Jetpack is a newly formed experiment in using open Web technologies to enhance the browser, with the goal of allowing anyone who can build a Web site to participate in making the Web a better place to work, communicate and play.
In my last post I left a key section in disarray and with incorrect information. This has now been corrected and I apologise that I allowed this to happen in the first place.
The section of the post about open source browser has now been corrected.
FOSDEM ‘10 – from a first timer
FOSDEM, now over 2 weeks ago, was the third event I have been to with the Mozilla Community. Each of these events have been different and had their own little quirks. MozCampEu09 was about nothing other than Mozilla related projects. The Mozilla UK Firefox 5th anniversary was, well…. a party not a conference. FOSDEM however is a completely different story. It was a conference / social gathering with, as they say it on their own site, gathers “5000+ geeks”.
FOSDEM like MozCampEu09, is something that is difficult to describe, there is nothing more… invigorating, than meeting up with a large number of people, many of whom you do not know, that all share a common interest.
I spent a large amount of my time in the Mozilla Dev Room and on the Mozilla Booth while I was at the event, and I have the format for both is completely different to what I expected, and it was nice. The whole thing was a lot more relaxed than I anticipated which in turn, made me more relaxed. There were a few times when things got a little more hectic such as lunch and trying to get into the Dev Room for the HTML5 talk (which I eventually gave up on due to the queue going all the way down the corridor) and at lunch times while at the booth.
Not only was the whole thing a lot more relaxed but there was a lot to talk about, even for someone who has less knowledge on the actual technological side of things at the moment (what with being a student still and not a master like some who were there). Read the rest of this entry »
5 years captured for all time
I know it is a little late for the Firefox 5 year celebration but I thought that there was so much in the way of good content about it coming to light now that I couldn’t resist the chance to jump on the band wagon, and do a post of my favorite photos from the celebration, as well as a few snaps of the London event (taken by William Quiviger).
So without any delay here are the great shots from the celebrations.
- From Rome: Carlo Frinolli and the nois3lab team took the time to create, possibly one of the most iconic shots to show off the Firefox communities enthusiasm.
- From France: Tristan Nitot (and others) caught the incredible light installation at the Paris party.
- From Japan: Mitsuhiro Takano got a great shot of hundreds of Firefox flashlights eliminating the ceiling at the Tokyo Developer Day this past fall.
- From India: Vineel Reddy and Paramveer Singh used light graffiti to create some great picture.
Okay so they are what I consider to top 4 images from around the world, and as for those from the UK party in London? Well here are a few of the best.
Not Tom Ellins
I know I have been introduced to the planet already, however I think that there is more to be said before I start posting properly.
First up is my name is not Tom Ellins 
it is in fact William D (just to confuse the issue). I am not William Q or William R either. I am glad to be here however among many others, some who share my first name and many who don’t.
I am sure some are asking why I am now on the planet, so I will explain in brief. William Quiviger is in part to blame. During the Mozilla Firefox 5 year party in London William asked me:
“Why are you not on planet?”
To which I responed:
“I’m not sure”
I then thought of some potential reasons, but on second thinking, I found that they were all completely irrelevant. This year I made it one of my resolutions to blog more, and so now is a good time for me to have made a request (with the idea gained from William) to be a citizen of the planet, and, you’ll never guess what… It actually happened!
So that is me, in short, and how I got here. I look forward to getting to know more of the community, and will ensure that all my posts are, well, interestingly written at the least.
William D – aka FuzzyFox
at the turn of a decade…
…I think it is customary not only to create a small list of new years resolutions, but to make them extra special! So I am starting a meme, you know the rules by now.
The Rules
- Copy the rules at the beginning or end of you post
- Link to the person who tagged you
- Give your top 5 new years resolutions and make them good!
- Tag 5 people
- The meme does not need to stay in English
- By reading the meme you must link to the post you read, and join in, but only have to tag 1 person not 5
Thought I might make this a little more interesting (and a little more viral), so I have added a 6th optional rule, but it does get you bonus points. Writing down your new years resolutions is always a good idea, especially if they are public. It gives you a real drive, cos not only are you doing it for yourself, but you are doing it to look good!
My Top 5
- In at number 5 there is a very important one for me. I am not the most organized, nor the most productive person in the world, or even my household… So I think that this one is not just for the year, but the new decade. BECOME MORE ORGANIZED AND PRODUCTIVE.
- 4th is a social one. Being not only a computer geek, but a person who is not that social anyway, this resolution aims to get me more social. Use social networks as they are meant to be used, not just have them for the sake of it. Go out with mates and have some fun out of the house, not just once in a while, but at least once a month.
- Number 3. A Photo A Day. I am taking an idea from lifehacker here but I love the sound of it, and best of all I can link it in with Mozilla stuff too! I plan on taking a photo every day this year. I will make sure there is a Mozilla themed photo every month, and I challenge the Mozilla Community to do the same! I will be creating a photo gallery soon to gather these images, but hosting will be another matter. I recommend Flickr. Thinking about it, this will help with my number 4
- Running close to number 1… Number 2. Learn a new language. Properly.
Let me explain… I spent 5 years of my eduction so far learning Spanish, I finished my studies in the language about 2 years ago and I barely learned anything that has stuck. I was never fluent and I struggled reading it. So, as there is a Mozilla office in Paris, and I know more French people than any other non-English speaking people. I aim to learn French, then, at the end of my gap year in spring 2011, I am going to go to Paris, meet with some of my French friends and have a conversation.
Now I am going to be realistic about this one. It may be a fairly basic conversation BUT it will be fluent, unrehearsed, and in French
The Big Number ONE
Travel, even if it is only in the UK. This is not just travel and enjoy life though. This is travel and help give a big kick up the backside to the United Kingdom and get them learned up on open source, and of course, Mozilla! I finish my education for a year in July this month. So starting August, I am going to dedicate a large chunk of my time, and effort into promoting Mozilla, its mission, and open source on the whole. I will start in my home town, move onto the county (I’m in the county town so county is the next logical step), then the south east of the country, etc…
Okay now to tag some people!
I tag the following people with the “at the turn of the decade…” meme:
Tom (TMZ), To get him started with his new blog
Leo He is a good mate on IRC, and is also working toward my big number one
Mary Colvig One of my marketing friends at Mozilla. Just makes sense
Jay Patel I am a Campus Rep and as Jay is leaving us… I think he should say why
William Quiviger As one of my French friends, and as a guy I know I can thank for several surprises… I thought it just fair to surprise him!
Look at this, a 6th person. I started the meme and I broke the rules first. (Oh, noes!)
Sarah Doherty As another Mozilla marketeer, and as Leo has told me he has no blog. But not only that, she is an awesome person to chat with when you can… should be some awesome resolutions
A little bonus
a nice wallpaper for the meme
