Paul Swaim

2009-11-18T23:17:00.001-08:00

Relocating this operation over to http://paulswaim.wordpress.com. I'll be dividing some of my geek out into its own blog at BinaryDojo.com once I decide on the hosting and software for it.

2009-08-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Sorta-Live Blog! (hit refresh for updates)

I like when Gizmodo and Engadget do liveblogs at important events. Since I don't have world-relevant events to attend, I want to liveblog an open meeting I'm going to. It will be fairly agnostic so as to not tick anyone off.

(10:47am) - Heading over to the location of the meeting. It is hot today.

(11:00am) - I am out of shape. Got winded stepping over a curb.

(11:04am) - Lots of people present. Food setup ready to provide free lunch. People are thinking I have a problem letting go of my job for a few minutes since I have a laptop here.

(11:05am) - Wireless is spotty here outside. Someone should do something about that.

(11:08am) - Important people getting attention. HR people are always important people.

(11:10am) - Warm welcome, Prez incoming.

(11:10am) - Applauding remote center workers who came out for the gathering. /cheer!

(11:12am) - Prez celebrating our achievements. Big anniversaries, group awards, training successes in the community, economy issues overcome. Prez could give Obama tips on ad-libbing.

(11:13am) - Remodel plans for aging part of facilities over the next year. Good deal. Extended property officially available to us now; will be great for the future.

(11:15am) - More people this year. We have to "work like the devil". Pretty sure that's hard work. I'm scared.

(11:19am) - Lots of new recruits to be intro'd soon. We need to weather the economic storm. Protecting compensation and success. Wrapping up Prez comments. Encouraging stuff. I'll work like Jesus tho, if I had a preference.

(11:21am) - HR show back on. New employees! HR guy loves powerpoint, but since we're outside, they've got huge photos! I love our HR.

(11:22am) - Picture mixup. Recovery: 45% success.

(11:23am) - Where does one put a massive picture of oneself without appearing conceited?

(11:26am) - Lot of new people. Lots of retirement.

(11:28am) - Applause for new peeps. Full size pic of upcoming retiree for use in sending pics from locations he's "been" to. I have one of Cpt. Kirk.

(11:29am) - I am a sad person for 11:28am comment?

(11:29am) - Wellness topics. Very awesome benefits to keep employees fit & happy. Lots of fringe benefit incentives and community discounts.

(11:31am) - Chairperson talking about employee discussions about work topics and concerns.

(11:32am) - Local credit union underwriting lunch. Also awesome.

(11:32am) - Credit Union onstage. They love us. Talkin about benefits to employees. Drawings for attendees. /cry I missed the reg table.

(11:34am) - My dad just won a gift card. I LOVE YOU DAD! *hint*

(11:34am) - Quick dismissal and announcement for FOOD.

(11:34am) - /food /out

2009-08-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine and I had begun preparation on a camp geared towards high school teenagers. The camp is usually about 1 week long and is affliated with a church group that I am involved with. We've enjoyed working together, yet had to cancel this particular camp session this year due to low numbers. In our planning we've found that groups deciding to join a camp weigh a whole set of factors that in the end steer them away.

There are other camp sessions at this location, and they have been offered for years. Most of the sessions target age groups, although one targets music & singing. The camp I was involved with is an age group that is actually contained within the age group of one other camp that meets later in the summer. We're finding groups choose to send their whole crew to the all-inclusive camp so they can consolidate trips, volunteers, and costs. We're also finding that the success of the music-themed camp is great as well.

We're thinking of ideas to revamp the format of our camp to work with today's families. In my opinion, it can't be the same as any of the other existing camps since groups are choosing to add events to their calendars that work with the American family schedule, with budgets, and that offer something unique enough to merit the effort to attend. We'll run some ideas by the camp operations to see what people think.

I don't know that everyone involved with the operations of the camp sessions would agree with me, but I see that some innovation for today's youth are in definite order.

Pondering...

I just got back from this year's "All-Teen" camp session, a weeklong excursion involving junior AND senior high youth. It was an amazing week filled with spiritual power and growth (and only a few injuries). I have many great memories from attending this camp as both a camper and a staff person, and this year only added to those. Highlights from my week at camp (in random order):

+ I won a game of Risk (I also lost one).

+ I got to hang out with some good friends that I have not seen in a while.

+ I dug into the Word of God and listened to today's youth talk about true Christian fellowship from a fresh perspective.

+ I watched youth learn how to make communication succeed and how to make it absolutely fail.

+ The format was excellent and brought a lot of disparate people together for interesting tasks that taught cooperation and fellowship on many levels.

+ I saw teenagers change and grow.

+ I got to play basketball, volleyball, ping pong, and kicked a hack around.

+ I got sore for a day or two.

+ I got to sleep in 1 day.

+ I got to stay up really late 2 nights.

+ I had one rough day.

+ I floated around with Scott in a canoe for a bit while he caught 12 fish.

+ I learned a Russian card game called "Duroc".

+ I watched one of our youth group members fall on his back from 8 feet or so in the air. He's ok now, but we were worried about him.

+ I saw another person's stitches on the bottom of their foot from an unlucky run-in with a bolt on the camp dock.

+ I sang until my throat hurt.

+ I had good discussions about forgiveness and love.

+ I opened the wooden slats on our cabin (they double

Over all, it was a great time. I was very relaxed and it felt good to be a support person on the staff. I don't think I've recovered yet!

2009-06-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

10 Ways To Make Your E-Entertainment More Entertaining

I like to geek out my home a bit and I try to do it on the cheap (relative term$, I know). Here's a few ways to make your multimedia work for you, instead of you for it. I know there are alternatives to what I list here, but these are fairly easy ways. Also, this is a fairly simple look at what can be done and doesn't go into all the possible software and computers that EVER could solve a bug for increased entertainment (disclaimer for you internet supremecists, but feel free to post your wisdom on good ideas or alternatives). If you're reading about E3 or mulling over the results of the WWDC, then this is probably old hat for you. Maybe not. Read on.

+ Die DRM! - DRM (Digital Rights Management) is a software method that keeps your media captive and prevents you from playing it wherever/on whatever you want without a lot of hassle (oh , and it protects the interests of the copyright holder...yeah that, too). An easy fix for music going forward is to purchase from DRM-free stores like Amazon's MP3 store without having to pay more for the freedom (and they plug music right into several popular music players like Windows Media Player and iTunes). Once free, your media can boldly go where it may not have before.

+ Portable Device/Portable Speakers - If you have a portable media player, invest in some external speakers. We purchased some affordable Logitech speakers and can take them anywhere (internal battery for uncorded play), unlocking our content for locations that need pep. You may find yourself becoming the standing DJ of an event. Katrina's used them for scrapbooking parties; I've used them with an XBox 360 at a friend's house. If you don't have a protable media player, get one. They are cheap and allow such enjoyment and freedom. Apple's sillouhetted color-flashing commercials play into this base enjoyment of the freedom involved in having a soundtrack to your life. Get a player that suits you, and get something to strap it to yourself. Go for a walk with it on and try to tell me that life doesn't seem somehow better.

+ Media Extender - A media extender is a device that does just what it says: extends media. I personally use Windows Media Center on my PC (Microsoft did this software right!) with an XBox360 as the extender. Windows Media Center is easy to use and lets you extend all kinds of media to places you couldn't easily before. It takes all the music, pictures, and video on your computer(s) and gives you a nice interface to view it all in. If you have a TV card, it can even record TV (although DVRs are cheap alternatives from TV providers). There are many devices that do all of this work for you in one physical device, although more features = more price. Apple has solutions that are not always called "media extenders" but serve the same purpose, such as this AirPort Express which serves as a wireless access point, print server, and iTunes music streamer. Some extenders even have addons that will stream for other popular online services such as Netflix and Hulu. I currently use the XBox360 to watch our Netflix Watch-it-now queue (required XBox Live subscription, which I use for online gaming anyhow). A friend of mine uses an all-in-one product called "PopcornHour" to great effect. If you have multimedia on a home computer, but the PC is tucked away in an office, this may be a great solution for bringing that content right to your living room to be enjoyed anytime, anyplace in the house.

+ DIE Physical Media! - Extending media from a PC is nice if there's actual digital media to be extended, so it is time to go digital. CDs and DVDs are nice, but with a media extender and some effort you can turn a computer into a multimedia jukebox. There are many free tools for converting media and allowing you to stow the physical media as a backup. Handbrake is a popular and free software tool for such a purpose, although DVDs often are encrypted for copy protection (DRM) and it can be illegal to circumvent this encryption. Most people are used to carrying music around with them, but carting around video is becoming simpler every day. It has been nice to have kid shows on the iPod when one of our children was sick and we had a long stay in a waiting room. If you can make the physical disc the LAST thing you would use, then you're gleaning more value from your purchases. Not for the faint of heart, but there are tools out there to help. Note: DVDs can take up a lot of space once the content is duplicated to a computer's hard drive, so place your favorites on first.

+ The Library - Many families individually make their own music purchases and thus have a TON of media that is only on ONE computer for ONE person even though most online music services license content for more than one person. It is more complex to keep aligned, but keeping up with each other about music purchases and copying the content to other home computers or portable devices allows your library of content to be enjoyed AND backed up. My wife is our main purchaser of music, and since we have similar tastes in tunes this works out well. Her computer is our music master and I make sure new tunes get copied over to my computer. My daughter, Katie, has her own little portable player, so I'm working out a way to trickle Katrina's library over to our common home computer so she has a place to enjoy the music as well. This can be tedious but there are guildes for popular players on how to move your entire library over. [1] [2]

+ Backup - A friend once told me "Very few people care about the backing up of their data. Most people are only concerned with the RESTORING of it." It is amazing how many people neglect their backups. I'm pretty sure it is like forgetting to brush your teeth; it isn't a matter of IF the teeth will fall out, but WHEN. I tell people to measure the importance of backing up against how much of a loss it would be if their computer died. Eyes get wide at that comment. Family photos, music, childhood video, etc all lost! USB sticks (thumb drives), external USB hard drives, and other such devices are very handy for plugging into your computer and copying to. I won't pull the punch, backups aren't usually easy. Apple computers have "Time Machine" which helps the process, and Windows Vista & Windows 7 have other flavors of backup & restore to help make it simple and scheduled. Remember: backing up to the same computer usually isn't really a backup; the whole machine can go *poof* at the same time. It is good to backup to a device that you can take with you in case of a fire, just as you might do with an "important papers" folder or with a fireproof safe. I created a little shortcut for my wife that allows her to plug in a USB drive, run the shortcut, then pull out the USB drive when the backup shows that it is done. This backup is a complete mirror of what she wants to keep safe, including the removal of things she's deleted. Feel free to email me at pmswaim at gmail if you'd like a copy of how I use this backup tool. I'm not responsible for what happens when you use the code I sent you. :D For goodness' sake, go back up your stuff!

+ Speakers & Quality - You don't have to break your bank, but get some speakers that don't sound like they are made of tin foil. If your brand new perfect-condition CD music sounds like it is being streamed from Thailand over a dialup connection from 1984, then you could probably enjoy an upgrade. The quality of speakers is often measured in part by the range of sound they can play, and we often don't realize that we're cutting off entire high ranges and low ranges that were meant to be heard. Cheap stock car stereo sound is often this way and will muffle out bass entirely from a song (even when the car is still). You don't have to get a professional to help; you can listen to speakers at in-town shops and decide your personal price-to-ear-performance. Just don't let the salesman convince you that the $75 cables are mandatory ("You're killin' me, Smalls..."). Buy it online with some price comparison from known or well-researched stores. Don't count out surround sound as a possibility. We met our tastes for surround sound for about $400 from a home-theater-in-a-box from Samsung. If you really only want music in an office, you might escape for a nice set of $40+ desk speakers. Don't put up with sound that you KNOW is puny when there are affordable alternatives.

+ Files & Quality - Media quality on your computer is usually measured by the format of the media (mp3, wma, m4a, ac3, avi, mp4, etc) and by the "bitrate". A good bitrate depends on the format, but generally higher numbers mean better quality. It is literally the RATE at which the BITS of data are accumulated to record a sound. The higher the bitrate the more likely the file is to contain an accurate sample of the original song because it used MORE data to record the sound every second. Common bitrates for MP3 files are 128kbps (kilobits per second) and 192kbps but can go much higher. When you place a CD in your computer to rip it, you can usually configure the program to use a higher bitrate and thus increase potential quality. If you are running out of disk space, you might choose 128 (lower) instead to conserve space. Audiophiles can also download enormous "lossless" formats from some sites, with virtually no loss of quality yet are measured in MEGAbits per second (not for common folk; these files will eat up disk space in a hurry). It comes down to personal preference, but the fact that most online retailors favor 128-256kbps means you are likely to be satisfied somewhere in that range. Consider your storage space, consider if you can back it all up somewhere, consider your ears.

