Virtual vehicles for the metaverse
Topics concerning that thing known as ‘real life’ and not virtual worlds.
On the shelf in the corner of my desk sits a rack of folders that are clearly labelled and colour-coded by project and function. The folders are full of paper and look impressively tidy and organized. Anyone entering my cubicle will be struck by a sense of purpose and order, because I have a system.
I wonder if it would help if I actually used them for something.
On November 18, I wrote about how mainstream media ignored worldwide protests against a war in Iraq (Thousands protest. No one notices.). Well, if news websites are any indication, this time it appears that at least Canadian politicians are getting the message.
In this quote, Gilles Duceppe hits the nail on the head:
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe was among the Montreal marchers who felt the United States cannot act alone against Iraq.
“The United States defence minister told us last week how it was unfortunate they can’t use chemical weapons, and that the use of atomic weapons was a possibility,” Duceppe said. “My God, it makes no sense for people who are supposedly responsible to use such language. I am very happy the (UN weapons) inspectors showed there’s not enough proof to go to war with Iraq.” *
And Vancouver mayor, Larry Campbell:
“If this conflict continues, they will be coming for your children, for the young people here, to go fight in their war,” he said. “If they drop a nuclear bomb [here] you will be breathing it. This is very much a problem for our city.” *
And finally, PM Jean Chretien in this speech in Chicago on Thursday. Well, it’s about as forthright as the guy’s ever going to get:
The price of being the world’s only superpower is that its motives are sometimes questioned by others. Great strength is not always perceived by others as benign. Not everyone around the world is prepared to take the word of the United States on faith. *
Maybe, eventually, someone in the Whitehouse will start to listen. I can just imagine Dubya’s next speech: “Awww. You people never let us have any fun.”
Mushrooms at Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver
If you saw these growing on a log in the forest, would you lick them?
This just in from Wired.com:
Microsoft to Unveil Spork-Based Computer
Feb. 14 2003
Microsoft Corporation plans to unveil its newest spork productivity tool.
At an event in New York City, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates will announce the release of Microsoft SporkPC in partnership with several leading software and hardware companies. It is Microsoft’s claim that mobile device manufacturers have too long ignored the potential of spork-based devices, which are more natural and easier to use than computers with a keyboard and a mouse.
Gates has said the devices will be used by executives to take notes in meetings, by office workers to consume lunches, and by the next generation of workers, from doctors and nurses to delivery workers, as a personal hygiene device.
The manufacturers are hoping to pursuade consumers to pay significantly more than the price of today’s sporks, Microsoft said.
Microsoft is betting that it can claim market share over Apple’s spork-based device, which is rumored to be in development. A spokesperson for Apple Computer could not be reached for comment.
This morning I discovered a package on my desk. In an unmarked brown envelope was a videotape labeled Confidential: Jobs iSpork Demo. With the tape in hand, I went directly to the company’s VCR and locked the door behind me.
In the darkened room, I had quite a shock as I realized that the tape was authentic. It appeared to be a recording of a product demo made by Steve Jobs, although when and to whom, I couldn’t tell. The product: the yet-to-be-revealed Apple iSpork prototype.
Although Apple is aware that Microsoft is already developing a spork-themed product, Jobs is nevertheless pushing forward with the uniquely-designed iSpork, which features a large, translucent handle that plays MP3s, takes digital photos, records DVDs, and connects to a Mac via FireWire. His prototype iSpork had two gigabytes of memory, but the target is at least ten gigabytes for the final product. This would mean that iSpork users could digitally record several hours of sporking, then either burn it directly to DVD or transfer it to their Mac for editing.
The taped demo was only ten minutes long, though quite revealing. It’s clear to me that regular spork users are about to be caught between these mega-corporations as they vie for spork market share.