Author: migrant

‘Civil liberties? They’re safe.’ And if you believe that… | Technology | The Observer

‘Civil liberties? They’re safe.’ And if you believe that… | Technology | The Observer: My hunch is that the proposals were an attempt by the security services to slip one over politicians by selling them to senior officials in the Home Office, who, like their counterparts across the civil service, know sweet FA about technology and are liable to believe 10 implausible assertions before breakfast. In that sense, the Home Office has been “captured” by GCHQ and MI5 much as the health department has been captured by consultancy companies flogging ludicrous ICT projects.

Love the analogy

Road rules update soon

Next Sunday sees changes in the road rules here-to bring the country in line with every other country in the world. NZ is riding itself of the funny give way rules that boils down to having to give way, when you turn left into a road, a person wanting to turn right into the same road. A recipe for confusion for anyone visiting the country and a  recipe for accidents for the locals the way it works in some circumstances. Good riddance and welcome back the sensible approach.

Apples and Pads

Reports of the death of the PC are greatly exaggerated | Technology | The Observer: Granted, it has a significantly better display, a more powerful processor (therefore better graphics performance), a better camera, which will record HD video, and a wider range of mobile connectivity options. But otherwise, it’s the mixture as before – though that didn’t stop the Apple website being swamped on Wednesday evening, presumably by folks anxious to pre-order the newest new thing. (Memo to Apple: why not set up a system whereby customers’ salaries are paid directly to the company and they are then issued with food stamps and other necessities as the need arises?)

From http://memex.naughtons.org/

and also a great video piece on a similar theme