Maybe someone beat me to it but it hasn't been posted yet.

The NY Times (free reg. req'd) reports that spam king Alan Ralsky has taken an hiatus while retooling to meet the new CAN SPAM act. He's quoted as saying the law is unfair, but adds, "You would have to be stupid" to try to violate it. Is this a case of "Do as I say, not as I do" or will he really put his money where his mouth is?

OK, it was posted several hours later :). Glad there was a reason for the rejection....

CNN is running an article that talks about how online mapping services are a peril to people since they can lead the person to their doorstep. But they really end up focusing on how a phone number can lead to the address used by the online mapping service in the first place, quoting a young woman who says she can't give out her phone number to potential suitors anymore. I suppose this is yet another nail in the coffin of wireline phones, or the assumption that addresses and phones are in directories unless one explicitly opts out (for a fee no less). And while we're at it ... anyone besides me experience the realization that putting a photo of your kid on your website, along with your address, is a blueprint for the weirdo who sees the kid and likes her/him?

What's happened to me? Until a few days ago, I read /. once a day or so, and virtually never posted. Then I started posting. Then I got 4 funny moderations and an insightful on one comment today and now I can't keep my fingers away from the keyboard. Instead, I'm scouring for other places to inject my vast experience and witty reparte.

Is there a Slashdot Anonymous support group?

This weekend I happened to notice a little snippet on my page saying that I had 5 moderation points. I felt like I'd somehow finally been inducted into a fraternity! Going out and seeking articles was a really amusing power trip. I'm sure after the first time I'll hardly care, but it was really a weird feeling to get to have some influence on other postings -- after some number of my own, a couple even with positive moderation points.

Maybe I'm getting the hang of this community....

I am a researcher for a large computer company.