In N. Korea, use a cellphone and die

[F]ood supplies are again dwindling..there has been an increase in the number of people [trying to leave]..an estimated 23,000 defectors have now settled [in South Korea].
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People who are caught attempting to flee..usually end up in the North's network of hard labour camps..while repeat offenders can expect to be executed. .. [T]here are apparently fears in Pyongyang that the death of Kim could trigger public unrest..[which] would be encouraged by reports sent..by mobile phone about conditions outside North Korea [and] of the popular uprisings in the Middle East..that toppled long-ruling dictators..   

   
Tineka Smith adds background:

The strict stipulation arrives as North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-un..works to build his power and reputation. .. Kim Jong-Il died 17 December 2011 of a heart attack.
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As the internet is only accessible by a select group of people, North Koreans could find it tough..to be without mobile phones. .. 700,000 people use the country's 3G network with phone usage growing.   

Sam Biddle is no fan of the regime:

How could living in North Korea be worse? Hmm. Maybe..if using a phone potentially earned you the death penalty.
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North Korea is holding a 100-day-long “mourning period” for the late madman..the festivities include a cell phone moratorium.   

Jon Russell talks more of the highly-restricted Internet access:

Instead, North Korea has its own Intranet, “Kwangmyong”, which hosts between 1,300 and 5,500 pages of [official] information.
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[Just] 1.1 million (less than 5 percent) of its 24.5 million population own a fixed-line telephone.   

Meanwhile, Andy Weir searches for light at the end of the tunnel, but finds only darkness:

In a country..where the average monthly income is around $15 USD, where all popular culture..[is] geared towards the glorification of the..leadership, and where contact with the outside world is more or less unheard of..hope for a better way of life is certainly understandable.
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The edict comes as thousands of North Koreans are defying the will of the ruling Workers’ Party. .. [It's] a desperate attempt to prevent North Koreans from getting any wild ideas. .. In May of last year, the government confiscated thousands of phones..authorities also routinely monitor any international calls.
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Sadly, for the people of North Korea, the outlook remains just as bleak today as it did under the last guy.   

  
And Finally...
Beautiful HD timelapse of Yosemite[bonus: Behind the scenes]
  
 
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Richi Jennings is an independent analyst/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, and security. He's the creator and main author of Computerworld's IT Blogwatch -- for which he has won American Society of Business Publication Editors and Jesse H. Neal awards on behalf of Computerworld. He also writes The Long View for IDG Enterprise. A cross-functional IT geek since 1985, you can follow him as @richi on Twitter, pretend to be richij's friend on Facebook, or just use good old email: itbw@richij.com. You can also read Richi's full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.