Oct 28 2010
Interesting read, but not really surprising – Computer science courses get highest drop outs – study.
In my personal experience, the biggest cause of drop-outs in computer science is students pursuing computing because they think that it can form a lucrative carer, even though they dislike working with a computer.
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Oct 23 2010
I read about a new Irish Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) today called JustMobile. The website is very nicely designed, although it is very low on details. It is an interesting, or should I say a challenging, time to be starting a company, so I wish the founders the best of luck!
The most useful information that I was able to find was in New mobile firm is Just about to launch.
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Oct 21 2010
I have been having strange cravings for an iPad recently. I cannot understand why, because I do not think that I would have a lot of use for it! I would consider the lack of Flash to be a major disadvantage because it is used to watch a lot of online television.
I considered some of the Android powered tablets, but I think that the 7 inch display is just too small.
Today I came across the JooJoo. It appears very interesting, and I found that the pictures in iPad vs. JooJoo… fight! give a very good indication of its size compared to the iPad. However, there does seem to be some legal issues surrounding it, so it might not be a good long-term investment :o
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Oct 19 2010
It is celebration time! Teknovis is exactly two years old today! The very first entry Why WordPress? was posted on 19/10/2008!
I am actually very impressed with myself for staying active for two years! During this time I have written over 300 posts!
I have found the experience to be very useful, because it causes me to pay more attention to what is going on in the world of technology. I also find the blog is a great way of keeping useful notes in an easily accessible way :o
Perhaps my biggest disappointment has been that I have not been able to write the sort of insightful and deep articles that I had originally envisaged. I think that this is mainly due to not having enough time, and a strong concern about discussing work related topics.
So let the third successful year begin :)
Oct 17 2010
The TM Forum‘s annual showcase event is coming to Ireland in 2011 for the first time! See Management World 2011, and note the greenness :D
That is excellent news!
Hopefully, I will be able to go along to see the action ;)
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Oct 15 2010
I am just after reading Battle of the apps fuels smartphone war, and I am amazed by the following statement:
Global online trader Amazon.com is reportedly looking at creating its own online store for Android. This would bring the unity, stamp of quality and prestige that Android apps needed from the beginning.
This certainly would be an interesting development by Amazon. Perhaps it would be a good fit, given that Amazon certainly is an innovator, and it is also very well established with consumers.
I really wonder if the iPad, or indeed the entire emerging tablet market, is damaging Kindle sales.
Oct 13 2010
After writing about Maths yesterday in Reforming Second Level Education in Ireland, I read this facinating article today: Homer+Bart×maths = prime formula for comedy genius.
I am particularly impressed with Mersenne prime numbers, perfect numbers, and narcissistic numbers!
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Oct 12 2010
I was interested to hear that the seven Universities in Ireland will start to award bonus marks to students for taking the highest level of Maths in the Leaving Certificate. Under this new plan students would get an additional 25 points, which is out of a maximum 600. For more information see Bonus points for higher level Maths.
My first impression is that this is a great idea, because it should encourage the uptake of Maths. I think that this country really needs to refocus on Science and Technology in order to remain in the global market. However, it does seem unfortunate that most of the University courses that require high points do not require an ability in Maths (I am thinking of Law, Dentistry, …).
There are also a few additional changes that should be made to second level education:
Unfortunately, I doubt that any of these ideas will ever come into practice due to the slow speed that our education system. Additionally, it seems to me that teachers are against all change unless they are financially compensated.
Oct 11 2010
The Irish Courts have said no to the music industries ridiculous demands for policing users’ activity! See Record companies lose illegal download case.
Brilliant! Well done to UPC for standing up for its users rights!
I wonder will Eircom reconsider its foolish position of cooperation now!
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Oct 04 2010
It is impossible not to notice that Eircom has launched a new mobile phone network operator called eMobile, due to the abundance of adverts in all of the mainstream media.
I must admit that I was initially baffled by this move, given that Eircom already owns a mobile phone network operator – Meteor. However, it appears that all Eircom is really doing is segmenting the market by age. This could be a sensible move, because Meteor is very strongly associated with teenagers (and practically nobody else).
For more information about this see Eircom launches new mobile brand, Eircom unveils new mobile strategy – eMobile has arrived, or Eircom Launches eMobile. The official Eircom press release is eircom’s New Mobile Service “eMobile” It’s For You!.
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