Archive for November, 2005
I’m now also blogging on Web2.0ireland.com, along with James. We’re going to be covering all issues around the Web 2.0 scene in Ireland, with a focus on new startups and projects in Ireland, the growth of the industry here, and how international developments are affecting us at home.
Web2.0ireland exists to record and encourage the develoment of the latest and most exciting happenings and products in the Irish Web 2.0 scene.
James has started things off with a post on Nooked.
We’re not entirely sure what we’re going to achieve with this (if anything), but it looks like there are enough people here doing interesting things with technology to start a discussion.
While waiting for a flight in Shannon airport on Wednesday I met some American soldiers who were on their way home after thirteen months in Iraq.
As far as I know (and according to Wikipedia), soldiers using the airport are not supposed to mingle with the public, but my flight had been delayed by three hours. I was wandering in the almost-empty departures lounge when they all poured in.
I spoke with one guy for a while before having to leave to catch my flight.
A number of years ago, I worked in a video rental shop. A little boy called Jake, who was about three years old at the time, was a regular visitor. While his father browsed around for a video, Jake would come in behind the counter to explore and chat. We got on well.
One day I made Jake his own membership card. He signed it and we ran it through the laminator. I handed it to him, and told him to put it in his pocket so that he wouldn’t lose it. He looked back at me blankly. I mimed and explained how this was to be done, but to no avail. He seemed to have some vague comprehension of what his pockets were, but he had no idea how to use them. His dad took care of all of that for him.
It struck me that I couldn’t think of a more concise definition of blissful innocence than not having to know how to use your pockets.
Such is the joy of being three. Who else in the world could be so carefree?
I’m moving house this weekend, and it might take a couple of weeks to get broadband set up in the new place. In the meantime, I’ll be relying on the kindness of strangers. Couldn’t find anything like this online, so I put together a map of free WiFi hotspots in Galway.
It’s a bit sparse at the moment - send me an email or leave a comment if you know of any more that should be included.
Update: I’ve added a couple more suggested points to the map.
James Corbett has come up with the idea of combining a number of feeds like this to create an Open Irish Directory of hotspots and other amenities. If you’re interested in helping out by providing some data about your local area (which requires almost no technical expertise), contact James.
Oops: Should be working ok in Internet Explorer now.