Monitor Blues is over and new IM

Need a new monitor? OfficeMax offers a StarLogic 19" Flat Screen CRT for $139.95. They have a few left and will be on sale until Saturday. Dot pitch is .25 and maximum resolution 1600x1200. Great clarity and even though it's a CRT the depth and weight are minimal.


Heard about Google Talk? It is a new free instant messaging service that has no ads! They use your Gmail account name. Don't have Gmail? Puh-leeze crawl out of that cave! Email me for an invitation! Finally, a way to escape spyware carrier Yahoo (every time you use Yahoo you are supporting one of the largest spyware thugs -> Claria) and the most annoying MSN Messenger. BTW, you can turn off MSN Messenger permanently in Outlook Express.

Google Talk is compatible with GAIM, a great opensource IM that covers many formats of instant messenger services. It will run in Windows, most flavors of Linux and can be tweaked to run on those Apple thangys. GAIM is in use at the beach house and it rocks!

Have a cool and casual day unless you are in the spyware business.

"Evil begets evil. Shooting it only makes it stronger."
-Father Cornelius, The Fifth Element

Protect thyself from radical free electrons

Battery backup units are just like closet space, kitchen cabinets and computer memory; you can't have too much of any of these things. During the power outage due to stormy weather yesterday, my battery backups sat chirping their beeps until the noise became irritating and they were turned off. After bringing everything online when the power was restored, my connectivity was null and void. Why? The router had taken damage during the return of power. It has been replaced and would still be working if it had been on a battery backup unit. The expense of a new router is over twice as much as the cost of a battery backup unit. Needless to say I will purchase another battery backup today. Here I am preaching about protect yo' stuff all the time and now through my own stupidity and neglect the wallet has become lighter.

Here are some links to local businesses that sell these units:

OfficeMax
CircuitCity
Walmart
BestBuy

DON'T buy a cheap surge protection strip. DO buy a backup unit with a battery in it. These units have software that will automatically shut down your computer properly in case of a power brown out. They also protect your system from surges while the power is being restored. One more piece of advice - never plug your printer into one of these units. They use mega-amperage during start up and will defeat the purpose of the battery backup.

"I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering."
-Steven Wright

Dreaming about Iuka

The temperature is supposed to drop this weekend according to the weather witchdoctors. It'll be time to go forth and do battle with the heat in about an hour. Starting early to avoid the frying time that commences around high noon. May try and cook an egg on the pavement if back at the beach house during the afternoon. Saw Bif Henderson attempt this feat on David Letterman's show a few months back, but I don't think New York City receives the blistering heat found in the Deep South. Will keep you posted. Should I ask Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, how he likes his eggs? Nah!!! He'll probably want cheese grits, biscuits, country ham, gravy and coffee on the side...

Anyone have a report on the success of the Furniture Market last week? Comment or email me. Have a memory of the ice house era? I remember going to the ice house in downtown Iuka. It was just behind the Court House. Comment or email me.

"It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water."
-Jones

Laughing out loud

Check the Ashby Rhett Culpepper, III, Esq, post from Friday, August 19, 2005, titled Diabhi's Wild Ride over at SouthernPhried. Gosh, lotta commas in that last sentence. Anyway, this is a tale that will have you rolling on the floor. It involves a squirrel that I think has taught our frequent visitor Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, a trick or two or three.

"He who laughs, lasts."
-Poole

Chill baby, chill

It's hot outside. I was out and about before 7:00am and it is sweltering. The humidity must be about 2000%. The predicted overnight low for tonight is in the mid to high 70s. Summertime in the South. Gotta love it. Please be careful and stay inside unless absolutely necessary. When the heat index soars to well over 100 it's time to read a book, do some housework, watch TV, catch up on email, browse HomestarRunner and possibly say a prayer for those of us that have no choice about being in the heat. Have a casual and cool day.

"Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues"
-penned and originally performed by Eddie Cochran, covered by Blue Cheer, Rush, Alan Jackson, etc. - also part of the soundtrack of Easy Rider

Things that go bump in the night

Early morning marsupial wake up again. I've got to move the small grill that Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, returns to steal every week or so. He's hellbent on it going somewhere. Tyroneus and I have decided he likes the residue of grillings past even though it's been Brillo scrubbed and doused with boiling water. The picture of possums sitting in the top of a tree with the gas burner flaming, singing Italian and Austrian ballads while drinking Chianti or Riesling just won't leave my mind. Probably cook some type of roadkill. If he does manage to drag it off I certainly don't want it back!

Now that the noise has subsided it's time to try for a few more winks of sleep. Maybe dream about a trip to Lowe's later today. There will be a an anti-possum log chain/padlock combination in the near future. Wonder how long it'll be until Arnold has a key to the lock? Think those Italian buddies that he hangs out with are some sort of criminal element? Possum Mafia? After all, my first glimpse of them was while they were trying to turn over a Ford Escort Station Wagon a few blocks over that they had mistaken for a dumpster...

Stay casual. L8R.

"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities."
-Pogo

Monitor Blues

Anyone shopped for monitors lately? My 21" Trinitron flat screen CRT has bit the dust. I'm sick. It has to be replaced. To me, CRTs ( the big ones that are shaped like TVs) are easier on the eyes and seem to have more information. If you know of a decent buy, please use the comments or email me. The monitor I am presently using just won't do the job. I've worked on the 21' CRT all morning and it just won't revive.

Time to get outside and do some work. Everyone have a most casual Wednesday.

"The only thing God didn't do to Job was give him a computer."
-Stone

Cool drink

The long, hot summer never goes away, at least during August. Furnace index has been well into the 100s. Whine, whine, whine. It's great to be alive and in Mississippi. After losing 5000 pounds in water weight, the beach house is a nice respite. Just glad the air conditioning is alive to aid my recomposure. Don't go out in this heat!

