Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Every Day is April Fools?

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Wired.com, Danger Room (no kidding), Company Denies its Robots Feed on the Dead:

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.– In response to rumors circulating the internet on sites such as FoxNews.com, FastCompany.com and CNET News about a “flesh eating” robot project, Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets:CYPW) and Robotic Technology Inc. (RTI) would like to set the record straight: This robot is strictly vegetarian.

Surely this deserves a special place in the annals of PR damage control?

Posted in Sufficiently Advanced Technology | Comments Off on Every Day is April Fools?

We Appreciate Your Patronage

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

According to TaxProf Blog: Law Prof Blog Rankings, this blog remains #15 on the popularity list for visitors.

Page views have slipped to 17th, perhaps because I've been taking it very easy on posting while on vacation; indeed the ten days starting Monday should also be slim as I'll be abroad and then recovering from jet lag.

I expect things may pick up once classes start in mid-August, and I go back to the academic year's daily rhythm — there seem to be more interstitial moments in those days. Or more meetings. Or something.

Posted in Discourse.net | Comments Off on We Appreciate Your Patronage

Could Be Worse, Could Be Better

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the environment around here is not so terrible.

Shame about that global warming thing.

Update: More gloom on sea levels

Posted in Science/Medicine | Comments Off on Could Be Worse, Could Be Better

Australian View of John Yoo’s Class at Berkeley

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Chasers War on Everything is a very funny, biting, satirical Australian TV show. Here's their take on John Yoo (Torture Lawyer) teaching at Berkeley law.

Posted in Torture | 8 Comments

Home, But Not For Long

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Back home, after another long drive, but only for a few days.

It's hot here.

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on Home, But Not For Long

Yuk

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Michael Froomkin

Intellectually, I understand the motivation (although I doubt the regulatory excuse applies outside the context of student and medical records), but I don't like this one bit:

Dear CaneID user,

Effective immediately, the University of Miami will be enforcing a password
reset policy requiring all CaneID account passwords to be reset every 180
days. The purpose of the policy is to safeguard the confidentiality and
integrity of University data and resources, address regulatory compliance
requirements and adhere to industry best practices.

I predict more passwords stuck to post-its on computer monitors as a result.

Posted in U.Miami | 14 Comments