+ Universal Remote - A good universal remote can make your entertainment world go 'round. I personally use a lower-end Logitech Harmony remote (I paid $50) that is programmable right on your computer. This thing even controls our air conditioner (now that's lazy). Some remotes are programmed to do some functions, but a great universal can be programmed for ACTIVITIES. I have a button I named "XBox360", and it turns on the audio receiver, the TV, sets them both to the proper audio/video settings, then powers up the XBox360. All in one button. These remotes take a little work, but are amazing once up and running. Wow, I sound really lazy. *pause in typing to look out at the sun for a brief moment*

+ Media from Anywhere - With more mobile devices out there, the desire to watch your home media on-demand is less of an issue. That being said, it CAN be very handy. I've been front-ending my Microsoft Windows Media Center computer with the free WebGuide software. Even if you do not record television, the web interface this creates allows you to stream just about anything that Windows Media Center can play. It can be handy for sharing out folders to far-off family so they can get your newest kid pictures, etc (although there are great free online services for some of these features i.e. Google's Picasa). When recording TV with Windows Media Center, WebGuide can manage your computer like a DVR, scheduling recordings and deleting unwanted shows. It even has an on-the-go mobile version for portable devices with nearly EVERY function of the full view (this is an automatic feature). I wouldn't go out and buy a computer for this purpose unless you are fairly tech-savvy, but if you already have a Media Center PC, this can be a free alternative to renting or buying a DVR. Note that the features a DVR serves are a bit different and self-contained, but ready-to-use and with free support from the TV provider.

I didn't intend to say so much, but I'm feeling terrible with allergies right now and didn't feel like doing much. I hope this spreads some fun to someone. How do you make YOUR electo-entertainment more entertaining? I'm sure there's some tech AND non-tech ways. :D

2009-06-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm a twit. er..Twitterer. Tweeter. I say things that are on my mind and hope someone cares. I try to keep to a certain set of thoughts so I don't whiplash followers. I have a Facebook update when I want to navel-gaze. My Twitter is for things I like and news I find interesting. So many people are signing up for Twitter, finding that the real time information game is awesome. I only understood this past year what it is really for, and it has flipped my information-gathering on its head. I think I need to unplug for a few days.

2008-12-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

Nine reasons why Katrina is a good Mom:

+ She's willing to set up a messy craft so the kids can have fun.

+ Chooses to play with the kids even when other things may seem more entertaining at the time.

+ Protects the kids when they need to be, yet uses every opportunity to teach them.

+ Thinks about the kids' needs before her own.

+ Doesn't complain about all the work that goes into running a home.

+ Watches her words around everyone.

+ Takes the time to answer the kids' questions patiently, sometimes resulting in 20 questions on the subject.

+ She makes sure the kids go outside even when they don't want to. They always end up loving it.

+ She makes sure the kids see the world as God would have us see it.

2008-11-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

My wife is blogging every day this month. I will muster one post.

Much has happened lately. I've moved into a new job at my work as a geek. I'm now a supervisor for an awesome group of geeks. My wife and I decided to rent a house and get our children into rooms of their own. I'm getting more involved in ministry at my church. My God is great, and has blessed me so much.

The kids are pretty excited about having their own space. My son has never known any place other than our apartment, yet he has been very positive about all the changes. He and his sister have stopped fighting over toys and now fight over who can go in which room. Their bunk beds split into two beds, so that helped with a comfortable transition. So far, they seem to be sharing toys pretty well considering that not even their parents know which ones belong to which kid.

I've been getting out of shape lately, and that is stopping now. I've started working out even in small moments at work. Pushups here, situps there, lunges before bed, etc. My friend Steve will also be training me in Shotokan Karate. I've been wanting to regularly train with the Karate school, yet I've made myself busy with other things. Karate has to become a way of life to really enjoy it. This dojo is Christian Karate, so they have even more reason for people to commit to it. They focus on improving the spirit, mind, and body with spiritual principles that encourage perfection of character according to the word of God. The dojo took the original 5 principles of Shotokan and expanded their themes into 17 or so "Character Qualities" that relate to bible scriptures. Katas are associated with character qualities. Great stuff.

I'm tired. Going to sleep. ....

2008-07-17T10:11:00.001-07:00

I am full of hope today. The evidence of the creator is all around me, and it fills me with peace. He's promised an inheritance, and I'm part of the family.

I took a rainbow pic with a camera phone behind scuba Steve & Jen's house. I wish I had the good camera with me; so many more colors to be seen than my razr can handle.

The moth pictured is from a camp I went to in June. At least there was something besides mosquitoes there.

The hills picture was also a camera phone shot. I went riding with my dad on his ATV. We ran all over the hills and gained enough altitude to see some beautiful scenery.

God is good. All the time.
All the time. God is good.

2008-07-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Whilst my wife was on a don't-ask-don't-tell trip to Las Vegas with some of our good friends from college (the don't-ask-don't-tell relates primarily to food), I spent some vacation time from work to watch the kids. The children dreamed up all kinds of mayhem for us to perform while mom was away, mostly involving long Wii sessions. After sufficiently denying our bodies a source of vitamin D, we trekked over to the house of some good friends. They have a large pool set up, as Steve is a certified scuba dive instructor. Caleb chattered about the pool constantly before we left for their house, on the way over, and the entire time we did not have him in the pool. When we first arrived, Steve was finishing up a lesson with some friends, interesting Caleb immediately.

"I want to go scuver diving! Can I go scuver diving, Daddy?!?"

I know little-to-nothing of what is required for proper scuba diving, let alone the scuver version. Steve wrapped up his session, we grilled out on their deck, and then Steve gave one of his sons a first lesson in the pool. Caleb watched the setup and the lesson very closely, making sure to interject "Is it my turn to go scuver diving yet?" every 3.2 seconds and rooting through the equipment laying on the ground, looking for something that he might need to put on in order to be more elligible for a dive. He enjoyed watching Steve put on the now-cold wetshirt he had used before the cookout. I didn't know Steve could dance.

Steve's son finished his session, and Caleb (already clad in a life jacket) was plunged into the pool. It had cooled off considerably since we had arrived, but this was no deterrent for my son. He practically ignored the fact that his core body temperature dropped 2 degrees just by entering the pool. "Can I have flippers? Can I wear THAT? I want to do scuver diving." Steve was happy to help him out, and satisfied Caleb's thirst for the watersport with a snorkel-style experience with the breathing tank.

I think there must be something about kids not having any fear blockage that enables them to take right to anything having to do with water. He had no problems with sticking his begoggled face in the pool and breathing through a tube. He did have problems with bitting down enough to create a good seal for breathing, so he managed to swallow a little pool water. At least it hadn't been chlorinated yet.

He was none too happy when I pulled him out of the water. I won't be surprised if this kid wants more shots at the scuver pool this summer.

2008-04-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

There are many fun childhood events that you get to relive when you have children of your own. My family has been plowing through a Lego stage, which has been fantastic. Recently I stumbled upon the fact that my children are ready for a whole new level of board games. We've been playing quite a few "Chutes and Ladders" and Winnie-the-pooh-branded "Candy Land" matches, yet as much as I love my children, playing these games consecutively has been only slightly more enjoyable than having my gums tattooed ("CURSE YOU, MUFFIN CARD!!!"). I'm glad to be there for my children, forming an understanding of rules, etiquette, sportsmanship, and other important principles. It would be better, though, if the games were a lot less annoying.
A few days ago, I thought I'd throw a new game in the mix: Monopoly. My daughter is 9, and my son is 5, so I wasn't sure how the young one would take to this game. I thought maybe he'd enjoy it since you get to buy things, roll dice, move cool pieces (he likes the boat and the car). I sooooo underestimated their enjoyment. EVERY day since we played the first round, they have begged me to play it with them. I am sure part of the enjoyment is just sitting down with dad to have some fun, but they like the game a lot, too.
Caleb's learned a lot about counting, and Katie's learned a lot about not taking advantage of people (she knows Caleb will accept just about any trade she offers). We've finished two games and declared a winner before the end of two other rounds (bedtime has a limit as to the number of extensions, as does Caleb's patience).
This whole adventure has opened up a whole new world of games that have gathered dust in the closet. Katie's been known to venture into Stratego or some high-thinking games like it. We've also started branching out into a few more card games aside from "Go Fish". A few more items on my list: Settlers of Catan (looks geeky, but is fun for everyone), War (with doubles-slapping), Sequence, and (for Katie) Mastermind. We pulled out Crossbows & Catapults a few months ago, and it has been a big hit as well. Who doesn't get a small kick out of plastic-chucking rubber-band powered medieval siege engines designed to knock down plastic castles? Vicarious living! :D

2008-03-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

A great friend of mine who has a fun collection of classic action figures once gave me a Mega Man action figure as a gift. I've had it in my office for years, and my son recently spied it power-posing on its perch. I gave it to him, as we all know an action figure needs action. My boy was very pleased.
He brought it up to me at home today and asked about the hero, and I related the history of the character as much as I knew. I said "Did you know Mega Man has a theme song?", having not shared with my 5-year old the secret joy of the Mega Man series: killer 1980's midi-riffs. My son was skeptical. Action figures with "songs" don't sound so cool. "No he doesn't", my son objected. "Sure he does. And he rocks out while fighting the bad guys. You want to hear some of it?" I countered. "SURE!", all skepticism washing away from my boy when presented with a chance to experience something new. So I googled "mega man theme" and came up with this gem below (which I was deliberately looking for to show him). I am glad there are people out there with lots of time on their hands so I can relive my childhood in a way that won't sound corny to my kids. For all you classic gamers out there:

My son was satisfied that action figures could indeed have songs. So what other classics have inspired the masses?
---

2008-02-18T21:53:00.001-08:00

A few things I like, in no particular order:

+ My kids. They are amazing. Talking about them makes me want to go and peek in on them while they sleep so soundly in their bunks. So cute. They make endless crafts, pretend magnificent worlds, cuddle, clap at new sunlight. They keep me sane even though they sometimes drive me otherwise.

+ Martial arts movies. Even if the plot stinks, I have a very open mind towards this genre of film. I know this is a consistency problem, as I will staunchly oppose the merits of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, but I'll defend to the death Jet Li's ability to land in stylish poses and stand on one hand so he can kick a guy in the side of the head. Recommended watching: Hero. Fist of Legend. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Wheels on Meals (just the fight between Chan and Urquidez in the latter...the rest of the movie is WEIRD). Guilty pleasure: Kung-Fu Hustle, Kill Bill Vol1 and Vol2 (which I saw edited for TV, so watch with trepidation).

+ Martial arts. I don't look at martial arts like I do martial arts movies. I've participated in MA enough to appreciate it properly. I never got into it so I could kick someone's behind or be "the best" or to get into a ring. It helps me stay fit, focused, and happy. My participation lately has been more corporate than physical, but even that has been a lesson in responsibility and priority. The dojo I am a member of (website in transition) focuses on Christianity and God-designed living. This is perfect for me and is a powerful influence for a great life. No, I can't handstand kick anyone in the head, but if you give me five bucks I might try.

+ Food:
- Take n Bake Pizza. I've been spoiled by our local Papa Murphy's pizza store. They are insanely kind and their Chicken Garlic pizza wakes me up at night dreaming about it. The ONE time they got our order wrong, they hand-wrote a note and gave us coupons for free pizza.
- Stir-fry. Steamed up veggies with some chicken tossed in, etc, etc. Goooo-ooood.
- Taco-Time Meat Tubes. Okay, they're actually called "Crisp Meat Burritos", but some friends of mine renamed it. I eat fewer of these than I used to, on the grounds that I'd like to live past 40. Ground beef deep fried in a crisp shell wrap. So good. So wrong. Also in this category: Sonic's Chili Cheese Coney.
- Tim's Cascade Jalepeno Potato Chips. No words. Just order them. Do this of your own free will.
- Wow, that was almost all fatty foods. Hrm...

+ Star Wars. The story captured thematic elements of the Holy Bible itself without even realizing it, making it universally relevant to nearly anyone who watches it with an open mind. It touches on the Holy Spirit (although redefined...God IS all around us, but not at our command), redemption of the lost, fighting for a cause despite the weight against you, laying down one life for the good of many, bearing burdens even when you think your life is written in another stone. I literally grew up watching these films. Some of my earliest memories include standing in line at theaters. I played the games, read a few of the books, picked up on uncommon lore (amaze your friends!), and (in case anyone wonders) never dressed up. My sister was much better at that. She's always been a good sport for a theme party.

*I'm watching Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King right now. Also thematic religious content infused in it. Love it, love it, love it. Just so you know, Faramir doesn't try to turn in the One Ring in the book version.

+ Disc Golf. Outdoors in the summer, walking in nature, playing a sport. I call that a good time. I've never been one to want to go regular golfing alone, but I'll go disc golfing alone. I have great memories of playing the game in college before it was very popular and we had to make up our own courses.

+ Softball. Baseball was never my speed. In my opinion, softball was developed so that people who couldn't cut it in baseball could play a park-and-rec sport and not injure themselves too badly. I've been known to stay around after MY team's games are over and try to get into a game with another team who's short one player. I love the fans, the fun, the community of players, running as fast as I possibly can, and trying to sneak that ball right inside the 3rd base line. I once got an infield homerun on such a hit. *nostalgia*

+ LAN Parties. I love getting a bunch of gamers together to eat good food and play console video games in a relaxed environment. I've helped plan a couple "official" ones, but most times I've just met up with some great coworkers and gamed the night away. Now that we're older, we're more into the day-LAN so we can sleep at night. We'll often take up residence in someone's garage or run cable all over someone's living room to hook us all together. There's nothing like beating a good friend in a game and giving them that smug smirk and "You did very well even though you lost" speech, knowing full well that they *almost* beat you this time and will be bringing a very tough "A" game in the future. Classic party games: Mario Kart, Crash Team Racing, Street Fighter (any), Counter-Strike, Unreal Tournament (any), Wii sports, and many more.

