Net Neutrality and SOPA...

I've been reading about the SOPA act, which aim is to protect the copyright holders from piracy.

I agree on the principle that everyone has the right to receive payment for any work that they do, after all it takes time and effort to do so. But, I've a problem with how the SOPA act intends to protect the copyright holders from piracy.

The idea that just by accusing someone of piracy brings about the kind of actions SOPA proposes are, for me, disturbing.

I believe that the Internet should be an open and even field for the exchange of information and ideas. I do agree on the proponents of Net Neutrality, there shouldn't anyone that can stop the exchange.

Having access to information, and being able to exchange your ideas with other people is a fundamental right.

And is specially important to bring forth innovation. Sharing ideas, and comparing notes freely, can lead to new ideas. The more people contribute and share ideas, the easier it is to solve problems. The Internet is a tool that makes such exchange easier, and mainly allows people to connect with other than in other ways wouldn't be possible.

In many ways, I agree that the copyright laws that exist now inhibit innovation by making it easy for established companies attack smaller, or new, companies that threaten their leader position. Instead of making their own innovations, they sue in order to preserve the status quo.

If you put the copyright laws and SOPA together, I find it that rather that it would make more damage than good. If you want to really to stamp out piracy, make the Internet a really neutral place, where ideas and information can be easily shared.

Instead, focus on fixing the copyright law so it actually motivates competition by innovation. Not by suing or threating the smaller players.

Behaviors matter...

It can be really depressing how many people actually expect that someone else to come to solve their problems, and it that doesn't happen they just moan on how bad things are for them.

If more people came to realize that the key to solve most of the problems, if not all, is in their own hands the world would be a different place.

Most of the changes needed to solve the problems each person have is within. Of course some problems are harder to solve that other, but there is no problem that can't be solved in one way or another. The only thing that it's needed to fix whatever we want, is the will to find the way to do so.

The key to arrive to a solution, resides in being able to pay attention on what is what behaviors are the ones that take us to the outcome that we want to change. All is in what actions are the ones that make things happen the way they do, not the outcomes.

By fixing on the outcomes, we don't see the complete picture of what is going on to make those outcomes happen. The most important question us why things happen as they do, if we don't attack those root causes the solution to our problems will elude us.

So, if you want to have lasting solutions to your problems attack the root causes. If you don't do so, you are setting yourself for failure.

#Occupy movement...

I've been following the several #Occupy movements that have sprung up on several cities around the world. It has make me wondered if such a movement could occur in any of the mayor cities of Mexico, to call for peace and to prompt politicians to take actions in the matters that most interest Mexican society.

Yet, I've some doubts that there will be any such movements at any city in Mexico.

Most of the people here are not that politically active. There is a view that any one that is politically active is not to be trusted. And, after 70 years in which most people came to expect that no mater what they did or said nothing come happened because our voices just wouldn't be heard. Things have slowly beginning to change, but most of the time when we rally we don't stay at it for long.

More are more people are becoming aware that they can do something to change how the system works, but we haven't gotten a critical mass as of yet. We need more people pressuring for change, and doing from several different points. Most importantly, there is a need for more people speaking up on what needs to be changed. The people at power wont do much if they don't see the need, if they don't feel the pressure to make the changes we want and need to move forward as a nation.

Also we need to understand that quicker these changes come, the quicker we are going to see the effects. If stall on them, or do nothing at all, those changes wont give the results we want and need.

Having a just and fair country is a shared responsibility between society and government. Neither can do it by itself. In a sense big changes come from small actions, but we all need to act together in order our small actions to sum up to be able to make the big change.

If you want change, do something. And if those actions don't bring the change you wanted, do things in a different way.

There is always a way out, we just need to figure out how to get there.

Hacking...

As much as hacking is being depicted as something bad, and that should be avoided at all times, I can't find a reason why people shouldn't be able to hack their own software and hardware.

Granted, rules should be put in place to punish those who hack into places, or things, they are not wanted.

But, if anyone wants to hack their own computer, mobile phone or software to work in a way they deem they need; they should be able to do it legally. And, if they want to share it with other people they also should be able to do so if they choose to do so.

Face it, hacking is not bad in itself.

It also brings benefits to the larger community of users. Hacking fosters innovation, and makes good motivator for companies to do things better.

Most of the hackers are curious people, who just want to know how something works or who wants to make whatever product they use do something they believe it should be able to do. In some cases, they modify the behaviour, or look, in order to make it work in a way they believe it would be more useful.

Instead of trying to ban or discourage hacking, we should be directing the effort of the various hackers into positive avenues of work. Give hacker incentives to work legally, and enable them to share their work not only with other hackers, but with the public at large.

If you treat hacking as a problem, and something to be eradicated, it will be a problem.

So, treat it as the tool that foster innovation. Then, and only then, hacking can bring the full benefits it can give us.

My Ubuntu 11.10 experience so far...

I've been using Ubuntu 11.10 since yesterday that it became available for download, and I'm very pleased with it.

