Monday, November 26, 2007

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Black Friday, traditionally marks the beginning of the official on-line Christmas retail-shopping season. Much like its off-line counterpart Black Friday, Cyber Monday offers low prices and great time-limited sales for workers returning to the office Monday morning.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday

Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, traditionally marks the beginning of the official Christmas retail-shopping season. Stores often open up as early as 4 or 5 in the morning, and shoppers often line up late the night before just to be first in line to get the best deals.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

American Thanksgiving Day

Today, as all my American Loyal Readers no doubt know, is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.A. A day to celebrate all things turkey. So here's hoping everyone has a wonderful day with friends and family today!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Remembrance Day

My Computer Information Security web site, ycopfiles.com, asks all of its Loyal Readers to take two minutes of silence to remember those who have sacrificed themselves so that we may have a better life. At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, in Flanders Fields. Today is Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day in various parts of the world. A day to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all Wars although mostly during World War I.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Election Day

Today is Election Day in the U.S.A. A day set aside by law to vote for public officials by popular ballot. The epitome of a democracy. Election Day always occurs on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November. So don't forget to go out and vote!

Monday, November 05, 2007

5th of November

Dating back to 1605, the 5th of November is the story of Roman Catholic Guy Fawkes, or Guido Fawkes, and his failed Gunpowder Plot to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England also known as King James VI of Scotland. Caught red-handed in a daring early-morning raid on November 5th, 1605, in a cellar rented to John Johnson, the fictional alter ego of Guy Fawkes, he was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for the high crime of treason.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

WinRAR Format String

A WinRAR format string error exists when displaying an invalid file name in a UUE/XXE encoded file error message. This exploit allows the non-authenticated user, when decoding a maliciously malformed UUE/XXE file, to execute arbitrary code on the system because of a stack-based buffer overflow.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Daylight Savings Time

Traditionally Daylight Savings Time (DST) ran from 2 am on either the last Sunday of March or the first Sunday of April to 2 am on the last Sunday of October. Now Daylight Savings Time officially begins at 2 am on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 am on the first Sunday of November. Therefore, don't forget to change your clocks before you go to sleep tonight!

Friday, November 02, 2007

All Souls Day

All Souls' Day is a day set apart for honouring the faithful departed. All Souls Day follows All Saints' Day on November 2nd. If the souls of the departed have not been cleansed from sin, or have not yet atoned for past transgressions, they can not attain beatific vision meaning they can't yet "see" God in Heaven. Prayers and sacrifices by the mass may absolve this and help those souls stuck in purgatory.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

All Saints Day

All Saints' Day or All Hallows' Day falls on November 1st, following All Hallows' Eve, and preceding All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2nd. On this day, many countries make offerings to Saints and Martyrs. Pope Gregory III, in the eighth century, moved the celebration of All Saints Day to November 1st from May 13th to honour all the Saints, known and unknown.