors fear telecommunication services in the bush will remain inadequate if the scheme is scrapped.

Opposition spokesman Ian Macfarlane says a Coalition government would introduce its own internet program but says Labor's scheme is too expensive.

ABC ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32054 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32052&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:30:50 GMT While NBC is worried about "Big Bang Theory" shifting to Thursday nights this fall against its struggling comedy "Community," the move is not without risk to the CBS hit too. Moving "Big Bang" from its snug Monday night comedy block where it enjoys "Two and a Half Men" for a lead-in, to being the network's cold open on Thursdays, is a much steeper hill to climb.

CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler tried to keep expectations modest, noting that she doesn't expect "Big Bang" ratings to match its usual performance.

"The show has enjoyed an extraordinary amount of support and love," Tassler said, "we don't expect the show to do the numbers it did on Monday just yet."

Hollywood Reporter ]]> The Big Bang Theory David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32052 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32051&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:11:44 GMT Speculation about a deal that could see national broadband provider iiNet pick up a chunk of embattled Telecom New Zealand subsidiary AAPT is likely to rapidly intensify today with the news iiNet has halted trading of its shares. iiNet chief executive Michael Malone has so far declined to... Speculation about a deal that could see national broadband provider iiNet pick up a chunk of embattled Telecom New Zealand subsidiary AAPT is likely to rapidly intensify today with the news iiNet has halted trading of its shares.

iiNet chief executive Michael Malone has so far declined to comment on a possible AAPT deal, but in an announcement to the ASX this morning, iiNet requested a two-day trading halt "pending the announcement of a potential acquisition".

iiNet envisages ending its trading halt before Monday morning, before which time it plans to make an announcement about the "proposed acquisition".

The news comes as iiNet was linked this morning to a possible transaction involving AAPT by The Australian. Rival broadband specialist TPG has long been named as a potential acquirer of AAPT. Both iiNet and TPG have a strong history of acquiring other ISPs in the Australian market to fuel growth.

ZDNet Australia ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32051 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32050&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:32:32 GMT 2GB and Channel Nine contributor Darryl Brohman has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"The Big Marn" told Ray Hadley's Morning Show that he is to undergo surgery next week. ]]> News First Mark http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32050 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32049&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:25:40 GMT Average Australian internet connection speeds are ranked 50th in the world – below New Zealand at 42nd – and just one-fifth the speed of top-ranked nation South Korea, according to the latest 'State of the Internet' report from Akamai Technologies.

Australia's average internet connection speed was 2.6Mbps compared with more than 12Mbps for South Korea and New Zealand’s 2.9Mbps. Australia also ranked behind its regional competitors Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and well below Japan.

The United States was 16th fastest globally with average connection speeds of 4.7Mbps.

iTWire ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32049 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32048&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:23:58 GMT Will wonders never cease – Telstra is actually doing something about its rather woeful included iPhone 4 data on its plans and, until November 1 this year (if not longer) is actually increasing them! Are you ok, David Thodey? Quick! Someone call the doctor. No, not that one, he’s busy saving the... Will wonders never cease – Telstra is actually doing something about its rather woeful included iPhone 4 data on its plans and, until November 1 this year (if not longer) is actually increasing them! Are you ok, David Thodey?

Quick! Someone call the doctor. No, not that one, he’s busy saving the universe or Planet Earth in the year 5934 or something. And heck, this mystery is probably even too much for Dr Who anyway.

No, we need a medical doctor to check on the people at Telstra, because something very weird is happening – Telstra is actually listening to its customers and to journalists who have been a bit miffed over Telstra’s lousy data inclusions on its iPhone 4 plans.

We’re not sure whether Telstra’s feeling right, or not, but hey, who cares! If you’re a Telstra customer, or a customer-to-be for the iPhone 4, you just got some good news: more iPhone 4 data included as standard, available until November 1, and for the 24 month length of your contract.

iTWire ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32048 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32047&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:19:10 GMT The Nine Network last night introduced ad-buyers to its coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, as the 2-year countdown to the event begun. Nine CEO David Gyngell told around 350 guests at the Willoughby launch that Nine would go to market with 18 sponsorship packages including four at the... The Nine Network last night introduced ad-buyers to its coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, as the 2-year countdown to the event begun.

