 On
the Net
with Chris Goh
The power of Apple
Back before my PC days I loved my Amiga. At that time the computer market still
had the sense of being diversified and there were choices in operating types.
Besides IBM and Windows you had OS/2 (IBM) and Atari, BBC Acorns/Archimedes. Today
the desktop breeds are down to Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X and the various flavours
of Linux.
Last week Apple announced it was going to move its computer CPU to Intel, which
created a lot of commotion that wasn't really necessary. Everyone that I know
who has bought a Mac didn't say, "Geez I'm glad I bought that Power PC chip"
or "I bought the Mac because I thought the Power PC chip in it was the best."
Apples have always been the alternative choice because of innovation, functionality,
stability and to a certain extent, innovative funkiness. (Sorry if I seem to be
preaching to the already converted).
It would have been good to see Apple tough it out with IBM for a few more years
because on the drawing board of IBM, Toshiba and Sony is something spectacular
coming out in the Cell processor, and if Apple wants to get serious in the server
market it should stick with Power PC where they will have the upper hand to their
Wintel cousins. However, IBM is facing the same issues Motorola had, and if people
remember their processor history, the reason why our PCs don't have Motorola chips
today was because of Motorola's inability to provide high volumes of cheap chips.
IBM has stretched it's arms in the manufacturing and fabrication process very
quickly, and it's a shame in some ways, but it won't stop the Apple lovers from
coming back for more as long as the ethos that made it popular doesn't cease.
Hotnews
Solomon Trujillo, the new incoming CEO of Telstra, has made no apology that
if Telstra increase their service offerings, where there is justification for
price increases there will be. Solomon also said that Telstra will try to eliminate
the digital divide by ensuring all Australians, and not just big cities, has better
access to ICT services. With the government intending to sell Telstra once they
get Senate majority in July, it will be interesting how the change management
processes will go. Solomon, a veteran of mergers and splits, will no doubt have
his hands full this coming financial year.
Microsoft is setting up its new MSN portal in China, and as part of the regulatory
requirements the Chinese Government has asked is that on chat rooms and blogs,
certain words must be banned. Those words - such as democracy and Taiwan independence
- will no doubt lead to a growing culture of new words and abbreviations that
mean the same thing.
Adobe has announced security patches for those who use their Windows Photoshop
CS, Creative Suite 1.0 and Premier Pro 1.5 products.
A Congressional hearing will be held this week to determine whether the international
space station is worthwhile and worth funding. The unique part about this event
is that testimony will be given from space by astronaut John Phillips.
Hotsites
- helendowland.terminus.net.au
- A gifted children consultant has put up what at first would seem like a very
basic site. However, delve deeper and you realise there is a wealth of information
to help with dealing with a gifted child - from children who are disabled but
gifted to home schooling gifted children. Excellent reference site for parents.
- www.garden.org
- I remember my first attempt at gardening was in year two where I dropped seeds
into an old soft drink bottle and amazingly after a week the first green leaves
sprouted. It is sad to say but my days haven't progressed from there but with
this site there is no excuse not to garden. It also has a section on kids gardening
to help them appreciate the wonders of nature.
- www.exploratorium.edu
- The Exploratorium is a museum of science, art and what I love exploring most,
human perception. This website is engaging for all ages with a number of interactive
pages and also practical experiments you can conduct at home.
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