Presumably this is to allow external custom imagery and analytics tracking bugs to be accessed during the sign-in process. The funny thing is that the proxy allows files through based on a string comparison on the requested URL, and it's easily fooled.

Without any hope of success I typed http://www.google.com/.jpg into my browser's adress bar, and to my big surprise I saw the page you see when you follow the link right now. The next thing I typed in was: http://www.google.com/?.jpg but that didn't work. But I went on, and found that url's like http://www.google.com/search?.jpg worked like a charm. I found that I could easily visit sites like slashdot, google, or even this weblog, when adding a ?.jpg at the end of the url. The next logical step was to automate that. I downloaded greasemonkey.xpi?.jpg (*g*) and wrote a 4 line js script that would add ?.jpg to every link in a document. That way I was able to browse most sites without a hassle.

I wonder how prolific this loophole is. Next time you're in an airport (or a hotel), give it a shot and let us know how it works for you.

Hacking a commercial airport WLAN

I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.

That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

It's odd that you can't request to have any check-in inspected and secured for flight in your presence. It'd only be worth the hassle for a few people, and it'd save them a lot of grief. Then again, why can't we expect the same level of accountability and professionalism from security-cleared baggage handlers and TSA officials as we can from anyone at DHL or Fedex?

Personally, I just bring any laptops and cameras with me in my carry-on. It presents its own hassle during screening due to the asinine "remove all electronics and put them in separate buckets" policy, but at least they show up on the other end of the flight.

Pack a starter pistol to deter luggage theft

When you're on the road that long and mapping your adventure in real-time, there's a bit of a security need that needs to be considered. Ryan wanted to let his friends and family know where he is, but he didn't exactly want to give out information about where he is currently camping. His solution was to have the PHP script that runs his site monitor his location for movement. If he's been staying within the the same general location, the data won't be plotted to the map until he's moved somewhere else.

5 Pears travel blog - Link.

When riding in the car, my toddler is always dropping his toys (sometimes by accident and other times, I'm convinced, on purpose) and saying, "Uh oh!," which isn't quite as cute as it is frustrating after having to reach back dangerously or stop the car safely to return his toys to him several times in a row (not returning them isn't really an option for a reasonably peaceful drive). For the long drive home from my in-laws last summer, my father-in-law hacked a solution to the problem. He attached a net-mesh bag with an elastic strap to the back of the passenger seat and attached the base to the car seat, creating a "safety net" for fallen toys, making it much easier to just keep on driving.

If this and much more innovative parenting solutions interest you, check out Asha Dornfest's Parent Hacks, our favorite "collaborative weblog of practical parenting wisdom."

It's probably too late for those of you going this year, but the other day, I heard a novel bit of advice from Christine Herron (to Mark Shuttleworth) about travel to Burning Man: bring a gallon of vinegar. Apparently, the dust in the Black Rock desert is very alkaline, and will dry out and crack your skin badly. Washing yourself down with vinegar protects your skin. (Note: I have never been to Burning Man, so I can't vouch for the tip, but it makes sense to me.)

Meanwhile, in other travel tips ;-), John Gage was just telling me his road-warrior laundry secret: rinse out the plastic hotel trash can, put your clothes in it along with some shampoo, and tread on them with one foot while you take a shower. If needed in the morning, iron your underwear to dry them. I've often washed clothes in the shower but never tried the trash can as wash tub.