Nine CEO David Gyngell told around 350 guests at the Willoughby launch that Nine would go to market with 18 sponsorship packages including four at the highest level which are expected to reap $10m each.

Gyngell rallied the Nine troops assembled for the launch, and boldly declared under his watch the Network is focusing on News, Current Affairs, quality Australian drama series and great sports events.

Nine will start on-air Olympic promos six months out from the Games and former gold medal winners now signed to the network, Grant Hackett and Giaan Rooney, will be available to work with sponsors. ]]> News First Mark http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32047 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32046&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:48:57 GMT The Coalition faces a significant business community backlash if it fails to deliver a broadband plan for Australia that at least matches the Government's existing National Broadband Network initiative, according to the internet sector’s peak industry body.

The Internet Industry Association says the argument that the $43 billion NBN plan was not "economically prudent" – which the Opposition has put forward under Leader Tony Abbott – was "irresponsible" and would rob the nation of critical new infrastructure.

The Coalition has not yet announced any details of its alternative broadband plan, saying only that it will put forward a better plan that will cost less later in the campaign.

iTWire ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32046 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32045&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:46:00 GMT Austar United Communications' first-half profit has dropped 42%.

For the six months to June 30, net profit was $20.69 million compared with $35.5 million for the same period a year earlier.

Austar revenue lifted 6.3 per cent to $351.86 million.

AAP ]]> News First Phantom http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32045 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32044&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:45:24 GMT The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is enlisting the help of eBay and the Trading Post to carry out data matching to weed out businesses and individuals evading their taxes. The ATO is looking for eBay and Trading Post users who have under-reported income generated from online sales. ... The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is enlisting the help of eBay and the Trading Post to carry out data matching to weed out businesses and individuals evading their taxes.

The ATO is looking for eBay and Trading Post users who have under-reported income generated from online sales.

Businesses that have sold more than $20,000 in goods and services online would be subject to the matching process.

Senior assistant commissioner Chris Barlow told ZDNet Australia that the tax office was currently receiving approximately 30,000 online account records from eBay and the Trading Post for matching.

Once the tax office has received the records from eBay and the Trading Post, it will commence matching the data against tax returns. Computers carry out automatic checks first and then if a match is made, the system flags it for an ATO employee to follow-up.

ZDNet Australia ]]> Perspective David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32044 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32043&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:36:56 GMT A CLAIM by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy that slashing licence fees for Australia's commercial television networks would boost local production has been undermined by new figures.

Five months after Senator Conroy announced a TV licence fee rebate worth about $250 million over two years, it has been revealed that spending on imported programs has been growing at more than three times the rate of spending on local production.

A report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority for 2008-09 found networks' spending on Australian commercial television production rose 2.4 per cent to $950.6 million while spending on overseas programs was up 7.9 per cent to $430.3 million.

