I had the same problem that Dave Winer is talking about here. I had to re-install the operating system to get rid of the spyware, but my laptop was delivered with the OS pre-installed, and no CDs. Because I can’t afford to buy a copy of Windows, I had to borrow an illegal one from a friend, which does not make sense because I am also a legal licensee of the OS. Otherwise, my other choice would be throwing out the laptop!

Mohammed al-Humayyed thinks that our scholars have nothing to do with the negative side of their fatawa regarding honoring the national flag. I have to disagree with Mr. Al-Homayyed here. Everyone is responsible for what he says, whether it’s positive or negative. The ulema are very influential in this country, and I think it is a disaster if they were not willing to make themselves clear on such issues. The only exception in this case was Sheikh Abdul Mehsin al-Obeikan. The extremists have attacked him for taking this stance, but I admire him for what he did.

Abdullah al-Faiz writes about the miserable state of the Saudi Postal Service. I had my share of their bad services, but I had no other choice. All my orders from Amazon were delayed, and opened by their unqualified employees, who have no idea how important for citizens that such a service must efficient.

This column by Khaled Batarafi is a highly recommended read for everyone. I hate the generalization he makes when he tries to talk about the whole Arab World instead if only talking about Saudi Arabia, but I think it was clear that he meant Saudis. I would provide some parts that I liked the most, but I won’t because I prefer that you all go and read the whole column.

I knew for a while that the Anime culture is emerging in Saudi Arabia. However, I never thought I’m going to read about it in Saudi newspapers. Several boys and girls spoke to Arab News about their passion for this Japanese art.

The incomparable Lubna Husein strikes again with another hot column. This time, she tells us how she was shocked on one of her first flights out of the Kingdom when most of the women on the plane had hastily replaced their abayas by the latest in couture ensembles and catwalk fashions.

And as she said, it is none of our business to comment on people’s preferential attire when they are left to their own discretion. But I think the most important part of her article is the questions she asks. “How on earth can we convincingly request citizens of other countries to adhere to our strictures and codes of ethics when we all too frequently discard them whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself?”

This is a very good question. I’d like to hear your answers.

Check out this neat hack from Lifehacker. Warning: if you are not a computer-savvy, do not try this at home. (You can still try it one someone else’s computer, you know!)