Google'dan sosyal paylaşım hizmeti: Google Buzz

Arama devi Google, Facebook, Twitter gibi sosyal paylaşım sitelerine rakip olacak yeni hizmetini yayınladı. Google Buzz adını taşıyan hizmet ile kullanıcılar Gmail hesaplarından durum güncellemeleri, video ve resim paylaşımları, tweet yayınları gibi paylaşımlarını yayımlayabilecekler. Buzz hizmeti Google'ın rss okuyucusu Google Reader, fotoğraf paylaşım sitesi Picasa ve mesajlaşma programı Gtalk ile entegre çalışıyor. Dileyen kullanıcılar, Flickr ve Twitter hesaplarını da Buzz'a ekleyebiliyor. Youtube ve Blogger'da eklenecek hesaplar arasında. Doğrudan durum güncellemeleri yapabilen kullanıcılar eklenen resim ve videolara yorum da yazabiliyorlar.

Hizmetin diğer bir önemli özelliği ise, mobil telefonlarda da kullanılabilecek olması. Android ve iPhone gibi telefonlardan erişilebilen hizmet ile kullanıcılar bulundukları yeri otomatik olarak bildirip yakındaki arkasdaşlarını görebilecekler.

Google'ın halihazırda Orkut adında bir sosyal iletişim sitesi bulunuyor. Ancak, kullanıcı sayısı bakımından Facebook gibi sosyal paylaşım devlerinin çok gerisinde kalıyor. Buzz'un daha çok Twitter veya FriendFeed gibi siteleri etkileyeceği düşünülüyor. 350 milyonun üzerinde üyeye sahip Facebook'u geçebileceği şimdilik tahmin edilmiyor.

Arama motoru piyasasında Google'ın rakiplerinden Yahoo da geçen sene benzer bir hizmeti yayınlamaya başlamıştı. Diğer bir rakibi Microsoft ise benzer bir hizmeti Live Today olarak veriyor.

Buzz, doğrudan Gmail hesabından kullanılıyor. Sadece gelen kutusunun altına yerleşen Buzz simgesine tıklamak yeterli. http://www.google.com/buzz adresinde ise hizmetin tanıtımı yapılıyor.


Google launches Google Code project, showcasing open source code, APIs

On Thursday, March 17, Google announced the launch of code.google.com, a new website for its open-source software (also known as "code") and APIs, for use by external developers.  This launch is the first significant contribution Google has made to the open-source community.  The release was announced at the end of the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference in San Diego.

Google's announcement comes two weeks after Yahoo announced its own Developers Program, offering access to a new collection of its APIs, at the Search Engine Strategies 2005 Conference & Expo in New York.  Chris DiBona, Google's Open Source Program Manager, spoke about the release, emphasizing their desire to feature good programs that were being developed using their APIs.  Two XML feeds are currently offered on the site, one for general updates to code hosted there, and another for changes to the weekly featured content.

The initial software projects provided on the Google site are narrowly focused, consisting of tools for debugging and compiling in two computer languages, C++ and Python, particularly when handling multi-threaded code.  Google says this is in part to get feedback from a particular audience, before expanding the scope of the project.

These tools are all available under the BSD open-source license, though the site's FAQ notes that it is not tied to any particular license, and in the future is likely to include code released under a variety of free licenses.  Google has said that it is developing this site, in part, in the hopes that it can use some of the resulting code in the future.


Google otwiera projekt Google Code

W czwartek 17 marca firma Google ogłosiła powstanie strony Google Code code.google.com udostępniającej dla wszystkich projekty open-source związane z wyszukiwarką i jej API. Znaleźć mają się tam narzędzia, biblioteki, kod źródłowy i dokumentacja dla programistów. Google wydało oświadczenie na zakończenie konferencji O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference w San Diego.

Wraz z otwarciem na stronie znalazły się cztery projekty pochodzące z serwisu SourceForge napisane w językach Python i C++. Wszystkie są napisane udostępnione na licencji BSD, choć Google nie wyklucza pojawienia się oprogramowania na innych licencjach.

Inicjatywa Google nastąpiła dwa tygodnie po tym, jak portal Yahoo ogłosił na konferencji Search Engine Strategies 2005 w Nowym Jorku własny projekt dla programistów udostępniający API, na których oparte są jego wyszukiwarki.


Google lança Google Code project para software "open source"

Na quinta-feira, 17 de março, o Google anunciou o lançamento de code.google.com, um novo site web do seu software de fonte aberta (também conhecido como "code") e APIs, para o uso por desenvolvedores externos. Este lançamento é a primeira contribuição significante que Google faz à comunidade de fonte aberta. O lançamento foi anunciado no fim da  Conferência O'Reilly de Tecnologia Emergente em San Diego.

O anúncio do Google vem duas semanas depois de  o Yahoo ter anunciado o seu próprio Programa para Desenvolvedores, oferecendo acesso a uma nova coleção do seu APIs, na Conferência e Exposição  de Estratégias de Motor de Busca de 2005  em Nova York. Chris DiBona,  gerente do  programa para código fonte aberto da Google, falou do sobre o lançamento acentuando o seu desejo sobre o surgimento de bons programas  desenvolvidos usando as  suas APIs.


Google Maps incorporates satellite images

Google Maps has incorporated
satellite images
as a feature in their Beta Google Maps service. Now users can opt for a satellite image after they search for an address or driving directions, by clicking the satellite link at top left of the page.

Satellite images are provided by Keyhole Corp. which was acquired by Google six months ago. Satellite images will be at least 6 months old. According to John Hanke, Keyhole's general manager, nobody will be able to read a license plate on a car from an image or see what an individual doing at the time it was taken.

Google Maps still only covers road maps in North America.


Google - zdjęcia satelitarne w nowym serwisie

Wyszukiwarka Google zamieściła w swoich nowych serwisach Google Maps i Google Local zdjęcia satelitarne w wysokiej rozdzielczości. Na zdjęciach możemy zobaczyć rejon Kanady oraz Stanów Zjednoczonych.

Dostępny jest również widok z satelity. Uzyskuje się go poprzez kliknięcie w prawym górnym rogu napisu Satelite. Dzięki suwakowi obraz możemy przybliżać lub oddalać, natomiast po wpisaniu dokładnego adresu serwis pokaże nam, w którym miejscu się ten adres znajduje.

Projekt jest w fazie testowej.


Google agora tem imagens de satélite

Os mapas do Google agora incorporam imagens de satélite como uma característica adicional  na versão  beta  do Google Maps ,   o serviço de mapas e orientação do Google.  Agora os usuários podem optar por uma imagem de satélite depois que eles procuram um endereço ou localidade, clicando o link de satélite do alto  da página.

As imagens de satélite são fornecidas pela Keyhole Corporation que foi adquirida pelo  Google há seis meses. As imagens de satélite tem mais de 6 meses de idade. Segundo John Hanke, o gerente geral da Keyhole,  não será possível a partir das imagens  ler a placa de  um carro ou ver o que um indivíduo  fazia no momento em que a foto foi tirada.


Google Maps, Google Local launches for Britain and Ireland

Google has extended its mapping and local searching services to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Google Maps first launched in North America on February 8 2005, and proved popular with its innovative user interface. Google Maps UK is the first mapping website to be offered by Google outside of North America.

Two weeks ago Google added satellite imagery to its maps after buying the Keyhole company. Google Maps UK currently does not offer a similar service.

The Google Local service offers users two search boxes - one for the search terms, and a second to specify a location, for example a postcode or 'near London'. This enables users to find business in or near a specific location.

Google also introduced their SMS service to the UK. This allows users to get information - both abstract, such as dictionary definitions and the answers to mathematical calculations - and geographical, such as driving directions or the address of nearby businesses.


Nowe usługi Google dla Brytyjczyków i Irlandczyków

Google uruchomiło możliwość przeszukiwania lokalnych usług oraz terenu w dwóch krajach - Wielkiej Brytanii i Irlandii. Jest to pierwsza tego typu usługa dostępna poza Ameryką.

Pierwsza wersja obejmująca przeszukiwanie Kanady i Stanów Zjednoczonych ruszyła 8 lutego 2005 roku. Dwa tygodnie temu, za pomocą programu Keyhole, do map zostały dołączone zdjęcia satelitarne. Nie są one na razie dostępne w nowych wersjach na wyspach brytyjskich.

Wraz ze standardowym wyszukiwaniem za pomocą internetu zaczęło działać także znajdywanie lokacji za pomocą irlandzkich i brytyjskich telefonów komórkowych.


Google performs first successful collision attack on SHA-1 security algorithm

This Thursday, Google announced that it had performed a successful collision attack on the popular SHA-1 cryptographic hash function for the first time — that they know of. The collision attack demonstrated an algorithm for making two distinct inputs map to the same hash output, putting at risk the usage of SHA-1 for verifying data integrity. Google published a blog post and made a website about the collision attack.

A successful attacker would be able to add a malicious file to the system to damage a backup relying on SHA-1 for checking data integrity, deliver a malicious update to clients using SHA-1 to verify the update file, attack and decrypt an encrypted connection to a website where the user's browser is using SHA-1 to identify the connection certificate, replace a file revision history using SHA-1 to identify commits, and perform other actions that would substitute for valuable files with something seemingly identical but misleading or malicious in practice. Similar systems not using SHA-1 would not be affected.

To demonstrate the success of the algorithm, Google published two distinct Portable Document Format (PDF) files with identical SHA-1 hash. Google recommended everyone who uses SHA-1 to switch to SHA-256 or SHA-3, stronger cryptographic hash functions.

The group started with a paper published by Marc Stevens in 2013 in which the authors proposed a theoretical algorithm for the collision attack. They chose PDF files as the basis for their attack. They wrote a PDF file prefix on both files and PDF contents which hashed to the same SHA-1 digest. Then they used the Google computing infrastructure to perform more than nine quintillion (upwards of 9,223,372,036,854,775,808) SHA1 computations. They described this as 6,500 years of CPU time distributed in the first phase, then 110 years of graphics processing unit (GPU) time total in the second phase of the attack to reach full collision. They said this new algorithm was 100,000 times faster than the brute-force attack and 50 times faster than a collision attack algorithm proposed in 2005.

The cryptology group at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) institute, Netherlands, collaborated with the Google Research Security, Privacy and Anti-abuse Group to achieve the collision. According to a press release, Marc Stevens and Elie Bursztein were the initial leaders of the initiative, Ange Albertini developed the PDF attack code, Pierre Karpman developed the cryptoanalysis, Yarik Markov and Pierre Karpman developed the distributed graphical processing unit (GPU) code, and Clement Baisse checked the reliability of the programs.

Google also provided a collision detector online, where users can upload a PDF file to test whether it was tampered with for reaching a collision. Alex Petit Bianco developed the online file collision detector. Following its security policy, Google set a 90-day delay before the release of the source code for the attack.

Operating systems and software rely on SHA-1 for verifying the file integrity when distributing updates to its users and in ISO checksums. Developers use SHA-1 in their file revision control systems, such as git, to verify the files' integrity. Many people install programs that use SHA-1 for detecting duplicate files on storage media and for verifying backups' integrity. People surfing the web see SHA-1 used for verifying the integrity of HTTPS certificates to verify the users' connection with the website is not subject to a man-in-the-middle attack. People also use SHA-1 in email PGP/GPG signatures.

Since January, Google Chrome does not trust SHA-1 certificates. Mozilla Firefox stopped trusting them yesterday.

SHA-1 was introduced more than twenty years ago.


Pierwsza kolizja funkcji kryptograficznej SHA-1 dokonana przez Google

Udało się wygenerować kolizję hashów SHA-1 z różnych plików.

Google ogłosiło kolizję funkcji skrótu SHA-1. Dla dwóch plików PDF o różnej zawartości udało się wygenerować taki sam hash.

Funkcje skrótu wykorzystywane są m.in. do tworzenia sum kontrolnych plików lub cyfrowych podpisów, a także certyfikatów SSL. Może to oznaczać różne problemy z bezpieczeństwem, jednak w większości stosuje się już nowsze niż SHA-1 algorytmy, np. SHA-256 lub SHA-3.

Nad złamaniem algorytmu Google współpracowało z Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica.


Google Talk released in beta form

Google today released Google Talk (link) in beta, an Instant Messaging (IM) and computer-to-computer voice talk product, using the Jabber protocol (built from XMPP).

