# Andrea Corbellini Published articles for Andrea Corbellini. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Testing crash recovery features in a CI environment DevFeed: [Testing crash recovery features in a CI environment]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2025-09-09T00:05:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Filesystems](), [btrfs](), [Linux](), [Rust]() Tags: [atomic](), [btrfs](), [filesystem](), [information-technology](), [linux](), [rust]() ### AI overview A technical article describes atomic file updates in a Rust crate, using temporary files, synchronization, and atomic renaming to ensure a file contains either its old or new contents after a crash. It also discusses Linux anonymous temporary files and their limitations, including filesystem support and btrfs. ### Source excerpt About two years ago I wrote a Rust crate to fulfill this promise: If a crash occurs while updating a file, the file either contains the old contents, or the new contents, nothing in between. This crate essentially solves the following problem: when you update a file, generally you open it, truncate it, write to it block-by-block, and eventually close it. The problem with ... ## How LLM tools may affect software development skills DevFeed: [How LLM tools may affect software development skills]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2025-08-20T17:17:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Development](), [Large Language Model](), [Generative AI](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Programming]() Tags: [ai](), [cobol](), [developers](), [development](), [generative-ai](), [information-technology](), [llm](), [software-development]() ### AI overview This opinion article argues that heavy reliance on LLM tools may boost junior developers' short-term productivity while limiting independent skill development. It predicts that continued dependence could make future developers less prepared to solve unfamiliar problems and maintain complex software. ### Source excerpt Many business owners in the software development industry are investing a lot into LLM bots, marketed as "generative AI". Some of them go as far as forcing software developers to use such tools under the threat of being fired if they don't comply. After all, why shouldn't they? This technology has a catchy name, it produces very convincing output that sometimes is ... ## Running the operating system that you're currently using in a virtual machine (with Secure Boot and TPM emulation) DevFeed: [Running the operating system that you're currently using in a virtual machine (with Secure Boot and TPM emulation)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-11-19T16:33:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Ubuntu](), [Secure Boot](), [qemu](), [Operating system](), [boot](), [Kernel]() Tags: [bootloader](), [information-technology](), [operating-systems](), [qemu](), [secure-boot](), [systems](), [ubuntu](), [virtual]() ### AI overview A tutorial explains how to run the operating system currently in use inside a virtual machine, preserving its settings and files. The procedure targets Ubuntu and uses a copy of the drive, TPM emulation with swtpm, and QEMU; it is intended for testing Secure Boot and predicting TPM state without rebooting. ### Source excerpt In this article I will show you how to start your current operating system inside a virtual machine. That is: launching the operating system (with all your settings, files, and everything), inside a virtual machine, while you're using it. This article was written for Ubuntu, but it can be easily adapted to other distributions, and with appropriate care it can be adapted to ... ## How to run Remark42 on Fly.io DevFeed: [How to run Remark42 on Fly.io]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-09-19T02:12:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [fly.io](), [fly](), [cloud-infrastructure](), [Containers](), [Command-line interface](), [backups]() Tags: [backups](), [blog](), [cloud](), [command-line](), [containers](), [fly-io](), [how-to](), [storage]() ### AI overview A tutorial explaining how to set up Remark42 comments on Fly.io. It describes a single-machine, single-volume deployment, notes that Remark42 stores comments in one file without distributed replication, and recommends periodic backups because of the risk of permanent data loss. ### Source excerpt As I wrote on my previous post, I recently switched from Disqus to Remark42 for the comments on my blog. Here I will explain how I set it up on Fly.io. Overview The setup that I ended up with looks like the following: Something to note about this setup is that the "machine" (more on that later) and the storage volume are both ... ## My journey from Disqus to Remark42 DevFeed: [My journey from Disqus to Remark42]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-09-05T08:30:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Website](), [data](), [WordPress]() Tags: [ads](), [articles](), [blog](), [blog-post](), [change](), [data](), [privacy](), [third-party](), [website](), [wordpress]() ### AI overview The author explains replacing Disqus with Remark42 on a static blog after discovering that Disqus displayed unwanted ads and raised concerns about tracking, data collection, and possible third-party data sharing. ### Source excerpt Readers of this blog might have noticed a few changes