First in the category is a post I’ve had saved as a draft for over 6 months now, which I had completely forgotten about. This TED video features Tan Le, the head of Emotiv Systems, a company that has created an amazing computer interface device that can read the user’s brainwaves. The headset allows the user to control virtual objects simply through thinking (and concentrating) on them.

I don’t think it’s hard to see just how wide-spanning the implications of this sort of device could be. Think of where touch screens were 10-20 years ago and where they are today (ie. in my pocket). You’ll see from the video that the device still isn’t perfect, but wow, just wow! It clearly shows such astounding potential it’s hard to even conceive where this technology could be in 10-20 years.

Much like the rest of the globe’s Netizens, of course, I knew about Wikipedia. And as a Creative Commons blogger, open-source developer and avid user of all things GNU, Wikipedia’s philosophies were not unknown to me, either. But having just finished the book, The Wikipedia Revolution, I realized how little I really knew about the site and the movements that spawned it.Launched in the early days of 2001, Wikipedia was initially created by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger as a way to use a community to generate content for feeding into their for-profit (but free access) online encyclopedia Nupedia. It didn’t take long for what started as a side project to eclipse its parent, and in the eight years since, it has blossomed into the world’s largest encyclopedia with nearly 3 million articles in the English edition alone, with 266 other language editions–from Afrikaans to Zeêuws–as well.

Lih’s narrative shines not just by recounting Wikipedia’s creation, but by acting as a history of the modern Internet of sorts. It delves into the hacker and free software movements that were seminal in creating the ethos that would later be adopted by Wikipedians in their monumental quest to capture the sum of all human knowledge.

But not all that glitters is gold, and Lih, despite being an avid supporter and member of Wikipedia for more than half a decade, doesn’t shy away from turning the spotlight on the many problems that have faced, continue to face, and will face the “encyclopedia that anyone can edit”.

Lih discussed candidly the many lumps and bruises the site has suffered on its rise to being one of the most popular and most trafficked Web sites on the Net. He explained how just broaching the topic of advertising on the site caused the Spanish edition to revolt and fork into an independent project; and how a prank entry about journalist John Seigenthaler led to wide-spanning accusations that called into question the quality and future of the entire project.

Of particular interest to me was a chapter on the Chinese Wikipedia. Due to the multifaceted nature of the language (numerous dialects and two different writing systems) and the even more divisive political and ideological lines between various “Chinese” communities around the globe, it’s maybe no surprise that the Chinese edition of Wikipedia faced some major complications initially.

Starting in 2002, the Chinese Wikipedia was a mish mash of simplified and traditional writing. This, coupled with the political differences (particularly between Taiwanese and Mainland users), caused the edition’s growth to stagnate.

Enter ZhengZhu, an ambitious Wikipedia member who created a simple yet ingenious system that allowed for complex mapping between language systems by combining computer processing and human editing. The innovation was an astounding success and led to each Chinese edition page having seven additional tabs that allow readers to seamlessly switch not just between simplified and traditional characters, but also between variants for Mainland China, Taiwan, HK/Macau and Malaysia/Singapore. The system was such a success it was ported to other language additions that suffered from the same diversity (i.e. Serbian and Kazakh).

The one thing I was surprised not to see covered in the chapter about the Chinese Wikipedia was how the edition has been affected by periodic blocks of Mainland Chinese by the country’s infamous Great Firewall. While Lih attributes ZhengZhu’s language solution as being the spark of increased activity in recent years on the Chinese Wikipedia, I can’t help but think that the site now being accessible to the world’s largest Chinese population may also be playing a part.

The only other minor criticism I have of “The Wikipedia Revolution” is that it follows a somewhat convoluted timeline. While much of the book does attempt to lay out a linear history of the many groups, technologies and events that led to the information juggernaut we now know as Wikipedia, there are a few times when the author seems to forget what we’ve already been told, explaining again in detail things that could have been referred to directly. It’s a minor gripe with what was otherwise a fantastic and informative read.

What “The Wikipedia Revolution” gives more than anything else is a sense of scope and perspective on such a common fixture of our online lives. It highlights not just the revolution of wiki culture, but the evolution of collaborative human endeavors over the last quarter century. It lays out and gives credit to Wikipedia’s wonderful and varied pedigree.

It is also an evocative read for anyone who, like me, cut their online teeth with the ASCII art of BBSes, screens full of Usenet messages, and late night IRC chats.

Edit wars, vandals, libelous entries and community forks have all been weathered by the project and its legion of editors. Yet, despite its problems and criticisms, Wikipedia remains the go-to online reference for pretty much everything. The project illustrates what can be done when a bunch of “nobodies” put their minds to it. That is a truly inspirational story, and Lih has captured it well in the pages of “The Wikipedia Revolution”.

Learn more about Andrew Lih at his Web site, or follow him on Twitter. More about The Wikipedia Revolution can be found at the book’s Web site.

Those that are quick to tell you how amazing a Mac is, and how super better it compares to a PC, while barely having any concept of what runs either machine.

