Greg Thomas
greg43@sympatico.caThe Silk Road Is Shut Down, and the Owner Is in Custody
The FBI has seized the domain of drug marketplace Silk Road and slapped its owner with a host of heavy charges.
The Perks and Pains of Trying to Live an Open-Source Lifestyle
A man in Berlin spent a year applying the tenets of open source software to his lifestyle. It was a bumpy 12 months.
Can Germany Really Tax Bitcoin?
The German government thinks it can tax and regulate Bitcoin. A crypto-economist in Berlin isn't so sure.
The Young Pirates of Europe Will Train the Next Generation of Pirate Politicians
Europe’s disparate pirate political parties have gained a new ally in their quest to overhaul convention, promote digital awareness, and generally bring a bit more structure to its ranks.
Mexico’s Female Professional Wrestlers Do It for the Love
Journalist Marta Franco followed several female wrestlers in Mexico, known as luchadoras, in order to document their passion for the sport, their feats of strength and athleticism, and their struggle to be recognized on the same level as men...
Phone Makers Are Finally Considering Kill Switches to Turn Stolen Cells Into "Bricks"
Prosecutors are trying to convince Apple, Google, and Samsung to install "kill switches" that would render their products useless when stolen.
The NSA's Data Collection Habits Are Trickling Down to Cops and Credit Agencies
More and more, companies, credit bureaus, and cops around the world are vetting people via social media.
Meet the Man Behind the Push to Ban Killer Robots
"Lethal autonomous robots," as they're known, are on their way whether we're ready for them or not.
Could California's New Bullet Coding Law Actually Curb Gun Violence?
Authorities think so, but some experts are skeptical.
'Smart' Guns Would Only Allow the Right Hands to Shoot Them
We're getting closer to creating personalized weapons that respond only to the proper touch or signal.
What the First Legit Study of Illegal BitTorrent Downloading Means for Stealing
An academic study out this month is a good first whack aimed to chip away at the glaring absence of data on illegal file-sharing.
These Guys Want to Obliterate Passwords
When passwords fail, it's time to start thinking about what we have to offer our security devices: fingerprints, eyeballs and voices are a start.