 On
The Net - Computing News
with Chris Goh
What a Year
This was one of those years where you look back and scratch your head about what to make of it.
Personally, there were a number of challenges, but they were minor in terms of the way the global landscape changed. The information age has made us realise that everyone faces similar, if not greater, trials and tribulations. And while fear and suspicion are increasing, I think that on the positive side in the era of information globalisation, there's a greater feeling of global empathy.
We are much more interconnected. We have the technology, but more importantly, the culture that has matured enough to move away from a simple discourse. One of the great things to see this year was that the participation of women on the Net is now higher than for males.
But my great concern is that in an effort to explore the vast regions of the information superhighway, we often forget where it all began. The entertainment factor in online gaming and web communities means that the Internet is now a growing franchise for escapists who find a measure of their worth through virtual interactions. I'd be wrong to suggest that it doesn't have its benefits, but if people become dependant on it to find self-fulfilment, then I think there are serious issues to be answered and new ways of social management will have to be thought out.
We must remember that Net culture is in its teenage years and has a bit more time before it matures in structure and content. In a decade's time, people won't remember how life was BI (Before Internet).
New ways of taking advantage of the information systems are yet to be established. The interesting thing about the Net is its anarchist model. It's very interesting to note that governments are attempting to moderate this side of things, and that it can only happen with greater international co-operation. It'll be interesting to see who'll win (I'm betting on the anarchist).
I really hope for all of you that what follows is a year of peace, joy, merriment and most of all, that most intangible of faiths, hope.
Thanks for reading - I hope you've gained as much as I've gained from writing this.
HotNews
Lindows has hit retail shelves in the States. It's vying for a share of the operating system market against Windows and is about $70 cheaper than its Microsoft rival. While the operating system is targeting new computer users, it will be interesting to see whether Lindows can capture some of the Linux market share, where there are cheaper alternatives.
The Shadow Minister for Communications has triggered an enquiry into the effects of splitting up Telstra's wholesale and retail arms. The Minister for Communications, Senator Alston, initially warmed to the idea, but denies that it's because the Government has changed its strategy on splitting up the telco.
Australian Universities are facing a 10 to 30 per cent drop in students seeking IT degrees, leading some to speculate that the tech down turn may be the cause. However, while Aussie kids are seeking greener pastures, there has been no drop in interest from overseas students (in many cases there's been a large increase). The fall may also be the result of competition - many students are doing specialised technology courses, like Microsoft certificates, in high school, and TAFE is also offering industry bridging courses in IT.
The movie studios are going all out to prosecute Lech Johansen, a 19-year-old hacker who developed the DeCSS software. Lech reached iconic status in the hacking fraternity when he released software that cracked DVD scrambling, which prevents disks being copied. The copyright owners were not so impressed. He's facing a fine, the confiscation of his computer and a 90-day suspended sentence.
If you're hearing a collective sigh of relief from digital photographers, it's thanks to new software, Image Rescue from Lexar Media. It will rescue photos you've accidentally deleted (I can hear The Echo editor's relief as he reads this), from flash cards.
Nokia is getting into the handheld games market by introducing a phone that is both a dedicated gaming device and mobile phone.
If you get an email from Nigeria to buy something - beware. You might be used to the "I've got $20 million to get out of the country" routing, but the latest scam has caught many US citizens unaware. The Nigerians are buying goods and sending their victims bogus cheques. How do they get away with it? In the USA, banks will clear a cheque immediately, so as not to inconvenience their clients, without checking whether the funds are available. Thinking that the cheque has been cleared, the victims send off the goods, only to discover the truth a few days later. The Nigerian scam has been so successful that there is now a support group for the victims. It makes the slow clearance times of Australian banks seem a virtue.
HotSites
Even columns have traditions and one of mine is no hot sites over Christmas. Send all the emails you need, but make sure your modem is unplugged and you enjoy Christmas day with the people around you.
As the saying about the certainties of death and taxes implies, you won't always have the people you love around you, so enjoy every moment.
If you are lonely, have lost a loved one, or are away from them for Christmas, then I know it's not easy (and email can be a good way to stay in touch), but take the challenge this Christmas and surround yourself with people if you have the chance.
I wish you all a safe journey and promise to return next year. Thanks for your E-mails (keep them coming) - suggestions are always welcomed, and a warm and affectionate Christmas to you all.
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