http://www.defectivebydesign.org/ipad

If you think that the iPad is promoting DRM of apps that will lead computing in a direction that will undermine the freedom that we currently are enjoying, freedom the seeds of which have been sown over the last few decades, the visit the link above and sign the petition.

Or so I thought. Then I realized with every single one of them writing pages upon pages of commentary, I’m not going to bring in too much insight. I’ve hence, tried to curate some interesting articles that I found. You’ve probably read most of them already, but in case you have been in a di-lithium mine on Remus. Yup! That’s right, I do like Star Trek. Now do you understand why I loathe – hate – despise what has been done to the iPad!! PADD!! arrrrggghhh! serenity now! serenity now!

There mainly 3 kinds of responses to the iPad

1. grumbling about the lack of features/hardware/standards

2. Its v2.0 of the tablet that moses used

3. It’s evil. It’s the end of computing as we know it

I’m not going to bother to classify the links below into the above categories ( some overlap ).

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

http://www.zeldman.com/2010/02/01/flash-ipad-standards/

http://lifehacker.com/5458690/the-problem-with-the-apple-ipad

http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/02/apple-stanza-usb

http://www.scripting.com/stories/2010/01/29/attnJoeShouldWeTrustIpad.html

http://www.scripting.com/stories/2010/01/30/moreIpadThoughts.html

http://al3x.net/2010/01/28/ipad.html

http://blog.louisgray.com/2010/01/ipad-wins-with-casual-computing-and.html

http://inessential.com/2010/01/27/bad_gravity

http://joehewitt.com/post/ipad/

http://tirania.org/blog/archive/2010/Jan-29.html

t3rmin4t0r, had something interesting to say, about censorship in Australia. I think it applies quite a bit to what Apple is doing to all those who enjoy the freedom of tinkering with our computers.

Any country attempting to close its internet borders in the name of censorship should be defeated, for the fear of setting a precedent. Censorship anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere.

I don’t believe Apple is evil. Well, at least, they are not the only company that is “evil”. I do know that they are a teeny bit hypocirtical.

Oh yeah, about the iPad .. I’ve decided not to lease buy the iPad until

• There is a way other than Apple controlled store,
• Or, Apple open-sources its OS
• Or, Apple stops rejecting apps (any app – even the crappy kinds)

I was but 4 years old when Steve Jobs said

It appears IBM wants it all. Apple is perceived to be the only hope to offer IBM a run for its money. Dealers initially welcoming IBM with open arms now fear an IBM-dominated and -controlled future. They are increasingly turning back to Apple as the only force that can ensure their future freedom. IBM wants it all and is aiming its guns on its last obstacle to industry control: Apple. Will Big Bluedominate the entire computer industry? The entire information age? Was George Orwell right?

It’s been 25 years, and I fear that George Orwell might have been right after all!

– peace out –

It’s been a while since I last updated, or even had the inclination to do so … well .. I’m back.

Here’s what I’ve been doing since the last time I updated:

• work
• worry
• work
• procrastinate
• gain weight
• work
• quit smoking
• go to India
• fail miserably at quitting smoking
• took a lot of pictures
• return to vancouver
• work

In the end, here’s what I have to show for the last month

P.S: This post is edited to remove some things I said that I shouldn’t have. I eat my words

I’ve lived in India for 27 of the 29 years of my life (moved to Canada in 2007) For almost every year for the last 15 years (that’s how long I’ve been a gadget/tech fanatic), I have lamented the availability or lack thereof of any newly released shiny thingies. Amazon has finally figured out that people outside the US, read books too. Imagine my delight when I heard that there a new version of the Kindle (The global wireless edition – no less) (Disclosure: affiliate link).

Here’s what I get when I checked to see if it available in India

Isn’t that amazing!! The Kindle is finally available in India!! Yay!

And then, I see this

GAAAAAAA!!! Why? Why? Why?!!!!!

If you are in the UK or India, you can still buy the Kindle, using the link below.