The Xbox Linux people have already started the Free60 Project, an attempt to get Linux running on the new XB360. Their documentation already contains some interesting tidbits about the machine's architecture. I'm not a hardware geek, but it looks like it's going to be a tough nut to crack. The CPU is designed to check that what it's running comes from Microsoft. That's a more deep-rooted level of trust-checking than was present on the XB1. The previous Xbox's protections could be removed by turning them off via an injected replacement BIOS. This time the checks may have to be fooled rather than simply disabled. They'll no doubt be harder to get to, as well.

At the moment I'd say the smart money would be on the discovery of an exploitable bug in a game showing the pathway to opening up the device. Whether such an exploit will translate into a multipurpose machine as practically useful as a cracked XB1, or simply prove to be a novelty, I couldn't say.

Mostly I'm thankful that I didn't die on my trip to and from Brewster, NY. For a day involving 12 hours of travel on buses and trains, everything went pretty smoothly. Okay, the cab I had arranged for didn't show, and the path from the Port Authority to Grand Central was unexpectedly blocked by the Macy's parade. My sister and I still managed to catch our train, though, and had a nice dinner with the New York wing of our clan. Interested family members can find pics here, although my failure to change the camera's settings away "smoky bar" means that they're kind of lousy.

Only other thing worth noting: I read Cold Skin on the trip, and it was pretty good. Plenty short and plenty unsettling. All in all a good book for teachers to get in trouble with the PTA over.

we'll be at big hunt in dupont circle tonight from 9:30 or 10 p.m. on. come on out, bitches!