Have a great Monday. Tuesday is less than 24 hours away!
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself."
-Faulkner
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bill's Slam on Spam
Two years ago Bill Gates said he would solve the spam problem within the same time frame. Time's up. Did he? Slashdot says "maybe." Link credit goes to MsWillow for a very good article. Still having spam problems after Mr. Gates efforts have been put into place? Start using GMail. Need an invite? Email me. This is Google's free email service that absolutely rocks! And they definitely have spam under control.
Have a great Monday. Tuesday is less than 24 hours away!
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself."
-Faulkner
Have a great Monday. Tuesday is less than 24 hours away!
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself."
-Faulkner
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Morning Lull
I overslept. My butt should have hit the pew about 8:30ish, but sleep pushed me to rest. Have a huge day planned which consists of major house cleaning, furniture movement, repairing 3 PCs, doing some remote service work on two different networks, cooking something with shrimp, visiting with family, trying to break the garage cleanup barrier and engaging in some soulful prayer. Somewhere in there it'd be nice to play Guild Wars, but there may not be time. Rain is forecast for the local area and the temp is supposed to peak in the high 40s. Wow, the bed is calling.
Please update your protection software. There are several new strains of spyware infection running rampant and I've had to format two different PC hard drives this past week. If your data is valuable, then BACK IT UP! Jump Drives (small USB hard drives) now come in 1 and 2 gig varieties. OfficeMax, Staples, etc. have good buys on these great devices. This is an inexpensive and easy way to save data. Plug it in a free USB port, drag and drop, then remove. It's that simple. Windows 2000 and XP will see them automatically. You will have to install a small software utility if running Windows 98SE.
"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
-Benjamin Franklin
Please update your protection software. There are several new strains of spyware infection running rampant and I've had to format two different PC hard drives this past week. If your data is valuable, then BACK IT UP! Jump Drives (small USB hard drives) now come in 1 and 2 gig varieties. OfficeMax, Staples, etc. have good buys on these great devices. This is an inexpensive and easy way to save data. Plug it in a free USB port, drag and drop, then remove. It's that simple. Windows 2000 and XP will see them automatically. You will have to install a small software utility if running Windows 98SE.
"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
-Benjamin Franklin
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Neighborhood Wildlife Report
Okay, Arnold (not the motorcycle lip Gubenator or the Green Acres porcine actor) the opossumus germanicus austriabodicus is fine. He's been in stealth mode lately, but I saw him last night as he waddled in the woods north of the beach house. He hasn't tried to steal the barbeque grill, turn over the green trash bin or lead a possum revolt in the past few weeks. But he's alive and doing his possum thing. Believe me you'll be alerted if he does anything interesting.
Have a casual Saturday night, LOL, what's left of it anyway.
"I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the "lower animals" (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me."
-Mark Twain, Letters from the Earth, 1907
Have a casual Saturday night, LOL, what's left of it anyway.
"I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the "lower animals" (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me."
-Mark Twain, Letters from the Earth, 1907
Friday, January 20, 2006
Ride Sally Ride
Back in the day when pterodactyls roamed the earth Ford invented the Mustang. Mr. Wilson Pickett came out with a song titled Mustang Sally. How many thousands of times have I heard this wonderful tune that brings back very fond memories? In the 1991 movie The Commitments this song was central to the plot. If you like music you'll like this movie. Then there was Sandra Bullock's famous walk in Miss Congeniality that premiered in 2000. Lordy Lordy, that blue dress was just awesome and her transformation from tomboy Gracie Hart to beauty queen happened in those few magic seconds. In the background Mustang Sally played loud and clear.
I've always wanted a Mustang. This song inspired me not only about a car, but about life in general. An average guy could own a neat car and date a pretty girl. Wow, what a concept. Mr. Pickett not only touched my life with this tune, but with other great songs. In the Midnight Hour, Funky Broadway and Land of a 1000 Dances come to mind. Wish I had written him and thanked him for the sharing of his genius. He passed away yesterday. My heart goes out to his family and he will be missed. You can read further at Rolling Stone. This man was larger than life. He has inspired several generations of musicians. I like to think I am one of those fortunate people.
One day that Mustang may sit in the driveway. Thank you Wilson, for helping me realize dreams and thank you for music that keeps me dreaming.
"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence."
-Robert Fripp
I've always wanted a Mustang. This song inspired me not only about a car, but about life in general. An average guy could own a neat car and date a pretty girl. Wow, what a concept. Mr. Pickett not only touched my life with this tune, but with other great songs. In the Midnight Hour, Funky Broadway and Land of a 1000 Dances come to mind. Wish I had written him and thanked him for the sharing of his genius. He passed away yesterday. My heart goes out to his family and he will be missed. You can read further at Rolling Stone. This man was larger than life. He has inspired several generations of musicians. I like to think I am one of those fortunate people.
One day that Mustang may sit in the driveway. Thank you Wilson, for helping me realize dreams and thank you for music that keeps me dreaming.
"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence."
-Robert Fripp
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Further Adventures Battling Minions of Satan
As I sat last night waiting for an upgrade to finish my attention was drawn to the taskbar where several windows decided to open. Yes, pop unders. This PC was heavily infected with spyware and it seemed to be better. It has been on the bench now, for several more hours. If the clock could be spun back this one would have been formatted. So much time wasted and the spyware people are the cause. This one may still have to be formatted to clear it of all the garbage. People, will you please get in touch with your Reps and Senators? This has to stop. Other things could be accomplished instead of fighting an evil that has no right to exist.
"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
-Haile Selassie
NOTE: After talking to the owner it has been decided to format the above PC hard drive. Sometimes you gotta' regroup!
"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
-Haile Selassie
NOTE: After talking to the owner it has been decided to format the above PC hard drive. Sometimes you gotta' regroup!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Spyware? It's All Written in Hell.
Spyware sucks. It just plain sucks. And anyone connected with the creation, development, promotion, employment, distribution sucks too. Damn it, how many times do I have to say quit using Yahoo. They have Claria and 180solutions all over their stuff. While I am at it, you can call it adaware, malware, spyware, thiefware, dungware, garbageware, junkware or whatever! It's an invasion of privacy! Would you let someone come into your abode and pilfer through your personal stuff? In my opinion, this is by far the worst problem we are facing when it comes to using the internet. These creeps should be gathered and sent to the South Pole in their undies!
The worst of the worst is PSGuard, aka SpySheriff, aka Shudder Global Limited. These jerks hijack your desktop wallpaper and take away the ability to change it. They also flood your computer with registry entries that have to be eradicated or it cannot be removed. It'll keep coming back! Several people claim to be able to remove this scum, but it will take extensive registry hacking and the use of SEVERAL anti-malware tools. Get ready to spend hours in front of the computer if you are a tech and days if a user. Best solution? Format C: will get it.
Tools? Most are listed in the Cybersouth Links. Use Spybot Search & Destroy. Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use Lavasoft's Ad-aware (I use the free version). Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use JavaCoolSoftware's SpywareBlaster. Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use CCleaner. It can be downloaded at MajorGeeks under the drive cleaners category. As a matter of fact all these programs can be found there. Use a good anti-virus; AVG Free Edition is used at the beach house. Hey, if these tools help then donate or upgrade. These people put many hours into developing something to help us all.
If you get a really bad infection don't begrudge your tech for charging. They will spend much time correcting errors. Personally, I won't return a computer without installing the above tools and tuning each tool to work at optimum. Beware the signs that say $45.00 for spyware removal. It would scare me to think they charged just a dollar a minute and only spent 45 minutes trying to clean a machine. You can barely download and install the above mentioned tools in that amount of time.
Here's the most important tool that you have to fight Spyware; CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON!!!! Yahoo should be forced to put banners all over their site confessing to the use of spyware, not just small print in some EULA. Raise hell about this horrible invasion of privacy. Also, please back up your critical data. More than likely if you get the PSGuard infection, you will have to format your hard drive, especially if you have ignored it and let it run in the background. A final note; it seems that Yahoo is watching this site. That will be interesting.
"The real danger is the gradual erosion of individual liberties through automation, integration, and interconnection of many small, separate record-keeping systems, each of which alone may seem innocuous, even benevolent, and wholly justifiable."
