Spyware Smashing Code

I read an article on viruses, spyware, and other bad computer things. The article recommended the following software:

• Spyware Blaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
• Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/

I use both and highly recommend them.

BOOK: Coder to Developer

I just heard of a new book -- Coder to Developer: Tools and Strategies for Delivering Your Software. The Amazon reviews compare it to The Pragmatic Programmer, a book I highly recommend. I'll have to take a look at this one and see if I agree.

gmail

I've been beta testing gmail for a few days now and I'm impressed! It's interface is clean and quick. With the keyboard shortcuts you can do everything you need to do without using the mouse (which will warm the heart of vi users). The automatic threading makes digging through a 'pile' of emails a breeze. I haven't made much use of the labels feature yet, but I like the idea behind it -- no folders, just tags. I just spell checked this posting -- the spell checker is integrated into the GUI in the most amazing fashion. Usability: 5 of 5 stars!

Open Minds, Open Source

I just read an interesting article, "Open Minds, Open Source," by Eric S. Raymond (the author of The Cathedral and the Bazaar) in this months Analog Science Fiction & Fact. The article makes a good argument for the eventual demise of closed software development.