Last Thursday marked a significant event in the history of the Internet. While many people didn’t notice it, and it wasn’t nearly as publicized as Y2K, something happened that necessitates a major shift in the way the Internet functions: the Internet stopped growing.

Internet protocol addresses, or IP addresses, are embedded in the way computers work. A computer communicates much like humans would use mail. The machines send packets of data back and forth to each other, with each packet containing a “to” address, a “from” address, and a message. These addresses are encoded in numbers, as computers only understand numbers. Long ago, someone decided it would be safe to use 32 bits to encode addresses. We group these 32 bits into four groups of eight and read them off as a series of four numbers, like 127.0.0.1, or 192.168.1.1. Each of these four numbers goes from 0 to 255, meaning there are just over four billion possible addresses.

The person who came up with this addressing scheme never imagined there would be anywhere near this many computers on a single network. About 30 years ago, people started to realize this might be incorrect. Recently, the last block of addresses was given out by the body that oversees address allocation, the International Assigned Numbers Authority, or IANA. There are now no more IP addresses available. Until this situation is fixed, no new independent networks can connect to the internet.

IANA allocates these blocks to regional bodies, like the American Registry for Internet Numbers, ARIN, which maintains a block of addresses and distributes them to North American companies who need to connect additional machines to the net. These regional agencies all have reserve addresses, however, the reserve pool is quickly depleting. While big companies and ISPs often maintain a reserve pool for themselves, the number of machines trying to get online is constantly growing, and the infrastructure cannot support its current rate of growth for much longer.

While this might seem not too serious, the exhaustion of the IP address pool could pose a significant problem. With no IP addresses left for allocation, Internet companies won’t be able to network any additional computers once their reserves are depleted. The growth of the Internet will stop. It would be analogous to the telephone company simply running out of phone numbers. New phone owners would be unreachable until the problem was solved. Big companies will be unaffected, but any new company which needs a block of addresses will simply be cut off. To further complicate the problem, the only backup plan hasn’t been working very well.

The IPv6 standard was invented in the late 90s to combat the imminent address exhaustion. The protocol is very similar, but with a bigger number for the address. At 128 bits, the IP version six standard supports 1038 addresses. Many ISPs and agencies have started conversion to IPv6, but even 10 years after its introduction, less than five per cent of Internet traffic supports the standard. Even with the address pool depleted, there’s no urgency of any sort to adopt the new standard. The issue isn’t hardware or software related; IPv6 has been usable for years. Instead, it’s an issue of getting people to make the switch. Until IPv6 becomes more widespread, there will be big problems for Internet users.

While home users don’t need to worry about the implications of IPv4 address exhaustion, it could have serious implications on industry. Without growth of the Internet, it’s hard to imagine industry growing at the same rate it has for the past 20 years. The implications of the address exhaustion are much more severe than the media, which has largely ignored the issue, would lead you to believe. A handful of major Internet based companies have taken steps towards implementing the new protocol, but until governments mandate the switch, it’s unlikely that Ipv6 will become widespread. It’s hard to predict exactly what will happen in the coming months, but it doesn’t look promising.

mccord-museum.qc.ca

In the 1860s and 1870s, the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University was known for an anatomy program that always seemed to have a fresh supply of cadavers for its students to dissect. The Faculty of Medicine came to be when the university  incorporated the Montreal Medical Institution. In 1833, the institution moved from their building on St. James Street to a new location that was described by a McGill registrar as “a strategic site for a medical faculty,” as it was located just over the fence from the cemetery.

The Medical students were largely separated from the university’s Arts students, and, according to McGill professor Stephen Leacock in 1942, “controlled their own funds, their own property, and their own activities.” Leacock hints at what John Irwin Cooper, another McGill professor from the 1940s, explained in more detail and in a slightly shocking language.

“The ‘meds’ were a strange and virile race, who, in popular opinion, divided their time between body snatching and fighting the police.”

At this time, there was a provincial act in place in Quebec that regulated the supply of bodies to medical schools. However this law was rarely enforced, which led to many bodies being taken by illegal means through the likes of “body snatchers” or “resurrectionists.” According to historian Joseph Hanaway, a body snatcher was able to sell a cadaver to medical schools for somewhere between $30 to $50, no questions asked. It became so lucrative a business that some students were even able to pay their tuition in full from the money they gathered from grave robbing. There were a number of stories of bodies taken from the cemetery and tobogganed down Côte-des-Neiges to McGill.

The situation came to its boiling point near the end of the 1880s, when one winter, a group of students decided to steal a number of bodies from a convent that had experienced a bout of typhoid fever. When it was discovered that the nuns’ bodies were missing, a public outcry arose, which led to the intervention of the Archbishop of Quebec. He appealed to the anatomy professors in order to figure out a way to stop these grave robbings, which resulted in a law that allowed all unclaimed bodies to be donated to Quebec Medical schools. This provided the students with a large enough supply of bodies that body snatchers were no longer needed.

Whether you’re in U0 looking forward to the next three years out of residence, or in U3 trying to do all the things you said you wanted to do when you decided to come to McGill, there should be something on this list for you. After all, this is no rural run-of-the-mill university town, it’s Montreal.

So on those nights where you and your friends find yourselves sitting on the couch looking for something to do, consult your fridge (where you should have this article displayed) and choose an adventure.

1 Distillerie

With some of the best and most creative drinks in the city, this is the perfect place to grab a drink any night of the week. You’ll find an extensive menu of crazy concoctions served in very large mason jars. But remember to get there early,  it’s not a huge venue and it fills up fast.

