"A bunch of guys on IRC"

... is the modern equivalent of "a couple of guys in a garage".

Inspired by the latest "hush-hush" biz discussion on #mobitopia.

Content-Type soup

So here I am, validating all my pages as XHTML 1.0, when I read these links:

Basically, XHTML 1.0 isn't mature enough to use on the web. Use HTML 4.01 instead.

The problem is that I'd like my blog to be readable on mobile devices, who expect XHTML content. And the mod_rewrite trickery mentioned is way overkill according to me.

Who knew it was such hard work being a good Netizen?

Cold beer, you wish

In Sweden, you can't buy alcoholic beverages anywhere but in the state monopoly's stores, Systembolaget. This is to restrict supply and prevent us Swedes from descending into a permanent alcoholic stupor. For a long time, you couldn't buy booze on Saturdays. You still can't on Sundays.

The last couple of years, this company has moved away from lines in front of counters to self-serve style stores, where you can walk around and choose what you want instead of asking a clerk for it. This is because it's now cheap and legal to bring in lots of alcohol from other countries, so the monopoly needs to move with the times.

Well, things have moved in the right direction, but there's still some way to go. For example, I'm going to swing by "Bolaget" for some Kirin on my way to pick up some take-away sushi. But I can't buy the beer refrigerated. How would that look? Anyone could buy a beer and then go to the nearest park and enjoy a cool one! No way that would work. In Sweden, you have to carry your beer home first and put it in the fridge, then get drunk.

How long until we get cold beer, huh?

Short tales

Boys and Girls Forever by Alison Lurie.

A collection of essays about childrens literature.