andylockran’s blog

Facebook Chat - Privacy Issue

Posted by Andy under Digital Freedom, Facebook, Stupid, Tech Geek

Just discovered a pretty random ‘feature’ on Facebook Chat.

I don’t know how many of you use facebook’s relatively new chat feature.  It’s a small box in the bottom right of the browser.  Anyhow, yesterday I logged into my account on the iMac downstairs.  It’s a private PC that only me and my family use, so I left my facebook account logged in downstairs.

Earlier this afternoon, I spoke with one of my friends on the facebook chat.  We had a short conversation, without any confidential/personal information being discussed - but a chat nonetheless.

Anyhow, I just turned the screen on the iMac, and the facebook page was still up in Safari - and to my horror, the chat that I’d had upstairs on my own PC was shown up in the bottom right of the screen in the Safari browser.  Therefore, I can only assume that what I typed upstairs was broadcasted to my logged in account realtime - without me knowing.

Normally when I log into a site, I expect it to log me out elsewhere - especially with Instant Messenger.

Watch out for the same thing catching you out!

BBC Click! Online - Build a PC using Free Software

Posted by Andy under BBC, Debian, Digital Freedom, Facebook, Freedom, Gentoo, Linux, Marketing, Microsoft, Political, Projects, SBLUG Planet, Software, Sun, Tech Geek, Ubuntu

BBC Click! Online - Watch the Show

Ok, so they ‘bend’ RMS’s definition of ‘free’ software in some places - but it’s still a fantastic 25 minute program for John Doe.

Enjoy!

Noise, Chaos, Freedom, Knowledge and Progress

Posted by Andy under Chaos, Control, Digital Freedom, Facebook, Freedom, Hypothesising, Language, Linux, Software, Stupid, Tech Geek, Ubuntu

Take a look at this, then read the blog.

Chaos

In a recent conversation, I was discussing how the internet has given anyone the ability to broadcast their ideas/message. On the whole, I saw it as a good thing. The ‘blogosphere’ is full of interesting articles and opinions on things that interest me. I directly work in the software industry, therefore the majority of posts are relevant. Those related to software itself; development and ethics - but also the ability for non-tech minded people to produce and utilise software/internet to get their message across.

Whilst for academic level writings there is an argument that information should be ‘peer-reviewed’ before being published - with the internet there is very rarely self-critical analysis before something gets published. I know I rarely read through a post more that once after it has been typed. So what effect does that have on information?

Many, if not all of the lecturers that I knew at University were adamant that searching for information on the internet was a bad idea. Groups on facebook like “I’m going to Wikipedia my degree” probably didn’t help with their perception of the value of the internet. We were forced into using Library and Archive information that could be accredited to ‘respectable’ institutions.

Whilst this may make it easier for the lecturers to qualify the references when looking through the bibliography, it massively undermines the value of the internet. There’s so much noise out there that I think it can provide an inspiration. We’re all from massively different backgrounds with so many differences and similarities that there’s a mine of experience to tap. It’s often the case that academics sometimes have to look outside their ‘circle’ of expertise in order to answer certain questions. Fermat’s last theorem was only solved through incorporating what was seen as a completely unrelated method into the solution. This is where the magic on the internet can really have tangible effects.

As educated lay people, many of us read into obscure subjects at a very shallow level. For example, whilst never being capable of solving Fermat’s last theorem myself, it was interesting to read Simon Singh’s book on the topic. I hold a degree in Psychology and Business; yet work in the realms of Free/Libre Open Source Software. They’re hardly what one would call a ’standard’ set of experiences. Yet there’s so many more dimensions to my personal experiences. The power of them relies in linking them.

Thinkers and do-ers.

It’s about time now that I realised that I’m not going to solve World Hunger, or attain World Peace and disarmament and make the world a better place. I’m not likely to come up with an idea that’ll make the happen. I’m also not going to create a search algorithm to match that of Google - or achieve something major on the internet in a sector that hasn’t even been conceived yet. However, I have the power to link people - to make people talk and bring ideas together. I have the ability to make friends with people and get them talking. I have the ability to critically evaluate other people’s ideas and make them better.

