The New York Times reviews wireless portable displays for Windows XP and finds you're better off buying a laptop. What caught my eye, though, was this snarky comment about security:

"For example, unless you've first created a Windows XP Pro account password for yourself on the PC, you can't use the screen at all. Of course, this security requirement is designed to prevent evil neighbors from crouching beside your house with their own Smart Displays, rifling through the files on your PC. But having to enter and re-enter a password is a hassle for home PC owners with little more to hide than their grocery lists and letters to the editor."

Excuse me? Does this man even own a home PC?? I know lots of people who keep far more than grocery lists on theirs. All those people buying Quicken and TurboTax aren't using it at work, after all. The feeble security of many wireless devices is a real problem, and ought to get more attention than a dismissive hand wave from self-described experts like the New York Times' technology columnist.

(New York Times link. Free registration required.)

Wrote 1275 words yesterday, 2850 since January 1. All this is work on my latest article for Semiconductor Magazine, about thermal processing.

Just because it's a really cool photo. Mount Fuji from the air.

In a fit of misguided optimism, or temporary insanity, or something, I've signed up for the latest Writing Dare (link may be restricted to members) at the Forward Motion writer's community. The idea is to average 1000 words per day from now until the end of February, for a total goal of 59,000 words. I'm off to a good start, with 1575 words yesterday, but will lose most of next week due to travel. We'll see how it goes.

Lawyer and novelist Scott Turow was on the Illinois commission to reform capital punishment. Whether you favor the death penalty or not, his musings about fair and proportional sentencing are interesting and thought-provoking.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Most adults answer the question by talking about money, excitement, or challenge. But what if the answer has more to do with meaning and happiness?