Author Archives: Dave Parrack

About Dave Parrack

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Samsung Galaxy Tab retailers call Apple’s bluff

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Dave Parrack

“Screw you, Apple,” is the gist of what Australian retailers such as dMavo are saying. And I really don’t blame them. Read more... (366 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Posted in Apple, iPad, Lead article, Opinion, Technology news | Tagged Apple, Apple Patents, dMavo, Galaxy Tab, iPad, iPhone, Patent Battle, Samsung, USPTO | Leave a comment

Spotify Australia likely to launch soon

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Spotify has been available in Europe for several years and launched in the U.S. a few months ago. So when is Australia going to be joining the party? Read more... (314 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Opinion, Technology news | Tagged Australian Spotify, Spotify, Spotify Australia, Spotify Jobs, Spotify US, Spotify Vacancies | Leave a comment

Family HQ is Australian Facebook with privacy at its core

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Dave Parrack

A social network which regards privacy as of the utmost importance? That will never work, surely. Read more... (409 words, 1 image, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Opinion, Technology news | Tagged Brooke Farmer, Family HQ, Google Plus, Jase Farmer, Private Social Network, Social Network | Leave a comment

Pilgrim not investigating Facebook over tracking cookies

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Facebook has just about got away with the tracking cookies privacy debacle. And Privacy Commissioner Tim Pilgrim has given them a pass on the issue. Read more... (376 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Opinion, Technology news | Tagged f8 Conference, Facebook, Facebook Privacy, facebook Tracking, Mark Zuckerberg, Nik Cubrilovic, Privacy Commissioner, Tim Pilgrim, Tracking Cookies | Leave a comment

Sony did not breach Privacy Act in PSN hack

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Sony experienced a major security scare earlier this year when its PSN (Playstation Network) service was hacked. This meant millions of PS3 owners who venture online with their games console had their personal data exposed. However, Sony wasn’t at fault and didn’t breach the National Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act. Read more... (392 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Playstation 3, Privacy Act, PS3, PSN, PSN Hack, SCE Australia, Sony, Tony Pilgrim | Leave a comment

ACMA warns telcos – End ‘bill shock’ or face regulation

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Australian telecommunications companies have been dealt a severe warning from the federal government’s watchdog. It essentially tells them to clean up their act or face stiff penalties and a lot more regulation filtering down from on high. Read more... (365 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged ACMA, Australia, Australian Communications and Media Authority, Reconnecting the Customer, Telco, The Communications Alliance | Leave a comment

Perth woman loses $100k in online scam, by being stupid

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Dave Parrack

A Perth woman lost $100,000 in an online scam. She admitted to her error in judgment in order to publicize a new effort by the Government of Western Australia. Read more... (343 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged 419 Scam, Australia Scam, Katie Stuart, Nigerian Scam, ScamNet, Western Australia | 1 Comment

Fair Work Australia upholds firing over Facebook update

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Dave Parrack

You’d better not dare say anything bad about your employer on the Internet. Because in this day and age they will find out, they will fire you, and no one will come to your rescue. Read more... (343 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article | Tagged Facebook, Facebook Status Update, Fair Work Australia, Fired For Facebook Comment, Unfair Dismissal | 1 Comment

NBN an early failure, Conroy doesn’t care

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Dave Parrack

As an advocate of the National Broadband Network (NBN) it’s heartening to see the first inner-city trial of the service being rolled out. But the take-up numbers are tiny, even though Communications Minister Stephen Conroy claims it’s all part of the plan and nothing to be concerned about. Read more... (362 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Australia, Australian Government, Brunswick NBN, Melbourne NBN, National Broadband Network, NBN, Stephen Conroy | 2 Comments

Australian politicians ignorant on need for R18+ game rating

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Australian politicians ignorant on need for R18+ game rating Some Australian politicians are continuing to show their absolute ignorance and sheer stupidity by arguing against an R18+ rating for video games. Read more... (344 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Australia, Australian Politicians, Frank Alban, L.A. Noire, R18+ | 1 Comment

