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Agreement with patent-licensing group clears the way for wider adoption of the Web giant's streaming-video platform WebM.

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(from press release)

"Wakefield, Mass. – Aug. 4, 2011 – The Consortium of Digital Forensic Specialists (CDFS), a global non-profit industry group that aims to improve the digital forensic profession through unity, advocacy and standardization, announced today that it is now accepting membership applications from interested organizations and individuals."

Visit the Consortium of Digital Forensic Specialists (CDFS) website for the complete press release.

The Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Video Association has announced the introduction of a new certification. LEVA will now confer Certified Forensic Video Technician (CFVT) status on students who have performed video evidence processing for at least one year and successfully complete its three core courses within a five-year period:

• Basic Forensic Video Analysis & the Law,
• Intermediate Forensic Video Analysis & the Law and
• Advanced Forensic Video Analysis & the Law.

The courses, totaling 120 hours of lecture and hands-on instruction in LEVA’s Digital Multimedia Evidence Processing Lab at the University of Indianapolis, are designed to lead students to an advanced level of competency, knowledge and skills as Technicians in the science of forensic video analysis.

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January was quite a month for technology enthusiasts, with MacWorld and CES showcasing tons of cool new gear and promising much more in the coming months. Video is taking center stage in 2007, as manufacturers and service providers dump research and development money into video like never before. While some of the major players are still sticking to their proprietary guns, it's refreshing to see that at least a few are doing the exact opposite.

Manufacturers often skew their specification sheets to make their product seem better than it really is, typically by providing confusing references and the like. Not cool, but what’s worse than that? When they don’t know what the hell they're talking about, then convince the majority that they do. This is the case for a lot of Digital CCTV (DCCTV) manufacturers. If you’re going to reference a video specification and plaster it all over your video output, AND you’re one of the world’s leading manufacturers of IP-based CCTV equipment, you should probably have your shit together. Here’s why you don’t.

Apple has a new tool for those who manage a herd of iPads or iPhones for schools or small businesses, a free Mac app aimed at making life easier for iOS-focused IT staff. Called Configurator, it allows admins to "mass configure and deploy iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch," 30 devices at a time.

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I frequently get asked by friends and family about how to protect their PC or what software they should use to improve performance.  I've posted about some of the free software tools I use on my home PCs for this in the past, mentioning CCleaner, Advanced System Care, and other freeware tools...and I always recommend they be used in conjunction with a good anti-virus program and software firewall, of course. 

Despite all of the tools I use regularly to guard against malware, I recently stumbled on some pretty stubborn malware that I just couldn't get rid of with the tools I typically use, so I tried IObit's Security 360 Free and it worked like a charm.  Security 360 is designed to remove spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, bots and worms from 32bit and 64bit Windows  PCs (2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7) and is free for non-commercial use.

If you happen upon some stubborn malware give it a shot.  Hopefully it'll work as well for you as it did for me.  Have a happy & safe 4th of July everybody!

Adobe recently launched their monthly subscription option in the U.S. for all of the software products, allowing users to pay-as-they-go for access to Adobe software.  The option has been around for Australian users for quite some time, and is now available to those in North America as well...finally!

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A top Chinese security official praised a multimedia semiconductor and Internet protocol-based surveillance solution provider for helping develop a video image integration and sharing standard that is to be used by security agencies.

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CamSort version 1.5, developed by Jimmy Schroering, has been officially released. CamSort is an application that was designed for demultiplexing surveillance video. It is an easy to use application that will generate quick and accurate results. Updates/fixes in this version include:

AMD has finally launched the long-anticipated followup to its Radeon HD 5970, its dual-GPU monster graphics card. Like its predecessor, the new Radeon HD 6990, code-named Antilles, combines two GPUs in a single package, and the result is the fastest graphics card you can buy.

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General Dynamics is looking for an experienced audio examiner in the Baltimore area. The ideal candidate would have a bachelor's degree, several years of experience, and be able to obtain a security clearance.

Specific Responsibilities: Performs forensic analysis of digital information using standard computer forensics and evidence handling techniques, handles evidence, and conducts peer reviews of cases completed by other examiners and mentors less experienced examiners. Uses forensically sound procedures to identify network computer intrusion evidence and identifies perpetrators. Employs forensic tools and techniques to crack file and system passwords, detects steganography and recovers deleted, fragmented and corrupted data from digital media of all types. Observes proper evidence custody and control procedures, documents procedures and findings in a manner suitable for courtroom presentation and prepares comprehensive written notes and reports. Qualified examiners are required to maintain current knowledge of industry standards and practices as well as testify in Federal/Military court as expert witnesses.

Click here to view the official posting and further information.

This year the Consumer Electronics Show, in early January, is shaping up to be the year of the tablet. Yet the most (some would say “only”) successful tablet to date is the one that won’t be at CES. Apple sold 7.5 million iPads in the first six months and no doubt millions more this holiday season. Its shadow will hangs over the show, forcing a wide range of companies–chipmakers, computer hardware and consumer electronics companies, software developers and wireless carriers–to announce plans for tablets. Here’s what I’m expecting to see.

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