-U. S. Privacy Study Commission, 1977 (1977!?!, Call your Congressperson!)
The worst of the worst is PSGuard, aka SpySheriff, aka Shudder Global Limited. These jerks hijack your desktop wallpaper and take away the ability to change it. They also flood your computer with registry entries that have to be eradicated or it cannot be removed. It'll keep coming back! Several people claim to be able to remove this scum, but it will take extensive registry hacking and the use of SEVERAL anti-malware tools. Get ready to spend hours in front of the computer if you are a tech and days if a user. Best solution? Format C: will get it.
Tools? Most are listed in the Cybersouth Links. Use Spybot Search & Destroy. Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use Lavasoft's Ad-aware (I use the free version). Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use JavaCoolSoftware's SpywareBlaster. Install it properly. Don't know how? Email me. Use CCleaner. It can be downloaded at MajorGeeks under the drive cleaners category. As a matter of fact all these programs can be found there. Use a good anti-virus; AVG Free Edition is used at the beach house. Hey, if these tools help then donate or upgrade. These people put many hours into developing something to help us all.
If you get a really bad infection don't begrudge your tech for charging. They will spend much time correcting errors. Personally, I won't return a computer without installing the above tools and tuning each tool to work at optimum. Beware the signs that say $45.00 for spyware removal. It would scare me to think they charged just a dollar a minute and only spent 45 minutes trying to clean a machine. You can barely download and install the above mentioned tools in that amount of time.
Here's the most important tool that you have to fight Spyware; CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON!!!! Yahoo should be forced to put banners all over their site confessing to the use of spyware, not just small print in some EULA. Raise hell about this horrible invasion of privacy. Also, please back up your critical data. More than likely if you get the PSGuard infection, you will have to format your hard drive, especially if you have ignored it and let it run in the background. A final note; it seems that Yahoo is watching this site. That will be interesting.
"The real danger is the gradual erosion of individual liberties through automation, integration, and interconnection of many small, separate record-keeping systems, each of which alone may seem innocuous, even benevolent, and wholly justifiable."
-U. S. Privacy Study Commission, 1977 (1977!?!, Call your Congressperson!)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Umbrellas, Bifocals and Odometers
There's a winter rain falling outside. Not too chilling, but steady and the beach house has taken on a gray hue. The forecast calls for an inch of precipitation and the temperature will drop to the mid 40s before day's end. Several things need to be moved, but that job will wait until tomorrow when it will be sunny. Looks like rain again on Friday. Hey, we need it.
Did you know that Ben Franklin was born 300 years ago on this day? Guinnessy at Slashdot posted this item. Franklin is often quoted here and I have always admired his spirit. Dude was healthy in the brains department too. I think he would like the 'net if here today. Wow, imagine Ben doing a TV show. What a trip that'd be! That's a slot no one would want to cancel but the Comcast boardroom baboon brigade would probably make a heck of an effort. Then they'd try and replace him with Kevin Pewreara (he has to be related to Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO).
Contend with the weather. Remember it'll change.
"We should not only use the brains we have, but all that we can borrow."
-Woodrow Wilson
Did you know that Ben Franklin was born 300 years ago on this day? Guinnessy at Slashdot posted this item. Franklin is often quoted here and I have always admired his spirit. Dude was healthy in the brains department too. I think he would like the 'net if here today. Wow, imagine Ben doing a TV show. What a trip that'd be! That's a slot no one would want to cancel but the Comcast boardroom baboon brigade would probably make a heck of an effort. Then they'd try and replace him with Kevin Pewreara (he has to be related to Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO).
Contend with the weather. Remember it'll change.
"We should not only use the brains we have, but all that we can borrow."
-Woodrow Wilson
Monday, January 16, 2006
Forgive me, I Watched G4
This morning I am working on several projects and trying to catch up. In the background I've tuned into Comcast's abortion of a TV show called "Attack of the Show" and have found it to be an insult to anyone over the age of 3 years, no make that 2 years old. Sarah Lane was on TechTV's "The Screensavers" and is being belittled and wasted by that which surrounds her.
The Kevin Pereira (excuse spelling, they don't show his name much and that's understandable) dude needs to just...go away. Can't think of enough bad to say about him. Can we say goofy blithering idiot? Do people in California really dress and act like that??!?!
The monkeys in the board room at Comcast should be put on short rations and caged somewhere on a small island FOREVER. They destroyed a perfectly good TV channel (TechTV) and have replaced it with the worst channel to ever air (G4). You know, I thought they might have come to their senses when they started airing Leo Laporte's Canadian version of "Call for Help", but where has it gone?
Sara might look into being a tech reporter for ANY channel other than G4. She deserves better. Kevin Pewreara might consider therapy that will help him become human, and the rest need to find other jobs. Leave the real tech reporting to Kevin Rose, Patrick Norton, Leo, Martin, etc. What an awful mess that just gets worse by the day.
Now it's time for medication. Later y'all, have a casual day.
"It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."
-Mick Jagger
The Kevin Pereira (excuse spelling, they don't show his name much and that's understandable) dude needs to just...go away. Can't think of enough bad to say about him. Can we say goofy blithering idiot? Do people in California really dress and act like that??!?!
The monkeys in the board room at Comcast should be put on short rations and caged somewhere on a small island FOREVER. They destroyed a perfectly good TV channel (TechTV) and have replaced it with the worst channel to ever air (G4). You know, I thought they might have come to their senses when they started airing Leo Laporte's Canadian version of "Call for Help", but where has it gone?
Sara might look into being a tech reporter for ANY channel other than G4. She deserves better. Kevin Pewreara might consider therapy that will help him become human, and the rest need to find other jobs. Leave the real tech reporting to Kevin Rose, Patrick Norton, Leo, Martin, etc. What an awful mess that just gets worse by the day.
Now it's time for medication. Later y'all, have a casual day.
"It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."
-Mick Jagger
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Traveling Faster than Impulse Power
Recent absence? Nothing's wrong. Finally made the trip to Mother's and celebrated Christmas with her, my brother and his family. We had a good time. As always, the food was awesome and the diet went to hell for a day. It was a pleasure to drive the lead sled and the new warp engine purred all the way. Next is air conditioning. No more summers in a black car without AC in the Deep South. That's lunacy.
Popular Mechanics has an interesting article about 15 things techno to watch this year. Thanks goes out to MBoy at Slashdot for the link. Good read. One note; we have started calling Guild Wars Crack Wars. It's uber fun and addictive. Thank Goodness there is a clock in plain view.
"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."
-Benjamin Franklin
Popular Mechanics has an interesting article about 15 things techno to watch this year. Thanks goes out to MBoy at Slashdot for the link. Good read. One note; we have started calling Guild Wars Crack Wars. It's uber fun and addictive. Thank Goodness there is a clock in plain view.
"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."
-Benjamin Franklin
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Blackberries Taste Just Fine
It's late and I have an early appointment tomorrow so this will be short. Just wanted to promote reassurance to the folks that are using Blackberry technology. PCWorld has an article about how they are now using Google Talk. This should ease the minds of those with the super phones, etc. It's very doubtful that Google would endorse a technology that might shut down. Anyway, my take is that Blackberry will survive their problems.
Rain is forecast for early tomorrow and travel is on the schedule. Be careful out there.
"Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger."
-Saint Basil
Rain is forecast for early tomorrow and travel is on the schedule. Be careful out there.
"Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger."
-Saint Basil
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Patch, Arnold's Lip and Elvis
After a needed rain it is nice to awaken to a cool morning and anticipate a beautiful day weatherwise. Coffee is good and the world seems rather calm after a first glance at the news. Glad to see that Microsoft has issued a patch for the recent round of WMF problems. Hope the Gubenator's lip heals soon. Just read where a woman became extremely irate over an Elvis song.
Stay casual and listen to an Elvis tune today.
"All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field."
-Albert Einstein
Stay casual and listen to an Elvis tune today.
"All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field."
-Albert Einstein
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Done Those Updates?
Got up to answer the phone only to find that the call had been made two hours earlier. Time sure flies while having fun in dreamstate. Usually I answer, but yesterday was rough and I retired early knowing knowing tomorrow morning will need an early start.
