Mac 101: Going Commando with Command-key shortcuts in Mac OS X

One of the adjustments those new to the Mac need to make is to familiarize themselves with the Command key. Although I switch hit and use Windows at work and a Mac when I’m not working, I’ve always preferred it over Control. Its proximity next to the space bar allows me to use my thumb, as opposed to my pinky finger with the Control key, for keyboard shortcuts. I find it particularly faster for copying and pasting. The clover-looking key (it’s actually an infinite loop), which had always been accompanied by an Apple logo until recently, sometimes behaves in ways similar to the Control key in the Windows world. At other times, however, it doesn’t. Whether you’re a recent Mac switcher or a seasoned Mac user, here are some shortcuts using the Command key to help you speed your way through tasks — via The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Google Adds TV Episode Search

Google’s latest search engine feature enables users to search for individual TV episodes and sort the results by season in each series. Just search for a TV series like Mad Men or The Office, then click the Show options… button above the results. A panel appears on the left with several options; you can click Videos to narrow your search to videos, and after that the option to search for Episodes instead of All videos

Deadly New Russian Weapon Hides in Shipping Container

A Russian company is marketing a devastating new cruise missile system which can be hidden inside a shipping container, giving any merchant vessel the capability to wipe out an aircraft carrier. Potential customers for the formidable Club-K system include Kremlin allies Iran and Venezuela, say defense experts. They worry that countries could pass on the satellite-guided missiles, which are very hard to detect, to terrorist groups

The Search for the Best ANZAC Biscuit Recipe

Yesterday was ANZAC day, which is the Australia and New Zealand equivalent of our Memorial Day. (ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.) ANZAC biscuits are a classic cookie that myth associates with World War I (they’re still getting over Gallipoli, and rightly so). My husband is Australian, so of course I wanted to make a good batch of ANZAC biscuits for him yesterday — via CRAFT

Data | The World Bank

This site is meant to provide all users with improved access to World Bank data and to make that data easier to find and use. We will continue to add to the databases available and welcome suggestions on how we can improve the site for users — via The World Bank

Google Fined for Defamatory Message on Networking Site

Google has been fined $US8500 (AU$9100) in Brazil after an anonymous internet user posted defamatory messages on one of its sites against a priest, calling him a paedophile, media reported on Sunday. A court in the state of Minas Gerais ruled in favour of the 54-year-old priest, identified by his initials JR, after rejecting Google’s argument that the US web giant was not responsible for what users posted on its Orkut social networking site

India Introduces Major Copyright Reform Bill

The Government of India has just introduced a major new copyright reform package. Of particular note from a Canadian perspective are the approaches to fair dealing and anti-circumvention. On fair dealing, the provision is expanded to cover private and personal use. On anti-circumvention, the bill is consistent with implementing the WIPO Internet treaties in a manner that retains equal rights both online and offline. The provision specifically targets circumvention for the purposes of copyright infringement and does not target the distribution or marketing of devices that can be used to circumvent

Man Put on ‘No-Fly List’ While in Air to NYC

A man on a flight from West Africa to New York City was removed from the plane and detained Thursday after authorities apparently added him to a no-fly list during the trip. Customs and Border Protection agents detained the man while the Delta Air Lines jet stopped to refuel in San Juan, Puerto Rico after an overnight trip from Dakar, Senegal. Passengers said that the captain announced over the intercom that the man had been added to a roster of people banned from travel to the US while the plane was in flight

Google Australia in Hiring Spree

Google is looking to boost headcount in Sydney by around 15 per cent which would tip its local workforce to just over 400 people. The internet giant employs approximately 350 people in Australia and has 51 job openings for positions. A surging demand for its enterprise solutions, namely Google Apps and Geo — comprising Google Maps and Google Earth — has been the driving force behind the job spike, says Google Asia-Pacific enterprise managing director Doug Farber

Local Computer Security Expert Investigates Police Practices

A drunken street golf game with foam balls has led to a serious civil rights issue, pitting computer geeks against police practices. Eric Rachner, a Seattle cyber security expert and one of the golf players, wasn’t satisfied when the city dismissed charges against him after a possibly illegal arrest for refusing to provide identification. Rachner discovered through sleuthing that police had withheld video-recorded evidence in his case

ACTA: ISPs to be Liable for Piracy

If Australia signs the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), internet service providers (ISPs) may be obliged to hand over the identity of its users to those defending copyright. The European Commission of Trade has released a draft of the agreement, which aims to establish international standards on how to enforce intellectual property rights, and has involved countries around the world including Australia. Signatories to the ACTA will be required to ensure that copyright holders can sue intermediaries whose services are used to infringe intellectual property

Telstra Confirms Customer Data Breach

Telstra has patched a data breach on its business web site that had the potential to reveal personal information, such as date of birth, of 700 customers. Telstra confirmed that the only details that could be sighted without the need to log-in were the name, address and account number of a customer. But afterwards, it was confirmed that a customer account holder’s date of birth (DOB) could also be seen

Ultrathin Silk-Based Electronics Make Better Brain Implants

Silk has made its way from the soft curves of the body to the spongy folds of the brain. Engineers have now designed silk-based electronics that stick to the surface of the brain, similar to the way a silk dress clings to the hips. The stretchable, ultrathin design would make for better brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which record brain activity in paralyzed patients and translate thoughts into movements of computer cursors or robotic arms. Because it’s so thin and flexible, a silk-based device could reach regions of the brain that were previously inaccessible