Filed under: Internet, Social Software
Texas Attorney General declares MySpace plan "smoke and mirrors"
Earlier today we told you about how 49 states are going into a comprehensive partnership with MySpace to stop sexual predators and protect children on social networks. Those of us good at geography remember that there are 50 states, so who is the odd one out that isn't part of this "joint statement?" In case you haven't guessed it yet, it's the Lone Star State, Texas.Greg Abbott, the Texas Attorney General, explains the reasons for not participating like this: the implementations that are suggested by the statement are more like window dressing rather than a reliable way of keeping children safe online. And yes, although it is a good idea in essence, it is not as if this is going to change anything in regards to protecting social network users, and therefore inadequate. As such, if Texas joined, it would convey a false sense of security to parents and children - which, according to Abbott, can't be solved until an age verification system is in place.
Although Abbott's stand against the herd is admirable, the idea of an age verification system is not very appealing. For example, surrendering credit card information or social security numbers to prove one's age just to use a social network is probably not going to sit too well with a lot of users. Even if a great system is developed, like some sort of age verification service that is compatible with a number of sites, people will look for alternatives that don't impose these barriers upon users.
Ultimately, with social networks moving towards openness and data portability, this is going to be a fine balancing act between enforced security measures and trusting users to manage their own security.
[via News.com]
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With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet.
They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nick said 9:03AM on 1-16-2008
What a surprise that this comes from the same state that gave us bush, took Kennedy, and still thinks it's the largest state.
Everything is bigger in Texas if you forget completely about Alaska.
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