ZeroConf, sometimes called Rendezvous, provides a means to search the local IP subnet for resources. For example if you want to find a printer: you broadcast via multicast from your machine a request for anybody on the local subnet who has a printer. Machines with resources to offer listen for such requests and reply when appropriate.

For example in my workplace people running iTunes offer their music collections for other folks to listen to. My iTunes, acting as a client, broadcasts a request for music servers. (These uses something called daap, or Digital Audio Access Protocol) These requests take place via something known as mDNS, or multicast DNS. On the machines of my generous coworkers an mDNS notices my request and replies with the IP address and port number where their daap server is listening. That

The New York Times notices, finally, that people are using new technology to tighten their control over their subordinates.

“Earlier that day, he had tracked Britney as she arrived in Grand Central Terminal. Later, calling up the map on his own cellphone screen, he noticed she was in SoHo . ”

…

“Cellphones would lose their appeal if they became tracking devices,” said Nate Bingham, 16, of Seattle . Bingham’s parents use an AT&T service called Find Friend that lets them see his general location when his cellphone is on, based on the company’s nearest cellular tower.

He said his mother had at times asked him where he was and then used the service to see if he was telling the truth.

While I mostly think this is heading in bad directions – i.e. in directions that encourage an increase of power over subordinates to micro-manage them – I also think that it is interesting that most of us are willing to reveal some personal information to other members of certain groups. For example I am willing to reveal the phone I’d prefered to be reach at to members of my circle of friends and coworkers. I am willing to reveal my billing address to the firms I’m doing business with.

The unbelievable subtle challenge in all this is to create an infrastructure that allows such things to be managed. It’s really messy!

I wish…

I had a plug-in for Movable Type which would allow me to add a button to my postings labeled “Suggest Editting.” It would then present the reader with a text box showing the posting and allow them to edit it to their hearts content. Then, when they submit it would mail me the diff. That mail would contain a link that allow me to accept the edit, after possibly revising it.

This would let my readers scratch the itch; the itch I’m blind to. I’ve mentioned this before.

Finally proof that the maximum of “stuff known” v.s. “willingness to reveal” peaks at age 18. Scroll down to the bottom for age demographics.

Finally, something new to worry about! The earth is growing darker.

Urban Growth – The patterns in this stuff reflect, to my eye, the details of who has zoning regulations that guide the growth. Cities would be more dense (not necessarily overcrowded though) if they could; since they naturally want to be power-law density. As it is they sprawl since the perimeter regions the power to control their land use. I suspect that’s a much more potent control over thier distirbution than engineering or property rights are.

Ant tracking — Some people get to work on the most amusing projects.

Six-Sigma vs Fractal Gorrilla Fighters – “The issue of quantifying success in counterinsurgency operations is a fool’s errand,” said one officer based in Baghdad. “It is great for business management, but not for the conduct of war. It is something that is questionable in conventional warfare and downright dangerous in unconventional warfare, simply because it will force you into taking actions based on that which is to be measured and not on what needs to be done.” Boy is that the ultimate collision of two or more cultures.

Chinese Standards – Interesting column about the Chinese setting standards.

Left/Right – Another for my collection of left-side/right-side standards. I like the myth about merchants prefering to walk on the left so their wallets will be less likely to be stolen.

Hand positions – From the same source a nice complement to the handshake standards.