Thu, 13th November, 2003

Hax0r Time * 08:15:00

Filed under: General

This web hacking challenge was being discussed on an IRC channel I frequent. You might know the sort of thing I’m talking about: the aim is to defeat some kind of flawed security on a series of web pages, each one slightly more complicated than the last.

So it is with the Independent Starfleet Academy Training Center for Internet Security (ISATCIS).

There are 16 levels to clear. I think the author ran out of ideas for all those levels, because a couple of them can only be described as riddles, having no security aspect at all. However, all in all, it is still a nice way to kill a couple of hours.

Rating: *** three asterisks.

Sun, 9th November, 2003

The 3rd city * 03:22:22

Filed under: Music

Cypress Hill are coming to Australia, but they are missing Brisbane:

The population of Brisbane, plus the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, adds up to well over 2 million. That puts us in 3rd place behind Sydney and Melbourne, and it is understandable that a lot of bands—especially those with small touring budgets and low ticket prices—feel that it’s not viable to play here. But, Cypress Hill is not one of those bands.

I think it’s cool when popular bands make an effort to play some smaller places. ANU Bar, Nambour RSL, Birdsville Hotel, go for it. Even if it is at Brisbane’s expense, it doesn’t really matter, because there is no shortage of live music in this city. But lately, a few big bands such as Cypress have been giving Brisbane the arse, and I’m positive that they’d play here if they could. Is there a venue shortage in this city?

The historic Festival Hall is gone, and Devine Ltd is currently dancing on its grave, pending the demolition of the building and another soulless apartment tower to be built in its place.

The Arena is still in business, but we all know just how long that will last.

The Entertainment Centre is too big, the Zoo is too small, the Convention Centre is too busy, the Riverstage is too outside, the Tivoli is too inside. Other places exist, but either the logistics of hosting a concert are too difficult, or the tour organisers are too lazy.

At any rate: Cypress Hill, if you could play here next time you’re in the country, that would be super.