Ahhhh, relaxing and recovering I must say, the music is great. Mairead is playing violin and Lisa, Chloe, Maev n Orlagh are singing. Don't understand? Read the archives. Celtic Woman Rocks!!!

"Sing with me, sing for the years/Sing for the laughter'n sing for the tears."
-Steve Tyler, the Aerosmith dude

Catfish are jumpin'

It is summertime in the Deep South. Even in the early morning hours the air is so heavy that it feels like an extra layer of clothing. Early morning starts for outdoor work are mandatory this time of the year. Yet, it's nice to travel in light traffic, coffee seems to taste better this early and there is an illusion of calmness to be enjoyed. Exhaustion will be prevelant come the afternoon. Humidity and heat sap strength. Somewhere there's a prayer in here. Thanks for another day.

The melancholy is over. Time to 'turn to' and head out. Make Monday casual. Just think, you could be out in this heat.

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."
-Dent

Pass the low-cal dressing? Yeppers, that's what I'd like to do...

Salad burnout is a horrible nasty thing. Not so much the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, carrots, and all the rest of the vegetable family, but to do without whole dressing for an extended period makes me turn inward and socially isolate. Right now I am in the throes of Blue Plate withdrawal. Any true southerner knows that there is ONLY ONE mayonnaise. It is slightly expensive, but well worth the price. The good folks at Reily Foods have blessed us with many great products since their humble beginnings in 1902ish New Orleans. Luzianne Tea & Coffee, Swans Down Flour, Wicks Fowler Chili and Carroll Shelby Chili are some of their products. There are rumors of a tabasco flavored Blue Plate mayo and my search has begun.

Have a casual, easy Sunday. Remember our troops in your prayers. On my way to purchase a drill bit later today there will be a detour by the Kroger to see if that spicy mayonnaise has made it to the local shelves.

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found."
-Calvin Trillin

Dr. Strangelove and the heat

Does it bother anyone that Iran is developing nuclear technology? If you think this is good then your children are probably playing with loaded guns. Folks, these maniacs aren't worried about a thrifty energy source. They have oil for centuries. May I remind you that this is the country that brought us the Ayatollah? They also let Iraqi fighter planes land in their country during the first Gulf War. Yep, they did this at the same time they were sworn enemies with Saddam's bunch. You really think they should handle nuclear devices?

With the heat index in the 100s work for the beach house starts early and stops early. It's hot out there. Stay inside under conditioned air if possible. If outside, drink plenty of liquids and get somewhere cool at the first sign of dizziness. Time to go load the truck. There's only 3000 feet of cable to go on this latest project that suddenly has to be finished Monday. Ahhhhhhh, living for the weekend! LOL

"What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."
-Jane Austen

Harleys, hacking and a horror story

Glad to report that Kentucky Murf is returning from a great trip to Sturgis, South Dakota. The annual Sturgis Ride was a great success. Murf stayed at Buffalo's with a record crowd of 35,000. God speed and Harley well. BTW, August the 19th starts the weekend festivities at Sturgis, MS. Read all about it in a really kewl biker magazine, Thunder Roads. Be sure and turn the sound up!

Just love it when the bad guys receive a big ole plate of what the deserve. Darth Jobs is probably throwing the hissy fit to end all hissy fits. Read about the latest usage of Apple's OSX at Wired News. Apparently there's a pirated version that runs on Windows machines. It can found at Bit Torrent. It's certain that Bill Gates is watching.

Remember the two thugs that killed the 4 students and 1 teacher in Jonesboro? Well, one of them turned 21 and was expected to walk out of prison yesterday or today. Some idiotic technicality is permitting this to happen. IMHO, hope one of the parents shoots this no good son of a bitch!!!! Sorry bastard does not deserve to live. Read about this horrible mistake of the Arkansas "justice" system in the Washington Post. Remember, this is the state that brought us that worm Bill Clinton.

"When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
-Proverbs 21:15

Google, Discovery, etc.

A very interesting article about the use of Linux at Google and other web sites, businesses, countries, etc., can be found at Computer Business Review Online. Chris DeBona is interviewed and he was a frequent guest on the now defunct TechTV. His participation converting Linux Red Hat to solely enterprise status did not make me happy, but he is savvy about things Linux. Very well written article.

If you watched the Discovery return from space yesterday morning I hope you were tuned into the Fox News Channel. Their coverage was awesome. It's great to have the astronauts back home safe and sound. Have a productive and casual Thursday.

"Success is blocked by concentrating on it and planning for it.... Success is shy - it won't come out while you're watching."
-Tennessee Williams

Geekarama Trauma

Spyware is really, really bad. There are so many things that could be done instead of having to deal with this slime. Why are we putting up with these cretins? To the volcano with them all I say. My possum watching is down to almost nothing and my yard suffers because it seems there are machines or remnants of machines always sitting around waiting to be de-spywared.

There's updates to be done, networks to be managed, cables to be pulled, a garage that needs painting, a new Best Buy that needs checking out, my family that misses me, having a pet is out of the question, the leadsled air conditioning needs attention (it has to feel neglected), the checkout people at Kroger sent a note wondering if I was okay since I hadn't been down to lust over the donuts and the cable company is amazed because even though the cable modem is in great use, my TVs are never on anymore. Wow, that was almost a one sentence paragraph.

If someone from the health department saw my sink and the dishes they'd have me put in a home. The thing that lives in the southwest corner of the garage won't even growl anymore. Think it's sulking because of all the new computer carcasses that adorn it's domicile. Spyware is taking over my life. Please note the time of this post. Have a nice day unless you are associated with spyware; all you creepware jerks need terminal wedgies.

"There are many here among us
who think life is but a joke
but you and I, we've been through that;
this is not our fate.
Let us not speak falsely now, the hour's getting late."
-Bob Dylan, All Along the Watchtower
(Jimi Hendrix rendition...w00t!)

