Interesting Items From Apple's World Wide Developer Conference

I don't own a Mac. Somedays I wish I did. This week more than most. I would like to win the lottery too!

So what is so attractive this week. Well, first off there is the dual processor 2.5Ghz G5. It's not new. But it is what goes with it that is interesting. Like the 30 inch Cinema displays! Gorgeous. A pair of those would be ever so sweet.

What else? Spotlight. This is Apple's search technology that will be part of the Tiger release of OsX. Think of it as Google for your desktop. The demonstration at the conference was very impressive. Speed was excellent. But I think effectiveness it the more important aspect. With spotlight you can save a search query and have it re-executed any time. Because of its speed, one should regret opening such a folder. I know that when I do a search on my windows machine, I plan on it taking some time.

Finally there is Rendevous. This might come in handy within our branch environment for application deployments with minimal configuration.

These are each very cool. Good work Apple.

Loose Lips Sink Ships?

Bruce Schneier recently wrote about the keeping of secrets in the world of international espionage. He discussed the American supposed cracking of Iranian encryption, and made the point that keeping secret that you know other people secrets can be very valuable.

During World War II, the Japanese made huge balloon bombs that they release into the air to be carried to North America. The intent was to start fires and kill people. It was of some success. However, 'In May 1947, the New York Times wrote "Japan was kept in the dark about the fate of the fantastic balloon bombs because North Americans proved during the war that they could keep their mouths shut. To their silence is credited the failure of the enemy's campaign."'

Somebody once said about music that the anybody can play the notes, but the rests make the music. Perhaps something similar can be said about security and silence.

Smart Dust, Even Smarter Vacuums?

In case you haven't read about it, there is a technology called Smart Dust - glitter sized network computing devices that can do all sorts of cool and scary things.

So what happens after we produce billions of Smart Dust devices and spread them pervasively (invasively) throughout our world?

Perhaps this could spawn add-on features for our Robot vacuum cleaners?

Not only could your smart vacuum cleaner take care of regular dust, it could seek out smart dust as well? And then what?

Do we need virus scanners for our smart dust? Can we run Norton anti-virus on our Roombas in order to separate 'good' smart dust from 'bad'? Maybe we will need a Smart Dust recycling program?

A New BEA Emerges From The Beehive

A few days ago i suggested that BeeHive was an important development to track. The META Group has published a report that is in agreement.

You need to be a customer to access the article. http://www.metagroup.com/us/displayArticle.do?oid=48577

California Passes Anti-Gmail Bill - Is this good

I hate banner ads. Why? Mainly since they are such a waste of screen real estate. They are irrelevant. I click on a banner ad very rarely (yearly?), and when I do, it is usually from a web site meant for a targeted community, therefore the ads are most relevant.

I have been using GMail for a month now. The text ads that Google has been placing on the right hand side have been very relevant. I find myself actaully reading the ads, and clicking thru many times a week. Are they invading my privacy? I don't think so - since I agreed to it.

If there must be ads on the web sites I use, then I prefer it the GMail way.