The people who aspire for a hybrid, drink coffee named and sized in languages they only pretend to understand.

Yes – I’ve bought a MacBook.

And I FUCKING LOVE IT! Can I get a venti® Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte to go – my Prius is running.

Not since college have I routinely used a Mac (my college’s journalism department was Mac-only on pain of death). Other than messing around a bit with them here and there, and doing a decent job of making my PC act like one, this will be the most extensively and intimately I’ve used one.

So far I’m really diggin’ it. Being that I spend most of my time online for work, I generally dislike the interface laptops offer. Bulky lap warmers with poor non-mouse interaction and itty bitty monitors (my desktop setup uses a 22″ monitor paired with a 19″ for an extended desktop).

My MacBook is proving to dispel some of my apprehensions. It’s small – only 13″ – but solid feeling (it’s one of the new aluminum models), and it’s been on my lap for an hour now and hasn’t significantly warmed me up yet.

I thought the small screen was going to be a problem, but OSX’s Spaces sorted me out. A couple shortcut keys later and I’m sliding through screen after screen of applications with no fuss and no muss (what’s muss?).

The thing that has impressed me most about the system is that it tends to operate “like it should” a lot more than a PC does. I love my PC, but the bitch requires some discipline. The MacBook’s more like the good child that does her homework and stays chaste until she’s 25.

Everything from connecting the power supply to connecting to my wireless network just flowed beautifully. Having worked on PCs for so long, it’s easy to dismiss the exclusive nature of working on a PC (and fixing the errors that creep up) as just part of using a computer (like knowing how to change a flat or the oil in your car). But in my now time-restrained world, having technology that just works, and works well, I can see a definite advantage to that.

The decision to buy a MacBook came late last year while I was attending the China 2.0 tour in Shanghai.

I had left my 15.3″ lapmoster at home, as I didn’t want to be lugging around a big PC as we went from office to office for tours. However, when we sat down at our first stop and everyone pulled out a sleek little MacBook and began tweeting away – I was sold.

Coupling this Macenvy with the fact that I was growing tired of using online emulation tools to test Web design layouts on Mac browsers, and that I had given my old laptop to Maggie when I got my Dell last May, I knew it was time to take the plunge.

I had planned to wait until sometime mid-2009 to get one in Hong Kong, but in December my good friend Gin informed me that her school was becoming a “Mac school” and so was offering teachers (and friends of teachers) the opportunity to get a MacBook at the educational discount price.

The discounted price worked out to be only a couple hundred kuai more expensive than HK (at the local Mac store it would be a few thousand RMB more), and that the school offered a payment plan sealed the deal.

Having ordered it last month, poor Gin has had to endure me calling her several times a week with desperate “is it in yet?” questions. Finally she managed to get her hands on it yesterday – apparently having to fight some of the kindergarten teachers for it, as the full order hadn’t arrived.

The biggest difference I’ve felt thus far is that I’ve not yet had a chance to build my understanding of the Mac’s file structure. I was raised on MS-DOS, and so when Windows gave it a pretty top layer, it was a natural evolution in my mind, and I still clearly understood where things were.

But with the Mac, I’m starting at the top. I’m looking at the slick desktop and vaguely know that perhaps I should start with something called ‘Finder” – what I assume is the more practically-named cousin to Windows’ Explorer.

Once I get that sorted – it’ll be time for me to figure out how I can sync it with the plethora of data I have on my PC.

I bought a new computer last week from Dell, and am absolutely loving it. I’ve had the same computer, a Chinese-made Hasee laptop, since trading in my savings to move to Australia for it back in ’05.

It’s a decent machine and certainly earned its worth, but as I’m now online pretty much every waking hour for work, and I run some pretty hefty apps by way of that work, I’ve known for some time I needed something a bit more powerful.

As last-time I got a computer I posted a what I had/what I have bit, I figure I’ll continue the tradition and display it here:

As might be guessed, I’m loving it. It’s the first desktop I’ve had in about 5 years, and the first I’ve ever ordered through Dell (China) – which I have to say was a relatively painless experience (even came a day early).

So, near every moment since it arrived Saturday morning, I’ve been tuning and tweaking. The new system has also given me a chance to see what all the fuss regarding Windows Vista is about.

Vista is my Paris. Before I went to Paris I had been told it was a pisspot of a place. The people were rude, the city was dirty, etc. So, when I finally arrived, with expectations low, I was amazed at how great the place was.

Vista has improved upon XP at least as much as XP improved upon Windows 95. It’s got a slicker look, a more intuitive interface and I’ve – as yet – not experienced a single crash.

Ok – so that’s the good.

The crap part about getting a new system is (A) moving everything from the old computer to the new (especially when the old computer’s ethernet jacks are fecked), and (B) downloading/installing all the programs I’ve come to collect over the years.

I’ve pretty much got everything installed. Last on my list (anti-social reasons unknown) is Skype. Which is proving to be a complete pain in the ass – if you’re in China and click on that link you’ll see why.