People, please be careful out there in computerland. Many evil things are waiting to make you life miserable. Betuglia from called Murfreesboro and has PSGuard infection. Has no idea where it came from and it has taken over his PC. This is the worst of the worst. Time to format.
Do Windows Updates, update and run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Update Spywareblaster and run CCleaner every few days. Make sure your anti-virus program is updating. AVG updates every day now. This is a first line of defense. All these tools are listed in the link list.
Time to return to zzzz land.
"All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own."
-Plutarch
People, please be careful out there in computerland. Many evil things are waiting to make you life miserable. Betuglia from called Murfreesboro and has PSGuard infection. Has no idea where it came from and it has taken over his PC. This is the worst of the worst. Time to format.
Do Windows Updates, update and run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Update Spywareblaster and run CCleaner every few days. Make sure your anti-virus program is updating. AVG updates every day now. This is a first line of defense. All these tools are listed in the link list.
Time to return to zzzz land.
"All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own."
-Plutarch
Monday, January 09, 2006
Tunes Brit
The 65 year old Welsh singer Tom Jones has been knighted. Hey, it's not unusual. He was very popular in the 60s n 70s then recreated his image by covering the Prince song Kiss. He's been a great survivor, and can still croon with the best of 'em.
Another item from our British friends - music downloads have reached record numbers. Smart people, doing the right thing! Don't buy pressed CDs. Download the music and then burn to CD. Let's do away with the damned RIAA mafiosos forever.
Monday has begun; look forward to Tuesday. Hang in there.
"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
-Ludwig van Beethoven
Another item from our British friends - music downloads have reached record numbers. Smart people, doing the right thing! Don't buy pressed CDs. Download the music and then burn to CD. Let's do away with the damned RIAA mafiosos forever.
Monday has begun; look forward to Tuesday. Hang in there.
"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
-Ludwig van Beethoven
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Pause for the Cause
It's Sunday afternoon and I am stopping for a cup of coffee. Stayed in Tishomingo County last night, ate like a pig and slept like a log. Love being there , but it's always nice to come home to the beach house. Cleaning is going on and I'll never finish all the work that is due tomorrow. Just not enough hours in the day.
The weather here is low 70s with sunshine and wind. The windows are open and my lard butt is headed to the swing out on the veranda for a few minutes of break time. There's Jimmy Buffett music playin' in the background. Enjoy Sunday!
"Coffee, n. break fluid."
Hamboni the Wise
The weather here is low 70s with sunshine and wind. The windows are open and my lard butt is headed to the swing out on the veranda for a few minutes of break time. There's Jimmy Buffett music playin' in the background. Enjoy Sunday!
"Coffee, n. break fluid."
Hamboni the Wise
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Smoke Over the Fire
Aha! My take Thursday on Google's doing something new was right, well, partially. They now offer a pretty nice suite of tools, utilities, applications, etc., and it can be found at Google Pack. Nice stuff, but I'd opt out on Norton/Symantec Anti-virus and download AVG Free Edition. Most of you will probably have a lot of the things offered, but it's still nice to have one place to acquire these tools. BTW, Larry Page, one of the two UBER-Googlers, made the Google keynote speech at CES yesterday and when asked about a Google PC/OS being in the works he never denied it. There's hope.
Have you gone wireless? Just built a machine for the bedroom and opted for a desktop wireless card. Why pull cable and fight the underhouse critters? Using Belkin stuff here after trying Netgear. Their equipment is not really that bad; my problem is their use of non-English comprehending Hindu Help Line. D-Link and Linksys are two companies that have great WiFi products. The network being built today will actually use Internet Connection Sharing with a dial up (no highspeed available) to make it handy for two laptop users to sit by the pool and surf. Casual, huh? Let me know about your wireless experiences. Hey, geeks need to share.
Stay casual and enjoy the weekend. Peace out!
"Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust - we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an Invisible Piper."
-Albert Einstein
EDIT: Just finished installing the Belkin wireless card in this PC. This is about as easy as it gets! Hats off to a company that truly cares about their customers. Go Belkin!!!
Have you gone wireless? Just built a machine for the bedroom and opted for a desktop wireless card. Why pull cable and fight the underhouse critters? Using Belkin stuff here after trying Netgear. Their equipment is not really that bad; my problem is their use of non-English comprehending Hindu Help Line. D-Link and Linksys are two companies that have great WiFi products. The network being built today will actually use Internet Connection Sharing with a dial up (no highspeed available) to make it handy for two laptop users to sit by the pool and surf. Casual, huh? Let me know about your wireless experiences. Hey, geeks need to share.
Stay casual and enjoy the weekend. Peace out!
"Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust - we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an Invisible Piper."
-Albert Einstein
EDIT: Just finished installing the Belkin wireless card in this PC. This is about as easy as it gets! Hats off to a company that truly cares about their customers. Go Belkin!!!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Rumor Exposed
Well, darn! Just over at SouthernPhried and Grasshoppa has found that the info about a Google PC is an unfounded rumor. He has several links posted. Like 'hoppa I was looking forward to such a device. Still, where there is smoke there is fire. Something is probably afoot. More research is needed. At least, one can hope.
It is time to hit the trail for tomorrow we TGIF. Have you updated today?
"Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell."
-Shana Alexander
It is time to hit the trail for tomorrow we TGIF. Have you updated today?
"Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell."
-Shana Alexander
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
My Kingdom for a Jelly Doughnut
Coffee is made, the clothes are drying, my schedule is planned and the Camino is ready to launch in an hour. Sometimes life is good. My ability to sleep has been improved with modern medicine and overall mood seems to be more casual. Rest is wonderful.
The diet commences in a few days. The exercise pattern has to drastically change. Finding the time is tough and I am just not walking in the dark. That means dedicated early rising. It is time to change el lardo into le buff.
WikiHow has an article on How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index. My scales are groaning. Stay casual out there and eat a doughnut for me!
"Gluttony is not a secret vice."
-Orson Welles
The diet commences in a few days. The exercise pattern has to drastically change. Finding the time is tough and I am just not walking in the dark. That means dedicated early rising. It is time to change el lardo into le buff.
WikiHow has an article on How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index. My scales are groaning. Stay casual out there and eat a doughnut for me!
"Gluttony is not a secret vice."
-Orson Welles
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Google the Moogle
The fact that I am a Google-ite has not been hidden. Get ready folks, the search engine crew is about to make a large step in the world of computerese. They are in negotiations with Wal-Mart. A Google PC will soon be distributed. It is rumored that they will NOT use Windows as an operating system. It seems they are developing their own OS. Is that kewl or what?!?!?!?
Gotta go. Stopped long enough to post this info while on the jobsite. Rah! Rah! Google!
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
Gotta go. Stopped long enough to post this info while on the jobsite. Rah! Rah! Google!
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
Monday, January 02, 2006
You Just Can't Polish a Turd
You know, a geek doesn't stand a chance when it comes to disliking something. There's soooo many net things from which to choose. Someone asked me the other day what I disliked most about computers, the net, etc. Hmmmmm that took little time. It's all spyware related it seems.
The creeps at Yahoo really get under my skin by acting goody-twoshoes and really screwing everybody in the background. Want spyware on your computer? Just Yahoo. Claria and 180solutions are there to slow your computer down and Yahoo thinks that's just fine. If I become Emporer of the Known Universe their butts will be job seeking tomorrow.
Would the writers of spyware be in line with the Yahooers if such a governmental upheaval occurred? No. I'd have them ALL tossed into a live volcano. Each and every one of them! These people are the scum of the earth. Bet they play patticake with Osama.
Not real crazy about AOHell, uh...AOL, Acer, Hindu Help Line and several other things too. But, that's enough negativity for a day at the beach house. Y'all have a nice day.
"Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? Is it because we are not the person involved?"
-Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894
The creeps at Yahoo really get under my skin by acting goody-twoshoes and really screwing everybody in the background. Want spyware on your computer? Just Yahoo. Claria and 180solutions are there to slow your computer down and Yahoo thinks that's just fine. If I become Emporer of the Known Universe their butts will be job seeking tomorrow.
Would the writers of spyware be in line with the Yahooers if such a governmental upheaval occurred? No. I'd have them ALL tossed into a live volcano. Each and every one of them! These people are the scum of the earth. Bet they play patticake with Osama.
