In this the 2013 edition of my ‘posts of the year’, as was the case in the 2012, my website has been dominated by NBN discussion.
Yes I do write about the NBN quite a bit, but that these articles are so popular on my site shows just how important the NBN has become in the national debate. People want information on it, and I try to give it as clearly and as accurately as I can.
Here now, the most popular monthly articles…enjoy!
- January: Turnbull Must Now Accept NBN Has Not Completely Failed
After constant attacks about NBN Co missing its construction targets, Malcolm Turnbull was found to have been wrong in those attacks. NBN construction targets are still a contentious issue, particularly since the change of government in September, so the real numbers are still a matter of debate.
“With news today that NBN Co actually exceeded this target, surely Turnbull must accept that based on his own words that the NBN has not “completely failed”. He should. But he won’t.”
- February: Google Fiber Lighting The Way For Our NBN
The launch of Google Fiber in the United States began demonstrating the value of optical-fibre based broadband networks, yet still the then Federal Opposition refused to take their heads out of the sand.
“The evidence continues to mount in favour of the NBN, yet for some, evidence is simply not enough. These people cannot see that people are demanding the NBN as soon as possible.”
- March: Turnbull Suggests Eighteen Billion Dollars Is Not Material
Still on the NBN, in March Turnbull tried to suggest that the difference in maintenance costs between a copper-based broadband network and a fibre-based one was “not enough to be material”. With research actually showing the difference is quite significant, Malcolm was left with egg on his face again.
“Given a reputable firm like BIS Shrapnel has made the projection of between a $600 and $700 million saving each year in network maintenance costs, simply by having the fibre network instead of the copper network, is Turnbull saying this kind of money is “immaterial”?”
- April: Coalition Gaffe: Turnbull And Abbott Wrong On Geelong NBN Claim
Tony and Malcolm lied. It’s that simple.
“Time to explain yourself chaps – you were wrong. You either lied / tried to mislead people, or you were too lazy to check your facts. Either way, it’s very poor form. Politics needs to be about trust – and you clearly can’t be trusted on this issue.”
- May: News Limited Seeks Excess Access To Your Social Media Accounts
As was shown later in the year by Edward Snowden and his revelation of NSA spying, online privacy was again shown to be a major issue for the world, with a seemingly high-handed approach by News Limited for access to the social media accounts of the unwitting.
“Unless I trust News Limited completely – (both to be good citizens, and to protect their data) – I wouldn’t be authorising them – (or anyone who steals their data) – to basically become me on my social media accounts. I don’t, and neither should you.”
- June: The Telstra Copper Ship Of Theseus
Back on to the NBN and maintenance of the existing copper network, and Telstra CEO David Thodey saying the copper network would last for many years to come, despite mounting evidence of the poor condition of the network. Of course it can last – even for thousands of years – but that depends how you look at it, doesn’t it?
“Just like your grandfather’s 80-year-old axe – (it’s only had three new handles, and four new heads in that time) – of course the network could last 100 years. Or 200 years. Or 300 years.”
- July: Another Coalition Member Caught Lying Over NBN
More false NBN statements from the Coalition in July, with Sussan Ley saying that telephone exchanges outside of the 93% fibre footprint could not be upgraded at a later date, unless their alternate plan is implemented. Why not? Well, there’s no reason why not actually.
“Given that the small towns that Ley is worried about will have exactly the same result from the NBN under either plan, her assertion that small towns with an exchange can only be upgraded to fibre under the Coalition plan is patently false.”
- August: Malcolm Turnbull Invents Time Travel
A truly weird one from Turnbull in August, when he proclaimed that we should not be building an NBN for tomorrow with the technology of today – when clearly we should use what hasn’t been invented yet, right?
“We can’t provision for future demands with tomorrow’s technology, because tomorrow’s technology doesn’t exist yet!”
- September: Funny Smell Over NBN Co Board Resignations
September saw the Coalition take power at the federal election, and Turnbull become the new Communications Minister. That’s when he started playing games – asking himself for the NBN Co board to resign, and then refusing to accept those resignations.
“Who insists on someone resigning, and then refuses to accept the resignation?”
- October: Unsubstantiated Claims Of Stopped Tasmanian NBN Rollout
A month into office, and with all the facts presumably at his fingertips, Turnbull continued to make false statements on NBN rollout progress.
“This is typical Malcolm Turnbull. Rather than directly respond to the fact that he knows he misled Tasmanians he reaches for a distraction with a false claim about current roll-out.”
- November: Dodo And The Extinct Password Protection
Getting away from the NBN for a moment, I discovered some curious password handling issues by my ISP, Dodo – who were able to send me my portal password in the clear, via SMS. I’ve still had no response from them.
“They really should implement a challenge response mechanism to reset the password online, instead of just storing them in the clear and spitting them out on request, without seeking proof of who is requesting the password.”
- December: What Turing Gave To The World
With Alan Turing finally receiving a pardon from the UK government for his conviction for then-illegal homosexual acts, I thought it was a good time to remind the world exactly what he did for the world. I’m sure that he himself would rather see everyone else convicted in this way pardoned as well. Maybe the UK government can work on that.
“Never forget Alan Turing.”