I think that all the people complaining about the new XP2 Windows Firewall 'breaking' applications need to step back and listen to themselves. Introducing any firewall breaks applications - that's what they're designed to do, for heaven's sake - limit traffic! If your application needs certain ports open, then just open them, or 'create an exception' - what's the big deal? The entire industry should be applauding the fact that millions of PC users are now behind a firewall, instead of criticizing the new firewall for doing what it's designed to do. I even read an eWeek article today (8/23/2004 edition, pg. 11), where a guy was complaining that the new XP pop-up blocker was interfering with Outlook Web Access. Well, duh, it uses pop-ups. What did he expect? Just allow pop-ups from that site, and it's no longer a problem. People complain too much.

Found the "FST: Boom Dot Bust" cache during lunch. I read Matthew Reilly's "Altitude Rush" tonight in eBook format.