So then, you may not hear of “Andy Loughran” as some genius that has just released a new software package, or solved massive social issues. But I’ll carry on doing my little bit and hoping that lady luck finds me in the right place sometime in the future.

15th May - Panic Buy Carrots!!!

Posted by Andy under Facebook, Funny, Personal, Ubuntu, twitter

It’s a little bit funny. On facebook a couple of months ago, Freya Valentine started this group. It’s not the most exciting of ideas, but has generated a bit of a cult following. It’s been mentioned on Sky & the BBC’s Steve Wright Show.

I’d be interested to hear on how the Panic buying is getting along, therefore suggested setting up a twit-feed to monitor it - however, twitter has been down for the last couple of hours.

Just goes to show that a de-centralised system is needed. A free, open source, de-centralised mechanism for twittering.

Oh well, I’ll just have to remain ignorant, and enjoy my carrot soup.

Control.

Posted by Andy under Control, Digital Freedom, Facebook, Freedom, Microsoft, MySQL, Personal, Software, Stupid, Tech Geek, Yahoo!

I had an interesting conversation over the weekend regarding the Microsoft - Yahoo! bid which revolved around discussing the future direction of the web.  One comment I made was that the ability for the search engines of the future were that ‘targeted’ advertising would not fulfil it’s potential.

My reason for this is that people are becoming more aware of how their information can be used - as we saw when Facebook’s ‘Beacon’ advertising backfired in November ‘07.  Purchases on external sites were posted on Facebook profiles so people could share their purchase history.  This freaked a few people out, and even made Mark Zuckerberg apologise on the facebook blog.

Well this is all well and good, and may appear to be a victory for the consumers - but it’s not.. not at all.  I’m sure the information is still kept ‘behind the scenes.’  It’s for this reason that I’m slightly glad that Microsoft got in bed with Facebook ahead of Google.  Imagine two years’ worth of your home computers search results (the time Google claim they keep someone’s search history on their servers) mixed with the demographic information available via analysing your own (and your friends’) facebook profiles.  That’s a helluva lot of information to use to target someone.  With or without publishing it.

Therefore, I’ll come to the conclusion that on-line advertising is going to get much more powerful - and not just in how it’s targeted (although that will have a fundamental effect).  Since adverts can be targeted so well, the chances are that we’ll see them slide into the background, rather than the traditional way of popping up several pop-ups to annoy the hell out of you.  Your search results’ adverts won’t just be tailored via your keywords, but by your previous results, demographic, and a whole lot more.

I know that sometimes (in my vain moments) when I Google for myself, up pops some very old information.  Given massive independence by my parents as a young teenager - I was allowed 1 hour a day on the internet.  My name is attached to loads of old information - some of it looks as though it could have been published yesterday too.. luckily for me none of it is controversial.

This is one of the reasons that I can see the benefit of an OpenID-like system.  Imagine giving someone control so that they stored their information?  I sign up to facebook - my OpenID server gets sent the database schema - and I can control what bits are passed on to facebook.  Other sites could then do alternative mappings, so that they could get my facebook data off my server - and have their own databases schematics too.  It’s not an idea that would work - as caching information is far to easy.. but the principle is nice.

So Control - we don’t have much control over our information on the net.  My advice - don’t post anything controversial.  Also, don’t post anything interesting - or insightful - or material other people may read.. it may just come back and bite you in the bum.

Facebook [New Feature] Extended Profiles

Posted by Andy under Facebook, Marketing, Personal, Tech Geek

Fantastic, it’s about time - and Facebook have actually done something right.

For those of us that joined when facebook was a plain, uniform and elitist social network the onset of multiple applications asking for us to be Zombies, Vampires or pet a ‘Fluffy Friend’ was ridiculous.  However, there are some applications that people want to have on their profile - but don’t necessarily want to push their friends’ noses in it.  Well facebook have come up with a simple solution.

