Author Archives: laura

Event Report: EPFL Congress On Privacy And Surveillance

Posted on October 11, 2013 by laura

I went to the Congress on Privacy and Surveillance at the EPFL last week. The day-long conference was a rare opportunity to listen to some of the most renowned technical and legal experts in the field. When Pamela Jones closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Liberties, Internet, Privacy, Society, Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

France: Initiative For A Higher Tax On eBooks That Are Not Interoperable

Posted on September 26, 2013 by laura

A French deputy thinks that proprietary and DRM protected eBooks should not be legally considered books and should not benefit from the fiscal advantages enjoyed by books as cultural artifacts. Last week, during a debate in the French National Assembly … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon, Books, eBooks, France | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tiny Peaches

Posted on September 25, 2013 by laura

Port wasn’t the only treat from this weekend. We got some very tiny peaches from a friend’s garden. They were about the size of a walnut, and I wasn’t sure what to do with them. I ended up making a … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Interest, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Tasting Memories

Posted on September 23, 2013 by laura

This weekend I had a chance to taste a wonderful 1982 ruby port. The first sip was an explosion of rich cherries followed by a long, smooth and complex finish. As we talked at the table, it was several minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Transparency About Use Of Photos For Facial Recognition Technology

Posted on September 16, 2013 by laura

So you thought facial recognition data only came from law enforcement records? Why Can’t You Smile At The DMV? How Your Photo Is Used Without Your Knowledge “So what is the truth to be found here about cars? If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Privacy, Society, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Google Keeps Trying To Get My Phone Number

Posted on September 15, 2013 by laura

Google tries a new page to convince me to give them my phone number. No. Previously Hey Google, I Don’t Want To Give You My Phone Number

Posted in Google, Privacy | 5 Comments

Dissatisfaction And Imagining If Things Could Be Otherwise

Posted on September 15, 2013 by laura

Dissatisfaction Dissatisfaction is the mainspring of aspiration and effort, though of course there can be dissatisfaction without aspiration. Envy, malice, and the other base passions may be sources of dissatisfaction that warp the soul instead of stimulating and urging it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, Science | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Music In My Head

Posted on August 31, 2013 by laura

Things like this don’t happen often, but yesterday I found myself hearing the closing theme from Person of Interest in my head all morning. I don’t know where it came from. The series airs on Sunday evening in Switzerland, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet, Music, TV | 5 Comments

Market Day

Posted on August 23, 2013 by laura

Yesterday morning I had an appointment in town and had the opportunity to walk through the pedestrian district afterwards on the way to work. Wednesday is market day, and it had been a while since I’d had the chance to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Personal Interest, Switzerland | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Does Apple Want My Money? And Other iBookstore Mysteries

Posted on August 9, 2013 by laura

Yesterday afternoon, while waiting at the hairdresser, I had time to read the teaser for Michel’s Jeury’s Le temps uncertain (Chronolysis). Things started out well. The sample I requested from iTunes on my MacBook was already waiting for me when … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, eBooks, User Experience | Tagged , | 8 Comments