Archive for April, 2008
Human Rights and Political Wrongs
So, Tibet; I haven't yet made a statement on what I think about the events unfolding around the Olympic Games in China this year and the protests as a result of the human rights violations in Tibet. It's tricky to say why really without offending somebody but here goes anyway.In the last couple of months we have heard nothing but political figures preparing to boycott the Olympic ceremonies in China this year. Yet again another wonderful example of politics having a profound and detrimental effect on ordinary folk who don't really have anything to do with the problems. The big question that I [...]
I’m a mixture of superheros
Much like Paul and Shane, I have a hard time resisting these little "what xyz are you" tests. Today's offering is "What Superhero are you?". I seem to lean towards a majority Spiderman/Flash, no doubt because I failed to say that I hate redheads which invariably means that I am somehow enthralled by Mary Jane and thus I am Spiderman and because I said I like to run fast and thus I am the Flash. :) Anyway such is the way... You are Spider-Man Spider-Man 80% The Flash 75% Superman 70% Hulk 60% Green Lantern 60% Iron Man 55% Wonder Woman 50% Robin 50% Catwoman 40% Batman [...]
Dilbert goes to Feedburner
I had wondered for the last few days where my daily dosage of Dilbert in my Google Reader had gone to. Today I see an update on the old feed to alert me to a new feed URL (http://feeds.feedburner.com/DilbertDailyStrip). So I'm back in Dilbert land again. In addition to the new URL all the comic strips now appear to be in colour. Personally I preferred the simplicity of the B&W 3-cell images with a colour bonus at the weekend but I doubt that it will detract from the splendid humour of Scott Adams and co.
Fruits of our New Labour?
A couple of years ago I was talking to some friends about the political climate. In terms of party politics, the PDs had been decimated, Fianna Fáil had seized the country's minds through no fault of their own but rather a global boom period of 10 years, Fine Gael were suffering because of the digs at Enda in the media and public domain, the Greens would always maintain the minority, and Labour, well that was the interesting one. My view was that I could see that the Labour party had a great deal of senior people in the top ranks but sadly that was also their undoing. They lacked fresh blood [...]
Thinking of investing? A change of career?
Well-known Irish blogger Tom Raftery is soon departing our shores for sunny Spain and behind him, he leaves the CIX data centre that he and others put some fantastic work into making Ireland's greenest data centre. However, with Tom's new pursuit comes a great opportunity for somebody else. Tom is selling his shares in CIX to some lucky and interested person who has both the technical skills and genuine business interest to make CIX a big player in the world of data centres and hosting. If you're looking for something to do with your cash then this is certainly a unique offer. I'd personally [...]
Navigating through history
So often in my line of work, technology, I encounter the dilemma of watching technology emerge that does not directly benefit the end users; technology that sometimes makes life needlessly difficult. So, it's at a time like this when I hear about a new development where technology is applied to a useful purpose that will give people great enjoyment, that I applaud the developers.Zolk C in collaboration with the Waterford-based TSSG group (a division of WIT) have rolled out a GPS-based navigation system for the historic battlefield of Culloden in Scotland. The system guides users around the [...]
Meet Pythagoras
Pythagoras Originally uploaded by jbwan Our new rabbit arrived home yesterday to his newly constructed hutch which I have made 1000% cat proof - I even find it difficult to get into it myself to give him his food and water. His name is Pythagoras but his friends call him Pi for short. :) He's reasonably friendly at the moment but we're hoping to get him used to the house and guests so that he can pop in on occasion and meet and greet. George is a wee bit jealous at the moment but as long as Pi stays out of his waterways then the old fish will just get on with it.
High School Kid Targets Chuck
Apparently a teenager in the US has been arrested under the suspicion of making terror threats and making up a "hit list" of people. Shockingly enough the name of Chuck "He counted to infinity twice" Norris, made it onto that list. A bit of advice kid, don't mess with anyone who can slam a revolving door. source: The Register
Someone dusted off Danny
For ages now, I and others have been awaiting the voice of Danny O'Hare to appear in the national media, attacking the case for a university in the South East. It's pretty sad really that somebody could be so predictable as to have people watching the papers and waiting for him but there you go.Danny played his press card yesterday in the Irish Times and wrote an article about how there should be no more universities in the country. Going beyond that, Danny even went so far as to suggest that the NUI strategy was a mistake "we are never likely to be able to put the individual components of [...]
Wonderland
I awoke this morning to see the entire of my garden covered in a blanket of snow - yes it is April 7th. Momentarily filled with childish glee I starred out over the blank canvas and dappled decking, recalling childhood memories of simpler times. When I was growing up we had a few good snowfalls in the city centre. If you weren't up and about by 0800h there'd hardly be a car left with snow on it to fuel your arsenal of snowballs. Looking out my windows this morning the cars were still covered and all but the roads were blanketed with snow - where had the children gone? Have things moved on [...]
