Category: I Think …

Open Source as a Requirement, You Say?

Love to hear how the idea of Open Source software is starting to trickle down into politics.  Asking a private company to create a proprietary product that is used to collect health information is like asking a private company to create a proprietary product that collects votes – and we all know how well that went (and continues to go).

When are people going to wise up?  Just because the code is available doesn’t mean it is inherently worthless.

Of course I understand that there are many other factors to take into consider, including pockets to be lined, palsm to be greased, jobs to be saved 9and lost), etc.  Ain’t capitalism grand?!

Great Poem From The Bus

Translink has a few feet of ad space on some buses dedicated to getting Canadian poets “published” or at least noticed.  One day last summer I read this poem and thought it absolutely wonderful.  Now I think I’m going to add the poet’s book to my list of interesting books to buy.

Excerpt from “Had I Stayed On The Farm” by David Zieroth

I married the skinny girl

and our kids ran free as chickens

one of them, the second boy

moving along the ditches for days

trapping muskrats and living on chokeberries and bulrushes

sleeping by a little fire of sticks

wrapped in his jacket, and we hardly noticed

he was gone until he returned

as someone else, burnt and smoky

his sisters silenced by the strides he took

to reach the pump, his hands

a mesh of little nicks and cuts where

the cries of the animals had entered him

An Interesting Senator in the U.S.

During a heated discussion at work between two people arguing about whether or not global warming is a hoax, a Senator’s blog was cited as a resource.  Curious, I hit up Wikipedia and found a page on Senator Jim Inhofe.

Quite an interesting fellow really.  Here are some choice quotes from the wikipedia article (take them for what they’re worth).

“It kind of reminds… I could use the Third Reich, the Big Lie… You say something over and over and over and over again, and people will believe it, and that’s their [the environmentalists’] strategy”

He also stated that Global Warming is

” … the second-largest hoax ever played on the American people, after the separation of church and state.”

Yes, that whole separation thing was a massive … uh .. hoax?

He’s even pinned down who’s behind this environmental hoax: The Weather Channel.  They need to keep up their ratings after all.

Now, if this was a joe-shmoe on the street I wouldn’t have noted it, but this is a Senator.  The very same Senator that was chair of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

And his ideas on other issues really don’t resonate with me at all.  For example he’s trying to amend the constitution to make same sex marriage illegal.  His presentation on the Senate floor included this little gem, while pointing to a poster-sized picture of his family.

…As you see here, and I think this is maybe the most important prop we’ll have during the entire debate, my wife and I have been married 47 years. We have 20 kids and grandkids. I’m really proud to say that in the recorded history of our family, we’ve never had a divorce or any kind of homosexual relationship.

Yup, no homosexuals in his family.  None at all … hey .. don’t look in that closet!  What worked for him must therefore be struck into law and work for everyone.

To top it all off, he seems to be representing the people, as his record shows landslide wins for decades now.  Either that or people are simply voting along party lines.

Really?  How does this make any sense at all?

A New Year, A New Gadget – Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet

Welcome to 2009 – the year I began by setting myself free  I’m free!  At long last I’m free from the ‘i’ overlords, be they iPods, iTunes, or iDon’t care anymores!

Back in March 2005 I bought my first personal music player – an iPod.  At the time I thought the 40GB would be more than enough.  I honestly don’t think I expected it to last almost 3 years.  And it is still ticking along quite nicely – the battery has held up well as I typically have it charging via the FM radio attachment or the dock.  But my library … she has grown too large!  And so I cast about for alternatives, and came to settle on two devices: a 120GB iPod Classic or an Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet.

This was back in September, planning for a certain gift-giving holiday in the months to come.  At that time the Archos did not support ogg or Flac encoded files, and thus it had no real advantage over the iPod Classic.  It was more expensive, and it didn’t come with a lot of the things the iPod did, like a dock or AC charger.  Sure it could connect to the Internet via a wireless connection, but that was just a gimmick.

Then I abandoned my search, as nothing really pleased me.  Why didn’t I want to stay with an iPod?  Here’s a partial list:

  • Apple continues to use DRM to support their business model.  I don’t want to support anything that relies on DRM.
  • Apple continues to make changes to their players in each generation, ensuring that anyone not running their “free” iTunes software could not use their device.  I did not want any part of this software lock in.  I also can’t run iTunes as I do not run Windows.  This meant that I had to wait for hackers to reverse engineer each new device as they came out, to add support for the device in Linux.  Why would I want to give money to a company that obviously does not want to listen to my needs?
  • The iPod continues to not support anything but the tired old MP3 standard and the Apple DRM’d files.  I want to support a manufacturer that looks to open standards rather than software lock in.

As you can see, most of the reasons are quite ideeological in nature.  But there were some dark, distasteful reasons to buy the 120 GB iPod:

  • I already have spent $70.00 on an FM transmitter/charger that only works with iPods.  I could continue to see a return on that investment if I again bought Apple.  Yes, I know this is a classic sunk cost falacy, but I’ve never claimed to be a rational thinking person, have I?
  • Apple stole my idea of providing a guided playlist maker for their newest generation, calling it the “Music Genius”.  Whatever, I’m not bitter, but the feature is a serious draw for me.  A dynamically built playlist based on recommendations is a great way to just load up music and listen.  No other hardware device offers that functionality right now.

