TechWire

PC World finally pulls plug on floppy disks

It's official: floppy disks are yesterday's technology. If you haven't left your house since 1997, PC World's announcement today (below) might come as a shock:

PC World, Europe's leading chain of computing superstores announces today that it will no longer stock floppy disks once existing stock has been sold in all its stores, including the 12 PC World stores in Ireland, located in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Dundalk, Sligo, Naas, Navan and Cork.
The floppy disk, capable of storing 1.44 megabytes of data, is now no longer adequate for most day to day computing requirements.

'Free wi-fi' for Dublin docklands this year

Free wi-fi in the Dublin docklands area appears to be on the agenda, if comments made by the chief executive of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority are to be believed. Speaking at the Irish Property Developers' conference earlier in the week, Paul Maloney said that this was on the DDDA's agenda for this year. No further information as to tenders, infrastructural layout or the like yet.

See you in 2017

In business, confidence is a key asset. And Microsoft clearly has plenty. In the specifications for its Windows Vista Business and Enterprise editions, it has named the day when its support for these products will run out: April 11th, 2017. Must be nice to be so sure you'll be around in 10 years.

Tech man of the day: Anurag Dikshit

The founder of PartyGaming.com is in deep doodoo with US authorities. He took out a bucketful of money when his online gambling firm floated. More in today's Telegraph story. Can't wait til he's charged and the papers are full of the court reports... ("Dikshit Says He Didn't Do It" etc)

Republic Of Loose: Windows Vista really is cool, kids

In a Dandy Warhols (think Vodafone ad) moment, the lead singer of funk band Republic Of Loose is urging his followers to tune in to cool Windows Vista. Mick Pyro (left) has been "encouraging fans to to get their tickets fast" for Microsoft Ireland's Windows Vista launch. "This is going to be a great gig and with so few tickets available it will be a great chance to get up close and personal!!" Groovy, Mick. Keep it real.

Edit: Those actually interested in going can apply for (free) tickets here.

iPhone 1.0 -- biggest flop in tech history?

The first iPhone looks set to become the biggest flop in tech history. Why? Well, look at its features. 4-8GB hard drive? Good. iTunes compatible? Great. 3.5 inch screen? Very nice.
But hang on -- what is it that we mainly use mobiles for again...? Oh yes! Making calls! And sending texts!
And how does one do that on the iPhone? On its touchscreen? No thanks.
Think about it. No one-handed texting possible (look at the photos of it in operation here). Having to keep your glued to the screen to make sure that you've entered the right combination, because you can't feel it (experienced texters can look away for short periods, as can experienced typists).
How could Apple think that anyone will feel comfortable calling or texting on a touchscreen? It's a terrible -- and very unpopular -- interface for this kind of operation. It makes the iPhone a glorified PDA (that plays iTunes). And the only PDAs that are doing any decent business now are the ones with keyboards and keypads (Blackberry, Treo, iPaq).
I remember the first generation of touchscreen phones. One was a Mitsubishi. Technically, it was very adept. But it sucked to use. All touchscreens suck to use as phones or SMS machines.
Apparently, Apple's share price rose 3 per cent on news of the iPhone. Well, wall Street, you can't be more wrong.
Without a keyboard, this will be a titanic flop.

Ou est Techno-Culture?

Looks like Karlin may have left the blogging building... Hope not, as she was one of the first around these parts to keep a blog.

Pre-election promise watch: 3G 'register'

Remember the 3G 'register'? For those who don't, the government promised to introduce a 'register' of 3G-users so that any complaints pertaining to children and inappropriate images could be cross-referenced by operators and the government. Three years on, this moronic policy seems to have been quietly abandoned. None of Vodafone, O2 or 3 have kept such a register. A spokesman for the Department of Communications didn't even know what we were talking about.

Oi Microsoft -- where's my laptop?

Am feeling distinctly unloved. According to reports, Microsoft has been 'giving' laptops to bloggers so that they can 'test' Windows Vista. So where's mine, guys? :) Seriously, would be (mildly) interested if any Irish bloggers are being engaged in this way by Microsoft.