Technology

Lamar Smith Is Back To “Protect The Children”

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Lamar Smith, who gave us the disaster known as SOPA is now back with a supposed “protect the children/stop child porn bill” that really involves ISPs keeping your information and making it available without warrant. Now it’s only in the House, with no Senate version in sight.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Lamar Smith apparently has decided to be the enemy of internet freedom and privacy in the House, so those of us working in IT who also like not being treated like criminals should keep an eye on him. Come to think of it when he leaves the House (I figure due to a scandal) we should ALSO keep an eye on him. Oh, and he’s a jerk.
  • Considering Smith introduced it, my guess is this bill could be a back-door to SOPA like shenanigans. If IPSs had to keep this information, it would be a lot easier to add SOPA-like abuses.
  • Technically a bill like this is a disaster as well, but note it’s not as much an “internet breaker” as SOPA. I’m suspecting this could be part of SOPA-returns-in-pieces.
  • The bill won’t come up until later this year, so it has a chance to die off – or be killed.
  • No, it’s apparent members of Congress don’t get the internet. *We* have to remind them.
  • I’m pretty sure Lamar Smith hates you.

– Steven Savage

A Look At Windows 8?

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Engadget has it’s impressions of Windows 8 consumer. What I picked up:

  • The interface with XBox is limited, but pretty good. This makes the future of Windows/Microsoft pretty clear – full integration.
  • The System definitely shows it’s trying to have it all ways – it’s not a “complete re-invention” but, as Windows has so often been, a new system with a way of running old stuff.
  • Most of it sounds actually quite promising, except for some control foofaraw.

Microsoft is betting a lot on this because they need to move with the times and compete with a slicker, more tablet-oriented world that’s not as tolerant of idiosyncrasies of technology.

My Takeaways:

  • So, definitely imperfect, but also showing Microsoft put some thought into this (hell, in some cases too much thought), and is dedicated to moving this way in the future. Yes, that means you’ll probably have to put up with it.
  • Developers are going to need to keep on top of this of course, which roughly sums up as “Start Learning Metro.”
  • XBox developers also need to pay attention because the interface, which seems simple now, has a lot of promise. To whet your appetite, look at the Wii U controller. Now imagine a tablet connected to the Xbox . . .
  • For those of us working in IT, it’s another system to keep track of. Me, I’d like to see more on the security myself . . .
  • As this gets closer to market, watch to see what’s done with Apple and Android. Apple and the Android quarter know this is coming – we may have some surprises from their goody bag as it gets closer as a way to head off any Windows enthusiasm (which are words I so rarely put together anymore)

– Steven Savage

The Smithsonian In 3D!

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The Smithsonian is going to build ana rchive of 3D models of Key pieces. The plan is that some items will get printed out, some may remain digital, etc. There’s no plan to put these available to everyone.

Yet.

We’ve discussed 3D printers here for awhile, but let me now digress a bit into what this can mean.

  1. This is the major national museum jumping on 3D storage, imaging, and printing. That’s big. That’s huge. That’s moving with the times. That will also make people more aware of 3D modeling and printing.
  2. Now that this is out people WILL want the models made available for them to print. If that happens – and I see no reason why not – it’ll be an amazing boost to awareness of 3D printing.
  3. Other museums and institutions will doubtlessly follow suit in using modeling software and archives. This could be a job area to look into.
  4. No matter who does the modeling, some of it is going to leak out to the 3D printing world. Nuff said.
  5. It the Smithsonian shares models with schools, if schools print things themselves, that can promote awareness of 3D printing and technology.
  6. If you at all are into 3D modeling, imaging, and 3D printing, you’ve probably got a lot of ideas.
  7. Imagine what digital exhibits and the sharing of them can mean to museums and similar institutions.

3D printing enthusiasts? Start lobbying the Smithsonian to make things available now. Write the president – he’s a geek. This could really push the technology into mainstream awareness.

Oh, and this opens up some interesting career paths too . . .

–Steven Savage