Thomas Ptacek

Thomas and Erin Ptacek on software, security, cryptography, hiring, and the occasional cocktail.

Popular posts: 15
Total points: 5,286
HN comments: 3,322
Rank: #197 personal

Visit sockpuppet.org → RSS feedOn Hacker News Jul 2013 – Sep 2026

Security & Privacy 7 Software Engineering 7 Systems & Performance 3 Tools & Productivity 2 Society, Policy & Culture 2 Life, Learning & Writing 2

Most points Most discussed Most cited Newest

I Went to SQL Injection Court

20251,230 points435 commentscited by 3Society, Policy & Culture details

Chicago argued that answering a FOIA request with a database query means creating a new record. Matt Chapman sued, I wound up on the stand explaining SQL, and now there's a bill to fix it.

A Liquid Nitrogen Cocktail Party

2015103 points59 comments Life, Learning & Writing details

Dewars, safety rules, barware, and drinks: how to throw a liquid nitrogen cocktail party, in the spirit of Dave Arnold's Liquid Intelligence, without anybody losing an eye.