The technology has systemic problems, according to a technical review of the software performed by IIT Research Institute (IITRI), of McLean, Va. The not-for-profit group researches and develops technology for private and government entities. The company performed a technical review of the Carnivore system for the FBI and published its results in November 2000. The FBI would not comment on whether the problems outlined in the IITRI report have been repaired, or which problems remain.

MS-NBC - Business pros flock to Weblogs. Popular online diaries create new form of journalism

Omar Javaid describes himself as a "pretty prolific" Internet reader who used to fire off hundreds of e-mails each week with news tidbits that might interest staff and customers of his consulting firm. Then about six months ago he began a sort of online diary known as a Weblog and began posting his thoughts and findings there instead.

Not a privacy thing. Just noting that this weblog thing seems to be going mainstream.