Karl Auer's Blog

Blog

  • Futuremonkeys

    We are now in a time where seriously good, seriously high-powered software tools are available to anyone. These tools are generally usable even by those with very little clue as to how to use them properly, and commonly with no clue at all as to how they work. Those able to use them properly produce good stuff, those unable to use them properly produce bad stuff. In between there is every possible level of variation.

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  • Possible, probable….

    The only things that definitely will not happen are those that break the laws of physics, and those that break fundamental human behaviours. Everything else is at least possible. To see if it’s probable, just imagine it being really easy and really cheap. If the picture changes, then that thing is probable.

    Karl Auer, June 2007

  • Roads vs networks

    Roads costs a great deal more than fibre per metre laid, yet hardly anyone ever questions the utility of roads, even to the smallest of outlying settlements.

    Karl Auer, July 2007

  • Kids and censorship

    Kids interpret censorship as failure and route around it.

    Karl Auer, August 2007

  • NAT as a front-loading washing machine

    I keep lots of stuff on top of my front-loading washing machine – detergents, pegs and so on.  NAT provides a security benefit in the same way that a front-loading washing machine provides a storage benefit.

    Karl Auer, August 2008

  • On limited vision

    If you build a world with low ceilings, don’t expect to see anyone invent flying machines.

    Karl Auer, August 2008

  • IPv6 as the Ark

    I just found this in my archives as part of a discussion about IPv6 uptake:

    The point is that the storm clouds have well and truly gathered, thunder is rolling in the hills, great big rain drops are splotting into the dust all around us, and what are we  doing? Wandering around the outside of the Ark tut-tutting about the quality of the  woodwork and loudly suggesting the construction of various sorts of rowboats.

    Karl Auer, 2008

  • Why Not NAT?

    NAT came into existence because of IPv4 address scarcity. With IPv6, that reason disappears. So, if we no longer need to multiplex addresses, should we retain NAT?

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  • Twitter and Fried Kidneys

    I’m amazed at how defensive many Twitter users are. Dare to say that you don’t use it, or point out some negative aspect of it, and the Twitter world lands on the back of your neck screeching loudly about phatic communications and who knows what all else.

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  • Little Green Apples

    Government: We are taking ALL of your little green apples.

    Victim: What?!? That’s so unfair! They are mine!

    Government: Nope, we are taking them. All of them.

    Victim: I shall go to the Press! To the High Court! To….

    Government: Oh alright. We’ll only take HALF your little green apples.

    Victim: Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you… I’m so grateful!

    Government: You’re most welcome.