New Flash-Hack Endangers Most OSes and Browsers

Details here:

http://asylums.insanejournal.com/macintosh/4021.html

and here:

http://dogemperor.insanejournal.com/225916.html

An excerpt:

From Adobe's April 8, 2008, bulletin:

Summary

Critical vulnerabilities have been identified in Adobe Flash Player that could allow an attacker who successfully exploits these potential vulnerabilities to take control of the affected system. A malicious SWF must be loaded in Flash Player by the user for an attacker to exploit these potential vulnerabilities. It is recommended users update to the most current version of Flash Player available for their operating system.

Due to the possibility that these security enhancements and changes may impact existing Flash content, content developers are advised to review this March 2008 Adobe Developer Center article to determine if the changes will affect their content, and to begin implementing necessary changes immediately to help ensure a seamless transition.

[...]

Affected software versions

Adobe Flash Player 9.0.115.0 and earlier, and 8.0.39.0 and earlier.

The blog entries I've linked to contain details, a link to Adobe's security bulletin, and a way to check which version of Flash Player your system is using.

Nasty stuff. Please spread the word.

"When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted"

A few days ago I came across one of my favorite poems ever, by one of my all-time favorite writers. As an artist this particular piece really hits home. If George dies before me, this is what will be going on the back of his memorial pamphlet.

When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted
by Rudyard Kipling

When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it -- lie down for an aeon or two,
Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work anew.
And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets' hair.
They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!

And only The Master shall praise us, and only The Master shall blame;
Andd no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,
But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are!

Wherein I am fannish

Over at

http://asylums.insanejournal.com/80sficpicalooza/

they have a story prompt for May 16th, as follows:

Knight Rider, KITT/Bonnie: cybersex - you know I love you for your mind

And am I tempted to take it on? Oh, yes I am.

We'll see if anyone else rises to it. If not, and it's not taken by April 30th, I may just snap it up.