Archive for the ‘Tech’ Category
Better than a power cut, I guess
If my responses to your comments and emails are a little slower than usual, here’s why: That slender cable is my (and my neighbours down the street from that point) connection to the outside world (phone/internet). It’s been like that since the 8th of June: 8/6/13 10:57 am From Telecom Support: Your Land Line issue […]
Dystopia and unease about the Surveillance State
How topical. New Zealand’s National government is currently pushing through (under urgency) law changes to expand the powers of our state eavesdroppers and spies (including the Government Communications Security Bureau, GCSB). NSA Whistle-blower Edward Snowden this week highlighted the ongoing operation by the US and its allies (including New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada, ‘Five eyes’) […]
OS X Grumpy Cat
Apple’s just announced new Mac OS X software along with a revamped iOS (7) for iPhone/iPad. Apparently they’re calling it ‘Mavericks’ ending the big cat references (I use OS X ‘Mountain Lion’). Shame they couldn’t make use of this one. (I mean, half the work’s been done for them …) – P
Unmissable video of NSA Whistleblower Ed Snowden. Seriously, WATCH THIS.
Here’s Glenn Greenwald’s NSA whistle-blower source. Watch this very impressive, courageous man explain his motives. Must see. Really. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden: ‘I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things’ – VIDEO The Guardian Boy! Guts combined with a relentlessly rational laying out of the issues that confront democracy and […]
Google denies PRISM direct access or back doors
What the…? Dear Google users— You may be aware of press reports alleging that Internet companies have joined a secret U.S. government program called PRISM to give the National Security Agency direct access to our servers. As Google’s CEO and Chief Legal Officer, we wanted you to have the facts. First, we have not joined […]
This hoovering up of ‘meta data’ is getting downright creepy
Remember this map from my 2011 post?: Despite that, your honour, I wasn’t ACTUALLY there. Read this and tell me it doesn’t make you just a little antsy … The National Security Agency is currently collecting the telephone records of millions of US customers of Verizon, one of America’s largest telecoms providers, under a top […]
Who is better at snooping? GCSB or Google?
Microsoft ‘internal’ video. Read the background at The Verge: Leaked Scroogled video sees Microsoft parody Google’s Chrome ad – P
So, pilots can use iPads during take-off … when can we?
I remember posting the news way back in February 2011 that an airline had approved the use of iPads for flight plans (Had to happen: iPad approved for flight plans) then in July ’11, that Airbus offers iPad Electronic Flight Bag solution … but it’s been a long time coming. Yesterday I caught up with […]
Smart watch?
I own several watches. The one I use the most has a self-charging mechanism (no batteries, ever) driving a dead accurate quartz movement in a titanium and gold case with matching t&g strap. It’s very light and unobtrusive, except sometimes at night. The watch face glows in the dark — not the hands and numbers […]
See? This why I just don’t trust Google
Yeah, like a lot of people I use the Google Reader API to sync my RSS — but only because they monstered everyone else out of the “market” * and many of the standalone RSS reader apps (especially iOS based readers, but also Vienna and NetNewsWire) switched to use Google Reader to sync feeds, subscriptions […]
I haz Vodafone LTE in Auckland
I rang Vodafone yesterday and agreed to the extra $10 a month to enable 4G LTE on my iPhone 5. I could see from their coverage map that my home in Howick isn’t “in the zone”, and my Epsom office is on the margin (as it turns out, no dice there either). So I’ve yet […]
Samsung’s walk in the park
Daniel Eran Dilger is a ranter — but a ranter who builds a persuasive case by (often sarcastically) citing facts, history and numbers. I have a lot of time for him. I appreciate his attention span. This very dense paragraph (below) is from one of his wonderful takedowns — in this case of a pliant business press […]
Computer coding as super power
I was a geek way back, too. – P PS: Look at all the Macs! hat tip: EmpowerNetwork.com
A better Bond 50 year montage
Cool. – P via Dave Pell
