It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a “Java is dying” post. But it seems that the idea is really starting to take hold. There’s a story in Business Week this week which covers much of the same ground as we’ve seen before. Previously I’ve only seen this kind of analysis in media aimed… Continue reading Java? It’s So Nineties
Author: Dave Cross
Basic Bulk Email
People seemed interested in my recent post about basic password handling so I thought I’d write another similar post. This time we’ll look at another example of basic customer interaction that so many people get wrong – sending bulk email. Note that I’m not a lawyer, so this doesn’t cover any of the legal stuff… Continue reading Basic Bulk Email
In Dire Straits
I spent most of the 1980s living in various shared houses. One of the effects of this is that there are large holes in my record collection as I wouldn’t bother buying music that someone else in the house owned. Sometimes I can’t remember which albums I own. Sometimes I’m surprised by albums that I… Continue reading In Dire Straits
Musical Parody
I like a good musical parody. Note the word “good” in there. I’m not talking about the Barron Knights here[1], but I enjoy listening to The King covering Nirvana in the style of Elvis Presley or Frank Bennett covering Radiohead’s “Creep”. So there’s one level on which I should have enjoyed the busker in Tottenham… Continue reading Musical Parody
Book Review: XML Hacks
Another book review. This time it’s XML Hacks. O’Reilly’s Hacks books are great and this one is no exception.
More Ranting
And whilst we’re on the subject of political rants, much applause to Harold Pinter for his acceptance speech at the Nobel prizegiving ceremony. I particularly enjoyed the speech that he suggested George Bush should use. God is good. God is great. God is good. My God is good. Bin Laden’s God is bad. His is… Continue reading More Ranting
Maggie and Me
I was sorry to read that Maggie Thatcher had spent the night in hospital. To clarify, what I mean is that I was sorry to read that scarce medical resources had been wasted on that nasty old witch. Oh, I know it’s fashionable these days to grudgingly admit that “she was actually pretty good” or… Continue reading Maggie and Me
Imagine There’s No “Imagine”
Tomorrow is the twenty-fifth anniversary of John Lennon’s death. To celebrate… er… no… to commemorate that fact the BBC is running a vote to find the greatest Lennon song. We’ll skim quickly over the fact that the selection of songs to choose from is pretty bizarre (only one Beatles song!) and leap straight to the… Continue reading Imagine There’s No “Imagine”
Book Review: Database in Depth
I’ve written a review of Chris Date’s book Database in Depth. All in all I thought it was rather good – tho’ in places it reminded me a bit too much of some of my college higher maths lectures. I’ve got a bit behind on book reviews. I have a large pile of books here.… Continue reading Book Review: Database in Depth
Blackwells vs Foyles
I’ve been meaning to mention this for about a year. I remember it every time I go shopping for books on Charing Cross Road, but then forget it by the time I get to a computer. What happened to Blackwell’s computer books department? When Blackwell’s first opened their branch on Charing Cross Road (some time… Continue reading Blackwells vs Foyles