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The case of the missing NBC video on Windows Vista Media Center PC’s in DVR mode reminds me of Bill Murray’s classic line from “Ghostbusters.” When tempted by a demonically-possessed Sigourney Weaver, Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman says, “I make it a rule never to get involved with possessed people.”

After she nuzzles his neck, he sheepishly adds, “Actually it’s more of a guideline than a rule.”

CNET News reported that Vista PC’s won’t record certain NBC prime-time programming. (We’ll ignore the larger question for now as to why someone would actually want to record “American Gladiators.") When its reporter questioned Microsoft, the software company released a statement saying that it is honoring broadcast flags - technology that disables attempts at recording - as set forth by Federal Communications Commission “rules.” But those “rules” have no force of law behind them. The networks wanted them a couple of years ago, but federal courts shot them down. Optional installation? Sure. But there’s nothing mandated by governmental agency or Congress.

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Britain’s lollypop ladies, the equivalent of our school crossing guards here in the US, have just been issued cameras and portable DVRs to record incidents of “lollipop rage” or school zone road rage. The cameras record traffic from both sides and feed their footage to an Archos portable DVR. The system was developed by a British firm known as Routesafe, and several local authorities have already implemented it in their communities.

“It’s unbelievable that we have to take this action,” says the chairman of the Local Government Association’s transport board, “but the lives of children are at risk from increasing numbers of drivers who are so selfish that they are willing to put lives at risk by refusing to stop for 30 seconds at a school crossing.”

Road rage is becoming an increasing problem in the UK. Anyone caught by this new system will be fined £1,000, which equals roughly $2000 US, and also have 3 points placed on their driver’s license. 

Via [Gizmodo]