Cryptosmith

Tivo is a mixed blessing in any case, but it really rubs one’s nose in the writers strike.

Before Tivo, I would do a lot of channel surfing - I would hit the channel button every few seconds, scanning for something worth watching. It could take a bit of time to get through the 100-odd channels.

Now, the only ’surfing’ I do is to scan through my “Wish List” listings for things I might actually want to watch. It’s actually rather inbred, because the only things I see are films and shows relating to things I already know I like. Continue Reading »

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When I bought my computer, I foolishly thought that gave me control over what goes in it. But no. Bill Gates and company know best. Next month they will be installing Internet Explorer 7 into my computer whether I want it or not.

(Well, actually not. “My” computer is now a Mac. They’ll be installing IE7 into my machines at work).

In case you didn’t realize it: the person who controls your computer is, in fact, the person who wrote the software you’re running. If you choose your software well, then the software actually lets you control your own computer. Continue Reading »

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This link to the blog entry So Says Green Weaver: Whatever Made Me Think? server two purposes.

First, Green Weaver notes unhappily about her resolution to post every day. In my case, I have to say that I don’t want to post every day. I want to take the time to write something worthwhile and I doubt there will always be something worth talking about.

Second, I’m trying to do a trackback. At first I thought I just had to include the link (above). In fact, it looks as if I need to include a ‘trackback’ URL in a separate field when I finish this post.

Posted under Personal Expression | No Comments »

The scoutmaster for my son’s scout troop just asked me about the troop web site. Several years ago I’d set up a site for the troop and, after a couple of years, found someone to take it over. Now the site is rudderless again.

The problem is that it’s an HTML site that relies on HTML tools and skills. While such tools are easy to find, not everyone has the skills. It’s obviously more practical for a site like that to have on-line editing. I suppose they could set up a site at Yahoo! or some such place. Or I could give them some space on this site and set up a content management system for them. Continue Reading »

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