Not real crazy about AOHell, uh...AOL, Acer, Hindu Help Line and several other things too. But, that's enough negativity for a day at the beach house. Y'all have a nice day.
"Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? Is it because we are not the person involved?"
-Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Privacy? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Privacy!!!!
On November 3, 2005, it was mentioned that the Sony rootkit was creating problems for users. This is still not over. These jerks care nothing about the due rights of their fellow human beings. I hope the State of Texas and the EFF burn their asses. I have stopped buying their products. Everyone should stop. Send them a message that they have no right whatsoever to violate our privacy.
Folks, you let them get away with it and this will only encourage others. Want an example? Get out your Microsoft EULA (End Users License Agreement) that you agreed to when you installed Windows and read it. Now run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and look at the MRUs listed in Negligible Objects. Bet most are different parts of Windows reporting into Microsoft about what you are doing with their software. You don't own this software. It's a conditional lease.
Read further about all this in Robert McMillan's informative article at PCWorld. Thanks Red Dragon for a great link. Get ready, for tomorrow the evil Yahoo will once again be exposed. Happy New Year everyone.
"Big Brother in the form of an increasingly powerful government and in an increasingly powerful private sector will pile the records high with reasons why privacy should give way to national security, to law and order, to efficiency of operation, to scientific advancement and the like."
-Douglas
Folks, you let them get away with it and this will only encourage others. Want an example? Get out your Microsoft EULA (End Users License Agreement) that you agreed to when you installed Windows and read it. Now run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and look at the MRUs listed in Negligible Objects. Bet most are different parts of Windows reporting into Microsoft about what you are doing with their software. You don't own this software. It's a conditional lease.
Read further about all this in Robert McMillan's informative article at PCWorld. Thanks Red Dragon for a great link. Get ready, for tomorrow the evil Yahoo will once again be exposed. Happy New Year everyone.
"Big Brother in the form of an increasingly powerful government and in an increasingly powerful private sector will pile the records high with reasons why privacy should give way to national security, to law and order, to efficiency of operation, to scientific advancement and the like."
-Douglas
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Making the RCA Victor Dog Howl!
Finally saw Red Dragon's super monitor. I don't know the specs, but it seems to cover a great portion of the wall. It was nice to sit and play a round of Unreal Tournament 2004 in front of this huge, clear portal and the Logitech 5.1 speakers were a rockin'! Has to be at least 32" and in 16X9 format too! Awesome.
Have my black-eyed peas soaking and the ham is cooked. Looking forward to a nice peaceful weekend with work scheduled throughout. Hey only one more day to work this year! Party careful.
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
-T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding
Have my black-eyed peas soaking and the ham is cooked. Looking forward to a nice peaceful weekend with work scheduled throughout. Hey only one more day to work this year! Party careful.
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
-T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Looking Forward to 2006
End of year busy blues is the song I'm a singing. Redoing a laptop that is not liking a new wifi card (just decided to wipe hard drive and start over), rebuilding a workstation, rebuilding a server and have several fires on the side. Ahhhh, life is good.
BBC has an interesting article about Net safety. This is a subject near and dear to my beach house heart. Still working on online tutorials about how to install software which will protect you from the baddies. There will be pictures. It'll be here soon.
Even though the traffic has subsided, there are still crazies out there. Be careful.
"The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it: Whether he's got a wound on his knee or in his soul."
-Rona Barrett
BBC has an interesting article about Net safety. This is a subject near and dear to my beach house heart. Still working on online tutorials about how to install software which will protect you from the baddies. There will be pictures. It'll be here soon.
Even though the traffic has subsided, there are still crazies out there. Be careful.
"The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it: Whether he's got a wound on his knee or in his soul."
-Rona Barrett
Monday, December 26, 2005
Are You Being Polled?
Slashdot has a new poll every week or so that resides usually at the bottom of the righthand column. This week's poll is ->
I wish you a:
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holiday!
Happy Hanakkuh!
Blessed Solstice!
Peaceful Kwanzaa!
Bah Humbug!
The winner? Merry Christmas by a great margin. This pleases me. Glad to see people are not bowing to the smarmy, liberal jerks and are speaking their peace. The comments are interesting. There are some weird people in the world, LOL!
Time to finish some PC repairs long overdue, then I must face the El Camino. It will be a long day.
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
I wish you a:
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holiday!
Happy Hanakkuh!
Blessed Solstice!
Peaceful Kwanzaa!
Bah Humbug!
The winner? Merry Christmas by a great margin. This pleases me. Glad to see people are not bowing to the smarmy, liberal jerks and are speaking their peace. The comments are interesting. There are some weird people in the world, LOL!
Time to finish some PC repairs long overdue, then I must face the El Camino. It will be a long day.
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Fog is Lifting
Due to new medications knocking my feet out from under me, an El Camino that is ailing, a cell phone that is suffering from psychosis, and trying to perform vital service calls I've not posted for a few days. The message on the container stated, "May make drowsy for 3-5 days." Boy howdy! An understatement if there ever was one!! That has subsided and even the past few groggy days have been spent feeling like a real human being again. My blood pressure is down at an acceptable level.
There's work this weekend. Please bear with me while efforts are made to get everything caught up. Even in the drowsiness I've worked late several nights this week. My family is disappointed, but this is one of those 'make lemonade' times. Truth is I don't enjoy travel that much anyway! The year 2006 approaches and several projects need completion before it arrives. That thing living in the southwest corner of the garage has to find a new home. The Battle of the Beach House Garage shall be fought with diligence!
Time to try some last minute shopping. Everyone have a Merry Christmas. Remember, this is a celebration of Christ's birth and a remembrance of Him by faithful believers. Peace out!
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
-Harry Truman
There's work this weekend. Please bear with me while efforts are made to get everything caught up. Even in the drowsiness I've worked late several nights this week. My family is disappointed, but this is one of those 'make lemonade' times. Truth is I don't enjoy travel that much anyway! The year 2006 approaches and several projects need completion before it arrives. That thing living in the southwest corner of the garage has to find a new home. The Battle of the Beach House Garage shall be fought with diligence!
Time to try some last minute shopping. Everyone have a Merry Christmas. Remember, this is a celebration of Christ's birth and a remembrance of Him by faithful believers. Peace out!
"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
-Harry Truman
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Late night and a Virus Warning
The past few days have been spent trying to adjust to new medications. Better living through modern chemistry. No doubt that I actually feel like a human being again. This is the first time since mid-October. Now I have to find another reason to drop into whine mode, LOL. God in Heaven help the poor veterans that have served our country with valor. The horses' butts at VA Hospital Memphis are horrible. The local clinic is a different story. Just a real nice bunch of folks. If you are a veteran needing help with obtaining care please email me.
If you use Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus you might want to read this article at Techworld. You are vulnerable to infection. Want to alleviate this problem? Uninstall Norton and install AVG Free Edition. Better protection, easier use.
"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."
-Doug Larson
If you use Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus you might want to read this article at Techworld. You are vulnerable to infection. Want to alleviate this problem? Uninstall Norton and install AVG Free Edition. Better protection, easier use.
"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."
-Doug Larson
Monday, December 19, 2005
Tale of a Stolen Diamond
One of my all time favorite actors is Peter Sellers. He still cracks me up. A remake of one of his movies will premier February 10th. All of his movies remain fun, easy viewing. He had a sort of tongue in cheek, dry yet slapstick sense of humor. My favorite Sellers films are Being There, The Party, Dr. Strangelove and anything that has to do with a pink feline.
The remake stars another favorite actor, Steve Martin. He plays Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther. You can watch a trailer here. You will need to download Quicktime to view this clip. Be sure and use this link otherwise you'll end up downloading the useless iTunes with it and that will double the size of the download.
Some people will all but die knowing that a great film like this has been remade. Let's give it a chance. Steve Martin IS in it and so are Kevin Kline, Beyonce, and Jean Reno. Martin did a good job handling the Phil Silvers role in the Sgt. Bilko remake of the TV series. This "new" Pink Panther may open the door for younger viewers to watch the original, which starred such greats as Mr. Sellers, David Niven, Robert Wagner, and Claudia Cardinale.
In the meantime, try watching something with the talented Mr. Sellers. He's one of the great ones.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here...This is the War Room!"
-Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove, 1964)
The remake stars another favorite actor, Steve Martin. He plays Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther. You can watch a trailer here. You will need to download Quicktime to view this clip. Be sure and use this link otherwise you'll end up downloading the useless iTunes with it and that will double the size of the download.
Some people will all but die knowing that a great film like this has been remade. Let's give it a chance. Steve Martin IS in it and so are Kevin Kline, Beyonce, and Jean Reno. Martin did a good job handling the Phil Silvers role in the Sgt. Bilko remake of the TV series. This "new" Pink Panther may open the door for younger viewers to watch the original, which starred such greats as Mr. Sellers, David Niven, Robert Wagner, and Claudia Cardinale.
In the meantime, try watching something with the talented Mr. Sellers. He's one of the great ones.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here...This is the War Room!"
-Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove, 1964)
Saturday, December 17, 2005
All I want for Christmas...
BEWARE: Major Whine Warning!
A doctor's appointment will take up most of the morning, then it'll be nice to come home and get a few hours badly needed rest. Sleep was not easy last night. After being told the new meds would be in the mail in just a day or two, they still have not arrived. It's been nine days. The VA mass inefficiency at work doing it's best.
Again, medication means more productivity. More productivity means more activity. More activity means weight loss, sense of accomplishment, lack of fear, etc. This, in turn, means less medication and VA usage. Hey, bet sleep will even be better! And maybe the whining will subside, LOL!
It is a VA Memphis SNAFU; I called the local clinic and they verified the drugs had been ordered. They also reported on lab tests in what I considered a timely fashion. Once again, these are Mississippi folks. Polite, well mannered. They seemed concerned about the slow response Of VA Memphis.
There is a site being built to address such issues. Mine is only a minor horror story compared to some folks. Yes, some Vietnam Vets have stayed in contact down through the years. Most of the help received in resolving issues here (this adventure started in March 2004!) has come from Vets in Texas and California.
Everyone have a great Saturday and revel in the warmth of the season. Beware of the traffic crazies too.
"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."
-Allen
A doctor's appointment will take up most of the morning, then it'll be nice to come home and get a few hours badly needed rest. Sleep was not easy last night. After being told the new meds would be in the mail in just a day or two, they still have not arrived. It's been nine days. The VA mass inefficiency at work doing it's best.
Again, medication means more productivity. More productivity means more activity. More activity means weight loss, sense of accomplishment, lack of fear, etc. This, in turn, means less medication and VA usage. Hey, bet sleep will even be better! And maybe the whining will subside, LOL!
It is a VA Memphis SNAFU; I called the local clinic and they verified the drugs had been ordered. They also reported on lab tests in what I considered a timely fashion. Once again, these are Mississippi folks. Polite, well mannered. They seemed concerned about the slow response Of VA Memphis.
There is a site being built to address such issues. Mine is only a minor horror story compared to some folks. Yes, some Vietnam Vets have stayed in contact down through the years. Most of the help received in resolving issues here (this adventure started in March 2004!) has come from Vets in Texas and California.
Everyone have a great Saturday and revel in the warmth of the season. Beware of the traffic crazies too.
"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."
-Allen
Friday, December 16, 2005
It's Early n I'm Late
The high today will be in the 40s. Traffic is bad. Is there, like, a group of appointed people that can only terrorize the highways and byways between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Evening hours and weekends it's understood that folks off work are hustling around to finish Christmas shoppping. But through the week?
For all potential lab rats WikiHow has a superduper article on how to convert an ATX power supply into a bench power supply. Very detailed with pictures. Be sure and read the tips. Interesting that they listed How to Rip DVDs in the Related WikiHows section. Go figure...
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
-Dr. Seuss
For all potential lab rats WikiHow has a superduper article on how to convert an ATX power supply into a bench power supply. Very detailed with pictures. Be sure and read the tips. Interesting that they listed How to Rip DVDs in the Related WikiHows section. Go figure...
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
-Dr. Seuss
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Turning Pages
Looks like Kongitis is spreading rapidly from theater to theater. Here's a neat article about different pieces of trivia that are found in the movie ->USAToday. It's super that Mr. Jackson cares enough to embrace the original film. Think this film will overtake Titanic? I hope so.
At least the movie monkeys that schedule cinema events in Tupelo placed this feature at the Malco 10. Still unbelievable that they put the Narnia film at the rinkydink mall theater. Oh well, a drive of 50 miles to Corinth to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not a bad trip. Those folks have it in their new stadium seating Malco. You go Corinth!
There are 7 books in the Narnia Chronicles. Yes, the others will probably be made into movies. C.S. Lewis also wrote a strange, eerie science-fiction trilogy that has philosophical and religious content. THAT is what I want to see. Folks, please remember that this man was a great friend of John Tolkien. They taught at Oxford together, drank in pubs together and belonged to literary club called the Inklings.
It is with great pleasure that I see some of my heroes treated justly at the movie houses. C.S. and J.R.R. were contemporaries during the middle of the twentieth century and their books were always around the house when I grew up. C.S. Lewis was a great Protestant Theologian while Tolkien was a devout Catholic. What a wonderful friendship! I think they'd both be proud of the attention their works are receiving today.
The scifi trilogy by Lewis? Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.
"The reading of all good books is like a conversation with all the finest men of past centuries."
-Descartes
At least the movie monkeys that schedule cinema events in Tupelo placed this feature at the Malco 10. Still unbelievable that they put the Narnia film at the rinkydink mall theater. Oh well, a drive of 50 miles to Corinth to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not a bad trip. Those folks have it in their new stadium seating Malco. You go Corinth!
There are 7 books in the Narnia Chronicles. Yes, the others will probably be made into movies. C.S. Lewis also wrote a strange, eerie science-fiction trilogy that has philosophical and religious content. THAT is what I want to see. Folks, please remember that this man was a great friend of John Tolkien. They taught at Oxford together, drank in pubs together and belonged to literary club called the Inklings.
It is with great pleasure that I see some of my heroes treated justly at the movie houses. C.S. and J.R.R. were contemporaries during the middle of the twentieth century and their books were always around the house when I grew up. C.S. Lewis was a great Protestant Theologian while Tolkien was a devout Catholic. What a wonderful friendship! I think they'd both be proud of the attention their works are receiving today.
The scifi trilogy by Lewis? Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.
"The reading of all good books is like a conversation with all the finest men of past centuries."
-Descartes
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Kong of My Heart
It was a dark and stormy night. The rain hasn't let up. Constant slow drizzle that turns everything outside gray. But, it should be through tonight and sunny tomorrow. Internet connectivity has been spotty for the past few hours so this may take some time to compose.
"Moviegoers will go ape over Peter Jackson's action-fantasy thriller that delivers royally to all ages," says Louis Hobson in the London Free Press. All the reviews seem positive and it is good to see Mr. Jackson follow his phenomenal success with all three of the Lord of the Rings releases by crafting what looks like another box office smash hit. Saw Jack Black on Letterman the other night and he was entertaining. He is glad to be a part of this re-re-release.
Both the original and the 1970s version have been viewed in the past two weeks at the beach house. The first one is still fun to watch. Nevermind the stilted acting, black and white film process, the trite dialogue, and the dawn of special effects; this is a masterpiece made for the child in all of us. The second version with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange? Well, at least they found Jessica Lange.
Time to quit monkeying around and get busy. Everyone have a safe, dry day and eat a banana...
"Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater."
-Polanski
"Moviegoers will go ape over Peter Jackson's action-fantasy thriller that delivers royally to all ages," says Louis Hobson in the London Free Press. All the reviews seem positive and it is good to see Mr. Jackson follow his phenomenal success with all three of the Lord of the Rings releases by crafting what looks like another box office smash hit. Saw Jack Black on Letterman the other night and he was entertaining. He is glad to be a part of this re-re-release.
Both the original and the 1970s version have been viewed in the past two weeks at the beach house. The first one is still fun to watch. Nevermind the stilted acting, black and white film process, the trite dialogue, and the dawn of special effects; this is a masterpiece made for the child in all of us. The second version with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange? Well, at least they found Jessica Lange.
Time to quit monkeying around and get busy. Everyone have a safe, dry day and eat a banana...
"Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater."