+ Games. Different than cards and video games, board games are a whole other category in my life. I am happy to invite people over and center the evening around a board game. I'd gladly have 4 other guys over to wage war over an all-day strategy game or get a group of friends out to shout over Outburst. We play a lot of Catch-Phrase with our church small group. I love the community games create. My earliest relationship with my brother revolved around board games. I think this just adds fuel to the game-loving fire.

+ Cards. For some reason, I've played cards since I was a kid. I didn't choose to pick them up; I just happened to be in the right places for social gaming at the right times. As a kid, my dad and I played Cribbage. This carried on to many games with my Grandpa and Grandma Swaim, whom I have lost to more times than I can remember. In grade school, my brother and I played thousands of games of "War"; my sister and I played "Golf" and a few made-up games. Our family also had a pastime of playing "Nerts" at home or with friends from church. This tradition continues even today. In late grade school and early high school, I picked up "Spades" and a dozen variants from around the US, tossing me into a new culture of cards. By the time I went to college, I became known as a guy who would skip class to play cards. I once spent 7 and 1/2 hours in the student center of Harding University, playing nothing but Spades. I did cheat once that day, but I blame that on Cantre, who always started the game by announcing that his team would begin to blatantly cheat if behind by more than 300 points. It is hard to know what to do when your teammate's card-loaded shoe is nudging your thigh under the table and you've told the other team you're gonna do it. Did we get away with it? Yes. But I never chalked it up as a "W". I never cheated in cards with anyone else but Cantre. He and I had two modes of playing, and I accepted both.

+ Ministry. I'm listing this next since I just talked about cheating at cards. I love my God. There is nothing on this earth that can take me from Him or Him from me. I love the church and the imperfect people in it. I love figuring out how to reach people's hearts for Christ. I love being there for people. I hope everyone figures out Christ in their life. I get frustrated when ministry doesn't work how everyone thinks it should. I love people who try. I love people who fight for God. I love people who can look past the hypocrisy that we commonly suffer from and see the free gift God has given us. I love it when humanity looks past the here and sees the kingdom of heaven. I mediate on God's word in my heart day and night. I try to sew it into the fabric of every piece of my life, even if it appears tattered at times.

I'm tired. That's enough sharing from me. Anyone who cares can share some of their favorites, too.

__!

2008-01-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

I received a link in my email at work today, which contained an opinion about Windows Vista. I thought the article was abnormally correct, which caused my hands to flurry across the keyboard and spit this out (slight edits for context and security):

Warning: Vista technical rant incoming...
-----------------------------------------
I would say that the title of the article should read "Vista logged fewer vulnerabilities in its first year than XP, Red Hat, Ubuntu, and Apple Mac OS X did in their first years, but annoyed the living tar out of nearly everyone who used it."

Granted (and I agree) that Vista is inherently more secure, a computer that is turned OFF is also more secure. Vista blocks user productivity with its User Account Control, forcing a confirmation prior to ANY administrative system change. I would bet that it is the number one feature users disable (or ask someone to disable) when they use Windows Vista, yet is the number one stopping feature of Vista's security. "Are you SURE that YOU want to make this change?" every few minutes makes any computer user want to club baby seals.

Rather than blocking/confirming administrative changes, why not rewrite the kernel so the OS doesn't drop its pants every time a browser extension goes awry. Data Execution Prevention = the RIGHT way to secure an OS. We need more fundamental code changes that support legitimate software and foul illegitimate software (see: development dollars). Microsoft Windows is NOT the only offender in this realm (see: profit margin).

If Vista hadn't been created to be a DRM 7-layered media cake, it might have had a shot. Adoption of the OS has largely been due to consumer OEM sales, lack of understanding of how to order XP instead, and tough licensing practices. Their corporate acceptance has been abysmal. Windows 7 is already in the works and rumors have it that a beta could be out as early as 14 months from now. Vista could be the blip on the radar like the-os-that-should-not-be-naMEd.

*** This Vista link is a great article because of the statement from Rich Mogull, founder of Securosis LLC: "I think a measure of vulnerabilities, with criticality, mapped to exploitability, mapped to active exploits, is a more interesting metric...It would be a good follow-on," If you look at the stats, he is very correct. More drop-the-pants vulnerabilities occur in OSes other than Windows, but market share provides opportunity for exploitation. I'd wager that if OS X had the market share Windows does, we'd be in worse shape for security. At least we'd have a prettier-looking version of User Account Control that might stay my bat-hand from maming innocent aquatic mammals.

Oh, and all of this was written from my webmail in Windows Vista. *sigh*

2008-01-22T20:01:00.000-08:00

The other night, I took a break from The Two Towers DVD to put together a couple little puzzles with my kids. The puzzles were both picturing Marvel super heroes, and so as we built the puzzles, my kids asked about the different characters, their history and special abilities. Having been blessed growing up with an older brother who had means to subscribe to comics, I was happy to impart my fairly vast pool of fictional hero lore to my eager children. They were a great audience and seemed very excited by some of the powers. Once they had amassed what they felt was an adequate degree of knowledge, they began to choose which ones they wanted, as if I would somehow bestow these super gifts upon them myself. My son's choice went so:

-------
Caleb: [Pointing to the heroes as he talks about them] If I had Cyclops' laser beam and Wolverine's claws, I could STOP EVILDOERS. [Does a decent upper body power pose.]

Dad: [Looking quite impressed] I bet you could! You'd be a GREAT superhero.

Caleb: Yeah! [thoughtful pause] What's an evildoer?

Dad: [Controlling himself] It's someone who does what is wrong and sometimes hurts other people.

Caleb: Yeah! Like making a boobytrap chair...or...giving tickles.
-------

Apparently giving tickles is akin to villanous torture. Enhanced chairs? Not sure about that one. I was taking too much care not to blow tea out my nose in laughter to delve further into the evils of modified recliners. I'll just look before sitting down anywhere in the home until I am sure my son's super allegiances are clear.

Word to the wise: Take care when explaining Johnny Storm. My kids got waaaaay too excited about his powers. "Fire is nothing to play with. It will burn you. The Human Torch is just pretend.", I told them. That seemed to quell their thirst for flying pryomania. For now.

2008-01-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

More posts incoming, but I thought I'd break my silence with something fun: The Disintegrator.

This rubber band machine gun pumps out 288 rubber bands from 24 barrels at a whopping 40 rounds per second. And it is portable.

Question is: Available in black?

Construction details here.

2007-12-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

There is an online phenomenon known as "LOLcats". For those who have not experienced this silly internet treat, I show one here. Basically, take a pic of a cat, throw on a funny label spelled in some form of internet subculture lingo, and you have an LOLcat. Sometimes they are referred to as "Icanhascheezburger cats", as this was an early LOLcat apparently. For some reason, the occasional random squirrel or elephant finds its way into the lists of images. Not all LOLcats are appropriate, but there are many good, clean compilations out there. I miss having animals. Our location won't let us have any pets, much to the chagrin of my children. Maybe I could make some LOLkids instead.

2007-10-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

My kids have been wishing it was Halloween for about four months. We don't really do a whole lot for the holiday, but the kids love to dress up and get candy (crud, even I like to dress up and get candy). Caleb went so far as to draw a scary face on paper and place it in the window so that "everyone will know it's Halloween" three weeks in advance, as if that'd usher in the right to wear costumes earlier this year.
Their most tenacious effort was actually burning through reams of paper drawing design ideas for the pumpkin. So when the night of the carving took place, we gutted the pumpkin (much to Caleb's dislike, which is apparent in his face and the fact that he almost gagged), picked a design from their portfolio (a combination of Katie's full drawing and Caleb's monster teeth), and Katrina & I went to work scraping & detailing the pumpkin.
The kids seemed to approve of the final result, a compilation worked on by all of us:

2007-09-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

As I stood in line at WalMart accompanied by 50 other gamers who were also awaiting the coveted box of Halo3 game discs, I realized that the main character, Master Chief, is the man's Barbie. My rationale:

+ He's human, but NOT. Just like if Barbie was real, she'd break in half, MC stands 7' tall and weighs 1,000lbs in his battle gear. He's larger than life in a way that opens up the character for the imagination.

+ He's faceless (as Barbie had for years been voiceless) to allow imagination to idealize his appearance or to allow a guy to imagine himself in the suit.

+ He accessorizes. Barbie has her corvette, van, and dream house. MC can dual-wield plasma pistols or cruise the battlefield in a Warthog (pictured in back). He can pull a variety of tricks from his armored purse, like plasma grenades or portable shields. For those formal occasions, the Spartan Laser or M41 Rocket Launcher always make a big splash at the parties.

+ He's got a love interest that isn't accessible. Barbie had Ken. Ken was what we called "Smoothie" when we were kids, as in, he wasn't anatomically correct. MC's got an artifical intelligence stuck in a brain implant that he's willing to go to the gates of the enemy to rescue. Dude, she's binary. If she's that important, you shoulda made a backup.

Honestly, Master Chief should be on the cover of GQ. He's got the moves, the attitude, and the guns to bring to the show. By the way, he's an Action Figure. He's not a doll.

---

2007-08-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

I am by no means Buddhist. I am, however, largely interested in the behavior of China over the last few years. They've been very restrictive of Christianity and the flow of digital information in and out of their country. They've now gone so far as to ban "Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission".

HELLO!!! LOL

The powers-that-be want control of every aspect of life in their nation in order to preserve the absurd communism their government holds so dear. Next they are going to try to make God have a passport in order to enter China. Good luck with that.

It is only a matter of time before the people of the nation realize, like the majority of the denizens of A Bug's Life, that they far outnumber and out-opinion their stifling regime.

2007-08-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

It is overdue. It is time to divide. The unification of the eyebrows is at an end. I can't tell if age is making my monobrow more "aggressive", or if my perception of it has increased in recent times, but I've come to the conclusion that it is time to take action. I'm evicting the bridge manually one-by-one.

I will make it into a game instead of a chore. I'll remove one hair at a time until someone notices "Hey! Your monobrow's gone!". I'll smile and secretly know that they were an unwitting contestant in Who's Single Eyebrow Was It, Anyway?, in which there are no prizes to be won. After the game show is over, I'll simply realize that my eyebrow had vanished during the show. It will be like magic. *POOF*

I will regret leaving the long-loved family of monobrows like Bert (pictured), Colin Ferrell, Salma Hayek, Matisyahu, Matthew McConaughey, Frank Zappa, John Kerry, and George W. Bush. Some have chosen to live out their lives as dual-browed individuals, and I will try it out as well.

I expect life on the other side of the hedge to be the same as it is now, although perhaps a smidge cooler.

---

2007-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Some of my coworkers and I went downstairs in the student union building at our college campus to talk to someone there. We came down to discover a new pool table, foosball-type table, and a shuffleboard table. I've always thought shuffleboard was something either old people played, or young people played because it was the only game provided on the cruise ship. Our friend spread tiny grains of some kind of silicon all over the table to help the game's little pucks along, and we ended up playing our whole lunch time.
I must admit, all of us got waaaaaay too excited about successfully sliding a puck down a slab of wood,
but we had the spirit of competition. Also, my friend Jesse, who won the majority of our first games, aptly stated "Finally! A sport I'm actually good at!" In his defense, he's also good at flinging plastic water bottle caps at my face. Sadly, he's made that a sport, too.

Other good witty banter heard during a game:
+ "The pucks usually stay ON the table."
+ When a throw comes up waaaay too short: "Nice throw. Your husband teach you that one?"

2007-07-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

Work bought me a laptop. I'd been using a desktop with Windows Vista on it, forcing myself to put the new OS through the ringer for a while. When the new computer arrived, however, I couldn't bring myself to wipe out the Windows XP Pro that came on it. Vista has been a labor of love, complete with incompatibilities, crashes, bugs, quirks, slowdowns, and frustrations.
I'm still going to use Vista at home, as we use the media center features for playing back music, video, and pictures to our TV. I'm tempted every day, though, to run screaming back to XP, as just about everything I do in Vista reminds me that it just isn't all it is touted to be. Sure, there are times where it shines, but those times are far outweighed by the annoyances.
People say to be patient, that Vista will come into its own once it gets patched. That's a distant promise that can't prove it will meet my needs. I've got work and play I'd like to enjoy now, while I'm young. The time to use Vista is NOT now, and I don't know when that will be. I'm stuck with it at home for the unforeseeable future, so I guess I can chalk this time up to experience.

Not to be a total negative, the laptop is a blast to use. With a software-based phone on it, I can pretty much be anywhere at work in my "virtual office". This is good, as I can only take so much artificial lighting before I start feeling like someone out of Joe vs the Volcano. The saddest part of the laptop was Sunday, when the hard drive decided to just die. Some days, it is just hard to love computers. :/

2007-06-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Kids ask so many questions, and will inevitably end up at the infamous "Why did you decide to have me?" query. I will attempt a great answer when I am asked, but deep inside there is a hidden answer that holds a partial truth:

"I want to buy legos and relive my childhood vicariously through you."

I absolutely love(d) legos. Even knock-off legos. I had bucketloads of the Tyco brand*. I have many memories of my varied creations, and it is time to pass these wonderful times on to my children, whom I have chosen to have for reasons much greater than legos.

