"History Sniffing"...

History sniffing is the art of tracking where people have been on the internet. Essentially, it is to help advertisers target very specific advertisements to very specific people. However, it seems that it happens most obviously with porn sites which kinds of makes the the whole idea of 'history sniffing' sound a little dirty. Yet, the biggest problem is that this kind of snooping is really tantamount to an invasion of privacy. It is an invasion of privacy because you, the internet surfer, has not consented to your data being collected in this manner nor have you consented for it to be collected for this purpose.

Nevertheless, it would be unfair to label this as exclusively a porn site thing. It is clearly not. The data being harvested can be done through a visit to a news site, while you are doing your internet banking, or if you are visiting a porn site for the purposes of research. Some of the biggest 'offenders' based on the research / survey data was Morningstar.com and Newsmax.com. Morningstar is a financial services website and Newsmax is a news website. For example, a recent survey, conducted by the University of California at San Diego, found that most internet search browsers allow for history sniffing to continue unabated.

However, the report based on this survey also found that the more recent versions of Google Chrome prevented history sniffing from occurring. Also Apple's latest versions of Safari do not allow history sniffing to take place. Microsoft's Internet Explorer does not yet prevent history sniffing from happening although the next version will, yet will come at a price as it will seemingly disable other useful features such as allowing your computer to recognise where you have been previously. The other popular browser that continues to allow history sniffing is Mozilla Corp's Firefox.

I am currently using the latest version of Google Chrome, so with a bit of luck I am not currently susceptible to history sniffing.

It is worth noting that one's passwords are not at risk here. This technology is not being used to harvest passwords or any other personal data except for where you have been. It really is about following your trail and then modifying advertising to give you, the "consumer", the most personalised service possible.

It is also worth noting that it might not matter too much longer with respect to what internet browsers in conjunction with advertisers want as US regulators are looking at requiring the use of a "Do Not Track" tool that is designed for no other reason than to stop advertisers from tracking specific individuals in order to target them with equally specific internet bargains.

I am no techno wizard so I am never sure whether this data even know it is stated that it is being used only for advertising purposes cannot be worked to develop a comprehensive profile of one's habits. Perhaps it is better to err on the side of caution if doing things that may be misconstrued if they were to ever become publicly available.

Hmmm...

Thanksgiving: Obama's Message to the Nation...

Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday celebrating the harvest. In some places it is the 'homecoming' that is celebrated in place of the harvest. Nevertheless, thanksgiving really is about recognising what one has and appreciating those gifts. So, in that sense it transcends national boundaries and it is a celebration that we can all be a part of no matter where we are born or where we choose to live.

However, it is important to also remember those less fortunate than ourselves and perhaps resolve to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate, even if it is dropping off some clothes that you have not worn in years into the Salvation Army clothing bin. Little things can always make a difference, a big difference over time.

I am thankful for many things, too many to name or list here. But, to those who celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy! Enjoy the day as you share it with family and friends! Enjoy the good food! Enjoy life and what it has to offer!

George "Dubya' Bush and "That" Hurricane Katrina Photo...

Is this photo going to define the George W. Bush presidency? More to the point, should it?

With the Bush memoirs, Decision Points, soon to hit book stands, it is likely that there will be some serious discussion about what the Bush "The Younger" legacy is going to be. This is particularly so in light of the debacle that unfolded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that devastated the Louisiana coast and New Orleans.

The reality is that Air Force One probably is not the best place to allow yourself to be photographed in doing a flyover of an area that had just been devastated in the manner that New Orleans had.

For some reason, I am thinking that history might be kinder and gentler in hindsight, particularly as the US moves on and away from those years between 2000 ad 2008. It would seem unlikely that the Bush II presidency will ever be considered a great presidency or that Bush "The Younger" will find himself in a list of great US presidents. But, time will smooth over some of the harshest criticisms in much the same way the passage of time has done for President Truman and a few other less than awe-inspiring men who have held the post of "the most powerful man in the world".

Not that any of this really matters on a personal level to me...I am a historian, so it matters to me on a professional level :)

Teaching for a Living...

Well, my final practicum is finished. The five weeks went pretty quickly, I guess being busy makes time seem like it passes by a little faster than it really does. I have also been lucky to have a couple of really good practitioners as supervising teachers.

