404

I admit it was very tempting to celebrate the 404th post on this blog, rather than the 400th. Just like 1024 instead of 1000.

Incidentally however, recent events mean that the 404 jokes may turn into reality as two proposed bills are discussed and probably passed in the US.

Normally we stay away from from politics here at the official WordPress project

but the proposals of SOPA and PIPA have serious impacts on the way we can use the internet. From the Wikipedia article:

Threat to online freedom of speech

Negative impact on websites that host user content

Weakening of “safe harbor” protections for websites

General threat to web-related businesses

Threat to users uploading content

Threat to internal networks

Threat to free and open source software

Ineffectual against piracy

Deep-packet inspection and invasion of privacy

Negative impact on DNS, DNSSEC and Internet security

No doubt that in recent days SOPA is covered more frequently in online tech magazines:

Help Stop SOPA/PIPA

Reddit is ready for SOPA and PIPA protest

Fighting Internet piracy: CES takes on SOPA vs. OPEN debate

Is a pro-PIPA lobbying group guilty of e-mail “content theft?”

Congress considers anti-piracy bills that could cripple Internet industries

How SOPA would affect you: FAQ

Over 40 Internet Companies Come Out Publicly Against SOPA (Including Us)

Anonymous will shut down to protest SOPA

reddit going dark for a day to protest SOPA online censorship bill

See Ars Technica for stories about some supporters of the bill

MPAA attacks Ars for “challenging efforts to curb content theft”

Smoking guns, dark secrets aplenty in YouTube-Viacom filings

At least one of the upcoming episodes of The Daily Show promises some fun. Can’t wait for January 18.