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Google, Mail and PGP — but what about the keys?
Techcrunch reports that Google will release a plugin for the Chrome browser that makes PGP-based encryption much easier for webmail users, such as Gmail users. That’s cool! Mozilla, I hope you are right behind! But the article leaves out the most important question: who will have access to the keys? Chances are that Google will…
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A coffee-maker that refuses the “wrong” coffee?
Dan Gillmor writes about a Keurig coffee machine from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters that will simply not brew competitors’ coffee. Sorry, say what? The mind boggles. What’s next? Ford cars refusing to run on gas that isn’t Exxon? Microwaves refusing the heat up home-cooked food? Sidewalks refusing to let people jog on them who don’t…
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“Your Lack of Privacy Is Someone Else’s Wealth”
Great quote from Jaron Lanier. It just about sums it up. Perhaps “… and/or Power” could be added. But then it’s less catchy. This is a great insight. Why do we instinctively feel uncomfortable with invasions of privacy? We often take that as a given, without thinking through what exactly it is that makes us…
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Peak cloud
Yesterday, Bill Gurley tweeted: It is clear that US tech companies are about to suffer from NSA activity. Politics aside, this is really, really bad for Silicon Valley. He’s of course correct. It’s been a wonderful surprise for lots of non-US companies who suddenly have a rather compelling argument to make against their US-based competitors.…
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Wansview NCB541W review
Wansview is bribing me, with $10, to write a review for their Wansview NCB541W camera. Deal! In summary: the hardware is nice, the software and the documentation sucks. Hardware: Good: can pan and swivel by remote control Good: comes with mounting bracket Ok: picture quality Bad: audio out and power in have the same plug…