Norman RichardsI want my two dollarsGPL as centrist - open source licenses- (Found July 15, 2008 ) One one the more interesting things I've run into at Red Hat is this explanation of open source licenses. (mov) That has to be the simplest and most concise explanation of open source that I've ever seen. It's well worth a look if you are ever trying to explain open source to someone. One of the most brilliant parts of the talk is when Mark (the guy in video) manages to make a reasonable case for GPL being the moderate, centrist open source license. That was quite interesting. It's worth..http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/GPL_as_centrist_-_o.html autocomplete=off is evil- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I hate websites designers that think they are smarter than me. One of the most evil forms of this is autocomplete=off. No, dear user. You aren't clever enough to understand how forms work or to use a browser that adequately protects your information. I know what's best for you, I and I say you are going to have to type in that name and password by hand every time. BWAHAHAHA. Ok, the sad part is the people who do this kind of stuff are probably right. The average user probably is too...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/autocomplete=off_is.html evil twins and promiscuous networking- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I've been talking about this for a long time in my crusade, but maybe this slashdot article on evil twins will convince people to pay attention a bit. Ok, "evil twin" is a dumb name, and the problem is much bigger than fake wireless sites. The problem is that in an age of promiscuous networking, you can no longer trust the network. You can't trust the network to be private: You've never really been able to trust the local network to be free from snooping, but most people are...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/evil_twins_and_prom.html blogs operate outside the law- (Found July 15, 2008 ) So says "legal experts". I hate it it when writers just make up random things. Even funnier is the notion that Think Secret is a blog. Right. Some people just shouldn't be allowed anywhere near tech stories.http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/blogs_operate_outsi.html Still supporting EFF- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I don't quite understand Dave Winer's problem with the EFF. I love the EFF and have been a supporter for a while. They fight for privacy and freedom and stand up against corporate IP abuse. I encourage everyone to take a look at what they are doing. Take a look at their accomplishments. Take a look at some of of their current issues. If you think they are doing good things, then please support EFF by becoming a member.http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/Still_supporting_EFF.html TV-B-Gone Review- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I've had my TV-B-Gone for a while now. I was very excited about it when I first heard about it. But, does the device live up to expectations Almost. The most important question is: does it actually work Yes. Unfortunately, it doesn't work very well. The device is very low power and the range was much less than a normal remote. I wasn't able to reliably turn off any TVs from more than 10 feet away. TVs that were raised about eye level were almost impossible except from even closer...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/TV-B-Gone_Review.html Bubble mapping- (Found July 15, 2008 ) Last week I ran across a cool way to manage my daily work tasks using bubble maps. (via lifehack) I've always tried to list out my tasks for the day, but the traditional todo was never very effective for me. The bubble map style really intrigued me because size (and even color) seem like a much better way to visualize where I am. I've tried it for the week, and I'm quite happy to say that it is actually helping me stay on track. I've been a good bit more productive when laying my tasks out.http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/Bubble_mapping.html 10 great podcasts- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I've been addicted to podcasts for the last 6 months. I spend almost all of my work day listening to various programs available. Given the sheer number of podcasts out, I thought I'd share my list of what I've been listening to, and enjoying, over time. Here's my top 10, in no particular order. The Java Posse: Given how popular tech blogs are, you'd think there would be more quality tech podcasts. There aren't many, and the world of programmer podcasts is extra slim. One of my...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/10_great_podcasts.html Own your own cube farm- (Found July 15, 2008 ) If you don't spend enough time at the office, perhaps you'd enjoy the chance to create your own cube farm at home. I saw these at Toy Joy this afternoon and would have bought some if it weren't for the fact they only had a couple of the sets in stock. I'm definitely planning to get a couple of these soon. I just need to find a nice Godzilla figure to go along with it... Cube dweller bonus: While it isn't the greatest Dilbert strip ever, I think today's Dilbert is definitely on my top 10...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/Own_your_own_cube_f.html Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free- (Found July 15, 2008 ) I noticed at the end of an email to local mailing list the a signature that read Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. I got a good chuckle out of that. Obviously the text at the bottom of an email is meaningless. It's not like an email containing a virus couldn't have exactly the same text there. And, if people were silly enough to trust such a message, I'd make sure to attach that to my next email virus were I the email virus creating type. It's obviously just meant to be an...http://members.capmac.org/~orb/blog.cgi/tech/misc/Outgoing_mail_is_ce.html |