Queensland Government dumps briefcases for Apple iPads

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Queensland Government dumps briefcases for Apple iPads The image of government ministers carrying briefcases bulging with important documents is one that has resonated for years. But it’s one that could now be about to become a thing of the past. Read more... (310 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Posted in Apple, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Anna Bligh, Apple, Apple iPad, iPad, QLD, Queensland Government, Tablets | 1 Comment

Medvet lab test results leak online

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Dave Parrack

In a privacy data breach that defies belief because of how simple it is, test results and the personal details of customers of Medvet have turned up online. Read more... (302 words, 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Alcohol Testing, DNA Testing, Drug Testing, Medvet, SA Health, South Australia | Leave a comment

One in six Australians affected by identity theft

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Dave Parrack

One in six Australians affected by identity theft One in six Australians has been affected by identity theft in one way or the other, either having been a victim themselves or knowing someone who has. And that’s just in the last six months. Which is a rather scary statistic. Read more... (327 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Australia, Identity Theft, National Identity Security Strategy, National Survey | 1 Comment

RMIT: Laptops to be charged with piezoelectric keyboards

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Dave Parrack

RMIT: Laptops to be charged with piezoelectric keyboards Imagine a laptop battery which recharges as you type. Futuristic hogwash? Apparently not. Read more... (309 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Glastonbury, Melbourne, Piezoelectric, Piezoelectric Film, Piezoelectrics, RMIT | Leave a comment

ACCC successfully prosecutes premium mobile services

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Dave Parrack

ACCC successfully prosecutes premium mobile services Technology can enrich our lives in the greatest of ways, but there is always someone, somewhere eager to use the latest innovations to make money, and not always by sticking to the rules. Read more... (308 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged 6G, ACCC, Global One, MobileActive, Premium Mobile Services | Leave a comment

Australian inventor builds working Star Wars-style hoverbike

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Ever wanted to own a real-life, working hoverbike? You may well soon be able to do just that, with an Australian inventor claiming to have built a prototype. Read more... (331 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, New products, Technology news | Tagged Chris Malloy, Endor, Hoverbike, J.J. Abrams, Speederbike, Star Trek, Star Wars | 2 Comments

Australia claims first Chromebook laptop with Kogan Agora

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Australia claims first Chromebook laptop with Kogan Agora Google is just weeks away from unleashing its new Chrome OS onto the world, well, the U.S. at least. But Australian manufacturer Kogan Technologies is beating the likes of Samsung and Acer to the punch by releasing its own Chromebook laptop first. Read more... (331 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, New products, Technology news | Tagged Agora, Chrome OS, Chromebook, Chromium, Kogan, Kogan Agora | Leave a comment

Fairfax claims era of free Web is over with launch of iPad apps

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Make the most of all that lovely free news you can currently access on the Web. Because it’s soon all going to cost you money. Maybe. Read more... (406 words, 1 image, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, iPad, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Fairfax, Free apps, Free Web, Greg Hywood, iPad Apps, Rupert Murdoch, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age | 1 Comment

Australian-made L.A. Noire Proves Need For R18 Game Rating

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Australian-made L.A. Noire Proves Need For R18 Game Rating L.A. Noire was created by Team Bondi in Sydney. It’s an Australian achievement, and one to be celebrated. Yet there is something wrong with the game, at least indirectly. Read more... (332 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

Posted in Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Australia, Australian R18, L.A. Noire, R18+, Rockstar, Team Bondi | 2 Comments

Australian climate scientists rap goes global (warming)

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Dave Parrack

Australian climate scientists rap goes global (warming) A group of climate scientists, people who actually know what they’re talking about, have made a rap music video to criticize climate change skeptics. And it’s pretty damn good. And entertaining. Read more... (323 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Posted in Internet, Lead article, Technology news | Tagged Australia, Australian, Climate Change, Climate Scientists, Climate Skeptics, Fox News, Global Warming, youtube | 7 Comments