I say again, Yahoo is BAD juju

Have you heard about an alternative browser, Maxthon, based on Internet Explorer? It's been used at the beach house for several days. It offers some neat features, has good looks, and they take donations. After some search on the web about how to rid it of the HORRIBLE Yahoo search engine and replace it with Google, it seems to be the opinion of several folks that Maxthon is adware. Well, I read the EULA and didn't find any indication, but not having passed the bar there may some wording that has flown over my head. So, since there is such talk around the net and I can't use Google as the default search engine, it has been uninstalled. Any input will be appreciated.

How often do you wipe your computer clean and reinstall Windows? What was that? Wait a minute, you don't? You might want to gander at a very interesting article over at ArsTechnica by Josh Meier.

"An appeaser is one who feeds a shark--hoping it will eat him last."
-Winston Churchill

With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat

Is it just me or does anyone else find it amusing that Cadillac is using Led Zeppelin as their theme music? Another great site for fans of these British Rockers is Led-Zeppelin.com. Be sure and turn the speakers up!

"It's been a long time since I rock and rolled,
It's been a long time since I did the Stroll.
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back,
Let me get it back, baby, where I come from."
-Bonham, Jones, Page, & Plant

Links are returning, slowly but surely

There is a new links page which can be accessed by clicking on the phrase just under the picture of the Beach House. Yep, that one; right up there at the top in the center of the page. The list is an older one and it's not big on organization, yet. Change can sometimes be slow. For instance, one of my favorite sites, Mississippi Political is not yet listed, but will be soon. Links will be categorized and overall navigation will be easier. Hey, between the Possum Grill Wars, maintaining life and general paranoia, it's a miracle anything happens around here. So, please be patient. Any suggested decent links will be considered. Email addy is cybersouth@gmail.com. Please report any dead links found. Need all the help I can get!

"Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax."
-Arthur Schopenhauer

Windows 2000 relief

Using Windows 2000? MicrosoftWatch has an article that will definitely interest you. eWeek also has an article concerning the 2K roll up. So does InformationWeek.

It's late and the bed is calling. Have a joyous weekend.

"Don't smoke too much, drink too much, eat too much or work too much. We're all on the road to the grave, but there's no need to be in the passing lane."
-Orben

Really neat gadget

Thinking about a portable MP3 player so you can listen to tunes while mowing the yard, walking the dog, or washing the car? Before you go to the orchard and flop down your hard earned money for an iPod, please consider the alternatives. The folks at Creative Labs now offer a new device called the Zen Vision. Several people have read beach house positive reviews of the Zen MP3 players. It's nice to report that 100% of the the people that purchased these devices and then contacted me are extremely satisfied. Use mine all the time. It provides melodic relief in a stressful world. But this new video/audio player with 120 hour capability of video? That's so cool that icicles are dripping from it. BTW, it will cost you the same as the 60gig (non-video) iPod. Thanks to Ken "Caesar" Fisher at ArsTechnica for a great heads up.

"Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart."
-Beecher

NOTE: Over the next few days there will be construction here - we are working to put the Links list back in place. Please bear with us. The site shouldn't be down for very long so please check back. Thank you!

Yoga...it's a good thing?

We face a world each day with terrorist threats from goobers that are mad because of the way we live and our freedom of religion, but the news media is reporting the activities of 'hardened', 'violent', mobstress aka Martha 'Gun Moll' Stewart. C'mon folks, give it a rest. She is being punished 3 more weeks with the ankle bracelet for attending a yoga class. The horror of it all. What's next? Will they send her back to jail if her souffle drops? Gosh, she might do something dangerous like stop by the grocer for blueberries or cilantro. Read about it at EOnline.

"I love women. They're the best thing ever created. If they want to be like men and come down to our level, that's fine."
-Mel Gibson

Possumnator speaks

I do have a set of keys to the leadsled (click on comments from last post).

"We have met the enemy and he are us."
-Pogo

Grill Wars - Revenge of the Possumnator

Around 3:00AM there was a noise outside the door. After falling asleep at the workbench this clatter startled me awake and it flashed through my mind what poor soul would be trying to steal the leadsled? Jerking the door open it was discovered that Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, was once again trying to steal the grill not the El Camino. At least, not yet. What does he think he's gonna' do with the grill?!?! Put it in the top of the oak tree and invite his possum friends over for a roasted pocket bread soiree? I can see the headline - 'Foolish man chains barbeque grill to porch to keep local fauna from becoming thieves.' Or worse - 'Man found severely mangled after interrupting supply line of local United Possum Guild, #42.'

Good Lord, please deliver me from this denizen of brazen marsupials. The next thing you know he'll want my Emeril cookbooks! I must go rest now...

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people."
-Victor Borge

Spyware people look up to see the curb & gutter

What is spyware? Don't try to find the answer on just any site trying to sell you some "anti-spyware" utility. They will probably put spyware on your PC while you visit. Go only to reliable, tested sites, or a known entity that exists for information purposes like Wikipedia. Here is their description:


Spyware consists of a broad category of malicious software intended to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.

Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. As in the case of many recent viruses, the makers of spyware design their product to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.

As of 2005, spyware affects only computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems. No users have (yet) reported observations of spyware running on Mac OS X, Linux, or other platforms.


How do we combat these baboons? Go to MajorGeeks, click on the
Anti-Spyware category and download these utilities:

Spybot Search & Destroy
Ad-aware SE Personal
Spwareblaster (may not run on all PCs)

After you have these wonderful tools in place, be sure and upgrade them! I run Ad-aware on an almost daily basis after checking for upgrades. Spybot S&D is scheduled for 3 times a week and checks for updates every time it runs. Spywareblaster is checked for updates twice a week which is all the maintenance it needs besides enabling protection when new updates are installed. There are some huge benefits from tweaking these programs, especially Spybot S&D. DO NOT go into advanced settings of this program and just start clicking away. You might want to read this before installing ->Spybot S&D Tutorial.

