Posts by Zippy Gonzales

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  • OnPoint: Don’t let them eat cake,

    You see hoons. I see frustrated engineers.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Hard News: From soundbite to policy,

    Much of what Lessig said about copyright could also be applied to patents. Cultural innovation is stifled by anachronistic rules on both copyright and patents, favouring the big players protecting their modes of production.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Public Address Word of the Year 2008,

    Helicopter. Helicopter parents, helicopter Winston, helicopter Ben Bernanke.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Hard News: Flu diversions,

    But there's a pretty clear steer at the end of the premiere that this is no mere mutation, but a human folly -- which I personally found a bit depressing.

    Then you probably don't want to read the Germ Warfare section of this Wired story then.

    If they're going to reboot anything, it should be Blakes 7. Truly original bastard sci-fi.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Speaker: Database Nation,

    Also, I have had some discussions with people from the Office of the Privacy Commission, and in principle Snapper are very constrained as far as sharing their data goes. The issue is really whether they need to collect as much data as they do.

    Good on ya, Stephen. I must admit, Snapper's FAQ and T&C have evolved somewhat since I last looked at it. The data sharing has pared back, or at least, been blurred with all sorts of clauses about loyalty programmes and so forth. I can't find the bit about requiring a credit check to get a properly functioning bus ticket, but it may be lurking in there still.

    Between Snapper and Air NZ's new RFID chips for Africa scheme, there seems to be a debate we're not having about these innovative way of tracking things.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Speaker: Database Nation,

    The conversation on privacy and RFID chips is lacking exposure here in NZ too.

    Here in Wellington, the equivalent of Oyster has emerged in the form of Snapper. Not only are regular commuters excluded from regular trip concessions unless they carry this RFID chip, they have to fork out $10 for the pleasure. While registering the Snapper is not compulsory, the only way to check one's transaction history, in case of overcharging for example, is to submit personal details to the database. Of course, one's transaction data becomes the property of Snapper, to do with as it sees fit.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Island Life: Unaccustomed as I am,

    Present company excluded, of course!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Island Life: Unaccustomed as I am,

    Ta, Graeme. And thank you Mr Slack for a good overview of maiden speeches. Makes me proud that the old man used his one to say "Kill all the lawyers."

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Island Life: Unaccustomed as I am,

    Does Roger Douglas get another crack at a maiden speech, or are you ever allowed only one maiden?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

  • Hard News: Poll Crunch,

    Wingnut season alright. McCain said the c word on live US TV. The 2008 Republican campaign is a lesson in how NOT to win an election.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report

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