February 26th, 2008 by ThunderDragon
Archive for the 'Technology' Category
February 8th, 2008 by ThunderDragon
Free Blackberry for every MP? I can’t see why not, considering that the majority of companies do this sort of thing for their managers. And if it helps them do more, it’s worth it. However:
Sharon Hodgson, like all other MPs, can borrow a personal digital assistant (PDA) from Parliament’s IT department.
But the gadgets loaned were “not in the same league” as a Blackberry, she said.
But the gadgets loaned were “not in the same league” as a Blackberry, she said.
Well, I’m sorry but that’s just tough. If you want a better gadget than that offered to you, then you can buy it from your not-inconsiderable salary.
All We Want For Christmas…
December 10th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
… is to download classic Christmas songs and get them into the Top 40. The power of the internet strikes again!
This is why I think that the internet and downloads will make, rather than break, the music industry. Cheaper, more accessible, music means that people will be far more willing to spend money on it! I have never bought CDs because of the expense, but I will buy downloads - they are cheaper and faster.
The iTit
November 21st, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Apple Press Release Apple Computers announced today that it has developed a computer chip that can store and play music in women’s breast implants. The iTit will cost $499, $599, or $799 depending on speaker size.This is considered to be a major breakthrough because women have always complained about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.
In honour of Theo Spark, a blogger unfairly and quite ridiculously put behind a Google “Content Warning”. Free the Outlaw Blogger!
November 6th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
1 bn txts pr wk:
Britons are now sending more than one billion text messages per week according to the latest figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA).
The figure is 25% higher than a year ago and is set to shatter forecasts for how many text messages have been sent to and from handsets this year.
That weekly total is the same as the number sent during the whole of 1999. (BBC)
The figure is 25% higher than a year ago and is set to shatter forecasts for how many text messages have been sent to and from handsets this year.
That weekly total is the same as the number sent during the whole of 1999. (BBC)
That’s a helluva lot of text messages! A sign of the times.
16 Billion Pixels
October 30th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
The Last Supper, now viewable in sixteen billion pixels. Yes, sixteen billion! You can zoom right up as if you were just a few centimetres from the painting itself.
Terrorism By Google Earth
October 25th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Palestinian militants are using Google Earth to help plan their attacks on the Israeli military and other targets, the Guardian has learned.
Members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group aligned with the Fatah political party, say they use the popular internet mapping tool to help determine their targets for rocket strikes.
“We obtain the details from Google Earth and check them against our maps of the city centre and sensitive areas,” Khaled Jaabari, the group’s commander in Gaza who is known as Abu Walid, told the Guardian…
The Google Earth mapping program includes satellite maps and detailed 3D models of some areas. Although the satellite images are only updated on an irregular basis - meaning that pictures of mobile targets would be unusable - some defence experts have said the easy availability of information can increase the risks for military organisations. (The Guardian)
Members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a group aligned with the Fatah political party, say they use the popular internet mapping tool to help determine their targets for rocket strikes.
“We obtain the details from Google Earth and check them against our maps of the city centre and sensitive areas,” Khaled Jaabari, the group’s commander in Gaza who is known as Abu Walid, told the Guardian…
The Google Earth mapping program includes satellite maps and detailed 3D models of some areas. Although the satellite images are only updated on an irregular basis - meaning that pictures of mobile targets would be unusable - some defence experts have said the easy availability of information can increase the risks for military organisations. (The Guardian)
What are they going to suggest as a means to stop this? Banning Google Earth? There isn’t anything that can be done to stop them from using it. Quite an ingenious idea, though, really. Very clever use of available resources.
Sources: The Guardian, The Telegraph
Email in the Chamber
October 24th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
I am very much for this modernisation. As I wrote before when the idea was raised:
Quite frankly, it is a long overdue modernisation. In fact, I would go further and say that MPs should also be allowed to take laptops in. That way, MPs can continue doing constituency and other work whilst aiding in holding the government to account.Having the ability to do other work whilst waiting to speak in a debate would also allow MPs to increase their efficiency and give us, the British taxpayers, better value for money. Instead of sitting on the green benches for
hours with little or nothing that they can do, having the opportunity to do other work, such as answering constituents’ emails.Britain is a modern nation, and it is really about time that our democratic institutions begin to reflect this… Of course, precautions would have to be taken with the noise that such equipment makes, but that should really be a minor effect, especially if silent “rubber keyboards” like those on the Welsh Assembly computers were used.
It is simply about time that MPs can email in the Commons. Iain Dale is “totally against” it, but I just can’t see any reasons why. It just makes no sense. Parliament must not be cut off from society.
I am also very much for the “open questions” period, but I’m not convinced by the idea of giving new MPs three weeks to “settle in” before the House of Commons returns to session after a general election.
No More Anonymongs?
October 22nd, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Is there to be an end to anonymous online comments?
Disgruntled fans of Sheffield Wednesday who vented their dissatisfaction with the football club’s bigwigs in anonymous internet postings may face expensive libel claims after the chairman, chief executive and five directors won a high-court ruling last week forcing the owner of a website to reveal their identity.
The case, featuring the website owlstalk.co.uk, is the second within days to highlight the danger of assuming that the apparent cloak of anonymity gives users of internet forums and chatrooms carte blanche to say whatever they like…
Exposing the identity of those who post damaging lies in cyberspace is a growth area for libel lawyers. (The Guardian)
The case, featuring the website owlstalk.co.uk, is the second within days to highlight the danger of assuming that the apparent cloak of anonymity gives users of internet forums and chatrooms carte blanche to say whatever they like…
Exposing the identity of those who post damaging lies in cyberspace is a growth area for libel lawyers. (The Guardian)
It is unlikely that this will really make much difference. The ways in which to hide and protect your identity online are legion, and this sort of story will just increase them. It will never be possible to identify who’s who online, as every level of detection will be countered by several layers dedicated to preserving anonyminity.
What this does show, however, is that it is very much becoming less easy - or at least more troublesome - to be and remain anonymous online. Many bloggers write under pseudonyms, like I do - even though my real name is openly shown on this page, and easily findable by anyone who can be bothered - but this won’t really make my difference to that. Certainly until they bring in thought crimes, anyway.
via A. Tory
Source: The Guardian
September 16th, 2007 by ThunderDragon
Gerbils in space!
The Russian space agency has blasted ten gerbils into space for a 12-day mission to test the possible effects on humans of a flight to Mars.
The small mammals, similar to mice and rats, are being kept in special cages with a supply of nuts and cereals.
Day and night will be simulated and special machines will clean their excrement in the weightless conditions…
The furry rodents lifted off from the Russian-run Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan on Friday in a Soyuz rocket. (BBC)
The small mammals, similar to mice and rats, are being kept in special cages with a supply of nuts and cereals.
Day and night will be simulated and special machines will clean their excrement in the weightless conditions…
The furry rodents lifted off from the Russian-run Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan on Friday in a Soyuz rocket. (BBC)
There is nothing else that I can add.