Please, please get a dependable ANTI-VIRUS program and use it. If you insist on using Norton's Insternet Security (NIS) or System Works, by all means, go ahead. Just remember, when it slows down your computer and causes problems, techs do charge to remove this nasty stuff. Norton's Anti-Virus, as a stand alone, suffices. AVG is better and there's a Free Edition available for download!! It can be found under Anti-Virus at MajorGeeks.

Firefox can be found at MajorGeeks under the Browser category. This does alleviate some problems, but it is by no means a stand alone cure. When using Windows, this is my default browser. Since Microsoft is not permitting Windows 98 and 2000 users to download the soon to be released Internet Explorer 7, it may be a good idea to start using Firefox.

Why MajorGeeks? Great site with extremely fast download speeds. They have several alternative download servers and are not usually bogged down like most of the download sites on the homepages of these great utilities. They also sell the kewlest geek T-shirts on the net!

Install properly, update like your cyberlife depends on it (it does), and scan regularly...

"False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil."
-Socrates

Lightning bugs are casual at the beach house

There is now a Google Toolbar for Firefox. It's been running on this machine for several weeks and I am glad to report that the frustrating popunders have all but disappeared. Be sure and look at the Options settings. You can really customize this super utility to suit your browsing and search needs. Again, can anyone explain Adblock?

Still using Windows 98SE? Try the Unofficial 98SE Service Pack 2.01. Do so at your own risk. I've installed it on several occasions without problems, but IE6 was upgraded, DirectX 9 installed and all critical updates finished. This utility has great depth in manipulating this vintage Microsoft operating system. With the advent of Microsoft's Big Brother approach, more people will probably choose to stay with 98SE instead of upgrading. This download should make computing more enjoyable.

Note to Sci-Fi fans: Firefly, an older series from Joss Whedon that was shelved, is now airing Friday evenings on the Sci-Fi Network. Check local listings for times. This show has received critical acclaim and it's nice to see that the people at the Sci-Fi Network listen to the opinions of viewers. Not being a fan of insects in general my initial attitude was to resist this show. I watched the first two episodes last night and now understand all the hoopla surrounding this neat adventure series. Can't wait for the movie ->Serenity. Serenity is the name of the ship in the Firefly series. The cast members from the series are in the movie. Be SURE and check out the trailer at this sight. Awesome. (edit: BTW, no insects are involved. Firefly is a class of spaceship.)

"Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were headed for shore."
-Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Microsoft opensource? Linux clinic anyone?

Here's one great stretch of the imagination: What if Microsoft released a Linux like distribution? Bill Thompson over at BBC has written an insightful article about this fantasy of fantasies. If you run Windows it's a good idea to read Opening up challenges to Microsoft. If you run Linux it's a good idea to read this article.

Would anybody be interested in attending a 'how to' seminar about installing Linux? It would be one night and the expense would be minimal. Inquiring minds want to know!

"Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them."
-Einstein

Glass cleaner working?

It's interesting to see how many people are really upset with Microsoft. This latest campaign to absolutely dominate the operating system market is wayyyyy beyond the fringe. See Beagle's article posted Wednesday over at SouthernPhried. Everyone wants to know, "Should I upgrade to Windows Vista when it comes out or stick with my current flavor of Windows?" Who knows? Haven't seen a working Windows Vista PC so it's not fair for me to make a judgement call. There have been comments and several emails about Tuesday's post and I just can't answer every question. My advice is don't try piracy and don't wait around to see if Vista is as security-flawed as XP. Look at alternatives.

Linux Suse is my favorite version of alternative operating systems. FreeBSD is also a great alternative for the more adventurous. Once FreeBSD is installed it is great. It's the installing that will make most people select Linux Suse which, IMHO, is easier to install than Windows. Just take your time and be prepared. FreeBSD is used in the workplace quite a bit and many entities on the web use it to 'run' their websites, servers, etc. Linux Suse comes with OpenOffice included in their disks and downloads. Please note that this is a Sun Microsystems supported office suite. Their reputation is not held in high esteem by some users. But, it is free and it works. You can import and export documents to most versions Microsoft's Office products.

Why doesn't everyone switch to Linux or FreeBSD? Application integration. Let's face it, most software written today is for Windows. There are people busy working on this problem. Yes, you can find different ways to run Windows applications on alternative software. A popular way to do this is WINE. Please, go read this informative post. It is about the myths surrounding WINE.

Maybe Microsoft should dedicate their money and time to insuring that Vista will be a major improvement in the operating system arena. If it turns out as flawed and buggy as XP, which has had, literally, hundreds of patches, everyone's interest may turn elsewhere. Still, better a Bill Gates Windows world than a Darth Jobs Apple world. Hmmm, at least Apple's OSX and above are based on FreeBSD. Darth's embraced opensource and made it his own! No suprises here.

"If it wasn't for that last minute, nothing would get done."
-Billy Wobblynife

Just an email away

There are very few sure bets in this world. One is that if you send me a smarmy email that DEMANDS a reply or forwarding to others, you can book the bank that this will NEVER happen. Your personal notes about how something works or that if I don't send this to 5 friends then Jesus won't love me really frustrates me. You have nothing to do with my relationship with God and never will. So stop it. Intimidation is barnyard material. Email is wonderful and a great tool for us all to use - properly. No doubt, I have fallen out of this chair laughing at things sent and always enjoy hearing from friends. Just don't spam me or try intimidation.

Here's an older link from year 2000 that has 10 nice guidelines for email -> Email Courtesy Suggestions. Please pay attention; especially to numbers 4 and 5. If you don't know how to use the Bcc function, please email me! Haven't tried Gmail? I still have several invitations left to this fantastic free email service. Again, email me!

