January 18th marks a day that huge sites like Reddit, Wikipedia and many others – just noticed that OSNews.com is also protesting as well as a black bar over Google’s logo at Google.com – plan to shut down their sites in protest of the highly controversial Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act. Why should you care?

(SOPA) would authorize the U.S. Department of Justice to seek court orders against websites outside U.S. jurisdiction accused of infringing on copyrights, or of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement. After delivering a court order, the U.S. Attorney General could require US-directed Internet service providers, ad networks, and payment processors to suspend doing business with sites found to infringe on federal criminal intellectual property laws. The Attorney General could also bar search engines from displaying links to the sites.

Effectively, all it would take would be a complaint from somebody in the MPAA and RIAA, or some intellectual property (proven or not) holder will be able to complain that your website is an agent of some form of piracy. This is an oversimplified look at what these bills provide and attempt to do; however it’s an attempt to stop foreign websites from pirating American software, movies and music. And to do so, it grants these rights holders the ability to influence your ISP to block sites as well as disallow search engines to display results that they deem are infringing on their rights.

To date, DNS/ISP blocking has been removed from these controversial bills. But there’s still a lot of “teeth” in the bills that allow intellectual property and copyright holders the ability to point their finger and have a website deemed a website that’s committing piracy.

You don’t have to imagine where this is going. Go to YouTube now and you will not being able to hear some more music since the Universal Music Group (UMG) has disallowed uploading any of their catalog. Now imagine that power Internet wide. That’s just the start. And there are no provisions against false accusations. The burden of proof is on the site to prove their innocence.

So what is piracy? We all know websites that allow wholesale downloading of movies, music and software *cough*PirateBay*cough* but with highly visible sites like YouTube being monitored already, imagine the entire Internet under that type of scrutiny. Love a song, link to a YouTube video that’s not yet censored, you might be considered contributing to piracy. That’s a bit extreme, but who’s saying that it will not end there. Sure, some sites do nothing but link to pirated material. There’s no use for those sites other than assisting piracy. Fine, go after those sites.

But SOPA and PIPA are structured mainly to restrict access to the Internet based on rules, accusations and the lawyers that they employ that are always shifting to support their agendas. And that agenda is simply to make money from what they consider lost sales to piracy. In many cases, historically, it’s been proven that those that will pirate were not going to buy the software/music/movie anyway. And in the end, those that are paying customers walk away with the feeling that they are being treated like criminals.

Bills like this have existed in one form or another for the last decade. Ten years ago, SSSCA was another attempt at such a law that empowered the film and music industry and regulate all digital media via restricting and downright crippling copy restriction preventative measures. Think DRM on a much more invasive level – but not as invasive as Sony Music putting a rootkit on your PC.

Learn more about PIPA and SOPA. Write your representatives, even the ones that do not support PIPA/SOPA. Boycott the companies that support SOPA and PIPA. Make your voice and opinion known. And find out why Lamar Smith (Republican – Texas) is so damn hung up on this bill.

[ Links: SOPA, SOPA and PIPA: Just the Facts ]

Every instinct that I have tells me that I should avoid water that’s black in color. Not because of food coloring, nor because of something I’d rather not be in the water making it black… but because of fulvic acid and 77 trace minerals.

Our proprietary blend of Fulvic Acid (a derivative of plant matter) is mined from a 70 million year old source deep within the earth. Naturally black in color, the formula binds to the molecules of our pure Canadian Spring Water turning it naturally black, with no artificial dyes, coloring, or additives. Fulvic Acid is critical in growth of plant life, helping the transportation and absorption of nutrients. Fulvic Acid’s small molecular structure allows for the fast absorption of over 77 different trace minerals and elements, powerful electrolytes, antioxidants, and free radical scavengers.

Found a bottle at Whole Foods for about $2 a bottle and amazingly enough there’s no weird taste, you look totally cool while drinking it and it’s supposed to be doing your body a good thing. It even has electrolytes!

[ Links: blk. | The Dark Side of Water ]

First up is “SunStorm” from the Detroit born, Washington DC based producer/multiple instrumentalist that’s fresh off of producing a killer track from Little Brother’s last album “Two Step Blues featuring Darien Brockington” and “Zo and Tigallo Love the 80′s” (if you find this, buy it on the spot) as well as work on Foreign Exchange’s Grammy-nominated “Leave It All Behind”. The dude has been busy.

Indie soul siren and American Idol vocalist Sy Smith serves up a slice of 70′s soul on the breezy “Greatest Weapon Of All Time,” and Lady Alma, a Philly veteran and stalwart of the UK house scene, takes it to the dance floor on the frenetic “Free Your Mind.” The album’s lead single, “This Could Be The Night,” features Darien Brockington, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Roberson, and Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother over a thumping two-step groove specifically intended for the ‘steppers’ of Zo’s native Detroit. Another highlight is the Phonte-assisted “Flight Of The Blackbyrd,” Zo’s heartfelt homage to the 70′s jazz/funk fusion of The Mizell Bros. and George Duke.

Grown up music and definitely worthy a listen or three.

And the second recommendation comes from Slum Village “Villa Manifesto“, originally a trio of Detroit based MC’s and producer J Dilla which has evolved in many forms, taken on members, lost members due to deaths (R.I.P. J Dilla and Baatin) but kept going on strong. Featuring tracks produced by Khrysis and the late J Dilla and featuring the late Baatin, this will invariably be our last look at Slum Village as a whole.

Slum Village’s 6th studio album serves as both a reunion and a memorial album. “I wanted to pull the whole squad together,” explains T3. “The reason why we call it Villa Manifesto is that it was a statement we want to give our people because we had been away for so long. What we’re doing, what’s going on, how we’re feeling and where we’re at today.”