At this early stage the service is only available to users with a Google Gmail account.  The official client, required for the voice functionality, is only available for Windows XP/2000 although existing IM clients such as Gaim and iChat on Mac and GNU/Linux platforms can be used for text chatting.

The new service does not offer "Voice over IP" - users cannot call telephones, nor can telephones dial Google Talk users. It also has no voice-mail system, unlike rival Yahoo's offering, which is also no longer in beta. Google Talk also does not log chats, and offers no method of searching conversations. Only the last 20 lines of any conversation are recorded.

This positions Google to compete with the popular service Skype.  Like Google Talk, Skype's PC-to-PC communications are free.  Skype also offers gateways to and from various regional phone services for which it charges.  It is not known at this stage if Google intends to enter that market.

The largest search engine on the web, Google receives over 200 million queries each day through its various services.  Other recent releases include the Gmail email service and Google Earth, which lets users view satellite photos and other map information.


Google zaprezentowało komunikator Google Talk

Google udostępniło wersję beta komunikatora Google Talk. Program pozwala na rozmowy głosowe (VoIP, Voice over Internet Protocol) oraz przesyłanie wiadomości tekstowych. Google Talk jest oparte na protokole Jabber/XMPP. Oznacza to, że można komunikować się z użytkownikami innych serwerów Jabbera także przy użyciu innego klienta (np. Psi czy Miranda).

Aby korzystać z Google Talk należy posiadać konto pocztowe Gmail. Przez 16 miesięcy należało otrzymać specjalne zaproszenie od innego posiadacza konta - teraz zarejestrować może się każdy. Wystarczy wysłać sms-a i postępować zgodnie z zaleceniami [1].

Oryginalny program jest dostępny jedynie na systemie operacyjnym Windows. Użytkownicy innych platform mogą połączyć się z serwerami Google przy użyciu innych klientów Jabbera. Wtedy możliwe jest jedynie prowadzenie rozmów tekstowych. Należy jedynie wpisać odpowiednie dane w konfiguracji programów, które są podane na stronie Google Talk. Na tej samej witrynie widnieje także tabelka porównująca wybrane klienty pod względem dostępności na trzech systemach operacyjnych (Windows, MacOS, Linux) oraz ceny.

Wygląd programu (kolorystyka, układ tabel, czcionki) jest stylizowany na interfejsie Gmaila. Zainstalowana aplikacja zajmuje 900 KB i nie zawiera żadnych reklam. Brakuje w nim animowanych emotikon, konferencji pozwalających na komunikację z wieloma użytkownikami oraz przesyłania plików. Program może być automatycznie aktualizowany poprzez serwer Google.

W umowie (Terms of Use) możemy przeczytać między innymi o tym, że usługa VoIP komunikatora Google nie pozwala na zwykłe telefonowanie i nie można np. zadzwonić pod numery alarmowe. Trzeba także zgodzić się na przepis mówiący o dostępie i wykorzystaniu osobistych informacji użytkownika przez Google. W skład informacji wchodzą między innymi treści przesyłanych wiadomości. Udostępnienie treści jest uzależnione od nakazu wydanego przez przedstawicieli wymiaru sprawiedliwości.

Wydanie programu Google Talk jest wyraźną odpowiedzią na działania konkurenta - firmy Yahoo!, która niedawno uruchomiła podobną usługę w swoim komunikatorze Yahoo! Messenger.

Firma Google wcześniej przejęła podobny podobny program służący do szeroko pojętej komunikacji z innymi - Hello. Pozwalał on na udostępnianie i przeglądanie fotografii znajomym oraz prowadzenie podstawowych rozmów tekstowych.


Google to warn users about "bad" websites

Google is introducing warnings in its search results, notifying users about websites which are known to distribute "badware", malicious software such as spyware, deceptive adware, viruses and trojans that disrupt the smooth running of computers. Google search users will be warned before they enter suspect websites: "The site you are about to visit may harm your computer!"

"To begin we'll only be identifying a small number of sites, but we'll be expanding our coverage over time," the company said. "Finding new and better ways to protect our users is a perpetual project, and we'll continue to work hard in this area."

Google, along with Lenovo and Sun Microsystems, has sponsored StopBadware project, in which researchers from Harvard and Oxford universities are creating a clearinghouse for information on spyware and other malicious software and the ways they are disseminated.

Jonathan Zittrain, a Harvard and Oxford professor involved with StopBadware, said the project may one day release lists of suspect sites still under investigation, but would most likely do so for everyone and not just sponsors like Google.


Google avertit les internautes sur les "mauvais" sites internet

Google est en train d'introduire des avertissements dans le résultat de ses résultats de recherche, avertissant les utilisateurs sur les sites contenant des malwares, spywares, adwares, virus informatique ainsi que des trojans qui pourraient empêcher le bon fonctionnement de l'ordinateur. L'utilisateur sera averti avant d'entrer sur le site internet : "Le site que vous allez visiter peut endommager votre ordinateur".

La compagnie a annoncé : «Nous identifierons seulement un petit nombre de site pour commencer, mais nous augmenterons notre couverture avec le temps».

Google, ainsi que Lenovo et Sun Microsystems, a sponsorisé le projet StopBadware, dans lequel des chercheurs des universités d'Harvard et d'Oxford établissent une portail d'information sur les logiciels malicieux et la façon de les éliminer.


Google avvertirà gli utenti contro i siti pericolosi

Google sta progettando di introdurre avvertimenti nei propri risultati, notificando agli utenti se il sito web che stanno per visitare è riconosciuto come "distributore di "malware", software pericolosi come spyware, adware, virus e trojans che rendono difficoltose le operazioni del computer. Gli utenti di Google saranno avvertiti prima di avere accesso ai siti sospetti: "Il sito che stai per visitare potrebbe essere pericoloso per il tuo computer!"

"Per iniziare, identificheremo solo un piccolo numero di siti, ma programmiamo di espandere la nostra copertura con il tempo - ha detto la compagnia - Trovare nuovi e migliori modi per proteggere i nostri utenti è un progetto perpetuo, e noi continueremo a lavorare duramente in questo campo."

Google, insieme a Lenovo e Sun Microsystems, ha sponsorizzato il progetto StopBadware, in cui i ricercatori dell'Università di Harvard e dell'Università di Oxford stanno studiando le informazioni sui malware e come essi sono sparsi per la rete.

Jonathan Zittrain, professore ad Harvard e Oxford coinvolto nel progetto, ha detto che un giorno potrebbe essere rilasciata una lista di siti sospetti ancora sotto indagine, ma questa lista sarebbe disponibile per tutti, e non soltanto per il loro sponsor Google.


Google translates Gmail to 12 languages, asks for volunteers to target 144 more

Google has translated its email service, Gmail, into 12 languages, and it has put up a form that allows the public to volunteer to translate the Gmail interface into 144 more languages. Available for its first year with an English interface only, Gmail now appears in 13 languages:

While most of the languages listed in the volunteering form are old, three are relatively new: Borkborkbork, Klingon, and Esperanto. Additionally, the form lists Pig Latin, which is a method of rearranging words to obscure a language, rather than a language in itself.

Google has also recently introduced a feature known as "My Search History," which allows users to record their searches. Use of the search history requires that the user have and log in to a Google or Gmail account.

Languages into which the Gmail interface may be translated:


Gmail maintenant disponible dans français et allemand


Google's GPhone to be postponed awaiting Android modifications

Ever since Google Android was discussed at the 2007 Google Developer Day, and the conceptual structure of the GPhone was announced last year, mobile phone manufacturers, including Motorola, HTC, and Samsung, have been highly interested in manufacturing the GPhone.

The "GPhone" will be built with "Android" inside, which has had several issues with multi-language transformation and localization in different countries.  It was confirmed to thirty-three manufacturers that the GPhone's launch will be postponed to 2008 Q4 or 2009 Q1 after the stability of Android is greater.

Although the postponement was confirmed, some industrial analysts commented that GPhone will be the greatest opponent for iPhone after its launch.


גוגל תשהה השקת ה-GPhone

גוגל הכריזה ב"כנס הפיתוח של גוגל" בשנה שעברה על 'אנדרואיד' - מערכת ההפעלה הסלולרית מבוססת לינוקס, ולאחר מכן נודע על המבנה הקונספטואלי של ה-GPhone, בשנה שעברה. יצרני הטלפונים הסלולריים, ובהם מוטורולה, HTC וסמסונג, הביעו עניין רב בהיבחן להיות יצרניות ה-GPhone של גוגל.

ה-GPhone של גוגל ייוצר עם מערכת הפעלה 'אנדרואיד' מובנית בתוכו, עובדה שגררה מספר אתגרים הכרוכים בהטמעת ריבוי-שפות ולוקליזציה במדינות שונות בהן תופעל המערכת. בעקבות זאת, הודיעה גוגל לשלושים ושלושה יצרני טלפונים סלולריים כי השקת ה-GPhone תידחה עד לרבעון הרביעי של שנת 2008 ואפשר שאף עד לרבעון הראשון של שנת 2009. זאת, בשל הכוונה להמתין עד לייצוב מערכת ההפעלה 'אנדרואיד' בידי מפתחי גוגל.

הגם שדבר הדחייה אושר על-ידי גוגל, ישנם אי-אלו אנאליסטים תעשייתיים הגורסים כי ה-GPhone עשוי להיות יריבו הגדול ביותר של ה-iPhone. זאת, כמובן, לאחר השקתו.

3 ביולי 2008


Android進入修改階段 GPhone被迫延後問世

2008年Google開發者日，日本、中國、台灣、澳洲、墨西哥、巴西等站，目前已經結束，各分站也都展現了不同的議題風格，然而，眾多專家與議題匯聚的澳洲站，已經開始有人在問：「何時才會有GPhone？」

據國外媒體指出，GPhone將確定採用Android的手機作業系統，但因為Android作業系統的開發遇上轉換多國語言的相容問題，進而使得與Google合作的33家行動電話製造商，宣布推遲產品的問世，時程預計為今年底或明年初。

雖然GPhone已經確定延後上市，但有專家認為，GPhone的問世，對iPhone將有一定衝擊，儘管iPhone讓消費者比較容易上手。


Gregory Kurtzer discusses plans for Rocky Linux with Wikinews as Red Hat announces moving focus away from CentOS

Last week, on December 8, US-based software company Red Hat announced plans to shift their focus away from CentOS in favour of CentOS stream.

Started in 2004, CentOS has been a free-of-cost free/libre open source software which provided binary-code compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) — Red Hat's GNU General Public Licensed paid operating system.  Gregory Kurtzer told Wikinews he started CAOS Linux around the time when Red Hat announced End of Life for their Red Hat Linux in favour of subscription-based Red Hat Enterprise Linux.  CAOS was succeeded by CentOS when Rocky McGaugh, a developer of CAOS rebuilt the source code of RHEL to provide a monetarily free alternative.  CentOS was absorbed into Red Hat in 2014, with Red Hat gaining the trademark rights of "CentOS".

Red Hat also sponsors the development of the Fedora operating system.  Until now, software development took place on Fedora, which was later adopted in RHEL, which the Red Hat maintained and provided support for, for those customers who had RHEL subscription. CentOS would then follow RHEL's release cycle to provide the same features free of cost, but without the support.

Stream was announced in September 2019, just two months after Red Hat was acquired by IBM.  CentOS Stream's development cycle had new features added to it before the features became a part of RHEL.  Stream receives more frequent updates, however, it does not follow RHEL's release cycle.

With CentOS Stream, developments from the community and the Red Hat employees would take place beforehand on both Fedora, and Stream as a rolling release, before those features are absorbed into RHEL.  CentOS followed the release cycle of RHEL and therefore it was a stable distribution.  Features available in CentOS were tried and tested by Fedora, and then RHEL maintainers.

Red Hat's Chief Technical Officer Chris Wright wrote in the announcement "CentOS Stream isn't a replacement for CentOS Linux; rather, it's a natural, inevitable next step intended to fulfill the project's goal of furthering enterprise Linux innovation."  Since the announcement was made, many people expressed their anger on Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Reddit and CentOS project's mailing list. CentOS 8's End of Life (EOL) has been moved up from May 2029 to December 31, 2021, while CentOS 7 is expected to receive maintenance updates through June 2024, outliving CentOS 8.

