‘Features & Opinion’ Archives
Opinion: The choice presented by the iPad »
The Apple iPad represents a fork in the road for not just computing but cultural consumption itself – and both paths are not without their difficulties says Jason Walsh. Regularly derided as more of a cult than a company (including by at least one forth contributor), Apple Inc has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the PC industry: ...Read On »
Opinion: Catching up with Commodore »
Commodores & Amigas may be little more than an antique now but it was be well ahead of its time in some ways, says Adam Maguire. As fondly remembered as Commodore may be, few fans would trade in their existing computer for a C64 or Amiga A500. However as antiquated as the technology is it did approach computing in a way that was ...Read On »
Opinion: There is more to creativity than coding »
Just because you cannot code does not mean you cannot create, says Jason Walsh. It pains me to write this, it really does, but it has to be said: Shut up! You’re wrong! As a noted fan of the hackerspace and free software movements writing a defence of the iPad is not how I expected to spend my Sunday morning. However if I read one more ...Read On »
Opinion: PC Nostalgia for a simpler – and slower »
The Commodore 64 has been ‘relaunched’ as a modern Windows PC. Jason Walsh asks if we are getting a bit too nostalgic for times gone by. You just can’t keep an old computer down. The Commodore 64, an ancient machine of the 8-bit era has been relaunched as a quad-core Ubuntu machine. OK, it’s not really a Commodore 64, it’s just ...Read On »
TeicTat: iPad “compatible” clothing »
Alongside the US launch of Apple's iPad has come the inevitable deluge of iPad-compatible accessories from third party developers. Some of these will be clever and useful while others will be pointless and ill-conceived. Few entrants fit the latter category quite so well as Scottevest's iPad "compatible" travel vest. The company claims its ...Read On »
Opinion: A Facebook panic button would be pointless »
The murder of Ashleigh Hall was tragic but blaming Facebook shows just how ignorant some people are, says Adam Maguire. Depending on your age you may recall the surge in popularity enjoyed by chat rooms in the 1990s. In the age of the social network services like IRC seem archaic and clumsy but at their peak they were an innovative way to ...Read On »
Opinion: Aesthetics matter – especially in »
Aesthetic experience matters in all other aspects of life so why, asks Jason Walsh, do software developers treat it like a frivolous luxury? Steve Jobs is a pompous ass – but he gets one thing right: aesthetics matter. Anyone who knows anything of Jobs's history will know his obsession with aesthetics. Most tech-inclined people dismiss ...Read On »
Feature: Broadband bone of contention »
With broadband speeds increasing, Ireland appears to be catching up with other countries’ super-fast networks. However, the small print leaves many customers with far less than they pay for. While most of the attention on broadband statistics is given to the headline speeds, the issue of line contention is now proving to be equally ...Read On »
Opinion: Tablets won’t knock out netbooks »
At the launch of Apple's iPad, Steve Jobs argued that netbooks were good for nothing. He was completely wrong, says Adam Maguire. It is a foregone conclusion that anything Steve Jobs says at an Apple conference will be well-received. Contribute it to the reality distortion field around him or the careful selection of attendees but either ...Read On »
How to: Get podcasts easily »
Podcasts are a great way of catching up on radio shows you've missed, listening to the best of international radio and finding some high-quality niche shows for all interests. Adam Maguire shows what you need to do to become a podcast listener and lists some must-hear shows to get once you are. There is a good chance you have been encouraged ...Read On »
