http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen OJB's Web Site: Blog en-us Copyright 2012 by OJB http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuRSS Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:13:55 GMT If Microsoft hadn't reached the monopoly situation it is now in we would all be better off. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1357 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:13:40 GMT Computers No matter how bad things are elsewhere there should always be the opportunity to make things better. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1356 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:53:40 GMT Comments A current debate here in New Zealand involves foreign ownership of our land and other assets. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1355 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:23:30 GMT Politics I don't want to see laws broken without good cause but at the same time people must do what they think is right. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1354 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:36 GMT Computers As I write this I am flying at about 10,000 meters on my way to Auckland. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1353 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:52:20 GMT Travel The reason Apple succeeded was that it did not follow the standard corporate business model. It was better than that. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1352 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:05:26 GMT Computers I think anyone who follows the deeper meaning behind this quote will be a good and worthwhile person. Thank you Hitch. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1351 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:51:29 GMT Philosophy As I write this blog entry I am returning from a few days in Te Anau. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1350 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:04:56 GMT Travel It's almost Christmas again so I guess it's also time to deal with belief in superstitious nonsense. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1349 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:39:18 GMT Skepticism The economic theories most countries base their politics on lead to greater inequality. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1348 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:54:16 GMT Politics if anyone is going to do something which itself is bad then it might as well be me who does it. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1347 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:03:39 GMT Comments Whatever the education system's deficiencies might be I think it could be worse. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1346 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:45:40 GMT Comments We had a low turnout and even the people who did vote probably voted for poor reasons. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1345 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:02:21 GMT Politics We need more controls and direction, not less. We need more thought and less dogma. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1344 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:04:57 GMT Politics The symbolism of the meeting over tea is interesting. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1343 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:17:20 GMT Politics If people want a smug, dishonest, sleazy insurance salesman as their leader I guess that's their choice! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1342 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:21:59 GMT Politics We can't solve the problems of the world by using the same tactics that caused them in the first place. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1341 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:58:50 GMT Comments Religion has been given a free pass in the past and continues to enjoy special treatment even today. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1340 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:01:56 GMT Religion Working with users is like a game where they try to deceive you as much as possible and it's your job to help them. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1339 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:23:29 GMT Computers I think it's only when I'm involved in conflict that I'm really doing my job properly. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1338 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:16:03 GMT Comments I installed iOS5 about a week ago so now might be a good time to give a general appraisal of how well it has gone. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1337 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:07:33 GMT Computers Neo-liberalism doesn't work and it never will work, and any party following its dictates is one all voters should avoid. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1336 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:02:44 GMT Politics What can I say about Steve Jobs that has already all been said? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1335 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:52:30 GMT News I recently listened to a podcast where an economist discussed poverty in New Zealand. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1334 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:51:51 GMT Politics It has been about a year since I last made a "random comments" entry but fear not! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1333 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:20:27 GMT Politics Most of us barely notice what a pathetic, immoral, and inefficient economic system we live under. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1332 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:50:21 GMT Politics I think this could be big but we might not know how big for another 50 years. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1331 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:37:15 GMT Science So yes, atheism can be emotional, but only when it makes sense to be! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1330 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:10:59 GMT Religion I would have liked to have seen a lot less rhetoric and a lot more moderation in the commemoration of the attacks. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1329 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:04:56 GMT News You don't need to stop being a conservative but you do have to stop being a brainless conservative idiot. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1328 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:28:19 GMT Politics I'm not condoning mindless rioting but I can understand why it happened. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1327 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:33:19 GMT Politics I'm not going to pretend that this is the perfect operating system, but things are certainly a lot better. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1326 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:48:22 GMT Computers Can Apple succeed without Steve? I certainly hope so or the future of technology looks rather dreary. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1325 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:50:19 GMT Computers I don't think there is such a thing as a harmless belief in a ridiculous idea. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1324 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:50:02 GMT Skepticism A common justification for neo-liberal economic theory is the way the benefits allegedly trickle down. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1323 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:48:47 GMT Comments Throw out the managers and replace them with mavericks, mongrels, misfits, drunks, and womanisers! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1322 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:29:57 GMT Comments Listening to a deluded nutter like a fundamentalist Christian espouse their philosophy is a waste of time. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1321 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:37:17 GMT Religion The phrase "that's not rugby" might describe the situation with the Rugby World Cup. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1320 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:14:04 GMT News Yes I like Lion. But please Apple, send me an update to fix those bugs! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1319 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:34:50 GMT Computers I have used Apple's latest OS, Lion for about a week so I think now is a good time to report back. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1318 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:51:19 GMT Computers If a manager is superior it should be obvious by his actions. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1317 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:50:11 GMT Comments Often real progress was blocked by the concept of a non-existent supernatural entity. What a waste! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1316 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:38:30 GMT Religion Surely this has got to be the way we store and use our information from now on. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1315 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:30:53 GMT Computers I'm writing this blog entry on my iPad as I fly back from a conference in Sydney... http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1314 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:11:17 GMT Travel Which is better: Android or iPhone? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1313 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:57:20 GMT Computers No one wants a world where unions have too much power... http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1312 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:49:32 GMT Politics Using delusion to feed science denial is dangerous and stupid. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1311 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:46:29 GMT Comments We need some diversity in politics and having people like Hone around certainly gives us that! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1310 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:15:07 GMT Politics Is this a discussion we should even be having? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1309 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:27:07 GMT News People need to break free from the unthinking mindset that free market capitalism is best. