A couple of weeks ago I recorded an edition of ‘A Good Read’, a programme on BBC Radio 4 in which host Sue MacGregor and two guests discuss three books, one chose by each of them.   It was a lot of fun, and worked well despite the fact that I’d chosen the hardcore cyberpunk of Neuromancer while Sue picked an Anne Tyler novel and Jean Seaton, the third member of the group, had gone for Penelope Lively.

You can hear the result on the BBC website (at least for a few days) and I’ll grab an MP3 of the programme for longer-term reference.

My MacBook has died on me (update: and now it’s fixed. Logic board problem, got it back from the Apple Store in London on the 14th) I opened it up when I came downstairs on Saturday morning and it was frozen, trapped in stasis instead of downloading emails or telling me what my FaceBook friends were up to.

I rebooted, restarted email, and it froze again.

I rebooted. It froze, this time during startup.

(more…)

On Sunday I gave a talk at Common Europe 2007, a conference for users of IBM’s mid-range System i computers. It was an interesting audience, although I’m not sure what most of them made of my argument against US cultural hegemony online and in favour of an open but regulated Internet. But we have to try.

If you feel like it, you can listen to the talk (about 40 mins) here.
or download it from here.

On Thursday I’m taking part in a workshop at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, organised as part of the ENTER_UNKNOWN TERRITORIES festival/conference.  Working with a team from Bedford Creative Arts  we are going to be giving those attending hands-on experience with a range of Web 2.0 tools.  The blurb says:

Don’t let the Kids monopolise online social spaces. Come and learn how you too can hang out at Habbo, share tags and create your own avatar. Learn how online tools can be used to collaborate in creative, inspiring ways.

Get Web 2.0 Savvy! Hands on activities are planned : *Flickr & Photosharing *Wikis *Myspace & social networks *Video sharing *Blog This & blogging platforms *Pocasting *Second Life & Virtual Worlds

Please join us for drinks and informal networking

and there are more details on the ENTER_ website

It’s on Thursday March 29th, arrive 6.30 for 6.45 start / finish 9pm, at the Ruskin Gallery, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and it’s free. RSVP to Sarah@junction.co.uk by March 28th

or perhaps you prefer ‘digital Bedouin’ - both terms used in this San Francisco Chronicle article which claims that

A new breed of worker, fueled by caffeine and using the tools of modern technology, is flourishing in the coffeehouses of San Francisco. 

And Cambridge. And Venice. And Delhi.  Over the last few years I’ve moved more and more of my working life onto my laptop and filed copy, taken meetings and even done broadcasts from wherever I find myself.  It’s nice to know that we now have a name

Mike Southon is an old friend of mine - I used to work at The Instruction Set, the training company he co-founded back in the 1980’s, and we’ve stayed in touch since. These days he spends less time as Mike Fab Gere and more as The Beermat Entrepreneur, and he recently interviewed me for one of their regular podcasts.

You can listen to a ten-minute version of the interview from the Beermat site, or sign up with them and get the full version - also available to buy as a one-off download.

I was interviewed a couple of weeks ago by Gaurav Sood, who blogs as spincycle, and he’s posted the result - edited to make me sound less rambling and more coherent, I’m pleased to say - for your delectation, delight and mocking commentary…

While technology has become an important part of our social, economic and political life, most analysis about technology remains woefully inadequate, limited to singing paeans about Apple and Google, and occasional rote articles about security and privacy issues. It is to this news market full of haberdasher opionating that Mr. Bill Thompson brings his considerable intellect and analytical skills every week for his column on technology for the BBC.

Read the rest….

When we were up in Scotland recently Max was delighted to meet Merlin at Cybernaut, the excellent cybercafe in Ballater.It was great to meet Kevin, who runs the place - and who proved himself an absolute star when we managed to leave a camera in one of the cafes in the village as he found it for us and arranged for it to be returned.

If you’re ever that far north, don’t forget to visit!

Not everything I write goes up here - I’ve recently started writing features and a monthly column for BBC Focus magazineBBC Focus magazine and am also now blogging on the TCS Innovations blog.

Who’s the hairy geek about 2 minutes in on the BBC report, though? And welcome to anyone who heard me on PM on Radio 4 this evening - please note that comments are moderated on this blog, but I’ll get to them as soon as I get home from London!