I got all excited. On VersionTracker (my favorite place to go to check for software updates), I saw this today: "Beertje 2.6 - Bear floating on the screen". I read it as "beer floating on screen". Knowing full well that in the world of computer programming – and computer programmers – this makes sense, I went to have a look. That's when I saw the little teddy bear icon and stopped being excited. Oh, well.
Insults and the right to free speech
Bloggers all over are currently discussing the suggestion of a blogging code of conduct, where bloggers are required to refrain from insults and threats, or get their blogs yanked. The debate is generally anti-code, justified by the claim that it is freedom of speech to say what you want, and said freedom is protected by the US constitution. The thing is, we aren't discussing political blogs or racist blogs or pornographic blogs or blogs that in general have some kind of inflammatory material on them. We are discussing blogs much like my own: One person's personal outlet offered to the world because it's a rewarding thing to do (get to write, get to share, get feedback). But on some blogs, commenters are leaving insults and threats, including death threats. The general reaction to this, that I have seen so far, is if you can't tolerate some sicko comments on your blog, you are too sensitive for blogging so just stop blogging. Don't bitch about the internet being...