-Polanski
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Stopup Popups
Yes Speedo Bob, I've noticed an increase in popups while using Firefox. This just proves that Satan exists and that people worship him, become demons, work for collection agencies or Osama or the phone company, write popups or use popups to annoy all of us. Open Internet Explorer and the yellow bar at the top gets busy. There are several extensions used to combat this garbage in Firefox.
First, update Firefox. You should be using version 1.5 or above. Then try to install some extensions to aid you in your right to maintain privacy. For instance, you might try Flashblock. Should you? Click on the link and read about it. There's also Adblock. The explanation is in the name. For the more aggressive web surfers you might like Nuke Anthing, Enhanced.
Have a neat utility, extension, program? Please let me know. Click on the Comments or email me! Oh yeh, one more thing. Speedo Bob, please don't send pictures!
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
-Einstein
First, update Firefox. You should be using version 1.5 or above. Then try to install some extensions to aid you in your right to maintain privacy. For instance, you might try Flashblock. Should you? Click on the link and read about it. There's also Adblock. The explanation is in the name. For the more aggressive web surfers you might like Nuke Anthing, Enhanced.
Have a neat utility, extension, program? Please let me know. Click on the Comments or email me! Oh yeh, one more thing. Speedo Bob, please don't send pictures!
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
-Einstein
Monday, December 12, 2005
Bumper Cars on Steroids
With the rush of traffic, the constant hammering of TV commercials, the current tone of email, and the lights that appear magically in everyone's yard there is no doubt it's the Christmas season. Two friends and I actually spent a few hours shopping over the weekend. Being on new meds made me a nondriver for a day so I happily rode and was fascinated and horrified by possibly the worst drivers in the country.
Defensive driving is something unknown in this area. People switch lanes, barrel through traffic lights, swerve in front of you forcing a screeching halt, so on and so forth. It looks like the Indy 500 in some areas and then you always have the creepy crawlers that move just enough to keep from being ticketed for illegal parking in the middle of the street.
Only place that even compares to this subquality driving is Memphis, but hopefully I'll never go there again. Drive safely out there today; the life you save may be my own.
"The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it."
-Dudley Moore
Defensive driving is something unknown in this area. People switch lanes, barrel through traffic lights, swerve in front of you forcing a screeching halt, so on and so forth. It looks like the Indy 500 in some areas and then you always have the creepy crawlers that move just enough to keep from being ticketed for illegal parking in the middle of the street.
Only place that even compares to this subquality driving is Memphis, but hopefully I'll never go there again. Drive safely out there today; the life you save may be my own.
"The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it."
-Dudley Moore
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Online
Okay, I've a new addiction to replace some of the old ones that have fallen by the wayside, thank God. It's called Guild Wars. This is an online role playing game that is off the scale. Right now I am a Necromancer/Ranger name Maskull Tor and I tamed a huge cat that goes around with me and kicks ass when I have to do battle. We are in a place called the Catacombs with some dude name Paulus that keeps leading me through some green muck that slowly saps the life outta you and I keep vaporizing. I don't like this Paulus dude much. Hmmmm, wonder if I can sic the big cat on him? Anyway this is downright awesome and several local people that have much more experience than me should eventually show up. What great fun!
Gotta hit the trail and do business a for a while. Tupelo is cold today. Stay warm folks!
"Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly."
-Roger Ebert
Gotta hit the trail and do business a for a while. Tupelo is cold today. Stay warm folks!
"Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly."
-Roger Ebert
Friday, December 09, 2005
One Ringy Dingy, Two Ringy Dingy
I've received several VERY negative emails about my Peter Finch post on Wednesday. Let me restate that this is a blog and will from time to time contain personal opinions. It is not my intent to agree with everyone. Being smothered in "political correctness" is about to wear my NONliberal butt out. If you like unintelligible communication while trying to obtain service have at it. I don't like it. And won 't like it.
Are you thinking about doing away with the home phone and just using your cell phone? The Washington Post published an article last Saturday that may help you with that decision. This bit of info was discovered at TechDirt which is becoming a good source of news here at the beach house. Anyway, Bellsouth is simply a horrible company. They are bullies and take bending the truth to a new level.
It's Friday. Only two more days to work this week. Everyone enjoy the weekend and embrace your loved ones. Tidings of comfort and joy!
"So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key."
-The Eagles, Already Gone
Are you thinking about doing away with the home phone and just using your cell phone? The Washington Post published an article last Saturday that may help you with that decision. This bit of info was discovered at TechDirt which is becoming a good source of news here at the beach house. Anyway, Bellsouth is simply a horrible company. They are bullies and take bending the truth to a new level.
It's Friday. Only two more days to work this week. Everyone enjoy the weekend and embrace your loved ones. Tidings of comfort and joy!
"So often time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key."
-The Eagles, Already Gone
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Fear and Loathing in Saltillo
K, the doctor's visit was casual. My fat ass needs to lose weight and test results need to be scrutinized. Meds were adjusted. The clinic people were nice. My dread was unfounded. Gosh, so nice to deal with Mississippi people.
It's late and must start search for tech help stuff to post here instead of junk. Later, and thanks to everyone for the support.
"The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology."
-Red Auerbach
It's late and must start search for tech help stuff to post here instead of junk. Later, and thanks to everyone for the support.
"The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology."
-Red Auerbach
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
My Best Peter Finch Imitation
Monday Intel announced plans to invest 1 billion dollars in India and now Microsoft plans on investing 1.7 billion. Wonder if these two giants realize the people of the United States, their main customers, are watching? And if so, do they care? You can read about this at BBCNews. Why don't they just load up and move over there and we can start using Linux, FreeBSD and hell (this WILL get flack), how about Apple? PowerPC chips can make a comeback!! The world has truly gone mad.
With the massive negative response that surrounds having to talk to someone from there and God knows where else for support, you'd think that companies would try to improve the situation. But no. Support for most manufacturers just slides downhill as we sit by and let it happen. These so called tech help types have defective babel fish stuck in their ears and just irritate you until the phone is finally hung up in disgust.
If I can't understand someone or it's apparent they do not comprehend the subject at hand then I ask for someone that has the ability to speak English or hang up and stop buying their product. I am through with Netgear because of this very reason. The singsong barely understandable pidgin garbage used to smooze you seems to be a verbose way of slapping one in the face and laughing while they do it.
Dissenters please go away. This is a valid protest to overt mistreatment as a consumer. They might as well be speaking Martian. It matters not to me where someone hails from or background just as long as they are not plotting to bomb something or terrorize in general. For God's sake, please learn the language and respect your fellow man with a conscious effort to do a good job if you are going to work in this country (even by phone). This is not too much to ask.
The soap box is put away now. It is probably a given that someone is sending those people in white coats since I actually made a positive statement about Darth Jobs and the Apple bunch. Almost time to go look at the underside of the El Camino - the sun will be up in a few minutes. Hope the parts I buy don't have instructions written in Hindi.
Peter Finch won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the crazed television anchor man Howard Beale in the 1976 film Network. He died from a stroke during a promotional tour for the film. He did win the Oscar; the first time the Best Actor award was made posthumously and he was the first Australian actor to win the award. The famouse quote? 'I'm mad as hell and I am not gonna take it anymore!!!!!'
-Wobblynife (with the help of Wikipedia)
With the massive negative response that surrounds having to talk to someone from there and God knows where else for support, you'd think that companies would try to improve the situation. But no. Support for most manufacturers just slides downhill as we sit by and let it happen. These so called tech help types have defective babel fish stuck in their ears and just irritate you until the phone is finally hung up in disgust.
If I can't understand someone or it's apparent they do not comprehend the subject at hand then I ask for someone that has the ability to speak English or hang up and stop buying their product. I am through with Netgear because of this very reason. The singsong barely understandable pidgin garbage used to smooze you seems to be a verbose way of slapping one in the face and laughing while they do it.
Dissenters please go away. This is a valid protest to overt mistreatment as a consumer. They might as well be speaking Martian. It matters not to me where someone hails from or background just as long as they are not plotting to bomb something or terrorize in general. For God's sake, please learn the language and respect your fellow man with a conscious effort to do a good job if you are going to work in this country (even by phone). This is not too much to ask.