Brisbane Times ]]> Australian TV Industry David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32043 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32042&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:19:22 GMT *Rnk Description Stn Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth* 1 GRUEN NATION-EV ABC1 1,600,000 493,000 449,000 305,000 188,000 165,000 2 SPICKS AND SPECKS-EV ABC1 1,499,000 474,000 434,000 271,000 158,000 161,000 3 YES WE CANBERRA!-LE ABC1 1,493,000 501,000 433,000 249,000 182,000... Rnk Description Stn Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 GRUEN NATION-EV ABC1 1,600,000 493,000 449,000 305,000 188,000 165,000
2 SPICKS AND SPECKS-EV ABC1 1,499,000 474,000 434,000 271,000 158,000 161,000
3 YES WE CANBERRA!-LE ABC1 1,493,000 501,000 433,000 249,000 182,000 128,000
4 SEVEN NEWS SEVEN 1,454,000 387,000 390,000 289,000 152,000 236,000
5 TODAY TONIGHT SEVEN 1,421,000 367,000 419,000 274,000 152,000 210,000
6 NINE NEWS NINE 1,339,000 359,000 450,000 267,000 130,000 133,000
7 WORLD'S STRICTEST PARENTS SEVEN 1,277,000 389,000 366,000 199,000 157,000 166,000
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN –WED NINE 1,207,000 278,000 420,000 247,000 89,000 173,000
9 THE FARMER WANTS A WIFE NINE 1,192,000 325,000 439,000 178,000 109,000 140,000
10 A CURRENT AFFAIR NINE 1,159,000 283,000 387,000 261,000 100,000 128,000
11 HOT PROPERTY NINE 1,158,000 287,000 427,000 208,000 88,000 149,000
12 ABC NEWS-EV ABC1 1,099,000 315,000 354,000 174,000 101,000 155,000
13 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT NINE 1,057,000 255,000 391,000 208,000 73,000 130,000
14 HOME AND AWAY SEVEN 1,045,000 311,000 307,000 178,000 128,000 120,000
15 7.30 REPORT-EV ABC1 1,011,000 307,000 279,000 211,000 96,000 119,000
16 THE 7PM PROJECT TEN 934,000 232,000 274,000 204,000 100,000 123,000
17 CITY HOMICIDE SEVEN 911,000 274,000 301,000 124,000 91,000 121,000
18 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS EP 2 TEN 900,000 254,000 298,000 152,000 90,000 105,000
19 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS TEN 894,000 237,000 328,000 156,000 75,000 99,000
20 TEN NEWS AT FIVE TEN 890,000 245,000 275,000 138,000 89,000 143,000
21 THE NEW INVENTORS-EV ABC1 883,000 273,000 266,000 172,000 87,000 86,000
22 LIE TO ME TEN 769,000 189,000 259,000 136,000 96,000 90,000
23 HOT SEAT NINE 761,000 219,000 246,000 169,000 66,000 61,000
24 THE SIMPSONS TEN 724,000 171,000 274,000 121,000 62,000 97,000
25 NEIGHBOURS TEN 710,000 201,000 222,000 124,000 67,000 96,000
26 DEAL OR NO DEAL SEVEN 654,000 171,000 189,000 121,000 77,000 96,000
27 LATELINE-LE ABC1 591,000 198,000 178,000 100,000 75,000 39,000
28 LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT TEN 587,000 158,000 182,000 113,000 66,000 68,000
29 THE SUSPECTS - TRUE AUSTRALIAN THRILLERS SEVEN 553,000 138,000 167,000 83,000 79,000 86,000
30 THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL TEN 536,000 148,000 167,000 92,000 67,000 62,000
31 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW -RPT NINE 490,000 104,000 182,000 101,000 54,000 49,000
32 SEX AND THE CITY NINE 460,000 133,000 169,000 64,000 46,000 48,000
33 HUEY'S KITCHEN TEN 452,000 117,000 140,000 76,000 55,000 64,000
34 POH'S KITCHEN-EV ABC1 439,000 117,000 159,000 66,000 33,000 64,000
35 SUNRISE SEVEN 384,000 129,000 68,000 94,000 48,000 45,000
36 M*A*S*H SEVEN 381,000 116,000 111,000 68,000 38,000 47,000
37 DHARMA & GREG RPT TEN 365,000 92,000 98,000 66,000 40,000 68,000
38 TODAY NINE 363,000 86,000 124,000 94,000 23,000 36,000
39 JUDGE JUDY TEN 329,000 95,000 104,000 47,000 38,000 47,000
40 INSPECTOR REX RPT SBS1 329,000 100,000 87,000 54,000 24,000 63,000
41 SEVEN NEWS AT 4.30 SEVEN 300,000 99,000 78,000 54,000 28,000 41,000
42 TEN LATE NEWS WITH SPORTS TONIGHT TEN 278,000 70,000 109,000 52,000 31,000 16,000
43 NINE AFTERNOON NEWS NINE 262,000 76,000 82,000 61,000 21,000 22,000
44 LATELINE BUSINESS-LE ABC1 230,000 50,000 78,000 53,000 35,000 13,000
45 M-THE LOVE LETTER SEVEN 217,000 66,000 66,000 46,000 12,000 26,000
46 THE MORNING SHOW SEVEN 209,000 67,000 57,000 40,000 22,000 23,000
47 CHEESE SLICES-EV ABC1 208,000 47,000 96,000 26,000 17,000 22,000
48 GRANDPA IN MY POCKET-AM ABC1 198,000 33,000 110,000 6,000 19,000 31,000
49 UNEXPLAINED RPT SBS1 197,000 45,000 66,000 24,000 15,000 47,000
50 DAREDEVILS SEVEN 196,000 42,000 63,000 34,000 25,000 33,000 ]]> The Ratings Room Phantom http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32042 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32041&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:00:02 GMT The newest worldwide television phenomenon, MasterChef, finally hit United States screens overnight on the FOX Broadcast Network. The program, based on the Australian version and not the original United Kingdom format, premiered to solid rating numbers of 2.7 in the 18-49 demographic, beating... The newest worldwide television phenomenon, MasterChef, finally hit United States screens overnight on the FOX Broadcast Network.

