That's really weird. I vaporise all of my cookies regularly, and I've never run into this.
I was able to follow the link with all cookies deleted and it worked (in IE 7, Firefox 3.0 and Opera 9.6). How very odd. Maybe it's because I'm coming from outside the US?
"I'm from the government, here to help you"
Words to strike fear in honest humble folk,
who fear their government and would eschew
elections, which they see as just a joke.
For governments these days seem quite perverse,
with hollow slogans claimed by those who serve.
But monarchy, democracy, or worse
we get the government that we deserve.
Here's to the Voice of Command in our lives.
May it guide us, steer us, and lead us through
each challenge, trial, and test that arrives
as we face each day and each night anew.
May it never grow too soft for us to
hear, believe, and receive revelation.
May it e'er be with us, and so imbue
our hopes, our dreams, and our aspirations.
Abi - excellent sentiments, eloquently expressed.
As a software developer/systems analyst/business tester (long story), I'd have to say I agree with basically all of it.
To my mind the absolute hardest idea to get across to the people who matter is a remarkably simple one: QA does not create bugs, it exposes them. The bugs already exist, and if QA isn't given the time and resources to find them, then the customers almost certainly will (usually at the worst possible time).
The underlying assumption is, and always has to be, that the software does not work properly until demonstrated otherwise.
Trust, but verify.
Carrie S. @ 147
Apparently the computer term "root" was not well-chosen when it comes to those of the Antipodean persuasion.
It is, as I recall the (late, lamented) Doug Anthony All-Stars mentioning in their version of Stairway to Heaven, one of those words that have two meanings, like hump, shag, pork, ...
It could be considered remarkably apposite, given that it's
painfully easy to inadvertently trash a unix box when running as root
-- leaving both you (and it) rooted.
I'm so, so, sorry - I just couldn't resist the siren call of the words...
Eternity of Blood (now with added rhyme)
Gorgeous Navy pilot Gareth Hunter,
his secret hidden in the light of day,
crosses paths with an investigator
of paranormal things along the way.
The alien council descends from above,
with message ominous for one and all.
To the future, our couple now remove,
where Gareth must then sacrifice it all.
To prevent vampire wars and certain fate,
it seems he must take up the fangs again.
As streets run red with blood, is he too late?
(This all takes place during a hurricane.)
Celestial mechanics
Resistable force, movable objects.
Destined to meet in the heavens one night.
Of military source; secretive projects
Witnessed by millions in their final flight.
Missile defences, a glittering prize
Memories of dark times; another cold war?
Countdown commences, debris from the skies
Those from Down Under have been here before.
A remarkable name for a remarkable girl, who I'm sure will break hearts (and databases) in the years to come...
Here's to our host whose
age has squared a prime,
for what he says may
well be his last time
Now twice prime cubed he'll
be just five years on,
then prime squared cubed once
ten years more have gone
Math'matic rhyme,
while not sublime,
bears best wishes anon.
Happy Birthday Patrick
(Remember, in hex you're only 31)
abi @ 30: I gratefully accept this honour, and vow to use my abilities (such as they are) for the greater good...
Lee @ 12: Yeah, it's not ideal.
Trouble is I can't think of that many words which have the right stress on the trailing "er".
I wonder; this sounds like a question for the Oracle at Mountain View...
[Pete queries]
Ye gods - I had no idea there were dictionaries for rhymes.
[Pete bookmarks RhymeZone]
Okay, how about:
And [slanderous claims with which you won't concur]
Scripted drama
I'm calling on behalf of [fake name here]
I'd like to ask you "questions" meant to slur
I hope you'll vote for [our guy] out of fear
Their candidate supports [insert claim here]
And holds [claimed views] to which you would demur
I'm calling on behalf of [fake name here]
The other candidates [put false claim here]
And [other claims which border on slander]
I hope you'll vote for [our guy] out of fear
Their candidate has said [insert lie here]
And [other lies to which I will refer]
I'm calling on behalf of [fake name here]
The other candidates support [lie here]
And [still worse things I want you to infer]
I hope you'll vote for [our guy] out of fear
In closing please support [our guy's name here]
Whose positions I want you to prefer
I'm calling on behalf of [fake name here]
I hope you'll vote for [our guy] out of fear
Oh dear. This looks to be habit forming...
Climate Change
We mortals count the days 'til seasons come
One hemisphere cools while another warms
The earth, unhurried, dances 'round the sun
Up north, it's winter, when the year's near done
Waiting for spring - new life for trees and farms
We mortals count the days 'til seasons come
Our calendars record life's finite run
We stretch our days with lights and clock alarms
The earth, unhurried, dances 'round the sun
Down south, it's summer, and a time for fun
Then autumn follows, with it's coloured charms
We mortals count the days 'til seasons come
To music subtle, audible to none
Immune to pleading, threats, and force of arms
The earth, unhurried, dances 'round the sun
I lie here in the glow of setting sun
In gentle warmth while held within your arms
We mortals count the days 'til seasons come
The earth, unhurried, dances 'round the sun
Abi @108 and Fragano @121: Thank you for the kind words. It is my first one - I usually stick with the simpler forms, but when my muse gets an idea, it's best to let him take me where he wants to go.
Forgive me - my muse just discovered Villanelles, and wouldn't let me sleep until I wrote him one.
Big Bang
Two thousand twelve, December twenty one
The world ends, not in fire, or in ice
An asteroid comes hurtling 'round the sun
The KT boundary marks the best known one
The dinosaurs snuffed out, survived by mice
Two thousand twelve, December twenty one
We came, made fire, steel, spear, knife and gun
Built cities, empires, tamed the sand and ice
An asteroid comes hurtling 'round the sun
Tunguska - 'bout a dozen megaton
That time it was just trees that paid the price
Two thousand twelve, December twenty one
We counted cold war days off one by one
In fear we'd end by nuclear device
An asteroid comes hurtling 'round the sun
The Mayans, counting since this world begun
A long count - thirteen baktuns would suffice
Two thousand twelve, December twenty one
An asteroid comes hurtling 'round the sun
It's been an odd year here in Sydney, Australia.
After a lengthy visit from El Nino (who really overstayed his welcome), we're having an unexpected visit from his sister La Nina. This has led to rather schizophrenic weather.
We've had stinking hot days punctuated by short violent thunderstorms - rain so heavy that you couldn't see more than two blocks away, but clear skies an hour later.
We've seen temperatures soaring and plunging in a matter of days - one night it's too hot to have more than a single sheet on the bed, and a few nights later it's cold enough for blankets and a quilt.
We've had dam levels dwindle over a number of years to only 33% full, and then suddenly shoot up to over 60% full in a matter of months.
In more ways than one this has definitely been a year of climate change. I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what to expect next year.
As it happens, Barton is the electorate I find myself in for the current Australian federal election (named after Sir Edmund Barton, the first Prime Minister of Australia).
Regrettably it's a safe seat, so my (mandatory) vote will make little difference either way. The senate, however, is another matter entirely...
Xopher@15: I think all primaries should be held on February 29.
An excellent idea, with the added bonus that 3 times every 400 years (2100, 2200, 2300 being the next ones) we'd get to skip them entirely...
Malthus @25:
How about "50 ways to run for cover"
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 11 |
Total: 21 comments. View all these comments on a single page.
The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Pete:
Show all comments by Pete.