Soon after Red Hat's announcement, Kurtzer announced his intentions to develop Rocky Linux, to fill the role CentOS had been playing for so long.  Kurtzer said Rocky Linux was named after Rocky McGaugh.  "Thinking back to early CentOS days... My cofounder was Rocky McGaugh. He is no longer with us, so as a H/T [hat tip] to him, who never got to see the success that CentOS came to be, I introduce to you...Rocky Linux", Kurtzer wrote.  Wikinews discussed with Kurtzer the beginning of CentOS, and future of Rocky Linux.

While no formal date of release has been announced for Rocky Linux, Kurtzer said they are planning to release the CentOS replacement before the end of life of CentOS 8.  Kurtzer also said Rocky Linux will run on both x86-64 and ARM-based processors, and CentOS users would be able to convert their OS to Rocky Linux just by running a single command.

Saying Rocky Linux is for the community, Kurtzer said he "take[s] the responsibility of ensuring that all decisions are in favor of the community and the project and free from corporate control" including his own company.  Talking about the attention from the userbase Rocky Linux has received, Kurtzer said, "I have never seen an open community come together this fast and be this passionate about working together towards a common goal."

Why was CentOS originally created?  What were the reasons why it was then absorbed by Red Hat?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  CentOS was originally created because Red Hat decided to EOL (End of Life) Red Hat Linux (RHL) shortly after releasing RHL 8.  Overnight, RHL ceased to exist and Red Hat instead released Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) which was a commercial only product.  This means that the majority of RHL users were left without a "free" solution or upgrade path.

At the time a Linux distribution that I founded called CAOS Linux was just beginning to get underway, and we too were relying on RHL as a bootstrap build environment.  One of our developers, Rocky McGaugh, quickly rebuilt the sources in RHEL to give us a stable foundation.  That was the beginning of CentOS which was released as an open source project.

After CentOS became widely known, CentOS was separated from Caos Linux Foundation and another person took the lead.  Later, the project underwent some drama — lost developers, contributors, and a lot of support, to the point where only a couple of developers were running everything and Red Hat hired most of them.  I had no visibility of the acquisition of CentOS.

((WN))  How has CentOS evolved since it became a part of Red Hat?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Red Hat has invested a good deal of resources into the CentOS project itself and the community has benefited from additional developers, closer ties to Red Hat's internal development team and infrastructure (including Fedora), marketing, branding, conference presence, etc.

Red Hat has always been a tremendous supporter of Linux and open source, but that doesn't make Red Hat/IBM a good home for CentOS.

((WN))  How will this move by Red Hat, to move focus towards Stream, affect those who relied on CentOS?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  The focus towards Stream, while not exactly meeting the needs of enterprise use cases, wasn't the biggest problem, it was the unexpected change in the CentOS End Of Life (EOL) which moved from 2029 to 2021.  But either one, much less both together, demonstrates that the Community Enterprise Operating System is not technically "community" or "enterprise".  We have heard from many people now that this move has undermined not only trust in CentOS, but also other open source distributions of Linux which are commercially controlled.  Who is to stop them from doing something very similar?

((WN))  Tell us about Rocky Linux.

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Rocky Linux is a Community Enterprise Linux distribution by the community and for the community.  Our goal is to be bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL and provide a long life for enterprise needs.

((WN))  How will Rocky Linux aim to fill the void that CentOS will leave?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  The last time I checked, CentOS was the most utilized Linux server operating system on the Internet.  All of these users, including development teams, need stability.  Linux is free.  Myself, among many thousands of developers and companies around the world, have contributed to what makes up a Linux distribution.  While nobody has a problem with companies offering value by building a usable, supportable platform out of open source software, there needs to be a freely available version out of respect to all of the people who have made the distribution possible as well as the organizations that have contributed time and resources into Linux.  It is not owned by the Linux distribution vendor, it is packaged by them.

Rocky [Linux] will provide a freely available, stable, enterprise-grade operating system that can be used everywhere by anyone.

((WN))  Will Rocky Linux provide a way to migrate CentOS 7 and 8 to Rocky Linux?  How will you ensure it is a smooth transition?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  We are not currently forking CentOS 7 because that has not changed its EOL.  If that changes, we will rebuild that as well.

To convert a CentOS 8 system to Rocky Linux 8, you only need to run a single command:

dnf install http://your.favorite.rocky.mirror/path/to/rocky-release*.rpm

Because Rocky is completely compatible with both CentOS and RHEL, this single command is all you will have to do to keep your system running, patched, and supported.

((WN))  Which hardwares will Rocky Linux run on?  Is the aim to provide support for all hardwares CentOS supported, or just those which Red Hat supported?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  So far we have very active support and interest in x86-64 as well as ARM.  Nobody from IBM Power has reached out to us (yet).

((WN))  Will Rocky Linux be the same as CentOS in functionality, or will it do some things differently?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Bug-for-bug compatibility.

We've already been approached by multiple people asking about Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for value adds over and above the base enterprise platform.  One of my interests, for example, can be supported here with an HPC (High Performance Computing) SIG.  Big Data, Kubernetes/Containers, and enhanced security have been among the other SIG proposals we've received.

((WN))  What are some of the challenges that Rocky Linux currently faces?  How do you plan to tackle those?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Velocity of growth is the biggest challenge so far.  We are six days old and we keep hitting the invite link limits for our Slack, which now has thousands of people in it.  I've requested a sponsorship from Slack, but so far, we haven't had a very positive outcome.  We're looking into alternatives to Slack for real-time communications as well.  For durable discussion, we've had more than 100,000 views of our forums in three days, and already we're hitting limits with our hosting there, so that needs to be scaled soon as well.

Also, we are working on FIPS certifications and STIG standards which have been a consistent request.  That means that the security and compliance team is guiding how every aspect of the infrastructure is set up to guarantee security, compliance, and trust.

((WN))  How many developers are working on Rocky Linux?  What are the important things that require significant developer time and attention?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  We are about 65 contributors actively driving Rocky right now, all in small task groups to do specific things.  We also have about another 250 who have volunteered and are awaiting roles, and even more asking to help drive and build the community.  We also have small to massive corporations stepping up to support us in the form of sponsorships, donations, mirrors, hardware, cloud resources, etc.

Very careful attention will be paid to the security, trust, and compliance of what we are creating.

((WN))  Can we expect Rocky Linux to be released before CentOS 8 reaches end of life?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Yes.  While we haven't given any ETA on release, we already have a large percentage of the work underway and if I were to make a SWAG [Scientific wild-ass guess], it will be near the end of Q1 or beginning of Q2 2021.

((WN))  How will the governing body of Rocky Linux function?  How can Rocky Linux ensure similar situation like this does not repeat?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  At the moment, we have a structure similar to most organizations.  People have been empowered to make decisions and report upwards.  This may change in the future, but right now, we need leadership and I take the responsibility of ensuring that all decisions are in favor of the community and the project and free from corporate control (even from my own company).

My commitment to the project is that Rocky will always remain in the best interest of the community and everyone who wishes to be part of the organization, with good intentions, will be welcomed.  Since day one, Rocky's coordination efforts have been completely transparent.  I invite anyone reading this to join the #rocky-coordination channel on our Slack instance. There you'll find many high-level discussions taking place with direct community involvement.

((WN))  What are the short-term and long-term goals of Rocky Linux and how will the project ensure it stays on its path?

((Gregory Kurtzer))  Short term: organization of technology and people.

Mid term: general availability of Rocky Linux.

Long term: growing the community like sponsoring SIGs.


維基新聞就Rocky Linux的新計劃專訪CentOS項目的Gregory Kurtzer

上週12月8日，美國軟件公司紅帽宣佈計劃將重心從CentOS轉移到CentOS Stream上。

CentOS始於2004年，一直是一個免費的免費/libre開源軟件，它提供了與紅帽企業Linux（RHEL）──紅帽的GNU通用公共授權付費操作系統──的二進制代碼兼容性。Gregory Kurtzer告訴Wikinews，他大約在紅帽宣佈他們的紅帽Linux生命結束，轉而採用基於訂閱的紅帽企業Linux的時候，開始了CAOS Linux。CAOS被CentOS所繼承，當時CAOS的開發者Rocky McGaugh重建了RHEL的源代碼，以提供一個貨幣上免費的替代方案。CentOS在2014年被紅帽吸收，紅帽獲得了「CentOS」的商標權。

紅帽還贊助了Fedora操作系統的開發。直到現在，軟件開發都是在Fedora上進行的，後來RHEL採用了Fedora，紅帽對那些訂閱了RHEL的客戶進行維護並提供支持。然後CentOS會按照RHEL的發佈週期免費提供同樣的功能，但不提供支持。

Stream於2019年9月宣佈，就在紅帽被IBM收購兩個月後。CentOS Stream的開發週期在功能成為RHEL的一部分之前，就有新的功能加入其中。Stream收到更頻繁的更新，然而，它並不遵循RHEL的發佈週期。

在CentOS Stream中，來自社區和紅帽員工的開發會事先在Fedora上進行，而Stream作為滾動發佈，在這些特性被吸收到RHEL中之前。CentOS跟隨RHEL的發佈週期，因此它是一個穩定的發行版。CentOS中可用的功能是由Fedora，然後是RHEL的維護者嘗試和測試的。

紅帽的首席技術官Chris Wright在公告中寫道：「CentOS Stream並不是CentOS Linux的替代品，相反，它是一個自然的、不可避免的下一步，旨在實現項目進一步推動企業Linux創新的目標。」自公告發佈以來，許多人在互聯網中繼聊天（IRC）、Reddit和CentOS項目的郵件列表上表達了他們的憤怒。CentOS 8的生命終結（EOL）已經從2029年5月提前到2021年12月31日，而CentOS 7預計將在2024年6月之前獲得維護更新，超過CentOS 8的壽命。

在紅帽宣佈後不久，Kurtzer就宣佈打算開發Rocky Linux，以填補CentOS一直以來扮演的角色。Kurtzer表示，Rocky Linux是以Rocky McGaugh的名字命名的。「回想起早期的CentOS時代．我的聯合創始人就是Rocky McGaugh。他已經不在我們身邊了，所以作為對他的H/T帽子提示，他從來沒能看到CentOS的成功，我向你介紹……Rocky Linux，」Kurtzer寫道。Wikinews與Kurtzer討論了CentOS的開始，以及Rocky Linux的未來。

雖然Rocky Linux還沒有公佈正式的發佈日期，但Kurtzer表示，他們計劃在CentOS 8壽命結束前發佈CentOS的替代品。Kurtzer還表示，Rocky Linux將在x86-64和基於ARM的處理器上運行，CentOS用戶只需運行一個命令就能將他們的操作系統轉換為Rocky Linux。

說Rocky Linux是為社區服務的，Kurtzer說他「有責任確保所有的決定都有利於社區和項目，不受企業控制，包括他自己的公司。」談到Rocky Linux受到用戶群的關注時，Kurtzer說：「我從來沒有見過一個開放的社區如此迅速地聚集在一起，並如此熱情地為一個共同的目標而努力。」

CentOS最初為甚麼會被創建？ 後來被紅帽收購的原因是甚麼？

Gregory Kurtzer CentOS最初的誕生是因為Red Hat在發佈RHL 8後不久就決定EOL（End of Life）Red Hat Linux（RHL）。一夜之間，RHL不復存在，而Red Hat發佈了Red Hat Enterprise Linux（RHEL），這是一個商業化的產品。這意味着大多數RHL用戶沒有了「免費」的解決方案或升級路徑。

當時，我創立的一個名為CAOS Linux的Linux發行版剛剛起步，我們也是依靠RHL作為引導式的構建環境。我們的一個開發者Rocky McGaugh很快就在RHEL中重建了源代碼，給我們提供了一個穩定的基礎。這就是CentOS的開始，它作為一個開源項目發佈。

在CentOS廣為人知之後，CentOS從Caos Linux基金會中分離出來，由另一個人負責。後來，這個項目經歷了一些戲劇性的變化──失去了開發者、貢獻者和大量的支持，以至於只有幾個開發者在運行所有的東西，紅帽僱傭了他們中的大部分。我對收購CentOS的事情一無所知。

WN 紅帽此舉，將重心轉向Stream，會對那些依賴CentOS的用戶產生怎樣的影響？

Gregory Kurtzer 紅帽在CentOS項目本身投入了大量的資源，社區受益於更多的開發者、與紅帽內部開發團隊和基礎設施（包括Fedora）更緊密的聯繫、營銷、品牌、會議等。