The soap box is put away now. It is probably a given that someone is sending those people in white coats since I actually made a positive statement about Darth Jobs and the Apple bunch. Almost time to go look at the underside of the El Camino - the sun will be up in a few minutes. Hope the parts I buy don't have instructions written in Hindi.
Peter Finch won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the crazed television anchor man Howard Beale in the 1976 film Network. He died from a stroke during a promotional tour for the film. He did win the Oscar; the first time the Best Actor award was made posthumously and he was the first Australian actor to win the award. The famouse quote? 'I'm mad as hell and I am not gonna take it anymore!!!!!'
-Wobblynife (with the help of Wikipedia)
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Take a Break and Have a Cup of Coffee!
It is great to welcome back Odyssey Coffee's banner on this site. They experienced the wrath of hurricane Katrina and are now back in business. Coffee beans are roasting and they are taking orders. Great to see a worthy business survive. Folks, check 'em out and try some of their varieties, blends and flavors. Best wishes.
The jack gave way and the El Camino almost fell on me a few minutes ago. Got out with just a cut finger where the hood caught it as I pulled my lardbutt out from under the chasis. That's some scary stuff! Was trying to get the jack stands under it, so wasn't up under it thank God. This is an adventure I'll be glad to end. Mechanic I'm not!
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
-Churchill
The jack gave way and the El Camino almost fell on me a few minutes ago. Got out with just a cut finger where the hood caught it as I pulled my lardbutt out from under the chasis. That's some scary stuff! Was trying to get the jack stands under it, so wasn't up under it thank God. This is an adventure I'll be glad to end. Mechanic I'm not!
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
-Churchill
He Looked Up and Said, "Go Away You Dirty Old Snake!"
Ever heard the phrase 'that boy is snakebit'? Well, it is either an Anaconda or a Python that has been seen prowling around the beach house. The lead sled is still ailing from transmission problems. Three jobs scheduled to end by midweek have been rescheduled. My dread of the doctor's appointment Thursday has increased tenfold. It's hard to get parts to work on a vehicle if you don't HAVE a vehicle to retrieve said parts.
My desire to have a calm, peaceful Christmas is quickly going out the window. This yearning must border on some weird type of heresy. Even though prayer has not helped so far, it's still my greatest option for relief. And yes, all this whining is beginning to irritate even me. Normally optimism abounds around here, but after all I am a man. Now please excuse me while I crawl back under the El Camino and wallow in a pool of transmission fluid and tears.
"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."
-Lucille Ball
My desire to have a calm, peaceful Christmas is quickly going out the window. This yearning must border on some weird type of heresy. Even though prayer has not helped so far, it's still my greatest option for relief. And yes, all this whining is beginning to irritate even me. Normally optimism abounds around here, but after all I am a man. Now please excuse me while I crawl back under the El Camino and wallow in a pool of transmission fluid and tears.
"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."
-Lucille Ball
Monday, December 05, 2005
Monday and wimpy boy
Thanks goes out to all the great people that call and let me know that they have a problem with their network, computer, router, etc. Using the 'I just didn't want to bother you' excuse is not a very good one. With a wave of bad weather over the weekend several people have called and so far we've successfully recovered from all problems by either phone conversations, email or remoting in to the systems. Hats off to those with their thinking caps on top of their noggins!
An appointment is scheduled with a clinic that I visited many times as a private patient. It's this Thursday. Great results were produced by seeing someone that is no longer on the staff. My luck. After a call to reschedule an appointment they found out that I'd be coming under the auspices of the Veterans Administration. The reschedule was refused and I ran out of meds in October. So now I have to go over there expecting the worse and dread has started taking its toll.
There was a 10% disability when I left Uncle Sam and the wonderful world of Nam behind. At the time it was felt the disability was not needed so it was refused. After many years, nightmares and daily panic attacks now I face a hostile group when dealing with things VA. Maybe refusing that disability was not so noble, but damned stupid. After my experiences with Dr. Sonuvabitch Beavers in Memphis it seems that they are trying to kill me instead of giving aid. Please remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that there's not someone out to get you! LOL
Why all the harping? No meds for two months and a fear of more unnecessary abuse do not make for the best circumstances. Is it too much to ask for people to be polite and help me get my blood pressure under control? We will see, we will see...
"And I will use regimens for the benefit of the ill in accordance with my ability and my judgment, but from [what is] to their harm or injustice I will keep [them]."
-taken from the Hippocratic Oath
An appointment is scheduled with a clinic that I visited many times as a private patient. It's this Thursday. Great results were produced by seeing someone that is no longer on the staff. My luck. After a call to reschedule an appointment they found out that I'd be coming under the auspices of the Veterans Administration. The reschedule was refused and I ran out of meds in October. So now I have to go over there expecting the worse and dread has started taking its toll.
There was a 10% disability when I left Uncle Sam and the wonderful world of Nam behind. At the time it was felt the disability was not needed so it was refused. After many years, nightmares and daily panic attacks now I face a hostile group when dealing with things VA. Maybe refusing that disability was not so noble, but damned stupid. After my experiences with Dr. Sonuvabitch Beavers in Memphis it seems that they are trying to kill me instead of giving aid. Please remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that there's not someone out to get you! LOL
Why all the harping? No meds for two months and a fear of more unnecessary abuse do not make for the best circumstances. Is it too much to ask for people to be polite and help me get my blood pressure under control? We will see, we will see...
"And I will use regimens for the benefit of the ill in accordance with my ability and my judgment, but from [what is] to their harm or injustice I will keep [them]."
-taken from the Hippocratic Oath
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Tupelo Forums and Sunday Activities
Just visiting over at TupeloForums viewing some frightening yet funny online ads TFAdmin has found and noticed that this site is now hosting blogs and has a custom browser toolbar available for download free of charge. They've been busy. Nice online community that has many topics and lotsa' users. There ARE some characters in the mix. Fun site.
Building a SCSI server for a client, reloading a corrupted laptop (it has the Windows ME fungus) and trying to configure a wireless router to work as an access point. It's going to be a long afternoon and evening. And hey, if I die today I guess the embarrassment of the awful, messy, trashed out, unkept garage and house won't matter, will it? Ahhhhh, my efforts to stay around until tomorrow are fortified. I need cheesecake...
"Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?"
-Wobblynife
Building a SCSI server for a client, reloading a corrupted laptop (it has the Windows ME fungus) and trying to configure a wireless router to work as an access point. It's going to be a long afternoon and evening. And hey, if I die today I guess the embarrassment of the awful, messy, trashed out, unkept garage and house won't matter, will it? Ahhhhh, my efforts to stay around until tomorrow are fortified. I need cheesecake...
"Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?"
-Wobblynife
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Top 100
PCWorld has listed its choices for the 100 best products of 2005. Firefox took top honors with GMail running a close second. Interesting list. Microsoft almost didn't make the top 50. The resource hog Windows Media Player 10 squeaked in at #47. Don't start up all you Gates Nazis. I use Windows Media Player when in Windows. But Amarok in Linux blows it away!!
Who creates all these lists? Google search for top 100, 2005 and look at the results. Got to coffee up, load up, get off my dead ass up and go to work. Everyone enjoy Saturday and try not to get stuck in traffic. It's a bitch out there.
"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."
-Mark Twain (or shop with 'em)
Who creates all these lists? Google search for top 100, 2005 and look at the results. Got to coffee up, load up, get off my dead ass up and go to work. Everyone enjoy Saturday and try not to get stuck in traffic. It's a bitch out there.
"I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."
-Mark Twain (or shop with 'em)
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Say Cheese
Recently, a friend of mine purchased a camera online. She hasn't received it yet. I feel sure it will be okay, but noticed an article about a camera purchase at Slashdot while browsing my news sources this morning. The article is located at Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection. Be sure and read the comments at the bottom. Great information and thanks goes out to Thomas Hawk for not being bullied and sharing this bad experience with us. Scammers will reside in the deepest level of hell.
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
-C.S. Lewis
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
-C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
BTE rocks!
Please crank up your Internet Explorer. Yep, the day after Firefox 1.5 comes out I am asking everyone to open Internet Explorer. You know the big blue "E" thangy. Now that you are using Microsoft's browser please click on this link:
Better Than Ezra
My wonderful, pretty, neat, wayyyyy kewl, geeky daughter and a friend put this together. Hey, it's a nice piece of work!!! She also plays a mean cowbell!
