The empire strikes back

In recent weeks, we've taken huge steps towards blocking spam accounts on LiveJournal. In fact, we've suspended as many as 30,000 accounts in a single day! We've implemented several pre-emptive measures to prevent the creation of spam accounts, and we've honed our detection of suspicious content. Spam bots are a crafty lot, so we'll continue to refine our tactics and keep up the good fight to keep you safe from spam attacks on LiveJournal.

RSS feeds again

If you're addicted to xkcd_rss, icanhaschzbrgr, or other syndicated feeds, we're pleased to report that we've resolved the update error that was mucking up your RSS feeds. While content was being pulled correctly, it wasn't being posted to the feeds themselves. Late last week, we finally nailed down what we hope was the root problem, so content should post properly. We thank you for your patience.

Wii have killer CSI Deadly Intent contests!

c_s_i

If you're a gamer who loves CSI, have Wii got news for you! c_s_i is sponsoring killer contests. Simply post a question to a member of the CSI crew. The winner will get a free copy of CSI: Deadly Intent for Nintendo Wii (with a retail value of $39.99) and get their question answered by a member of the CSI writing team! There's also a fantastic monthly contest. To enter, join c_s_i, play the online version of CSI: Deadly Intent, and respond to a two-part query for a chance to win a Wii! Entries will be judged on composition and originality. Sorry, but you must be a U.S. resident and over 18 years old to participate. Check out the rules here.

Enveloped in postcards

Last week, we asked you to send in postcards to help us decorate our drab concrete walls. Here's a photo of the results so far! Thank you so much and please keep them coming! You can mail them to Frank the Goat, Esq., c/o LiveJournal, Inc., 539 Bryant Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94107. Be sure to include your username, since we'll be giving ten random users paid account credits.

Photos of the week

If you haven't visited our new LiveJournal photo community, you're in for an amazing visual trip. LiveJournal users from around the world will take you on a scenic journey to everywhere. Post your own pictures or kick back and enjoy at lj_photophile. You can view some of this week's awesome photos after the jump. Please start tagging with geographic location, since we'd like to track all the places around the world represented in this community. Keep on commenting too!
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Tags: csi, photos of the week, postcards, rss, spam, writer's block

Сергей Доренко хорошо прокомментировал нью-йоркский ужин Абрамовича за 52 тысяч долларов:



Мне вообще кажется, что многое в поведении Абрамовича мотивировано комплексами (что, в общем, неудивительно, если вспомнить, что Абрамович рос без родителей).

Кстати, представители Абрамовича опровергают, что такой счет был. Верим!

Война современная (Афганистан, фотографии Дэвида Гаттенфелдера):











Еще

upd. И еще

Из коллекции картин советских художников - о Великой Отечественной:









Еще

6 декабря в 14:00 на ярмарке интеллектуальной литературы в ЦДХ состоится презентация книги (и будущего бестселлера =) Дмитрия Рогозина "Ястребы мира: Дневник русского посла". Организатор - издательство "Альпина Нон-фикшн".

Приглашаем!

aiyatheydidnt
The Chinese version of ONTD, AIYA is a dynamic international community that welcomes users who share a love of contemporary Chinese pop culture. Dedicated to celebrity gossip and entertainment news, you'll enjoy gorgeous photos and breaking stories featuring the glitterati of mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Tags: aiyatheydidnt, chinese entertaining, chinese pop culture

wendylady2
Designed to rescue fashion victims everywhere, this Brit-based community reads like a rag-ezine. Published once or twice weekly, you'll view bizarre highlights of the global fashion scene through captivating photos and delightfully snarky editorial. Sit tight for a virtual fashion tour from the runways of New York to Milan to Paris and back home again to London in homage to the adage: you can't buy good taste.

Tags: fashion, gossip, wendylady2

soldiers_heart
A passionate community for veterans of all ages (mostly American), plus families, friends, and supporters. View poignant snapshots detailing life in combat and back on civilian soil in the form of original artwork, personal narratives, poetry, and photos. Be forewarned that members don't shy away from describing their disappointments, disabilities, and struggles.

Tags: soldiers_heart, veteran's day, veterans

Получил, наконец, приглашение в Google Wave, но волны пускать пока не с кем, кажется (мало нас - избранных - пока =). 
Или есть кто?

К вопросу о смертной казни:

• голубой: отменена
• зелёный: в обычном судопроизводстве отменена, но сохранена для особого судопроизводства (например в праве военного времени)
• оранжевый: более не применяется, хотя законодательно не отменена
• красный: применяется

Из "западных" стран смертная казнь применяется в США (37 случаев в 2008) и в Японии (15 в 2008).

Для сравнения: в Китае было казнено более 5000 человек. Что примечательно, китайцы выносят смертные приговоры не только за такие "традиционные" тяжкие преступления (жестокие убийства, торговля наркотиками), но и за тяжкие нарушения в области коррупции, уход от налогов в особо крупных размерах, махинации с драгоценными металлами и т.п. 

p.s. Не введут в России в ближайшие годы, уверен.