The ESL Free Press

Cuban Sent from Latvia to U.S. to be Charged

A Cuban citizen in Latvia has been extradited (sent to face charges) to the U.S. He is the first person this has happened to -- the U.S. and Latvia have a new agreement.

The defendant, Rodolfo Rodriguez Cabrera, is charged with making and selling gambling machines that had the trademark of the International Game Technology company. But the machines were only copies. He is also charged with making and selling copies of computer programs for the machines.

Source

Printable: Download cuban extradited.pdf (19.7K)

Charges of Internet Piracy

Four people accused of music piracy were indicted (charged by a grand jury) in Virginia, USA, on Wednesday.

The indictment says the four belonged to a group called “Rabid Neurosis” which worked for several years, ending in 2007. It says the group uploaded music, games, movies, and software without permission. Thousands of people were then able to get these files from the Internet. This violated copyright – the creator’s right to control his work.

The indictment says the group sometimes got CD’s that had not yet been released (published). Workers in the music industry helped them do this. Other times, it says, they bought CD’s that had just been released, then uploaded them.

They became known for having files no one else had had before.

The four could go to prison for up to five years. There could also be fines of up to $250,000 and other penalties.

Source

Printable PDF:Download Music Piracy.pdf (19.8K)

Death of Video Gamer

The Associated Press reports that a young Chinese man died in an Internet café in Guangzhou on Saturday. He had been playing computer games for three days without stopping. He may have died of exhaustion (being worn out).

Read more.

Can You Find the Punctuation Mistake in This?

You Are a Smart American

You know a lot about US history, and you're opinions are probably well informed. Congratulations on bucking stereotypes. Now go show some foreigners how smart Americans can be.

Are You a Dumb American?

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Very Well Traveled in Canada (80%) You Are Well Traveled in the Northeastern United States (43%) You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Southern United States (38%) You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Western Europe (36%) You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the United Kingdom (25%) You Are Mostly Untraveled in Scandinavia (20%) You Are Mostly Untraveled in Southern Europe (20%) You Are Mostly Untraveled in the Western United States (11%) You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%) You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%) You Are Untraveled in Latin America (0%) You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Midwestern United States (0%)

How Well Traveled Are You?

Your SAT Score of 1280 Means:

You Scored Higher Than Howard Stern You Scored Higher Than George W. Bush You Scored Lower Than Al Gore You Scored Lower Than David Duchovny You Scored Lower Than Natalie Portman You Scored Lower Than Bill Gates Your IQ is most likely in the 120-130 range Equivalent ACT score: 29 Schools that Fit Your SAT Score: Boston Univeristy University of California-Los Angeles University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Dickinson College Hampshire College

What Does Your SAT Score Mean?

Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

You Were Born Under:

Fierce and courageous - you are the king of every situation. You pounce and attack, until others give you want you want. Daring and magnetic, you inspire others to follow your lead. And while you're wild at heart, you have some hidden soft spots. You are most compatible with a Horse or Dog.

What Year Were You Born Under?

You Are Internal - Realist - Empowered

You feel your life is controlled internally. If you want something, you make it happen. You don't wait around for things to go your way. You value your independence and don't like others to have control. You are a realist when it comes to luck. You don't attribute everything to luck, but you do know some things are random. You don't beat yourself up when bad things happen to you... But you do your best to try to make your own luck. You have a good deal of power, but you also know the pecking order. You realize that working the system does get you further. You know who to defer to and who to control. When it comes to the game of life, you play things flawlessly.

The Three Dimension Luck and Power Test

If You Were American, What Part Would You Come From? (Or, Where Does Your English Teacher Come From?)

Your Linguistic Profile::

55% General American English

25% Yankee

10% Dixie

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

(Note: "Yankee" is a slang word for people from New England, in the northeastern U.S. "Dixie" is a nickname for the South. The Midwest is the central northern part of the country. -- Editor)

Take This Quiz

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?