How Skype Punches Holes in Firewalls

Ex-Lemmingworks. ##.

Slashdot | How Skype Punches Holes in Firewalls “Ever wondered, how P2P software like Skype directly exchanges data — despite the fact, that both machines are sitting behind a firewall that only permits outgoing traffic? Read about the hole punching techniques, that make a firewall admin’s nightmares come true.”

I’ve never liked skype, though perhaps it has improved. When I found it was using my computer to route information and was making connections to things over the internet even when I had it turned off and disabled, I wiped the harddrive and did a clean install of everything to be sure it was off my computer. Of course there are people who know more than I do who can run skype and control port access and whatnot. But for the rest of you, when there’s something bad on your computer that runs when you tell it to turn itself off… what else is it doing or can it do?

A Guide to Grading Exams

Ex-Lemmingworks. ##.

I’ve marked 40 odd exams (not that they’re odd exams, but that I’ve not got an exact count) out of ~140, and at the same time following the discussion on RFAnet, an email list for Ryerson Faculty. The discussion has been very serious, and is centred on how difficult it is to mark a large number of exams in a short period of time. I have 4 days to do it. There is a feeling that there is too much rush, and that more time should be available. Mostly well intentioned and well thought out, and it is a great way for me as a newer faculty member to know about and share in the struggles that the university community face.

I think we’re all getting a bit exhausted at this point… so some wag (”A person whose words or actions provoke or are intended to provoke amusement or laughter.”) posted the following link as a suggestion. It is nothing new, but rarely so well illustrated. Enjoy. I’m back to the grind.

Concurring Opinions: A Guide to Grading Exams

It’s that time of year again. Students have taken their finals, and now it is time to grade them. It is something professors have been looking forward to all semester. Exactness in grading is a well-honed skill, taking considerable expertise and years of practice to master. The purpose of this post is to serve as a guide to young professors about how to perfect their grading skills and as a way for students to learn the mysterious science of how their grades are determined.