Evolution of Spam

I love spam’s latest evolution. It keeps my brain thinking and wondering (from that point of view it is art, isn’t it?). While my eyes stopped getting caught by the nevertheless beautifull work the pioneers like the nigerian connection (I sense a shortage in imagination lately), I am fascinated by this one:

From: “Rubin Alfaro” aag1@indiatimes.com
Subject: hi james how are you doing
keep in touch jim let me know how college is going

Who from Rubin, Jim or James is selling a penile ejector??

uPortal in JavaWorld

The article Start developing portals with JA-SIG uPortal in JavaWorld explains how to get uPortal up and running.

Cyber Behavior Research Center

The Cyber Behavior Research Center is virtual research center with numerous resources that address the role human behavior plays in the development of the Internet and, conversely, how the Internet affects human behavior

Grid Computing at TECFA

Now that we have our machines setup for grid computing at TECFA I can start to develop a framework for grid computing application.

Our new grid machines at TECFA. Two soda and coffee vending machines are necessary to cool down the room during peek times.

A Comparison of J2ME and .Net CF

In Let the mobile games begin, JavaWorld offers a comparison of the philosophies, approaches, and features of J2ME and the upcoming .Net CF

No Compre Aquí, Vendemos Muy Caro

Literally “Don’t buy here, we sell very expensive”. As seen in Madrid

Corinne dans le Train

Discussion sympa avec Corinne dans le train pour Zürich. Son blog est porté sur les NTIC et la formation. Corinne a fait des travaux remarqués sur l’utilisation de Wikis au niveau pédagogique.

When Philippe Kahn Speaks out on Borland, Camera phones, and the Future.

Mr Borland looks back and ahead. A few quotes:

• People say I came to America,” he says. “I came to Silicon Valley. It happened to be in America.”
• Pournelle’s enthusiasm was a boon, says Kahn, as was Borland’s decision to staff trade-show booths with “good-looking girls” to promote the company’s products to the mostly-male crowds of programmers.
• I do believe there’s a fundamental revolution and paradigm shift with [camera phones]. More and more, they do everything you want to do. You’re not tied to a place or location.”
• “When you try and innovate things,” he mused, “people think you’re nuts.”

Social Networking Deliver Irritability

In Dysfunctional relationships Jerry Michalski talks about relationship-building and -mining softwares, why they make him irritable and how to improve the situation:

• Helping groups meet and collaborate is a great cause, but why do we have to use so many different, incompatible services? (complexity)
• Making relationships explicit, available to any virtual passerby, creates subtle complications (explicitness)
• I can’t really figure out what to do with the service (usability)

Social networks are not like clockwork mechanisms or income statements. They are full of human beings, with relationships, expectations, and prejudices, and therefore require a gentle hand from management. They do not teach enough of those skills in business schools, and they teach even fewer of them in engineering schools.
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Prix des Transports Absurdes

Selon l’Initiative des Alpes, environ 12 000 camions passent chaque année par les montagnes suisses pour transporter de l’eau embouteillée depuis l’Italie et la France. Nestlé Waters est justement recompensé par le Prix des Transports Absurdes. Mais comme il parrait que ce sont les consommateurs qui créent le marché, le prix des Achats Absurdes pourrait être donné à tous les consommateurs de San Pellegrino, Perrier et Vittel.