The program, based on the Australian version and not the original United Kingdom format, premiered to solid rating numbers of 2.7 in the 18-49 demographic, beating Wipeout, America's Got Talent, NCIS LA and Life Unexpected. All those programs were in repeat except for AGT.

The contestants on the program are judged by Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich.

Knowfirst and Viewing Now has seen the first episode and was impressed by the production standards, but found the set to be cold, uninviting and dark. Contestants ranged from the egregious, pompous, arrogant and emotional. Chef Elliot appeared to be a kind, respectful judge, whilst Bastianich appeared cold and disinterested. Ramsay was his usual contemptuous self.

In the first episode contestants were asked to produce their "signature dish" in one-hour. Whilst many of the tastings fell flat, several standouts emerged and moved on to the final 24, which FOX will reveal in its second episode next week. ]]> TV Programs Mark http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32041 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32040&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:11:20 GMT Image: http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2010/07/28/1720370/cable_lead-420x0.jpg Two companies will invest an estimated $US400 million ($450 million) in a new 13,600-kilometre submarine cable that they say will double telecommunications capacity out of Australia and further reduce broadband...

Two companies will invest an estimated $US400 million ($450 million) in a new 13,600-kilometre submarine cable that they say will double telecommunications capacity out of Australia and further reduce broadband costs to consumers.

Telecommunications company Pacnet and a new company created specifically for the new cable, Pacific Fibre, will invest the money and have it built by 2013.

They will tender for its build before year's end.

The plan to build the cable was revealed in March, when Pacific Fibre was searching for an investment partner.

Brisbane Times ]]> News First David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32040 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32039&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:32:35 GMT Prime and Southern Cross may be targeted by their capital city affiliates if the ALP is returned to government on August 21st. The potential sale of the companies would be prompted by the removal of the 75 per cent audience reach rule, which restricts free-to-air television companies from owning... Prime and Southern Cross may be targeted by their capital city affiliates if the ALP is returned to government on August 21st.

The potential sale of the companies would be prompted by the removal of the 75 per cent audience reach rule, which restricts free-to-air television companies from owning stations that reach more than 75 per cent of the population.

The potential removal of the rule was proposed by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy who said it would be included in the government's "convergent media review".

If the rule is scrapped it could see the Ten Network bid for Southern Cross, which broadcasts Ten programmes in regional centres and owns numerous commercial radio stations.

The top-rating Seven Network would also likely acquire Prime Television, which is undergoing a corporate and programming restructure, including moving regional NSW news bulletins to its Canberra facilities, angering local communities in southern and western NSW. ]]> News First Mark http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32039 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32038&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:05:18 GMT Et tu, WPA2? Security researchers have discovered security shortcomings in the WPA2 protocol that threaten the security of wireless networks, even if they are running up-to-date security software. The hack involves generating arbitrary broadcast packets from a spoofed node that trick... Et tu, WPA2?

Security researchers have discovered security shortcomings in the WPA2 protocol that threaten the security of wireless networks, even if they are running up-to-date security software.

