/ blog · 2007
Archive
Posts from 2004 to 2017. This was a personal blog during a fairly chaotic decade in independent publishing — some of it tech commentary, some of it Australia, some of it ephemera. It’s kept here in full for anyone who arrives via an old link.
Current writing lives at SiliconANGLE.
Governments Don’t Win Elections, Oppositions Lose Them
A week is a long time in politics and its been even longer for the Labor Party this week. The Labor Party’s momentum of the phony election campaign has given way to a Liberal Party that is running a blitzkreig on all fronts. I’m for the Liberal tax cuts: Australia still remains one of the […]
MyMac Australia: The Saga Continues
I tried reaching out to MyMac Australia, but the rather heated person who called me earlier today just sent me this. I find it rather odd but he thinks I’m bullying and threatening him when the first thing he said to me on the call today was get the video down or we’ll sue you. […]
I’ve Been Threatened With Legal Action by MyMac
Interesting call from MyMac Melbourne who weren’t happy with my previous post about them selling me an incomplete iSight kit. The conversation started well (not): they immediately demanded that I remove the post and YouTube video I put up or I’d be hearing from their lawyers.My response was simply that I want the missing parts […]
Maybe Next Time
Just for the record I’ve decided not to run for the DLP at this election. I think when it comes down to it that I’ve enjoyed my time out of politics too much, and certainly becoming political again risks damaging the great relationships I’ve built up in the last 2 years, and @simone comes to […]
Should I run for the LDP in Forrest?
A totally left of centre offer today: I was aksed to consider running for the Liberty and Democracy Party as their candidate in Forrest. The initial rush of blood to the head was like blood to a vampire for me: it’s hard to ever get away from politics once you’ve been involved at some stage, […]
Recommended Viewing: NEWStopia
SBS launched a new show last night, a Shaun McCaulife news-style satire by the name of NEWStopia. It’s playing 10pm Wednesdays for an initial 10 week run. I didn’t see it last night, but read about it in Crikey today, you can watch the show (for the next week) here. It’s actually pretty good, and […]
I’ve Caught the Second Life Bug Again
I blame Cameron Reilly! I’ve been spending more and more time in Second Life lately, mostly for researching TechCrunch posts (see coverage here) and then I noticed Cam had set up a HQ for The Podcast Network. I met up with Cam Friday night (still in Brisbane for the Australian Blogging Conference, the Chifley had […]
Cool Battery Hack
I’ve got no idea if the same applies to Australian batteries, but it’s still amazing none the less: 32 AA batteries from 1 6v 6 Volt Battery Hack! You’ll Be Amazed! – video powered by Metacafe
Busy Week
Im sitting in the lobby of the Hotel Adagio San Francisco waiting for check-in. Funny how the staff at an expensive hotel are ruder than the cheap Best Western I stayed in last night: “Check-in isn’t until 3” I was told, where as when I rocked up at the Best Western yesterday at 12 they […]
On The Pod and Travel
Ben Barren was telling me this week that he finds himself posting a whole lot less and instead Twittering: he’s right for me as well, I spend far too much time Twittering and less time blogging, I’m not sure whether this is a bad thing or good thing, and I am still blogging heavily, just […]
Qantas Club Wifi Brisbane Airport
I was upgraded to Silver Status (One World Ruby) last month and the trip East for Influence is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to use it. Checking in at the business class queue in Perth this morning was great, particularly after the at least 2km walk from long term parking at 6:30am (they’ve […]
My Mac Melbourne
A little message to My Mac, an official Apple reseller located on Flinders Street, Melbourne. That’s My Mac, My Mac of Melbourne, My Mac Apple Reseller, My Mac Apple Melbourne 🙂
Fairfax Has a SEO Team
This weeks SEOmoz Whiteboard Friday is an interview with Lucas Ng, who does in house SEO for Fairfax Digital. Cool in some respects that Australian online players are now employing SEO talent to maximize their search engine rankings and position. Aside from the cliches (f*ck Rand, have you never met an Australian before?!?! do you […]
Primus Telecom Are Scammers
I’ve just received a call on my mobile that I thought I’d share with everyone rather than complain to the TIO and ACCC. The phone rings, I answer it. There is silence, then a foreign ring tone….a sure sign I’m about to talk to an Indian Call Centre. Me: Duncan Riley SpeakingCall Centre: I’m calling […]
Andrew Keen Is a Twit
I’m being polite tonight, Twit is far too nice. What I don’t get is how he figures we should be fed news by “impartial journalists” when there is no such thing as an impartial journalist, in the same way there is no such thing as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. Typical of the MSM […]
Australian Blogging Conference Is Back On: Sep 28 in Brisbane
Got an email from Peter Black this morning: the Australian Blogging Conference is back on. Venue is QUT Brisbane September 28. Details here. Format is a Dave Winer style unconference. I haven’t booked a flight yet but I’ve already said yes to attending, I’m certainly not going to miss something I’ve been advocating for over the last […]
Why the AFL is Farked
Read this. WTF? Instead of the issue being focused on yet another couple of AFL players being on the Persian rugs, I say yet another couple because if you look at the Weagles alone more than one are on them, the problem is Channel 7 publishing the truth. Yes folks: AFL players may boycott the […]
On The Pod Episode 3 Is Live
OK, so I was shocked to find that my last post was to episode 2 a week a go. Yes, I need to start personal blogging some more, but in the mean time check out Episode 3 of On The Pod. This week I interview Bronwen Clune of PerthNorg.
Strippergate: Don’t Forget How It Touches The Ladies
Interesting online discussion 12 hours after Strippergate hit the headlines. All the commentary I’ve seen so far has been from men who think Rudd has done nothing wrong. Of course they all would have done the same thing in the past (to an extent) although at least in my own credit I’ve never touched a […]
Our Next Prime Minister
An ode to Kevin Rudd (apologies for the nudity, it’s probably less than he looked at, or felt 🙂 )