House of the rising Moonglum

I have a number of clients for whom I do encryption work. The work itself doesn’t really have anything to do with computer security, it’s just the first stage, but I do like to keep on top of what is going on in the world of computer security anyway. So I was excited to see that Wired is doing a multi day piece on an FBI investigation into the world of online identity theft and credit card fraud. After reading the first part, it is more from a human interest standpoint and follows the life of someone who offered to show the FBI what is going on in the world of credit card scammers. A very interesting human interest type story if you are into that sort of thing. While not technical, it does throw about technical phrases without defining them a bit, but I think it is readable without a technical background.

I think I just figured something out. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a cautionary tale for children who use the internet. Tom Riddle’s diary is the internet, and Tom Riddle is the internet predator, and Ginny Weasley is the poor innocent child.

What do you think?

Harry: “But how did Ginny get like this?”
Tom: “Well, that’s an interesting question. I suppose the real reason is because she opened her heart and spilled all her secrets to an invisible stranger. … It’s very boring to have to listen to the silly little troubles of an 11 year old girl. But I was patient, I listened, I was kind. Ginny simply loved me, ‘no one’s ever understood me like you Tom. I’m so glad I have this diary, it’s like having a friend I can carry around in my pocket.’ If I say it myself, Harry, I’ve always been able to charm the people I needed.”

Update: Mr. Weasley scolding Ginny: “How many times have I told you, never trust anything that thinks for itself if you can’t see where it keeps it’s brain.” Brilliant!

No, really… dude.

Pretty sweet, but there are three items that will keep me from getting one for a good long time. First, I have a reasonable investment in my Palm in terms of time and brainpower that I am not willing to relearn. Until those tools switch over (which I am sure they will) I will keep using my palm. (Also, I really do love my palm, it does what it does really really well.) Second, 8gb? My bros-in-law picked me up a sweet 30gb iPod this Christmas, so there is no way 4 or 8 is going to turn my head. And finally, I actually have fought to get a plan I like from Sprint, there is no way that I am going to go through all that again with another carrier.

Having said all that, it does look very very cool and I will certainly be looking to play with one at some point in the future. What I find currently interesting however is the other announcement…

Update: Blackberry style push e-mail from Yahoo!? Are they just giving up on .mac?

Hey All, I’m back. 7000 miles (6300 by plane 700 by car), 8 days, no less than 4 separate and connected parties, and some United baggage handlers who forgot that they had to take bags off our plane later led to 11 hours of sleep last night. All in all the trip was great, I finally got to show my wife my mountains, and boy did we see a lot of them in a short period. I will probably post some pictures later. But for your entertainment now I present some hilarity from Questionable Content.

“The hangover is the worst part of Mistake Whiskey. Instead of caffeine and aspirin you need distance and perspective and they don’t sell those at the drugstore.”