'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung
From the chimney with care
In hope that St. Nicholas
Soon would be there.
And Ma in her nightgown
And me in my cap
Had just settled down
For a long winter’s nap
When across on my laptop
There arose such a clatter
That I got out of bed
To see what was the matter
Everywhere curly braces
Did litter the halls
And I knew this disaster
Was from one Larry Wall.
I felt woe in my heart
For the many poor coders
Who would follow this prophet
And down many sodas.
Their programs pre-doomed
To illegible hell
'Til the day they heard clearly
Their career path death knell
I did try to warn them
On Twitter and Slashdot
But on they coded like lemmings
Who'd smoked too much hash-pot
But before I despaired, I remembered one fact
Perl 6 had been threatened 'ere machines like the fax!
So I went back to bed full of Christmas Good Cheer
Knowing that Perl 6 would never appear.

a
b

We only have his father's word that this kid has no magic powers.

That would help. Quick, name a BB that you crave? Did you? Thought not. If you did, can I interest you in a range of fancy 1970s Brooks Brothers ties?

It's a great buzz idea. I wish for our work (NGO) there that this could be a viable solution to the "last 100km problem." But...the solution isn't scalable in any significant way (cost, training, support) and while he has identified the need for support as the key factor, I didn't see a viable solution. That's why there are so many people interested in cellular networks and tools - check out mPESA in Kenya - 13 million people sending > $400million per month using SMS micropayments. Now there's a solution that was well thought out and that scaled well.

...and the the first thing he looked at WASN'T porn. Which would be a first for any new display technology

...rely on the good will of Microsoft's lawyers. That's about as smart as relying on the soundness of their testing. Legal bills will sink them no matter the right or wrong.

Why do we bother to expect any kind of equal treatment any more? It's by invitation - are you going to get one? If our government and justice are for sale, why are we surprised that our security is?

I really wish we could do this with the Nissan Juke. And some people I know.

...go home and invent new brand of steel bristle feather dusters for when these critters escape.

The MOD develops the High-Velocity Irritated Avian Launcher and support personnel who don't shape up get rendered to Guantanamo?

I'm the IT Director for one of the international NGO's with offices all over Africa. There are a a ton of things you can do, depending on what your skills are. - Mobile technology is exploding - look at some of the mHealth and mPESA projects and systems - Systems administration is always useful - Teaching - Non-geeky work - may be the most useful for that short a period Are you interested in working with someone beyond the 1-2 month period? A couple of notes above that I would emphasize: - Most of our problems are power and skills and cost-related, not just technology - Africa is huge and diverse and often not safe once you are off the beaten tourist-track. I've had an AK pointed in my direction twice in the last year. Once with the safety off and fingers on triggers. - You won't be a shining knight - focus on one or two small things Get in touch if you'd like some more advice or contacts or you could help us....

No way this could ever backfire. No sir.

Definitely a tough call. The SEALs are kinder I hear.

In the end, sharing that Black Eyed Peas song came back to haunt him much more than leading a worldwide terrorist movement.