Hey everyone, guess what? I'm on vacation!
Well, okay, maybe it's not that glamorous. But having two weeks not to think about web infrastructure is kind of a welcome change. Knowing me, I'll spend it running around trying to do different stuff than the stuff I do at work.
But that's for later. For now, I'm just getting my weekend started...and what better way to start it than with some brand-new, shiny ITEMS!
ITEM! US cruise missiles hit several alleged AQ sites Yemen this morning. More here and here.
ITEM! You heard about the Predator drone that got hacked by a few insurgents with off-the-shelf software, right? Well, the USAF is working on fixing the problem. They'll be done by 2014. That's the nature of asymmetric warfare, kids. I could also add a few words about crappy design -- not so much the lack of encryption, but the lack of a fast upgrade path.
By the way, that software can be found here. I don't recommend buying it, partially because you don't want to send your credit card number to Russia, mostly because using this stuff almost certainly violates all kinds of FCC regulations and copyright laws. The Feds take that stuff seriously, yo.
ITEM! The latest on the hunt for the stolen "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign from Auchwitz here.
ITEM! That odious Oklahoma law that would have forced doctors to provide certain personal details about women who obtain abortions, such details to then be posted on a website, has been once again blocked pending a hearing. One hopes that this means that a permanent injunction is forthcoming.
HORSE!
Dedicated horse people are a breed apart. They will go to great lengths to keep their horses, forgoing quality food and doctors' visits to keep their animals in good stead. Advising them to sell their charges to resolve financial difficulties is a sure sign that your priorities are completely screwed up, and could be grounds for divorce.
This is the difference between Will and Whim.
ITEM! What happens when you give an Octopus a Mister Potato Head? Read about it here.
ITEM! Insurgent attacks follow a mathematical pattern. More here. Now we can start building simulations!
ITEM! So many openings for jokes here, not enough time....
ITEM!
Why is it funny? Because I know entirely too many people like this.....
ITEM! GOOD MORNING DAILY KOS, WEEKEND EDITION will not be up next weekend (Dec 26th). No offense guys, but with any luck at all I'll be on my way from my parents in Chicago to my Father-in-law's house in Indiana, and the last thing I want to do is worry about somehow finding an Internet connection.
Don't worry -- I'll be back on January 2nd, 2010, to help kick the miserable corpse of this rotten decade into a shallow grave! In the meantime, Merry Solstice and Happy New Year to all of you!