A thought-provoking and well written Turkish current affairs blog (link removed as blog no longer exists) by Ugur Akinci, a Washington, D.C.-based Turk.

Via the BBC. A few days ago I downloaded a screensaver called “Make Love Not Spam“. When the screensaver is activated the websites of goods and services mentioned in spam emails are endlessly sent data requests with the hope of slowing the websites down and increasing the spammer’s hosting bills. Let’s hope it works.

UPDATE: Apparently, the screensaver was too successful.

A Futher UPDATE: The campaign was stopped.

In 2004 the importance of blogs and blogging has grown enormously, enough for Merriam-Webster to choose ‘blog’ for its word of the year.

No doubt, blogs will only become more widespread in 2005 and following years. In the next 5 years I wouldn’t be surprised if a blog becomes an expected part of a person’s fabric. A few years ago I expected everyone would have a website within 10 years. I did not know the website would be in the form of a blog.

UPDATE: 2 years too late like usual, Microsoft joins the ranks of blog providers.

Orhan has kindly uploaded Victor’s photos from Saturday night and Gozne on Sunday.

Some of the photos do look dodgy. For the dodgiest photo/comparison of the lot, click here. You were warned!

Findings from a University of Mersin report show: Erectile dysfunction affects women too.

“What The Bubble Got Right,” an interesting article all about the changes the Internet bubble helped implement.

The past week was very busy. Every night I was doing something, somewhere with someone.

On Tuesday Ali and Hakan rocked up to the office. Ali was my first Mersin flatmate and I had not seen him since early 2002 when he left for an internship in Atlanta. The US has substantially improved his English. Now even his Turkish has a slight American accent!

It was great to see Ali again. Before he returns to Atlanta I will see him again at Hakan’s wedding and I hope to visit his family in Gaziantep.