Security and privacy

Let's say one wants to secure a website.

In ascending closedness:

1. Security through obscurity
This is probably the usual crap that idiots think of when they think of IT security. It's either "nobody can find me" or "nobody wants to find me". However, this method proceeds by assuming the converse of both assertions -- that people want to find you, and may find you.

Thus, identifiable information like names should be anonymised. Preferably, there shouldn't be a profile or author-stamping. This provides some level of deniability should you be found out.

Also, the website should be taken off search engines and various other pinging services that provide a link back. You want to make your website an island on its own, accessible only by a direct link.

2. Single, shared authentication
In conjunction with, or excluding the previous method, it would be logical next to put a single gateway to control access. This usually means password-based authentication.

Without going into the specifics, the simplest way to secure the website would be to set up a single, shared password that is common to all authorised users.

3. Personalised authentication
Of course, a single, shared password is like putting all your eggs into one basket. Neither does it allow fine-grained access control because every change affects everyone.

If possible, add authorised users one by one, and you can be sure that they are the only ones allowed in.

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But when you consider applying all of this to a blog, the perspective changes slightly.

If you consider the purpose of a blog as journalling as much as dissemination, the more secured the blog is, the less discoverable it becomes. For example, the most secured method here, personalised authentication, only lets in pre-approved readers.

Therein lies the tension.

The avengers

This is the return of the blog.

Because microblogging or silly status updates just don't cut it.

Negotiation

Please let me get through with LAWR. I will prepare for crim!

It has been such a crazy weekend. Sleeping at 6am to prepare for a presentation? No wonder lawyers are quitting.

On another note, I am seriously grateful for those around me who pulled me back up, encouraged me, or fought with me (against the evils of law school, of course).

I'm not going to GU*.

*Give up

Brokeback

As I walked home with my heavy bag on my shoulders, I just thought of giving up!

It's only the second week of school. I took a cold shower.

Objectionable content

Am I easily offended? Why?

Example Fugly: A friend with whom I shopped for laptops called my laptop "fugly" after I got it. I objected immediately.

Example Bye: I told an aquaintance online that his name made him sound old, to which he promptly responded, "bye", later explained to be in jest. I apologised but when I made my objection known, he left me with a genuine goodbye to think about whether he really messed up.

It is quite strange, really. Here I am often jesting in wit and sarcasm and all that, yet there are some instances which may not be that serious, but someone who toes that line of mine gets killed.

So what exactly affects our sensitivities?

Dark night

Insurance
wow pak i'm in awe
there's much i need to learn lol

Fun
ours was like...always phenomenal

Amidst the darkness of this week (contracts - closed book - 14-page caselist)... no time to bask in the glow of praise!

Haha. Till Saturday, everyone. I miss people. And life.

Come on.

Best song ever from Jessica. Loving the instrumental.

Now everything feels like Chemistry all over again but

• one week only
• no Ms Goh
• no Kristen
• no gang
• all I hear is silence
• and the sound of my blood coursing through my veins (not really, but this is just sad)

Interestingly, a cursory google revealed 40 motivational songs (not quite, but still) and a few more like Rascal Flatts' Stand.

What is this? I don't know, the disappointment (phantom, therefore the obsessing of, rather, and inertia), the disappointment (to retreat or not and the disgust), the disappointment (nothing can satisfy me, nobody can get it, why me mentality and a little jealousy)...

Admittedly this is in code so here's the key: work out phone.

Yay so some things are off my chest and I hope things will get better and easier and workable and choosable and satisfying and more positive. So yes. If I'm right about who actually reads this*, I miss you people! Don't worry.

And I just had to say, friends are like bras. I should think so.

*If I'm wrong, then hello, stranger!