Hacking as an Art

I just made some East Indian Masala Chicken and it is fabulous. I don't use that word much, but it really is a lot better than I expected it to be. I started it out not knowing how exactly to cut the chicken, and now it looks like I put in the right blend of everything! I'm just proud because usually my first attempts at a dish are disastrous. Anyway, Whitedust has an interesting editorial on whether hacking is an art or a science. It's a bold claim since hacking has held such a negative connotation in recent years, but he makes a good point in that the act does require a lot of thinking outside the box. Is it really a science though? There's no exact way to do it, but there are definite heuristics. I don't really know where I stand, but I thought it was something kinda out there to ponder.

Apple is really starting to take some heat from the music industry over its stance to not raise mp3 prices. In fact, Warner Music is threatening to pull their artists from the service, and what's ironic is that these companies don't realize that the iPod drives sales of their clients' music rather than the customers just downloading it illegally. I hope Steve Jobs holds his ground still. If you want more insight as to why Microsoft picked HD-DVD then you should check out Ars Technica, and I think the biggest point is that there's a definite release date for it as opposed to the vagaries of the Blue Ray. Lastly, this article provides a great look at how some of the most beloved webcomics have evolved so if you read Penny Arcade or PvP or any of the other big ones then check it out.

We finally have a teaser trailer for The Passion of the Clerks and I'm pretty surprised that they got away with that logo. Not everyone gets Kevin Smith's humor but I think he's pretty funny and is even starting a video journal for it. Casting has already begun on the fifth Harry Potter movie, and I only mention this because it must mean that the fourth is almost done and they're just teasing us by having not already released it. IGN scored an interview with the writer of X3 and he tries to stave off concerns that it will disappoint the fans, but I suppose it's really too early to tell. Moviefone has some behind-the-scenes footage from Domino and it sounds even cooler than before! They did manage to hide that Domino Harvey wasn't totally satisfied with their portrayal of her (mainly whitewashing her homosexuality). Lastly, fellow fans of the Alba will want to read this interview at IGN.

Now for Friday's Feast:

Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?
A couple of summers ago I got some stomach virus upon my visit to San Antonio to head to Schlitterbahn and I had to visit the E.R. because I didn't think I'd ever stop throwing up. Not the most fun experience, but I don't get sick very often at all.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
I'd say a 9. I'm pretty high up there, but I don't think I take enough risks to be a 10. I really want a lot out of life and I can't wait to get it all. Sounds weird, huh? To hear this from a guy who writes in a blog everyday and has no girlfriend. I wouldn't get good grades if I wasn't ambitious.

Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)
Elton yells (while) eating a sandwich.

Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
It would be the club for blog enthusiasts and I'd call it the Secret Order of Blogging. Not that I really need another club in my life at this point.

Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
It's kind of tannish.