How one of Apple’s most important pieces of software came from a small UK startup

Rosetta is arguably one of the most important pieces of software Apple ever shipped, and the tale of how it came from a British startup with a unique, powerful technology is rarely sung as a UK tech industry success story. Here we talk to the CTO and co-founder of that company to find out how it happened.

Rosetta is the software that allowed Apple to make a shift that resulted in it opening Macs up to a much wider market by switching from the PowerPC processors it had used before to Intel chips which, crucially meant Macs could dual-boot to run Microsoft Windows much more effectively than before – a big selling point for customers considering a switch to Apple computers. Intel’s processors had lower power consumption too, leading to longer battery life on laptop computers.

Rosetta was unveiled when Steve Jobs announced the switch to Intel processors in June 2005. Billed as “The most amazing software you’ll never see,” Rosetta allowed apps designed for PowerPC processors to run on Intel-powered Macs. That was no mean feat – this kind of translation took serious technical expertise but without it, Apple would have faced a serious backlash from users whose apps would be rendered obsolete the second they upgraded to an Intel-powered Mac.

Team Anna-Has it lost its way??

15th August,1947 the day when India had gained independence, the day when the aboriginals stated ruling their own land, but who would have thought that this day would signify something else....come to 15th Aug 2011 and Anna Hazare had started his own revolution for a corruption free India.

At the beginning people had fully shown their support for Anna, whether its by wearing the "I AM ANNA" caps or by going on a hunger strike at the Azad Maidan or the Jantar Mantar.People had thronged these places to make the politicos realize that the ultimate power in the democracy is still with them.Arrogant ministers like Manish Tiwari and Kapil Sibbal (who had done whatever they could do to malign this anti-corruption movement) were brought down to their feet and after a lot of hue and cry the government had to give in to the public demands.

Mission Accomplished people thought, but team Anna had something else in its mind. It wanted to make the government realize that it wont be satisfied till the actual Jan Lokpal bill is passed till the winter session of the parliament. They began targeting the Congress( even though none of the other opposition parties have a clean image). The first attack on the Congress began in the Hisar by-polls. This is when I thought that they were behaving like a political party. From being the neutral guy in this fist fight in the beginning,Team Anna had stated punching the bully in the crowd. As a consequence the Congress lost the by-poll, but it wasnt the only party which had lost. The day after the result Team Anna had lost 2 of its founding members.Like many others they too believed that the movement had taken a political turn.

If things continue the way they are, the Anti-corruption movement may loose its steam. Team Anna have to maintain their neutral stance if they want maximum support from the people. People don't want the movement to be a political one rather it should be a  social one. It should bring the change it was meant to. The day when Team Anna accomplish their objective and the day every corrupt politician is behind bars is the day we all are waiting for.Till then lets hope that under Anna's stewardship his team doesn't loose its focus.