"Courtesies cannot be borrowed like snow shovels; you must have some of your own."
-Wanamaker

Microsoft Windows Vista

Beagle, over at SouthernPhried, has a really good article about the new Windows operating system code named Longhorn. The offical name of this new OS is Windows Vista. Certainly hope that the video clip linked from this Microsoft page is no precursor of the operating system. The quality is poor and the content is choppy. Since this is an official Microsoft site, their linking to such a lowfi clip worries me. Hey kill the video clip and post the EULA (End Users License Agreement). That way we can determine the amount of spying on us they'll do with Vista, lol. Try the Southernphried link and read Beagle's post for more information.

"Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask."
-Benjamin Franklin

Beach House Politics

Response about the VA site has been good, especially with it being a weekend. There was no way I could let this go and Cybersouth is not a place to continually air disgruntled feelings about the cold, dispassionate attitude of the VA Hospital, Memphis. So now there's a site for those that are interested in seeing how far this progresses and if any positve action can be taken concerning the problems. All I ever wanted was to CONTINUE to see the people at the Smithville Clinic for health care and not be subjected to the long trips and foul mouthed abuse of people in Memphis. Hopefully, I'll never return to Memphis, TN. They probably don't want me back up there either.

The link list and other parts of this page are presently under reconstruction and will return. Please bear with me during this rebuild. Many projects are at hand and my immediate need to budget for medical expenses pushes me to take care of business first. You should see some changes here over the next few days. Appreciate your tolerance and patience. God willing, beach house happenings will improve. Enjoy Sunday!

"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose."
-Frederick Douglass

A VERY important link

Here's a new link that should be bookmarked or placed in favorites on everyone's browser.

Memphis VA Hospital Sucks

Check out this site and let me know what you think...

"Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns."
-Billy Wobblynife

Peabody ducks now roost at the VA Hospital, Memphis

No, the return trip to VA Hospital Memphis was not undertaken. Sorry, they won. Apparently it is their design to run off as many veterans as possible to lighten the workload. Well, it didn't take long for me to despise this horrible place. They really do need to find a cleaning crew. At least fumigate and use some Lysol. It's horrid for people that have served in the military preserving the integrity and freedom of this great nation to be subjected to this abuse.

After calling for almost a year I finally contacted a fellow Vietnam Veteran who helped me obtain a number where someone answered without putting me on hold for 45 minutes. Do they send these people to hell for tutoring about how to be hateful over the phone? They finally found my records verifying my existence in their system. After calling my buddy Trish, who is a practicing RN, the trip was scheduled for Monday, July the 11th. Trish had to drag me to the car and then put up with my anxiety attacks during the trip. So I showed up at 8:00am in front of the appropriate check-in desk.

The woman there told me I was not in the system. I almost walked away from her sneer, but decided to sneer back. After a mandatory wait I was called back to be interviewed by a nice young lady (the only one there) and it was discovered they had my social security number listed incorrectly. After the interview, I was thrown into the mill and verified, with Trish watching, that I was in the system by typing my ID into the computer located in the lab. Yep, name popped up. The nice young lady had corrected the error.

After the vampires tore my hand up taking blood (why the hand?) I endured another long wait only to be shocked into reality as I was abused and growled at by a bald headed horse's ass named "Dr." Steven Beavers. He's a rodent for sure. Huge ugly rat comes to mind...I was called an idiot and dopey by herr doktor and yelled at while in the examination room. Seeing as how my blood pressure was 238 over 140, this didn't seem at all appropriate and for a brief moment it flashed thru my mind to put his shaved head into the refuse deposit.

Storming back into the lobby I told my friend Trish that it was time to go. Loudly. She persisted we stay and after a long dreary day I was finally given enough medication to last for a week. More happened, but for brevity's sake let me not ramble further down this negative road. The main reason I made this trip was to acquire the privilege and right to attend a locally approved clinic. So, now I have given into their subterfuge. This is all a joke to them, but damned serious to me. They are playing with my life and that scenario will change back to the civilian arena even with these shallow pockets.

There. These clowns have had enough publicity. Though I'll try not to whine too much about this again, it seems necessary for someone to know what has transpired just in case my fatass strokes out. Fellow Veterans, please drive the extra miles and go to Jackson, MS. Go to Birmingham or New Orleans, just avoid Memphis VA like the plague. Now I will go pray for forgiveness since God has given me this glimpse of hell. Shoot, I just gotta' make it to heaven; frightens me to think about even the smell.

"If you're going through hell, keep going."
-Winston Churchill

The mop is hiding

Ever have one of those days that starts with falling out of bed after a night's sleep that can be counted in minutes not hours? You know, where that jarring crack as the old noggin hits the not so gingerly padded carpet awakens you unrefreshed? Next is the stumble to the bathroom only to discover the commode ran all night due to the "new" plumbing inside the tank, after which you are obligated to trip over the rug on the way to the kitchen. Losing balance, the counter jumps out in front of you and that toe stub pain will never cease during this lifetime.

Here you discover that that prized sauce slow cooked for your BBQ'd chicken tonight has been subject to an all nighter on the counter and the ants are doing victory dances even though you sprayed the area with pseudo DDT outside and inside before leaving the house yesterday. Then the water just HAS to splash out on the floor while making coffee and, of course, the mop has run off with the broom. They are hiding mysteriously doing whatever cleaning utensils do at night when one is supposed to be sleeping. Eureka! The source of the strange and spooky night noises at last discovered!

During the coffee ritual someone has to call and tell you about their neighbor's cat having kittens and the joy such an event brings to the world. Folks, is this really 6:30am information and is it vital!?!?!?" During this call the phone reception is crystal clear. Finally, you take a call that registers unknown on the caller ID just to get away from kitten girl and realize that the person calling owes you money. During this conversation you hear only the word 'hello' followed by a variety of hisses, popping, and great googly moogly sounds that end in an abrupt hang up.