This current practicum was much easier than the others. I think this might have something to do with me feeling a little more comfortable with my ability to actually do what needed to be done and do it well.

Having taught 7 - 10 and now 11 - 12, I reckon my strengths are definitely going to be in the senior subjects, and particularly the advanced and extension courses. However, the reality is going to be as a new graduate I will be teaching whatever comes my way. This is not likely to be advanced or extension courses. Now, that said, I definitely will not mind teaching 7 - 10. I enjoy the content in those courses as well. With a bit of luck I will get recognition for my Indonesian and get the opportunity to teach a little LOTE as well.

Now, that my final practicum is finished I have faxed off my prac report with a view to getting approval for an interim casual teaching number. With a bit of luck this should be emailed on Monday. Once I have a casual teaching number I can start to look for some casual work and get paid for teaching.

The final piece of the puzzle is getting all my university results finalised.

The History of Video Porn in Indonesia...

For anyone interested in the history of video porn in Indonesia then you should check out this site. If you are a non-Indonesian speaker then you will have to utilise a translation software program. But, it does give a short and sweet little overview of the history of video porn in Indonesia.

The other thing about this site is that it in essence acts as a short review of each of the "biggies" that have appeared on the Indonesian scene since 2000 starting with Anak Ingusan through Bandung Lautan Asmara to Video Casting Sabun and Belum Ada Judul, then culminating with the most recent addition to the ranks of Indonesian amateur porn classics, Peterporn.

The last being probably well on its way to being the most famous of all, particularly considering that Miyabi (aka Maria Ozawa) is apparently up for some extended threesome action. It also seems another porn star of some note Vicky Vette (@vickyvette) would also be keen for Ariel to make his way, with Luna Maya, to the good ol' US of A for some hot threesome action. Vicky wonders whether her skin flick with Ariel and Luna would be a hit in Indonesia. My guess is that is a no-brainer! Sure fire hit, all the way!

Enjoy!

Edward Moore Kennedy -- R.I.P

Edward Kennedy lost his year-long battle with cancer on Tuesday evening.

Kennedy was one of the most influential senators in US history. He will be sorely missed by not only those that loved him, but also by the Democratic party. He was an avid campaigner on issues of social justice, fairness, and opportunity.

His personal philosophy is seen in the following statement:

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on. The cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

You can view his Senate record here. You can read the Kennedy family statement here. And, you can read the news as relayed by The Washington Post here.

May the man now rest in peace.

Ambrose Bierce...

ALLIANCE. n. In international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pocket that they cannot separately plunder a third.

The Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 16

HISTORY. n. An account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.

The Cynic's Word Book (1906) p. 161

PEACE. n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.

The Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 248

PREJUDICE. n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.

The Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 264

SAINT. n. A dead sinner revised and edited.

The Devil's Dictionary (1911) p. 306

Ambrose Bierce (1842 - c. 1914)

A Recipe Moment -- Brussels Sprouts

Here is a tid-bit of information for you loyal readers...

I once almost became a Chef! Did a whole lot of courses, well one course with a whole lot of components to it, and almost landed an apprenticeship. Instead I came to Indonesia, and as they say, the rest is history!

Today we are cooking Brussels Sprouts and Saffron Risotto.

Ingredients:

500g brussels sprouts, trimmed
50g salted butter, to start
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
500g Italian rice (arborio, carnaroli or vialone nano)
100ml dry white wine
2 litres vegetable - or chicken stock optional
Pinch saffron threads
Salt, to season
100g salted butter, to finish
100g parmesan, finely grated

Method:

Boil a pot of salted water and throw in brussels sprouts, blanching them whole. This may take 3-5 minutes depending on size. When ready, the point of a sharp knife should pierce the centre with just a little resistance. Drain and plunge them into a bowl of iced water for 5 minutes, then drain again. Slice each sprout lengthwise into 3-4 pieces and keep in a bowl.

In a large, wide pan heat butter and oil, add onion and lightly fry until transparent - do not let it colour. Add rice and stir until grains become transparent. Deglaze with wine, allowing it to evaporate completely. Add boiling stock, then saffron, and simmer, stirring until liquid is almost entirely incorporated. Add stock a little at a time until risotto is almost cooked - 15-20 minutes depending on the rice.