The ‘extended profile’ is somewhere where users can place the ‘profile real-estate eating’ applications.  It’s also a good way to have applications added that you don’t need other people to see.  So what if I play Scrabulous or Jetman - they’re now hidden away nicely.  If people want to look they can, but now they’ll be greeted with a nice page.

The next stage is to make sure some applications may only appear on the extended page.  SuperWall, FunWall and PornoWall - your time is up.

Facebook, well done at ‘regress to progress’ - not many organisations would have the balls.

Shake ‘n’ Take

Posted by Andy under Facebook, Personal, Photography, Projects, Stupid

I know some people are quite fond of photography.  On Flickr there are lots of photography groups where people peer-mark each others work, and generally give each other a pat on the back - which I like.  However, let me bring to you a slightly different phenomenon - shake ‘n’ take.The instructions are simple.1. Get a Camera2. Get your subject to relax their face, then start to shake their head. (either vertically or horizontally - each approach/plain leads to different results)

3. Take their picture as their face moves from side to side.. and have a good laugh at the results      .  

I’ve done the ‘chore’ and created a facebook group dedicated to the cause - however, if facebook isn’t the think for you; post your links to the comments form at the bottom of this page - and hopefully we’ll end up with a collection of rather amusing photos. 

FLOSS into the Future.

Posted by Andy under Facebook, Gentoo, Gnome, Linux, Microsoft, Political, Software, Tech Geek, Ubuntu, iPlayer

I have put off writing this blog for quite some time, as I don’t feel as though I could do it justice.  However, by keeping the thoughts in my head I’m not getting anywhere - so time to put them up on the internet for others to comment too.

Does FLOSS fit into a particular political camp?

The Free Software Foundation espouses some very strong and fundamental rules regarding free software.  The ‘GNU’ utilies that come shipped with the ‘Linux’ kernel are probably the most well known in the FLOSS world as being the basis on RMS’s Free Software movement.  Unfortunately I am rather ignorant to the majority of his work, and need to get time to read on the history of the FSF - so will leave that to another post.  However, let’s take the basics of the FSF message.

•  The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).

• The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).

• The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

Those are the fundamentals from the FSF WebSite.

Initial Thoughts

My first thoughts on Free Software were the massive difference that it could make to the social world.  The passage of information in digital form across borders is unprecedented.  The ability for people in America and Europe to work alongside people from all the other continents marks a paradigm shift in global relations and communications.

Business

One of the first things I did when I started to use GNU/Linux was to create an “Office Server.”  It processed email, had document storage, and had aRAID1 setup across two DATA hard disks.  Now, I am ignorant of the underlying technology and the kernel programming - I knew absolutely no programming - having not spent even a day programming at school/college.  I stopped being taught IT in school at Year 9 as the teachers were so far behind.  Whilst I was maintaining multi-table databases, they were teaching me how to manoeuvre a turtle 90* on a screen.  Without other peoples effort and contributions I could not have made such a server.

Edubuntu, Edubuntu, Edubuntu!

The next most astounding thing I found, was using the distribution edubuntu.  Since its  launch in 2004, Ubuntu has become the “golden child” of Linux Users.  Under the leadership of Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu has started to gain reputable market share of the Linux sector, and is even now starting to break into territory previously dominated by Microsoft.  Edubuntu is a distribution of Ubuntu which is aimed at providing a distribution which contains the main ubuntu desktop, but also a selection of educational tools.  I will not forget the first time I had this set up and my two little brother came and played on it.  Who knew the periodic table could be so much fun!

LTSP

That wasn’t what hit me though.  It was the LTSP capabilities put in by default.  The majority of PCs at my house were within 5 years old, and connected to the home network by Ethernet.  In a simple configuration change (setting them to boot from the network card, rather than their hard disk) I was able to convert my whole house into a massive classroom.  It’s not just the advancement of technology and IT geekery that the FSF provides - but access to new information.  Instead of paying £s per seat in order to have a Server-Client set-up at school (probably provided by RM) - a school could implement this edubuntu solution - and it installed straight off a CD.  Now sure, there are some maintenance tasks that would require a Linux technician - but the tools and resources are out there.

