IT 6.01 – Tsunami Issue
Mmm, the magazine is out. This one was a bit of a kidney stone, but the content is improving. Think it reads a bit more human – there’s a debate between me and Mahangu on Intel CEO Craig Barrett’s comment that the $100 Laptop is a gadget. He’s pissed, but I’m saying market solutions may be better than devices governments buy in bulk. We also have a a controversial article on if Google ever could turn evil. I’d like to thank Doctor John from Flickr for the use of his cool wave photo for the cover. All he wanted in return was a link to his, er, pet project – Tsunami Animal Welfare Trust. The wave image isn’t actually in Sri Lanka, but the photographer suprisingly was. Anyways, here’s a PDF and the 4am editorial.
editorial…
Happy New Year, and welcome to IT 6.01. This issue is a bit more news and general interest heavy, tell us how you likes. We have one interesting debate on the $100 Laptop and the controversial comments the Intel CEO gave while in Sri Lanka, see page 6. We also have a rare critique of Google on page 18. Both of these topics should hopefully stir some debate. Is a $100 laptop a ‘gadget’, or could it really benefit Sri Lanka? Is Google becoming too powerful for its own good?
This month’s cover story comes after the recent tsunami anniversary. We have an interview with the blogger Morquendi, who was extremely active on the ground, getting the word out and using SMS to help with a scattered coordination effort. The focus, however, is on how Sri Lanka can move forward. One real way that IT can help is through a warning system, which Sri Lanka still lacks. In the case of a tsunami, 5 minutes warning means the difference between life and death. This infrastructure is sorely neglected, but in this issue we explore a working satellite radio implementation, and the general theory and problems of an effective alert system.
We’ve also reintroduced the software CD, this time with Microsoft’s support. We’re proud to offer a distribution of Visual Studio Express, a powerful development environment, along with our past issues and some goodies. Check page 64 for tips on how to get started on some really quick projects, like playing audio or making a web browser.
I want to visit my friend in China before he comes back. Free place to crash and all. So, I applied for a visa to China, from Colombo. I’m not sure I’ll get it, but this is process to at least apply. For official but incomplete info, check out the 
The Mahavamsa (a history of Sri Lanka) is full of conflicts between generals and kings. Usually, the more bloodthirsty and unscrupulous would win. Our current (elected) ruler Mahinda Rajapaksa has had his own general conflicts, namely with one Sarath Fonseka. In the old days Fonseka would have staged a coup, as in literally try to cut of Mahinda’s head, and Mahinda would – if that failed – tie him to four elephants and split his parts asunder. Can’t do that shit anymore. Instead Fonseka ran for office and lost and Mahinda tossed him in jail.
Today on the 
Janith has updated 
Intel is just pissed coz MIT fellows did not use their _oerpriced_ chips. And coz it is going to take away maket from them on the low end.
I think u got the link to the file wrong. It is http://indi.ca/wp-content/files/it-times-6-01.pdf. Also I ment to say _overpriced_ on my other post :)
The PDF file is not available .. :(
sor, buggered the link. Thanks for the fix Chamil
Super cool cover man…!
This is the best cover! :-)
Hi there.. I can’t open the article “Faith in science”… was it deleted?
thx
yes, one of the best covers i have ever seen!
and i too can’t read the faith-in-science post. have you deleted it?
sor, i accidentally drafted it. It’s very spacy and I was kinda nervous about it.
Nice design indeed. Typography and design is far better than the previous issues. Keep up the good work, Indi & all :)