Monthly Archives: August 2002

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ZDNet: “A digital-copyright bill introduced

ZDNet: “A digital-copyright bill introduced last month has inspired howls of protest from consumers and high-tech firms who say it could slow technological advances and dictate how consumers listen to music or watch videos at home.”
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” High-tech lobbying groups have weighed in as well, arguing that mandatory copyright-protection technologies would hurt their ability to innovate, and would encourage consumers to hold on to their older computers rather than buy new models that restricted their activities.” [No kidding!]
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“Joe Krauss, head of the grassroots group DigitalConsumer.org, said his members have offered plenty of constructive suggestions.
For example, the group has called for Congress to pass a law that would specifically spell out consumers’ “fair use” rights, such as the right to record TV shows for later viewing, or transfer a CD to a portable MP3 player. ”

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I’ve been trying to resist,

I’ve been trying to resist, especially since I’ve already got enough graphics on this page, but I just have to post pictures of my newest op shops finds.
To save having to warn you all about the possible side effects of too many bright colours, I’ll just link to them and you can decide if you’re game for

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I’ve been reading a lot

I’ve been reading a lot lately, being unemployed and all.
White Teeth, Zadie Smith: I read it because it’s one of those books. I had no idea it was set around North London, including Kilburn – where I’m staying – and surrounds. It’s a damn good book, and the bonus for me was seeing this area through kid’s eyes. It’s easy to get on the tube at one end and emerge at the other without any idea about the bits inbetween; kids don’t do that.
Queen’s Country, Paul Burston. I really like his take on the ‘gay community’ and the cloning of gay men.
At Swim, Two Boys, Jamie O’Neill. Excellent. I read it for the queer teenage love story (I’m such a sucker for them!) but it’s just as much about the Easter 1916 rising and the Irish ‘troubles’.
The Subtle Knife, Philip Pullman. I hadn’t read the precursor to this, but it sucked me right in and I read it in a night. I liked his unromantic view of kids.
deadkidsongs, Toby Litt. Deeply disturbing. It never rang true for me; maybe because it’s too disturbing, maybe because it’s set in a time and place I’ve never been; maybe because the author is more concerned with what’s possible than what’s probable.
Observatory Mansions, Edward Carey. I thought this was going to be a sort of ‘nihilist vs serial killer’ but it turned out all heart-warming. A bit too heart-warming in the end, but there you go.
The Body Artist, Don DeLillo. Didn’t grab me as much as some of his other stuff.
The Rotter’s Club, Johnathon Coe. Can’t wait for the sequel.
The Woman and the Ape, Peter Hoeg. He handles it so well you’re barely distracted by the physicality of some sections. A modern fable of a novel.