The user interface is a lot cleaner, and easier to use. I really like the look of it, in my opinion is a big step forward for Ubuntu and it has cemented it as my favorite Linux distro. I've been using Ubuntu on regular basis since the 10.04 LTS version, though I used for a while the 8.04 LTS before, I've found it to be easy to use and very stable.

And since the 10.04 LTS version, I've like the look and feel of the user interface a lot better than the one in Windows and I like it as much as the Mac OS X one. But, with the current Unity shell, I like it even more. I find the design to be clean, and easier to use than the previous ones. You could say that Unity has won me over, and I plan to stick with it.

I can't recommend Ubuntu enough if you want to make the jump to Linux, specially if you are new to the world of open source software.

There are still a few rough edges, but as with the two previous versions I've used these will be fixed rather quickly. Besides, these aren't that big and are on par with any new release of an OS and knowing me I most likely found them because I like to go deep when I personalize my OS to my taste.

So, if you are an average user you are unlikely to find them.

At the end, if you want to make the jump to Linux Ubuntu 11.10 is a great distro to start from.

Do what's right for you...

It's sad to see how many people don't question themselves why they believe what they do, or if those believes are a valid platform to stand on.

Many just accept what is told to them, without really analyzing what's is told to them. Some won't see the contradictions on the information given to them, because they don't bother to actually pay attention. It seems that they don't want to take the responsibility and face the consequences of their own actions.

Some seem to have the need to be told what to believe, and how to act.

It's important to understand that what's good for some doesn't make it so for others. The idea that something will work for us, just because it works for someone we know is not true. Yes, we should consider several paths before one is chosen. But, at the end each of us needs to choose what is best for us as an individual.

More often than not, it's hard to be completely certain if what was chosen will work out the way it was intended to do. If it does, that's great. If it doesn't, don't blame others.

Learn from what happened, and move on. The blaming game is not really useful, since most of the time it doesn't help anyone to move on with life.

As humans, we are fallible. We make mistakes, but we can overcome them to make things right.

At the end, do what's right for you to the best of your abilities. Remember that you are the one you must answer to at the end of each day. You're the one who must feel comfortable on your own skin, and live your life the way you believe is the best way to do so.

Give yourself more credit.

End of an era...

When I read the news that Steve Jobs had died yesterday afternoon, at first I couldn't bring myself around it.

I mean, even if I disagree with how things are done in Apple, the man was a visionary. He did make great products, easy to use and with exquisite design. Products that just work, and perform in many cases better than advertised.

Is easy to see why people want Apple products, and why Apple has such a large and loyal group of base users.

Personally, I don't use Apple's products because of philosophical reasons. I do like the design of both of the software and hardware, they are pleasing to the eye and easy to use. Mac OS X is stable as OS's come, and it's really user friendly.

But, at the end Steve Job is someone that I admire, and respect. He was a visionary, that showed us that technology can be sexy and easy to use. His innovations managed to keep putting the bar higher and higher.

I remember being pleased when he putted Apple's might behind open web standards.

In my opinion, to pay tribute to Steve Jobs, the best way to do it is keep improving and making better things. Keep innovating. Never to stand still, and always bring forth new ideas.

I do believe that's what he would want.

FOSS...

If I remember correctly, it has been a year since I started using Ubuntu, or Mint, as my main operating system. I have found that I really enjoy using Ubuntu much more than using Windows.

So much more so, that I've no plans to go back to using Windows.

All the programs that I use, or need, are available in some way or another on Ubuntu or Linux in general. My favorite web browser, Firefox, is available. Also,my favorite office suite, LibreOffice is.

I've found Ubuntu to be more stable than Windows. In the year I've been using it, Ubuntu has only crashed once, an it was an early beta version of the 11.04 version. So, it was to be expected, since most of the bugs weren't ironed out. But, once I installed the stable version I haven't had no problem what so ever.

At this moment, I'm running the 11.04 version. I admit that initially I had my doubts about the Unity user interface, but I've found that I do like the look and feel it has. And I've been enjoying working with it, though I've run into some minor bugs that have been taken care off with the regular updates.

I do expect to up-date to the 11.10 version when it comes later this month.

Ever since I started investing, and learning, what free and open source software(FOSS) is, about 10 years ago, I've been trying to use as much as possible.

The principals and code of ethics that comes with FOSS are similar to those I've and believe in. So, I've become an advocate of FOSS and spread the word about it's benefits.  I find that FOSS are beneficial to innovation, that it actually can propel and foster it.

If more people can see, and modify, the source code to any piece of software to better suit their needs means that there will be better solutions to that given problem.

Allowing people to freely tinker with not just software, but hardware as well should not be discouraged. I agree there should be some rules to give credit to those who deserve it, but that doesn't mean that other people shouldn't be allow to work on, and improve on, the software and hardware they use.

And also to share with the community at large the work that they have done.

