As a devout Pastafarian, I am obsessed with all things piratical. After all, one of the basic doctrines of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is that global warming is caused by the decline in pirates. Avast me hearties, ’tis September 19 today, and that means “talk like a Read more…
I still remember how we looked at the Internet in the early days, and how many of us thought that it could never be regulated. Years later, a large firewall and a rather effective gambling ban have proved us wrong. This is why I keep reading every year JPB’s Declaration Read more…
With names like Track, Trig and Bristol, the world is awash with potential Palin baby names. What would you be named if you were a Palin baby? Now you can find out! Apparently, I would have been Claw Palin. I like that!
I have always been interested in the depiction of computers in popular fiction. One early computer meme represented the percentage crunching computer/robot that would helpfully tell the protagonists the percentage rate of survival for X situation (“You have a 2% chance to survive that jump”). While computer predictions are not Read more…
You know you’ve been to too many conferences… …when your office wall looks like this.
I am feeling a bit cyclical (and cynical) this week. Amusing copyright case from the States? Check. Scientologists unleashing havoc? Check. Underwhelming Apple keynote? Check. The end is nigh? Check. Perhaps I’ve been infected by Cascio’s cynicism (thanks panGloss). I’ve been reading that DRM has delivered us with yet another Read more…
Edinburgh University honorary graduate Joanne Kathleen Rowling (right) has won her case against Steven Vander Ark, the author of the Harry Potter Lexicon (the site is now down). I have been following this case with interest, as I believe it is a prime example of the growing conflict between traditional Read more…
Scientology has had a long and interesting history at the courts in using copyright law to remove content which it deems infringes its rights (*cough*censorship*cough*). Scientologists have repeatedly used copyright law in order to remove most references to aliens, Xenu, volcanoes, and DC-10 planes from public debate by alleging that Read more…
The browser wars have just gotten a bit more interesting with the release of Google Chrome. While I am too addicted to Firefox, Chrome appears to be an interesting experiment. However, the Chrome EULA raised some eyebrows, as it contained the following clause: “11. Content licence from you11.1 You retain Read more…
I think that everyone can agree that one of the problems with piracy is that it may have negative effect on some musicians. There is evidence that the music industry has become more reluctant to sign new acts and is relying on old names to stay afloat; and some small Read more…