On The Net - Computing News

with Chris Goh

I watched a baby so focused on its coloured ball, the rest of the world didn't matter. It giggled as it rattled and shook the ball, and its leg moved up and down in glee as it lay snugly restrained in the pram. Oh to feel that sense of wonder over the simplest of joys! As you grow older, the mysteries of life unravel around you and that sense of amazement begins to fade. But that's not always the case and I admire those whose delight remains in each new discovery, because it's dangerously easily to be complacent about our lives and the world around us.

Depression is an increasingly common ailment and coupled with growing rates of youth suicide and adolescent depression, you could be mistaken into believing that young people had lost their sense of adventure and discovery, not to mention hope. But I think that it's all much more complicated than that.

One of the most underestimated outcomes of the information and telecommunications age is the expectation that it will result in a broader understanding of our society. These expectations are driven by our exposure to new cultures and our inherent need to compare and compete, as well as looking for common ground with others, from what we like to listen to, the movies we watch, the clothes we wear, where we hang out and who with.

While expectation is a good thing, in this age we are deluged with possibilities - and in the case of advertising, impossibilities - and amidst the sheer din, people begin to believe they simply can't live up to these expectations and opt out with an "I don't care".

In Japan, where a child's schooling is like a 9-to-5 adult workday, and they attend acceleration classes on the weekend and holidays, children are starting to lock themselves in a room and are refusing to come out.

Ironically, 20 years ago, the prediction was that technology would provide more leisure time and opportunities to enjoy life. Instead, it seems to have made things more frantic.

Consider the mobile phone - along with the freedom to all people any time you wanted came the burden of feeling compelled to answer every time it rang.

Amidst such a revolution, it would be easy to the blame technology. I suspect its maker had noble intentions, but our expectations seem to have skewed the outcomes.

Sometimes, instead of trying to figure out how to use the Internet function on you fridge door, we need to take the time to find the simple enjoyments in life, like that baby with its coloured ball.

Hotnews

CNET news went searching for credit card numbers on Google with horrific results. They found a shocking number of sites listing credit card details and owner details. Google's search engine is so powerful that it can tap into unsecured logs, amongst other sources. It's a worry when the web's pre-eminent search engine can give people access to credit card numbers. It's just the start of Google's troubles. The search service is trying to buy back shares issued illegally to staff and close partners, which many are not willing to surrender.

Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 for Windows XP which, according to Gates, is the most significant and costly service pack Microsoft has ever released for free. How kind, since it apparently plugs most of the holes in the Operating System. The pack is 80MB, so be prepared if you're downloading it (or keep an eye out for it on the cover of PC magazines). And be aware that it may have incompatibilities with existing software. The new firewall application (it's part of the install) has default switched on, which may cause problems with existing firewalls. The advice is to wait a few weeks to see what problems the new pack creates (IBM is avoiding it). There's no doubt Microsoft is using this platform to launch new security products following their acquisition of an anti-virus company earlier this year.

First there was the CD, then the DVD and next in the optical disk revolution is the BD-ROM. The Blue-ray Disc (BD) holds 25 Gig or 50 Gig on dual layer. The format had a significant boost this week when Sony announced that the next version of Playstation, PS3 will use BD-ROM as the defacto media standard. The news usurps the debut of HD-DVD, which is supposed to succeed standard DVD.

SCO's CEO has declared that the company will not pursue further legal action in the immediate future. The real story is that the case I mentioned recently, involving an online auto company, has set a precedent that means any actions SCO launches against businesses are dependant on their claims against IBM and Novell.

Hotsites

www.consumersearch.com

I mentioned this site last year, but due to the response from my recent reviews, I thought it was worth pointing out again. It's one of the most comprehensive and independent sites I've encountered, looking at everything from televisions to dishwashers, juicers and weight loss programs. The researchers trawl the web, considering literally hundreds of product reviews to deliver an impressive summary. So if you're buying something, check it out.

www.harveyworld.com.au

I generally don't review commercial sites, but after extensive holiday preparations, I've come to the conclusion that the Harvey World Travel site beats travel.com and Travel Centre hands down. Much of it has to do with their world-wide associations, like Hotel Club. If you want a hassle-free way to organise your travel, with the best prices and a diverse range of products, this is a great place to stop by.

www.emotioneric.com

If you want a quirky laugh, this may do the trick. Comedian Eric takes requests to portray an emotion, then takes a picture of his interpretation and posts it on his website. As well as anger, panic, happiness and other basic emotions, you can see Eric on what its like on his second day at work to doing the Hamster dance, finding out Arnold Swarzenegger is his dad or taking candy from a baby. It's silly, but gently funny.