Disqus - Latest Comments for Charlie

Re: Worst Ballmer interview ever

Charlie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:18:07 -0000

His definition of the cloud differed slightly from what is generally understood as the cloud

"we can do computing out indeed internet, we can do it in the data centre in a corporation, we can do it on a PC, we can do it on a phone. And we need to have the software that lets people blend those things seamlessly"

The cloud is the internet it's not a software solution for syncing all your devices.

Re: Proposition 8

Charlie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:13:46 -0000

"I’ve said this in the past, but I will repeat myself, so bare with me. "

Just because you're repeating yourself doesn't mean I'm going to get naked with you!

Re: What am I missing in Australia’s financials?

Charlie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:45:01 -0000

It is really weird that no one is talking about this. This exchange rate drop has really affected a lot of businesses. Australians looking to close deals in US dollars have basically seen the asking price jump by over 30%.

As well as the commodities issues I suspect that there are some real worries about the Australian housing market. This whole crisis began with inflated housing prices in the US. Property in Australia is very expensive. Very glad I don't have a mortgage right now.

Re: Google scared of Facebook? Puh-leeze

Charlie — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:17:17 -0000

Facebook is a big flash in the pan in my opinion. I haven't quite worked out what will replace it yet but something will for sure. All those apps are so annoying. I haven't found one yet which is actually useful.

Re: MediaPost: Is print doomed or not?

Charlie — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:32:33 -0000

The key here will be epaper technology. Good quality, low cost eBook readers could deliver the death blow to print media.

Re: Is Kindle the iPod of books?

Charlie — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:20:34 -0000

Unlike music there is a huge body of literature which is out of copyright. You could read forever and never infringe a copyright. You don't really need BitTorrent either; War and Peace is only 3MB.

Re: Twitter: Waste of time or social tool?

Charlie — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:59:31 -0000

I think it might have some business applications. Here's my (slightly contrived) situation http://www.bookbook.com.au/wordpress/?p=97

Re: Is Google going after Wikipedia?

Charlie — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:07:57 -0000

I think it will actually complement Wikipedia. Finding high quality, peer-reviewed articles on the web to support Wikipedia articles is currently really hard. If they become a success, knols could become an invaluable reference for Wikipedia articles.

Re: Does Facebook reflect your true friendships? How about e-mail?

Charlie — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:55:52 -0000

My hotmail contact list was my most complete social network but I gave it up for Gmail a few months ago and now it's out of date. Gmail automatically adds any addressee to contacts when you send them an email so my Gmail contacts list is full of random people. Google seem to be trying to get round this by using Chat contacts which require an extra step of authentication.

The key I think lies with standards and interoperability. Phone's are completely interoperable. I can phone anyone regardless of what phone company or phone they use. Email is completely interoperable and standards based. I can email anyone regardless of what email client they use. IM is slowly (very slowly) going the same way. Unfortunately standards and inoperability dissipate value for large walled gardens like facebook and Skype. It's the way it has to go though.

Re: Has OmniDrive joined the deadpool?

Charlie — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:54:51 -0000

The main site is down but you can still login at https://web6.omnidrive.com/web2/login.htm
When I get a chance I'll be taking the backwards step of downloading all my stuff onto an external hard drive until my faith returns

Re: Not everything can be free!

Charlie — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:13:18 -0000

You don't really mention the cost of producing these web technologies. I'm not really an expert but it seems to me that these costs must be coming down. This of course has been offset by people demanding more complexity. The cost however of providing old web 1.0 technologies like email and web sites seems to be fast approaching zero. I can't imagine that I'd ever have to pay for an email account again. The technology's invented. All Gmail is providing me is server space and a bit of ongoing R&D.; It's hard to charge people a fee for something which is costing you very little at that particular time but which cost you a lot 5 years ago.

Re: Shhh, MP’s are pissheads + why we need bloggers

Charlie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:08:49 -0000

I sort of read it differently. I thought his point was that there is no substitute for first hand reporting whether by bloggers or journalists. First hand reporting is expensive and time consuming. It involves travelling to meet people and see things and being available at any time of the day to do so.

A lot of blogging (and journalism for that matter) is just the recycling of secondhand news.

There's no substitute for original research and to do that you need time and money.

Re: Omnidrive - Is This The Sad End?

Charlie — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:39:13 -0000

Duncan

I have files on Omnidrive and until quite recently I've been able to access them. This is the first time I've never been able to access them at all. Kim's called it right in my opinion.

It's unforgivable that they haven't contacted the users. It's a simple common courtesy. It only takes a minute to pen an email and let people know what's going on.