Category Archives: Internet

Techy bits 'n' bobs

I was called to work five or six hours early today, hence the lack of proper posting. I did, however, come across these interesting technology stories.

Microsoft says a Zune phone “not unreasonable”. Not content with losing to Apple’s iPod in the digital music player stakes, the technology supergiant is prepared to do battle in the phone market as well. Microsoft has previously said a phone was definitely on the way and that it was not part of the company’s strategy. However, the firm has shown a willingness to pour money into fields where it isn’t an established player so it isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

China sells iPhones despite US-only release. It can make calls (but not receive them) and send text messages (but the voicemail feature doesn’t work). All for a smidge below $1,200. Some people have more money than sense.

Sony may start movie download service. The company hasn’t been in the best of shape recently, so it makes sense for it to explore other sources of revenue.

Money at your fingertips as digital payments hit German stores. Out with the wallet, in with scanning your fingerprints and deducting the money from your bank account. A ridiculously useful technology, although I have concerns regarding fraud and privacy.

Most Chinese children spent vacation online: poll. Only 4% of the little ‘uns went out and played during their break from school.

Links of the day

The forces of time and work are against me, so this will be short and sweet.

If you’re not moved by this you have no heart: Ollie Byrne RIP and the friendship of pets. How the late owner of Shelbourne FC ditched everything one January night to help somebody find their lost cat. (Michael Nugent)

A sure cause of controversy: Diggers laying a pipe under the Al-Aqsa mosque may have found part of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. This will be incredible if it’s true. (Catholicgauze)

Feeling the pinch: China’s key oil producers may suspend petrol imports. The country needs to supply its own people first, which isn’t a bad philosophy. (AFP)

“I will remind the deppity”: John O’Donoghue in full fury on the floor of Dáil Éireann. Damien resurrects our brave Ceann Comhairle’s attempts to keep control of the house, only for him to show what a flustering hothead he really is. (Damien Mulley)

Fight for your rights: Stop being a slave to your email. Go on, strike back! (Lifehacker)

Transport, but not as we know it: Flying cars are going on sale in the next couple of months. Woohoo! (BBC)

Blogs and the wider world: More women blogging than men. About 8% of Americans have their own blog, according to a survey; although because said survey was conducted among people using an online service the results likely do not reflect reality. (Blorge.com)

Creepy crawlies: Got arachnophobia? Here’s your worst nightmare. A vast web crawling with millions of spiders that is spreading across several acres of a Texas park (and the picture with the article is amazing). (International Herald Tribune)

Fighting words: Kung fu monks seek apology for ninja affront. Shaolin monks are a bit miffed at claims by one web user that they were beaten in unarmed combat by a ninja.  (Reuters)

YouTube unblocked

Thailand has lifted a ban on its citizens accessing the video-sharing website provided it doesn’t allow files that break Thai laws or offend the people.

According to AP, Information and Communication Technology Minister Sitthichai Phokai-udom:

told The Nation [a major newspaper] that YouTube had finished creating a program that would block sensitive video clips from being accessed through Thai Internet service providers.

Thailand takes offences regarding the king seriously — just think of the Swiss man who was jailed for 10 years after he defaced posters with the king’s picture (he was subsquently pardoned and deported). The ban on YouTube came in after a clip was posted showing digitally-altered images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej next to a photo of feet. This is a grave insult in Thailand, as the people believe feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.

I wasn’t able to find the clip in question, but there are many others about the king: some complimentary, some hostile. Watch at your own risk.

The ban raised legitimate questions about freedom of speech. Google, which owns YouTube, has decided not to remove the offensive clips, just ensure they can’t be seen in Thailand, to preserve this right. Freedom of expression is limited in Thailand, particularly since the military began shutting down political websites in the aftermath of the coup. (Ethics is a seperate concern — Thai media regularly shows pictures of people who have committed suicide, complete with smiling police officers next to the body.)

I think it’s fair enough for YouTube to respect Thai laws, though inevitably somebody will come up with a way to circumvent the filters. But where does it end?

We must always remember that Google is a company in search of growth and new markets.

The most blatant example of its working with the authorities is China, where it has modified the search engine to exclude the likes of Tiananmen Square and the Falun Gong movement. China is such a vast and growing market that not making a few compromises would curtail Google’s standing there, thus having a negative impact on its business potential in the country. That’s not to say we have to like what it did. I also have concerns about how much personal data it’s keeping on all of us.

Was Thailand right to have Google develop this filter? Was Google right to give in? Does Thai law need a major overhaul? Have your say in the comments box.

Things that make you go 'hmm'

In a good way. Some are funny, some are just intriguing.

Good vibrations: An 86-year-old Jewish doctor has donated 12 surfboards to Gaza to promote peace. (AP)

Aiming high: A one-legged father of 78 is marrying two more women as he goes for 100 by 2015. (CNN/Emirates Today)

The power of words: The influence of pronouns in brain function. (Anthropology.net/Science Daily)

In it for the long haul: Venezuela’s congress has approved constitutional reforms that could let Hugo Chavez rule for a long, long time. (AP/Boston Globe)

The good thief: A gunman holding up a convenience store halted his robbery to wait on a couple who eagerly accepted a pack of smokes and other items without paying. (Kansas City TV)

The great debate: Are gadgets and the internet actually addictive? (CNN)

A new power: Mysterious Italian crime syndicate linked to massacre in Germany eclipses Sicilian Mafia. (International Herald Tribune)

What I'm reading

Some of the articles that caught my eye on my day off:

Scholars and Rogues: No relief from heat on Iran in sight. Russ Wellen says that although there are hopeful signs for a diplomatic solution to conflict between the US and Iran, there is no excuse for relaxing one’s vigilance.

(London) Times: Why I put my money on the elephant over the dragon. Maria Misra says India may beat China in the economic stakes.

Project Syndicate: Better red than dead? Former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff argues that support for capitalism will be severely tested in the near future as would-be egalitarian health systems face ever-rising costs.

Christian Science Monitor: How to make peace using the principles of war. P Surdas Mohit cites Sun Tzu while arguing the UN/AU force for Darfur can succeed if lessons are learned from peacekeeping failures in the past.

Alertnet: Africans warm to Sudan mission, but forget Somalia. Six countries have quickly promised troops for Darfur but Somalia is still waiting for the 8,000 AU peacekeepers who were supposed to arrive this year.

Newsweek: Facebook grows up. A look at how Mark Zuckerburg (provided he survives the lawsuit) is trying to build the business while keeping it cool.

BBC: Red Army virus to combat MRSA. A bacteria-eating virus used by the Soviet military could kick the superbug’s candy ass.

Craig Stoltz: Proposed: An end to bylines. Oh I know a lot of reporters who won’t be happy with that…

Mybloghasnoname: Beautiful people earn 12% more than Ugly Bettys. According to the Journal of Economic Psychology this is mainly because good-looking people are considered more helpful and co-operative. Hmm.