Inside View

Links to e-books

UPDATED IN LATE JUNE 2011 upon the arrival of my Kindle 3.

IF MY DATA are correct, American tourists are hitting Ireland in numbers as large as pre-9/11. And many of them brought their ebooks from places like these:

Free Public Wi-Fi

TECHNOCULTURE -- Karlin Lillington adds her voice to those other seasoned travelers who think Wi-Fi access should be as free as lights illuminating airports.

"I would see free wireless access in the Aer Lingus business longue as a far-preferable perk to massages, free newspapers or even those individually wrapped chocolate Kimberley biscuits they have in the bowl up there."

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Karlin Lillington -- "Free airport wireless access makes up for taxi queues" in The Irish Times Technology, June 25, 2004.
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Weinberger slates DRM

JOHO -- Like Cory Doctorow before him, David Weinberger ventured to Redmond to explain why Microsoft's current approaches to DRM are a path to failure. "A pay-per-use system and allowing artists to control their works much past launching them into the world will kill culture."

Back door DRM

ENGADGET -- In a move that some people think amounts to DRM through the back door, 145 different computer and electronics companies have agreed to work together towards interoperability in entertainment devices. The members of the Digital Living Network Alliance (which includes Sony and Microsoft but not Apple and RealNetworks) plan to create a standard for interoperability that will extend interoperatbility to television screens, digital video recorders and other media equipment.

DRM in disguise

ENGADGET -- Although 145 different computer and electronics companies have agreed to work together to connect their equipment, they may actually be trying to "find ways to sell out consumers and cave in to the entertainment industry," according to Peter Rojas.

Dublin House to Rent

DUBLIN -- Antoin O Lachtnain has an excellent three-bedroom self-catering house in Ranelagh to rent for €1075 a week. This is an excellent value if your budget normally permits you to stay overnight in Dublin hotels or if you're planning to take the family to Ireland for a summer vacation. You can cook your own meals or enjoy Ranelagh (very cool and trendy) around the clock.

Ireland's dishonest visitor

SHANNON -- One of the most dishonest American presidents visits Ireland today, staving off questions about the way he has linked Iraq to 9/11. Recent independent findings have concluded there is no relationship between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein. President Bush has suffered in his standing against terrorism by Americans now believing that his Democratic rival is more trustworthy. Expect George Bush to postion himself in an executive manner when he broadcasts a statement to the Irish people this evening. Don't believe everything he says. As Sidney Blumenthal says, "Bush's battle is not with image, but with the unraveling of his reality."

Summer Reading List

KILKENNY -- We have sunshine, a comfortable table and chairs outside so that means there's space and a place for summer reading. I've got a pile of essential readings set for students that I must comb through again and another stack of books on my personal reading list.

Managing web commentary

BERNSTEIN -- I believe comments enhance dialogue and won't consider totally blocking trackback or comments on the blog properties I maintain. You need comments to spark a dialogue and without comments, a microcontent author produces a Web page, not a blog page. The trick is to get the balance right and to also manage comments within the constraints of a normal day. Mark Bernstein doesn't avail comments to his readers. He also thinks it's important to pause before commenting. That's valuable advice and a principle taught in several Writing Skills lectures by me.

Kitty turns 21

TUCSON -- Kitty Goldbach V'Marie turned 21 today and I wish I was there in the desert southwest to observe the special day. I Ireland, we would have started slow, tasting the local brew (Smithwick's), the premium Irish stout (Guinness) and then showing Kitty some of my favourite drinks. I like them mixed in The Hibernian where we would enjoy a sidewalk table and watch the people walk the night away.

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