WikiScanner can track anonymous Wikipedia edits

WikiScanner or Wikipedia Scanner provides an online searchable tool that takes a database dump from Wikipedia and crawls through anonymous edits which were made from source IP addresses that can be traced back to organizations who may have a vested interest in the content of the respective Wikipedia pages. It uses a IP2Location database to connect IP addresses with organizations.

In most cases these were edits where the organizations would have removed content with criticism. The homepage lists the following organizations as editor's picks on its homepage.

1. Government
1. U.S. Senate Sergeant At Arms
2. U.S. House Of Representatives
3. Environmental Protection Agency
4. National Institute of Health
5. Democratic Party
6. Republican Party
7. NATO
2. Education
1. California Institute of Technology
2. Bob Jones University
3. Policy
1. Electronic Frontier Foundation
2. The Rand Corporation
3. National Rifle Association
4. American Civil Liberties Union
4. Corporate
1. Diebold Inc
2. Amgen Inc
3. Pfizer Inc
4. Wal-Mart Stores Inc
5. ExxonMobil
6. Raytheon
5. News
1. Washington Post
2. Washington Times
3. Fox News Channel
4. New York Times Company
5. Al-Jazeera
6. Locations
1. Ft. George G Meade, Maryland
2. Havana, Ciudad De La Habana
7. Misc
1. darpa.mil
2. Central Intelligence Agency
3. Church of Scientology
4. Vatican
5. Christian Science Publishing Society
6. Church of Latter Day Saints

The creator, Virgil Griffith, wrote in the FAQ page that he created WikiScanner "to create a fireworks display of public relations disasters in which everyone brings their own fireworks, and enjoys". He however suggests that a tool like WikiScanner is not necessary and anonymous speech should be preserved.

The Wired wrote See Who's Editing Wikipedia - Diebold, the CIA, a Campaign to break the story. 

The online tool is available here.

Compact disc hits 25th birthday

The world's first compact disc (CD) was produced by Philips and Sony 25 years ago, revolutionizing the music industry and becoming a dominant format. CDs have sold over 200 billion units worldwide and are still popular despite digital downloads' growth. The CD's development involved overcoming technical challenges, and it was initially aimed at holding an hour of audio but extended to 74 minutes for a complete symphony. Although CD sales have declined in recent years, they remain a significant format, cherished by some music enthusiasts. Here is an article from BBC News on the compact disc turning 25.

Google Shutting Down Google Video

Google is shutting down its premium video service, leaving users who purchased or rented content unable to access their videos in the future. They won't receive refunds but are offered a $5 credit on Google Checkout, expiring in 60 days. The move comes after Google's acquisition of YouTube on October 9, 2006, making Google Video less relevant. Analysts criticize the decision, as users lose access to content they bought despite functioning players. Google originally launched this video hosting service on January 25, 2005. The BBC reports it here.

Yahoo.com is Asia's Most Popular Website

Yahoo.com is not only the most popular web site in the US but also the top choice in Asia, leading in markets like Japan, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. Microsoft and Google follow as the second and third most popular sites in the region, respectively. US web companies are investing more in Asia to tap into the region's rapidly growing economies like China and India. However, internet usage in Asia lags behind the global average, with South Korea having the highest rate at 65% and India and China at the bottom with 3% and 9%, respectively. Yahoo operates in China and Japan through partnerships with local companies. The Financial Express writes Yahoo.com is Asia’s favorite website here.

Google buying FeedBurner for $100 million

In this context, it is essential to recognize that the aggregation of personal preferences and browsing history of ordinary users is consolidating within the databases of a single company. This aggregation enables the correlation and analysis of vast amounts of private information. While this information is already scattered across the internet, the concern arises from its gradual centralization under the control of a single private entity. The potential consequences for our personal and private data in relation to our browsing experiences are a matter of concern.

One notable outcome of this centralization is the potential for the company to offer more integrated, personalized, and localized services to its users. This aspect is particularly intriguing in the current landscape of internet search dominated by companies like Google.

Wired writes Google To Drop $100 Million On Feedburner here. BetaNews reports Google to Acquire Feedburner for $100 Million here.

Can Google and Linux Topple Microsoft?

The Federal Aviation Administration's CIO, David Bowen, is considering replacing Microsoft Windows and Office with Linux and Google Apps Premium for cost and compatibility reasons. Google Apps offers collaborative tools, but not all functionalities of Microsoft Office. Concerns exist over data security with third-party servers. Microsoft argues that costs are not solely dependent on software and addresses compatibility issues. The FAA has not made a final decision yet. Here is an article from Route-Fifty.

Amazon to offer DRM-free music downloads

Great news awaits music enthusiasts worldwide, and it is expected to be warmly embraced. The current Digital Rights Management (DRM) policies governing the usage and distribution of music files are characterized by unjust and unfriendly restrictions that neglect the rights of purchasers or consumers. It is evident that such DRM policies were inherently doomed to fail indefinitely. When a customer acquires a piece of music in digital format, it is illogical to impose restrictions on the number of digital devices on which it can be transferred. The recent shift away from these restrictive policies is a positive development. It is hoped that the legal music industry will witness a substantial increase in sales as a result, minimizing losses to pirated content providers. Here is a ZDnet article.