When we first got legos, my children did not automatically dive into the pile and discover the glory and fun that is to be had. They saw blocks, like any other blocks they'd seen at other kids' houses or in wooden, unlocking form. This did not fit with my expected response, but I rolled with the punch and fulfilled my civic duty and showed them what can be done. Now they understand that all sort of things can be invented.

Here are some of the lego-adventures from my childhood that may be reborn in my own children:

+ Demolition Derby
This consists of two mattresses fashioned into a slightly relaxed half-pipe (think: skateboarder). Participants create their competition cars from legos and then proceed to roll them at the same time from opposite sides of the half-pipe towards each other. *SMASH* Both sides view the damage and if both cars still contain their drivers and wheels, you continue until one car can no longer roll on wheels down the course. RULES: No tightening of parts between runs until a winner is declared. Driver must stay in the car after the hit. The driver has to be able to "see" where he is going. Set a max number of wheels and pieces, then start building your rig! This is quite fun, and we ended up outlawing certain pieces because of the devastation factor**. You may even have to take turns picking pieces before creation of the cars.

+ Projectiles
I almost shot my mom in the head with a lego cannon. I built a tall structure of legos with a long runner down the middle that allowed a particular piece to fit on like a rail. I capped a rubber band to the end of the rail and latched it to the moving rail piece, using a key fab jammed into the side of the cannon to hold the shot in place. I ran a complex array of string and tacks from the key fab's ring to the door knob on my bedroom. The next person to open the door was my mother, who was none too thrilled to see a lego fly at her head, narrowly missing against the wall. The invention was a resounding success, despite the accuracy issue.

+ War
My brother and I would build entire armies in separate rooms. We'd split the legos and require each to build a base and an army. The objective was to destroy the base of the other person. We'd take turns "attacking", which involved flying a ship to the other room and simulating gunfire/laserfire/missilefire. We worked on an honor system, which was much like rock, paper, scissors in that we'd agree one ship was greatly more powerful than the other. Once we'd made the appropriate amount of battle sound effects, flying, dodging, and strafing, the losing ship would "explode" in a very satisfying crumbling fashion. Parts lie where they fall. Eventually one army no longer has any ships to fly, and must defend itself against the incoming armada. Imagination greatly required.

+ Imitation
By far our most common practice, we used our legos to build facsimiles of our favorite anythings. I once built a rather impressive replica of the Thunder-Tank from Thundercats, complete with rocking arms which reveled shooting missiles. I built it for a match of lego War, which impressed my brother greatly, allowing the destruction of an intimidating vessel he had brought in. He agreed that the tank could be allowed to survive the match assembled due to the quality of the item and the fact that we watched Thundercats religiously.

If you have kids, by all means, get them some legos!***

---
* From the Space sets, mostly.
** "The Drill" was no longer allowed in the half-pipe.
*** Yard sales are great places to find deals on legos. They're so expensive in the stores!

2007-05-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

My electric razor finally gave up the ghost recently. This is truly a sad occasion, as I toiled arduously to find this particular device in the first place. After approximately seven years of faithful buzzing and trimming, I must once again scour the world for the perfect face-smoother.

It took me literally a week of research to finally settle on one particular razor. I was very tired of straight razors, which range from the cheap kind that require you to use two or three at each sitting because the blades go dull before you finish to the pricey quad-blade-laser-exacto-trim blades that leave your face feeling like it just came out of the womb. I was hunting for that one electric device that satisfies both performance and price. I actually read forums on electric razors. Yes, people actually take the time to discuss electric razors in online public forums.

I finally settled on the Norelco Quadra 7865 XL. It took a few days for my face to adjust to having a lawnmower run over it, but after that I knew the research had paid off in spades. I bought replacement blades just once in the life of the Quadra, bringing the 7-year total to about $100. If I count the costs associated with 7 years of razors and shaving cream (I never did use aftershave), I am pretty sure I come out on top. And to top off the price for performance ratio, I bought it on eBay.

So now I am without my trusted friend, who slowly journeyed into electric oblivion. Its death was not sudden, as the internal rechargeable battery was getting steadily less effective until one day it finally required the wall outlet. I could tell the functionality was dwindling as the performance began to drift from smooth to actually jerking hairs from my face. The speed of the motor no longer had that zip. Replacement blades won't be enough this time.

It is time to drift back to the underworld of electric razor forums and eBay listings. What fantastic new monstrosities have been created in seven years?!? I will soon know.

2007-05-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Format wars and changes are no fun for electronics consumers. Vinyl vs 8-Track vs Cassette, Cassette vs CD, VHS vs BetaMax, DVD vs LaserDisc, HD-DVD vs Blue-Ray, blah, blah, blah. A few people go out on a limb and pick a technology based on educated choice, others perhaps because it looks better with the furniture. Nobody enjoys getting burned by an expensive product that doesn't fulfill the purposes they thought it would.

An entertainment format war has similarities to how people pick (or don't pick) a new format for their lives. Imagine yourself a consumer, fearful of picking something obsolete, of not being able to continue to live the old format anymore, of being told that you have to change when you don't feel prepared or educated enough to make such a leap.

The fact is, some formats are made obsolete. If God hadn't planned for a format change, the old way would have ruined us all. We had to experience the old way in order to be able to handle and understand the new. Christ came and fulfilled the old format of the Law of sin & death, changing it to a living, breathing law of life.

I, for one, am 100% into the new format. The old has gone, the new has come. In my experience, it has proven itself the best for life. Try it out; give it a thorough, open-minded test. When you are convinced it is the best format, be sure to tell all your friends about it, too.

---

2007-04-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I watched as my daughter stood face-to-face with a karate black belt. He stood poised in his best front stance, she in her best back stance*. It was not a situation I had ever imagined taking in with my two eyes.

The instructions were to pair up one belt-ranked person with a non-ranked/white belt person and stand in a line, waiting for a turn to take on the sensei in kumite. My daughter had already witnessed my turn at the teacher, her look full of glee. I think she truly believed that the sensei was about to have his hands full with the impressive array of Daddy-skillz she's always believed me to possess. Sadly, I am sure her perception of my skills has been reduced in quality since this particular karate class. When it was her turn in the rotation, I was impressed with her willingness to jump onto the mat.

The sensei, knowing right away what he was dealing with, proceeded to charge at her, hands raised, like a monster. He growled "Arrrrrrrrgh!" and she backed off a few paces, maintaining her stance. The sensei stopped, assuring her that he was only joking around, and then told her "Hit me". Now, I have spent much time informing my children not to hit. "Son, don't whack your sister with a pencil." "Don't pillowfight in the living room." "Spatulas are not playthings." You know, normal parenting phrases like that. I hadn't really prepared my little girl for a location where hitting was not only encouraged, it was standard. So my girl reared back and threw a punch, complete with sound effect ("Pew!"). The sensei remained unaffected, not because he outweighed her in years, size, and skill, but because he was still 4 feet away.

"Hit me!" he repeated. Another little salvo from the girl, a one-two combo; "Pew, pew!". Still 2 feet away. "It's okay, c'mon, hit me!" The parental restraint stayed in place, and no contact was made. The sensei approached her and began to pepper her with little jesting prods and pokes, ending with a barrage of hair-mussing. My crouching tiger jumped back, fixed her stance, and gave him what I can only call "Hissing Fist". "SSSSsssssssssssss!" Her hands were up in fists, but the index and middle fingers were flailed out fiercely as if anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in their wake would be bitten by her wrath. The sensei was a good sport and continued to approach, coach, and train my little snake-master.

After class, I asked my daughter, "What was that thing you did with your fists out on the mat?!?". She replied, "Weeeelllll, it was kinda my own little flair". "Hrm. Maybe we should do what they teach us and not do so much personal flair, ok?" "Well, ok."

Not a bad first class. I'll have to watch her with her brother though. He's given her more than enough reason to practice punching.

* I'm proud to say that when it came time for action, she remembered the back stance as I taught it to her.

2007-04-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

A church in England wanted to get the message of Christ across as simple as humanly possible, so they made this sign. I'd like to see roadsigns and t-shirts made out of this!

Can it BE any clearer?!?

The message really is simple.

2007-04-10T23:38:00.000-07:00

I've been out of blogging for several weeks. Will be picking it back up now that work is settling down.

My mind's been very full. I should have a lot to say.

2007-02-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

In the new year wave of home-fitness machines, the iJoy Ride takes the cake as "Most Likely To Make Me Laugh". Move over, ThighMaster; I think there is a new king of pain in town.

With four modes, Warm Up, Taking It Easy, Getting Serious, and Pump It Up, the iJoy Ride can't be taking itself too seriously.

My question: Do the iJoy Ride modes last more than the regulatory 8 seconds?

2007-02-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

The ball is in the recording artists' court. Apple is pushing for DRM to be removed from its online music, allowing other music players to be compatible with the designer fruit's music service.

I have long been of the opinion that DRM is a bad idea, creating too many stumbling blocks in the lives of consumers. Ever felt like you need a PhD to operate an electronic device? This move from Apple is a men-or-mice step. The line is drawn; who's next to brave the free-er music world?

Not Microsoft.

2007-02-05T23:43:00.000-08:00

Not one of his better moments, Chewbacca was arrested for headbutting a tour guide and annoying the Japanese. You can love your Star Wars, just don't loooooove your Star Wars. The impersonator was quoted, "Nobody tells this wookie what to do". Clearly Chewy needs to lay off the caffeine.

Why didn't they arrest Jar Jar Binks for simply existing?

2007-02-04T22:43:00.000-08:00

So the Colts beat the Bears in the '07 SuperBowl. The best part of the bowl party this year wasn't the game. I most enjoyed the bear ears and colt ears created from paper and fastened to headbands for party attendees to wear. The catch to wearing the gear was that the losing team had to run around outside after the game, wearing their paper ears.

Quite fun. I did no running outside, although I did a few pony-riding impressions during key portions of the big game.

2007-02-03T23:31:00.000-08:00

I used to be that kid. The one that seems to always be good at video games. The one that other kids ask for cheat codes and secrets for their games. The one that wins local tournaments at the corner video store.* The one with calluses on his hands where the controller rubs against the war-hardened skin.

Time have changed. I just spent the day at a buddy's house, where we had three XBox360's running shooter games for most of the day. I am no longer that kid. I played those kids today, and they destroyed me. Granted, my reflexes are not polished by the luster of youth, yet I think the more recent generations must have come out of the womb holding an analog game controller. Me and my friends made up for our ancient gamer tendons by resorting to experience to befuddle the youngers. This worked about two times the whole day. Those were glorious moments that I will hold onto until the next time I sign on to get my behind tromped.

*Three-time champ against maybe 7 other kids.

2007-02-02T14:07:00.000-08:00

The approach of SuperBowl Sunday is spurring on HDTV purchases around the nation. Many might find this ridiculous, yet I have been involved in a SuperBowl TV calamity myself. My brother and I suffered a blown TV on the fated game day. We immediately traveled to the local WalMart and selected a replacement in time for the kickoff. We're such slaves to our entertainment. Ahhh.

2007-02-01T23:19:00.000-08:00

Oops. Someone found out that if one enables Microsoft's Windows Vista speech engine, they might be v ulnerable to hijacking commands from web pages that play audio instructions to your PC. It has been said that computers are only as smart as what they are told to do, and this apparently takes that literally. No virus, just another reason to hate web pages that automatically play sound. Exploiters might give commands such as "Computer, delete My Documents", or "Computer, click yes". I'd be more fearful of dreadful verbal orders such as:

+ "Computer, play 'Dancing Queen'"
+ "Computer, visit Teletubbies home page"
+ "Computer, delete wife's iTunes collection"
+ "Computer, record Beauty and the Geek instead of next week's The Office"

I can't agree that this is a vulnerability. If this is an exploit, then I know certain people that shouldn't be allowed near a computer ever.

---

2007-01-31T22:15:00.000-08:00

Google is awesome. I enjoy the power at my fingertips. Apparently the power is going to expand, as the G has bought into a technology developed by a guy working on a research project at a university.

Some of my favorite Googlings:

site:*.microsoft.com [search terms]
Lets you limit the search to only a particular website's domain. This search will only return results from Microsoft sites.

inurl:waldo [search terms]
Let's you specify a word that must be in the URL of the search results. In this case, the URL must contain "waldo".

robots.txt
This file on web servers tells Google what not to catalog. Sometimes you can find places on a web site that are not intended to be known to the general public. Not an exciting sample, but look at this one.

I also enjoy the Google personalized home page. I can add RSS widgets and check email. Very fun.

2007-01-30T20:54:00.000-08:00

Microsoft has unleashed the beast! Their new flagship Operating System, Vista, is now available for purchase. Before jumping on the bandwagon, one should know what Vista entails for the average user.

The Bad/Ugly:
+ Steeper requirements. Vista recommends 2GB of RAM and a Video card capable of 3D acceleration. This means a bit more money for many users. Anyone with 512mb of RAM or less should not get Vista without a system upgrade.

+ Performance is not really better than XP; it is about the same in many respects. You get features more than performance.

+ Activation. Microsoft wants Vista to "call" home during activation, and Vista's policy on reactivations has changed several times. It will either periodically activate on the net (it will tell you), or it will lock itself to your current hardware, requiring you to reactivate if you install it somewhere else (nullifying the old system). It is a fairly painless process, but is disconcerting, imho. There are other methods of activation, but without a net connection, you may have to call MS in some situations. The details currently are here.

