Sam Ruby, a colleague I have not met within or without work, has this to say on Standards:
A standard is one that has multiple, inter-operable, independent implementations. An open standard, at least in the software world, is one where at least one of those implementations is open source.
The full piece can be read here.
Roo has got an interesting post on his recent visit to the BBC; it certain sounds like they are heading in good directions.
In the comments, Andy Piper linked to The BBC’s Fifteen Web Principles. They make a lot of sense and should be required reading for anyone interested in the subject.
I particularly like the line:
13. Let people paste your content on the walls of their virtual homes
It encapsulates everything I enjoy about the internet these days.
Whilst I may not worship at the alter of Apple beyond owning an elderly 3G iPod, I do like their series of Mac/PC TV ads. Their blatant stereotyping of the suit-wearing PC compared to the hip and cool, hoodie-wearing Mac may be a little unfair, but they do get their message across. What would it take to get Bill Gates and Steve Jobs together in front of a camera for a real-life debate of their respective platforms? Unlikely I reckon.
Apple do invest a lot of time and effort on image and style. They certainly benefit from controlling the hardware that their software runs on – both in terms of controlling the look of the brand as well as being able to profit directly from it. I wonder how many people buy a Mac because of the look of the laptop they get to carry, or the operating system it runs?
Either way, Apple just went up another notch in my cool scale; the Get a Mac TV adverts have been redone for the UK market, albeit it web-only, with the very funny Mitchell and Webb taking the Mac and PC roles. It’s a perfect fit for their characters – whichever advertising creative realised this, should be rewarded. There are only 6 ads up at the moment, but I’m sure more will follow.
Its not enough to get me to switch though – I’m in a position where I pay nothing for my Operating System and don’t have to pay a premium for the shiny white box to run it on.
Go check out the UK ads here.
After two and a half years in my flat, Jo and I have decided its time to move on. Where exactly has yet to be determined, although we do plan to stay in or around West End.
Since Jo moved in after the wedding, we have struggled for space and found ourselves frequently taking trips to the local charity shop with bags of clothes and other assorted items.
When I bought the flat, the plan had been for the 2nd bedroom to become an office. Unfortunately I have barely spent any time in there; it became the dumping ground for anything that didn’t fit elsewhere. It was quite a task last Sunday to de-clutter the surfaces so it would be ready for viewings. I just hope the estate agent doesn’t open any of the wardrobes…
It seems a bit ironic that it’s the prospect of selling the flat that has lead us to tidy it this much.
More details on the flat are available here.
Visiting friends in Andover
