So, like any kludged system, the maintenance of the exceptions degrades the performance of the whole, crazy, Rube Goldberg machine.

FORBES: The Big Fix #3: How To Untangle The Mess With Software Patents

The highlight of the day, though, has nothing to do with shoddy equipment and everything to do with a crazy voter who attacked a Diebold-brand machine in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

ENGADGET: Voter smashes Diebold machine as e-voting problems crop up nationwide

Here are secrets and codes, an elaborate cipher-breaking machine, an obsession with graves and crazy adventures to find lost manuscripts.

ECONOMIST: The man and his pen