Now the phone is making strange beeping noises and the computer starts clanging, "A new trojan infection has been found and Mr. Gates would like to take this opportunity to thank you for upgrading to XP." You sit down to correct it while enjoying your coffee beside the window with the view of the huge oak tree only to look outside and realize that a group of Nazi wasps have built a nest larger than your grill and are patiently watching you through the window. It's like they can smell those of us that are allergic to their evil venom.

Then looking past the porch and new wasp condo you realize something large and spotted is moving in the high grass. Realization hits you that that lawn mower belt has to be changed and the blade sharpened. A phone call to the Tupelo Zoo is considered and you decide that inquiring about large loose felines just doesn't fit in with the overall forced agenda of the day. It makes too much sense.

----------- Had to stop for a minute; the tears made the keyboard stop responding. Now I must crawl back to the kitchen and get that second cup o java. It's gonna' be a long trip to that coffee pot past the toe stubbing counter for a refill of this half-full cup, but I know I can make it. Vision is blurry. Wait, is that the lens that just fell out of my frames on the floor? What was that crunching noise and why is my knee bleeding? Truly, there were no guarantees at birth.

"Have a better than expected day!"
-Ed Coffin

Doing biz the mannerly way...and Happy Birthday Mom!

Another good experience happened this morning concerning VistaIIIMedia. Due to some work requirements, I switched to bellsouth DSL late last year. After much contact and talk with the bell reps it was determined that they did not hold up their end of the deal struck, and I could terminate service. I did. Immediately. This morning the VistaIIIMedia truck pulled up right on time, Kevin came in and brought the network back online in just a few minutes. He is very knowledgeable about connectivity, etc.

Now for some prayer: Please Dear Lord, don't let COMCAST buy out this good company. Hateful Renee at COMCAST Huntsville, will have a field day upsetting these nice folks! Their speed is great, manners are polite (they actually smile over the phone), more super things are coming down the pike and I am glad that the VistaIIIMedia banner has stayed on this site all this time. Nice to do biz with polite people! And please Lord, help hateful COMCAST Renee find a way to move back up north before she gets bitch slapped with a southern fried catfish fillet. Amen.

"A man's own manner and character is what most becomes him."
-Cicero

Mom celebrates another annual event today. She is independent, usually in a good mood, stands up for herself and absolutely fabulous! Many more, I say!

Haste truly makes waste

A word to the wise: Never, never delete your hardrive backup made during an operating system upgrade until the subject PC has been running for several weeks. I have lost an entire weekend because of such stupidity. After upgrading a Windows 98 machine to Windows 2000, in my haste to get another PC on the bench I deleted the backup before completing all Windows Critical Updates. Well, the attempted Service Pack 4 destroyed all this work and was the last major upgrade on the list! After being up all night I finally restored the remnants of 98 and the PC is back in working order. Next time I WILL mirror the drive. What a nightmare.

If you are using Windows 98 in the workplace as a client PC it is a good idea to upgrade. Be sure and check your system configuration when deciding to upgrade to either Windows 2000 or XP. You will want at least an AMD K6-2 500 or Pentium II processor for Windows 2000. Even though this operating system will run with less memory, a minimum of 192 megs is desired. 256 megs will work even better. XP needs at least double that amount of memory to run efficiently and I wouldn't install it on any machine with less than a PIII type processor. Don't believe Windows "minimum" requirements. It's all smoke and fog. Especially XP.

Yes, it is ok for an adventurous individual to upgrade an operating system. DON'T get in a hurry. The security and functionality gained from the move to Windows 2000 (or XP) is well worth the time and effort. Oh yeh, this is real important - XP Pro is worth the extra 100 bucks. Be sure to get those ducks in a row, back up and ask questions. Many web sites deal with the subject of OS upgrades and have step by step procedures that can be printed for easy reference. If you do not have all your Windows Critical Updates installed, please do not attempt such a transition. Capiche?

"The dumbest people I know are those who know it all."
-Forbes

Weathering the storm

It's late, raining and I need rest. Still fighting the bear known as Windows and his good friend the jackass, also known as stupidity. Have a project that is coming apart at the seams and must knit it back together. Will explain later. Miles to go before I sleep.

"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep."
-Dale Carnegie

Know anything about Vixens or Kits? You should...

Internet Explorer or Firefox? Definitely Firefox at this time. I use both of them. Malware thrives and lives well on IE6. It's also finding a home on Firefox. Will someone please explain to me exactly what Adblock is supposed to be doing? This is an extension in Firefox you can install that mysteriously shows up on pages and I know it has something to do with blocking popups and also popunders (the dungware people's preferred method of invading privacy in this Mozilla based browser). My ratio of browser use is Firefox 75%: Internet Explorer 25%. Firefox is the default beach house Windows browser. Need a link to Firefox? MajorGeeks has a very fast download. It's listed under "browsers" which is in the 'File' column top, left of their home page under the geekhead. You can also click this button:



If you choose to download Firefox, please be aware there are several plugins, scripts, etc. that are needed to make it see most pages in a fashion akin to Internet Explorer. For the most part, these apps take the place of ActiveX instructions that are proprietary Microsoft functions. The needed aids are usually Java applets, Macromedia Flash and Shockwave, etc. It's easy enough to download and install these utilities. When they show up on a page (they will, as needed) just click on the download plugin icon thangy and your PC will do the rest. It's not rocket science, just follow directions. It's easy. They are not huge downloads, so the time involved is minimal. FireTune is a utility from Total Idea that tweaks this browser. Home Computer and Lockergnome both recommend it. Their EULA is not very clear on spyware. I like it when the words absolutley NO spyware, adware, malware, thiefware, cheatware are included in the End User License Agreeement.

