Wednesday Mini Codices

Here is today's installment:

• Those with a vested interest in Web Security (pretty much all of us these days) and the technical know-how, may want to grab FireKeeper, a firefox extension which provides for Intrusion Detection and Prevention within Firefox.


• The FAA is looking into ditching Microsoft software and using Google Applications on Linux hardware as an alternative to upgrading to Windows Vista. As the article suggests, Microsoft's new products such as Vista and IE 7 are taking a BIG hit in March so far. [HT: Slashdot]


• Tipsters looks like an interesting site. There doesn't seem to be much of value on the site yet, but it is a good concept.


• Apparently, Michael Jackson is a Muslim now.


• James White has a good post about why textual criticism matters
for Christians

• Visuwords is cool, try it out!

Friday's Mini Codices

Here is today's installment..

• Perhaps this may be a reason why I should intensify my efforts to learn Spanish
• A blogger named Stefanos Karagos offers an interesting post with an idea on how to be able to "re-read" books in less than 15 minutes. It basically involves making a simple "mind map" chart of the book that will assist in quickly joging your memory on key points from the book. A "mind map" is basically a conceptual diagram linking words, ideas, or other items linked around a central word or idea. I think it makes for a simple and flexible way to brainstorm. Stefanos also has a pretty good post showing what Mind Mapping software is available. I personally prefer Free Mind.
  
• The Windsor star has an interesting article surrounding some controversy over a presentation regarding Islam at Campbell Baptist (HT: Ian from Ruminations By The Lake). I'm inclined to agree with Ian's assessment of it. We need to be careful how we carry out our dialog with other religions. It isn't a matter of compromise, it is a matter of being consistent, charitable, and most importantly good ambassadors to Muslims. Speak the truth, but not for the sake of fear of what is Islam is, but out of a genuine desire to open doors for communication of the gospel. I think we should let that overarching goal determine what we say and don't say. I would also add that an ambassador who spends more time burning bridges than building them will find it very hard when he tries to advocate his countries policy. I don't always model this well, but I think that we should all aim to the high standard of representing our "opponents" so carefully and positively that they must, in disagreeing with you, at least give you a hat tip for how you treated them. Think of it as a prime time to prove that you've "entertained the thought without accepting it". That being said, it does seem like the newspaper article has tried to dramatize this situation. I wonder whether "rally" is an accurate description of the event. I was not at that event, nor have I ever attended that particular church, so I don't know.

Priest Beheaded in Iraq

Christian Today is running a piece about a Syrian priest who was beheaded in Iraq. The dismembered body of a Syrian Orthodox priest was found in Mosul last week.

The article says "Father Iskander was abducted from Mosul on Monday afternoon"

"His family was later contacted by the kidnappers" says the article, "demanding a US$350,000 ransom". And the kidnappers "subsequently agreed to reduce the sum to US$40,000 if the priest’s church was willing to publicly reject remarks made about Islam by Pope Benedict XVI last month".

The priest's church managed to collect the ransom money, but apparently that didn't help.