William Heath’s blog

…and photos from Benjamin (thanks for the wifi!) and from Caalie (I loved our céilidh!) Paul’s photos are here. Christian’s set is here. Harry’s are here. Julian’s are here. It’s hard to find the right words for anything this morning but there are some terrific photographers in our midst. Thanks one and all!

Here we are at the first ORGCon. Prof Jimmy Boyle (@thepublicdomain) is a legend: sharp, really funny and a great motivator. Can’t wait for @tom_watson to get him in front of the DCMS Select Cttee.

Many mentions of my near neighbour the BPI lobbyist Richard Mollett (whose undoubted talents we’d all love to see put [...]

Just what every family holiday needs:

Once you’re on one US mail list it’s impossible to get off; the mail just replicates. I once signed something for the Obama campaign, and now I get all sortf of mail from liberal US causes. The latest is from teh David Plouff maillist gathering support for criticising the Republican who appeared to say sorry [...]

I’d never been to San Francisco and had one free evening. What better way to spend it than at an EFF benefit with author Cory Doctorow, followed by Thai seafood dinner with Kevin Marks and EFF co-founder Bart Nagel? Wish I’d been less tired and more coherent: there was lots I wanted to say to [...]

Amnesty says the FT refuses to carry this ad, which reflects badly in a small way on the FT, and in a very big way on Shell:

So what on earth is the right way to chair a hustings which includes the likely next Culture Minister, the BPI’s chief lobbyist (author of parts of the anti-Internet #DEBill) [UPDATE: or perhaps not: see comments below] and candidates from the Pirate Party and the BNP?
[UPDATE: BNP candidate has withdrawn "owing to a prior [...]

Here is the issue, wonderfully explained:

I’ve done a review of the new Chris Morris film below. Note:
i) there’s no specific plot spoiler, but it does describe the general outcome
ii) I declare an interest as an investor. When zillions of people go, I may get my stake back.

That’s the way to do it – pity the poor NatWest customer service manager who tried to stick Ross Anderson with a fraudulent charge on his credit card. The lesson is that customer service wastes time and doesn’t provide restitution. The technically and legally well-informed customer should just write one letter then go straight to [...]