devil's advocate
RSS devil's advocate
The Weekly Round-Up: 23.01.09
Round-Up Alternatively, just to play Devil's Advocate, they might as well not. But one cherished memory is the time the computer 'lab' took first delivery of six Dragon 32s. Such elegance, such... [23 Jan 2009]
Brampton Factor: Are Google, IBM and Microsoft really rivals?
Comment silicon.com is proud to introduce a new monthly column by long-time contributor and Devil's Advocate Martin Brampton. The Brampton Factor will seek to dig deep on the big issues in IT.... [25 Apr 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Open source for government
Comment Despite the UK government's reluctance to embrace open source, Martin Brampton points out the many ways they're suited to each other - the least of which is cost. The government regularly claims it will reduce the cost... [21 Feb 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Life after DRM doesn't look so bad
Comment If rights holders put too stringent demands on how we can use digital information, we may well see people move back towards the analogue experience of books and the outdoors, says Martin Brampton. Digital rights management (DRM) is a... [14 Feb 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Ethics before profit
Comment If companies truly put principles ahead of profits, you might be surprised at the number of issues that would be affected, says Martin Brampton. It is not often that I feel sympathy for the likes of Microsoft and Cisco. [07 Feb 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Customer service - an oxymoron?
Comment After resolving a longstanding dispute with an online grocer, Martin Brampton wonders whether either IT or the business ever spares a thought for the customer. It is lucky that we still have a few legal rights left to us as consumers. [31 Jan 2006]
Devil's Advocate: The worst of both worlds
Comment The opening up of the telecoms market highlights the deficiencies of economies run by bean counters, says Martin Brampton. The unbundling of the local loop is gathering pace. AOL has now joined other high-profile ISPs who want to put... [24 Jan 2006]
Devil's Advocate: It's simple innit?
Comment Finding a simple solution to a complex problem is never going to be quick or easy, says Martin Brampton. There are some perennial topics in IT and one of them is complexity. One feels that King Canute would have been at home with many of... [10 Jan 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Business ethics
Comment As more and more regulations are put in place to crack down on corporate wrongdoings, Martin Brampton questions whether this will really bring about any changes in how we do business. Is the phrase 'business ethics' an oxymoron? [03 Jan 2006]
Devil's Advocate: Google goes head-to-head with Microsoft
Comment In its bid to expand, Google appears to have no choice but to take on Microsoft, says Martin Brampton. But will it be able to succeed where so many others have failed? Google is the latest company to be seen as a possible block on... [20 Dec 2005]
Devil's Advocate: Opportunity and discrimination
Comment Discriminating against programmers and other IT workers on the basis of age doesn’t make sense, says Martin Brampton. So how might that situation change? The government is planning to outlaw age discrimination in employment. [13 Dec 2005]
Devil's Advocate: Work is overrated
Comment A chronic work avoider, Martin Brampton examines the practises that actually lead us to accomplish the most - and they don't include chaining yourself to your desk. I'm going to make a public admission this week. [06 Dec 2005]
Devil's Advocate: ID cards - another reason to protest
Comment Martin Brampton weighs in against national ID cards in the UK once again - this time because the music industry appears to be getting involved. It was not my intention to return to the issue of ID cards so soon. [29 Nov 2005]
Devil's Advocate: Conflicting messages
Comment There is a bifurcation taking place within companies clamouring over conflicting ideas of best practice. The trend towards outsourcing on the one hand, the requirement to align IT with the business on the other. [22 Nov 2005]
Devil's Advocate: Microsoft's new allies
Comment The EU should stand firm on advocating independent, open standards for software - despite the new offence Microsoft appears to be raising across the pond, says Martin Brampton. Microsoft is apparently organising a campaign against... [15 Nov 2005]