紅帽一直是Linux和開源的巨大支持者，但這並不意味着紅帽/IBM就是CentOS的好歸宿。

Gregory Kurtzer 向Stream集中，雖然並不完全滿足企業用例的需求，但這並不是最大的問題，最大的問題是CentOS End Of Life（EOL）的意外變化，從2029年移到了2021年。但無論是哪一個，更不是兩個一起，都說明社區企業操作系統在技術上並不是「社區」或「企業」。現在我們已經聽到很多人說，此舉不僅破壞了人們對CentOS的信任，也破壞了其他商業控制的Linux開源發行版。誰又能阻止他們做出非常類似的事情呢？

WN 告訴我們Rocky Linux的情況。

Gregory Kurtzer Rocky Linux是一個由社區並為社區服務的社區企業Linux發行版。我們的目標是兼容RHEL的bug，並為企業需求提供長壽。

WN Rocky Linux將如何旨在填補CentOS將留下的空白？

Gregory Kurtzer 我最後一次檢查時，CentOS是互聯網上使用率最高的Linux伺服器操作系統。所有這些用戶，包括開發團隊，都需要穩定。Linux是免費的。在全世界成千上萬的開發者和公司中，我自己也為構成Linux發行版的東西做出了貢獻。雖然沒有人反對公司通過用開源軟件構建一個可用的、可支持的平台來提供價值，但出於對所有使發行版成為可能的人以及為Linux貢獻時間和資源的組織的尊重，需要有一個免費的版本。它不屬於Linux發行商，而是由他們打包。

Rocky Linux將提供一個免費的、穩定的、企業級的操作系統，任何人都可以在任何地方使用。

WN Rocky Linux是否會提供將CentOS 7和8遷移到Rocky Linux的方法？你將如何確保它是一個平穩的過渡？

Gregory Kurtzer 我們目前沒有分叉CentOS 7，因為它的EOL沒有改變。如果這種情況發生變化，我們也會重建它。

要將CentOS 8系統轉換為Rocky Linux 8，你只需要運行一條命令。

dnf install http://your.favorite.rocky.mirror/path/to/rocky-release*.rpm

因為Rocky與CentOS和RHEL完全兼容，所以只需一個命令就可以讓你的系統保持運行、打補丁和支持。

WN Rocky Linux 可以在哪些硬件上運行？我們的目標是支持所有CentOS支持的硬件，還是只支持Red Hat支持的硬件？

Gregory Kurtzer 到目前為止，我們對x86-64以及ARM都有非常積極的支持和興趣。IBM Power沒有人聯繫我們（還沒有）。

WN Rocky Linux在功能上會和CentOS一樣嗎，還是會做一些不同的事情？

Gregory Kurtzer 漏洞對漏洞的兼容性。

已經有很多人向我們提出了關於特殊興趣小組（SIG）的問題，希望在基本的企業平台之上增加價值。比如我的一個興趣小組，這裏可以支持HPC（高性能計算）SIG。大數據、Kubernetes/Containers和增強的安全性是我們收到的其他SIG提案之一。

WN Rocky Linux目前面臨的挑戰有哪些？你打算如何解決這些問題？

Gregory Kurtzer 增長速度是目前最大的挑戰。我們已經成立六天了，但我們的Slack卻一直觸及邀請鏈接的限制，現在Slack裏有幾千人。我已經向Slack申請了贊助，但到目前為止，我們還沒有一個非常積極的結果。我們也在研究Slack的替代方案來進行實時溝通。對於持久的討論，我們的論壇在三天內有超過10萬的瀏覽量，我們在那裏的託管已經達到了極限，所以也需要儘快擴大規模。

另外，我們正在研究FIPS認證和STIG標準，這也是我們一貫的要求。這意味着安全和合規團隊正在指導基礎設施的每一個方面如何設置，以保證安全、合規和信任。

WN 有多少開發人員在Rocky Linux上工作？哪些重要的事情需要開發者花費大量時間和精力？

Gregory Kurtzer 我們現在大約有65個貢獻者在積極推動Rocky，都是以小任務組的形式來做具體的事情。我們還有大約250名自願者，正在等待角色，甚至更多的人要求幫助駕駛和建立社區。也有小到大規模的企業站出來支持我們，包括贊助、捐贈、鏡像、硬件、雲資源等。

我們會非常謹慎地關注我們所創建的東西的安全性、信任度和合規性。

我從未見過一個開放的社區如此快速地聚集在一起，並且如此熱情地為了一個共同的目標而共同努力。

WN 我們可以期待Rocky Linux在CentOS 8壽終正寢之前發佈嗎？

Gregory Kurtzer 可以。雖然我們還沒有給出任何發佈的ETA，但我們已經有很大一部分工作正在進行中，如果我要做一個科學的野蠻的猜測，那將是在2021年第一季度結束或第二季度開始之前。

WN Rocky Linux 的管理機構將如何運作？Rocky Linux如何確保類似的情況不再發生？

Gregory Kurtzer 目前，我們的結構與大多數組織類似。人們已被授權作出決定並向上報告。這種情況在未來可能會改變，但現在，我們需要領導力，我負責確保所有的決策都有利於社區和項目，不受企業控制（甚至是我自己公司的控制）。

我對項目的承諾是，Rocky將始終以社區的利益為重，歡迎每一個願意加入組織的人，只要有善意，都會受到歡迎。從第一天開始，洛基的協調工作就完全透明。我邀請任何閱讀此文的人加入我們Slack實例上的#rocky-coordination頻道。在那裏，你會發現許多高層討論正在進行，社區直接參與。

WN Rocky Linux的短期和長期目標是甚麼，該項目將如何確保它堅持走下去？

Gregory Kurtzer 短期：技術和人員的組織。

中期：Rocky Linux的普遍可用性。

長期：發展社區，比如贊助SIG。


Hard drive technology breaks storage density record

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, the San Jose, California-based joint venture of Japanese storage vendor Hitachi and U.S. technology giant IBM, has set a new record for storage density at 230 gigabits per square inch (Gb/in2). The company has developed technology to implement a recording method known as perpendicular recording, which allowed the increase in density above the current ~130 Gb/in2 limit.

Techworld claims there is a race between Hitachi and Toshiba for who will get the first drives to market which use the technology. According to Hitachi, they expect, "to ship [their] first perpendicular recording product in 2005 on a 2.5-inch hard drive". Toshiba is also planning to ship a drive in 2005 that uses perpendicular recording.

According to Techworld, Toshiba will ship an 80 GB, 1.8" drive in 2005. Toshiba's 1.8" drives are used in portable electronic devices such as Apple's iPod, which is currently available in sizes 60 GB and smaller.

While all commercially available hard drives to date use longitudinal recording, perpendicular recording has roots in research done in academic circles over 100 years ago.

Hitachi Tech has produced a Flash animation that explains the rudiments of perpendicular recording in a music-video style.

Inspired by the 1970s Schoolhouse Rock series of educational animation shorts, the flash movie features whimsical moments with data bits and disk platters that speak and sing (not possible with today's technology), it also contains realistic details. Of no importance to the viewer, but perhaps of interest to some, the animation shows Texas Instruments' UC5608DWP chips visible briefly in the background. While TI's UC5608DWP 18-line SCSI terminator chips have been made obsolete by the new UCC5618, the chips are indeed designed for use in hard drives.


Hitachi łamię barierę gęstości zapisu danych

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, japońska firma z siedzibą w San Jose, Kalifornii, w porozumieniu z amerykańskim gigantem technologicznym IBM, ogłosiły dzisiaj stworzenie nowej technologii pozwalającej na zmieszczenie do 1TB danych na dyskach twardych, oraz do 20GB w napędach Microdrive do 2007 roku.

Jak podało Hitachi, mają oni plany na wydanie pierwszego produktu zezwalającego na tak gęste umieszczenie danych na małej powierzchni.

Japońska firma zaczęła testować nowe rozwiązania oparte o trójwymiarową przestrzeń zapisu danych i stwierdziła, że ta technologia będzie szeroko stosowana w komputerach domowych już w roku 2007.


Hottest planet to date found in the constellation Hercules

HD 149026b, a newly found planet in the constellation Hercules is dense, gassy and the hottest planet found to date.  HD 149026b is smaller than the typical gas giant and its atmosphere is much heavier, contributing to its staggering temperature of 2,310 K (2,037°C, or 3,700°F), scientists said.

Scientist Joeseph Harrington described the planet as looking "like the evil eye."

"This planet is off the temperature scale that we expect for planets," said Drake Deming of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

Harrington said for a planet to get so hot, it must be absorbing most of the light that reaches it. This energy is radiated back in the infrared spectrum.

HD 149026b is located 279 light-years from Earth with a light-year being the distance light travels in a year — about 9.46 trillion kilometres.


Astronomie : découverte de la plus chaude planète connue à ce jour

HD 149026b, planète récemment découverte dans la constellation d'Hercule, est une planète dense et gazeuse, et surtout la plus chaude découverte à ce jour. HD 149026b est plus petite que les géantes gazeuses typiques et son atmosphère est plus lourde, contribuant à sa température étouffante atteignant les 2310° K (soit 2037°C, ou 3700°F), ont indiqué les scientifiques.
L'astronome Joseph Harrington la compare d'ailleurs à « l'œil du diable ».
« Cette planète est en dehors de l'échelle des températures que nous attendons pour des planètes », a indiqué Drake Deming, du Goddard Space Flight Center de la NASA.
Harrington ajoute pour sa part que, pour que la planète soit si chaude, elle doit absorber la majeure partie de la lumière qui l'atteint. Cette lumière est ensuite restituée sous la forme d'une faible lueur rouge.
HD 149026b se trouve à environ 279 années-lumière de la Terre.


Hubble Space Telescope's main camera stops working

The Hubble Space Telescope's (HST) main camera has ceased to function.

The telescope revolutionized astronomy with its stunning pictures of the universe. It has three separate electronic cameras and a collection of filters and light dispersers that are used to photograph distant celestial objects. The third-generation instrument installed by a space shuttle crew in 2002 went off line Monday. Engineers are still working to rectify the situation, but  have not yet identified the source of the problem. The other two cameras are being used while repair efforts on the main camera continue.

"It's still off line today," said Max Mutchler, an instruments specialist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

The cause of the main camera's malfunction may be a faulty transistor or a disruption to the camera's memory. "Both possibilities are things that can be resolved here on the ground," said Ed Campion, a NASA spokesman at the Goddard Space Flight Center outside Washington, D.C. He also told the Associated Press Saturday that "he was hopeful the problem on the space-based telescope could be fixed from the ground."

A solution could come as early as June 30.

NASA scientists say the studies being carried out with the Hubble will not be harmed, just the order reshuffled.

Hubble, launched in April 1990, is beginning to show its age. It needs new batteries and gyroscopes if it is to keep working beyond next year.

Early last year it was announced that Hubble would be cut from NASA's 2006 fiscal year budget. However, there have been questions about the future of Hubble, with the famous space telescope in need of service and power if it is to continue to be active in 2007.


地球之眼—哈勃太空望远镜失明

哈勃太空望远镜(HST)的主镜于今日因故障停止工作.

哈勃太空望远镜拍摄的众多美丽的宇宙图景曾是天文学的一次革命. 哈勃太空望远镜拥有三个独立的电子照相机以及一系列透镜和分光器组成, 这些仪器使得对那些最遥远的天体拍摄照片成为可能. 星期一之前运行的第三代装置是2002年由太空梭宇航员安装上去的. 工程师们仍在评估当前状况, 但还没有发现问题原因. 另外两个相机主要是用于对主镜产生修复效果用.

"今天它仍然不工作," Max Mutchler说, Max 是马里兰州巴尔的摩宇宙望远镜科学机构的一名仪器专家.

主镜失灵的原因可能是晶体管损毁或照相机记忆体坏了. "这两种情况我们都可在地面进行修复," Ed Campion说, Ed是NASA在华盛顿DC外的戈达德太空飞行中心的一名发言人. 星期六, 他也告诉美联社说 "他期望太空望远镜的问题是一个能在地面就修复的问题."

解决方案最早也要等到6月30日才能给出.

NASA的科学家们说正在进行的研究不会因为哈勃的损坏而受影响, 但需要调整研究次序.

哈勃是1990年4月发射的, 现在已经显现出衰老的迹象. 如果还要它在明年继续进行工作就急需安装新的电池和陀螺仪.

