Why does Google retain data? Because nonexistent laws tell it to

Why does Google retain data? Because nonexistent laws tell it to

Snarky headline, Mr Anderson! But with some non-sequiturs in the article.

Two months ago, Google announced a plan to anonymize its logs … [so that] it should be impossible to link search queries up with individual users. Of course, this is what AOL researchers thought … but queries often turn out to be … the sort of things that can eventually be used to identify individuals.

Okay, okay, good, okay, with you so far.

[Improving search results] Sounds good—though it’s not clear why this couldn’t be done just as well with anonymous data.

Wait, waiiit. I thought you just said they were going to anonymise data?

The real issue here is whether, as in AOL’s case, each user will be assigned an ‘anonymous’ ID number that is not by itself traceable back to a particular user–but with the content of queries, can be used for identification. OR, whether the queries will just be stored with no additional information, meaning that it would not be possible to determine whether any two given queries were performed by the same user or not. Only the latter is true anonymity. Which is Google using? Mr Anderson does not seem to know, or perhaps just does not care to explain the issue.

I wrote several papers about related topics in college, so the subject is of some interest to me.

Mr Anderson’s end point–that Google is hiding behind the government while actually ‘complying’ more than it needs to–is valid, but the reporting is sloppy. I only point this out because Ars Technica is usually very good.

Battlestar Galactica actually not ending just yet... maybe

Battlestar Galactica actually not ending just yet… maybe

Oh, um, false alarm, I guess. Possibly.

Note: As of 3x17, BSG is on act three of its intended total of four acts. Here’s to hoping that the writers think and feel like humans, and that they have a plan.

'Feature-complete' Leopard beta to be released to developers at WWDC

‘Feature-complete’ Leopard beta to be released to developers at WWDC

That’s June 11-15. So at the very least, the rest of us will know what those ‘secret’ features are by then. It’s about time, I suppose.

PSP2 still coming?

PSP2 still coming?

I wouldn’t link to this if it were any site other than PSP-Vault, which I hold in great esteem, although the site’s owner (zmcnulty) doesn’t seem too happy about the article.

I finally made the jump to a ‘homebrew’ firmware for my PSP, and it’s had the effect of transforming the machine from a bookend into something I actually like almost as much as my DS again. The other nice effect of it is, since any hardware revision will almost certainly make homebrew much harder, I won’t feel gypped for owing the original hardware.

Upcoming fourth season of Battlestar Galactica to be the last

Upcoming fourth season of Battlestar Galactica to be the last

Vastly preferable to either (a) being cancelled after a cliffhanger or (b) running for long after the writers have totally run out of ideas. Ideally, I would have liked to see maybe one more season after this, but oh well.

I was about to say we still have Caprica, but it looks like that’s fizzling out.

MacFusion brings a GUI interface to MacFUSE

MacFusion brings a GUI interface to MacFUSE

Neat! I can mount my home directory from my Linux server over SSH on my Mac desktop.

Except… this bug prevents correct file permissions, and this bug (fixed in SVN) prevents Keychain from storing my password. Oh well, it has promise.

Final Fantasy IV 3D remake for Nintendo DS announced

Final Fantasy IV 3D remake for Nintendo DS announced

Sheeeesh. I may have to pass on this one. I just have too many games to catch up on, and besides, the series really starts with VI for me.

Y'know, things break

Y’know, things break

—Peter Moore on Xbox 360 failure rates

i explode uh that sucks right

“I explode. Uh, that sucks, right?”

Final Fantasy Dissidia announced for PSP

Final Fantasy Dissidia announced for PSP

Speaking of brand name dilution for short-term gains…

I remember when you could buy a box labelled ‘Final Fantasy’ and have some assurance that there was an RPG inside.