Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not represented as fact
|
At last,
the contents of Aardvark's "million-dollar ideas" notebook
are revealed for all to see!
|
|
Time for more of the odd-ball, quirky and sometimes funny stuff that lurks
in the backwaters of the web.
Coincidence Design
Here's a worrying website. It goes way beyond computer dating and verges
on the frighteningly wierd!
Big Muscles Fast
Why work out when you can wow the chicks with these beauties!
Win toilet paper!
And who said there were no freebies left on the Net?
Need Cutting-Edge Copy?
As NZ's longest-running online commentator, I'm looking for
extra syndication opportunities for this daily publication -- or I'm happy
to write casual or regular material specifically to order for print or
Net-based publications. If you're
interested, drop me a line
|
|
Bandaid Bill Is At It Again
Billy-boy says he's seen the light and will be changing Microsoft's focus
from "features" to security.
Yes, that's right -- it's only taken a decade for Bill to admit that
he was wrong and the rest of the online community was right when they
said that Microsoft's attitude to the design of online systems was
stupid.
Of course, as we know, Mr Gates has always been a bit slow on the
uptake. How much memory is enough? The Net won't amount to much because
MSN will rule the world? Customers want features ahead of security?
In true Gatesian style, Bill fired off
a memo
to over 47,000 staff informing
them that they were now involved in an initiative which is to be known
as "Trustworthy Computing." Oh please, which PR company stung them six
figures to come up with that name?
In this memo, Bill rallies his troops to battle by telling them that "if we
don't do this, people simply won't be willing -- or able -- to take advantage
of all the other great work we do."
"...all the other great work we do"?? I'm sorry -- I must have missed something
here.
Was he talking about harrassing charitable organisations so as to squeeze
extra Windows licensing fees out of them perhaps?
Or maybe it was making the average Windows user an easy target for any
wannable hacker who wants some cheap thrills on a Sunday afternoon?
However, we've got to give the man credit for fessing up to the fact that
his company's products, from a security perspective, are nothing but crap.
As he so rightly states -- "All those great features won't matter unless customers
trust our software. So now, when we face a choice between adding features and
resolving security issues, we need to choose security."
Errr.. excuse me Bill but hasn't anyone actually told you that good security
isn't something you can add on to an existing OS or application in lieu of
a new feature?
Good security is something that needs to be considered at every stage of
the design and implementation process -- it's not something you can go
back and tack on later like a bandaid just because the market and the
government is bitching at you.
But hey, we can't expect Microsoft to be concerned, or even aware of little
details like that can we? After all, "security" is clearly something of a
foreign concept to the Microsoft team.
Need Content?
If you're looking for some informed, relevant, interesting content for your
company's newsletter or website then perhaps I can help.
Drop me a line if you'd like some material written
for you on a casual or regular basis.
It's Still Free -- So Pay Up!
Every month, Aardvark scores over half a million hits, at least 150K page views and
delivers more than 6GB of data to visitors.
All this traffic has meant that I've had to shift the site to a new server
to ensure that your daily dose is always fresh and delivered to your
browser with minimal delays.
I also invest over 300 hours per year writing the daily column and compiling
the day's news index -- all for your illumination and entertainment.
If you haven't sent any money to help offset the costs of running this
ad-free, 100% Kiwi, always fresh, often controversial site then you can give
yourself the warm-fuzzies this Christmas by doing so now.
Just drop by, click on the Aardvark, and
hand over your loot.
Add Aardvark To Your Own Website!
Got a moment? Want a little extra fresh content for your own website or
page?
Just add a
couple of lines of JavaScript
to your pages and you can get
a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated
each and every week-day.
Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using
the RSS format. More details can be found
here.
Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and
have any problems.
|
Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it
now!
|
|
There are 2 new Vacancies (14 January 2002) In The Job Centre
There are 14 Domain Names for sale
| 
= open in new window