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Archives for May 2007

PA Attorney General orders MySpace to save perv data

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Pennsylvania Attorney General SealPennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett sent MySpace a letter ordering them to “secure and maintain all information concerning MySpace profiles used by registered sex offenders” in his state.

“It is essential that MySpace preserve any information about online profiles created by registered sex offenders,” Corbett said. “We know that online predators are actively using social networking sites like MySpace to identify potential victims, and it is vital that this information be preserved for possible review by law enforcement.”

A statement released by Corbett’s office said MySpace had internally realized that thousands of registered sex offenders had accounts on their site.

“Our searches have found children as young as 10-years-old with MySpace pages, often displaying pictures and revealing personal information,” Corbett said. “We know that predators are actively searching for new victims on sites such as MySpace, but the company is refusing to take reasonable steps to protect children.”

In 2006, a Pittsburgh man was arrested after using the popular online social networking portal to proposition and engage in sexual discussions with a 14-year-old girl while he was out on bail on a similar charge.

And for my next trick…

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The Trey ChairI don’t take on many product reviews myself nowadays. With my amazing staff over at Blast, I’ve been able to focus on editing and getting a good issue out each month.

But I’m a writer, and I need to write.

So when I sit down to write a product review lately, it’s either a situation where I have something meaningful or unique to say, like in the instance of my 2000-word review of Gothic III (the longest review of the game out there) or when it’s a product that seems utterly cool, totally unique or just so out there that I simply must have a look.

That’s the case with “Trey,” a “gamers’ chair” that transforms shape and size in a zillion different ways. I’m cracking into one of these babies next week, so look out for the $250 chair in the June issue of Blast Magazine.

Motorola to acquire Modulus Video

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MotorolaMotorola, in a bid to improve its video services for its home and small business users, made a move to acquire Modulus Video, Inc.

Modulus, according to a press release, is a leading MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) company that specializes in putting this video over the Internet and broadcast/television systems.

Both sides seem pleased.

“As consumers demand more high definition video and interactive services, the need for advanced compression technology is increasingly important,” said Dan Moloney, President, Home and Networks Mobility business, Motorola, Inc, Modulus Video has a powerful architecture and product development framework that is well suited for continued technological advancement.”

“Through this acquisition, Modulus Video will become part of a world-class organization in a highly strategic market segment. Our team will benefit from Motorola’s rich heritage and leadership of video delivery expertise,” said Bob Wilson, Chairman and CEO of Modulus Video. “Modulus Video will bring to Motorola a software-centric platform that ensures flexibility, reduced cost and fast development time.”

Modulus will become a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Motorola has said it will allow them to continue their Sunnyvale, Calif., operations, which will save jobs in the area.

Well, you might be…

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A Tacoma woman and her son will serve time for faking a mental retardation to collect governmental benefits.

CNN reported that Rosie Costello, 46 will serve three years and pay $288,000 in restitution for coaching her son, 28-year-old Pete, to pretend he was retarded so the pair could collect money at the expense of the American taxpayers.

This charade went on for 20 years–since her son was eight years old. Pete Costello, incidentally, got 13 months.

That’s not where it ends, though. Costello tried the same scheme with her younger daughter, Marie, beginning when she was four-years-old.

CNN reported that investigators weren’t even able to find the girl, who is now in her mid-20s.

A statement from the United States Attorney’s office shows that the judge on the case, Ronald B. Leighton, called Costello a “habitual offender.”

You reap what you sow.

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