去年上半年NASA宣布将缩减哈勃的2006财政年度预算[1]. 无论如何, 哈勃将来的命运现在仍然是个问号, 至少这个著名的太空望远镜2007年前仍然被要求继续工作 [2].


Hydrogen gas cloud to smash into Milky Way galaxy

Astronomers say that in approximately 20 to 40 million years, a giant cloud of hydrogen gas, known as Smith's Cloud, will slam into the Milky Way galaxy, resulting in the formation of countless stars, which could make for the biggest fireworks display in the Local Group. The front edge of the cloud has already begun to hit the galaxy.

"The leading edge of this cloud is already interacting with gas from our Galaxy. This is most likely a gas cloud left over from the formation of the Milky Way or gas stripped from a neighbor galaxy. When it hits, it could set off a tremendous burst of star formation. Many of those stars will be very massive, rushing through their lives quickly and exploding as supernovae. Over a few million years, it'll look like a celestial New Year's celebration, with huge firecrackers going off in that region of the Galaxy," said Felix J. Lockman of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), one of the astronomers who headed a study to research the cloud. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater also participated in the study.

Astronomers used the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) to study the cloud, which was first discovered by an astronomer in 1963. The study found that as many as a million new stars, much like our own Sun, could form from the gas when it does collide with our galaxy.

Currently it is 8,000 light years away from full impact of our galaxy, and is traveling at over 150 miles a second. It is 2,500 light-years wide and over 11,000 light-years long. Astronomers believe it will strike the Milky Way's disk at a 45-degree angle.

It was earlier believed that the cloud was traveling away from the Milky Way or might have been part of the galaxy itself but, due to the technology at the time, images were not clear enough to see what was really happening. Using the highly sensitive GBT, astronomers have now been able to capture over 40,000 different images of the cloud. The researchers now believe that the cloud is, in fact, moving toward the Milky Way and pushing the gases of the galaxy up onto itself as it progresses.

"If you could see this cloud with your eyes, it would be a very impressive sight in the night sky. From tip to tail it would cover almost as much sky as the Orion constellation. But as far as we know it is made entirely of gas -- no one has found a single star in it," added Lockman.


Vetykaasupilvi törmää Linnunrataan

Astronomien mukaan 20–40 miljoonan vuoden kuluttua valtava Smithin pilvenä tunnettu vetykaasupilvi törmää Linnunrataan, mikä saattaa aiheuttaa noin miljoonan tähden syntymisen galaksiin sekä valtavan taivaallisen ilotulituksen. Yhdysvaltalaistutkijoiden työn tuloksista kerrottiin American Astronomical Societyn tapaamisessa Austinissa, Texasissa.[1][2]

Astronomit käyttivät alun perin vuonna 1963 löydetyn kaasupilven tutkimiseen Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescopea (radioteleskooppi, lyh. GBT). Pilven tiedetään olevan 2 500 valovuoden levyinen ja 11 000 valovuotta pitkä. Se liikkuu Linnunrata-galaksia kohti yli 240 kilometrin sekuntinopeudella.[2]

Aikaisemmin ajateltiin, että pilvi saattoi olla matkalla pois Linnunradasta tai osa itse galaksia. Kuvat eivät vielä tuolloin olleet teknisten rajoitusten takia riittävän tarkkoja, jotta olisi saatu selville, mitä oli todella tapahtumassa. GBT:tä käyttämällä tähtitieteilijät saivat nyt otettua kaasupilvestä lähes 40 000 kuvaa, ja tarkempi tutkimus osoitti, että se liikkuu Linnunrataa kohti ja kerää edetessään galaksista löytyvää kaasua itseensä.[3]


Nebulosa de hidrogênio explodirá na Via Láctea

Astrônomos afirmam que, em cerca de 20 a 40 milhões de anos, uma gigantesca nuvem de gás hidrogênio , conhecido comoSmith's Cloud, irá colidir na Via Láctea, resultando na formação de inúmeras estrelas, o que poderia fazer a maior exibição de "fogos de artifício" no universo. A borda da frente da nuvem já começou a bater a galáxia.

"A vanguarda dessa nuvem já está interagindo com gás proveniente da nossa galáxia. Este é, provavelmente, um gás nuvem esquerda ao longo da formação da Via Láctea ou gás extraído de uma galáxia vizinha. Quando ela atinge, ele poderia lançar uma tremenda Explosão de formação de estrelas. Muitas dessas estrelas serão muito maciças, apressando através de suas vidas rapidamente e explodirão como supernovas. Ao longo de alguns milhões de anos, que vamos olhar como se parecendo uma comemoração celestial do Ano Novo, com enormes explosões indo nessa região da galáxia ", disse Felix J. Lockman da National Radio Astronomy Observatory  (NRAO), um dos astrônomos que liderou um estudo de investigação da nuvem. O University of Wisconsin-Whitewater também participou no estudo.

Astrônomos utilizado o Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) ao estudo da nuvem, que foi descoberto pela primeira vez por um astrônomo em 1963. O estudo constatou que a maior quantidade de um milhão de novas estrelas, bem como os nossos próprios Sóis, poderia formar a partir do gás quando ela colidem com a nossa galáxia.

Atualmente ele está 8000 anos-luz de distância do impacto total da nossa galáxia, e está viajando em mais de 150 milhas por segundo. É 2500 anos-luz de largura e mais de 11000 anos-luz de comprimento. Astrônomos acreditam que ele vai atingir o disco da Via Láctea em um ângulo de 45 graus.

Foi há pouco acreditava que a nuvem estava viajando de distância da Via Láctea ou poderia ter sido parte da galáxia em si, mas, devido à tecnologia, no momento, as imagens não foram suficientemente claras, para ver o que estava realmente acontecendo. Usando o altamente sensível GBT, astrônomos foram agora capaz de captar mais de 40000 imagens diferentes da nuvem. Os pesquisadores agora acreditam que a nuvem é, de facto, que se deslocam em direção a Via Láctea e empurrando os gases da galáxia-se para si mesmo como ele evolui.

"Se você pudesse ver essa nuvem com seus olhos, seria muito impressionante vista no céu noturno. De ponta a cauda que cobrem quase tanto como o céu da constelação de Orion. Mas, tanto quanto sabemos, é inteiramente feito de Gás - ninguém tenha encontrado uma única estrela nele", acrescentou Lockman.


ICANN approves .xxx domain for pornography

Yesterday, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the agency governing Internet addresses,   approved the creation of an "adult entertainment" Internet address, .xxx, on the web, first proposed in 2003.  ICANN is the manager of the Internet's top-level domains, such   .com, .org and .net.

ICANN's decision means success for  the Florida-based ICM Registry (ICM), the company that first applied for the .xxx domain in 2004. ICM will oversee the new domain and  will sell the .xxx Web addresses. ICM hopes that  the establishment of a .xxx domain  will contribute a degree of  predictability and security to the largely unrestrained world of Internet websites.  Its chief executive, Stuart Lawley, said, "For the first time, there will be a clearly defined Web address for adult entertainment, out of the reach of minors and as free as possible from fraud or malicious computer viruses."

The decision was criticized  by some of the Internet pornography industry's biggest players who fear they could be the target of  arbitrary censorship by governments and boards regulating  the .xxx domain.

Anti-pornography campaigners also criticized the move,  saying it gives  the sex industry legitimacy. But since the .xxx system and its vetting process is voluntary,  popular pornographic sites are not likely to trade their .com domains for  .xxx. Anti-porn critics say that users who think they are  avoiding porn by filtering  out .xxx domains will therefore be misled.

ICM's Lawley saw only positive outcomes from the decision: "Everybody wins. The consumer of adult sites wins. The providers will benefit because more people will become paying customers. And those who don't want to go there will win as well, because the sites will be easier to filter."


L'ICANN aprova el domini .xxx per pornografia

El divendres, ICANN, l'agència de govern de les adreces d'Internet, va aprovar-hi la creació d'una adreça d'Internet per a "entreteniment adult", .xxx, en la xarxa, la qual s'havia proposat per primera vegada en el 2003.

ICANN és el gerent dels nivell d'alt nivell d'Internet, tals com .com, .org i .net. Va afirmar que la creació d'un domini .xxx tant de bo "afegirà una mesura de la previsibilitat i seguretat en el món salvatge dels llocs web d'Internet."

La decisió significa l'èxit d'ICM Registry (ICM) amb seu a Florida , l'empresa que en primer lloc va sol·licitar per primera vegada el domini .xxx en el 2004.


El dominio .xxx es aprobado para contenido pornográfico

La junta directiva del organismo dedicado a regular la existencia de dominios y números de Internet, ICANN (por sus siglas en inglés) aprobó este viernes la creación del dominio '.xxx' para las compañías relacionadas con el mercado de la pornografía. La elección de la ICANN fue de 8 votos a favor y 3 en contra.

La recién aprobada idea ha sido blanco de controversia ya que organizaciones religiosas, varios gobiernos internacionales e incluso, la Free Speech Coalition, que contempla gran parte de la industria pornográfica en Estados Unidos mostraron su repudio al nuevo dominio.

La Free Speech Coalition organizó numerosas protestas frente al edificio sede de la ICANN, donde se reunieron a discutir al idea los días 14 - 18 de marzo. En un comunicado de prensa enviado por la coalición se informó que han estado luchando contra la aprobación del dominio por más de siete años.

La coalición afirma que el cambio de dominio le pasará la factura a los dueños de las páginas web con contenido para adultos ya que tendrán que cambiar de dominio y pagar el dinero correspondiente a este. Además de que será más fácil para entidades gubernamentales internacionales bloquear los sitios.

Los gobiernos internacionales temen que el cambio de dominio incremente las visitas de las personas menores de edad, ya que será más fácil encontrar los sitios con contenido pornográfico.

La empresa que solicitó la aprobación del dominio fue la florideña ICM Registry. Cabe destacar que la ICANN tiene un contrato con el Departamento de Comercio de los Estados Unidos que le da la potestad de aprobar o rechazar este tipo de peticiones.

El Presidente estadounidense, Barack Obama informó que su gobierno mantendrá un perfil bajo en la disputa que se mantiene entre estas organizaciones.


ICANN rejects .xxx top-level domain name proposal

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) today rejected the creation of a .XXX top-level domain name in a 9-to-5 vote.  The .XXX domain would have been created for use by websites that offered pornography. Supporters of the proposal, which would have created a new sponsored top-level domain (sTLD), say the 'triple X' domain would make it easier to recognise and filter pornographic websites. Opponents suggested that the domain wouldn't be used by all sites, as registration would be voluntary, and that it would legitimise pornography.

Current sponsored top level domains include .coop, used by cooperative associations, .museum for museums, and  .travel for travel agents, airlines, and other travel-related sites. .post, for postal services, is also currently under consideration.


Ablehnung der Porno-Domain .xxx durch ICANN endgültig

Marina del Rey (Vereinigte Staaten), 11.05.2006 – Die Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) aus dem kalifornischen Marina del Rey gab gestern das endgültige Aus für die Porno-Domain bekannt. Die Domain sollte .xxx heißen. In der Organisation wurde mit neun zu fünf Stimmen gegen die Domain entschieden.

Der Antragsteller dieser Domain wollte mit der .xxx-Domain einen virtuellen „Rotlichtbezirk“ im Internet erschaffen. Gegen die Einführung einer solchen Domain hatte sich die US-Regierung bereits seit längerer Zeit ausgesprochen. Die Genehmigung der Domain durch die ICANN wurde immer und immer wieder verzögert, bis jetzt die Ablehnung kam. Wie ICANN-Chef Paul Twomey betonte, hatte die Entscheidung keine politischen Gründe.


Ostateczna odmowa rejestracji domeny .xxx

Organizacja ICANN przyznająca domeny internetowe ostatecznie odmówiła wczoraj rejestracji porno-domeny ".xxx". Decyzja zapadła większością głosów dziewięć do pięciu.

Wnioskodawca utworzenia nowej domeny chciał utworzyć wirtualną "dzielnicę czerwonych latarni". Przeciwko wprowadzeniu takiej domeny od dłuższego czasu wypowiadał się rząd Stanów Zjednoczonych. Zatwierdzenie domeny było ciągle odwlekane przez ICANN, aż do dzisiejszej decyzji. Jak podkreślał szef ICANN, Paul Twomey, rozstrzygnięcie nie miało żadnego podłoża politycznego.