+ Security Popups and UAC. By default, Vista typically warns you before doing anything on the system that attempts to make global changes. You can turn this off (option #4 is good), but there are other Security Center notices and corner-of-the-screen-annoyances that just make you want to slap duct-tape on the corner of your monitor.

The Good:
+ The whole user interface is slick. People make fun that XP and OS X (Apple) had a child named Vista, and there is some truth to that. Many features that have been in OS X for years are now in Vista (see: Widgets/Gadgets, Aero). I find myself having fewer Windows Explorer folders open since I can navigate around folders from the one window with ease and bounce back and forth quickly (pictured).

+ Most major applications are compatible. You will run into some programs that just won't work, especially old kid games and legacy video/audio software. Vista has the ability to attempt to act like XP while running an app, and is fairly successful.

Overall, the best part of Vista is the abbreviated way to get to your files and folders. The OS indexes your files for faster searches, schedules tasks easily, bounds around your folders like an excited puppy on linoleum, and includes some nice perks in the Ultimate versions.

Expect to upgrade any computer more than a year old (probably). Anyone interested in Vista should use the Upgrade Advisor tool to determine hardware, software compatibility and system performance capabilities.

2007-01-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

Busy days, blogging by the wayside. Trip coming up this weekend. Resuming blogness Monday.

2007-01-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

If you stuck a pin in AOL, you'd probably stop about a third of the world's SPAM. Apparently PCWorld agrees with my sentiments about AOL, voting them the WORST tech of all time.

They are the emperor's new clothes and I'm pointing the finger right now.

---

2007-01-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

People are debating whether or not Microsoft's new Windows Vista is better than Apple's OS X.

Both can do many of the same functions. It comes down to what you are comfortable with, and how secure it can keep you.

Many people are missing out on the personal accountability each owner has in making these products good or not. If I buy a door from Home Depot because they say it is a strong, secure door that can take a beating, whose fault is it if I leave the door unlocked and get robbed? We learn to lock the door.

On personal computers, a lot of people are assuming that all the security features have to come from the maker of the products. Sure, they need to work to make hardened operating systems, but c'mon! At some point, people have to realize that installing every piece of junkware that looks cool on softpedia.com isn't always the best for their home computer. Somewhere along the line, we have to come to grips with the fact that there are websites out there that are malicious in nature and can cause harm to the computer. Also, why do individuals feel compelled to open attachments on emails from people they have never heard of?!?

My name is Paul, and I have infected my computer with a virus at home ONCE. Ever.

---

2007-01-17T23:19:00.000-08:00

This is Don's dog, Siouxsie. This is one cool dog. She's smart, although slightly hyper. If you measures her heartbeats per nanosecond, you'd probably reach a quadruple digit number. She gives kisses, sits for treats (although struggles with the urge to attack you for the treat), and has impeccable timing when chasing after thrown objects. She hates when you try to fake her out.

She's a fun car-dog, too. She likes to sit on someone's lap and look out the window. She hates to ride alone in the car.

Typical car ride with Siouxsie:
Don "Siouxsie, get in the car!"
Siouxsie hops in the car in the driver seat.
Don "Get in the back seat."
Siouxsie gets in the back seat, curls up laying down.
Paul gets in the passenger seat, looks out window and finds Siouxsie in his lap, looking out the window.
Don "Siouxsie, get in the back seat."
Siousxsie returns to the back seat.
Paul looks at Siouxsie in the back seat, turns to look out the window and finds Siouxsie in his lap, looking out the window.

Such personality.

2007-01-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

Whenever I shop for computer parts or electronic gadgets, I will spend an insane amount of time researching the good, bad, and ugly of a product. I will have several browser windows open on the computer, all with a puzzlillion* tabs holding all sorts of price comparisons, reviews, benchmarks, forums. It is very fun, and is essentially like shopping in real life, only fewer calories are burned. I actually gain weight, as I must eat at the keyboard to maintain my mental acuity. Eventually, I settle on the right product or products and pull the trigger on the purchase.

Afterwards, I don't look at any ads or prices for the purchased items for at least two months. It is far too depressing to see the speedy depreciation of electronics. Our first computer purchase was around $2,750. Within 30 days, the computer world had a paradigm shift and my computer was licking the boots of the next best thing (for the same price).

My method of online shopping madness?
+ Deal Headlines:
Dealnews (and coupons)
Techbargains
Dealcatcher
XPBargains
SlickDeals
FatWallet

+ Others
ZipZoomFly - Free FedEX on a lot of items.
Mwave - Cheap, fast, reliable.
Geeks - Mishmash of cheap prices, cool people
Newegg - Cheap, fast, reliable. Lots of user reviews. Easy to find items.
Bottomdollar - Helps to find places that sell an item. Buyer beware.
CNet Reviews - Simple reviews, but often have video to help see the products.

---

*It's a number. My daughter made it up. I think it is a lot.

2007-01-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

I explained to my daughter that MLK Day remembers a man who wanted something better for all people. I told her there are people who think others are lesser than them because they have skin of different color, and that MLK was really against that kind of thing. I said, "That's pretty silly, to make fun of someone for their skin color, huh?"

Katie replied, "Yeah, I have red hair. There are lots of different hair colors."

I love my little girl.

2007-01-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

I've played many a game in my time.* Every so often, I come across some gems that are worth mentioning to other people. The fact that this one is free adds to the appeal.

If anyone is a fan of racing, stunts, or cars, then Trackmania: Nations is worth a download. You run multiple tracks varying in three levels of difficulty, totaling around 90. As you run each track, there are medals you can win based on your time for the track. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and a special award for beating the best time of the people who made the game.

As you progress, each track becomes a puzzle in itself. You have to jump, flip, squeeze, slide, and speed your way over ramps of all shapes and sizes. After each race, you can repeat the track and race against a ghost car that performs your best previous attempt. There is online play, but I don't recommend unattended children to play there, as you never know what people will type in chat. The rest of the game is highly family-friendly. This is a 270mb download, and provides great free fun for me and my son. There are no trashy women or crude content worries in the offline play, and you can customize your own tracks to expand the content. There are even other player-made tracks online that you can download.

Free family fun. I like it.

---

* I was, after all, born with a Nintendo controller in my hand.

2007-01-13T22:25:00.000-08:00

I am not one for piracy, but I have to hand it to the scurvy dogs at The Pirate Bay, a Sweden-based bittorrent rig known for its piratey warez, as they have rattled their sabers at all who have obstructed their progress over the years. In order to avoid international pressure to stop their habits, they have elected to buy their own nation. They located an old WWII gun platform that is a few miles off the UK coast, unofficially recognized as its own principality. By moving their business to this locale (and establishing principality), international copyright law would have zero jurisdiction over their operations. Even if they are unsuccessful, Pirate Bay has made their point. Not everyone agrees with their free-Willy internet philosophies. If you do agree, you can donate and become a Sealand citizen with a zippy bittorrent account. Not a pirate's life for me!

2007-01-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

My kids color a LOT. My daughter has been crafting up a storm since she could hold a crayon, yet my son has been drawing mostly scribbles and an occasional face here and there. He's 4 years younger than her, and still a little guy, so he's learning the ropes. Recently, he decided that the table was not a satisfactory surface for him to draw against, so he took his papers and marker to his mom & dad's bedroom and clambered up onto the bed. His haphazard motion markered the top cover pretty good (although it is green-on-green). He was scolded quite well and eventually relocated to his normal table. After that, his next two color creations I saw were simply an amazing departure from his previous work. He's drawing people holding hands, attempting letters more often on his own, and getting facial expressions down really well. It is such a kick to watch him grow and learn and play so hard.

I now have even more artwork to hang up next to his sister's stuff in my office at work. My coworkers may not enjoy my office decor as much as I...

Paul at work "Look at what my kids drew!"
CoWorker#1 "..."
Paul at work "Isn't it great?!?"
CoWorker#2 [Walks in, sees kid art] "That one of those ink-blot tests?"
CoWorker#1 "Yes, it is. I see a cheeseburger. Let's hit lunch."

Not everyone appreciates the art. I did have to explain a drawing my daughter made of a hunter killing an animal. She wrote the word "dead" on the paper, clarifying the state of the animal in question. Some work-related psychologist is going to come by my office and think my children are disturbed. I know the truth; they are geniuses who are allowed to stretch their creative talents on mediums such as beadspreads.

2007-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

I'm a geek, but sometimes you just need to unplug. Some places you should just be unplugged. Roto Rooter is attempting to do...something, I don't know what. They call it Pimp My Toilet. Call me old fashioned, but a book works for me. Maybe a PDA.*

This scene would not be complete without the Roto Rooter ringtone, though.

* I keep my PDA from becoming unsanitary.

2007-01-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

You hear about people doing smart things at MIT, but don't always realize the results of that work. Pictured here, the $100 laptop aimed at spreading the information age anywhere in the world. Much research and labor has gone into building a device that serves multiple purposes, is rugged, and fairly inexpensive to operate.

Possessing a 500Mhz processor, 128mb of RAM, flash storage, and built-in ad-hoc-able wireless, this green machine can perform all sorts of educational tasks. It runs a Linux OS, and (believe it or not) can be powered by winding it up like a child's toy. Speak-n-Spell, eat your heart out.

Still in production and testing, the efforts of many are materializing to bring fast-paced interactive learning to those who could never dream of affording it. One portion of the program is suggesting that it also be sold to the general public. Such individuals would be required to pay the price of two, one for themselves, and one to be sent to an underprivileged child somewhere in the world.

Nicely done! Keep up the good work!

2007-01-09T23:58:00.000-08:00

I must admit that my previous Apple predictions were colored by the buzz on the net that the iSmartyPants were up to something again (and the fact that Apple always releases new stuff at their expos). Still... *drumroll* ...the iPhone and iTV are here! These gadgets I think are cool, but would not buy. I didn't think there'd be a phone, but it IS wireless.

The convergence of home entertainment and computing is exciting, but I still don't think we're ready for it.

2007-01-08T23:29:00.000-08:00

At the risk of ruining a good thing, I must share the joy that is WOOT.com. Every midnight, a new single* item is displayed for sale. It will last 24 hours, or until sold out. It might be a stuffed animal, it might be the woot grab-bag (order in 3's..READ THE INSTRUCTIONS), or it might be a pair of walkie talkies. Some days it is a digital video recorder or a handheld computer. Whatever it is, the price is nearly always dirt cheap.

* I guess woot has a soft spot for spirits, as there is usually a wine woot as well.

2007-01-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

My predictions for 2007.

Technical:
+ Newspapers will NOT get replaced by the internet in 2007
+ Blue-Ray DVD format will fail to beat HD-DVD. A 3rd format will appear.
+ Apple will enter into the DVR market, expanding iTunes to become a home entertainment console, complete with movie downloads.
+ Apple will release a wireless entertainment device.
+ Several major companies will have huge layoffs: AOL, IBM, Sun, Sony America, RedHat.
+ Flat-panel TVs will drop in price to the point where people who didn't need a new TV will buy one anyway. LED monitors and TVs will become a new consumer product.
+ Starbucks will offer free wireless instead of the payment model.

Political:
+ Democrats will not bring our troops home in 2007. If they are successful in anything, it will be redeploying our troops to other places.
+ China will sever itself from the world's DNS servers in an attempt to control information flows. (may have already happened)

Personal:
+ I will still be a ninja.
+ I will drink more Starbucks.

2007-01-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Momofuku Ando, founder of Nissin and inventor of Instant Noodles, died at age 96 on Friday in Japan.

Ode to Ando

Your countrymen hungry,
Your bellies not full,
Less food for the masses,
You took the horns of the bull!

The war was double,
The famine set in,
Your family set out,
To make affordable din.

It needed to be humble,
It needed to be quick,
So bullion and noodles
Seemed to be the right trick!

Foodmakers laughed,
Competitors quibbled,
But your cup-o-noodles
Allowed the mobile to nibble!

Your product sustained
College students abroad,
May your people and family
Always think to applaud!

Two-thousand Seven,
Your last chicken stew,
May your family and friends
Always think about you!

2007-01-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

I saw that the local Starbucks are using these. They appear durable. Apparenly they really are.

"Don't try this at home." (WHATEVER!)

2007-01-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Least Popular Star Wars Inventions:
10. Jar Jar Binks
9. Death Star: Available in Red
8. Jabba: Calogne for Men
7. Reversible Jedi Robe (one side light, one dark)
6. Lightsaber Pez Dispenser
5. R2D2 Tequila Spout
4. Tie Fighter Sun Roof
3. Imperial Insurance
2. Wookie Beard Trimmer
1. Ewok Jerky

2007-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

I do not know many people who enjoy getting junk mail. I know even fewer people who enjoy getting junk email. It is frustrating when I go to work on someone's computer, and I hear, "Would you fix my mail? I get a lot of SPAM." The poor recipients
expect me to be able to apply a special charm to their inbox to magically prevent unwanted mail from appearing. The saddest part is that I know how to stop or manage the flow of the garbage passing over the internet, yet I am not in a position to actually effect the changes needed to make this happen.

We all know why SPAM exists: to make money. Not everyone knows why or how it comes to them. Here is the general reason this junk makes it to you: there is no accountability for sending email.

Imagine for a moment that you receive packages at your wholesale food business. You registered online with "FoodCo" to receive food to resell. You pay them, the food comes. They seem reputable, and they offer all sorts of promises about speed of shipment and your health protection. What "FoodCo" doesn't tell you is that your food comes from ANYONE, and they never verify that the food is actually fit for human consumption or that it comes from a business that ships food at all. You find that 30% of the food you receive is made of plastic.

