Just Stuff 3/22/13

MacRumors – The flat “Metro” or “Modern Look” UI that everyone ridiculed in Windows 8, guess who is adopting it:

Some suggested that in Apple’s next mobile operating system, Ive is pushing a more “flat design” that is starker and simpler, according to developers who have spoken to Apple employees but didn’t have further details.

and speaking of Windows 8

CITE World - Box and Evernote execs: Don't ignore Microsoft's platforms

Their point, it’s a viable platform, users who are on the Windows platform generate more revenue per user because they are more likely to purchase extra features and CIO’s are looking hard at Windows solutions to the BYOD issue.

NY Times – Chinua Achebe, Dead At 82

Achebe made his name more than 50 years ago with his novel "Things Fall Apart," about his Igbo ethnic group's fatal brush with British colonialism in the 1800s. It was the first time the story of European colonialism had been told from an African perspective to an international audience.

I read “Things Fall Apart” for a class.  It was an interesting book, I don’t know that I would read it again but I’m glad I did the first time.

CNet – BP Accused of Rewriting Environmental Record on Wikipedia

Angry Wikipedia editors estimate that BP has rewritten 44 percent of the page about itself, especially about its environmental performance.

…

BP is not directly editing its page, but instead has apparently inserted a BP representative into the editing community who provides Wikipedia editors with text.

The text is then copied "as is" onto the page by Wikipedia editors

Obviously this is an outrage! What is the name of this dastardly fiend working to improve BP’s image?  Why it’s Arturo at BP. 

The sheer audacity of the  subterfuge is mindblowing, but it gets worse when you see how he cleverly manipulated he user profile to make people think he is not a BP exec:

I have established this account to help improve BP-related articles in line with Wikipedia standards and guidelines.

…

The information I present from news sources is verified by the various subject matter experts within the company. I am not an expert myself on all of the topics and I want to make sure that any proposed language from news sources used is actually accurate. Arturo at BP (talk)

Wikipedia’s rules state that as a representative of the company he can’t directly edit any pages related to BP, the changes have to be submitted to editors and approved then inserted.  BP “cleverly skirts” those rules by following them. 

Ah the joys of Wikipedia.

The most amusing part – The author of this article is Violet Blue who has been accused of having her boyfriend edit her Wikipedia page in order to make it appear more favorable to herself.   (It’s archived on the Wiki talk pages so non should start getting litigious)