ICANN拒绝设立色情网站专用域名

互联网域名管理机构ICANN董事会以九票反对，五票赞成拒绝了关于设立色情网站专用域名.xxx的请求。

.xxx域名是在2001年首次被提议的, 去年8月，美国商务部对这次表决表示过“关注”。

反对者可能出自各自不同的考量，一些人担心，如果这一提案通过将导致给予色情网站合法地位;而另一些色情网站业者也警告说，设立专用色情域名可能导致政府进行更严格的监控, 但这同时也是支持者的理由.

ICANN 否认这是一个"政治决定".

ICANN于1998年9月成立，是美国商务部属下的一家公私合作机构，负责互联网域名、技术、网址等管理工作。


IEEE approves S1600 & S3200 transmission standards

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) approved two new IEEE 1394 Firewire standards last week.

S1600 and S3200 — which enable data transmission rates up to 1.6 Gbps and 3.2 Gbps respectively  — would make Firewire (Apple's name for the standard) theoretically four times faster than is currently possible.

According to IEEE, the new standards are based on IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) Standard. The new standard will allow peer-to-peer transfer without linking computers. In addition, the S1600 and S3200 standards will continue supporting the S400 and S800 previous standards through backward compatibility.

"The new standard includes all of the amendments, enhancements and more than 100 errata which have been added to the base standard over the last 12 years," Les Baxter, chair of the working group which developed the standard, said in a press release cited in several sources. "This update provides developers with a single document they can rely upon for all of their application needs."

The standard should be ready for deployment in October. Though not as common as the USB standard, Firewire serves a niche market, especially the aviation industry.

USB 3.0, the next generation of the competing USB standard, is due in 2010 with reported speeds of 4.8 Gbps.


IEEE認可新標準 下一波將挑戰USB 3.0速率

美國時間7月29日，電氣電子工程師協會（IEEE）正式認可了本年度新推出的IEEE 1394新規格─S1600與S3200，兩者的傳輸速率分別可達1.6與3.2 GB/s，這兩款新規格，也將分別向下相容目前最常見之IEEE S400與S800的數據線纜。

IEEE表示，新的速率規格，是基於IEEE 1394b（FireWire 800）的標準進行制定，除了有高速傳輸、高供電能力（移動硬盤無需外接電源）、點對點架構（可實現無PC傳輸）外，用戶和開發商可以避免掉線材的更換，使規格向下相容。

雖然USB 3.0預估可達4.8 GB/s的傳輸速率，但專家預估，IEEE 1394的下一個規格，將有機會威脅USB的傳輸速率，甚至有可能超越。

【2008年8月1日讯】


India buys 250,000 OLPC laptops

Two Indian government organizations have placed orders for 250,000 X0-1 laptop computers. The laptops, designed by the One Laptop Per Child Association, will be distributed to students in nearly 1,500 schools.

The order stands in contrast to criticism the Indian government had previously voiced over the OLPC organization. The Indian government had even started its own $100 laptop program, although it was soon abandoned.

OLPC India CEO Satish Jha has repeatedly stated he would like to sell three million OLPC laptops to India this year.


La India ordena la compra de 250.000 portátiles OLPC

Dos organizaciones del Gobierno de la India han ordenado la compra de 250.000 computadoras portátiles OLPC. Estos portátiles, diseñados por la One Laptop Per Child Association, serán distribuidos a los estudiantes de alrededor de 1.500 escuelas.

La orden de compra sorprende por las críticas que el Gobierno de la India había expresado sobre la organización de OLPC. El gobierno indio había iniciado su propio programa de computadoras portátiles de 10 dólares a principios de febrero de este año, sin embargo fue abandonado rápidamente.

El director ejecutivo de OLPC India, Satish Jha, ha declarado en repetidas ocasiones que le gustaría vender tres millones de computadoras portátiles OLPC a la India este año.


India's first commercial satellite launch

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced India’s first commercial launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). It is carrying the Italian satellite AGILE which will gather information about the origins of the universe through imaging of distant celestial objects in the X-ray and Gamma ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

India joined the elite club of nations who have the capacity to deploy their space exploration resources for commercial use. Currently, only the United States, Russia, China, Ukraine and the European Space Agency have the capacity to deploy their space exploration resources for commercial use. These nations dominate the commercial satellite launch services segment which is estimated to be worth $2.5 billion a year.

The PSLV rocket only has the capability of carrying relatively lighter loads of under 1,000 kilograms, but ISRO hopes to increase payloads soon.


L'Inde lance son premier satellite commercial

L'Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)[1] a annoncé le premier lancement commercial indien du Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Il transporte le satellite scientifique italien AGILE qui rapportera des informations sur les origines de l'univers par l'imagerie d'objets célestes lointains dans les régions des rayons X ou γ du spectre électromagnétique.

L'Inde rejoint donc le club fermé des nations ayant la capacité de déployer leurs ressources d'exploration spatiale pour une utilisation commerciale. Actuellement, seuls les États-Unis d'Amérique, la Chine, l'Ukraine, la Russie et l'Agence spatiale européenne étaient capables de le faire. Cea nations dominent le marché du lancement des satellites commerciaux, estimé à 2,5 milliards USD par an.

La fusée PSLV est pour l'instant limitée à une charge relativement faible d'au maximum une tonne, mais l'ISRO espère repousser cette limite porchainement.


India's first lunar mission launched

India's first unmanned lunar mission was launched off of the shore of Andhra Pradesh this morning. India now joins the United States, Russia, Japan, China and the European Space Agency as the only powers that have  demonstrated their ability to launch satellites to the moon.

The Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 6:22 am (00:52 UTC) in Sriharikota, which is about 88 km (55 mi) north of the southern Indian city of Chennai. The cost of this mission is estimated at 3.4 billion rupees (US$78 million). While the launch has been criticized for being a waste of Indian government funds, when the money can go towards more humanitarian causes, India is hopeful that its venture will put it into competition for commercial satellite launch services. The satellite features five components built by India's technology sector, and six components from foreign nations.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-11 is the rocket which will carry the Chandryaan-1 satellite probe. The probe is being sent on a two-year orbital mission around the moon for achieving substantial goals for a detailed map of the mineral resources, chemical and topographical characteristics of the moon's surface. Some of the mission will include examining the surface for sources of water, and taking comparison photos of the light side and dark sides of the surface.

Both China and Japan already have satellites of their own orbiting the moon, and just last month China became the third country in the world to carry out its own independent space walks. India's previous space endeavors have mainly been related to launching weather and communications satellites.


India lanza su primera sonda a la Luna

22 de octubre de 2008Bangalore, India —

La India lanzó esta madrugada su primera misión a la Luna, convirtiéndose así en un miembro más de la carrera espacial internacional. Se une, de esta manera, a los otros dos países asiáticos, China y Japón, que también han enviado misiones al satélite terrestre en septiembre y octubre de 2007.

Se trata de una nave no tripulada, Chandrayaan-1, de la Agencia India de Investigación Espacial. El coste de la operación apenas alcanza los 60 millones de euros, mucho menos que sus competidores.

La misión tiene prevista una duración de dos años en la que se estudiará la superficie lunar para realizar un mapa de la topografía del satélite en tres dimensiones, extraer helio-3 y el estudio de las regiones polares.

El proyecto está desarrollado con tecnología del propio país, que inició sus primeros esfuerzos en la carrera espacial de forma tímida en la década de 1960. Hace diez años comenzó el programa de construcción y envío de satélites.

Hasta hoy, la India ha lanzado al espacio varios satélites de otros países. "En la última década entramos fuerte en el ámbito comercial y hemos lanzado un total de 16 aparatos internacionales, de procedencias tan diferentes como Alemania, Argentina o Corea del Sur", señala el responsable de la división comercial de la agencia, Sridhara Murthy.

Además, el proyecto supone un paso antes del viaje de su primer astronauta y la primera misión tripulada al satélite terrestre, previstos para 2014 y 2020.

Las voces críticas, como el analista político Praful Bidway, señalan que "es un tremendo gasto innecesario de dinero en un país donde hay millones de personas que no tienen qué comer. Dos tercios de los 13.500 millones de euros destinados a la ciencia están siendo usados en actividades ligadas a la investigación militar, más allá de los 22.500 millones dedicados a la defensa".


Indien sänder rymdfarkost till månen

Publiceringar 22 oktober • oktober 2008 • kvartal 3 • vecka 43


India's moon craft reaches final lunar orbit

India's first lunar mission, the Chandrayaan-1 (meaning 'moon craft' in Sanskrit), reached its destined lunar orbit on Wednesday.  The satellite's on-board engine was fired for 58 seconds.

It is now in a circular orbit 102 kilometres from the Moon.
It will stay in this orbit for two years and conduct various experiments to gain a better understanding of the Moon.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials, the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), with an Indian flag painted on it, will be dropped late tonight.
The MIP has a mass of 29 kg and it will take 20 minutes to reach the moon's surface. On-board cameras will film the surface during descent.


Sonda espacial de India aluniza


Indian Government blocks Blogger, Typepad and Geocities

The Government of India has reportedly instructed Internet Service Providers to block Blogger, Typepad and Geocities, among around twelve other domains perceived to be hosting 'radical' and 'anti-India' websites. Many Internet users in India were unable to access blogs over the weekend.

The ISPs which have complied with this alleged directive are Spectranet, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), Reliance Powersurfer, Airtel Broadband and Sify, among others. Spectranet has confirmed that it has received such a directive, saying that the list of blocked sites ran into 22 pages.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the government in any form.  Bloggers are reportedly "furious" at the action by the government and are planning collective action against the government, including filing a Right to Information request under the Right to Information Act passed in 2005.


Governo da Índia impõe bloqueio a Blogger, Typepad e Geocities

Segundo agências de notícias internacionais, o governo da Índia  instruiu provedores de acesso a bloquear o conteúdo do Blogger, TypePad e GeoCities, além de  aproximadamente doze outros domínios tidos como hospedeiros de websites com mensagens "radicais"  e "anti-Índia". Por causa da medida, muitos usuários de internet na Índia foram incapazes de acessar blogs durante o fim de semana.

Os provedores de acesso que cumpriram a suposta determinação do governo são os seguintes: Spectranet, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), Reliance Powersurfer, Airtel Broadband and Sify,  entre outros.

O Spectranet confirmou que   recebeu a tal intimação e  que teve que bloquear  22 páginas web.


Indian lunar mission Chandrayaan finds water on moon

India's first lunar moon mission Chandrayaan-1 has helped NASA find water on the moon's surface. NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) on board Chandrayaan found the evidence of water molecules on the surface of the moon.

Even 40 years ago, rock samples brought to Earth by Apollo (US) and other missions led some scientists to claim that water existed on moon. But they had doubts about the findings, as the boxes in which the moon rocks were brought to earth had leaked—contaminating the samples with air from the atmosphere.

Previous U.S. space missions, Cassini and the Deep Impact spacecraft, had detected slight traces of water in molecular form in the moon's polar craters. Recent studies made by Chandrayaan have found water (H2O) and hydroxyl (OH) molecules with silicate rock at moon's equatorial region. It is estimated that less than a teaspoon of water could be extracted out from several kilograms of lunar soil.

Forty years after first landing, some say this major discovery will trigger new interest in the moon.


Missão lunar indiana Chandrayaan encontra água na lua

A primeira missão lunar da Índia, a Chandrayaan-1, tem ajudado a NASA a encontrar água na superfície da Lua. A Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), da NASA, a bordo da Chandrayaan, encontrou evidências de moléculas de água na superfície da lua.

Mesmo há 40 anos, amostras de rocha trazidas a Terra pelo Apolo e outras missões levou alguns cientistas a alegar de que existiu água na Lua. Mas tinham dúvidas sobre os resultados, como as caixas em que as rochas lunares foram trazidas para a Terra não tinha escapado de contaminação das amostras de ar da atmosfera.

Estudos recentes feitos pela Chandrayaan encontraram moléculas de água (H2O) e hidroxila (OH) com silicato de rocha na região equatorial lunar. Estima-se que menos de uma colher de chá de água poderia ser extraída de vários quilograma de solo lunar.

Quarenta anos depois do primeiro desembarque, alguns dizem que esta grande descoberta irá desencadear um novo interesse na Lua.


Indian space agency launches five foreign satellites

The Indian space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), launched five foreign satellites from the Sriharikota facility on Monday morning, using the PSLV-C23 launch vehicle.