recently. For example, I've been working on improving the look of the blog (maybe with questionable results), as well as improving the experience on mobile. But one of the biggest changes that perhaps some have noticed is that all of the comments on all of my articles have suddenly disappeared since February 2023 ... ## How Ignoring Mistakes Creates Overconfidence and Organizational Risk DevFeed: [How Ignoring Mistakes Creates Overconfidence and Organizational Risk]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-03-18T08:20:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Resilience](), [Learning]() Tags: [behavior](), [leadership](), [learning](), [mistakes](), [nasa](), [organization](), [resilience]() ### AI overview The article explains how successful outcomes can conceal flawed execution, causing people and organizations to repeat mistakes and develop overconfidence. It discusses normalization of deviance through examples including the Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters, where NASA leadership ignored engineering concerns. ### Source excerpt As a scuba diver who often explores new places, I can say that I have found myself in some dangerous situations, but I always made it back to the surface without facing any negative consequences. Does this mean that I never made any mistakes? Absolutely not: mistakes were made, and lessons were learned. We can all agree that learning from mistakes is good, but ... ## Authenticated encryption: why you need it and how it works DevFeed: [Authenticated encryption: why you need it and how it works]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-03-09T18:35:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [Encryption](), [ChaCha](), [Algorithms]() Tags: [algorithms](), [cryptographic](), [cryptography](), [encryption](), [private-key](), [public-key](), [stream](), [xor]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains malleability in modern cryptographic ciphers and how authenticated encryption addresses it. It introduces symmetric ciphers, illustrates the issue with examples, and discusses ChaCha20-Poly1305 and AES-GCM. ### Source excerpt In this article I want to explore a common problem of modern cryptographic ciphers: malleability. I will explain that problem with some hands-on examples, and then look in detail at how that problem is solved through the use of authenticated encryption. I will describe in particular two algorithms that provide authenticated encryption: ChaCha20-Poly1305 and AES-GCM, and briefly mention some of their variants. The problem ... ## What time is it? A simple question with a complex answer. How computers synchronize time DevFeed: [What time is it? A simple question with a complex answer. How computers synchronize time]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-01-23T19:15:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [DateTime](), [Network](), [Protocol (disambiguation)]() Tags: [clocks](), [information-technology](), [network](), [ntp](), [performance](), [protocol](), [ptp](), [relativity](), [standard](), [time](), [time-synchronization]() ### AI overview This article explains why accurate time synchronization matters for computers, phones, applications, and other devices. It introduces challenges in synchronizing time and examines the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP), while also discussing concepts including time, change, causality, and the definition of a second. ### Source excerpt Ever wondered how your computer or your phone displays the current date and time accurately? What keeps all the devices in the world (and in space) in agreement on what time it is? What makes applications that require precise timing possible? In this article, I will explain some of the challenges with time synchronization and explore two of the most popular protocols that devices ... ## Encrypting Arbitrary Data with Elliptic Curve ElGamal DevFeed: [Encrypting Arbitrary Data with Elliptic Curve ElGamal]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2023-01-02T06:30:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [Encryption](), [private key](), [public key](), [Provable security]() Tags: [cryptography](), [ecc](), [elgamal](), [encryption]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains that elliptic curve keys can encrypt arbitrary data directly and introduces elliptic curve ElGamal as an example. It also notes that pure elliptic curve encryption is not widely used or standardized because key agreement is more convenient for most applications. ### Source excerpt From time to time, I hear people saying that Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) cannot be used to directly encrypt data, and you can only do key agreement and digital signatures with it. This is a common misconception, but it's not actually true: you can indeed use elliptic curve keys to encrypt arbitrary data. And I'm not talking about hybrid-encryption schemes (like ECIES ... ## The curious case of bad blocks on an SSD, and how I got rid of them DevFeed: [The curious case of bad blocks on an SSD, and how I got rid of them]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2022-12-29T04:00:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [NVMe](), [Linux](), [Kernel]() Tags: [badblocks](), [errors](), [exceptions](), [filesystem](), [information-technology](), [kernel](), [linux](), [nvme](), [smart](), [ssd](), [storage](), [ubuntu]() ### AI