Helmar let me know about the recent launch of Qunu. Qunu is an interesting idea that aims to connect help-seekers and experts via their IM clients, and is based on Jabber. For help-seekers, the benefit is that help is more immediate. No more messing around on forums and waiting days to be told RTFM. For… Continue reading Qunu launches
Censorship in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country which for many is synonymous with drought, and preceded by the word starving. This is a tragedy, as Ethiopia has such a rich cultural heritage, and, surprisingly to many, is remarkably lush. Unfortunately, its government has proved its greatest obstacle in recent times, and is largely to blame for the devastating… Continue reading Censorship in Ethiopia
Memories of Dungeons and Dragons
I stumbled upon the Wikipedia Dungeons and Dragons article today, and was intrigued by the responses I felt while reading it. It triggered an intense nostalgia in me. I used to play it for days on end as a teenager. I remember the anger and loss I felt when my first character, the wizard Feason,… Continue reading Memories of Dungeons and Dragons
BarCamp, Drupal and a choice to make
I read a Tectonic article today about a local chapter of Drupal being launched. It’s pleasing to see that there’s a Drupal core developer, Adrian Rossouw, living at Cape Town. I’ve just started playing with Drupal, and Adrian is planning to give a presentation at the BarCamp to be held in June in Cape Town.… Continue reading BarCamp, Drupal and a choice to make
Genetically modified foods – examining the arguments
There are two strongly differing strands running through arguments presented by those opposing GM foods. People can support both, one or neither, but confusing the two undermines coherent argument, and in particular damages those opposing. One is that GM foods are harmful. The evidence for this is thin, so in essence it becomes a conservative… Continue reading Genetically modified foods – examining the arguments
Localised green power
I was pleased to read an article about Australians embracing solar power. Australia remains is one of the two countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol, but have no intention of ratifying it (the other being the US). However, Australia, like the US, does have a reasonable developed market in renewable energy certificates It’s frustrating that… Continue reading Localised green power
Ego
The most profound things are the simplest things. One of the books I’m reading right now is The Art of Happiness, a western psychologist’s encounter with the Dalai Lama. The contents are childishly simple, but of course most of us don’t even start the process, or even give any thought to the matter. We plan… Continue reading Ego
Da Vinci Code
I’ve just finished reading the Da Vinci Code. It’s one of those books that inspires me to get writing again, mainly because I found it so infuriatingly bad I figure I must be able to do a better job. I love the genre, and the ideas behind the book fascinate me, but I just found… Continue reading Da Vinci Code
Of Doctor Zhivago and literacy in a visual society
I’ve just finished reading Doctor Zhivago, by Boris Pasternak. I enjoyed the book. My exposure to Russian literature has been limited, but the book immediately struck me with its similarities to other Russian works I’ve read. A sweeping breadth, an acceptance of suffering, it’s darkness. But this is not a review of the book –… Continue reading Of Doctor Zhivago and literacy in a visual society
Firefox extension woes
After reading an article about memory leaks in Firefox extensons, I decided to look for updates to my existing 20 or so extensions. None of mine were in the guilty list, but I hadn’t updated for a while, so thought I’d see what improvements were made. About 8 or so of my extensions had updates.… Continue reading Firefox extension woes