Proceeds from album sales will benefit the late J Dilla’s Mother (Ma’ Dukes) and help support Baatin’s family.

If you have more music recommendations, send them along.

UPDATE: T3 of Slum Village has confirmed that this is indeed the last Slum Village CD that will come out. Buy it via iTunes or Amazon or your local music store.

[ Links: Zo! Sunstorm, Slum Village Villa Manifesto ]

Enjoy this July 4th responsibly and don’t explode your front or backyard without filming it first.

The slight lack of updates doesn’t mean that the site has been abandoned. In fact, that’s about as far from the truth as you can get. Just a bit of retooling behind the scenes, a few database scares and above all some cool

Just bear with RTL a little bit and daily reviews, updates and articles. More VoIP, more gadgets, more cellphones, more good stuff.

Thanks in advance.

Quite possibly the sexiest hybrid made thus far, Porsche has shown off their concept Porsche 918 plug-in hybrid that gets 78mpg and hits 62mph in 3.2 seconds while looking extremely sexy. Green and goes fast when the light turns green.

Inside the Porsche 918 resides a 500hp V8 engine and a pair of electric motors to extend range and efficiency.

Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Despite being merely a concept at the moment, this represents the future of what Porsche aspires to bring to their normal lineup in terms of technology and looks. Who would have ever thought that green and Porsche would have ever fit into the same sentence outside of an exterior paint option?

Even though I couldn’t afford a windshield wiper blade for this car quite yet… I want one badly.

[ Links: Autoblog, Fourtitude Gallery ]

Last week Comcast unveiled their plans to rebrand their Internet, VoIP and TV services all under the “Xfinity” monicker. While Comcast was hoping to create a modern brand that could do battle with AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FiOS, the decision to misspell infinity with “extreme” and painfully cliche 90′s brand stylings wasn’t a particularly inspired or creative choice. The name change was giggled at by users and taunted by blogs. Now Time has taken the mocking one step further, placing it at number one on a list of the “top ten worst corporate name changes” (even worse than Syfy!) even though technically Comcast isn’t changing their name. “Xfinity is infinite potential,” Comcast executive David Watson cornily tells Time.

“Comcast hopes the new moniker will help customers forget the high prices and poor customer service for which it has been criticized in the past,” responds the magazine. Of course “U-Verse” really isn’t any better, but that hasn’t stopped AT&T from selling VDSL, IPTV and VoIP.

Link to the original article…

For the last few weeks, apparently something went a slight bit wrong. Reviews, articles and edits that were scheduled were somehow disappearing, but were visible in the database.

Sad part, I can’t blame anybody else but myself. A fix I placed into the site’s database in November/December caused havoc in January and February. In the next few days, reviews for: Epson Workforce 1100, FreeTalk Everyman headset, Nokia BH-905 Bluetooth headset, and a few other things are going to pop up. Some have been in queue for almost a month!

So sorry if things were a bit broken; keep coming back. Things are sorted out. Thanks in advance.

Google has introduced Google Buzz that will incorporate directly into GMail, something I wished that Google Wave would have done. What’s Google Buzz? Well, it’s basically another layer within GMail that allows you to instantly share videos, links, websites, quirky thoughts with your other contacts without having to send an e-mail. You set up… well a “buzz” basically. Falling right in line with Twitter and Pownce (remember that one?) like manner of quick communication and sharing.

Good part though, there is nothing to install and it already works on the Apple iPhone and Google Android via the browser and tacks into their location-aware API’s and posts your quick messages right where you stand. I’m quite sure that’s a feature that I’d actually use.

Google is rolling this one out in typical fashion over their servers; so look for it to show up soon if it’s already not there. Let’s hope this lives up to the hype that Google Wave just didn’t.

[ Links: Google Blog "Introducing Google Buzz", Google Buzz ]

In what appears to be a promotion gone wrong, Cox Communications has accidentally offered free PlayStation 3′s to every Cox customer in Arizona that signs up for service or upgrades existing service. The deal was supposedly intended only to lure in new Cox customers, but Cox’s marketing team accidentally sent the flyers out to all customers.

Yep, they screwed up.

Judging from posts in the Broadbandreports.com’s forums, Cox did try pretty hard to honor the deal, which requires users sign a 12 month contract (and Cox’s ETF is roughly equivalent to the cost of a PS3). Some users who tried to get in on the deal late (and via word of mouth from customers who got flyers) aren’t getting PS3′s, and have complained to the Consumerist about Cox shutting down the promotion.

So, if you’re in Arizona, did you get one?

Link to the original article…

Punk rock started in 1974 or so and let’s face it. It was the time of the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and The Clash… and that was 36 years ago. So for your inner-punk rocker, why not sport the spiked sports wristband by Atypyk during your “Sweating to the Oldies” workout tape?

How can you not wear this and avoid shouting the lyrics to “Rock the Casbah” or find some G.G. Allin to rock out to and complete your day!? At least something you do that day will be punk rock and cool that day. No word on price yet, but you better believe I’m getting a pair as soon as I can.

[ Links: ATYPYK ]

Feast your eyes on probably the first Final Fantasy XIII “transformer” that I would ever purchase.

Square Enix’s Play Arts Kai figures are an improved version of their popular Play Arts action figure series. With a larger scale, a greater attention to detail, more articulation points, and additional parts, these are their finest action figure yet. Based on Final Fantasy XIII, the highly-anticipated role-playing game coming to the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 in Spring 2010, this deluxe action figure recreates the Odin summons from the new game.

The chief Norse god, Odin transforms from a human-like god into an impressive horse that can be summoned by Lightning, the game’s primary character.

Up for pre-order at NCSX for $189.90 and due to ship in July of 2010, some 4 months after the US release of Final Fantasy XIII.

[ Links: NCSX - Odin Action Figure, Square Enix NA ]