My astrology.com horoscope is odd today: “You need to slow down and sit out the next round of play, whether it’s romantic or work-related. You’re not in the best position to capitalize on your risk-taking quite yet, but things should change by next week.” I wonder what it means?
Still can’t decide on Australia 2020 referee
I’m stuck. I still can’t decide who to be my second referee for the Australia 2020 Summit. One will be Zern Liew, but I have a dilemma with the second…
As I commented, the people who’ve paid most attention to my work in this field haven’t known me long. My “old†referees, the ones with respectable titles, aren’t across my recent writing. I’m concerned that the old-fashioned nomination process won’t highlight what I want.
Or am I worrying too much?
I’m nominating for topic 9 on governance: “The future of Australian governance: open government (including the role of the media), the structure of government and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.”
Internet filtering trials begin!
I’ve finally had time to ponder The Australian‘s report on Internet filtering trials that I mentioned yesterday. While it describes the current status, the deeper message seems to be that the government doesn’t actually have a plan for this at all.
Yesterday was the deadline for purveyors of filters to register their interest with Enex TestLab, the Melbourne company running the trials. As they said in a newspaper ad:
We invite vendors of all types (hardware appliances, software — proprietary or open-source) of ISP-based internet content filters to participate.
The products will be tested in a “controlled environment” (i.e. the lab) in the first half of 2008, and then the “field trials” happen in the second half.
But looking at the original request for tender at AusTender, this “just” seems to be another exercise in seeing what’s available in the marketplace, rather than providing a “solution” [ugh!] which implements specific policy goals.
Olympians score Internet kiddie-chat perk
Not only do Australia’s Olympic athletes have superb pectorals, the government has set them up with a bevy of 5 to 12-year-olds to chat to on the Internet.
Olympian Andrew Gaze says the program will provide inspiration to young people and the Olympic team.
Indeed. And if you set up, say, Wollongong property developers with a bunch of pre-pubescents online, Serious Questions Would Be Asked. Why are Serious Questions not being asked about this initiative?
Creepy.
52A Hutt Street has its own website!
I think the real estate industry is eating itself. A house I used to live in in Adelaide has its own website!
[Update 7 August 2009: Alas, the website has now disappeared. What a shame.]
Internet filters hit test stage
There’s a piece in The Australian today with info on the current status of the government’s Internet filtering plan. Will try to find time for some commentary later.