Environmentally Friendly

This is where I think the argument in FLOSS’s favour can sometimes get distorted - and rightly so because it’s a complex issue.  FLOSS applications can generally run on much older hardware than proprietary ones.  Whilst the capitalist model of the proprietary companies have been to use every resource that was available and force a user to upgrade, Free Software held back and although there is a lot of software that benefits from the new and faster machines -  there are many distributions that are tailored to get the maximum out of older hardware.  Because computers are so toxic - preventing their decommission and extending their life is seen as “environmentally friendly” - however, this needs to be balanced against the fact that electricity usage in older machines is far less efficient that the modern models.  GNU/Linux, however, can also run the modern computers at peak efficiency with Advanced Power Management.

Basics

People talk of the end of the Desktop - and that the Desktop doesn’t matter.  Some people even say that Desktop war is over - we’re in Web 2.0 therefore it doesn’t matter.  I’d say that it’s rather premature, given that some companies are making supposedly Web 2.0 applications that are linked not only to a particular company’s operating system - but to a particular version of it.  GNU/Linux has a massive part to play - however, in my view it’s the ‘networking’ that will prevail.  We’ve recently seen the growth of Facebook and MySpace - the two great Social Networking Giants.  Google OpenSocial is planning to level the playing field by offering a standardised platform for network programming.  In my opinion it will be these openly standardised networks (be that SIP, XMPP, OpenSocial) that will be the success story of the next ten years, rather than just one company.

Who will lead us?

In the UK, no single political party has taken the lead in the promotion/adoption of FLOSS.  George Osbourne has probably been one of the loudest and most high profile exponents of a move towards Free Software - but the general political machine has yet to change.  The much hyped e-Gif (Electronic Government Interoperability Framework) is about as useful as a chocolate teapot in providing a framework for public development.  A published an open specification would allow some kind-hearted FLOSS engineers in the UK to contribute their time and effort to projects that the government could use.  Whilst I don’t expect to see FLOSS software used in all tiers of the government, it would be nice to see an acknowledgement of its prominence.  The ability for the UK to regenerate its indigenous scientific and engineering superiority would be significantly enhanced by the uptake of FLOSS solutions, and would perpetuate the benefit to both the FLOSS community and the UK as a whole.

Call to Arms

To all politicians: please don’t wait on the sidelines wondering whether or not your adoption of FLOSS is going to cause offence to any current software providers.  Don’t put second-rate project managers in charge of FLOSS solutions and expect it to perform like and Oracle Database Server in the hands of an Oracle team of engineers.  That’s not how it works.  Encourage your current providers to utilise the FLOSS solution and let them feed their development and integrations back into the FLOSS community.  I don’t want to pretend that you can suddenly call upon  a local FLOSS software house to run a project that is currently run by some outsourced company.  Change the framework to support FLOSS, change it to provide FLOSS with a chance to succeed, and change it for the good of our futures.

$many != more_complex

Posted by Andy under Apple, BBC, Facebook, Gentoo, Gnome, Linux, Microsoft, Political, Software, Stupid, Tech Geek, Ubuntu, iPlayer

I’ll being by letting you know what’s led to to this point in my thinking.

As any regular reader will be aware, I’ve been following the iPlayer developments fairly closely over the past few months.  I’ve not really had a lot to say about the actual application, as I’ve yet to be able to use it.  At home we have two Vista Computers, and the rest run either OSX (Tiger) or GNU/Linux Ubuntu.

Well recently, Ashley Highfield quoted on his blog that there were about 400-600 UK based Linux users that access the BBC website daily.  Now, given that the Linux users are giving Mr Highfield such a hard time at the moment, it was playing into their hands, and they fought back.  Quotes like “5% of all UK based Linux BBC WebSite views take place at our organisation” were passed around mailing lists, and people were generally either outraged/amused by Mr Highfield’s quotation.

