2000/11/24
More English-language stuff: Some letters in New Scientist about how accents evolve, and a piece on how Australian English is becoming more American, because of the mass media.
Creditless rabble (that means you, Mr. Scum), rejoice; online CD retailer ChaosMusic now offers payment by BPay.
Another reason why HTML mail is evil. (It's no coincidence that things like web bugs and spyware didn't exist in the old, polite days when everyone logged on from shared UNIX machines at universities; such crass modern vulgarities seem to go hand-in-hand with the Windows/AOL/Netscape culture that is the current Internet mainstream.)
Revealed: Two versions of a Microsoft propaganda page aimed at computer manufacturers, arguing that PCs sold without Windows promote piracy, and urging OEMs to "politely decline" to sell such criminally nefarious machines.
The BBC has a page of content from a very interesting programme called The Routes of English, all about the evolution of the English language. Much of it is in RealAudio though.
The Australian government may be looking at privatising Centrelink, the welfare/work-for-the-dole agency. Perhaps they should contract it out to the Salvation Army, a body which shares many of our Prime Minister's conservative views on social issues?
On the railway underpass just north of Clifton Hill station in Melbourne, there are some (black and white) posters that look suspiciously like Giant propaganda. Does Andre the Giant have a posse Down Under as well?
Following a Thanksgiving tradition, US President Clinton has granted a pardon to one turkey, for "good behaviour". The bird, dubbed "Jerry", will be spared from the Thanksgiving slaughter and sent to a petting farm. Is it just me, or is there something unwholesomely morbid about this tradition?