overview The author investigates an NVMe SSD that develops severe read errors, filesystem hangs, and resets after being moved from a coffee-damaged laptop. Kernel logs show repeated errors, while SMART data appears largely acceptable despite some warning signs. The supplied excerpt ends during the self-test investigation. ### Source excerpt I recently inherited a laptop that was broken by pouring some hot coffee on it. When I dissected it, it was pretty clear that most of it was unrecoverable: the CPU was completely fried, and its thermal paste splashed everywhere on the motherboard. (I wish I took a picture of it that I could share.) There were however a few pieces that looked in ... ## How to use the same DNS for all connections in Ubuntu (and other network privacy tricks) DevFeed: [How to use the same DNS for all connections in Ubuntu (and other network privacy tricks)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2020-04-28T06:30:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Ubuntu](), [systemd](), [Network](), [DNSSEC](), [TLS (Transport Layer Security)](), [configuration]() Tags: [dns](), [dnssec](), [guide](), [how-to](), [mac-address](), [network](), [network-manager](), [privacy](), [resolved](), [systemd](), [tls](), [ubuntu](), [wifi]() ### AI overview A practical guide to configuring a global DNS server for all Wi-Fi and network connections on Ubuntu 20.04. It explains how systemd-resolved and NetworkManager interact, and introduces DNSSEC, DNS-over-TLS, and randomized MAC addresses. ### Source excerpt Problem Currently Ubuntu does not offer an easy way to set up a "global" DNS for all network connections: whenever you connect to a new WiFi network, if you don't want to use the DNS server provided by the WiFi, you are forced to go to the network settings and manually set your preferred DNS server. With this brief guide I want to ... ## 11 years of Ubuntu membership DevFeed: [11 years of Ubuntu membership]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2018-05-12T21:30:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Ubuntu](), [IRC]() Tags: [community](), [irc](), [recognition](), [support](), [ubuntu]() ### AI overview The author reflects on receiving official Ubuntu membership 11 years and one month earlier, describing the IRC interview with the Community Council and the lasting personal significance of that recognition. They also express gratitude to people who supported them. ### Source excerpt It's been 11 years and 1 month since I was awarded with official Ubuntu membership. I will never forget that day: as a kid I had to write about myself on IRC, in front of the Community Council members and answer their questions in a language that was not my primary one. I must confess that I was a bit scared that evening ... ## Running Docker Swarm inside LXC (outdated) DevFeed: [Running Docker Swarm inside LXC (outdated)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2016-04-13T18:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Docker](), [Tutorial](), [Containers](), [Development](), [Security]() Tags: [apparmor](), [article](), [containers](), [distributed-computing](), [docker](), [information-technology](), [lxc](), [security](), [shell](), [swarm](), [ubuntu]() ### AI overview This outdated tutorial explains how to run legacy Docker Swarm inside LXC containers using a preferred setup with AppArmor disabled, Docker OverlayFS storage, and etcd discovery. It notes that newer Docker Swarm does not work in LXC as described. ### Source excerpt UPDATE: This article was written in 2016 and refers to a version of Docker Swarm that is now known as "legacy Swarm". The newer Docker Swarm won't work in LXC as described in this article. I've been using Docker Swarm inside LXC containers for a while now, and I thought that I could share my experience with you. Due to their nature ... ## When bureaucracy hits the web: the cookie law DevFeed: [When bureaucracy hits the web: the cookie law]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-09-22T18:35:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cookies](), [Web](), [Google Analytics]() Tags: [blog](), [consent](), [cookie-law](), [eu](), [google-analytics](), [privacy](), [third-party]() ### AI overview A personal commentary on the EU cookie law argues that compliance can require intrusive banners, privacy policies, and consent mechanisms. The author describes removing cookies and third-party features from maintained websites, while retaining Google Analytics, social sharing buttons, and Disqus on the blog under the author's stated interpretation of the rules. ### Source excerpt For a few years now, every first of April I hoped to read between the news something on the lines of "the cookie law was a joke, sorry for that". You know, bureaucracy is slow, and it's reasonable to think that it takes time for them to reveal jokes. Yet, many firsts of April have passed, and no such announcement has been made ... ## Why I moved my blog from WordPress.com to Pelican and GitHub Pages DevFeed: [Why I moved my blog from WordPress.com to Pelican and GitHub Pages]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-08-02T18:55:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [migration](), [WordPress](), [Content Management System](), [Vim](), [GitHub]() Tags: [blog](), [blogging](), [github-pages](), [migration](), [pelican](), [static-site](), [static-site-generator](), [version-control](), [vim](), [wordpress]() ### AI