After years of controversy, millions spent, and nothing to show for it, the French government has backtracked on HADOPI, the "three strikes" law that made it possible for entertainment companies to demand the termination of Internet accounts implicated in illegal downloading accusations. People whose routers are said to have been used for piracy may still face fines — even if they can prove they didn't personally download anything illegally — but no one will lose their Internet connection over piracy accusations in France: "the panel concluded that the three strikes mechanism had failed to benefit authorized services as promised."
France kills three-strikes copyright disconnections
Yandex to buy Tinkoff for $5.5 billion from Russian bank TCS Group
The Russian bank TCS Group Holding is talks with Russian internet group Yandex about selling the TCS-owned online bank Tinkoff to Yandex for USD $5.48 billion, the companies said on Tuesday. Tinkoff is the world's largest bank that is fully online, with more than 10 million customers across Russia, reports Reuters: The idea was first… READ THE REST
Chuck E. Cheese seeks to destroy 7 billion prize tickets
CEC Entertainment, owners of Chuck E. Cheese, who filed for bankruptcy in June have 7 billion paper prize tickets they need to destroy, according to a bankruptcy filing in a Texas court this week. That's apparently enough tickets to fill more than 60 of those 40-foot cargo shipping containers. From Restaurant Business: CEC Entertainment has… READ THE REST
WeChat users in U.S. will not be penalized, says Justice Department
• Users who sued claim Trump's ban on WeChat prohibits "millions of WeChat users in the United States … from using the most popular social media space for Chinese speakers in the world." The Justice Department said on Wednesday that U.S.-based users of the Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat will not face civil or criminal penalties,… READ THE REST
MATLAB is computer science for legit scientists, but you can learn it too with this training
If you've never heard of MATLAB or think it sounds vaguely like certain TV shows from the '80s, you'd be forgiven. Because even in a tech sector chock full of intricate, complex programs and systems that routinely leave lay people scratching their heads, MATLAB is science tech for the serious, SERIOUS scientists. Since its humble… READ THE REST
These super-soft bamboo sheets now have a secret weapon: pockets
Every once in a while, you stumble across a new twist on an old idea and ponder, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's often a concept so simple that it feels like it's been staring you in the face your whole life. It's that sense of "duh" that the Bamboo 6-Piece Smart Pocket Sheets… READ THE REST
FogBlock solves the glasses-mask problem with a single spray
Glasses can be difficult at any time, but with a mask on, it seems like you can't go more than a few seconds without an errant exhale blowing up into your face, fogging your glasses entirely. The only upside is the tiny bit of sweet revenge against everyone who called you four-eyes when they try… READ THE REST
