Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

• The Six Dumbest Ideas In Computer Security (plus six "minor dumbs" at the end), by Marcus J. Ranum, provides useful analysis of why each of the ideas in question is ill-advised (even if you disagree with the conclusions, the discussion points out important limitations is these common approaches). "Computer security is a field that has fallen far too deeply in love with the whizzbang-of-the-week and has forsaken common sense. Your job, as a security practitioner, is to question - if not outright challenge - the conventional wisdom and the status quo. After all, if the conventional wisdom was working, the rate of systems being compromised would be going down, wouldn't it?" Pay attention when he says, "Signs that you've got this problem are..."
  


• Hamlet -- The Text Adventure: Remember "Adventure", or if you're a young'un, "Zork"? Or "Leather Goddesses of Phobos"? Here's a Shakespearean one with a web interface ... (Thanks to badmagic for the link.)
  


• 3,000 images from medieval Danish church murals, indexed by subject (click 'Alfabetisk indeks') and by church (click 'Kirkeindeks'). There's a pop-up translating search terms for English users, fortunately, if you want to use the search box. ( Thanks to bunnyjadwiga for linking to it.)
  


• In the biting political criticism department, and in the fashion of Magic: The Gathering, there is now Katrina: The Gathering , with cards representing various pundits, politicians, celebrities, categories of citizens, etc. In addition to illustrations, descriptions, and effects on game play, each card includes a relevant quotation (except one, on which the image itself serves as the quotation).
  


• Beauty In Music is a gallery of beautiful classical musicians, describing itself as "the ultimate guide to the hottest women in classical music" (though there is fortunately a section for early music performers as well). Not all the musicians listed/pictured are working as musicians full-time -- and for some reason a few people have found one entry startling or brain-hurting, but I found it unsurprising. Alas, several gorgeous musicians of my acquaintence are not yet listed there ... (A conceptually-related -- but equal-opportunity -- site is the famous Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists, which includes some of my friends.)
  


• US State Slogans according to Diesel Sweeties, as linked to by several people. "Oklahoma! Like Texas with humility."
  


• Two more that have been going around: The 12 Babes of Christmas ( nominations so far, FAQ) and The 8 Hunks of Hannukah (nominations so far, discussion/acceptances), holiday cheesecake/beefcake popularity contests, the results of which will be photos of female and male LJ cuties displayed for the benefit of everyone's holiday cheer later this year. Both are in the nomination phases now; voting on the nominees who accept their nominations will happen later. (I noticed that I've been nominated as a Christmas babe, but I also notice that text has been added to the nomination page saying that contest is only for "the ladies" and that "males" should be nominated in the other contest ... the phrasing leaves the status of intergendered folks unclear[ [if I want to go into 'rules lawyer' mode], but reading between the lines I suspect I won't be counted as lady enough. Perhaps I should start a third contest, either gender-blind or specifically for transgendered/intergendered/genderqueer folks?)
  


• Right-Wing Myths About Katrina, Debunked -- just what it sounds like: right-wing spin-machine talking points countered by facts and links to supporting material. (Thanks to leemoyer.)
  


• The Flying Spaghetti Monster Game (requires Flash). Touch as many people as possible with your noodly appendage to turn them into Pastafarians while avoiding the school administrators. (Thanks to vvalkyri for bringing the game to my attention -- either it wasn't there yet or I overlooked it the last time I went to the site ... or I saw that it needed Flash, was using a machine that didn't have that installed, and later forgot all about it.)
  


• Maryland Gas Prices lists highest and lowest gasoline prices in the last day or two, searchable by area and brand, but some areas are missing (Catonsville and Baltimore, for example, so far). Includes a form for reporting prices you've observed, and a link to resources for other states.
  


• "Things I've learned from British folk ballads", by Jim MacDonald, who explains that "Nothing's more certain to give you a strong sense of the negative consequences of immoral or imprudent behavior." He starts with "Don't ignore warnings," and goes on from there, listing such examples as, "Avoid situations where the obvious rhyme-word is 'maidenhead'," and, "Going to sea to avoid marrying your sweetie is an option, but if she hangs herself after your departure (and it's even money that she's going to) her Doleful Ghost will arrive on board your ship and the last three stanzas of your life will purely suck." Doleful ghosts appear frequently in these lessons. I found the list hilarious; anniemal, who knows more of the songs than I do, laughed herself to tears. Do not miss the pop quiz at the end! (And there are additional lessons/advice in the comments, of course.)

"At one point I had 10 helicopters on the ground waiting to go, but FEMA kept stonewalling us with paperwork. Meanwhile, every 30 or 40 minutes someone was dying." -- Marc Creswell, a medic with the Acadian Ambulance company, quoted in a New York Times column titled "Going (Down) by the Book" by John Tierney, 2005-09-17 (thanks to vvalkyri for pointing it out)