Horses for cushion covers

Horses for courses. This expression originated in England, in 1898 at the latest [1]. It means, of course (pun intended) we should stick to what we know, and do, best. Adjunctively, what’s suitable for one person or situation may be unsuitable for another. The news cycle – that insidious and pervasive modern invention – has moved on, leaving the Queensland floods in its wake (pun intended). For the mass communications media have neither soul nor conscience. But, fortunately, some members of our society do. Artists come readily to mind. As a group, artists tend to be sensitive to the human condition and its exigencies. So it’s unsurprising they’ve rallied into action to assist flood-affected Queenslanders. Also that darling Kate’s among them.. Using the finest quality wool, Kate has crocheted a superb cushion cover (or ersatz beanie – modelled by darling Brendon for the photograph) which she’s auctioning on her Foxs Lane blog [2, 3, 4, 5]. The bidding procedure’s here [6]. Bidding closes at 9 a.m. next Monday. The idea’s that the highest bidder donates the bid to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal [7] (it’s a tax deduction too) after which Kate will post the prize. It’s a win-win-win-win situation: A win for the flood victims, the auction winner, our society at large; and not least Kate – who’s produced an item of artistic beauty whist helping the flood aftermath effort in the best way she knows. A true ‘horse for course’ contribution. Yet another reason I’m proud to be her dad. So proud.

Commonwealth Games downer. World Giving Index upper.

It’s Sunday. The weekend’s second half. A rest and recreation day for most Australians. On Sundays, I reckon, no-one wants to read of doom, gloom and indignation. So starting today, I’m making each Sunday’s Farmdoc’s Blog post positive and optimistic. Having said that, it’s hard for me to be positive and optimistic about the XIX (i.e. 19th) Commonwealth Games – which starts in Delhi today and runs (pun intended) until 14 October [1, 2]. Because to me the Commonwealth of Nations (née British Commonwealth) is an institution whose time has long gone; and mammoth international sporting events are a waste of resources (surely India could put the money to better use) and do little for participating nations but foster faux-rivalry and jingoism. Australia, no doubt, will rank up there in the Delhi medal tally. But I don’t give a toss (also pun intended). Because the playing field (ditto pun intended) is metaphorically not level. So between now and 14 October, anything to do with sport and Delhi’s outside my sphere of consciousness. Despite this, I’m a proud Australian. And last week I became an even prouder one when my nation (jointly with New Zealand) topped the World Giving Index 2010 [3, 4]. The Index ranks charitable behaviour (i.e. giving money, giving time, and helping a stranger – weighted equally) in 153 countries [5]. I’d much rather my country top the World Giving Index than the Commonwealth Games medal tally. Ho hum.

List: '5 tips to keep your passwords secret'

Today’s ‘List Friday’. My life’s a maze of numbers. I bet yours is too. A jungle of them. The main ones are PINs and passwords. PINs and passwords are important – because, sorry to say, there are people out there who are intent on accessing and stealing what we use PINs and passwords to protect. Therefore PINs and passwords should be strong protectors. Why make it easy for thieves?

I’m ambivalent towards Microsoft. I use Windows and Office and some other Microsoft software. They don’t always work well, and they contain foibles that irritate me. But for me, on balance their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. However there’s no denying Microsoft’s a font (pun intended) of massive software experience. So when Microsoft published an article titled ‘Create strong passwords’ [1], it pricked my interest.

In this article there’s a lot of good non-list material – e.g. how to construct a strong password – and there’s a link to a password checker. Another link’s to a list: ‘5 tips to help keep your passwords secret’ [2]. These tips are self-explanatory; and to me (at least) they make sense. Whether you’re a PC user (like I am), or a Mac user (like Sweetheart Vivienne and our four darling daughters are), it’s worth taking a couple of minutes to review this list to see if your password habits need improving. And the same five tips apply to PINs, of course.