Toms View of the World

The blog-spammers appear to have a new weapon - they now read the page code in to establish what they need to send to the server to bypass the traps based on not coming from the correct page on the site.

After weeks of being spam-free, it looks like I’ll have to try more stuff to get past this (or finally make the switch to Wordpress…)

Thanks to Pete for this

Tonight, 11 PM - 11:30, BBC Radio 4, Small Gods by Terry Pratchett.

There are gods everywhere on the Discworld but only a few people can see them. Each small god lies in wait, desperately wanting to make someone believe in him. On the Discworld, gods need people more than people need gods.

If you are a Terry Pratchett fan then listen … or use the BBC’s “Listen Again” page for up to a week after the first transmission of an episode.

Now, I’ve got the DVD’s of both Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters, and most of the books, so I’ll be recording this (thanks TiVo) for later listening!

Hope this helps someone who didn’t know it was on (like me!)

I just got an interesting message from my bank (via their website)…

Do You Use Wireless Broadband (Wi Fi)? Then you should be aware when using wireless networks to always ensure all security features are turned on so nobody else can access your information. We strongly advise you to review your configuration and ensure that strong encryption and authentication features are turned on. Features such as “128bit WEP” and more recent, and more secure, “WPA encryption technologies” are essential to protecting your data. For further information on Wi Fi security go to www.getsafeonline.org.

I think this is good thing - if people who are running unsecured WiFi networks start getting advice about securing them from their bank (rather than via techies or their ISP) maybe they’ll take heed. After all, they already know that security is important with money, and maybe seeing a message like this will help people make the connection between poor PC security habits at home, and the risks they face.

Now if the banks would start putting messages out about Phishing, Spyware, and BotNets then maybe it’ll start to turn the tide of the hordes of compromised PC’s out there.

In a nice article on Wired News Momus discusses how different cultures both reflect and embrace the social role of the single person.In the UK, where going to a restaurant or cinema on your own makes you look like “Billy No Mates” and is seen as a highly negative thing. In other parts of the world, the “social” side of life is seen as more than things to do in a group, or a couple - restaurants which don’t have individual tables with 2 or 4 chairs, but instead a horseshoe of “places” around the serving area (I had the pleasure of eating in such a place in Dublin this year).

With the ever increasing numbers of “singles” out there, surely restaurants are missing something by not catering for them - sitting at a table, on my own, looking like a total loser is one of the reasons I don’t eat out. I generally even avoid places like Starbucks when I’m on my own (unless I just grab a take-out)

As the writer on Wired notes - Shouldn’t individualist societies cater better to the needs of individuals?