• OpenSolaris, Pluggable Crypt, and the SunMD5 Password Hash Algorithm

    Several years ago now, Darren Moffat, Casper Dik and I started swapping e-mail about how pathetic it was to still be using the traditional 8-character-password unix crypt() routine in Solaris, and how we could architect something to be much better. The result was the Solaris Pluggable Crypt Framework, as was announced: A project exists within

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  • i just had my chest shaved by an attractive blonde in a nurse’s outfit…

    …but then, she was a nurse, and I was having an ECG done. I have a rest heartbeat rate of between 56 and 60, offset by blood pressure at the high end of the normal range. I’m basically normal. Hooray. However I now have several crop-circles on my chest. Might as well take the rest

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  • Meatloaf’s Surname

    Via [www.livejournal.com] and [www.apple.com] I learned that Meatloaf‘s surname is Aday It may be that this really is his given surname, but that didn’t stop me reflexively wondering whether his sister might be Drinka Pintamilk.

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  • BellSouth: Let Us Blackmail Web Sites

    Is this for real? I could imagine quite a few lawsuits hitting any ISP who tried this and managed to block access to virus updates and suchlike services… BellSouth: Let Us Blackmail Web Sites BellSouth has come up with a plan that would even make Tony Soprano blush: It wants to charge Web sites extortion

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  • ‘Gay weddings’ become law in UK

    Hundreds of gay couples are preparing to form civil partnerships in the coming weeks as the law changes after decades of campaigning. At least 1,200 ceremonies are confirmed as being scheduled already, according to figures from councils compiled by the BBC News website. Councils are preparing for the first ceremonies, with couples permitted to register

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  • A Cross, a Crescent and a Crystal

    So, belief brings people together? In Geneva diplomats from the 192 countries which have signed the Geneva conventions are meeting to discuss a third emblem for the international Red Cross. Red Cross officials hope approval of a third emblem will finally put an end to decades of controversy over the issue. At the moment, the

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  • How Swearing Works

    How Swearing Works We all know what “bad words” are. Unlike most other language rules, we learn about swearwords and how to use them without any real study or classroom instruction. Even very young children know which words are naughty, although they don’t always know exactly what those words mean. But swearwords aren’t quite as

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  • Motorcycle as Tow-Truck

    This is impressive – Discovery Channel visiting Sweden, where a guy has converted a Honda Goldwing to act as a breakdown tow truck. It’s a neat hack. [www.exn.ca] (WMV Video)

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  • Banksy Picture – The saga continues!

    I received: From: genco@[……..] Subject: Copyright issues of an image… Date: 2 December 2005 14:56:22 GMT Dear Mr Muffett, I am working for a publishing house in Turkey and I am writing to you on behalf of the company. We are willing to use one of the images you used on your blog as the

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  • Weekend Amusement

    This weekend – following on from the same last weekend – I have dug all of the gravel from an exceptionally large hole at the front of my property, and placed it in an exceptionally large hole at the rear. It’s been necessary, but not exactly thrilling. Next weekend may involve a whackerplate. Or perhaps

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  • Top Gear got an Emmy?

    As recently mentioned by Clarkson: Global Emmy for car show Top Gear Presented by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, long-running BBC Two series Top Gear test-drives cars and discusses motoring issues. Versions of the show have been sold to broadcasters around the world. I understand that TG is being aired on the Discovery

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  • Words fail me, so I’ll take refuge in a “Blues Brothers” quote:

    Elwood: Minature Californian Nazis. Jake: I hate Minature Californian Nazis. Not quite the original quote, but really, WTFITS? In this day and age? Or have I just answered my own question?

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