I've touched on the whole New Google thing a few times, but only in reference to other people's comments. Here are some of my own. Get it? TRACKING!? :D
Friday 03rd February 2012
Google has merged their TOS... so?
Thursday 02nd February 2012
Your car was stolen in London too?
Sandra Laville, crime correspondent for The Guardian:
The Metropolitan police said emails were sent out to 1,136 victims, mostly of car theft or pickpockets, as part of a survey on 30 January. But the addresses were put in the wrong section of the email, which meant they were shared with other victims.
While New Google and Facebook are taking the headlines, I'd still argue the biggest threat to online privacy still comes from people misusing IT (and from Sherlock). Part of the solution is education and effective oversight, but even then we're all prone to making mistakes, and our software isn't perfect.
Perhaps the Metropolitan Police should look into using email clients with stricter field validation!
Thursday 02nd February 2012
Lord of the Rings Lego Minifigs
I think I just burst a blood vessel. I don't think I can wait until the Northern Hemisphere Summer!
My current minifigs and anime figs might get jealous though, that's the problem!
Thursday 02nd February 2012
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
On my botanic garden photo post, along with @hellanurie's lovely comment:
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney says: We love your photos of the Garden, Rubenerd. Thank you.
I think this is the first time I've had a representative from a place I've take pictures comment on them! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling, and makes me want to visit more often. Great PR! :')
I spent much of my teenage years on my iBook G3 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, when it wasn't raining. I love urban gardens, and Sydney's is beautiful.
Wednesday 01st February 2012
Scared of Google? You won't be of Microsoft!
Eager to capitalise on the concerns we share regarding Google's decision to "officially" drop Do No Evil, Frank X. Shaw from Microsoft has responded with a posting on the TechNet blog. Seriously!
Wednesday 01st February 2012
Yo trader, what Facebook at?
Facebook is about to go public. Typically what happens with such deals is the prospective public company enlists the assitance of an underwriter, who sells the shares on their behalf. Only a select few are given a crack at the first rounds before the stock is sold to the general public. Understandably, those who get in first make instant millions. Nice work if you can get it.
Sincerely, I've got to hand it to Mark Zuckerberg. Since starting Facebook to get the phone numbers of girls he was too embarrased to ask (darn, why didn't I think of that?), he's arguably demonstrated nothing but contempt for his users, yet here's his project on the cusp of earning billions. Meanwhile, to quote but one example, Julian Assange remains under house arrest. Think about that.
Tuesday 31st January 2012
Megauploads to delete user data?
Stewart Mitchell writing for PC Pro:
Prosecutors in the US plan to start deleting data from the servers of file-sharing site Megauploads this week.
Uh huh, sure ;).
The move has lead to claims that wiping files could make it impossible for the accused to defend themselves and deprive millions of users access to their personal files.
This doesn't pass the smell test for me. I fear that access to data will be revoked, but law enforcement will maintain it to mine at a later date. On hard drives without encryption that people leave in taxis by mistake, but that's another issue.
Monday 30th January 2012
Sydney Botanic Garden #photos, part 2
My Chinese New Year Twilight Parade photos are in the pipeline! In the meantime, here's part two of my Sydney Botanic Gardens stroll from Saturday!
Monday 30th January 2012
Mmm, Australian bank gravy
From the Australian @ABCNews:
Big four banks warned they may be downgraded by Fitch because of reliance on offshore funding
The Coalition and its sympathisers regularly take credit for the reforms instituted by Hawke and Keating, but what's really kept the coal-fired Australian juggernaut moving are mineral exports to booming markets, and a ready pool of cheap foreign credit. Banks could take money from depressed markets with low interest rates, then charge Australians local rates. Obviously, this disparity fuelled a gravy train like... a train powered by gravy. Mmm, gravy!
As for ratings agencies: well, I've voiced my opinion of them before, especially with regards to Ireland.
Saturday 28th January 2012
Sydney Botanic Garden #photos, part 1
While I wasn't on Twitter, I went with my old man around the Botanic Gardens with my D60 and my NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8. Nothing special, but I loved the colours ^^.