Links June 2009Links June 2009
KickStarter.com is an interesting new service that allows creative people to solicit funding to start new enterprises [1]. Note that it is not for investing in projects, sponsors give the[...]
Religion vs CultReligion vs Cult
Diane Benscoter gave an interesting TED interview and a slightly less interesting TED lecture about her experiences with the Moonies [1]. She describes how she was a victim of the[...]
Finding Thread-unsafe CodeFinding Thread-unsafe Code
One problem that I have had on a number of occasions when developing Unix software is libraries that use non-reentrant code which are called from threaded programs. For example if[...]
McDonalds – Wifi Without PowerMcDonalds – Wifi Without Power
I am writing this post at a small cafe while my car is being serviced. I tried a local Red Rooster food store, a KFC, and a McDonalds but none[...]
IT Jobs and Working ConditionsIT Jobs and Working Conditions
Mark Glossop has written about the best designs for offices to increase productivity and attract qualified staff [1]. He makes a lot of really good points and cites the Joel[...]
The Millennium Seed BankThe Millennium Seed Bank
Jonathan Drori gave an interesting TED talk about the Millenium Seed Bank [1]. The potential for discovering new uses of plants for food, medicine, and construction is obvious, so it[...]
Actually You Do CareActually You Do Care
A reasonably common feature in Internet debates is that of one party claiming to not care about the issue. Statements such as “I haven’t got time to debate this” or[...]
Linux Rate-Limiting of an ADSL LinkLinux Rate-Limiting of an ADSL Link
After great pain I’ve got tc working on some Linux routers. The difficulty with limiting an ADSL link is that the ADSL modem has significant buffers and the link between[...]
How not to write the way dumb people think smart people writeHow not to write the way dumb people think smart people write
Don Marti has written an amusing and informative little post about the way that ill-educated people use phrases in print [1]. The one example that didn’t fit with the tone[...]
Expectations and FandomExpectations and Fandom
Russ Allbery has written about the hostile reactions of sci-fi fans toward the delay of a book release [1]. Russ makes some good points regarding the issue of whether paying[...]