overview The author explains moving a blog from WordPress.com to Pelican and GitHub Pages after encountering customization, editor, and workflow limitations. They describe using Vim, MathJax, theme customization, version control, and scripts with the static-site setup, while noting that feed URLs changed and that Pelican lacked a preferred theme. ### Source excerpt Today I switched from WordPress.com to Pelican and GitHub Pages. First off, let me say: almost all URLs that were previously working should still work. Only the feed URLs are broken, and this is not something I can fix. If you were following my blog via a feed reader, you should update to the new feed. Sorry for the inconvenience. Having said that ... ## Let's Encrypt Announces Public Certificate Release Starting September 14, 2015 DevFeed: [Let's Encrypt Announces Public Certificate Release Starting September 14, 2015]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-06-16T18:20:00Z Content type: news Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [certificates](), [ECDSA]() Tags: [automated](), [cryptography](), [ecdsa](), [free](), [launch](), [let-s-encrypt](), [open](), [rsa](), [security](), [technical](), [tls](), [web]() ### AI overview Let's Encrypt announced that its certificates would be released to the public starting the week of September 14, 2015. The article also discusses its IdenTrust-signed intermediate certificates and planned ECDSA keys. ### Source excerpt Let's Encrypt (the free, automated and open certificate authority) has just announced its launch schedule. According to it, certificates will be released to the public starting from the week of September 14, 2015. Their intermediate certificates, which were generated a few days ago, will be signed by IdenTrust. What this means is that if you browse a web page secured by Let's ... ## Elliptic Curve Cryptography: breaking security and a comparison with RSA DevFeed: [Elliptic Curve Cryptography: breaking security and a comparison with RSA]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-06-08T13:28:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [Algorithms, Complexity](), [Algorithms](), [ECDSA](), [Security]() Tags: [algorithms](), [comparison](), [complexity](), [cryptography](), [dh](), [dsa](), [ecc](), [ecdh](), [ecdhe](), [ecdsa](), [hash](), [introduction](), [rsa](), [security](), [series]() ### AI overview This fourth and final post in a series examines how practical techniques attack the elliptic-curve discrete logarithm problem, focusing on baby-step, giant-step and Pollard's rho methods. It then compares the need for elliptic-curve cryptography with RSA-based cryptosystems. ### Source excerpt This post is the fourth and last in the series ECC: a gentle introduction. In the last post we have seen two algorithms, ECDH and ECDSA, and we have seen how the discrete logarithm problem for elliptic curves plays an important role for their security. But, if you remember, we said that we have no mathematical proofs for the complexity of the discrete logarithm ... ## Elliptic Curve Cryptography: ECDH and ECDSA DevFeed: [Elliptic Curve Cryptography: ECDH and ECDSA]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-05-30T19:23:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [ECDSA](), [math](), [Security, Privacy and Abuse Prevention]() Tags: [algorithms](), [attacks](), [cryptography](), [dh](), [dsa](), [ecc](), [ecdh](), [ecdhe](), [ecdsa](), [hash](), [math](), [parameter](), [points](), [random](), [security](), [smart](), [tls]() ### AI overview This tutorial applies elliptic-curve mathematics over finite fields to cryptography, introducing domain parameters and explaining how random seeds can generate curve parameters or base points. It also discusses weak curves and Smart's attack on the discrete logarithm problem. ### Source excerpt This post is the third in the series ECC: a gentle introduction. In the previous posts, we have seen what an elliptic curve is and we have defined a group law in order to do some math with the points of elliptic curves. Then we have restricted elliptic curves to finite fields of integers modulo a prime. With this restriction, we have seen that ... ## Elliptic Curve Cryptography: finite fields and discrete logarithms DevFeed: [Elliptic Curve Cryptography: finite fields and discrete logarithms]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-05-23T14:08:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [Algorithms]() Tags: [algorithm](), [cryptography](), [ecc](), [math](), [security]() ### AI overview A tutorial article on elliptic curve cryptography that introduces finite fields and modular arithmetic, building on prior coverage of elliptic-curve point addition and scalar multiplication. ### Source excerpt This post is the second in the series ECC: a gentle introduction. In the previous post, we have seen how elliptic curves over the real numbers can be used to define a group. Specifically, we have defined a rule for point addition: given three aligned points, their sum is zero ($P + Q + R = 0$). We have derived a geometric method and an algebraic method ... ## Elliptic Curve Cryptography: a gentle introduction DevFeed: [Elliptic Curve Cryptography: a gentle introduction]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-05-17T11:24:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Cryptography](), [ECDSA](), [public