"Skill is successfully swimming through the alligators. Intelligence is not attempting such a feat."
-Billy Wobblynife

Great Windows Utility

CCleaner has been used for a while at the Saltillo Beach House. This is a super utility that can certainly be misused if one is not careful about following procedures. Be conservative when using this powerful tool. Remember, coming back here to cry and whine because you downloaded and misused CCleaner is a waste of time. You download at your own risk. It works fine for me. Visit this site's forum, FAQs, and screenshots to review before downloading. The reason behind waiting so long to add this to my 'must have tools for Windows' list is that it is such a powerful application. During the past few months the folks at CCleaner have updated the program; it can be run safely if one pays attention. You'll be amazed at what it finds and how well it works. The first scan may be lengthy, but then the program runs in a matter of seconds, literally. Be sure and explore ALL areas of CCleaner. You will want to retain the Cookies for your often visited sites. This capability is found under the Options button. "Where do I find this magical application," you ask? Just click on this link:



One of the areas that will be added to this site in the near future is an onscreen guide (with pictures and screenshots) about how to install and use various tools: CCleaner, Spybot S&D ver 1.4, Ad-aware SE 1.06, Spywareblaster 3.4, AVG 7.0, etc. If you are not using these tools, please comment or email and tell me why...inquiring minds want to know. If you have recommendations they will be gladly considered and reviewed if found worthy. Please do not forget that numerous socalled "Anti-Spyware" programs ARE spyware. Many of these applications won't find certain types of malware, dungware, spyware, adware and so forth. Hence, the necessity of using more than one tool. The above mentioned list and Windows Critical Updates maintain ALL beach house Windows PCs and that makes the machines and users happy. All of these tools are freeware, but you can make a donation or upgrade to an advanced version. Donations are a way of life at the Saltillo Beach House. These folks have put a lot of time and effort into providing us with great weapons to fight the bad guys. Help them out and donate. Also, wouldn't hurt to contact your Congresspeople and advocate the death penalty for all jerks involved in the spyware industry.

Must shower and get busy. Everyone have a casual day. BTW, it's great to be back!

"I may not know much, but I know the difference between chicken shit and chicken salad."
-Lyndon B Johnson, 36th President of the United States

GRAHAM -THANKS!! Boys n girls, I'm back!

Can you imagine my joy and delight when I awoke from a restless sleep and found a really nice email from the folks at Blogger? Graham, a wizard-a true star, responded with a very polite email and we're back in business. More changes are coming to Cybersouth and my efforts to be more patient will be enhanced. Wanna' make book the new password is written down? It's actually on the inside of the case door of my Windows workstation, lol.

Wow, so much has happened in the past week. Did make the trip to the VA Hospital in Memphis. Couldn't have made it without my buddy, Trish. She put up with my panic attacks all the way up there, sat patiently while they poked and prodded, then told me she would kick my fatass if I didn't stick around to finish the day. Her RN expertise had a calming presence concerning my anxiety that was all but off the scale.

If you have to attend VA Memphis, please avoid "Dr." Steven Beavers. Stevie boy, I have your 'dopey' comment mentally logged and am still thinking about contacting my local Congressmen. My blood pressure was 238/140 and I considered trying to kick his ass right on the spot while he was making snide remarks. I have that technology. Again, thank you Trish for the severe threats and making me stay. She also drove up and back. Nice to have a friend that cares!

There were a few nice people and I am scheduled for further heart tests next week. I really don't want to go back. God in heaven knows that the ONLY reason I made the trip was to get everything transferred to a local VA satellite clinic that is civilian. This has been going on for a year! Yes, a year. Finally had to call someone and get a different phone number. Many times I was put on hold and forgotten about. All the rude, shrill remarks and slurs just weren't necessary.

Wish to God I could take all these VA Nazis back to that beach in Vietnam where the VC were killing my brothers in arms. Yeh, bet "Dr." Beavers would have wet himself. No doubt he's not from the Deep South. Someone would have punched him a long time ago due to his hateful attitude. Okay, this has to be put behind me in order for the medication to work.

So glad to be back online. Will try to refrain from whining . My anxiety is already out of control since there is a return trip. The Good Lord knows that I truly look forward to the day I NEVER have to return to Memphis for ANY medical reason. That day is coming, soon. Enough! Enough! Now my half full cup of coffee needs refilling. Please pray for wisdom and manners...and mention "Dr." Beavers.

"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."
~Eric Hoffer

If this works I'll be in Graham's debt big time!

Possibly the last test and Ima phreakin!!!!!!! Gosh, really hate to lose this page!!! Oh well it's been a nice two years n I should be grateful. Like to thank my Mother, she's wonderful, my two daughters, Verdana and Beagle. Couldn't have done it without you Beagle. My neighbors need thanking since they put up with all the loud cussing late at night...well, okay it was more crying than cussing. Damn, okay! It was more wailing and moaning than crying. Google, Blogger so long and thanks for the free hosting. It was fun...

yet another test that will fail - we need the FTP password changed!

TESTING

testing this out for dock...trying to figure out what is going on with his blog and all the errors. please be patient as we re-build and we thank you for your continued support and reading! :)

test again

test

Riders on the Storm

Worried about tropical storm Cindy? FoxNews has the scoop. People living in southernmost Mississippi are using the 'birdmeter' and staying home. Just the other day my friend Joe was telling me about how coasters watch the frigate birds when concerned with weather. Still, high winds are always a threat. It's sure raining at the beach house today and I am several hundred miles inland, lol. Oil platforms have been evacuated, traffic is light along Highway 90 and July 5th, 2005 is the earliest that four storms have been named during the season. May be a long summer weatherwise.

