big brother is here

An article from Salon:

A federal agency confirms that it maintains an air-travel blacklist of 1,000 people. Peace activists and civil libertarians fear they're on it.

Cobain's Journals

I just got Kurt Cobain's Journals. Having read Charles Cross's Heavier than Heaven twice my head was full of quotes from the Journals, to which Cross had access during the preparation of his book. Good reading for a rainy day. (Granted, nothing uncommon here in Dublin :-)).

travel incompatibilities

Now that I have to travel again I'm wondering (again): how much airline stupidity will I face, and how many problems will plugs create? Plugs shouldn't be a problem, as far as I remember Madrid is compatible with RJ-11 plugs (good thing Ireland uses those, unlike the UK). But the plane trip...

Xbox Live

Microsoft is set to release XBox Live this Friday. I am not a "gamer" in any sense, but I've enjoyed using a PS2 now and then. The XBos has excellent graphics, but lacks a good variety of games. Will the XBox go the way of the MSX? Probably not... I gather that Microsoft has learned a few things in between... and has a "tiny bit" more money to handle the challenges. :-)