Citadel of the Blogs The Inbox of the Internet (really)

Very cool site on the history and geography of Europe including maps, pictures and atlases. I like the front page which is organized like a bookshelf! Some old web page designs appear to have come back (remember when site maps were organized to look like bookshelves in a library — and failed miserably??)

For the British history lover out there (like me!) check out the historical maps of Europe for every century from year 1 to year 1000. Be sure to click on the Northwest Europe link rather than the map itself. I found it a helpful way to visualize the vast colonization of Britain that transpired over the pivotal early centuries.

A Canadian briefing report on US strategy (obtained under the federal Access to Information Act) shows US foreign policy in an easy to comprehend light.

I especially like this summary:

“The document notes that in the fight against tyranny, history teaches that other states may not act unless the U.S. does its part. Some of this can perhaps be dismissed as hyperbole used to justify the policies of an increasingly unpopular president. To do so, however, would ignore a long and historic trend in which such concepts lie at the core of American selfdefinition and, at times, US foreign policy.”

When reading these summaries of the American state, inevitably I reflect on how true this is, or is not, for American individuals on a case-by-case basis.

Keyword: “act”.

Canadian visas have been tested with radio frequency transmitters. Ottawa is now analyzing the results. The article claims that the US is using such RFID technology to monitor when folks enter or exit the country — i.e. at the border only, but not within the country.

Doubtful but that’s their story, eh.

Helpful page on computer privacy and security.

I especially liked this tip:

“ALWAYS read any license agreement, I know they can be tedious and drawn out but often you can agree to various forms of spyware and tracking devices being placed on your computer because you clicked the ‘I accept’ button without reading what you are accepting.

Look for things like:

‘connects to our server’, ‘Promotional/advertising/pop ups may be launched for the duration of time you spend online’, ‘may also collect certain information online and offline deriving from your navigation’, ‘this software will automatically update itself from time to time’, ‘other partners software can be installed’,”

Here is a free tool (Windows only) that will read and analyze license agreements and alert you of potentially dangerous terms.

here’s the new slide tune i’m working on now, FYI