So I decided to just let it sit.  I had a few gigabytes of space left on my iPod and I could delete some of the podcasts to make space if needed …

Then Archos updated their player to support ogg and flac.  And then I started to drool, as the devices were on sale for boxing day.  And then I decided to splurge, to trust my gut, and to put my money where my mouth was.

Man am I happy I did!  I don’t want to gush, I don’t want to sound materialistic.  BUT THIS THING IS AWESOME!

I had no idea that having a wireless connection to the Internet, and also my internal network, would actually open so many interesting doors for me with this device.  I’ve spent a lot of my free time the past week just figuring out how this thing can integrate with my existing devices.  I’ve figured out how to have any of the television shows I’ve recorded get automatically transcoded into a format the device supports.  I’ve figured out how to manage my server using the web connection.  I sit on my couch and browse the most recent photos I’ve uploaded to my long term storage space from my camera.  It’s just an entirely new way of working with my network systems.  And frankly, I’m geeking out here!

I plan on posting a few tidbits I’ve gathered through research on how to best set things up, so I don’t have to keep it all on paper around my office.  If you’re interested in the device look for that.

So I’m starting 2009 with a new gadget, a new zeal for technology and “convergence”, and a spring in my step.

Yes, I’m ashamed of my carnal attachment to a technology gadget.  Yes, I’m embarrased by just how excited I am about it all.  And no, I don’t regret it for a second.

High Def – Scam or Saviour?

I know the world is going to high definition TVs.  I know it!  But I’ve been refusing to capitulate to the capitalistic calls – so far.  But my strength is waning …

My issue is that buying a HD TV means I then have to get some HD content.  That means a new digital box from my cable company, or hacking some antenna together to try to capture some of the HD channels floating over the air.  I’d also want to get a HD disc player, which means Blu-Ray.  And then there’s the expensive cables, etc.  All in all, moving to HD means a completely new television ecosystem within the house – not a cheap proposition.

But then there are soothing, affirming articles such as this one at PC World, that claims that 1 in 5 of those HD television watchers can’t actually tell the difference betwen high def and standard def.  Now that just warms my cockles.

Take that Capitalism!

Quickies

OK, before they escape my mind, a few things I wanted to post but couldn’t during october because of the downtime.

  1. Not a single response to my federal election email asking for comments from all candidates.  Not a single peep.
  2. My creativity goals have been challenging – I not only can’t play guitar yet, but I’ve actually forgotten the one chord I did know.  I have, however, drawn a lot more this year.  Here’s a quick sketch I drew in the spring for a super hero: “The Kegler Elf”.  For those of you who don’t get the name, go read wikipedia.  The unicycle is his hero vehicle, as his special power is that he can claps things in his inner thighs really tightly – super tightly.  So he can do cool things like … hang upside down from helicopters and … ride unicycles like a crazed chicken elf.

Federal Election Time In Canada

It’s that time again – time to trudge out to your voting booths and vote for the next generation of MPs.  Or maybe to vote for the same generation to once more sally forth in your name to try to make the world a better place.

Sure, Harper broke his own law and called the election early.  Don’t hold that against him though – I’m sure it doesn’t reflect his general approach.

Who am I voting for?  I’m really not sure.  I’ve tended to vote Green in the past – even in the face of friends and family telling me I’m wasting my vote.  Apparently voting strategically is really the way to get yourself represented in Canada.  Yeah, I’m confused by that statement too.

Last week I read a re-cap of an all-candidates meeting.  The issue of same sex marriage was raised and whether the candidate supported same sex marriage.  The response of David Blair, the Green candidate, pretty much squashed any chance of him receiving my vote on October 14th

“Yes, I do (support same-sex marriage),” he said. “As long as it does not involve me, personally.”

If something so vital to equality and a healthy community is a joke for you, Mr Blair, I bid you good day.

So who else to vote for?  I’ve read all the newspaper coverage of the candidates, their interviews, their debates, etc.  Even with all those words spent on the issues I don’t have a clear idea of who these peple are, what they stand for, and what they hope to achieve if they are elected.  Sure, I can go read the national party’s statement, but I was more interested in voting locally.

So I wrote a letter.  I sent them each a copy at their email address.  I sincerely hope I hear back from them.  Do I expect unique, hand written, verbose answers?  Not really.  If they have published statements about the issues I call out I’m happy to hear those.  I just haven’t been able to find them yet.

If you’re interested, the letter is below.  I’ll also let you know if anyone responds and what their responses are.  In the past Mr. Hiebert has written me back and I hope that trend continues even in these busy times for them.

Oh, and if you’re also not sure who to vote for, here is a nice summary of the party’s approaches to key issues.

Dear candidates,

I have been unable to determine where you stand on a couple of issues that are of vital importance to me and to the Canadian public at large in my mind.  I have included a few questions below that I hope you will read over and respond to.  Please note that I am interested more in what you as my representative would do were you to be elected rather than what your party’s leader/platform dictates would happen.  I am able to research the party platforms but am unable to direct my questions to you in person, so I would sincerely value your responses to or thoughts on the following questions and issues.

