Friday, August 20, 2004

Cherry to launch keyboard for Linux users. Linux users in German-speaking countries and the U.K. will have an opportunity to buy keyboards specially designed for the open source operating system in late September, when Cherry GmbH launches what the company claims is the world's first Linux keyboard. [InfoWorld: Top News] Hey, I want one too! 11:04:55 PM    comment []

Reports criticize DHS for lack of progress on IT. The GAO and the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general have issued critical reports about IT at the DHS -- a development that calls into question whether a proposed consolidation of U.S. intelligence agencies would lead to the same kinds of problems. [Computerworld News] Well, I guess they have to pick on something, since making real change is about as likely as finding a warm spot in a snow storm.  I am moving through the 9/11 Commission Report and the failures of the Intelligence community are not in their lack of IT, (although it is in need of some serious work, don't get me wrong) but in the simple act of left-hand right-hand.  In this case, as spelled out in the commission's findings, it was a case of the left-hand not being allowed to talk to the right-hand.  They cite several instances where the data was held and the sharing of that data was prohibited by policy or procedure, not IT or different departments not wanting to share.  In most cases cited, the information was in the SAME office, but was not allowed to be shared. No amount of technology is going to allow you to get around stupidity.   10:57:23 PM    comment []

Sen. Kennedy Flagged by No-Fly List (washingtonpost.com). washingtonpost.com - U.S. Sen. Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy said yesterday that he was stopped and questioned at airports on the East Coast five times in March because his name appeared on the government's secret "no-fly" list. [Yahoo! News - Top Stories] If you think the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, or anyone else for that matter has a clue as to how best to secure and safeguard the traveling public, then you really need to read this article in the Post.  If it doesn't open your eyes, then you deserve every delay and inconvenience you are saddled with in the name of "safety and security." Oh, and make sure you travel with the name of a good lawyer in your pocket too. 10:48:27 PM    comment []

Swap Your PC, or Your President. The producer of ads featuring PC users who switched to Macs is applying the same tactic to political commercials. This time, he'll focus on former backers of President Bush, recruited online, who've changed their political allegiance. By Louise Witt. [Wired News] Oh, this could be very interesting.  Who needs inflammatory ads when the man on the street is going to stick it to you! 10:43:23 PM    comment []

Good morning.  Those of you in Punta Gorda region, just keep right on what you are doing - nothing I have to say this morning is more important that what you are doing. For the rest of us, here are some pictures from the region so we can all understand what is going on.  Any Amateur operators that are reading this, get over the ARRL web site if you can spare a few days to go down and relieve the operators on the ground. ...when all else fails 10:42:00 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 David Lane.