Looks like Blue-Ray players will support using Java to "do whatever you like" [ongoing]. Obviously the intent is to use it in DVD* menus.

This is rather exciting. The existing "standard" for writing DVD menus is obviously rubbish. I say this because there is a serious lack of good software to build DVD menus. If using java as the standard means writing DVD menus will be easier and more standard, I can't be happier.

Although there is still nothing stopping the creators of the new DVD format from locking it up in laws like the current creators have done. You may not have the right to hack with your menu outside certain laws.

* it's hard for me to call a Blue-Ray a DVD. They're different. Like a VCD isn't a DVD.

US courts recently ruled in favour of MGM in Grokster (P2P software) vs MGM.

A news item at BoingBoing:

Here's a link to a BitTorrent distribution of the decisions in Grokster, today's Supreme Court decision that established a new copyright thoughtcrime: "inducing" your users to infringe by failing to employ restrictions that you believe will reduce copyright infringement. BitTorrent is a P2P software application that was not designed to reduce infringement. Many BitTorrent users use it to pass around infringing copies of movies and music. Many also use it to distribute Supreme Court decisions. Torrent Link.

I won't pipe in with "banning bittorrent would be like banning HTTP or FTP or mobile phones or paper or word-of-mouth" because you've heard it all before.

I would say though that those that write blog software should probably start adding filters that prevent bloggers and commenters from adding links to any file with an MP3/MPEG/AVI/WMA/RA (any media) extension. Failing to do so could be "inducing your users to infringe by failing to employ restrictions that you believe will reduce copyright infringement".

In fact, if the wording above is correct, this decision effectively makes NOT implementing the broadcast flag illegal.

Salon editorial on how this decision will effect Google [Salon.com, you have to watch 5 frigging ads to read the whole thing].

Google's cache technology is, in a purely technical sense far more "criminal" than Grokster could ever be.

What about Google? Consider this: Google, like Grokster, is primarily a search engine. Its business model relies on advertisements. And the more we use Google, the more money it makes. Like Grokster, Google resolves communication queries. It generates a link from an information provider to an information seeker. And almost all of what it delivers is copyrighted.

GoogleEarth (rebranded Keyhole.com) to be released for free. I believe it will cost to get higher quality images, haven't checked.

Some exciting look screenshots. Looks superior to NASA's software already, if only because GoogleMaps has more sat photos and the 3D buildings.

Looking forward to installing this one.