Author Archives: Michael Wyres

Sunday Nerding: The Phone Phreakers

The exact definition of what is or is not a hacker is constantly evolving, and it is perhaps true that an exact definition will never be found. Today, a look at phone phreaking, one of the early most forms of what could really be called ‘hacking’, through the exploits of John Draper, Steve Wozniak and […]

Sunday Nerding: Commodore 64

Back to my computing roots this week, with the Commodore 64. This computer came into my family in September of 1984, and I was hooked from day one – and ultimately, it became the foundation of my career in computing. Some of my first breakout computing moments happened on this machine. Like being told off […]

Turnbull Dismally Fails First NBN Test

It has been a pretty common refrain from Malcolm Turnbull that the management of the National Broadband Network project by the previous government was “pathetic” – both before and after the previous election in September 2013. Count how many times he uses that exact word in this transcript. Morever, how about this quote? “This is […]

The Doodle, Carrie Bickmore, And Her Pectorals

There was much laughing today when Carrie Bickmore was seen to be both holding and displaying a doodle on national television. Though perhaps a silly practical joke played on her by the crew, I got more of a laugh out of this placement of the story this afternoon on The Age website, immediately above another […]

Sunday Nerding: The Computers Of NASA

Two of my favourite topics this week: computing, and space. This video from NASA describing their use of computing to plan, carry out and manage the space program of the 1960’s. Although not dated, this video appears to have been prepared in the 1970’s, as it would seem the moon landings have already taken place, […]

Sunday Nerding: Cable To The Continent

This week, a cheesy – (and admittedly self-promoting) – video from AT&T about the laying of the TAT-2 submarine cable in 1959. Designed to provide a whopping “36 or more interference free telephone circuits” between Newfoundland and France, the video details the long and difficult process in laying that cable more than 50 years ago. […]

The Greatest Spelling On Earth (Maybe Not)

Foxtel’s AFL channel, FOX Footy, currently uses the slogan “The Greatest Channel On Earth”, but clearly this doesn’t extend to spelling. Oops. See you on Firday nihgt.

Pul As Hard As You Can

I’m not sure what I am supposed to do with this door. I think I am supposed to “pull” to exit. I’m glad I don’t have to “pus” the door. Because that would be just weird.

Sunday Nerding: The UNIX Operating System

A bit of nostaglia today for all the UNIX geeks out there, with a presentation put together by AT&T in 1982 about the UNIX operating system. While UNIX is still around and in active use in many organisations, most organisations these days make use of Linux-based systems when UNIX-like functionality is required. Linux is a […]

When The Photo Is Missing…

…pick any old one that’s close – right? Got a small chuckle out of the photo attached to this local news item (click image for larger view): “The Ford Falcon ute was only 2m from the house in the front driveway and was parked next to another of LPG, so they’re very lucky it didn’t […]