Russia vs Georgia
A big story in world news is that Russia has attacked it’s neighbor Georgia. Much of the Western news (and America) is condemning Russia for this. One thing that’s is somewhat overlooked is that South Ossetia is a self-declared independent state, although they are not officially recognized as as such yet by the United Nations. In addition South Ossetia nearly unanimously approved a referendum for independence in 2006 (although not recognized by Georgia). Georgia moved in with military force to reclaim South Ossetia. Sympathetic to Georgia, Russia came to their aid and have not only defended South Ossetia but has continued to attack Georgia its self and seize it’s capital.
So, is what Russia did justified?
Is their involvement to defend South Ossetia appropriate?
Is the Western news over-criticizing the Russians due to our relationship with Georgia?
I think in some regards Russia is being over criticized, but on the other hand they have gone way too far. Too far for me to sympathize for them. It’s almost as if Russia is trying to prove its self.
Shuttleworth taking on Apple; May not be so easy.
Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical, calls on Linux developers to make the presentation layer of desktop Linux applications even more attractive to users than Apple’s Mac OS.
-Apple has 8% marketshare. That’s both OS and Hardware. In any case with Linux at less than 1% right now, that’s going to be a VERY tough goal to meet.
-Linux needs more Manufacturer support. This is a must. Most people aren’t going to go and seek out Linux to install. Why would they? Windows probably gets all they want done and they’re never exposed to a Linux distro such as Ubuntu. Unfortunately Windows has all the apps they want and there isn’t a significant enough “improvement” or “difference” to make it worthwhile for the customer to seek out Linux, or at least learn what Linux has to offer them. If Linux was preloaded on more machines, more people would be likely to stick with it. Just look at the Eee and Everex’s desktop.
- If people do decide to put linux on their machine more drivers need to be installed or available OTB. Even I, someone fairly familiar with Linux, has trouble getting somethings working. Madwifi, Ndiswrapper, OSS, ALSA… No average user is going to know what to do with that. On new machines with Linux pre-installed this isn’t a problem, but if people decided they want to try linux this probably isn’t the case. Most machines usually have at least one or two hardware devices that need configuring. This is improved dramatically in the last few years, but it’s likely that many people will run into something.
-Advertising needs to be done. Like it or not, people need to know that Ubuntu (or any other distro of Linux) exists, it’s “free”, easy to set up, and is a good alternative. If people don’t know about it, they’re never going to consider it.
-When considering MacOS X keep in mind that Macs have more than looks going for it. OS X has excellent tools for graphic design and video editing built into the operating system. Quartz and Core Image are examples. Besides many of the benefits under the hood OS X is consistent and feels well polished. While the ability to use on other machines would certainly be nice, the trade off is a system in which the operating system and hardware work together in harmony. The “Mac” afterall is the combination of the OS, the Hardware, and the Software. Try using OSx86 or Windows on a Mac.
In any case, I wish the Ubuntu team the best of luck. Taking on Apple will be a much bigger task then they might realize.
The Mac OS X Support Essentials book is kind of snobbish
Knowing OS X very well I decided to buy the “Mac OS X Support Essentials” book recommended for the Apple Support Essentials Certification. I already know most everything this book has to offer, but I thought I’d be something to read and later perhaps I’ll take the ASE certification test.
Anyways, this book isn’t written by Apple but is Apple Certified and recommended as the book to read if you intend to take this certification test.
I go to the first paragraph and this is part of what I read:
QUOTE:
It would be foolish to ignore the exceptional quality and panache with which Apple creates its hardware. However, due to the homogenization of PC hardware, today’s Macintosh uses many of the same parts found in lesser computers. So it’s not the processor, nor the storage, nor even the trend-setting design that alone set Apple’s computers apart from the competition. The same thing that makes the Macintosh special is also responsible for elevating simple hardware to functional computer. Thus, the true “soul” of a computer, is its operating system.
Wow….
I know this is written by an independent author, but as a certified OS X training book the fandom is big. That aside, it seems to be a good book.
Warentless Wiretapping Advertised by AT&T.
Apparently warantless wiretapping is something you want, because AT&T is now advertising warantless wiretapping as part of an “Online Liberation Movement.” Online banking isn’t something that Ms. Suspicious should worry about. She should leave her cellular banking information in the hands of AT&T and the government.
Privacy? No! It’s not important. Trust in the government.
AT&T’s attempt to popularize and advertise the lack of the right to privacy is not only sad and somewhat disturbing, but as The Consumerist puts it: a joke. Any time the government or large corporations try to woo people into trusting them with their privacy and sensitive information unquestionably is when some concern should be raised.
An image of what’s found on AT&T’s site is provided bellow:
Spread the word how great McCain is. (We’ll reward you with points)
Apparently the Republican party has found the perfect way to gain supports. All you have to do is go to a few websites and say why McCain is so great! Thanks to your loyalty to the GOP submit a link to where you are promoting McCain and be rewarded “points.” To help you in this task of great well-doing, just visit the official John McCain website. There are a number of target blogs including famous Liberal and Conservative sites, perfect and waiting just for you. While you’re there you’ll probably want to sign up for McCainSpace. It’s the perfect place for the Conservative Web 2.0ers. Some how, I don’t think McCain devised this scheme considering he doesn’t know how to use a computer.
Place to get points: http://www.johnmccain.com/ActionCenter/BlogInteract/BlogInteract.aspx
So McCain, how many points do I get for that blog post?
Sarcasm aside, what are you’re thoughts? I think it’s a bit over the top, even almost slightly unethical. Perhaps it’s really no big deal. People rant about their political views often, I do. Should a presidential campaign really ask and reward people to do so though?
Culture of Tech: Free Speech and Software. What is Truly Free Speech?
