One of the most frustrating things about Linux, and all other flavours of Unix, is the permissions system. It’s not super complicated, but it can get involved, and it helps if you have a clear idea of what you’re dealing with. I don’t use it that often, so every time I need it, I have…
I’m so excited! Mozilla is hard at work on a new version of your favourite browser and mine, Firefox (3.1), which will incorporate TraceMonkey, a Just-In-Time compiler for JavaScript. What’s the upshot? According to Brendan Eich, the father of JavaScript, and Mozilla’s Chief Technology Officer, an 83% speed boost in JavaScript execution speed; making possible…
Last weekend, an earnest young lady named Taylor Lewis knocked on my door. She was wearing a Sick Kids Hospital vest, and had a special tag hanging on a lanyard around her neck, identifying her as a certified agent of the hospital, empowered to represent the institution for the purposes of collecting donations. I listened…
I’ve been using Paint Shop Pro for years. I got pretty good at making greeting cards, but there was a limit to what I could do in terms of photo-realistic compositions. My friend, Kristan Uccello, posted a link on Facebook to a set of tilt-shift miniatures, which I think I can pull off. I’m also…
Ever wonder about what your Member of Parliament is up to? How he or she voted on legislation that interests you? Well, wonder no more. Just clock in at https://parl.howdtheyvote.ca/ and check up on your MP or on that bill you were wondering about. It’s not perfect: some bills gak the Ruby app they only…
Over a month ago I contacted Ken Dryden’s riding office to arrange a meeting with my Member of Parliament. I expected to see him within a week or two; I’d tell him of my concerns related to various issues of the day, and he’d take that into consideration when he returned to Ottawa. But no. …
There is a tremendously well-researched, well-reasoned history of the OLPC, and it’s subsequent effects on the computer industry, at “Why Microsoft and Intel tried to kill the XO $100 laptop”. A minor quibble about the article: the author didn’t mention the ASUS Eee PC, which clearly owes it’s existence to the OLPC, and then went…
Come September 30, 2008, Canadians can register on the CRTC’s Do-Not-Call List (DNCL). “It was about time!” you may be saying to yourself. Unfortunately, by some estimates, 85% of outbound telemarketing calls will NOT be affected by this list. Which means only a meager 15% relief for the beleaguered Canadian consumer.
I’ve been using, playing and struggling with Windows since version 3.0. Before that, I used pretty much every version of MS-DOS. I’ve poured a lot of my money into Microsoft. I’ve watched them go from enthusiastic techno geeks, to arrogant robber barons. When Vista was announced, I vowed not to donate another dime to the…