Today, he decided to retract his original figure, saying that the figure represented the “”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”GET QUOTE”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”".  Well this is a bit of a bummer really - as Mr Highfield has more ammunition to use.  “This is still only 0.8% of all BBC website viewers.”

Now the above two quotes are all I’m going to mention on this. As stated by Benjamin Horst (see blogroll), there are few accurate ways of measuring how many users access online content.  We don’t know the market share of openoffice.org for that exact reason.  Most web-statistics can’t negotiate NAT addresses, therefore what may appear to be one IP address (therefore counted as one computer) may be simply the public IP for a hundred-member company.

With the iPlayer debate, the one place that the opposition always seems to be steered is interoperability and open source.  “An iPlayer that fulfills the aims of its critics has to be an open source iPlayer.”  NOT SO!

This is the one thing that annoys me the most about the whole situation.  Open Standards and Open Source (and Free Software for that matter) are three distinctly different things.  Unfortunately I don’t know enough about the debate to provide you with more detail, but see Matt Lee (blogroll) for better information on Open Source/Free Software.

The path the BBC (and other content providers) should take is one of open standards.  Even if the BBC were to create the standards themselves (something that is not beneath them, even with recent budget cuts) then there would be widespread support.  The only time the BBC shouldn’t create there own is when there are already standards out there to follow.

Standards.  It’s what it’s about.  It’s where it’s at.  It’s not about Open Source versus the rest in some pan-galactic battle for control of “Robin Hood” and a bit of “Top Gear,” it’s about enabling interoperability.  If the BBC followed/created openly published standards, then it would in effect pass the buck onto the software makers to create client software that could connect to these standards.  Instead the BBC have to publish three different versions of the same application.

It’s not just the iPlayer that has this flaw, and not just the BBC.  I’ve recently had a few headaches coding WebSites for IE, Opera, Safari and Firefox.  They all have little quirks, and break the standards (or implement them differently due to ambiguity/omission).  Given that so much is going digital it is the responsibility of our current generation to make sure the foundations are sound before moving forward.  Imagine the internet without a standard protocol for network communication.  It’d be like the inter-”moth-eaten-sock” - holes all over the place and failing to fulfil the reason it was created…

Well that’s what we face if the standards aren’t published.

Facebook can do it, Google are doing it…  BBC… do it!

My Week (& writing Facebook Applications).

Posted by Andy under Facebook, Personal, Projects, Software

Well I’m having quite some fun.  I had a look at the facebook api today, and at FBML (FaceBook Markup Language).  There doesn’t seem to be a high barrier to entry to development, therefore I’m going to have a little play over the weekend.  I’ve got a nice idea for an application that has yet to be implemented - so I’ll let you all know when it’s finally released.

The thing I like most about developing an application for facebook is there there’s a pre-defined user-base - therefore the applications can be nicely targeted.  I find that the most annoying thing about applications is the space they take up on the profile page - I’m going to keep that to a minimum so more people will keep the application even if they don’t use it daily.

Aside from that, I’ve been working really hard a work and have really worn myself out.  I’m also getting quite far with the development of www.lnmf.info - but I’ve had to beg, borrow and steal from other sites to get it looking as I wanted in as fast a time as possible.  All the proceeds are going to the charity mentioned in the site - so I hope there are few complaints.  I was also able to implement zetact, a contact form by Zeth Green in python.  It’s nice and simple and does exactly what it says on the tin.  I shall now be bombarding Zeth with the possibility of a captcha and askimet integration… all in good time.

Aside from that my online life has been dead recently.  I’ve not been able to hang out in #ubuntu-uk as much as I’d like and feel as though I’m slipping behind.  I’m taking a break tomorrow as Martin & Daniel are coming up from Birmingham; and across from Liverpool (respectively) for the weekend so will have a nice chilled out day with them.

Managed to fit the time in to watch Hot Fuzz tonight; I thought it was a brilliant comedy.  Some good laugh out loud moments, as well as the cringing and the situation comedy.  I recommend it fully.

Right - well it’s 1.09 am so I’m going to call it a night.

Night!