2 Beauty’s

This family owned all day breakfast eatery is known for its jolly owner, Hymnie Sckolnick, who personally seats every customer. From classic Montreal bagels to traditional Jewish latkes, you can’t go wrong with any of the options on the menu.

3 Two dollar chow mein

Twoodles. Two dollar chow. Noodles with melted Kraft peanut butter. This fine cuisine goes by many different names but is perfect if you’re out on the town late at night looking for some sustenance. Walk up to the window on St. Laurent just past Pine and order a “Combo 3” (chow mein + two springrolls for an extra dollar.)

4 St. Patty’s on Crescent

When March 17th rolls around, gather a group of friends and head out to Crescent to paint the town green. Hotspots include Hurley’s Irish pub, Thursday’s, Mad Hatters, and of course staple bar Brutopia for a pint of Raspberry beer.

5 Ride the bull at Chez Serge

After a drink served in a sand pail with straws, challenge your friends to take a ride on the mechanical bull. Guaranteed memories include photos and bruises.

6 Tam tams

Every Sunday since 1978 starting in early May and going until late September, a drum circle takes place beside George-Étienne Cartier Monument on Parc Avenue just up from the McGill gym. Bring your own drum and join the percussion, browse the trinkets from street merchants, or have a picnic with friends. Definitely take a look at the LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) but don’t get caught in the crossfire; these people are serious about what they do.

7 Beaver tails in Old Montreal

These Canadian treats are just the thing to indulge your sweet tooth. A freshly baked warm pastry with your choice of toppings, which include but are by no means limited to Nutella, cinnamon sugar, ice cream, and fresh fruit.

8 Winter sports road trip

A great way to embrace the season is by taking on a winter sport by trying skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating. For all you internationals, or those who hail from warm climates, you can’t say you came to Montreal without trying at least one of the above. The McGill Ski and Snowboard club has weekly trips to mountains in the area so be sure to take a look.

9 Schwartz’s

Montreal’s famous smoked meat sandwiches are always a treat from this renowned delicatessen. You may have to unhinge your jaw to get a full bite. (Do they seriously think people can eat such wide sandwiches?)

10 Go to a McGill sporting event

Before you leave the Martlets and Redmen behind, why not show some school spirit by supporting your fellow athletes on the rink, court, or field? Rival Concordia games are highly recommended for extensive heckling. Brush up on your cheers … trust me, you rather be a Redman than a _______ bumblebee.

Keeley Allen

urbanmoms.ca

Tire sur la neige. Bonhomme. Chateau Frontenac.

If you don’t know what these are, it may be time to head down to Quebec City for the final weekend of Carnaval. If you do, you already understand why you need to go again.

For those who have never taken a French class, Carnaval is the world’s largest outdoor winter festival. Held annually in Quebec’s capital, Carnaval originated as one of the of pre-Lent carnivals that take place in Roman Catholic communities across the world. It is, of course, no longer anywhere near Lent. The organizers probably figured that an icy carnival in February would be more fun than a slush-a-thon in March. They were so right.

A trip down to Quebec City can happen by train, bus, or car—or plane, but, like, really? Any of the first three will take about three hours, and will allow you to feast your eyes on the picturesque landscape of the Canadian highway. If you get bored of dead deciduous trees, or want something to eat, pull off at a highway stop and try some Valentine—the finest fast food Quebec has to offer. It’s just like an American fast food chain, but native to Quebec, so you know you’re doing good for a local community, the Earth, and your body. In any case, the poutine is to die for.

Once you get to Quebec, look out for the signs with the smiling white snowman with the red cap that looks like a Santa hat but isn’t one. This is Bonhomme, short for Bonhomme de Neige. He also wears a ceinture fléchée—a traditional French-Canadian sash, but you’ll only see this if you’re lucky enough to run into the real life Bonhomme. He’s fat and smiley and his face looks totally different than you thought it would. If he doesn’t climb into his tinted window bus before you get a chance to hug him, go for it.

You’ll also be able to see Bonhomme in full if you buy a $12 ticket to Carnaval, which comes complete with a mini Bonhomme action figure. I have that on my desk right now and I will treasure it always. Most of the activities in actual Carnaval that require a ticket are kid focused or fronts for corporate advertising. You can go on a zipline, but be sure to get the harnesses first (the two are actually located very far away from each other). A ticket will get you into the Ice Palace, which is pretty great, but it’s only a five minute walkthrough.

The best part about Carnaval, though, is enjoying all that gorgeous Quebec City has to offer. It’s touristy, but that’s fine because you’re there as a tourist. Check out the history—Chateau Frontenac is a gorgeous old railway hotel. The festival is right on the Plains of Abraham, where the British won Canada in the Seven Years’ War. There are monuments all over, and will be a great view of the water once the construction stops. There are art dealers selling cheap prints and beautiful paintings all over. There’s tire—hot maple syrup poured over ice to become some sort of magical toffee sensation, and there are the local bars, many of which are made of ice. Try the Caribou—a Quebec specialty shot—and sorlage, aka maple whiskey. While I was only there for the day, if you’re there for a while you’ll want to check out the parades. And make sure not to miss the outdoor dance party at Bonhomme’s palace (the only non child-oriented event that we could find), held from 7- 11 p.m. every night.

Places to eat: McDonalds. You won’t be able to afford anything else. But get some BeaverTails, poutine, and crepes along the way.

Places to drink: O-Zone. It sells pitchers for the price every other bar sells pints.

Carnaval du Quebec runs until February 13.  Check out details at carnaval.qc.ca.