The primary payload was an earth observation satellite from France called SPOT 7 which weighed 714 kg. Other satellites included on board were the German AISat, 14 kg; Canadian NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5), 15 kg each; and Singaporean VELOX 1, 7 kg.

The launch took place at 9:52 AM on Monday morning, delayed from the original schedule by three minutes to avoid space debris. This was the 26th successful launch of a PSLV. Along with the US, Russia, the European Union, China, and Japan, India is one of the few nations that offer commercial launch services. These services are provided by Antrix, the commercial department of ISRO. ISRO's next major launch may be this month using a GSLV-III launch vehicle.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the launch site. He addressed the scientists after the launch congratulating them, and asked them to build a satellite suitable for use by all the nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He also emphasized the frugal approach of India to the space industry. Phillipe Ghesquiers of Airbus Space and Defense Systems, the builders of SPOT 7, expressed satisfaction at the launch and stated they may use India's launch services again in the future.


Barata kosma agentejo lanĉas kvin eksterlandajn satelitojn

Pasintlunde matene, la 30-an de junio,  la Barata kosma agentejo, Barata Organizo pri Kosmo-Esplorado (BOKE), lanĉis kvin eksterlandajn satelitojn ekde la Sriharikoto-lanĉinstalaĵo en Satish Dhawan Kosmodromo, uzante la PSLV-C23-lanĉoveturilon.

La plej grava ŝarĝo estis terobservada satelito de Francujo nome SPOT 7, pezante 714 kg. Aliaj satelitoj kunŝarĝitaj estis la germana AISat, 14 kg; kanada NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) kaj NLS7.2 (CAN-X5), 15 kg ĉiu; kaj singapura VELOX 1,7 kg.

La lanĉado okazis lunde, la 30-an de junio, je horo 9.52, prokrastita de la origina plano tri minutojn por eviti eksteran rubon. Estis la 26-a sukcesa lanĉo de PSLV-raketo. Kune kun Usono, Rusujo, Eŭropa Unio, Ĉinujo, kaj Japanujo, Barato estas unu el malmultaj nacioj, kiuj proponas komercajn lanĉajn servojn. Ĉi tiuj servoj estas farataj de Antrix, la komerca branĉo de BOKE. La sekva grava lanĉado de BOKE eble estos ĉi tiun monaton uzante GSLV-III-lanĉoveturilon.

La barata ĉefministro Narendra Modi ĉeestis ĉe la lanĉa loko. Li alparolis al la sciencistoj post la lanĉado, gratulis ilin, kaj petis ilin konstrui sateliton taŭgan por uzado de ĉiuj nacioj de la Sud-Azia Unuiĝo por Regiona Kunlaboro. Li ankaŭ akcentis la fruktodonan alproksimiĝo de Barato al la kosmofluga industrio. Phillipe Ghesquiers de Airbus Defendo kaj Kosmo, la konstruistoj de SPOT 7, esprimis kontentecon pri la lanĉado kaj starigis, ke ili eble uzos la lanĉajn servojn de Barato estontece denove.

En la Sud-Azia Unuiĝo por Regiona Kunlaboro kunlaboras en aboca ( aŭ alfabeta) ordo: Afganujo, Bangladeŝo, Barato, Butano, Nepalo, Maldivoj, Pakistano kaj Srilanko.


Indian spacecraft Chandrayaan-1 enters moon orbit

India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 (meaning 'moon craft' in Sanskrit) has completed the tricky manoeuvre of entering the lunar orbit at 5:15 PM Indian standard time. This was an important milestone for the Indian mission to the Moon, which was launched on October 22 from Indian spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota. ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said everything onboard Chandrayaan-1 is working fine.

The lunar orbit insertion (LOI) began at 4:50 P.M  and lasted for 817 seconds (14 minutes). The ground control station at Peenya in Bangalore remotely fired the satellite's rockets to move it into its new trajectory. This was considered to be a most critical moment of the entire mission. The satellite has now been placed in a 7,502 km X 504 km elliptical orbit around the Moon. Chandrayaan  will be gradually lowered to a circular orbit at a distance of 100 km from the lunar surface. Once the circular orbit is achieved, Chandrayaan will eject the Moon Impact Probe, a lunar probe, to impact on the moon's surface. Besides carrying three important scientific instruments, the lunar probe will also carry a picture of the Indian national flag.

With this, India will become both the fourth country to place a flag on the moon and the fifth country to send a spacecraft to the moon. The other countries which have sent spacecraft to the Moon are the United States, the former Soviet Union, Japan, and China, along with the European Space Agency (ESA), a consortium of 17 countries.


Sonda espacial India llega a la órbita lunar

9 de noviembre de 2008Nueva Delhi, India —

India ha conseguido que su primera misión lunar, la Chandrayaan-1, haya entrado en la órbita lunar a las 17:15, hora local. La misión se inició el 22 de octubre desde el centro espacial ubicado en Sriharikota.

La inserción en la órbita lunar se inició a las 16:50 horas y duró 817 segundos. La estación de control de tierra en Peenya (Bangalore) inició la ignición de los cohetes del satélite para colocarlo en posición, lo que se considerá un momento especialmente crítico. Chandrayaan-1 fue colocado en una órbita elíptica alrededor de la Luna a 7.502 kilómetros en el punto más lejano y el más cercano a sólo 504 kilómetros. Después el satélite deberá reducir poco a poco la distancia hasta una órbita circular a una distancia de 100 km de la superficie lunar.

Con éste lanzamiento, la India se convirtió en el quinto país en enviar una nave espacial a la Luna. El resto de los países que han enviado naves a la Luna han sido los Estados Unidos, la antigua Unión Soviética, Japón y China. Además, la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA), un consorcio de 17 países, también ha enviado un vehículo espacial a la Luna.


Intel launches 45nm "Penryn" processor aiming for energy-efficiency

This week in Taiwan Intel and other technology companies showcased server and computer hardware with processors built using "Penryn" technology, the second generation of quad core technology that is produced with the high-k metal Hafnium that has come to replace halogen and lead components, which are not environmentally safe.

This new 45 nanometer (45nm) process technology included features on Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 (SSE4) compatible with video decoding (encoding) software, "Radix 16" which increased computing efficiency, and "deep power down" technology for energy efficiency. For the SSE4 feature, this will benefit makers of high-definition and AV-media, as both HDMI and 1080p are supported.

Companies that will participate in the Taiwan Informonth exhibition next month, announced that some products with "Penryn" processors will be on the market by then. Some companies like Tyan and Supermicro will provide small business solutions as well as enterprises solutions. This launch will be tied to other unveilings by the IT and AV-media industries in Taiwan.


Intel zaprezentował następcę Core 2 - 45nm procesor Penryn

Tego tygodnia na Tajwanie Intel i inne przedsiębiorstwa technologiczne lansowały serwer i sprzęt komputerowy z procesorami Penryn - drugim pokoleniem technologii Intel Core. Penryl produkowany jest z metalu o nazwie Hafnem i ma zastąpić, nie do końca bezpieczne dla środowiska, komponenty ołowiane oraz halogen.

Nowy 45 nanometrowy (45nm) proces technologiczny umożliwia obsługę Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 (SSE4).

Przedsiębiorstwa uczestniczące w tajwańskim pokazie ogłosiły, że w przeciągu najbliższego miesiąca pojawią się na rynku komputery z procesorami Penryn.


英特爾新45奈米製程 訴求環保與效率

繼台灣成功於十月中旬，辦理英特爾科技論壇，並先行為45奈米技術進行預覽後，英特爾與台灣資訊大廠正式發佈搭配Penryn技術的個人電腦與伺服器的相關產品，並在針對媒體的記者會中表示，Penryn是英特爾四核心處理器的第二代技術，搭配此技術的新處理器，將採用具有High-k材質的鉿，替代不利於環保的鉛。

在台灣的記者會中，英特爾也指出，這項新技術的晶片包含利於處理影像或視訊編輯軟體效能的Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4（ISSE4）指令集與Super Shuffle Engine、提升運算效能的Radix 16、針對行動運算的節能技術Deep Power Down Technology，當中，ISSE4的技術指令集，將會對高畫質影音市場投下利多，特別是近期熱門的HDMI與1080p高畫質話題。

台灣知名大廠部分，除了參展的部分資訊月廠商宣布，新一代個人電腦將搭載此項技術，並在近期及下月起的資訊月期間，在展場中展售外，伺服器廠商也將推出相關的解決方案，提供中小型、大型企業或機關使用，另外，部分軟體商在近期推出的相關影音編輯軟體，也將支援此類技術。而這項技術的問世，勢必牽動台灣的資訊與影音兩產業的話題。


Intel launches Centrino 2 aiming for performance and mobility

After the launch of Intel Atom for low-price PCs during the 2008 COMPUTEX Taipei, Intel globally unveiled the Centrino 2 Processor Technology (formerly codenamed "Montevina") products for laptops yesterday July 15.

This Centrino 2 continues support for features on the earlier-released 45 nanometer (45nm) "Penryn" processor, and implements enhanced security and management features to the Vpro version. "HD-to-Go" for mobile entertainment and "802.11n" for wireless networking were embedded into this new processor technology. Due to the difference on networking infrastructure in several nations, the WiMAX feature will be added in Europe and North America before this December.

According to Intel Corp., wireless network transmission with 802.11 draft-N feature will be up to 450 Mbps, it delivered five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology in this processor technology. In addition, Intel Centrino 2 also provided the horsepower and battery life for mobile entertainment and mobile business.


英特爾迅馳2問世 應用展概念商品燃燒

距離台北電腦應用展剩下約兩週，在網路、實體通路，以及即將在本週六正式登場的「光華數位新天地」，加入消費市場戰的前夕，處理器大廠英特爾，在本（15）日正式發表了針對筆記型電腦設計的新一代處理器─迅馳2，目標以效能、穩定等主要關鍵元素，強打不同的消費族群。

英特爾表示，隨著網路技術的提升，以及行動市場的需求，無線網路幾乎是生活必備的元素，無論是筆電、PDA使用者，都會需要行動娛樂的功能，往常瀏覽YouTube或其他線上視訊網站時，可能只有一般或是較差的品質，但在新款的處理器中，使用者可以獲得最佳的高畫質視訊體驗，包含藍光影音播放。

在網路通訊部份，為了要與未來接軌，這款新型的處理器，將支援明年正式定案的802.11n標準，由於各國在網路硬體建設的差異，因此在今年底，歐美地區將會優先支援WiMAX的連網功能；另外，針對商務應用的vPro版本，也支援了資訊安全與增強式管理等功能。

在記者會的展示中，微星、宏碁、明基、藍天、神基等大廠，也搶先展示了與應用展相關的概念商品，當中包含了剛在台北國際電腦展，拿下最佳外銷資訊獎的MSI GX620與Acer Aspire Gemstone Blue。

隨著上月初，英特爾發佈「凌動」（Atom）處理器，以及應用展概念商品，將在實體與虛擬通路開始鋪貨的關係，預料，行動市場的戰爭，將延續到八月初的應用展。


Internet virus circulates disguised as e-mail from US government

E-mails containing the Sober X worm are being sent around the Internet disguised as an e-mail from either the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency, both organizations of the United States government. Opening the e-mail on a system running on the Microsoft Windows operating system should be avoided at all costs, experts say.

The e-mail claims that the recipient has been caught visiting illegal websites, and asks the user to open an attachment to answer some questions. Once this virus is opened, a variety of system-damaging events may occur. It is reported that anti-virus and other security measures are disabled, and accessing websites for said assistance is disabled, and that your contacts on your address book can be sent this e-mail, and that your privacy may be invaded.

BBC News reported the virus was unleashed on November 22. MessageLabs caught at least three million copies within 24 hours after the breakout, and McAfee, a system security research firm, reports over 70,000 cases of the virus on consumer computers. This is also the 25th variant of the Sober worm, the first of which was released in October 2005.

The FBI and the CIA claim on their website that they did not send out the e-mail, and they discourage opening the e-mail. The Washington Post names this worm as the "worst computer worm of the year".

A similar e-mail circulated in Germany last week. Claiming to be sent by the Bundeskriminalamt the e-mail told its readers that they were caught downloading pirated software. An attachment also included the Sober worm.


Internetviruset Sober X använder FBI/CIA som kamouflage

26 november 2005 Masken "Sober X" sprider sig på internet genom mail som ser ut att komma från antingen FBI eller CIA. Experter säger att alla datorer som använder något operativsystem från Microsoft inte bör öppna mailet under några omständigheter.

