Broadband and Me

Howies and Web Standards

in the arms of strangers

This is really two post but hey its my site!

Alex managed to get to this before me in that Howies have sent through their new catalogue. Mainly aimed at the Mountain biking / skate boarding community, it distinguishes itself as a company by actively promoting the environment and not compromising on quality or its beliefs.

As I've mentioned before I would buy lots from them but unfortunately I am more of a mountain than a mountain biker - although David one of the founders does ask that you complain more. I might just do that...

Secondly, Alex also has (at last?) succeeded into getting the behemoth that is ntl to develop standards based websites. (Yes, I am compromised in that this site tries but I am not that good a coder).

The Media Centre is certainly a good place to start a revolution, one I hope personally to see continue.

Cost of Wireless Routers

Linksys Wireless G Router

I just looked at how much this now is - sub £60 is a fantastic price I can't believe how much this has been reduced since last year. I think I paid double this...

Its interesting that there has been very little out this year in terms of new developments (well, at least not that I am aware of). Last year lots of media adapters and hushed tones of new and exciting products in this area none of which seem to have emerged. I await optimistically that there will be something interesting later in the year.

In the meantime you can always go look at the Internet Washing Machine

BSFA Awards

2003 BSFA Award Winners

The British Society of Science Fiction announced its annual awards over the Easter weekend. Interestingly two of the books I have been reading recently won awards. Felaheen by Jon Courtenay Grimwood and The Cambridge Book of Science Fiction, from which Farah Mendlesohn's Reading Science Fiction is taken.

Congratulations to the winners, well deserved I think.

The Solomons gets radio email

BBC NEWS | Technology | Radio mail links Pacific islands

I really enjoy reading about how technology can actually be used to help people and make their life better, more comfortable or even better encourage understanding. This theme is very strong throughout the Beeb article on the Solomons and the very 'narrowband' email connection using software called WaveMail, that has been set up. The important thing ultimately is that technology is merely a tool and not the solution as many people especially in IT assume.

The PeopleFirst Network stepped into this gap in 2001.

It was set up with funding from the United Nations Development Programme as a way of connecting the remote island to the outside world, as well as each other.

But another aim was to help overcome the legacy of fear and mistrust created by years of fighting between rival ethnic gangs from Malaita and Guadalcanal.

"We thought that by connecting people together, they would know more about each other and bring peace to the country," said Joe Rausi of the PeopleFirst Network.

"By installing e-mail, people are able to interact more with each other, talk about the things that they need and discuss issues by e-mail," he told BBC News Online.

The work at MIT is also very interesting. The Tek project will be invaluable in opening up the web for those who do not have access to the technology that some of use take for granted:

Researchers at the Boston institute are developing a search engine designed for people with a slow net connection.

"if you are living in a rural village and you want information, you would send a message to Tek," explained Mr Rausi.

"It browses the net for that information and once it is found, it sends that it direct to your computer and stores it on your C drive."

Action is the antidote to fear

Action is the antidote to fear

Curt continues to offer a wonderful blog. I like his attitude and advice. The following I think applies to just about anything although the application to a new career path is certainly true!

Want to know one of the simplest and most effective ways for overcoming fears? Take action!

Dale Carnegie put it well when he said, "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

I've been very busy, mostly because I overcame my fear and did take action and made something happen. Jobwise now much happier, and also more willing to act, because I am not in a culture that despises action.

Effendi

Effendi: The Second Arabesk (Arabesk S.)

Grimwood's Effendi is equally as good as Pashazade (although personally I preferred the first book). Character development continues and the plot never lets up. Futuristic gadgets strange yet familiar world - compelling Sci Fi. Looking forward even more to Felaheen

Nothing is Written

The Ourhouse Weblog: Nothing is Written

Nothing is Written Do you remember the scene in Lawrence of Arabia when a man is left behind overnight, during the unforgiving journey across the desert? Omar Sharif says it would be madness to return for him, it would lead his would-be rescuer to certain death under the unforgiving sun. It is Written, he says. Lawrence ignores this advice and heroically returns, uttering the words Nothing is Written.

Johnny, as usual, posting something intelligent and provoking. His suggestion of using applied improvisation is interesting in that it is something he has briefly shown me and it is wonderful at opening up different ways of thinking and approaching subjects - ideal for creativity in my opinion and lots of other things according to the Applied Improvisation Network . Personally I think in business people tend to be too uptight about using 'alternative' ways of approaching things. Techniques such as improv can be great fun, and shock horror you can enjoy yourself whilst still gaining significant ideas and possibly a 'business' advantage.

You could certainly do worse than get John to come visit...

Critical Views of Science Fiction

The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction (Cambridge Companions to Literature)

In between reading Business (Creating Customer Evangelists and Science fiction books I have managed to squeeze this very good collection of critical articles on Science Fiction. The reason I think I have been enjoying the articles is that while they focus on my favourite genre of writing, they also offer a critical, academic approach to the gamut of writing without generally being too heavy in their academic language.

Usually I don't like analysis of fiction, prefering to enjoy the text for itself, however this book has opened up a realm of different ideas and ways of thinking about science fiction, along with suggesting some interesting stories to read (some of which I have at home gethering dust that I yet to get round to).

If Sci Fi is your thing I would recommend taking a look. It has certainly broadened my mind :)