January 1 TCP/IP

On January 1, 1983, 400 computers on ARPANET, the predecessor of the Internet, hooked up to each other using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

Twenty-five years later, TCP/IP powers the modern Internet. Google marks this important anniversary with a very special Google Doodle.

The confetti at the bottom forms the words SYN SYN/ACK ACK — synchronize, synchronize/acknowledge, acknowledge — the three-way handshake of a TCP/IP connection.

Twenty-five years after that first historic handshake, the world is connected. May 2008 bring you even more heartfelt handshakes and meaningful connections.

The Greatest Happiness

“The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.” — Genghis Khan.

I wish you the greatest happiness in 2008 — unless, of course, you are my enemy.

(Thanks to Cliff for the idea.)