In Bath? Not disabling your Bluetooth when you don't need it? You may have been under surveillance..

I was going to go with "technologically raped", but that's a bit sensationalist. Granted I'm probably going a bit over the top, but it looks like some researchers from the University of Bath, my home town, were let loose with various bluetooth tools and equipment. The aim of their research was to do some basic modelling and proof of concept work - mapping interactions, using bluetooth.

Astonishingly they captured 10,000 unique devices (supposedly) over 6 months, from various locations. Including "the pub", which appears unnamed. Now whilst I usually disable my bluetooth when I'm not using it (one, because the battery life on my k800i is slowy going the way of the electron fairies, and two because I don't want stuff like this happening, or my phone being subjected to anything that it shouldn't), it makes me wonder if the people who were being tracked were informed. Granted it's interesting work nonetheless, although the fact that they used a pub strikes me as a good excuse for other activities; "Err... yes we're in the pub. But don't worry, it's all in the name of science!"

However this could serve as a practical wake up call for those who object to lack of privacy but aren't technologically aware.

OpenID implications, GoogleTech talk

For those of us who didn't get OpenID when it started popping up (or rather didn't fully differentiate between the nuances of authorisation, authentication and identification [and attracted a sound bashing from Theo and chip]), might be interested in watching Simon Willison's talk on OpenID at Google from last Friday.

Keys

My OpenPGP key has been revoked and all relevant key servers updated. I will be distributing a new one shortly.

Please ammend your key chains as appropriate.

UK ID Cards - Conservatives see the light?

Despite having some ideas I don't agree with, perhaps the fact that the conservatives are stating that ID cards don't work, cost a fortune and would plunge the UK into a giant panopticon-esque state, is a significant reason to vote for them shortly?

No such thing as civil rights?

What the fuck is wrong with this bloodly country? The sad thing is that it won't be the fact citizens will be finger printed, but the fact that queues are longer, which people moan about.

Surely it's within my right to refuse to give my fingerprints? If I do so, and I am refused entry onto the plane, whose fault is it, and who should bear the cost? Research will ensue, as driving across America is a dream I have.