Robotics engineer Ronald Arkin of Georgia Tech just finished a three-year contract with the U.S. Army designing software to create ethical robots. His thesis is that robots can be configured with a built-in "guilt system" that eventually could make them better at avoiding civilian casualties than human soldiers. CNET intern Dara Kerr talks to Arkin about his work.
Also in today's podcast: Jammie Thomas-Rasset's lawyers say she plans to appeal her RIAA case; MySpace--and presumably other community-based Web services--cannot be held liable in assault charges stemming from people meeting on its Web site; and watch out for Waledac over the 4th of July weekend.
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Today's stories:
Jammie Thomas will appeal, lawyer says
Court: MySpace not liable for offline assaults
Waledac worm targeting July 4 spam offensive
Google's e-mail security service unit, called Postini, monitors 3 billion messages per day. They flow in and out of customer systems and pass through Postini's thousands of machines in data centers around the U.S. and in Europe before hitting the Internet.
That and other headlines of the day, on Wednesday's edition of the CNET News Daily Podcast.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Google's take on e-mail defense
RIAA triumphs in Usenet copyright case
Analyst: Intel-based thin laptops have design issues
Bing's first month produces small share gain
Greenpeace guide frowns on HP, still loves Nokia
Windows 7 doesn't arrive on retail shelves and new PCs until October, but Microsoft has announced two programs designed to give a head start to those who know they want the new operating system. CNET News reporter Ina Fried helps us make sense of the somewhat complicated Windows 7 upgrade options.
That and other headlines of the day, on Tuesday's CNET News Daily Podcast.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
China delays rule for Net-screening software
Swedish company to buy Pirate Bay
Maine: A MacBook for each student in grades 7-12
FAQ: Making sense of Windows 7 upgrade options
A major update to the Firefox browser, version 3.5, is on track to launch tomorrow. CNET News senior writer Stephen Shankland tells us what to expect, why it matters, and how Firefox is faring against Microsoft and the new browser up-start, Google.
Also, how Michael Jackson's death swamped Google, how to run OLPC software on your laptop, Shaq's Twitter challenge, and a look deep inside the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
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Today's stories:
Firefox 3.5 to ship on Tuesday?
DOJ extends investigation into Oracle-Sun deal
Report: Microsoft to cut Razorfish loose
Report: Sony considers adding phone to PSP
OLPC operating system free on a stick
Is Apple's Mac Mini a MacBook inside?
Sprint takes gloves off, aims for Apple's chin
What are the best destination spots for globetrotting geeks? Programmer John Graham-Cumming traveled the world to find out. His recently published book, "The Geek Atlas," is a travel guide for lovers of science, math, and technology. CNET intern Dara Kerr got Graham-Cumming on the phone from London to talk about the book, and some of his favorite geek hotspots.
Also on today's podcast: Quashing rumors about the future of the Beatles' catalogue in the wake of Michael Jackson's death, Windows 7 might come to Netbooks via a thumb drive, Apple makes a statement about yesterday's iPhone porn app flap, and HP turns the iPhone into one of its classic calculators.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Thumbing Windows 7 onto Netbooks
Jackson death won't affect a Beatles-iTunes deal
Apple confirms it banned iPhone porn app
CNET News intern Mats Lewan checks in with editor Rafe Needleman, who recently tested out a whole bunch of tools for getting information in real time and came up with some favorites.
Plus, Carol Bartz's first shareholder meeting as Yahoo CEO, and other headlines of the day.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Microsoft sets Windows 7 pricing, upgrade programs
MPAA says Real's patent attempt saps RealDVD argument
Yahoo shareholders content to wait and see
VC's automated Twitter feed spreads malware
Twitter search sites: The three best, and all the rest
Reporter Ina Fried stops by the podcast studio to talk about Hohm, Microsoft's new Web service for helping consumers identify areas where they can save on energy.
Also in this podcast: Comcast and Time Warner are teaming up to bring cable subscribers TV shows online; why you might want to hold off on buying a Windows Vista machine; and a few of the hidden features in iPhone OS 3.0 that Apple hasn't publicized.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Microsoft dials Hohm to cut home energy use
Comcast, Time Warner team up to deliver TV online
Windows 7 upgrade program nears launch
Judge gives Apple green light against Psystar
Oracle beats expectations as sales, earnings dip
Intel's deal with Nokia is important for the chipmaker as it forges its path into the competitive (and profitable) mobile market. Also in today's podcast: MySpace layoffs hit the company's overseas offices; expedited airport-security service shuts down; and how to tell if you're really buying an American-made car.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
MySpace slashing two-thirds of international staff
Report: Verizon, T-Mobile to offer Motorola Android smartphones
Flash Player 10 beta coming to most smartphones
Apple updates MacBook Pro firmware
Reports: Steve Jobs returns to Apple
Expedited airport-security service shuts down
Government loans for green cars awarded to Ford, Nissan, Tesla
In Monday's podcast, CNET editor Rafe Needleman interviews CNET News reporter Tom Krazit, who covered Apple for several years, on Steve Jobs' liver transplant and the strange way Apple told the world about it.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Report: Steve Jobs had liver transplant
Jobs: Over 1 million new iPhones sold
Viliv, the future of Intel handhelds?
Report: FTC to go after blogger freebies
Bozeman to job seekers: We won't seek passwords
Yahoo rolling out DIY display ads
On Thursday a high-profile verdict was reached when Jammie Thomas-Rasset was found guilty of willful copyright infringement for sharing some copyrighted songs online. CNET News reporter Greg Sandoval joins us to talk about what Thomas-Rasset's options are now.
Also in the podcast, the iPhone 3G S went on sale for the first time Friday, and CNET News was there to cover the action live. Google and Facebook rushed out Farsi versions of their respective services to provide communication amid Iran's post-election turbulence, RIM continues to do well despite a sagging economy, and Microsoft puts the kibosh on a new Xbox 360 anytime soon.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
Today's stories:
Smaller crowds queue up for iPhone 3G S on first day
Jammie Thomas must pay RIAA $1.92 million
Google, Facebook rush Iranian language support
RIM posts strong results on BlackBerry shipments
Sony beefs up Blu-ray strategy
Microsoft: No new Xbox next year
Rafe Needleman is editor of CNET's Webware. He's been covering technology since 1988, and has interviewed thousands of tech execs. He blogs at 
Leslie Katz is senior editor of CNET News' Crave blog, which focuses on gadgets, games, and all other digital distractions.
Erica Ogg keeps up on the latest consumer electronics and PC goings-on as chief correspondent for CNET News' Crave blog.
Jennifer Guevin is assistant managing editor for CNET News and focuses on science and green tech.
