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Francis Pisani

Kibera 'slum' makes its mark thanks to the web
06/10/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Kibera 'slum' makes its mark thanks to the web

Kibera, in Nairobi, is Africa's second-biggest slum, but it is invisible on Google Earth. Its residents published their own online map of the area, so that nobody could deny their existence any longer. A French businessman proposes software to spy on employees, saying they can no longer be trusted. And SurfCanyon, the pick of the week, allows you to carry out more efficient online searches.
The lessons from Blockbuster
29/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

The lessons from Blockbuster

Too slow to react to the competition, Blockbuster, the biggest US video and DVD rental chain, has declared bankruptcy. But also: why I'm considering trading in my iPhone for an Android, and GeocodEarth.com, a site which allows you to look at Flickr photos as they are published. And pick of the week: Paper.li, a personalised social newspaper based on recommendations of the people you follow on Twitter.
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Democratisation via the web?
22/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Democratisation via the web?

Nigeria's president announces on Facebook that he will run in the upcoming election, while China's leaders launch a site where citizens can ask questions and make comments. But also: Google Scribe makes suggestions for what you should write, and Arabic has become the fastest-growing language on Facebook. And pick of the week: WeFi.com, a site which indicates worldwide WiFi hotspots.
Digital piracy
15/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Digital piracy

Digital piracy is used as a pretext by Russian police to attack NGOs.
Disparity in broadband costs
08/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Disparity in broadband costs

The cost of broadband is a source of considerable inequality across the globe. Paradoxically, the richest countries have the most advantageous rates. But also: the Iranian authorities anger Microsoft by encouraging software piracy. Plus: Google under attack in the United States. And pick of the week: OpenID, a site which allows you to create yourself a universal ID and password.
Egypt: monitoring Facebook
01/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Egypt: monitoring Facebook

In Egypt, 3,800,000 Facebook users are being watched by 45 interior ministry employees. But also: is the web dead? That's what some journalists from the magazine Wired are saying. Plus: the power of Twitter. And pick of the week: Snapgoods, a site where you can save money by renting your neighbours' belongings for a limited period.
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Literature, digital style
25/08/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Literature, digital style

In July, Amazon announced it had sold more e-books than hard copies over the previous three months. How are readers changing their habits? And what does this mean for the future of publishing? And pick of the week: LibraryThing, a social bookmarking site for books.
Social networks changing the world
18/08/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Social networks changing the world

What are the wider implications of social networks like Facebook for our society? Are they a force for good or bad? And pick of the week: Cliqset, a site which allows you to use all your social networks in one place.
War of the giants
11/08/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

War of the giants

The war of the giants: who comes out fighting between Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook? And pick of the week: two websites which allow you to keep up with the latest technology news.
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Cyberwar: the internet threat
04/08/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Cyberwar: the internet threat

Spotlight on cyberwar: what is it, who is behind it, and how is it different from netwar? And pick of the week: private browsing, as well as two sites which allow you to surf the web without being spotted by government censors.
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