South African tech journos indulging in beer and opinion…

Episodes in which we discussed Open Source:

ZA Tech Show: Episode 24

In this episode we discuss:

  • The launch of Getmo.com - a new media download service.
  • Zain/Celtel’s possible entry into the SA market.
  • Microsoft’s Tech Ed conference.
  • Red Hat setting up office in South Africa.
  • The IBM Microsoft-free desktop.
  • Ubuntu’s MID edition for portable internet devices.
  • MWEB becoming a reseller for Vodacom Service Provider.
  • ABSA and Telkom’s deal.
  • Neotel’s first television advert.
  • The state of spam.

And more…

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 23

This week Simon’s in Japan and joins us via Skype. We discuss:

  • The legality of MP3Fiesta.com.
  • The Hasbro and Mattel versus Scrabulous saga.
  • Yahoo! Music being closed down.
  • The new, not-so-great Cuil search engine.
  • iPhone 2.0.
  • The annual Govtech conference.
  • Telkom’s strike.
  • Vodacom’s new BEE deal.
  • Microsoft sponsoring the Apache Software Foundation.
  • The release of KDE 4.1.
  • The latest pre-release of Ubuntu Linux Intrepid Ibex.

And much more.

Direct file download (28MB)

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 20

In our 20th episode of ZA Tech Show we discuss:

  • The international launch of Apple’s 3G iPhone.
  • Pieter Uys taking over from Alan Knott-Craig as Vodacom Group CEO.
  • Vodacom’s content adaption service status.
  • ASUS Eee PC 1000 and the growing netbook market.
  • Multichoice’s new DSTV dual-view offering and the approaching launch of DSTV HD.
  • Digital media distribution and licensing.
  • Musica selling counterfeit Playstation accessories.
  • ISO’s rejection of the OOXML appeal.
  • The global DNS security update.

And more…

Direct file download (35.9MB)

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 18

This week the ZA Tech Show crew is joined by Stefano Mattiello, Neotel’s head of enterprise services.

  • We talk to Matt about the progress Neotel is making in rolling out its network and bringing new services to market.
  • Discuss the problems associated with Vodacom’s new Vodafone Live! browsing ‘enhancements’ that break mobile applications and interfere with mobile Web browsing on the network.
  • Look at Nokia’s purchase and promised release of the Symbian mobile platform.
  • Speculate on the the mobile market, including rumours regarding the Playstation phone.
  • Remember Bill Gates’ last day at work and the extension of Windows XP support to 2014.
  • Talk about the future of operating systems.
  • Preview ICANN’s proposed introduction of new top-level domain names.
  • Give feedback on the Amazon decision to halt services via the South African Post Office.

And more…

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 14 featuring Mark Shuttleworth

This week’s episode of ZA Tech Show features special guest and billionaire spaceman Mark Shuttleworth, on the line from London. We discuss:

  • The international appeal to reverse ISO’s decision on OOXML.
  • Open standards.
  • The rise and future of Ubuntu and Linux.
  • Linux’ desktop readiness.
  • Firefox 3 nearing final release date.
  • The future of open source and its impact on platforms outside of just software.
  • Sub-notebooks, the OLPC and how these initiatives impact on education in the developing world.
  • Driving collaboration in open communities.
  • Windows 7.
  • The adoption of open source by traditionally proprietary companies.
  • The importance of open API’s in Web 2.0.
  • What to expect in the next version of Ubuntu Linux.
  • MTN’s talks with Reliance.
  • Eskom’s investments in infrastructure.
  • Dell being sued for fraud by the city of New York.

Plus you’ll hear Mark answer some unusual questions.

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 13

We gather in an overcast Johannesburg this week, sans Ben Kelly, to discuss the following:

  • Open document formats and the SABS appealing ISO’s ratification of OOXML.
  • The ultra-portable and sub-notebook market and who’s doing what in the space.
  • Microsoft’s strategy for Windows on portables.
  • Online operating systems, ala Jooce.
  • Privacy online and why people trust Google.
  • Mashing-up social networks and examples of applications that do this, like Flock.
  • Instant messaging.
  • Red Hat’s Mugshot.
  • Vodacom’s WirelessG, iPass and other innovative wireless offerings, like Skyrove.
  • Utility bandwidth.
  • Final confirmation of Neotel’s consumer offerings, including uncapped solutions.

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ZA Tech Show: Episode 7

All the usual geeks are resident for this episode, in which we discuss:

- A German MP attempting to stop Microsoft from doing business in the EU
- Gartner’s analysis concerning Windows
- The extended OEM period for Windows XP
- Google Apps
- WantItAll
- Podcamp SA
- EMC acquiring Iomega
- Symantec acquiring AppStream
- Adobe Media Player
- The sacking of David Bullard

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ZATS: Episode 4

This week Simon Dingle, Ben Kelly, Brett Haggard, Jon Tullett and Duncan McLeod spend a Good Friday morning discussing:

  • The passing of Arthur C. Clarke
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1
  • Windows XP Service Pack 3
  • The rumors surrounding Windows 7
  • Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) beta
  • A new virus threat surrounding zip files
  • MTN’s performance in the Middle East
  • Telkom’s new Metro LAN offering
  • West coast versus East coast bandwidth
  • The ‘all you can eat’ iTunes rumor
  • How music publishing and distribution are evolving in the digital age

…and some other stuff in-between.

Direct file download.

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ZATS: Episode 2

A messy ’studio’.

In this episode of ZATS, Ben Kelly joins us via Skype all the way from Palo Alto in the USA with Simon Dingle, Brett Haggard, Jon Tullett and Duncan McLeod in Johannesburg. We discuss the following:

  • HP Labs
  • New chip announcements from Intel and AMD
  • The future of mobile computing and graphics hardware
  • Console vs. PC gaming
  • Frets on Fire
  • Sentech discontinuing MyWireless
  • Alan Knott-Craig stepping down as group CEO of Vodacom
  • iPhone triangulation in SA
  • Google’s local offerings
  • Submarine cable policy
  • Cloud computing
  • Document security
  • Adobe AIR
  • Microsoft Silverlight
  • The Xbox 360 Blu-ray player
  • Xbox Live in SA

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