Y’see. Skype-China is run by TOM Online, and as -I assume- is part of the agreement, all traffic with a Chinese IP that visits www.skype.com is auto-redirected to TOM’s all-Chinese Skype site. This is a problem for anyone in China who either doesn’t read Chinese or just doesn’t want the Chinese-version of the software.

What’s worse is that the site doesn’t even offer (as it previously did) a link to an “International” version of the site where you could choose your language. Nope. To get to the English version of the software you’ve either got to be clever (and use a US/AU/CA/UK-based proxy) or just spend a frustratingly long time clicking around until you stumble upon a link that doesn’t redirect. I’m not the fastest chip on the board – I clicked a lot.

Anyway – I’ve got it now. For anyone else that’s not in an English speaking country and is suffering from Skype’s stupid IP redirection – you can grab the newest English version of the software here.

Well, now with everything pretty much all set up on mine. Time I clean up the old laptop and get ‘er ready for her new (“any key 在哪儿？”) master. Maggie’s coming online folks! Maybe I’ll even convince her to finally start blogging

It was the first “networking” event I’ve ever been to, and gave me a chance to whore myself a bit as well as finally put a dent in the massive pile of business cards I have.

But more than the business of it all, the dinner was a fantastic opportunity to finally put flesh and blood to the digital avatars that make up a big chunk of my friends, colleagues and acquaintances here in China. People I’ve know in some cases for a couple years, but have never had the chance to meet.

I headed to Shanghai at about 2 p.m., but after a mix-up with the Suzhou taxi driver (apparently my “ç�«è½¦ç«™” sounds remarkably like “虎丘“), I missed my first train and didn’t end up arriving until nearly 5pm.

However, I managed to high-tail it down to the Praxis Language offices (the folks that produce ChinesePod.com) and meet up with a load of people I’ve “known” for a long time, but never met – namely John Pasden, John Beisnecker and fellow Canuck, David Lancashire.

We then all headed down to the rather hip Moon River Diner and met up with the growing crowd of “geeks” (and one race car driver). The night really read like a “who’s who” of the Sinosphere. On top of finally getting to meet face to face with my friend Lonnie, eating BBQ with two of my coolest clients, I also got to meet some fellow bloggers: John, Dan/Kenneth, Adam, and Paul.

And as if this linkfest wasn’t approaching a tipping point – it was also very cool to meet Thalia from ChinaOnTV; as well as the folks behind iTV-Asia, the multifariously talented Corbett Wall and Mr. IWOM – Sam Flemming.

There were a number of other folks I met in conversation, but never got (or happened to lose due to wine) their names.

It was a fantastic time, and definitely worth the two high-speed train tickets to get there, and late/cramped trip back.

As such, in my time in China I’ve tested out pretty much every new site that claims to be offering streaming TV over the Internet. I’m always hopeful that they’ll have a bunch of cool shows, stations I’m familiar with, fast streaming video, etc… and, without exception, I’ve always been left wanting.

However, an e-mail invite to beta test Joost from my buddy Steven might be the channel-surfing solution I’ve been looking for. Created by the peeps that brought us that other expat wonder, Skype, Joost displays some real potential.

Channel-wise, they’ve a quickly expanding portfolio that includes some greats like MTV, Reuters, Comedy Central, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, PokerHeaven TV, and a big bonus for Canucks abroad – MuchMusic. Some channels are limited by geography (“Ren and Stimpy” is US only, for example), but overall there’s no shortage of things to watch. Full channel list.

Everything is on-demand as well, so you don’t have to wake up at 3 a.m. to catch that show that plays in the afternoon in Eastern Standard Time. You just click the show you want to watch, and it goes. Adding to this, Joost has fully integrated Web 2.0 conventions such as commenting on shows, chatting with other watchers of the show, etc. A great place to post spoilers, to be sure.

The big concern I have is speed, and I’m not 100% satisfied, but it’s better than any other I’ve seen. Last night when I first gave this a go, it was reasonably fast with virtually no lag. However, this morning’s very quick check had it a bit choppy (it may have smoothed out if I gave it a chance). The bonus is though, when it flows, it flows nice. Though not HD, when you watch it in full-screen mode, slightly pixilated, but completely watchable.

The way I understand it, Joost uses torrent-like P2P technology that gets you downloading the content first from their servers and then punts you off into the community of other watchers, where you leech from them, while seeding for others.

All of this requires you have some newish system requirements. You’ll need a P4 processor, about 500 MB of RAM, a reasonable video card (32 MB+), a solid broadband connection (hit or miss here in the PRC), and around 300+ MB of free disk space for the cache (the actual program is only a 10 MB download that stretches out to 30 MB or so).

One other thing you’ll need to have is a high monthly transfer rate allowance with your ISP. I am not 100% sure about the details of this here in China, but imagine it’s not much of a problem as people are endlessly downloading movies here and not having problems. I think it’s about 300 MB of transfer for an hour’s worth of viewing, which over the month could add up if you have such caps (does anyone have these anymore?).

As Joost is still in beta mode, you need to be invited by a friend to check it out – but as invites are unlimited, I’m happy to give anyone an invite that e-mails me about it (click the contact button at the top of this blog).