Everyone relies on software nowadays — sometimes without even realizing it. But when an entire airline shuts down due to a computer outage, our dependence on technology becomes obvious. (And Skynet is simply reminding us who is really in charge.) Here are a few links on software projects that humans might want to keep an eye on.

• Wouldn’t it be nice if there was software that could make sure that other software was crash-proof? Who cares who watches the watchers… [url]
• David Brin has suggested that computer algorithms could make US tax code much simpler. However, Brin’s proposal sounds like a software version of Utilitarianism — with a way to exact taxes but without a calculus for fairness. [url]
• The world’s best chess software has been caught cheating (because its human author copied from open source chess programs). Sorry, Rybka, the International Computer Games Association (ICGA) says you can’t play anymore. [url]
• To discover more interesting software-related content, check out what’s currently floating around the StumbleUpon universe. [url]  

By the way, StumbleUpon can recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.

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