Why is this food a problem? Isn't "FoodCo" living up to its promise? They ARE delivering food, and they offer you medicine to cure you when you get bad food. They even provide a bin to dump the plastic food in. They tell you that they cannot guarantee that all shipments contain real food. They say this is just part of ordering food in the world today.

Bunk.

Would it be the responsibility of the person ordering food to make sure it is actually food? No. If I got sick from "FoodCo" prodcts, I'd hold them accountable for it. So, escape from "FoodCo" for a moment and look at them as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that supplies you email instead of food. They make no guarantees that every email is something you want to digest. The fact is that no ISP takes steps to 100% assure that they know where their mail is coming from! Some guy in Russia has a computer set up right now, pumping out tender vittles about hot penny stocks, and spoofs the email to look like it comes from a friend, a reputable business, or a random internet domain he picked up for $5. He hopes a quarter of one percent of the 12 million people on the email address list he bought or spidered respond to his lure. He masks his identity and codes the email to dodge "FoodCo" SPAM countermeasures (which he is years ahead of).

THE SOLUTION:
The way the internet is set up requires multiple factors to reduce unwanted mail down to a trickle of legitimate businesses.

+ The origin of an email must be verified. Our ISPs need to verify the origin of those sending email. This means using the internet's DNS system to run a background check of sorts. DNS is just a series of address-to-name associations. You type in www.yahoo.com and DNS servers on the internet point you to 209.131.36.158. Think of it as looking in the phone book to find a street address. So an email comes to the ISP tagged with the number 209whatever, and asks DNS "Is this address REALLY yahoo.com's email server?" DNS says "Yes", and the mail gets moved along. DNS says "No", and the mail never gets delivered. This stops most spoofing. THE RUB: Every ISP/mail server has to participate worldwide. Not every ISP wants to. Some ISPs are spammers themselves.

+ Residential internet customers should not be allowed to host email servers. This means email has to run through a registered ISP, not from my house off Adelphia high speed internet. No more Russian guy sending from home. THE RUB: Every ISP/mail server has to particiapate worldwide. This does not mean you can't email anyone; your email still travels to your ISP then on to its final destination. Some spammers send mail directly from home or from a junk domain. THE RUB: People want their MTV. Not everyone abuses the privilege of sending email directly.

+ Band together. We have solutions like SPF (uses the "ask DNS" process) to take advantage of some of these aspects, but not everyone adheres to it. If only some people use it, then suddenly Hotmail can't send mail to AOL, or something odd like that. Home users can send mail like crazy or come up with the cheap domains to send mail from. It is far too easy to be an email server. I could set one up at home in 10 minutes and be pumping out molded content like a playdoh factory.

There are other factors to help reduce SPAM, but describing them alienates non-technical observers. This at least overviews that a larger ugly body is at work, unmanaged, blasting all our inboxes with junk. From the link,

"Massive volumes of unsolicited email are still being sent: Security firms Symantec and MessageLabs estimate that spam is between 54% and 85% of all email. In 2005 Ferris Research estimated spam to cost €39 billion worldwide while Computer Economics calculated malicious software to cost €11 billion globally. While the very latest figures from Sophos say 32% of relayed spam came from Europe with Asia leading at 34%."

'Nuf said.

2007-01-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

I actually like hot pockets. What does that say about me?!? Never been a big Nascar fan, tho. Haaaaaaaawwwt Pockeeeeeeeet!

Foods I am weak against:

+ Tim's Cascade Jalepeno Potato Chips

+ Nalley's French Onion Dip (with Ruffles)

+ Sweet Tea

2007-01-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Resolutions for 2007:

Make resolutions more specific and less ethereal so I can actually target the goal. Instead of saying "I'm gonna shoot this arrow into that field over there", I'll say "I'm gonna hit that big rock by the oak tree over by the corner of the fence, and I will do it this week."

I am going to whip myself into better shape. I prefer a six-pack to the two-liter (or keg). I'd settle for a four-pack. My goal is to maintain 190lbs or less and to be able to bench my own weight for 10 reps.

Use GTD for my personal life in addition to my work life. No more post-it notes or scraps of paper. If someone gives me a phone number, I will pop out my PDA or phone and enter it right there. (Geek it up, yo.)

Translate all my paper to electronic form. Some things shouldn't be only in digitized format (like certificates, kids' art), so I will keep those. I am aiming to reduce my clutter. This also involves getting rid of the Leaning Tower of Electronics Boxes for electronic devices that are out of warranty anyway.

Spend more time with my kids. I spend time with them, but I believe the time should be more consistent than scheduled around the rest of my life. I want them to know that they are a priority over the myriad of time-suckers.

Speak my wife's love language. I, like many, struggle to break out of that box where I show love in the way I want to be loved. I know my wife's love language details, and I will aim to be more consistent in how I show her.

I'll be playing traditional golf more. I have no target other than to play at least once a month (weather permitting), hopefully often.

To par the disc golf course at the local college on a regular basis. I can par it, yet I can also bounce a disc off a window or throw it over the surrounding road onto the beach (where there are no goals, only angry citizens).

To read the Bible more consistently. I read, yet I will be reading more (and more directed).

To help lead a college-campus group for directing attendees in life-improving discussions. Target membership, 15 campus students by summer.

2006-12-23T08:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all. I'll be back to blogging daily in January 2007.

2006-12-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

My Firefox internet browser addons that I have been using to make online life easier:

Download Stausbar: Shows your downloads at the bottom of the window. Downloads change colors based on how fast they are running. You can right-click to see options for opening/removing. Saves you having to toggle an additional download window.

FireFTP: Makes a file-transfer-protocol (FTP) tab inside your browser. Very handy to push files back and forth while web editing/viewing a work in progress.

Gmail Notifier: Lets you know when you have new Google mail. Less useful lately with Google's personalize home page, which I have as my start page now.

Google Notebook: Handy little icon that pops up a notepad that stays on top while browsing, saving any text you place there to Google's online private notebook space. Handy for research and reference on the go. Several other handy Google tools available as well, like the ability to sync your addons and settings wherever you go.

Tabbrowser Preferences: Take control of your tabbed browsing experience! This addon extends your tab options extensively.

Other addons I have found useful but do not use at home:

IETab: Opens a tab that renders the page with Internet Explorer instead of Firefox. Helps see Microsoft web pages correctly in Firefox.

FoxyTunes: Controls most popular music players right from the status bar in Firefox.

WebDeveloper: This one makes me dizzy, but is great for editing web content. With FireFTP, makes Firefox an amazing web designer tool.

I've had other addons for maps and newsreaders, but removed them since I home in on Google's personalized start page now. I've got movie times, weather, IP lookups, translators, Bible references, daily Bible readings, world news, geek news, Christian-oriented news, driving directions, and online deals all from one easily organized home page. Do I sound like an advertisement? Ah, well.

---

2006-12-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

Apparently my wife and I have an unspoken, but very active, deal where she labors for a few days having children, and I spend the rest of my life assembling our particle board furniture purchases. I am still trying to determine if this is a good deal, slightly poisoned by the fact that we do not own a power tool.

Deal.....or NO deal?

2006-12-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

There has been some suggestion by people who have too much time on their hands that Bill Gates should run for presidency. I find this first funny, as there are a myriad of quips to make about a nation run by the guy who helped make Windows. I find it also sad, because I hear Bill Gates is an atheist. I find it also scary, because he appears to be working with Clinton to start a new Reich in the pic here*.

If Bill Gates were prez:

1) Every 1.5 years, the standard of living would multiply by 2.**

2) Iraqi insurgents would return to their hideout only to find Microsoft had managed to purchase it since it was apparently a secure place for developers to plan.

3) Every so often, Congress would suddenly not have anything to say. They would have to leave the building, walk around it once, and re-enter it before being able to resume normal work.

4) Entertainment events would require one ticket per person, unless children had two parents, then it would cost two tickets for each child and one for each adult.***

5) All Japanese video games and devices would be outlawed.

6) Successful products would be required to have a Microsoft logo stamped on the label, or have no label whatsoever.

7) The national defecit would suddenly vanish after a secretive United States deal involving payments of intellectual property royalties from every country claiming to own land.

---
* The only Reich Gates is working on involves the submission and control of Linux/Unix.
** Moore's Law
*** Licensing woes. Few will understand, but I felt good saying it.

2006-11-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hrmm....how to frustrate a nutty foreign leader who holds closet nuclear tests and ignores world policies? NO iPOD 4U!!!

As part of "Get To Know A Foreign Leader Day"*, I've discovered North Korea's Kim-Jong-il's list of Christmas wishes:

"Kim is reportedly under his physician's orders to avoid hard liquor and prefers French wines. He also is said to own an extensive movie library of more than 10,000 titles and prefers films about James Bond and Godzilla, along with Clint Eastwood's 1993 drama, 'In the Line of Fire,' and Whitney Houston's 1992 love story, 'The Bodyguard.'"**

Funny. I would have pegged him as a Travolta or Clooney fan.

---
* Not a real holiday.
** FoxNews.com, Nov 29 '06, click image to read

2006-11-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

It is said in the Bible that one shouldn't give reluctantly or out of compulsion, referring to money. I think this attitude obviously stretches to other areas of a Christian's life. We're supposed to have a heart that is willing and cheerful to give.

Along those same lines, anything a Christian does in his or her life should be up for giving God glory. If I somehow ran the fastest mile (stop laughing), and God could somehow be honored, praised, or promoted by that, then I would be thrilled at the result, even at the loss of personal honor for the win. I find it hard to understand those who choose to prohibit God from receiving glory for things they accomplish in life. Anything I have or am, I attribute to God since I have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Often it is even easy to overlay a positive Christian attitude or purpose in our everyday actions. It isn't always easy, but I believe it is our responsibility. Practice at the battle helps win the war.

---

2006-11-27T23:17:00.000-08:00

Warning: Technical Blog to Help the Masses.

I hurt for people when they buy a computer that is either too much for their needs or incapable of performing the tasks they want it to do. Many times, I have either sold a computer at a store (even though I did not work there), redirected the customer to another option, or prevented them from buying at that store altogether. I feel a small sense of pride in having saved someone money or having helped them get the best bang for their buck.

With the holidays here, I hope to prevent more unknowing buyers from being hit by the "good deal" or the "commissioned employee". If someone wants to buy a computer, they can look at the parts and make a sort of mental score of what the computer can do. Computer users can class themselves generally into one of four categories, in order of how much a powerful computer is needed: Surfer, Publisher, Video Editor, Gamer. (Surf the internet and play copious amounts of Sudoku? Write papers for school or make the occasional Christmas card? Make home movies to send to the family? Frag your friends online in 3D worlds?)

This is a VERY general reference, and is to be used at one's own risk. The parts and their relevance to you:

*breathes deeply* Here it goes:

CPU (the brain): Surfers and Publishers, the default is probably fine for you. Gamers and Video Editors, the higher the numbers the better. The more cores, the better. High cache, multiple cores, high bus, high speed. Save a buck or two, step back from the top of the line a few paces.

RAM (the short term memory): "Amazing deal" probably means you have half the RAM you need. Gamers double or triple the default, Video Editors should triple it, Publishers who can afford should double it, Surfers can leave it as it is.

HARD DRIVE (the long term storage for your stuff): Speeds are measured in the RPMs of the disks inside the drives. higher is faster. Gamers get a 10,000RPM drive or better. Video Editors get nothing below 7,200RPM. Surfers and Publishers, just pretend there is a small rodent running on a wheel inside the computer case; you probably won't notice any difference in the speeds. [edit] Video Editors will want over 200gb of space or better. If you plan to do a lot of editing, you will want more. Gamers will want less than most editors, although if you are an avid gamer, you will need space for all those games. Publishers will likely need to bump the size up to 120gb or better. Surfers can usually keep the default.

VIDEO CARD (projecting what you see): Gamers may end up pawning one of their children to afford this component, as it is the core part for them. Avoid the term "shared memory" or "integrated graphics". No easy rule of thumb here, but charts can help you find the price-to-performance ratio that fits the number of children you can afford to trade in. Tread carefully here. Video Editors have an even tougher choice, and often have to research to see what cards churn out the best quality. Gamer cards generally work well for video people. ATI and nVidia are common brands to purchase. Publishers and Surfers should worry more about getting a quality monitor.

CD/DVD: Gamers and Video Editors should have more than one CD/DVD drive, as you will sometimes want to copy your video production to make copies for family or do two things at once. Everyone should have a DVD burner nowadays. Look for DVD+RW DL (DVD read/write dual layer). DVDs hold a ton more than CD-burners. They are great for all users to back stuff up off the computer and store for safekeeping. Editors should get fast speed burners and fast-speed blank DVDs that match or exceed the speed of the burner. No, you should not use one as a drink holder.

USB 2.0/FIREWIRE (ports to plug stuff into): Everyone should have 4 or more USB ports nowadays (see previous USB blog). The only exception might be Video Editors, who may also need Firewire800, a high-speed port common to many digital video cameras. Some cameras use USB 2.0 as well. Check your camera.

