dsandler.org

JERUSALEM (AP) — A group of reserve air force pilots drew condemnation Thursday for refusing to carry out airstrikes in Palestinian areas, but their unprecedented protest set off an emotional debate on the ethics of the targeted killings of militants.

For the second time in two days, someone has walked up to our house and attempted to walk into it, apparently by mistake.

Today’s episode: A small Asian woman in scrubs, sunglasses, and a sun hat, carrying an M.D. Anderson bag, just started trying to force the doorknob. I opened it, and she started to brush past me into the house. I blocked her, and said, “Excuse me, I’m sorry, what is it?” And she looked around, and said, “Uh, is my sister here?” I replied, “No, I think you have the wrong house.” She said, “Oh, sorry.” and walked away.

Everyone thinks our house is someone else’s, and that I’m the hired help or something. (Yesterday, it was some random guy, who — after I opened the door — remarked with some confusion, “You got a lock?” Me: “Huh?” Him: “You got a lock? … Aw, man, I’m trippin’, I got the wrong house.”) Erin speculates that it’s the spurned magical crickets in our neighborhood, out for revenge.

Seen recently: CloudShield, which sounds almost too Orwellian to be believed.

The notion that networks should remain ‘dumb’ and simply perform transport is outdated. Deploying certain application functions closer to the network core, instead of solely at the edge, relieves pressure on downstream access devices and applications, and allows the network to be more efficient, manageable, resilient and secure.

This company’s entire raison d’être is the idea that the Internet would be even better if, instead of being a decentralized, open medium for data communications, it were instead filtered and monitored in a central location. Brilliant! [via bb:isen]

After the interminable barrage of disappointments that was our move to brand-new office space, I am highly susceptible to what can only be referred to as commercial architecture porn: Fog Creek Software’s new office space. Bullet points: Twenty AC outlets per office (four on battery backup); an 8-port switch per office; mildly translucent acrylic wall material; naturally-lit offices for every programmer (and secluded alcoves for the cubicle-dwellers).

While luncheoning at the Central Texas BBQ with Trey today, I was struck by the vibrant 1970’s Michelin “X” and “ZX” posters attached to the wall. Beautiful illustrations, in oil paint and oil pastel, depicting olive and orange racing coupes powersliding over rainslicked streets; great green military vehicles peering out of the night; the umbilical highway of a modern city, full of vehicles proudly using the high-performance all-weather radial to ferry their passengers back to the suburbs in the rusted summer evening.

(I would show you an example, but this stupid Internet thing doesn’t seem to want to help me out.)

As seen on the ‘dot, Tech Horoscopes. Mine is uncanny!

Taurus April 21–May 21

It’s time to wrap up a long-term project you inherited. Don’t be afraid to set aside the old tried-and-true, especially when dealing with technology past its prime. New career opportunities raise your confidence and enthusiasm, so be sure to say “yes” to everything that comes your way. Finding new ways for individuals and groups to communicate becomes a priority towards after the new moon on September 27. Although your workload may increase, you will feel more relaxed and less like a firefighter. That’s because you’re finally acting proactively instead of reactively. One bit of caution: Be sure to double-check facts before offering your opinion to C-level bosses. Personal keyword: legacy application Related reading: Integrating disparate IT