  1. Copyright reform – Bill C-61 has raised a great deal of discussion and thought on Canadian copyright reform.  I would like to know your thoughts on what reform is needed on our copyright laws, if any.  Is Bill C-61 going the right way?  Are there any improvements you would want to see in the Bill or the discussions surrounding it before it is passed?
  2. Digital Rights Management – there has been some discussion about introducing laws about digital rights management.  Where do you stand on this technology, its current and its projected uses?
  3. Environmental change at the expense of popularity – most of the environmental visions advertised in the election try to get around one very important point: changing people’s habits related to their carbon footprint may need to be done in a way that temporarily or permanently reduced your popularity rating.  Some change is hard and not everyone is going to be onboard.  How do you plan to manage this delicate balance, and what are your priorities in these matters?
  4. Child care – as a new parent I can speak directly to the lack of adequate child care support in White Rock and South Surrey.  What do you plan to do to change that in the next years or two?
  5. Green jobs in your riding – There is a lot of talk about “green jobs”.  How do you see your riding benefiting or changing as a result of these initiatives?  Where would our “green jobs” be found?
  6. Support for local green initiatives or citizen efforts?  There are many people in your riding, including myself, who are already making changes to their lives in order to minimize their impact on the environment.  Do you have any plans or ideas on how to support private citizen-based initiatives?
  7. Homelessness – Do you feel it is a problem in your riding?  If so, what is your vision for addressing it?  If not, how will you continue to manage it?
  8. LGBT issues and vision – Do you feel the LGBT community’s needs are adequately met in your riding?  If so, how do you plan to maintain this state?  If not, how do you plan to address the problem and what is the most pressing problem you want to address?
  9. Preventative healthcare – Health care is certainly an important part of your campaign.  I would like to know what preventative initiatives you would create or support that would help prevent disease and illness rather than simply spending more money on reactive measures.
  10. What do you see as the number 1 issue in your riding, and what is your vision for addressing it?

I apologize if these questions were addressed in the all-candidates meetings, but I was unable to attend them.

I sincerely hope to hear from each of you (or someone who can speak to your campaigns and beliefs) before the election.

Thanks very much,

Kirk Bridger

Two Little Things Before That Timer Expires

The timer on the site is winding down (what do you mean two days?!?) and I wanted to put something non-baby related up, as I think there might be an upcoming series of posts about babies.  Just a hunch.

So here are two things, totally unrelated, that I wanted to mention.

First: Michael Moore’s new documentary – Slacker Uprising

3 years ago I applauded Michael Moore for making his documentaries available online for free, for taking a rational stance on making monies from his craft.

Now I hear that his next documentary is going to skip theaters and head straight to the digital realm – again for free.  It looks to be an interesting take on voter behavior in the U.S., and seems to be timed well with the upcoming U.S. election – but is anyone surprised?  I thought not.

“This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans. The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November.” – Michael Moore

On a related note, its too bad this whole digital distribution thing still hasn’t really taken off in over 3 years.  Seriously, how long does this kind of thing take?  It felt like overnight that tapes were replaced by CDs.  Maybe the upcoming release of Ghostbusters on a USB drive will help?  No, I don’t think so either.  Maybe if they dropped the stupid DRM and didn’t charge a fortune ($60!) for a $5 piece of hardware and a $15 movie?

Why do people support these kind of commercial endeavors?  Why don’t more people “get” digital distribution.  It will be interesting to see if Moore’s film has any DRM involved.

Second: Russ Hiebert is gearing up for an election in my town, and he’s once again showing why I don’t want to vote for him.

He has sent out a letter to, well, everyone that can vote as far as I can see.  In it he asks a few questions about our view on how the Conservative government has performed, where they can improve, etc.  It seems like a really good idea and I applaud his efforts to try to get a sense of his constituent’s wants in a government.

So far, so good.  However the first question just makes me fume a little bit.  It exemplifies why I hate politics, as it boldly states that Russ is not, in fact, interested in my opinion, but rather looking for support for his government’s work.  And he phrases the question in a way that basically suggests that if I am not supporting his government, I’m slightly sociopathic and mean-spirited.

Here is his first question – a multiple choice:

Which statement below best reflects your opinion on how to deal with climate change?

  • We need to address climate change, if at all, based on a balanced plan with carbon emission reduction targets for industry, but not at the cost of more taxes, lost jobs and higher prices for consumer goods.
  • We need to do whatever it takes to reduce carbon emissions and set an example for other countries even if it means adopting a carbon tax that will result in the loss of jobs and higher prices for consumers.

So let me get this straight – either I’m with the Conservative government and think that the Liberal-supported carbon tax is a mistake, or I’m a left-leaning extremist who wants people to lose their jobs and everyone paying more out of their pocket?

Wow, thanks for really asking me my opinion.  Hey, how about next time you include a third option – you could even leave it blank so you actually hear what I think rather than what you want to hear?