Barcamp Bangkok 3 - May 23-24, 2009
Come join Barcamp Bangkok 3 on May 23-24 2009 at Sripatum University.
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Microsoft Disables hosts File on Win XP
Posted on December 23rd, 2007 4 commentsMicrosoft is brilliant!
I just moved to a new laptop and in the process I installed the latest and greatest updates for Windows XP—including IE 7. Now none of the hosts in the hosts file on my laptop resolve to the IP’s on my development server.
It seems that Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, has decided that there is no longer a need for WinXP to use the hosts file ON MY COMPUTER and that all IPs should be resolved by DNS servers instead. (See http://archive.cert.uni-stuttgart.de/bugtraq/2006/04/msg00291.html for details.)
Somehow they came to the conclusion that they could change the standard way (standard being that most operating systems use the tiered method of “search hosts then check DNS”) domain names are resolved for my computer.
What arrogance!
What stupidity!
What a mess I have now!
Using hosts as a way to add a new dev domain is easy and convenient. (Domain name servers came about because hosts files, the first standard for resolving domain names, became unwieldy as the number of hosts increased–but for small lists of hosts it worked great.) I have been using my hosts file to resolve my develpment domains for years now; It’s easier than keeping a local DNS running for the handful of dev domains I have in use at any time.
So it took me an hour to figure out the problem. (A bit long because it seemed unthinkable that the hosts file would be made obsolete with nary a warning.) Now there is setting up a BIND server so I have a local DNS server. And there is maintaining that. And possibly duplicating that on the other dev system in case there is a failure.
F**k me.
The hosts file was sure a lot simpler.But for some reason Microsoft determined that I should not have a hosts file that could be used to override DNS. They did it on their own and without consulting me. Or giving warning. Or posting any g-d d-mn instructions on how to get around it.
But Microsoft is way smarter than me and after all, it’s not my computer anymore—Microsoft owns the damn thing–that’s how it seems by the way they act.
And that brings me to my second point:
Can I ask you a favor?
Can you spare a couple thousand US$?
I need to get a MacBook and fast. I can’t stand using anything Microsoft makes anymore.
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What is Barcamp Bangkok?
Posted on December 13th, 2007 No commentsI wrote this for the upcoming Barcamp Bangkok. I thought it was worth sharing.
What is Barcamp?
Perhaps Barcamp needs a little explaining. It’s an educational even that does not fit any traditional molds.
Let’s start by defining what a Barcamp is not. It’s NOT a lecture. It’s NOT a presentation. It’s NOT a conference. In fact, it’s often called an “un-conference.”
Barcamp is a conversation. The whole idea is to get smart people that love technology together to start talking… and see where the conversation goes. We don’t even have a firm agenda.
Barcamp is about participation. There are no spectators, only participants. Everybody is urged to come prepared to present something or assist in a presentation—or at the very minimum actively participate in the conversations that take place. It’s about taking an active role instead of being a passive spectator.
Barcamp is open. Anybody can attend—as long as they come with the intention of participating. The more people we have the more ideas, the more topics, the more perspectives, the more participation, the more energy. The more people the better the camp is for everyone.
Barcamp is unstructured. We provide facilities, infrastructure and time slots—but set no agenda. Once the attendees have assembled, they post the topics they want to present on a board and then the group selects the topics. But don’t mistake unstructured for unplanned. Lots of preparation goes into creating an environment where communication can take place on many levels. Participants are also encouraged to prepare their presentations in advance but be prepared to deviate from the plan if the conversation takes them in a new direction.
Barcamp is massively networked. Everybody comes ready to jack into the network and share what they are experiencing. Laptops, routers, hubs, access points abound. The network extends Barcamp to every corner of the globe..
Barcamps are about communication. People bring their laptops and are connected. They are blogging about their experiences in real time. They are posting presentations to the web. They are chatting via IM and IRC. They are streaming video. They are podcasting. The boundaries of the Barcamp extend beyond it’s physical location
Most importantly, new connections are being formed. People connect to new People. People connect to new ideas. Ideas connect to other ideas and new ideas are formed. Magic happens.
Whatever happens—that’s just what was supposed to happen.
If you know a lot, a little, or nothing about the topics–it does not matter. All that matters is that you are interested and that you want to participate. Even if you know nothing, you participation is important; asking questions is a part of the conversation!
We are trying to stretch the learning paradigm here. We want to move from the traditional expert imparting his wisdom, to a group sharing knowledge.
More about Barcamps:
What is Barcamp? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BarCamp
The Rules of Barcamp. http://barcamp.org/TheRulesOfBarCamp
See other places hosting Barcamp: http://barcamp.org/