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1308 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:58:00 GMT Comments It's time to have a more complete aim for business success rather than just simple numbers on a balance sheet. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1307 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 20 Jun 2011 22:58:08 GMT Politics If Apple does things properly then iCloud could be the best too. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1306 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:45:16 GMT Computers There would be some so tied up with the imagined conspiracy that they would never believe the truth. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1305 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:50:34 GMT News Like the famous line says "the truth is out there". People just have to get a lot better at finding it. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1304 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:15:59 GMT Computers That's why I like working in IT: there's always something new and interesting happening! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1303 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 03 Jun 2011 22:32:32 GMT Computers The phrase "free market" sounds great because it has the word "free" in it and everyone knows that's good. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1302 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 31 May 2011 04:47:53 GMT News The iPhone in most cases is actually better than the device it's copying. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1301 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 27 May 2011 01:53:50 GMT Computers Often the best thing a bad government can do is nothing, and that's what seems to have happened here. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1300 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 24 May 2011 10:28:30 GMT Politics I wonder what the believers thought when the apocalypse failed to materialise. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1299 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 22 May 2011 09:39:27 GMT Religion On most days I encounter a lot of weird computer problems so it's nice to win for a change! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1298 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 19 May 2011 10:47:55 GMT Activities Arrogance, ignorance, and stupidity. It's a hard combination to beat! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1297 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 18 May 2011 11:03:16 GMT Politics A neutron walks into a bar... http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1296 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 12 May 2011 02:09:10 GMT Comments Are some subjects so sensitive that we shouldn't even have an open discussion about them? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1295 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 10 May 2011 09:29:15 GMT News People just don't understand that there's a lot more to the iPhone than what they see on the surface. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1294 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 06 May 2011 02:41:48 GMT Computers A trillion dollars to achieve very little. Was it worth it? How could it be? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1293 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 03 May 2011 08:30:29 GMT News Celebrating anyone's death - even if it's of an immoral and violent enemy - just isn't right. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1292 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 02 May 2011 07:48:32 GMT News They say people get the politicians they deserve but how could anyone deserve someone as nasty and self-centered as Brash? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1291 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:22:23 GMT Politics I got some quite nice photos of Brisbane lights at night reflected in the water of the Brisbane River. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1290 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 25 Apr 2011 05:42:14 GMT Travel Ebooks are a lot easier to search and a lot easier to keep up to date. And they are certainly a lot easier to store! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1289 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:17:24 GMT Activities Why do so many people distrust experts so much? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1288 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:01:27 GMT Comments We are trying to make probability-based predictions with a sample size of one. It might be more honest not to even try! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1287 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:48:48 GMT Science if you want to be part of a slave labour economy set up for the benefit of overseas corporations then re-elect National! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1286 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:51:32 GMT Politics What could represent modern Maori culture better than a giant plastic waka? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1285 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:52:28 GMT News The government doesn't have a plan so they will take the easy way out instead. Who cares whether it will work or not. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1284 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:25:56 GMT Politics Isn't being warned about something that isn't real almost as bad as not being warned about something that is? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1283 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:05:17 GMT Skepticism How many people know that coal fired power plants produce more radiation than nuclear plants? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1282 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:18:21 GMT Science Until the next revision arrives I will look forward to collecting more useful apps on the current iPad. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1281 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:55:19 GMT Computers I don't think dogs are necessary a great model for human behaviour! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1280 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:25:46 GMT Skepticism I am very skeptical about the claim of religion becoming extinct in New Zealand. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1279 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:25:44 GMT Religion Probably no one is capable of being totally rational and looking at all the evidence fairly. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1278 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:53:19 GMT Skepticism A few people have questioned whether recent events are a sign of the end of the world. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1277 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:05:09 GMT News I will continue to enjoy using my iPad like I would enjoy driving a compact car. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1276 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:03:47 GMT Computers Many churches actually encourage their members to be proud of their ignorance. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1275 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:31:53 GMT Religion Do you believe in Richard Dawkins? If your answer was yes, why? http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1274 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:15:34 GMT Religion I believe this really is the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1273 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:57:05 GMT Science There is no way to really prove that science can answer every question. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1272 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:46:32 GMT Science Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1271 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 23 Feb 2011 23:12:13 GMT Religion They act as a warning about how dangerous the unthinking following of a charismatic leader can be. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1270 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:14:12 GMT News If this government gets back into power again at the election I can see a very bleak future ahead. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1269 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:42:34 GMT Politics A cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1268 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:09:12 GMT Religion There must be some compromise between rabid nationalism and cynical apathy. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1267 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:12:29 GMT Politics The reason we have inequality is because the system just doesn't work. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1266 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:48:45 GMT Comments We should be skeptical about the impact any vision statement would have on services. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1265 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:44:17 GMT Comments Forget the ideology and let's just see if we can find a way to return to a having a more equitable society. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1264 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:26:49 GMT Politics We're the ones who keep the system going by working against it. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1263 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:22:39 GMT Comments I guess there's no harm in using mediocre stuff. But for me good enough just isn't enough. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1262 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:29:23 GMT Comments The worst thing is how desperately underachieving the whole human race is for the most ridiculous reasons. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1261 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:37:47 GMT Politics Gee, thanks Jesus. That was so helpful! http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1260 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:44:12 GMT Religion In my last blog entry I said that rehashing the past year wasn't that interesting but I like to contradict myself. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1259 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:43:41 GMT News I think one big trend will be the discovery of more Earth like planets. http://www.ojb.co.nz/owen/XuBlog/BlogPage.html?code=1258 ojb@mac.com (OJB) Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:18:31 GMT Science