The hack involves generating arbitrary broadcast packets from a spoofed node that trick legitimate nodes in a targeted network into responding with queries that give away information about their secret keys. The traffic does not, of course, give away the private key directly, but it does provide enough clues for this information to be extracted by subsequent cryptanalysis and high-end number crunching.

The attack was discovered by wireless security experts at AirTight Networks, who found it was possible to spoof the MAC address of a kosher access point by adding just 10 lines of code to the open source Madwifi driver and running this software on a standard PC, H Security reports. However, for the attack to succeed, hackers already need to be internal, authorised users of targeted networks.

The Register ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32038 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32037&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:59:31 GMT Gulf of confusion The United Arab Emirates has decided that BlackBerry handsets constitute a threat to national security, and is considering an outright ban. The UAE regulator has made explicit its fears, in a statement to local media picked up by the Associated Press, that users might... Gulf of confusion

The United Arab Emirates has decided that BlackBerry handsets constitute a threat to national security, and is considering an outright ban.

The UAE regulator has made explicit its fears, in a statement to local media picked up by the Associated Press, that users might "abuse" the BlackBerry service to place their communication beyond the reach of UAE's police and security forces. BlackBerrys do this by storing email on out-of-country servers, and providing a decent level of server-to-handset encryption.

"As a result of how BlackBerry data is managed and stored ... certain BlackBerry applications allow people to misuse the service, causing serious social, judicial and national security repercussions," said the statement, making it clear that having email "managed by a foreign, commercial organisation" was not acceptable.

The Register ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32037 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32035&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:11:56 GMT Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today that opposing Labor's $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) is like opposing the building of the railroad years ago.

Gillard, under fire for questioning the cost of aged pension increases and the government's paid parental scheme, defended the NBN when quizzed by reporters in Adelaide.

"I am absolutely satisfied that the NBN was the right investment for this country's future," she said.

It would transform the way people lived and worked, and the way services were provided.

"Being opposed to the NBN is the modern-day equivalent of having opposed the railroad back years and years ago," Gillard said.

"When the trains got built, they transformed the way the economy worked, they transformed the way people lived. The NBN will do that."

Gillard said she was "absolutely amazed" that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wanted to cut measures that would modernise Australia's economy.

ZDNet Australia ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32035 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32034&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:10:51 GMT At the launch of Google's Election 2010 portal at the internet giant's Sydney headquarters this morning, three of the country's most IT-savvy politicians went head-to-head on the National Broadband Network (NBN) and the government's planned mandatory internet filter.

Outspoken IT advocate and Labor Senator Kate Lundy spoke of the lengths the government had gone to in making information public through government 2.0 and said she was "extremely proud" of the NBN.

"It is a fundamental base of participation that will put Australia in the forefront of this area from now on," she said.

Former Optus director of corporate and regulatory affairs and Liberal MP for the seat of Bradfield Paul Fletcher said his party is a "big fan of broadband", but questioned "whether it was wise to put $43 billion in a risky technology bet" on the NBN. He denied suggestions from Lundy that he advocated the government's approach to broadband in his book Wired Brown Land.

ZDNet Australia ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32034 http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32033&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:07:01 GMT Senator Stephen Conroy has failed to answer the tough questions at a Melbourne event yesterday. In an election month, voters could be forgiven for thinking that the Broadband Minister was not up to another tough session about his filtering and NBN policies. Conroy was at a Fed Square launch for... Senator Stephen Conroy has failed to answer the tough questions at a Melbourne event yesterday. In an election month, voters could be forgiven for thinking that the Broadband Minister was not up to another tough session about his filtering and NBN policies.

Conroy was at a Fed Square launch for captioned telephony, a new phone system designed for the hearing impaired.

After briefly highlighting the benefits of the technology, Conroy glowed over how well the NBN is doing, and that its first customers are now live and operational.

He remained seated and present for the duration of the presentation, but when it came to question time at the conclusion, Conroy had to suddenly leave.

iTWire ]]> Tech-Heads David Bird http://www.knowfirst.info/forums/showthread.php?t=32033