There more people works to improve the systems we use, the better. Protection sure be in place to protect the ideas to be stolen, but not in a way to impede the improvement of it by third parties.

In the end, it's a balancing act. But its outcome should be decided by the people who actually use the product, not by any government or any other group.

Change now..

What is most frustrating for me, is the fact that if things don't change things would only tend to get worse.

As things are at the moment, things seem to have no solution anytime soon. Structural changes are needed as soon as possible, if these these don't arrive things are seriously never to get better.

Yes, a wider segment of society as pushing for changes. In hand with that, some of the politicians are actually doing something. But, when you look at the changes made, or proposed, the realization that most of changes are merely cosmetic are self-evident.

The time for cosmetic changes has long since passed, and now what Mexico needs are deep and structural changes that help the country to face the future.

If we want to keep our position in the world, we need to make and apply changes that gives us the ability to better adapt to new circumstances. Other countries like China, Brazil, and India have already started to make these changes, and the results on their economies is outstanding.

Yes, there still plenty of inequality still to be seen on those countries. But, the are good signs that more people are coming out of poverty. It will take years, possibly decades, to eradicate poverty. And maybe, poverty will be eradicated, but something has to be done.

But, society at large should pressure more our politicians to make them aware that there to serve us. If left to their own devices, we have seen time and time again how they start acting as if society is here to serve them. Actions need to be taken to make sure that politicians understand that they are suppose to do OUR bidding. If would be naive to believe the current status quo will be in a matter of a few years. It will take some time, but it won't change all by itself.

The system is just as good as we make it.

Sense of community...

I find it rather sad that it's hard to really become involved in the community where you live in, because most of the services you need are to be found outside the community.

There are a lot of people are against having shops, banks and other of the kind of business that people use on regular basis arguing that it would disturb the peace and quiet of the community. Which, they shouldn't since and should make life more practical having things like banks and small shops that carter to the needs of the necessities of each particular community.

By letting businesses that carter to these needs to operate at each community, many problems would be solve. Transportation would be easier, since people wouldn't need to move as far. Thus saving time and money, and freeing people to actually do more.

Security would be improved, since people living there would have a greater sense of ownership over the community. Also would foster better relationships of the people living there, since using the services that are offered on the shops that operate at the community would bring individuals with the same interests together. And since people would naturally gather on these centers, people would have reasons to get to know other and share common interests rather that going somewhere else to do so.

Of course there should be limits to what kind of businesses, and their size, should be allowed to establish within each community. These should be based on what they offered, and the size of the community in question.

But, saying that commerce shouldn't be allowed in residential areas is detrimental to them. We are social by nature, and having plazas and parks where people can gather, are essential to the health and wellbeing of the community at large. These places become integral parts of the community, since it gives the people living in them a place to come together to talk, exchange ideas, and simply feel that they belong to the community where they live.

If the people are given the chance to get to know the people living at the community where they live, they become closer to the community and have the sense of belonging and ownership. This has the effect of making people to take care of the community they live in.

Most of the crime we see, comes from the social disintegration that comes of not having the sense of belonging to a group that makes us want to be better. Or, not wanting to take place of where we live.

Let's give people the chance of being proud of the community where they live. This is a big step forward to solving many of the problems we have.

Architect and builder...

Even though there are still people that don't do much other than just say how bad things are, and how things will never change, it's uplifting to see there are people who are acting to make things better.

What's best, the number of those who take action are increasing with time. The awareness that we can do something to make things work, and that we can actually do something to make our world a better place. That we don't have to wait, or depend, on our politicians to do something about the issues that concern us.

At the end, if we don't do what it takes to make things work no one else will.

We are the ones who are responsible of our life and our communities. The ones who can make it better are ourselves, and we must be aware that is up to us to make our life better. As much as we would like, no one else has the obligation to do anything for us. What we do for ourselves, and others, is up to each of us.

Is important to understand that each of us is the master of our own destiny. We make our way to the destiny we want to, with each step we take toward it. Each one of our actions brings with it consequences, with are the rewards or punishments we see as the end result.

We all have free will, but it takes courage to use it and face the consequences that come with the use of our free will. What we do comes from the choices we do through our life, and most of our choices that we must take are done so with no real knowledge of where those choices will take us. We must be constantly be adjusting to the new circumstances that arise with time and place.

There are no single formulas to face life. What works for some, doesn't work for others.

We like it or not, all comes down to what we choose to do. Even inaction is a personal choice, for which we must face the consequences of. What we choose not to do, may be the thing that someone else will choose to do whether we like it or not.

We'll make mistakes, but that shouldn't stop us for making things happen. Mistakes can be corrected, and we can learn from them.

At the end, we can choose what we make out of our life. But, it also takes the will to make things happen in order to get where we want to be. The most important thing in order to get where we want to be, is ourselves. No one else can get us where we want to be. Opportunities are only fruitful only to those who are willing to take them, and do something with them.

Each one of us, is the architect and builder of our destiny.