MONITOR (what sits on the desk and displays the image): Get an LCD monitor. Don't skimp here; read reviews, shop smart. Your eyes will thank you later. Key stats to buy for Everyone: 8ms or less response time. 500 cd/m2 or higher brightness. Contrast ratio of 800:1 or better. The rest should fall into place if those stats are right. Just about everyone enjoys a large monitor; general sizes are 15", 17", 19". Bigger than that can get expensive. Buy from a place that will let you return the monitor if pixels go dead in the screen. Have a good warranty. If you have never heard of the company, be sure to research it a bit. What good is a warranty if the company isn't going to be around in a year?

MOTHERBOARD (all the above fits into this): Only gamers and techie video experts usually worry about this. Too much to write here. I'm already abbreviating this whole process.

WARRANTY (when things break): Get one. Two years or better unless you are a Gamer. Gamers will probably upgrade before the two-year mark. :P If you are clumsy, ask if they have accidental protection plans.

My seventeen cents.

---

2006-11-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

Working in computers, I have begun to realize that we IT guys have more acronyms than just about any other profession I know. We've begun to make up acronyms for things that don't have them. Combine geek, web, and invented acronyms, and I think we could get away with a conversation entirely comprised TLA's*, the's, and and's.

I might be heard to spit out something like, "We have to use ESP to get the firewall to let TCP traffic pass IPSEC over NAT."

One of the common acronyms that we have enjoyed since I earned a cert in computers:

MCRE: Microsoft Certified Reboot Engineer (since that is how you solve most Microsoft problems...reboot)

---
* TLA = Three Letter Acronyms

2006-11-25T23:55:00.000-08:00

I miss skiing. I used to go quite often. I'm not entirely sure why I enjoy it so much, as I really am not very good. I AM good at going very fast, very straight. I have a problem stopping in an upright position, though.

I feel like Lane Meyer trying to get a leg up, but always seeming to come up short at the right times.

I am very good at performing the "yard sale", where you not only wipe out, but also spread your equipment to the four corners of the earth. I have managed to not permanently injure myself, but I am nowhere near ready to join the well-oiled machine that IS the Greendale High ski team. Perhaps when the kids are older, I can take them out on the bunny hill and pretend to teach them the basics, where I will truly be relearning to snowplow.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

2006-11-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

Today is Black Friday. This is the day when America shows exactly how crazy it is. I enjoy shopping, but I do not enjoy being physically relocated by a WalMart customer just so they can get to a copy of Weekend at Bernie's on DVD. The picture seen here is from actual footage of customers waiting for Target to open*.

I am always torn on this day. I spend an hour looking online and through local ads for things I really don't need and probably shouldn't have, finally arriving at the crucial decision of whether or not to venture out. This year, sleep and lack of extra funds has triumphed over my desire to go hit the early morning sales. My tastes for purchases tends to be for more expensive electronics (can one really have too many 200gb hard drives?), so we'll spend some money on gifts and a couple items that we really do need.

I'll pretend that the world out there today is saying "Please" and "Thank You" at the DVD stacks, and that the gentleman blocking the way to Target's front door will kindly move out of the way so the droves with the purchasing power can move in.

---
* I could be wrong. I get easily confused between martial law and shopping on Black Friday.

2006-11-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

Paper. My daughter is the queen of paper. She is uber creative and likes to craft various memorabilia ranging from fake playstation game controllers to images of her future boyfriend*. I sit down at the computer. Paper. I go to the kitchen. Paper. I look for the remotes. I find Paper. Toybox? Paper. Empty the vacuum? Paper.

Sometimes I have to get after her for not keeping the paper cleaned up a bit, but it has been cheap love. Her creative energy is amazing to watch and fun to laugh with (and at, sometimes). I nearly fell out of my chair at her most recent creation, a picture of her current boyfriend-who-must-not-be-named. She cut out tiny pink hearts for her eyes. That was detail work.

That's my girl.

---
* I am sure he will appreciate having been a paper doll at one point in his life.

2006-11-22T23:22:00.000-08:00

I've noticed a trend among geeks. Worry. It is almost worthy of including in a job description, it is so pervasive. Right now, I am on vacation for Turkey Day, and I have thought several times about an array of backup tapes at work, a web server, a file server, and several minor computers that may be put under duress in the next coming weeks. Thousands of dollars in projects are lined up, deadlines set for when I return.

My family does a great job of popping me back into real life. "Play with me, Dad!" seems to snap me out of my funk pretty fast. Tape drives don't seem so important in those moments. If something does break, I'm sure I will be notified. Some days, I just need to unplug.

2006-11-21T15:29:00.000-08:00

USB is great. The only bad thing about it is that I happen to always be on the losing end when trying to plug it in the right direction. Leave it to me to lose a 50/50 chance 90% of the time.

USB is so pervasive now, there are gadgets for all kinds of people and purposes. Here are some fun ones I would one day like to own:

+ For those times when they just won't leave your office...

+ No more lukewarm drinks after long meetings!

+ Even geeks can be festive.

+ Plug this in just because you can.

+ Groovy.

+ Geeks have to eat, too.

+ Office supplies going pro.

+ I have too many post-it notes laying around...

From the "gone too far" category, from which I will NOT be purchasing:
+ AC problems be gone!

+ Also groovy.

+ Relocate the computer, perhaps?

---

2006-11-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

The church I attend desires to grow. We've changed behaviors and organization and are beginning to reach for a new level of involvement and personal commitment. Church growth doesn't seem to be an easy thing, because the church is full of people. I pray we don't get in the way of ourselves. I trust that God will respond to us trying, even if we don't have a perfect formula in place. So far, though, things look very promising.

It's like the story of the man who owned an orchard. His money was dwindling and his trees were failing to produce the quality fruit customers used to rave about and ask for. So he prayed to God to help him. No matter what he needed to do, he felt prepared to try. That night, he had a dream. In the dream, the man saw himself digging under a tree not far from the center of his grove. Buried under a particular tree, he found an immense treasure that appeared to have been long forgotten by those who had hidden it. The man awoke the next morning, full of vigor and excitement, determined to go to the tree he remembered so clearly from his vision the night before. He grabbed a shovel and a pair of gloves and headed out to the orchard. He found what he believed to be the very tree from his dream, and he dug all around it. He dug for hours, all around the roots of the tree, but found nothing. He dug deeper still around the tree, yet still found nothing. He replaced the dirt, and then dug around the nearby trees, thinking he had perhaps been looking at the wrong tree. Still, he found nothing. He requested all his workers to come to the orchard and dig with him. They dug into the night, they dug for days, spiraling out into the orchard until every tree had been dug under. The man was exasperated, as no treasure was found in all their efforts. The man continued to pace his orchard each day, trying to remember where the treasure had lay, wondering if they had missed a tree or dug too shallow. Each day he walked, he noticed the trees looking healthy and lush. Each week that passed, he saw the life spring back into his trees, and the next season yielded a masterful crop that surpassed any previous crop he had ever seen his many years. His money troubles were now gone, his workers strong, his excitement returned. God had answered his prayer.

---

I just want to know where to dig. I know I can't do the whole field myself. Just point me at a corner.

2006-11-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

I like playing games with friends. I like co-op and I like player vs player competition. Apparently people need to learn more co-op when buying their consoles. Or perhaps Nintendo players are just more peaceful by nature?

Playstation 3 Release Day Violence
Accusation and a stampede video

Nintendo Wii Launch Goes Smoothly

You can love your games, just don't loooooooove your games.

---

2006-11-18T23:57:00.000-08:00

I spent all day today playing XBox360 on a 40" LCD with 3 other guys. I felt my age, as I kept checking to see if my wireless controller's non-existent cable had gotten tangled up between my feet and kept referring to the "back" button as "select". Old habits die hard, or never die.

2006-11-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

I had a good talk with a great friend, Marion, tonight. I didn't expect him to stop by, but I am glad he did. We talked about the world, the church, our friendship, and the Word of God. I am fearful for my children, concerned about those who would hold up progress, prayerfully thinking about the future of loved ones, and glad that all of these things are wrapped up in a Master Plan that I have zero control over. Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Not me. Time to pray.

---

2006-11-16T23:56:00.000-08:00

(*gets up on technological soapbox*) Not many people like change. When it comes to computers, my wife likes change even less, especially when I change something that effects her working environment. I don't blame her.

Recently, Microsoft put out Internet Explorer 7 as a "critical update", forcing many people to change to a new method, for them, of browsing the internet: Tabs. Tabs have been around in web browsers for ages, and as can be seen in the image here, even cartoon characters are on the tabbed browsing bandwagon. It is time for more people to hop on.

I'm a Microsoft guy by profession, and I think Internet Explorer 7 is not near as fun/enjoyable to use as Firefox, but that is my humble opinion. Tabs take getting used to, but I now find myself unable to live without them. I research a ton of documents in my work, and I have several Firefox browsers open, each holding tabs relating to different topics. One Firefox session has 8 tabs related to solving a Windows error. Another session has 10 tabs finding out how to improve security. Yet another session is a hodgepodge of news. Often I will have another session of Firefox holding my Newegg shopping cart containing my dream computer parts. All of this takes up only a few precious spaces on the task bar, and my thoughts are all sorted out for me.

And to add to the function, you can download all sorts of addons. I've had a web page maker, a download manager, a music manager, a blog manager, a news reader, an FTP client, a search tool, a mail checker, and a notepad, all in a web browser. The internet is an amazing place; it helps to have a swiss-army-knife-like tool to surf it. I'm not going on a 50-mile hike around the 'net with a little fanny pack. I've got a traveler's pack ready for a trek.

Change is tough, but for those who have been using the default browser their computer came with, they shouldn't get too mad at Microsoft for pushing a seemingly new thing. It has been around for a long time, and they've been made fun of (literally) for not having tabs.

---

2006-11-15T23:26:00.000-08:00

My name is Paul. I play World of Warcraft. (hi, Paul)

In an effort not to appear as a total nerd when people find out I play this game, I tell them "It's like a really advanced chat room, where you get to kill stuff". Okay, that just sounds plain dumb. Better thought dumb than nerdy, right?

Seriously, though, I play "WoW" online with my wife, my brother, his wife, my father-in-law, my sister-in-law, and several friends in town. We are all in a group called a guild*, and we chat it up while slaying (and being slain by) the denizens of Azeroth. With over 7 kajillion people playing this game all over the world, you get some interesting memorable moments, and members of my family and friends enjoy this nonsense together. We poke fun at each other a lot, too. Take for instance, an in-game quote from a not-to-be-named female player, masquerading as a Warrior:

"I can't wear that! It won't match my pants!"

Ah, the tough life of a warrior...assuring that one goes into battle in proper fashion.

The traits of each player's real-life person comes out in their alter-ego in very humorous ways. Ever see an elf flirt with a gnome? I have. Ever hear someone tell you that your brother's armor shows too much cleavage? I have. Ever been glad to see a loved one eaten by a dragon? I have**.

There are also moments of marriage therapy:
Warrior: "Why didn't you heal me?!?"
Priest: "I was being eaten by a large dinosaur! Where WERE you?!?"
Warrior: "Beating on three plant-thingies and a giant lizard, DYING."
Priest: "You're supposed to PROTECT ME."
Priest: "you said you'd always protect me."
Warrior: "..."

And to make the nerdiness complete, we take screenshots of our adventures and set them on our computer monitors as desktops or email them for kicks. People drop by my monitor, point at the various assortment of elves, gnomes, dwarves, and humanoids and ask "What is THAT?". I can proudly tell them, "My family."

---
*A guild is a WoW term for a gathering of nerds.
**We were running from the dragon at the time. I ran faster.

2006-11-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

When I sit down at a computer that I plan to use on a regular basis, I send the poor thing through a customized cornucopia of alterations and tweaks to suit my multitasking mind. I need to make a little program that performs all my tasks automagically* with a simple double-click. Many of the things I remove are annoyances that I, like many other computer users, would rather not deal with. On my list of annoyances to change:

I turn off the animated character that "helps" you search your computer. I know that many people find the little doggy cute, or the paperclip in Microsoft Office charming, but I find them as enjoyable as Jar Jar Binks.

I turn off balloon tips. I laugh and cry at the same time when XP tells me *pop* "You have unused icons on your desktop."

I remove Microsoft Messenger from the system. XP tells you it is "critical" to the operation of software installed on the system, but I KNOW THE TRUTH! (baleeted**)

I reveal the file extensions. I don't like to name a file "mynotes.txt" only to find out it is now "mynotes.txt.txt".

I double the size of the taskbar, disable grouping of like items there, enable quicklaunch, show the clock, show all tray icons, use small icons in the start menu, and turn off highlighting recently installed applications.

Do I obsess much? To most people, yes. To other geeks, this is the tip of the iceberg. I draw the line at changing other peoples' computers, but I see techs revamp other peoples' computers and leave a person scratching their head, as if Zorro had just slashed a "Z" into their monitor.

---
*Yes, this is a word. I use it with my colleagues every day.

**See homestarrunner.com

2006-11-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

I recently Googled myself using the quoted keyword "Paul Swaim". Besides being me, I am also a Senior Economist, member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Commander Cadet at the Citadel military college in South Carolina. The only one that seems remotely like myself is probably the one from the Citadel, my opinion solely based upon the picture referenced.

2006-11-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

I'm on the lookout for the perfect personal life device. Something I can gently pat and say "My Precious". Something that I can write directly on, move things to and from computers without interference, blah blah blah. So far, my search hasn't proven successful. The sad part is that the device I desire isn't likely to be something that droves of people would line up to purchase. Low demand, low supply. There are a few candidates out there, like the OQO, but first generation technology generally needs to be skipped over until the kinks are worked out. I rather hate feeling like a tester when holding a "final" product.