The Culture of Tech:
As I have mentioned before (on my previously retired blog) the world of technology and the internet has it’s own society, culture, communities, and politics. People who use Macs think and have a very different community than those who use Linux or Windows. Everyone has a different view on the other. To others Mac users are thought of being somewhat snobbish, somewhat elitist in attitude always loyal to company. Linux users are hippies, often poorly mannered and somewhat arrogant. Windows users are sheep and are ignorant or uninformed. Plus Solaris users… Who are they? I wouldn’t necessarily agree with any these stereotypes, but they exist for some of the die-hard Operating Fans and start to outline the differences in communities. I personally use all of these operating systems. I primarily use MacOS X, I use Windows XP for gaming and my work, and Linux on three of my laptops. These communities extend outside of Operating systems. On the Internet there’s IRC, Social Networks, Usenet, Games, ect. The internet is the true “wild west” of the modern world.
Free Speech and Software:
One of the principal issues of the users of Linux and the Open Source community is freedom of speech with software. What’s this? As defined by the Free Software Foundation at http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-sw.html the four freedoms are as following:
I have begun to truly appreciate Open Source Software after starting to use Ubuntu more heavily on my ultra-mobile Eee PC. The ability to freely use, distribute, and modify the operating system for what I need excellent. This is in sharp contrast to where at work I support Windows machines which deal with licenses for nearly every piece of software used. In the Mac world the “Mac” is an entire package in which the operating system is tailored for the hardware. For Macs, you have little control over what hardware you can use, and instead put faith in Apple in a well working machine. In my experience, Apple does an excellent job, but if you want to do anything outside of what they “allow” you’re mostly out of luck.
In order for software to be “free” the source code must be available to everyone, hence the name “Open Source.” One argument I have been getting fairly often for Free Software Foundation advocates is that if the software is proprietary (it isn’t Open Source) then you are actively limiting free speech. In my opinion, true “free speech” for software is the choice to choose between Open-Source and Proprietary software. If you choose Proprietary software and aren’t being forced to, then it’s a valid “free-speech” choice. If someone where to condemn and oppress proprietary software, in a way I think that would be limiting freedom of speech. The existence of proprietary software doesn’t prevent you from choosing Open-Source. If one is better than the other for you, then you should be able to pick what you want.
What are your thoughts? Does the existence of proprietary software work towards limiting free speech?
American Media and the War: “I’d blow my brains out”
She has a very good point. American broadcast news is certainly degrading. Also, now a-days many Americans seem to forget that people actually die in wars, or are at least desensitized to the news. It doesn’t help that the news doesn’t cover it better. What do you thing people would think if they showed coffins or dead bodies on the 10-o-clock news? Vulgar perhaps, but I bet a lot of people would start realizing the gravity of the situation.
McCain can’t use a computer. That’s a big problem. This is why.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-admits-he-doesnt-k_n_106478.html
Ok, so people of old age not being able to use computers makes sense most of the time, but McCain? Prospective presidential candidate? This is unacceptable.
Sure, I am an IT major and doing most things with computers is nearly second nature, but why is this an issue?
Well, for one thing, computers are common tools used by everyone. It’s a fundamental tool of society in America. A basic working knowledge of how to use a computer should be established for anyone with a job, if not to learn how to email your family and friends.
The biggest thing that disturbs me is that this is a person who is supposed to help establish new laws, many of which involve technology in some respect. In the last few years issues such as Net Neutrality (Keeping ISPs from degrading opposing business by limiting/altering your accessing to them as an internet provider), online censorship, digital rights (DRM, RIAA, MPAA,), and fair use (right to have limited “fair” rights to media for things such as copying a CD to a program such as iTunes). This can extend much further into business, cyber defense, even foreign relations. The knowledge and extent of technology in today’s society expands and can be applied in nearly every political arena of debate.
Since McCain admits he doesn’t even know how to use a basic home PC, my question is how can he possible have a good understanding and make a competent decision on anything regarding technology?
Some fields, such as economics, religion, even war, decisions can be made off of a strong and working knowledge of the subject, even if the politician hasn’t experienced it. Technology however requires you at least have a basic understanding of it in order to start to grasp the concepts of the issues behind it. Positions and companies have tried to apply old models built for other mediums and situations to the digital scene, almost always ending in a disaster. The culture of ownership between big businesses, particularly when it comes to multimedia, have gotten to the point of ridiculousness where companies ignore their customers and sue out of fear that their business might be compromised.
All these problems stem from an ignorance of what they are trying to work with. While there are always advisers and consultants, the president ultimately sets the ball rolling in one direction or another. There is no excuse why someone should have such a position and have no idea of what he is changing the landscape of. As president of the United States, I say that’s a high enough position to state that.
While computers and technology may not seem like a big issue in the upcoming election, keep in mind the underlying implications. I mean this in the most broadest sense.
President Bush’s Speech in Israel and Attacks on Democrats
I can understand president Bush not agreeing with Sen. Obama and the Democratic party, but Bush’s blatant political attacks are not only poor taste, but unacceptable for a president of the United States. To make this worse, he made this speech to a foreign audience criticizing domestic United States politics. Bush connecting Democrats with Nazi Germany and Hitler in his attacks while in Israel for their 60th anniversary further adds to the inappropriateness of his speech. On top of this Bush in a previous statement said he wouldn’t get involved with the upcoming election. Clearly he didn’t honor his statement.
I’ve never really agreed with most things that Bush has done or supported, but I have never really had an opinion on him as a person beyond political stances. His recent actions have had me really start to dislike him however. I am, quite frankly, truely surprised and with many of the things he has done. He is being reckless and a bad representative of the United States. McCain didn’t help the matter in seizing the opportunity to further politically attack Obama. At this point, I’m looking forward to next January.
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