The DDoS attacks

Just thought this might be of interest to some folks.

Originally posted by clari_clyde over here

I’ve been wondering what’s up with all the DDoS attacks LJ has been receiving lately. Signal boosting ingridmatthews:

Just in case anyone thinks LJ's downtime is just TPTB being incompetant, read this:


LiveJournal, Russia's blogging platform of choice, is sustaining biggest cyberattack attack in its history. Bloggers say the Kremlin wants to crack down on political discussion.


"LiveJournal, Russia’s most popular blogging platform, has been under a massive DDoS attack for the past few days. The attack has effectively wiped out Russia’s main refuge for unbridled political discussion, a hugely lively and extensive domain frequented by politicians, opposition activists and social commentators alike...


“The reason for attack is more than clear in this case — someone wants LiveJournal to disappear as a platform,” Ilya Dronov, development director at SUP, wrote in a post on his LiveJournal blog earlier this week. He said the hackers were hoping to push bloggers from LJ to social networks where “it's easier to fight individual users.”"


http://globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/bric-yard/russian-blog-site-under-attack


http://putinwatcher.blogspot.com/2011/04/cyber-war-on-russian-activist-bloggers.html

Hybrid/electric cars?

Just wondering if anyone out there in Flist land has any experience of either electric or hybrid cars. Sarah and I have been vaguely discussing the possibility of switching to one (possibly the new Peugeot, out of family loyalty..!), given the rather high fuel costs at the moment. Obviously, there's quite a high initial outlay, but on the other hand it'd potentially pay for itself in the long run - based on the figures that are generally quoted, I reckon a pure electric one would get me to work and back possibly a couple of days running on one charge, which is supposed to be £1:50 or so on the average fuel bill, compared to currently paying over £50 a week for enough diesel for five there and back journeys plus the odd runaround at the weekend. So quite a saving there. Although we'd most likely consider a hybrid just for the purpose of longer journeys. Obviously we've done a bit of basic online research, but it'd be interesting to know if anyone else out there has experience with them or knows much about them.

And kind of following on with the car theme...

My place of employment is launching its annual "cycle to work" scheme.

Yeah, cycling from Hemel Hempstead to Milton Keynes. Well, I could do it, possibly. Wouldn't leave me much time to actually do any work, though. *g*

Sheffield.

huntingospray is apparently now in Sheffield delivering boxes to aid in The Big Move ^TM. I hope blazingskies and greyfore take good care of her. And vice versa - I've suggested she take them for drinkies at the Dev Cat.

My tweets

• Thu, 15:41: New @DWMtweets out today. Shall be picking it up at the local Tesco as usual, and then reading this evening when home from work.
• Thu, 16:58: #nowplaying Pet Shop Boys Pandemonium concert. Wonderful stuff.
• Fri, 05:05: RT @Jontofski: "The Royal wedding is being planned down to the very last detail" unlike normal weddings that are just improvised on the day.
• Fri, 08:46: The DDoS attacks http://j.mp/gYkaIP
• Fri, 08:57: Hybrid/electric cars? http://j.mp/et9aVH
• Fri, 09:46: #nowplaying @vickybeeching' "Painting the Invisible" album. Brilliant songs.
• Fri, 10:07: And kind of following on with the car theme... http://j.mp/e6Ouv0
• Fri, 10:09: RT @TobyHadoke: Nato's current tactic in Libya of frustrating Gadaffi by killing the people he wants to kill before he can kill them see ...
• Fri, 10:18: #ff @Cloister_Belle - Doctor Who geek extraordinaire. The Doctor Who Lego pics on her Photobucket are *marvellous*.
• Fri, 11:01: Sheffield. http://j.mp/hP4BNc

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