Weather services on your desktop? Try WeatherWatcher. It runs in the background, easy to setup and Mike Singer promises no spyware. If you are using Google's new personalized homepage try activating their weather function. Not as detailed, but still a nice feature. Have a favorite weather app? Let us know. Please, no damnable WeatherBug or WeatherScope. Policy here is NOT to promote malware jerks. If you are running WeatherBug or WeatherScope have you noticed more popups while you scratch your baboon hide and eat that banana? You will.

"We will never be an advanced civilization as long as rain showers can delay the launching of a space rocket."
-George Carlin

Bull by the horns?

Paul Thurott has an excellent preview of Windows Longhorn at his SuperSite. There's another review at PCWorld. Two good articles that will bring you up to date on mumblings across the web concerning the next generation of Microsoft Operating Systems. No one seems really impressed at this time. May be too early for indepth details. Bet the End User License Agreement will be very interesting.

"If Dracula can't see his reflection in a mirror, how come his hair is always so neatly combed?"
-Steven Wright

Wordprocessing Samba

Interest in alternative wordprocessors and spreadsheets stems from my intense dislike of Word Perfect, really anything Corel and mixed feelings about Microsoft's newest versions of Office. You think you own Office? Read that EULA (end users license agreement). You are only renting it and Big Brother is watching everything you do with it. Believe me, they are tracking you at the speed of light. Want a robust and free suite? Take a look at Open Office. It's opensource and will readily save documents in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc., formats. It is primarily found packaged with Linux and FreeBSD, but will install and run on a Windows PC with little effort.

This really kewl set of applications purrs smoothly on my Linux SuSE (pronounced Sousa although I like Susie better) PC, but there's a slight problem with the Linux Mandrake machine. It's in Portuguese. I know this because I googled a word that I thought meant help. The word is Ajuda. With 4,390,000 alternatives the first was chosen and then told to translate. Google immediately returned the translation about a Brazilian (native language is Portuguese not Spanish) site concerning aid for mental health in perfect English. Appropriate and uncanny, huh? Anyway, Ajuda does mean help. Now if I can just find a way to change the language inside the office suite. How did this happen? Duh!! Dancing with computers...truly into the mystic.

Happy 4th of July everyone.

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."
-Satchel Paige, baseball pitcher

Love the smell of grilled hamburgers in the morning

Thanks goes out to all my fellow geeksters for making yesterday's LAN Party such a great event!! My tired, weary soul needed a few hours of fun. What a great time. No doubt, laughter was prevelant throughout the evening. Not only did we have fun the whole event was a trouble free LAN gathering of people enjoying two great games. We played Unreal Tournament GOTY for a while and then Guild Wars. Some expert shooters showed up and several newbies participated. Methinks everyone will want to do a return match!?!?

One of the grandest happenings of the evening was sitting down after a July 4th meal and having a Purple Giraffe fall asleep in my lap. She is awesome. Please enjoy the holiday and do something nice for a loved one. The blessing will be yours!


Queen of the island she welcomed them in
Asked them questions of where they have been
She offered them chocolate she offered them tea
They all took their seats in the top of a tree
-Jimmy Buffett, Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants
(one of my all time Buffett favorites!)

LAN Parrrtayyy

Time to get up off my dead butt and finish the potato salad. The soiree starts around sixish. One more cup of coffee and it's 'turn to' time. Must make a trip to the Kroger and pick up leaf lettuce, a required feature of cheeseburgers-in-paradise. Just checked Singer's Weather Watcher and the humidity is down. The temperature will be in the mid to low 80s this evening. No precipitation forecast. Should make for a nice evening! Drive safely this holiday weekend. The life you save may be my own.

"All your life you have to deal with ups and downs
So listen to your heartstrings as you move around
Don't forget to listen to the steady beat
Don't forget to balance on your ready feet"
-Jimmy Buffett, Gravity Storm

Et tu Billus Brutus?

Many times it's been mentioned that my leanings towards Microsoft and Mr. Gates are positive: Better a Microsoft/Gates world than an Apple/Darth Jobs world, etc. With that said, why is it that Microsoft seems hell bent on pissing off even those of us that speak favorably? There is certainly no Nazism going on here, but c'mon even you SS guys have got to be disgusted with their attempt to buy the dungheap known as Claria/Gator. BTW, I hope the bunch of jerks at this malware company are still busy trying to read every negative thing said about them (hate to have THAT job, how depressing) so I can finally tell y'all to kiss my fat Mississippi ass! Next thing you know someone will tell me that Microsoft Anti-Spyware and their other applications aren't spying on us! Read the damned EULAs! Better yet, check out the source of the MRUs that Ad-Aware finds and lists under the Negligible tab after it finishes scanning. Not running Ad-Aware? Please ignore anything I've said and go run your McAfee "anti-virus" thangy on your Packard Bell.

Okay this is bad enough, but yesterday Microsoft stopped active support on Windows 2000. DON'T FREAK OUT. They still have extended support for the best Operating System ever to emerge from the hallowed halls of Redmond. Yes, please all XP Nazis flame on. As you do this remember that 48% of all workstations in the business arena STILL run Windows 2000!!!!! Don't believe it? Read Eric Bangeman's article over at ArsTechnica titled Last rites for Windows 2000?. Scan that last paragraph slowly. Then read it again. If you are running 2000...don't upgrade to XP. Wait on Longhorn. Gates will not let you have Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Media Player 10 unless you upgrade to XP. There's a simple solution. Use Mozilla's Firefox as a browser and Jet Audio or WinAmp as a multimedia app. These applications are free to download over at MajorGeeks. Resist this coercion. It seems Bill has so much money his concept of right and wrong has become convoluted. My hero worship has diminished.

Strong arming sucks. I don't care who is doing it. Folks, George Orwell wrote several books about all this during the last century. Try 1984 or Animal Farm. Very soon privacy will no longer be listed in the dictionary. Think about it.

"One leader, one people, signifies one master and millions of slaves."
-Albert Camus