Tithing for Open SourceTithing for Open Source
It’s common to hear a complaint of the form “I get paid to keep computers running not hack an OS” coming from someone who uses an Open Source OS such[...]
Google Server DesignGoogle Server Design
Cnet has an article on the design of the Google servers [1]. It seems that their main servers are 2RU systems with a custom Gigabyte motherboard that takes only 12V[...]
Censorship, Piracy, and Movie IdeasCensorship, Piracy, and Movie Ideas
Flame has written a satirical post about the different methods used to try and prevent unauthorised use of copyright movies and the distribution of illegal porn [1]. He has also[...]
Inhaling Petrol FumesInhaling Petrol Fumes
Tonight at 6PM the channel 7 news will have a special report about the dangers of inhaling fumes while filling cars with petrol. I’m blogging now because based on past[...]
Links March 2009Links March 2009
Cory Doctorow has written a column for The Guardian titled “You shouldn’t have to sell your soul just to download some music” [1]. One really interesting point he made was[...]
Linux Powered Battle DroidsLinux Powered Battle Droids
Flame has written some ideas about building Linux Powered Battle Droids and demonstrating them [1]. It seems to me that the biggest problem with having a battle of a similar[...]
Feeds and Banning from PlanetsFeeds and Banning from Planets
Stewart Smith has written about the removal of a blog from Planet Linux Australia [1] due to publishing a list of URLs that the Australian government wants to censor. The[...]
Choosing a Server for CPU Intensive workChoosing a Server for CPU Intensive work
A client is considering some options for serious deployment of some CPU intensive work. The options that are being considered include cloud computing (Amazon EC2 [1]), virtual machines (Slicehost [2][...]
Dear Magazines – Please Publish Your Adverts OnlineDear Magazines – Please Publish Your Adverts Online
When reading a magazine I often see an advert for a product that I want to buy (or recommend that a client buy). This is of course expected as the[...]
The Cost of Car CrashesThe Cost of Car Crashes
An article from 1999 suggested that car crashes caused a financial loss in OECD countries equivalent of 2% of their entire economies [1]. An article from the Sydney Morning Herald[...]