New Links on the BlogRoll
I added 2 new links to the BlogRoll; they are Wired and Tech News Today (TNT).
This should come as no surprise since they are both technology news site and netcast.
iron wil
Google says, “No Windows!”
This week I noticed something quite interesting3 different articles [Google: We don't do Windows; Google to employees: 'Mac or Linux, but no more Windows'; and Mac OS X and Linux are no magic security bullet for Google] covering Google letting go or Windows machines because of the security vulnerabilities. The attack on Google via Internet Explorer that caused the loss of Google Code was announced last year. This year Google is moving their employees off of Windows boxes to Linux or Mac OS machines.
They even point out this is a security move for the company and they intend to cycle over 20,000 computers. That is a lot of hardware a whole lot of hardware!!! It is an interesting and impressive move.
I know that there are Windows users that are going to call this bogus and complain and Troll the blogs; but either way, Google has made a statement.
iron wil
My 2¢:
Go Google! Windows is becoming more secure and more reliable. Mac & Linux have been leading with certain features and a stronger security posture. Those computers [Windows] are a big target and hopefully, that target will shrink because the software is becoming more secure.
Where is the Pirate Bay?
Earlier this week the German Courts shut down a German ISP that was hosting The Pirate Bay, a famous file sharing website. May 18th, the Pirate Party of Sweden announced that they have taken over the hosting of The Pirate Bay. This is a huge political and social move by the Pirate Party of Sweden. Christian Engström, Pirate MEP, has posted several articles on his blog in relation to what is happening with both.
Are Technica has several articles on the subject with the latest one, Pirate Party hosting Pirate Bay in pro-P2P political gesture being the latest one. The copyright battle is ongoing and this is going to be a much bigger fight than the RIAA or the MPAA could have imagined. This is not a US vs. the World battle, this is a copyright and usage argument. It comes down to letting others use material for creative purposes or not. The big companies will try to prevent the usage of media and materials for creative endeavors.
File sharers will still trade things online. The difference will be whether there will be fair use for creative purposes or not. I am siding with fair use.
iron wil
Links for 2010.05.14
Recently I came across 2 websites that I found totally hilarious and needed to share them.
Scoopertino is a well done FAKE news site that targets Apple and the shenanigans that surround the company; things like the lost iPhone, iPad 2.0 Demo, and several other items that have been in the news and rumor mill.
Mark’s NewsToons App for the iPhone received a lot of attention when it was turned down and then approved at the App Store. I came across his video Obama vs. Obama; but don’ t let that discourage you; because he mocks everyone.
I hope you enjoy these sites.
iron wil
Are we getting 700MHz screwed?
Two recent articles on Ars Technica, Small wireless carriers: always stuck with crappy phones? and No iPhone for Alaska? Rural cell phone group asks FCC to act, highlight the problems that are facing the spreading of powerful hand-held devices like the iPhone, Android handsets, and other Smartphones. Before I have talked about my excitement to see Smartphones capable of moving between carriers, like in Europe, and the power that would give the consumer. I have highlighted the openness that Google pushed for with the 700MHz bandwidth sale. The question comes down to whether we will actually see it happen or not.
The small wireless carriers are prohibited from getting the better devices because the mobile providers lock the manufacturer into contracts that prevent them from selling to everyone. Verizon and AT&T said that they would open their services so that customers would be able to bring the device they wanted to their network or move to another. However, we are still locked into contracts and carriers because of incompatible hardware and exclusivity contracts.
Despite the promises, we currently don’t see a change on the horizon.
In the other article the small or rural carriers ask the FCC to intervene and disrupt the exclusivity contracts. These issues affect all those that want to take their iPhone to Verizon or another carrier. This has a larger implementation that just the little guys that want to bring the latest bling to their networks.
The next change in hardware and services should, I hope, see the creation of a 700MHz chipset that will allow the owner of the hardware to migrate to the best provider for the area they live in. I believe, eventually, that the carriers will become like the internet providers today and who you have won’t matter as much as the quality of service and the device you have.
Who wouldn’t like to have the iPhone in Alaska or Vermont?
iron wil
The Future of the iPad
The iPad comes directly from Alan Kay’s dynabook and Apple‘s 1987 video on the knowledge navigator. Jon Udell wrote a blog post back in 2003 titled Computers that mimic intelligence that talks about his expectations of how soon we will reach a semblance of the dynabook and knowledge navigator.
If you have been paying attention, Apple recently bought Siri, ‘Your Virtual Personal Assistant’. Their tag line … “You Ask, Siri Does”. 3G and soon to come 4G services, or ubiquitous wireless services and a person can get access to their data anywhere. It is coming and I am excited to see next years products.
So, if you take all the things I have been thinking about the iPad from my previous posts, it is understandable where Apple is going. They know what they are looking forward and planning for. Do you see it?
iron wil
Previous Posts:
Verizon pulls a 180 on the Band Width Auction
The iPhone and Wired prove ME right!
Rotten Apples? Nope, Just Complaints
Mother’s Day Poem 2010
a Mother is an angel sent by Heavenly Father
she is a healer, helper, and nurturer
she has so much love for her children
that she willing suffer to keep them safe from harm
she will face physical danger and wade deep into unsavory places
She will spend years on her knees so that her children
will accept the gospel of Jesus Christ
She will stay up late to see them safely return home
Not to mention sleepless nights to serve her infant’s needs
hours spent in teaching the most basic of things
reading, coloring, writing, self-esteem, sharing, and love
to name a scant few
She is a glory to behold in all of nature
a mother at work is like nothing else
there is no fury greater, no love stronger, no smile brighter
there is no beauty more sublime then when a mother holds her child
no wonder more great than the miracle of mother
iron wil
2010.05.08