"If I ever die of a heart attack, I hope it will be from playing my stereo too loud."
-Wobblynife
Better Than Ezra
My wonderful, pretty, neat, wayyyyy kewl, geeky daughter and a friend put this together. Hey, it's a nice piece of work!!! She also plays a mean cowbell!
"If I ever die of a heart attack, I hope it will be from playing my stereo too loud."
-Wobblynife
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
You Gotta Love It
Firefox was one year old on November 9, 2005. They recently celebrated their 100 millionth download. This is awesome. The whole concept of Mozilla.org is fantastic. Opensource technology with customer input and they actually listen? Wow! If you are clicking the big blue "E" and tired of popups, spyware infestation, etc., here's a super alternative with super support.
Don't like Outlook or Outlook Express or want to try a great alternative email client? Try Mozilla's Thunderbird. As they say, "reclaim your inbox." Simple to download, simple to install and very user friendly. Great tutorials on the website. This is a really good looking email client and it will interface with GMail (best damned email service on the planet!). Spam no more!
One last note: Don't get too zealous and delete Internet Explorer! This is a big NO NO. BTW, the newest, greatest, shiniest, spiffiest, fantabulous version (1.5) of Firefox will be out this afternoon. Just click on the button below.
"There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer."
-Emerson
Don't like Outlook or Outlook Express or want to try a great alternative email client? Try Mozilla's Thunderbird. As they say, "reclaim your inbox." Simple to download, simple to install and very user friendly. Great tutorials on the website. This is a really good looking email client and it will interface with GMail (best damned email service on the planet!). Spam no more!
One last note: Don't get too zealous and delete Internet Explorer! This is a big NO NO. BTW, the newest, greatest, shiniest, spiffiest, fantabulous version (1.5) of Firefox will be out this afternoon. Just click on the button below.
"There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer."
-Emerson
Monday, November 28, 2005
Duh!
If you don't want spyware, adware, thiefware, malware, garbageware, or whateverware you choose to call it, don't use Yahoo. They freely admit that they use Claria and 180. The messenger program can be installed without the rest of their junk. You can also go into Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and remove everything Yahoo, leaving JUST the messenger thangy. Google search the words spyware and Yahoo together then read a few million articles like this one at AdwareReport.
If you are an AOL user, may the Good Lord help you. After removing several AOHell things from a computer yesterday the memory usage dropped over 200megs on start up!!!! This is absurd. Can someone tell me what AOL Hosting is about? Wait...nevermind - I really don't want to know. Please remember, if you exceed the amount of memory in your computer the hard drive is called on to step in and help. That means constant spinning of the platters. Friction and heat are NOT our friends when it comes to the internal workings of yo' hard drive.
There , I am through banging my head against the wall.
"There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
-Frank Zappa
If you are an AOL user, may the Good Lord help you. After removing several AOHell things from a computer yesterday the memory usage dropped over 200megs on start up!!!! This is absurd. Can someone tell me what AOL Hosting is about? Wait...nevermind - I really don't want to know. Please remember, if you exceed the amount of memory in your computer the hard drive is called on to step in and help. That means constant spinning of the platters. Friction and heat are NOT our friends when it comes to the internal workings of yo' hard drive.
There , I am through banging my head against the wall.
"There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life."
-Frank Zappa
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Under the Tree and Dreaming
Last week ArsTechnica posted an in depth article about Christmas gifts for geeks. There are links, pictures, staff choices, and the prices range from a few dollars into the thousands. Of course the AIBO was listed and a remote control INDOOR model airplane. Boy howdy, there's two gifts on my list for Santa. BTW, if anyone sees that dude in the red suit with the big white beard, please tell him I am still lookin' fer 'em. Check it out -> ArsTechnica 2005 holiday shopping guide.
Ahhhh, the smell of commercial Christmas is in the air. Why can we not do away with all this gift giving and learn to celebrate the Spirit of the season? We could enjoy fellowship and harmony instead of over-extending budgets to please everyone with the appropriate gift. Sorry, scroogeitis has hit early this year. If shopping was a pleasant experience things might be better. When did all these rude people invade our gentle, polite South?
Everyone knows I am mad at Sony about the rootkit/spyware thangy. Still, one of those Aibo robot dogs will be accepted at the Beach House - if you have two large ($2000.00) to burn, LOL. Enjoy Sunday.
"...people in every direction... no words exchanged, no time to exchange them, and all the little ants are marching..."
-Dave Mathews
Ahhhh, the smell of commercial Christmas is in the air. Why can we not do away with all this gift giving and learn to celebrate the Spirit of the season? We could enjoy fellowship and harmony instead of over-extending budgets to please everyone with the appropriate gift. Sorry, scroogeitis has hit early this year. If shopping was a pleasant experience things might be better. When did all these rude people invade our gentle, polite South?
Everyone knows I am mad at Sony about the rootkit/spyware thangy. Still, one of those Aibo robot dogs will be accepted at the Beach House - if you have two large ($2000.00) to burn, LOL. Enjoy Sunday.
"...people in every direction... no words exchanged, no time to exchange them, and all the little ants are marching..."
-Dave Mathews
Saturday, November 26, 2005
There's More Turkeys Around this Weekend
"It's being called the worst computer worm of the year -- a fast-spreading Internet threat that looks like an official e-mail from the CIA or FBI but can leave your computer wide open to intruders."
You can read the rest of the article at the Washington Post. If you own a computer you need to pay attention to what is said in this informative post. The Sober X virus is another slap in our faces by the ne'er do wells that write this garbage. If you are infected your personal information will be gleaned. Don't treat this lightly.
Everyone have a casual weekend and put some gravy on that turkey; it's most likely drying out by now.
"One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives."
-Mark Twain
You can read the rest of the article at the Washington Post. If you own a computer you need to pay attention to what is said in this informative post. The Sober X virus is another slap in our faces by the ne'er do wells that write this garbage. If you are infected your personal information will be gleaned. Don't treat this lightly.
Everyone have a casual weekend and put some gravy on that turkey; it's most likely drying out by now.
"One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives."
-Mark Twain
Friday, November 25, 2005
Emailers beware
Have you seen this?
Dear Sir/Madam,
We have logged your IP-address on more than 30 illegal Web sites.
Important: Please answer our questions! The list of questions are attached.
Yours faithfully,
Steven Allison
Federal Bureau of Investigation-FBI-
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW , Room 3220
Washington , DC 20535
Phone: (202) 324-30000
Do yourself a favor and DON'T open it. This is one of the guises used by the latest rendition of the Sober virus. You can read about this at IT Vibe. When they find the person that wrote the virus I hope he's gut shot and left to die, slowly. What a ridiculous, demonic, useless way to spend time.
"I think the enemy is here before us.... I think the enemy is simple selfishness and compulsive greed.... I think he stole our earth from us, destroyed our wealth, and ravaged and despoiled our land."
-Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again
Dear Sir/Madam,
We have logged your IP-address on more than 30 illegal Web sites.
Important: Please answer our questions! The list of questions are attached.
Yours faithfully,
Steven Allison
Federal Bureau of Investigation-FBI-
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW , Room 3220
Washington , DC 20535
Phone: (202) 324-30000
Do yourself a favor and DON'T open it. This is one of the guises used by the latest rendition of the Sober virus. You can read about this at IT Vibe. When they find the person that wrote the virus I hope he's gut shot and left to die, slowly. What a ridiculous, demonic, useless way to spend time.
"I think the enemy is here before us.... I think the enemy is simple selfishness and compulsive greed.... I think he stole our earth from us, destroyed our wealth, and ravaged and despoiled our land."
-Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Fat Croc Chardonnay Compliments Turkey
Thanksgiving was held at the Beach House last night. Determination overrode scheduling conflicts and the food was prepared on time, very tasty and everyone left in good spirits. Nice to have both my daughters together for the first time in a year. I think my Mother had more fun than anyone. It's what celebrating is all about. Amid the laughter, constant conversation, food preparation I stopped several times and thanked God for my family and a wonderful gathering. Yep, all the hard work is worth it. No doubt.
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
-Howard
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
-Howard
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