Status-Q

[Original Link] The EU is going the way of the US, and the whole patent world is in danger of becoming a farce. It's good that, in the midst of this, people can write such well-thought-out articles as Kieren McCarthy.

[Original Link] Iraqis weren't the only ones looting and vandalising, according to this Time report.

[Thanks to Denny for the link]

...as the Monkees would say.

Today I had a high-quality video conversation with a friend in California. Here's how I did it:

I plugged a camera into my Mac. (A camcorder, in my case, but almost any Firewire camera will work and quite a few USB ones.) A camera icon appeared in my instant message window. I noticed that my friend also had one, so I double-clicked on it. And there we were, smiling at each other.

Now get this - I had done NO previous configuration. I hadn't told my Mac I was about to connect a camera. I hadn't installed any drivers. I had only just bought the camera and hadn't plugged it in before. I hadn't configured any bandwidth options or considered the fact that I was behind a firewall. It just worked. This is why I love Apple.

A Mac with an iSight camera costs less than an ISDN video conferencing solution did a few years ago, and it's a darnSight easier to use.

[Original Link] Well, I don't generally promote products here (other than Apple's!), but on my brother's recommendation I've just tried Somersets Shaving Oil, and it's remarkably good. Replaces foam/gel/soap and you just use three drops per shave, which means it comes in a very small bottle. Ideal for travelling, and amazingly good results. I have no connection with the company except for being a satisfied and surprised customer!

[Original Link] John's ponderings on a recent trip to Berlin. Update, 2012: link changed - article now here.