13Apr 2009 by R&O No Comments
CBC Radio – 1994 Almanac Show

CBC Radio – 1994 Almanac Show

Internet, People, Technology
Here's another radio broadcast from 1994 on good old CBC Radio 690. I appeared on the Almanac afternoon show with host Cecilia Walters and Marg Meikle, known then as CBC's Answer Lady, to discuss the Internet. The technology was fairly new to most in 1994 and a mysterious and little understood technology which is reflected in some of the listener's questions during the show. Note the use of IRC to create a chat room and how Internet use was deemed primarily for business with little mention of home access. As with the CKNW broadcast below, listen to this broadcast and compare the Internet in 1994 to what is available now. It's staggering how much things have changed in such a short period of time. Note: Since that show in 1994,…
Read More
08Apr 2009 by R&O No Comments
The Internet in 1994

The Internet in 1994

Internet, Of Interest, Technology
Back in the early 90's my brother and I started a small business we called The Net Brothers. We offered software installation, configuration and tutorials to help businesses and a few home users access the Internet. It was a tricky business back then and most people that wanted to access the Internet had problems finding software, configuring their dial-up modems and a variety of other technical issues that have since all but disappeared. Things have changed significantly since those early days and the Internet is now accessible by practically everyone, replacing many of the services and products we used and supported back then. There were very few consultants at the beginning of the 90's Internet wave and someone from The Bill Good Show heard me on CBC radio discussing this…
Read More
12Mar 2009 by R&O 2 Comments

The demise of print

Technology
Amazon.com recently introduced their new and improved Kindle 2 wireless reading device which appears to be an improvement over the original design. Although not yet available in Canada (what's new!) the Kindle appears to be the precursor to a new wave in data distribution and may eventually replace the printed page and a number of other devices including iPods, laptop computers and the ubiquitous Blackberry. Of course, this won't happen overnight and it may not be the Kindle that does the job but it points in the direction we're heading and gives us a peek at how we may read books, newspapers, magazines, flyers and anything else presently printed on paper. Imagine plugging the device into a dock connected to the internet, downloading your customised daily paper or magazine subscription…
Read More
24Feb 2009 by R&O No Comments

Today’s front pages

Internet, Technology
Do you want to see and read the front pages from newspapers all over the world? Have a look at Newseum billed as the world's most interactive museum. Run your mouse over the small dots on the page and today's front page from that location will appear on the right. Click the dot to visit the newspaper's web site. Someone I know maintains that newspapers as we know them will not disappear within our generation. I disagree. I think that the newspaper model will survive but not printed on paper and not sold in the streets or delivered to your front door. The only thing, in my opinion, that printed newspapers presently offer and the reason they continue to exist is portability. This means that when technology is finally developed…
Read More