key](), [Algorithms, Complexity](), [Encryption]() Tags: [bitcoin](), [cryptography](), [dh](), [dsa](), [ecc](), [ecdh](), [ecdsa](), [examples](), [guide](), [math](), [pgp](), [public-key](), [rsa](), [security](), [ssh](), [tls](), [tools](), [web]() ### AI overview A gentle introduction to elliptic curve cryptography explains elliptic curves, their use in public-key cryptography, and why ECC is considered secure. The series covers finite fields, the discrete logarithm problem, ECDH, ECDSA, attacks on ECC, and comparisons with RSA. ### Source excerpt Those of you who know what public-key cryptography is may have already heard of ECC, ECDH or ECDSA. The first is an acronym for Elliptic Curve Cryptography, the others are names for algorithms based on it. Today, we can find elliptic curves cryptosystems in TLS, PGP and SSH, which are just three of the main technologies on which the modern web and IT world ... ## Let's Encrypt's Potential to Expand Free, Automated HTTPS Certificates DevFeed: [Let's Encrypt's Potential to Expand Free, Automated HTTPS Certificates]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-04-12T16:07:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [certificates](), [Web](), [HTTP]() Tags: [automated](), [certificates](), [free](), [https](), [information-technology](), [let-s-encrypt](), [mozilla](), [security](), [tls](), [web]() ### AI overview The article discusses Let's Encrypt as a free, automated, and open Certificate Authority and considers whether it could expand access to HTTPS certificates and help reduce reliance on plain HTTP. It also raises questions about browser support, incumbent Certificate Authorities, and future certificate management. ### Source excerpt I've always dreamed of a encrypted web, where HTTPS is the standard and plain HTTP is no more. A web where eavesdropping or manipulating information is not possible, or at least much harder than today. I remember that I got excited when I first heard of CAcert: "a community-driven Certificate Authority that issues certificates to the public at large for free". Unfortunately, CAcert ... ## Running Ubuntu Snappy inside Docker DevFeed: [Running Ubuntu Snappy inside Docker]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-03-25T20:46:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Docker](), [Ubuntu](), [Package manager](), [mount](), [qemu]() Tags: [apparmor](), [container](), [docker](), [mount](), [qemu](), [snappy](), [ubuntu](), [ubuntu-core](), [xkcd]() ### AI overview A tutorial showing how to create and run an Ubuntu Core Docker image by downloading an Ubuntu Core image, accessing its filesystem with qemu-nbd, mounting the relevant partition, and creating a base Docker image. It also demonstrates installing and running a snappy package inside the container and discusses warnings related to AppArmor, DBus, and logind. ### Source excerpt Many of you may have already heard of Ubuntu Core. For those who haven't, it's a minimal Ubuntu version, running only a few essential services and ships with a new package manager (snappy) that provides transactional updates. Ubuntu Core provides a lightweight base operating system which is fast to deploy and easy to maintain up to date. It also uses a nice ... ## Are LXC and Docker secure? DevFeed: [Are LXC and Docker secure?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-02-20T16:36:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [Security](), [Containers](), [Docker](), [Architecture & Design](), [Linux Kernel]() Tags: [cgroups](), [configuration](), [containers](), [docker](), [information-technology](), [linux-kernel](), [lxc](), [security]() ### AI overview This article examines the security boundaries of LXC and Docker, explaining what container isolation provides, what it does not provide, and how default configuration affects the ability to run untrusted code. ### Source excerpt Since its initial release in 2008, LXC has become widespread among servers. Today, it is becoming the preferred deployment strategy in many contexts, also thanks to Docker and, more recently, LXD. LXC and Docker are used not only to achieve modular architecture design, but also as a way to run untrusted code in an isolated environment. We can agree that the LXC and Docker ... ## Prime numbers and universe factories DevFeed: [Prime numbers and universe factories]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: andreacorbellini Published: 2015-02-15T16:54:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Andrea Corbellini]() Topics: [ASCII]() Tags: [ascii](), [encoding](), [fun](), [math](), [numbers](), [xkcd]() ### AI overview The article explores how prime numbers can encode ASCII text, inspired by an XKCD comic. The author searches prime numbers for English messages and discusses the possibility of finding longer texts or software encoded this way, while noting uncertainty about some primality results. ### Source excerpt I'm a XKCD fan, and I look it up regularly. There's a comic that I particularly enjoyed: Pi Equals. The comic Pi Equals, from XKCD.com (CC-BY-NC 2.5). Well, it appears that Randall was right in that there's a help message hidden somewhere. And I just found it in a prime number: 245178888024581899558766786108789912235672909204719666025638877624752119760547413887830514281649480308707369249 That number corresponds to the ASCII encoding ...