edafe.org » technology

How Linux is built

edafe — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:46:54 +0000

“You use Linux everyday, whether you know it or not…”
The Linux Foundation
youtube.com

This Dianamania is a slur on Jobs

edafe — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:54:34 +0000

“What the Jobs hyperbole means is that your world is no bigger than your media. Or your computer. There can’t be a more tragic expression of the internet’s self-absorption.” Following the media’s response to the death of Steve Jobs, Andrew Orlowski would like to keep things in perspective.
www.theregister.co.uk

Meanwhile, Richard Stallman is not sitting on anybody’s fence and declares Steve Jobs to have had a predominantly “malign influence on people’s computing”.

It’s the end of the web as we know it

edafe — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:59:31 +0000

“You can turn your back on the social networks that matter in your field and be free and independent running your own site on your own domain. But increasingly that freedom is just the freedom to be ignored, the freedom to starve.” Owing to the exponential growth of social networking, Adrian Short regards the original dream of a common information space to be under threat.
adrianshort.co.uk

Apple v Google

edafe — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:19:26 +0000

“Apple’s and Google’s war for the phone in our pockets is the biggest clash since Apple v Microsoft for the space on our desktops” and, according to Robert Lane Greene, likely to impact the way we experience the world around us.
moreintelligentlife.com

Growing up digital, wired for distraction

edafe — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:38:47 +0000

“Video games don’t make the hole; they fill it,” says Sean, a student at Woodside High School. Matt Richtel highlights the ways in which technology causes young, developing brains to become habituated to distraction and to switching tasks, not to focus.
www.nytimes.com

Joined-up experiences

edafe — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 23:00:00 +0000

“Is it worth trading choice for simplicity? The problem is that vertical integration gives suppliers so much control that they can manipulate prices.” Jack Schofield looks at manufacturers’ attempts to dominate our digital lifestyles by selling us experiences instead of products.
www.guardian.co.uk

What is OpenDocument

edafe — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:06:44 +0000

“Given the obscurity of document formats and of technical standards work, it’s easy to miss the importance of an XML-based open document format standard.” Sam Hiser on how ODF represents a triumph of common sense and why Microsoft’s petulant response ulitmately is pure entertainment.
www.onlamp.com

Open formats make history—and maintain it

edafe — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 20:34:43 +0000

“Open formats are an important part of computing freedom because they give people control of their own data.” Gervase Markham on why there really is no alternative to open data formats.
business.timesonline.co.uk

Who’s behind that web site?

edafe — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 21:14:27 +0000

“We’re about to get slightly technical here—but this is basic information you need to know.” John Locke explains the dangers of surfing the web and what you can do to control the risks.
www.freesoftwaremagazine.com

The platter that matters

edafe — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 16:00:00 +0000

“If I’m right, the next few years are going to see a lot of anguish from computer users who have suddenly realised that hard disk failure involves more than just inconvenience and loss of face”, writes John Naughton.
www.observer.co.uk

A laptop, a coffee, and disaster recovery

edafe — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 15:16:10 +0000

“Last week, my laptop died a sudden, spectacular death-by-drowning, as a full cup of coffee poured into its keyboard.” John Locke reflects on the importance of having an effective backup strategy.
www.freesoftwaremagazine.com

Sony Walkman—music to whose ears?

edafe — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 20:30:59 +0000

“Music, made portable, is removed from any frame of reference. It becomes a utility, undeserving of more attention than drinking water from a tap.” Norman Lebrecht reflects on how, starting with the introduction of the Sony Walkman, the way we listen to music has changed forever.
www.scena.org

Linux: the thinking person’s IT solution

edafe — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 19:07:32 +0000

“It is ironic that a fear of technology has sent thousands of companies hurtling into the arms of an IT vendor that has some of the most complex, resource hungry and insecure server technology on the market.” Malcolm Cartledge prefers … Continue reading →

Leaner computing: less might be more

edafe — Sun, 10 Oct 2004 11:17:21 +0000

“How much power does the average user nead in a PC?” Rare article by D’Arcy Lemay, offering much needed perspective on what hardware is really required for which job.
www.devhardware.com