Add brussels sprouts and stir through. Remove from heat, season with salt and stir in remaining butter and grated parmesan.

Rest for 3-4 minutes with lid on before serving.

Serves 6-8

Chef: Steve Manfredi

Photo: Jennifer Soo

Tiger Woods

It is being reported that Tiger Woods is to miss the rest of the 2008 golf season because of injury. The injury is a ruptured ligament in his left knee and double stress fractures of his left tibia. This has been confirmed in a news announcement on Tiger's own website. This will require a round of reconstructive knee surgery.

Now, all his fellow pros are sending their best wishes for a speedy recovery. I am sure that some though will be a little relieved that at least for the rest of 2008 they might be a shot for a win without having to look over their shoulders to see whether or not the Tiger is lurking.

For a man who has just concluded his 500th week as the world's top ranked golfer the news is bad but the prognosis is good. Over the long term he should fully recover and be back as good as ever. Nevertheless, if you are one of those fellow pros and you now know that the bloke just won the US Open on one leg, you have to be worried about your chances when he comes back to the tour with both legs in full working order!

This injury will delay the Tiger Woods march to history. He is currently the best golfer on the planet and soon enough he will be the greatest ever to have played the game. This should be a lesson to any youngster out there looking to succeed in sport; love the game, be passionate about the game, work hard, train hard, and the results will take care of themselves.

Well, I night get back to watching golf next year once Tiger returns. The game just won't be the same until then!

Having A Wales Moment

Tintern Abbey

Chepstow Castle

Welsh Flag

My old man is a Welshman. Born and raised in a fine part of southeast Wales, Chepstow. I have been there once and lived with my grandparents. As I get older I want my missus to see this part of the world and I would like my kids (assuming there are more after this one) to also see and learn the family heritage from my old man's side of the family.


Two of my favourite places are Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle. I am a bit of a history buff and the rich and long history of both these places have meant that I have spent countless hours just hanging around and soaking up the atmosphere and escaping into the recesses of my mind wondering what it would have been like to be living at the time these areas were in their respective primes.


The funniest thing I can remember includes Chepstow Castle. I went there with my sister in 1991 just for a look around. People have always said I look like my old fella but I have never believed them until this particular moment. Normally, you have to pay to get in and the Sis and I had no problems with that. The money is useful in terms of the upkeep of the castle.


However, I was strolling on up to the counter to pay and was about to fork over the cash when the cashier said, "you're Alan Baiton's son, aren't you?" I am like, "yeah!", "have we met before? or did my grandparents call to let you know we were on the way?" She just smiled and said, "you're the image of your dad!"


This woman apparently went to school with my dad and would not have seen him for 30 years and my dad was a real skinny bugger in his younger years and I am certainly not on the slim side of the coin. Still amazed even after all this time.


One day I would like to go back there with my old man so that he can tell me about the places of his youth in his own words and in his own way.

Apology Season

Well, Soeharto's kids have decided that they will make, and they have already made, an apology for any mistakes or deficiencies that their father may have had or made. I presume that this apology will also cover all of Soeharto's excesses as well, particularly his part in the misappropriation, some might say theft, of an alleged USD 35 billion from the State coffers and therefore from the good citizens of Indonesia...

Rather than apologizing for and on behalf of their father it is high time they started making these apologies on behalf of themselves. The Soeharto kids each and every one of them became fabulously wealthy under the dictatorial rule of their father...much of this wealth may have disapated with the financial and economic implosion that was the Indonesian economy in 1997 / 1998 but all the same they all remain wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of most Indonesians.

But it is going to be fun to watch as the recriminations and debate unfolds as to how history should recall the legacy of Soeharto -- striking a balance between spectacular economic growth over a sustained period of 30 years and the obvious excesses in the abuse of basic human rights is going to be a tough one...

Many people are giving Soeharto the credit for sustained economic growth but no one seems to be discussing that much of this growth was built on unserviceable public and private debt, which culminated in the financial implosion that Indonesia still reels from today some 10 years later...

I wonder how harsh history will be?