The search for the correct amount of split-lock misery

Couldn't agree more. For me, the welcome levity was this:

'''...split-lock operations have long been frowned upon. Unfortunately, software that is malicious (or just poorly written) turns out to be remarkably indifferent to even the most severe of frowns.'''

Thank you, Jonathan. I very much admire your editorial style, your professionalism, and your consistently human touch to your work... including humor that hits the funnybone of geeks everywhere!