I mailet påstås det att mottagaren har besökt olagliga webbsidor och uppmanas därför att öppna en bifogad fil för att svara på ett antal frågor. När viruset öppnats kan det attackera datorn och alla mailadresser som hittas på dator får samma mail. Enligt rapporter avaktiveras antivirusprogram på datorn samtidigt som tillgången till visa webbsidor omöjliggörs.

Enligt BBC News släpptes viruset löst den 22 november. MessageLabs hittade åtminstone tre miljoner kopior av programmet efter bara 24 timmar och enligt McAfee har viruset hittats på mer än 70 000 datorer.

Detta är den tjugofemte versionen av masken "Sober". Den första versionen dök upp i oktober i år. Både CIA och FBI meddelar på sina hemsidor att de inte skickat ut något liknande mail och uppmanar allmänheten att inte öppna dem. Washington Post har kallat viruset "den värsta datormasken i år".

Ett liknande mail cirkulerade i Tyskland för en vecka sedan. Då uppgavs avsändaren vara Bundeskriminalamt och mottagaren påstods ha laddat ned piratkopierade program. Sober-masken fanns i en bifogad fil.


Interview with Sue Gardner of the Wikimedia Foundation

Wikinews reporters interviewed Sue Gardner, an employee of the Wikimedia Foundation, the project that runs Wikipedia and several other projects, including Wikinews.

Before coming to Wikimedia, she ran CBC.CA, the website of Canada's national public broadcaster. She was also a radio and television journalist for 10 years.

Matt: Hi Sue, could you explain what you do for the Wikimedia Foundation?

Matt: What was your job position for cbc.ca, and what did you work on while you were there?

Dodge: Please do

Dodge: How did you come to work for the Wikimedia Foundation? Were you asked to join by someone? And if so, who?

Brian: In joining WMF was there anything you brought from CBC.ca's policies that you feel have influenced your contributions to the foundation? Can you give Wikinews any tips? I am assuming their similar balance/neutrality policies as the BBC's

Matt: Have you had much to do with Wikinews during the course of your work for the Wikimedia Foundation?

Matt: Sure.

Dodge: When the Foundation moves to San Fransisco [sic], will you be going with it?

Matt: Do you believe that citizen journalism sites like Wikinews should have an editorial review process?

Matt: Yeah.

Brian: Gawker sounds like what we do, only a lot less cautious.

Mike: Sue, the community initiative "Conference of the Americas" is getting support from Turner Broadcasting for the citizen journalism unconference. How do you feel about the community partnering with such a big name in journalism?

Mike: The proposal is basically that Turner will give us a venue for the conference and bring in industry people to speak, in addition to more citizen-oriented speakers and our own from Wikinews. I know personally I didn't believe such a media conglomerate would want to partner with free culture, so it was surprising to me. Does it surprise you, or do you see a good working relationship between "free" and "for profit" journalism outlets?

Brian: we had a reporter with the beeb for a week

Dodge: And the BBC used some of our content earlier

Matt: Do you think the fact that they can reuse what we make in partnership with them is one of the reasons for people wanting to partner with us, whereas a lot of traditional media want to retain copyright on work?

Brian: If they don't understand GFDL, is CC-BY (per Wikinews) better for their legal folks?

Matt: Do you believe that (at least for non-profit news sources), releasing material into the public domain makes it simpler for them to manage/handle?

Brian: or do they not understand PD?

Brian: For wikinews all they have to do is credit us with the story to comply with the license

Brian: Yes, a link to us would be nice too

Matt: Yeah, as long as they state its CC-BY-2.5 and give our name, they can use it. Can users who have edited Wikinews be respected around real journalists? Will they be turned down because they have written for an online website like Wikinews, which is not particularly fond of the mainstream media, and not traditional media?

Matt: Although you have an account on the English wikinews (User:SueGardner), you have never edited. One would assume that as a journalist you would use this project. Is there any main reason you don't edit here or do you just not have time?

Matt: If you could interview anyone for Wikinews who would you like to interview?

Brian: Not yet, although we reported on her though (see Doris Lessing wins Nobel Prize for Literature)

Dodge: Do you use Wikinews as a primary source for news, or do you use other mainstream sources, and then look to Wikinews?

Brian: Wikinews may become comprehensive but it will be a difficult process in my opinion.

Matt: Do you think the reason for this is wikigroaning, such as more topics are written in focused areas rather than things of interest to the most people?

Brian: It is a "faster" project than Wikipedia.

Matt: You may be interested in What Wikinews is not, the first point, Wikinews is not Paper

Brian: We got great cooperation on some big stories like the UK attacks, did big media notice? (Major explosions at UK oil depot, Coordinated terrorist attack hits London)

Matt: A lot of attention has been given to improving Wikipedia. Do you think more attention is needed for the other projects? If so, which ones do you think need more attention?

Dodge: What advice can you give to aspiring journalists, based on your experiences at the CBC?

Brian: "Above all, the central question about the Wikinews effort is its credibility. "Making a newspaper is hard... Someone who wants to do it but doesn't really know how hasn't solved the problem by gathering a lot of other people who don't know, either." This is a quote from a former editor of Encyclopædia Britannica, have we proven him wrong?

Matt: If you were the interviewer here, what else would you have asked yourself?

were to create something (a conference, or conversation); I'd be interested in doing that with you. I am really interested in this project.

Matt: Thank you for your time.


Wywiad z Sue Gardner - doradcą Fundacji Wikimedia

Reporterzy Wikinews przeprowadzili wywiad z Sue Gardner, zatrudnioną przez Fundację Wikimedia - organizację odpowiedzialną za Wikipedię oraz szereg innych projektów, w tym Wikinews.

Przed podjęciem współpracy z Fundacją, Sue zarządzała serwisem cbc.ca, należącym do jednego z kanadyjskich nadawców publicznych. Przez 10 lat pracowała też jako dziennikarz radiowy i telewizyjny.

Wersja bez kolumn


Iranian-American woman in space

Anousheh Ansari, 40, an Iranian-American became the first female paying passenger astronaut today. Paying $20 million [USD] for the trip, she replaced a Japanese businessman who decided not to take the trip due to medical reasons. The Russian made Soyuz Rocket lifted off at 04:10 GMT from Baikonur, Russia.

Ansari is accompanying Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and American astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who are joining German astronaut Thomas Reiter on the International Space Station.

Ansari is a businesswoman in the telecom industry and put up the Ansari X Prize for the first privately funded trip to space won by Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites and his team.

The mission is expected to dock with the ISS on Wednesday.


Erste Touristin im Weltraum: Anousheh Ansari auf dem Weg zur ISS

Baikonur (Kasachstan), 19.09.2006 – Gestern um 06:09 Uhr Uhr MESZ startete vom kasachischen Weltraumbahnhof Baiqongyr eine Raumkapsel vom Typ Sojus TMA-9 – an Bord der russische Kosmonaut Michail Wladislawowitsch Tjurin, der US-Astronaut Michael Eladio Lopez-Alegria und die erste Touristin im Weltall, Anousheh Ansari.

Die beiden Männer werden zwei Besatzungsmitglieder auf der Internationalen Raumstation ISS ersetzen, die am 27. September mit Ansari zur Erde zurückfliegen werden. Eigentlich sollte es schon vor fünf Tagen losgehen, allerdings wurde der Start verschoben, weil es beim Start der Raumfähre Atlantis zu Verzögerungen gekommen war.

Die 40-jährige Ansari erfüllt sich mit dem Flug einen Kindheitstraum. Allerdings ist sie nicht nur zum Vergnügen im Weltall unterwegs. Sie führt auch  vier medizinische und biologische Experimente zu Blutanalysen und Muskelschwund an Bord der Sojus-Kapsel und in der ISS durch.


Старт «Союза ТМА-9»

18 сентября в (08:08:42 московского летнего времени) с космодрома Байконур стартовал корабль «Союз ТМА-9». Экипаж корабля: Михаил Тюрин, Майкл Лопес-Алегрия и Ануше Ансари.  Михаил Тюрин, Майкл Лопес-Алегрия отправились на замену 13-й долговременной экспедиции МКС. Ансари (американка иранского происхождения) — первая космическая туристка.

Программой полёта МКС-14 предусмотрен приём двух грузовых кораблей «Прогресс М-58» и «Прогресс М-59», двух американский шаттлов «Дискавери» STS -116 и «Атлантис» STS -117. Экипаж должен выполнить четыре выхода в открытый космос, один по российской программе в скафандрах «Орлан-М» и три по американской программе.

В 08:17:28 корабль «Союз ТМА-9» вышел на расчётную околоземную орбиту: наклонение — 51,65°, период обращения — 88,87 мин, перигей — 193 км, апогей — 245 км.

Стыковка с МКС намечена на 20 сентября 09:24.

18 сентября 2006 года


Israeli spy satellite launched by Indian rocket

Israel has today launched an advanced spy satellite, named TecSAR, into orbit on board India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The PSLV successfully launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 3:45 a.m. GMT today, with a successful cast off from the launch rocket at around 4:05 a.m. GMT. Israel Aerospace Industries report that the first signals were received 80 minutes after the launch, present at which were both Israeli and Indian space engineers.

The launch was delayed several times for unclear reasons. At one point, it was rumoured that the launch had been cancelled completely due to pressure from the US Government. Indian and Israeli authorities denied this, however, citing technical problems instead.

The satellite, also referred to as Polaris, is equipped with the latest in spy technology, including Synthetic aperture radar, which can be used to provide details information on ground cover. The BBC also reports "enhanced footage technology" - which allows Israel to receive video and images at any time of day or night, and under any weather conditions. Israeli defence officials have said that the satellites main purpose is to track events in Iran, the countries' number one foe. The events that they wish to track include the Iranian nuclear programme, as well as military happenings in Iran and Syria.

The satellite is capable of a maximum resolution of 10 centimetres, of which the first images wil be available in "a few weeks." Development of the satellite has been quoted as "tens of millions of dollars" - and India is benefiting from a major boost in the commercialisation of the countries' 45-year-old space program - which hopes to compete with the US, Russia, China, the Ukraine and the European Space Agency in the satellite launch service field.


Satélite espião Israelense é lançado no espaço com um foguete indiano

Israel, lançou hoje um avançado satélite espião, denominado TecSAR, em órbita a bordo do foguete indiano Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle . O PSLV lançado com sucesso do Centro Espacial Satish Dhawan às 3:45 am GMT hoje, com um bom elenco a partir do lançamento de foguetes em torno de 4:05 Am GMT. O relatório da Israel Aerospace Industries, disse que os primeiros sinais a serem recebidos ocorreram á 80 minutos após o lançamento, na qual estavam presentes tanto engenheiros espaciais israelitas e indianos.

O lançamento foi adiado várias vezes por razões pouco claras. Em um ponto, houve o rumor de que o lançamento tinha sido cancelado completamente devido à pressão dos Estados Unidos. Indianos e autoridades israelitas negaram esta versão, no entanto, citando problemas técnicos que ocorriam vez após vez.

O satélite, também referida como Polaris, está equipado com a mais recente tecnologia em espionagem, incluindo o Synthetic aperture radar, que pode ser utilizado para prestar informações sobre detalhes de um terreno. A BBC também disse que o satélite possui um "reforçada tecnologia footage" - que permite a Israel receber vídeo e imagens, em qualquer momento do dia ou da noite, e sob quaisquer condições meteorológicas. Funcionários do ministério da defesa de Israel disseram que o principal objectivo do satélite é para monitorar acontecimentos no Irão, e outros países que tenham aparência de "ameaçadores da paz". Os eventos que pretendem acompanhar incluir o programa nuclear iraniano, bem como acontecimentos militares no Irão e na Síria.

O satélite é capaz de uma resolução máxima de 10 centímetros, de que as primeiras imagens serão disponíveis em "algumas semanas". O Desenvolvimento do satélite foi citado como "dezenas de milhões de dólares" - e a Índia se beneficiou de um grande impulso na comercialização dos países "45-year-old programa espacial -, que pretende competir com os E.U., Rússia, China, a Ucrânia e a Agência Espacial Europeia no lançamento de serviços por campo de satélite.

*Stephen Clark. Covert satellite for Israel launched by Indian rocket [inativa] — Spaceflight Now, 21 de janeiro de 2008. Página visitada em 22 de janeiro de 2008. Arquivada em 16 de maio de 2008