Java: Are strings really immutable?

No, but a Security Manager can at least spot their mutations.

http://directwebremoting.org/blog/joe/2005/05/26/1117108773674.html

git: A decision on merging.

A lot of people don't really understand why branch-merging is an ambiguous operation. Here is a good explanation:

http://bramcohen.livejournal.com/74462.html

jQuery: "return false"

Back from vacation, I found this fascinating explanation of a common mis-use of jQuery:

http://fuelyourcoding.com/jquery-events-stop-misusing-return-false/

Facebook: The "Like" Button Just Changed

http://www.techi.com/2011/02/why-the-facebook-like-button-change-is-a-bait-and-switch/

Excuse the opinionated title of that link. The information is worth knowing.

Go: Race conditions

Race conditions should be impossible in Go. Am I wrong?

Here is a verbose article on the subject. I'm not sure I get the point of the author, but the comments are interesting.

Ruby: Following HTTP redirects

I'll update this with my Ruby code later. For now, read this:

How to control your HTTP transactions in Go

You might want to read his previous post also, on using Go for an HTTP throttler to simulate a low-bandwidth connection.

Napping and memories

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/3982/memories-take-hold-better-during-sleep