intodimensions.com

The UAE is determined to make a name for itself in the international film industry. Previously little more than an exotic backdrop for moving pictures, the country is taking steps to ensure that Emirati directors can make their own blockbusters. Rania Abo
ABU DHABI // Fadel al Muhairi is busy scouring his hometown for locations for his first feature film, a social drama about a young man’s quest to find his role in society. Armed with a Dh90,000 (US$24,500) grant from the Emirates Foundation, a joint private and public sector national endowment fund, the Emirati filmmaker believes that he is in the right place at the right time.
[source: The National]

I just upgraded this blog to Wordpress 2.5. Apparently the theme we were using is not compatible so I’ve got to either fix it or find a new one. Oh well, the new version seems very nice.

A company having an FAQ on their web site is a good thing, I think, but what’s the value of it if questions are faked? I mean if a question placed in the FAQ isn’t at all frequently asked? Does it really matter or is it bad practice? The issue came up when I saw this FAQ at Cyborg IT’s web site:

A2. What new trends do you see on the Internet for 2004?
We believe 2003 - 2005 will start a new trend toward an increasing number of ‘mature’ Internet users. These ‘Baby Boomers’ are beginning to have more time available when they can sit in front of the computer and look for things that are important to them. This group of affluent adults has a significant amount of expendable dollars ready to spend on what interests them.

Now forget for a second that it’s now 2008, but think about the question. Do you really think that’s a frequently asked question? I doubt it.

“Never gonna give you up”
Never gonna give you up

“She wants to dance with me”

“Together forever”

“Whenever you need somebody”

“Take me to your heart”

Interview from 2001 (Swedish television)

While visiting Ras Al Khaima today we came across this sign which says “Specialized Center for Special Needs”. Is that special enough for you? Not only is it a center for special needs, it’s specialized as well

“

Check out Demo Camp Dubai. It seems like a very nice idea, people come along to a monthly get together and four people “demo” their idea. The idea can be most anything it seems which should mean there’ll be good variety. Most recent Demo Camp was yesterday but I’ll definitely look out for the next. On their site it’s explained like this: “DemoCamp Dubai is a Dubai-based launch event for new products, technologies and companies, it’s all about people presenting their new stuff and people giving them feedback. It’s an effort to entice excitement around creating cool stuff, find great innovation wherever it occurs, identify market trends through the focus of the products coming to market, and expose everyone to new ideas and exciting opportunities.”

This press release says “Empost launches new state-of-the-art website”. Go to www.empostuae.com and check the source. It’s all in frames! Then go to the actual site at http://195.229.217.93/Empost and check the source - it’s all tables. I’m no web design purist but it seems to me that those two things alone will disqualify this particular site from being “state-of-the-art”. What do you think?

After using a Blackberry 8800 for a few months, and I’ve been very happy with it, I’ve got a 8310. It’s the smaller Curve model and the 8310 means it has GPS. So far I really like it. The camera is so-so, not great but for a mobile also not bad. I take pictures on the go and put them on www.uaetumblr.com.

So why not an iPhone? The main obstacle in the UAE is there is no data plan that suits iPhone, meaning unlimited data for a fixed price. There is a 10GB/m “unlimited” plan which cost AED460 so not terrible, but you get a Blackberry plan which is truly unlimited for AED185 per month. The Blackberry is not as great a device as an iPhone, it’s not as user friendly, and especially the web browsing really sucks on the Berry compared to the iPhone, but overall, taking the plan into consideration, the Berry is a good deal. And for email, and let’s face it that’s why most people have a Berry, it’s a fantastic device. I’m a huge Blackberry fan and have been for many years, and that now continues with the 8310.

In a press event today Microsoft announced that they will make new efforts to work with other companies and developers to ensure interoperability.

Their press release says, “Microsoft will indicate on its Web site which protocols are covered by Microsoft patents and will license all of these patents on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, at low royalty rates. To assist those interested in considering a patent license, Microsoft will make available a list of specific Microsoft patents and patent applications that cover each protocol.”

It continues, “Microsoft is providing a covenant not to sue open source developers for development or non-commercial distribution of implementations of these protocols. These developers will be able to use the documentation for free to develop products.”

How big of them. They first say that open source developers are using Microsoft technology without - as far as I know - really provide any evidence and certainly not try their claim in court, and then they say “we’ve now decided that we’re not going to sue you guys”.