The Noah's Ark of the Web, 7,000 Characters at a Time (NYT): covers the development of a new font designed to incorporate all the symbols used in math, physics, and other sciences. The problem with symbols in fonts today is that most fonts have few symbols in them (think alpha Α beta Β sigma σ, etc.) and from font to font the symbols may not be in the same place.

Bill Gates Views What He's Sown in Libraries (NYT): Gates' foundation is giving away computers to libraries in every state. While a laudable goal, I'm sure that there's more than a few strings attached to the "gifts". I suspect the libraries don't get to pick whether they want a Mac or PC, and I'm doubt they get to install anything other than Microsoft products on the donated systems.

Linksys vulnerability puts home users at risk (IDG.net via Yahoo!). Appears that if you (duh!) turn on remote management (meaning anyone from the Internet can access your router), it's possible to crash the router. Solution? Don't turn on remote management! or upgrade the firmware. In English: You live in a high crime neighborhood and have a very secure door which protects your home. Your door has a "feature" to allow someone without a key to enter your home. This "feature" is disabled by default. If you choose to enable it, then someone can enter your home. Why would anyone ever do this? Argh...

Briefly.... The Leonid meteor shower is supposed to be spectacular this year. Unfortunately we'll be in Philly.