The DaVinci CodeDan Brown
Dan Brown’s book about murders, codes and Christianity is not great literature, but it is a great read. An excellent beach or weekend read.
While the ending is a little disappointing – but it’s really the only way it could end – the facts, theories and conspiracies he weaves within the plot are well done and give one pause. And makes one dig out old art books to re-examine some classic paintings. Mind candy, very nicely done.
Just some random thoughts – musings, if you will – about a variety of subjects:
The comparison of Google to Netscape (one such article): While there are valid reasons to make this comparison – especially in lignt of Wall Street’s breathless anticipation of Google rumored IPO – I see more reasons to shrug off this comparison. Remember, Netscape was the sole player in a nascent market (the ‘Net) when it was the high flyer. Google has grown to be the current best in one area (search) of a now firmly entrenched market (admittedly, this is a especially turbulent market). Netscape was narrowly focused (blindered?); Google has shown it does not wish to rest on its search laurel; it is diversifying its portfolio. Really, Google is closer to Microsoft than Netscape.
Syndication Wars: Yes, these have flared up again, and I’m not going to link to any of the fights. So there. The whole RSS vs. [anything else; currently Atom] debate is fueling the rush of packets back and forth across the Internet. I’m reminded of the quotation attributed to Henry Kissinger, that campus politics are so fiece because the stakes are so small.
Linux vs. Apple on Desktop: I’ve read many articles recently saying that 2004 could be the year of the Linux desktop; articles are now starting to mention that this growth will be particularily hard for Apple to swallow. It’s interesting. I just don’t know.
SCO vs. the World: As just about any day’s reads on Groklaw will attest, SCO’s case(s) is looking weaker and weaker with each passing day. While I always thought the whole reason for SCO’s gambit (yeah, there’s a game plan, sue IBM, that’ll be easy) was to get bought out, it will be interesting in retrospect to view this mess of suits/countersuits. We’re too close to it today.
Microsoft Loses Swastika: According to several reports (such as Wired’s), a swastika symbol found in MS Office 2003’s symbol set is creating a PR problem for MS. And MS is all apologetic about it. Why? Yes, the swastika was the symbol of Nazi Germany, and the Nazis were not most folks’ favorite gang. Yet, the symbol itself predates the Third Reich, and – even if it didn’t – it is a symbol that has use for historical purposes (a report on the Nazis, for example). Why the political correctness?