Gizmodo: world wide web

The Machine That Changed the World

Jesus Diaz — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Perhaps more than anything else previously invented, this pretty black box changed the world of communications, entertainment, commerce, scientific research, and even war forever. In fact, the world as we know it today would have never existed without it.

It happened less than two decades ago, when Tim Berners-Lee released version 0.1 of his web server—CERN HTTPd. June 1991 was the month. A Next Cube workstation was the box. The heir of Hypercard was put online for the first time on August 6, 1991. It will continue to shape the world for decades to come. [Flickr—Thanks Rick]

Chinese Interweb Is Number One Target For Malware

Elaine Chow — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:00:00 EST

Chinese internet users have become the top target for malware, according to a new security report by Microsoft. The company said that about 47 percent of software “exploits” it found, including ones that can record keystrokes and steal passwords, in the first half of 2008 were in Chinese, while only 23 percent were in English.

Considering China surpassed the U.S. in overall internet users this June, it's probably not that surprising that the country would be targeted. Couple that with the influx of inexperienced users with freshly middle-class banking accounts, and you've got a major security problem. Microsoft recommended constantly updating to lower vulnerabilities, which probably won't happen since the newest Windows updates contain that anti-piracy black screen security measure. [Yahoo News] (Flickr credit - Kai Hendry)

Navajo Nation's Internet Borked by FCC and ISP, Reservation Reverting To Smoke Signals

Elaine Chow — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Thanks to billing problems and the FCC's intervention, the Navajo Nation will be sans Internet on Monday. An FCC audit uncovered the fact that satellite service provider OnSat Networks had double-billed the tribe in 2007. Since the U.S. government pays for 85 to 90 percent of the cost of Internet service, it cut off funds to OnSat, pending an investigation into the matter. And, since OnSat can't pay its subcontractors, it is shutting down service. In the meantime, the Navajo will have to find other ways to peruse LOLcat pics and update their Myspaces. Will the struggles of the Native Americans never end? [DSL reports]

Cows, Farmer's Daughters Get $267 Million Broadband Boost

Jack Loftus — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EDT

If your Internet surfing gets cut constantly because a cow kicked over a lantern and burned down the barn or worse-because you use DSL, help could be on the way. Denver-based Open Range Communications is hoping to eliminate rural DSL Internet surfing with a substantial $267 million loan it received from the Department of Agriculture. The loan is part of the USDA's Rural Development Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, and will provide broadband service in 518 rural areas in 17 states, including Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas and Wisconsin. This is great news and a long time coming for the rural communities of the US because, if anything, they've consistently shown a great thirst for knowledge, science and the unknown. [USDA via GigaOM]