As I'm decluttering my life, I've been using a Dell Axim x50v, but I want the power of a full Windows OS in the palm of my hand. PDAs are handy, but I feel like a big man in a very small suit; they just are too cumbersome to seamlessly interact with computers. Sony's always dropping new products out there, and the ultra-portable PC is on the way. My blood is boiling for the holy grail of devices, but I'm sure they'll cost an arm and a leg (and a kidney).

Paper clutter, be GONE!!!

2006-11-11T23:51:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine, Mike, recently came back from military duty in Iraq. I went to his house on Halloween, and our families chatted for a few minutes as Mike and I filled up some pumpkin-colored trash bags with leaves in order to place them on display in front of the house. He had worn his uniform for the trick-or-treaters, and I asked him about the meaning of the various medallions and markers the military had awarded him. He told me of one he got for jumping out of planes, another for something else I can't remember offhand, and a third he said for combat, "Basically for getting blown up and shot at". I shook his hand, hugged him, looked him in the eye and said "I have no frame of reference, but thank you. Thank you."

It is hard to know what to say to someone when they lose a loved one, and for some reason, this moment was similar. I couldn't say "I understand how you feel". I don't. I can't comprehend it. I appreciate it, though, and I let him know it.

I think everyone should let them know it.

2006-11-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

I've tried this, and I am successful one out of eleventy billion tries.

I'm attempting to become more organized in my life overall, and I am ridding my life of paper. I've been testing this at work, and so far have enjoyed the results. I see more of my nice desk's surface, and actually have room for nifty gadgets like a stapler, a tape dispenser, and a computer monitor now. The secret? GTD*

GTD stands for "Get Things Done", and involved a system of rules for organizing tasks as quickly as possible so one can spend more brain power on actually doing tasks rather than sorting them. A sample rule is "If it can be done in two minutes, do it now". If all a person's tasks are two minutes long, then this may not be the system for them, but for myself, it is already proving quite useful. One of the originators of the GTD system is David Allen although much of his content is geared towards a paper version of the lifestyle. Since I am de-cluttering my life, this is counterproductive to me.

The overall gist of GTD is to tag every task you have into categories such as "Next Action", or "Pending", or "Future" in order to continually keep your to-do list very focused on action and less on having to re-think "what was it I had to do on this project?!?". I've found it very disciplining and fulfilling, and I use both my work email and my gmail account to keep it flowing.

I'm still trying to figure out why I am so much more organized on a computer than I am with paper. I guess if my file cabinets had a "search" function or some snazzy Windows-key shortcut, I might actually have stuck with paper. As it stands, paper....BE GONE!!!

I keep telling myself "Don't print. PDF." A USB Stick is my new binder, although it doesn't look near as cool as my old Trapper Keeper.

---
*It's a TLA.

2006-11-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

Every so often, I've been SO taken by a film that I wanted to be IN the film. Some people are so resourceful (or nerdy) that they decided to make their OWN film in the spirit of the original! *gasp* I've had the guilty pleasure of enjoying Fan Films over the years, and my favorite ones to watch are the Star Wars variety. I watch them not only for the amazingly professional ones, but for the ones that are creative, inventive, and downright silly.

More often than not, you get what you see pictured here, a little bit of substance and a lot of "I think lightsabers and stormtroopers are cool". I think 95% of Star Wars fan films include at least 9 lightsaber battles*. I imagine George Lucas can feel himself rolling in his grave, even though he's not dead yet.

Here is a recap of most Star Wars fan films. Keep in mind this encompasses most fan film plots:

[Star Wars John Williams knockoff opening credits/story]
[Jedi1 flies ship, lands on a planet]
[Jedi1 roams around the woods behind the 7-11 near the park]
[Sith1 appears, hooded, following Jedi1 from afar]
[Jedi1, woods, Sith1, Jedi1, woods, Sith1, Jedi1, Sith1]
[Sith1 steps in Jedi1's path]
[Sith1 and Jedi1 stare each other down for 30 seconds]
[Sith1 removes hood, his face painted to look like the 4th cousin of Darth Maul]
[Sith1 sneers]
Sith1: "You are weak, Jedi!"
Jedi1: "You're wrong! UR weak!"
[Sith1 ignites a double-sided red lightsaber]
[Jedi1 shrugs off his cloak and ignites a single-sided blue, green, or pink lightsaber]
[Jedi1 and Sith1 reenact their 7th grade drama stage-fighting fencing routine]
[Either Jedi1 or Sith1 gets skewered by a lightsaber]
[End credits]

If anyone uses the above script for their fan film, they will not only NOT have to pay me royalties, they will also no longer be able to be called my friend.

There ARE a few gems in the Star Wars fan film pot, and here are some of my recommended home-brews (I admit, there are some lightsaber fights):

The guy in the blue shirt got a job with LucasArts for his entry in the lightsaber coreography contest (along with other things he'd created)!

For the TRUE story of the Rebellion's victory...

In case you missed one of the episodes, dude.

What IS the true essence of the force?!?

I am amazed by what people can create on small budgets. I think I will go make my own fan film. It will just need to be of equal caliber to my two previous films I have starred in, Jerusalem Dragnet and Mighty Mormon Potty Trainers .

*This might be off base. I think the actual amount is closer to 25.

2006-11-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

I used to go to LAN parties all the time. If you don't know what a LAN party is, it's when a bunch of people get together to play computer or video games with/against others. It may not sound like much, but if you've every felt the thrill of playing with friends in a 4-player game in front of a TV, imagine a 32-player game where everyone has their own screen! Many a time, I've turned away from my computer monitor to shake my fist at another head that popped above their screen to see the reaction of the player they just carpetbombed.

LANs are a lot of fun, and the best I've been to has to have been from SpokLAN.net, hands down. They are my only large-LAN experience, but they're into the fun more than the competition. Having been able to help them set up a LAN, I have a newfound respect for the work that goes into the fun occasion.

A Few of the Many Ingredients of a successful LAN:
------------------------------------------------------

FOOD! Generally you see pizza at a LAN, but you also sometimes get the homegrown goodies like the ones shown here (thank you Mrs. timmeh!!!) Some LANs charge a fee for the overhead of setting up the LAN, often including the food costs. Others take your money and tell you where to buy fast food. : /
<--- Good eats. I had a little of everything, and a LOT of some things.

SPONSORS!
Larger, more established events are able to get vendors to send prizes*, goodies, food, decorations, or other novelties. Good LANs give away the best prizes randomly, so not all the good gamers get the best loot. The bottles pictured at left are caffeinated drinks; the poster is advertising for a company that gave a USB memory stick for a prize. I helped set this LAN up for the people over at 2404.org, so I was not eligible for the swag. Minor loot overall, but much fun was had.

GAME BREAKS:
The eyes have to rest at some point, and the blood has to flow somewhere besides your arms and head. Some kind of game or activity is usually planned, getting people out of their seats and moving around. The gents at left are shooting foam rockets at targets. Best aim netted a prize. The foam rockets were fun, but eventually found themselves being fired at moving targets once the official game was over.

INSANITY:
Certain players tend to dominate in certain games that are played. To level the playing field and create some fun chaos, sometimes the rules are changed. Players here are in the midst of "Eyes & Drivers", where one player controls the mouse/keyboard, while the other player calmly** gives instructions on where to move/shoot. The outcome is a blast. "No, no, NO!! Shoot over THERE!" (um..they can't see, they have a PAPER PLATE on their face). This is a SpokLAN event favorite.

POWER & NETWORK !
To fuel large numbers of computers, you have to have a ton of power. One LAN I attended had 96 people in attendance, and required connecting spider boxes to two individual 100-Amp power panels. In order for the gamers to play together, network cables connect switches and hubs, spindling out more cable to each computer. This particular event had a tragic moment where one player jumped up from his seat to stretch, only to find that a primary power cable linked to his chair had been yanked out by his movement, darkening the screens of more than 20 players. There needs to be a word for the sound exasperated gamers let out in unison. It is a very funny noise.

I've lost my taste for overnight LANs, as most usually go into the wee hours of the morning, but I still get together with some friends and do the mini-LAN Saturday here and there.

* Also known as "Swag"
** Vigorous shouting, shaking

2006-11-07T23:41:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about communication lately. I have friends who are working on marriages, other relationships. I'm in a church that is learning all over again how to communicate and relate. I work in Information Technology, which is pretty much a language all its own. Sometimes communication feels like you're in another country, trying to get a message across to people who don't speak your lingo. Other times you feel like your country is being invaded, and you can't seem to impart important information before disaster happens. Or maybe they just laugh at the feeble attempt. Case in point: Engrish.com

If you go to their site, take it with a grain of salt, but here are some classic attempts at universal communication on signboards in other countries:

A little off the top?

Do they mean a V8?

Nothing to see here, carry on...

On certain days, this would be tempting.

There's just one, but he's mean!

Thanks for the tip.

I'm not sure my trash is special enough for this location.

This may be an international sign, but it certainly isn't politically correct.

Well, I'm consoled by the fact that even the professionals get it wrong. I'll stick to my bad english and let the pros entertain me.

2006-11-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

I am not one to enjoy politics, but I recently received an email from a friend with an anti-Bush sentiment, encouraging people to vote all along the Democratic party line. The email contradicted itself, stating we need to move past the Dem vs Rep attitude and move on to balancing our country, but then resorting to general bashing: "killing, lying, cheating, stealing, coveting possessions, arrogance, etc which Bush and Co. are so good at".

I spent an hour being angry, then I wrote a reply I never emailed:
--------------------------------
Seriously, this self-contradictory email frustrated me greatly. The "Stop Bush" rhetoric is old. Enemies hate you more when you fight back. Usually the right thing to do is not the popular thing to do. Any human will struggle with proper or wise use of power handed over. Tough decisions have been made that many agree with and many are opposed to; this is true in any position of leadership. Yes, no person is perfect.

Yes, vote, but find out the issues for yourself other than from commercials, newsradio, nightly news, and misleading emails. International compromise and partnership doesn't have to involve sacrificing values, convictions, and sovereignty.

A check and balance doesn't involve forcing a change for change's sake. If ultra liberals or uber conservatives hold sway, we'll have trouble either way. Only vote change if you REALLY think that change is going to improve things in a manner more solid than blanket general accusations at "Bush and Co."

The biggest sway in the Presidential position lies in the candidate that does not separate his faith from his politics. Bush said nearly verbatim that his faith permeated his decisions. Kerry said he holds his faith outside his political decisions. I fear for our country and for you if you consider candidates who knowingly tear God from their lives.

Dig deeper. Don't ask people to vote down a line because you sent them en email.

I understand you have a view from Europe. I do not share this view. If you want to talk about this in person, then come talk to me; don't send this to my email again, please.

In my opinion, this was poorly done.

Always your friend, regardless of what's been said.

Paul
---------------------------------

Yeah, I hate politics.

2006-11-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

The Windows Key. Is it useful for anything more than being an annoyance to bump with your wrist? Yes! It has many uses, but I think it should also do the following:

Windows Key + T = Stop time for 15 minutes.
Windows Key + S = Randomly kills one spider somewhere in your neighborhood.
Windows Key + B = Overcomes writers' block.
Windows Key + U = Upgrades your computer. This combination can only be used with the blessing of your spouse.
Windows Key + Y = Get an actual reason why the computer is not doing what you are telling it to.

REAL USES:
Windows Key + M = Minimize all your windows (D key is similar effect)
Windows Key + F = Search
Windows Key + L = Go to the welcome screen (for most home users)
Windows Key + R = Bring up the RUN box.
Windows Key + E = Bring up Windows Explorer to browse your computer

Other shortcuts:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc = Show the Task Manager, see what is running on your computer
Alt + Print Screen = Copy only the current window to the clipboard for pasting to another program
Alt + Tab = Switch between running programs if there are two or more
Alt + F4 key = Close the current window or program. If nothing is open, should show you the shutdown/restart options.

More shortcuts are coming in Vista, but I don't think mine creations are included. :(

2006-11-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Ode to Bob

The last bid!
The last hurrah!
The last hysteric lady,
To crush your ribs in adoration
And wish they had your baby!

We'll miss your mic,
Your perma hair, and pocket full of cash.
We've loved the witty repertoire,
And the pet population flash.

The cycle's spun,
The Plinko's dropped,
The yodeler's hiked too far.
What will you do, oh Sandler handler,
Now you've given your last car?

May your retired days
Be no less exciting than the hours on TV.
May your funds be never overdrawn,
And a dollar under be.

2006-11-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

I hear there are no more than six degrees between me and anyone else on the planet, especially Kevin Bacon. As of Nov 2nd, anyone who knows me is now within the six degrees of both the President and the record holder for lowest male vocal bass note. They met recently! My brother in law, Tim Storms is a great guy and the record holder who sings in a fantastic show in Branson, MO. Somehow he was at a performance somewhere when the President came through. I believe the President did not see the show, but did say he liked their boots. I guess if anyone knows good boots, it'd be a man from Texas. :D

2006-11-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

I tend to pride myself on being fairly good at communication. I can usually get my thoughts across in some fashion that is understandable by other persons, and I can be on the receiving end without too much fuss. However, there are few situations in life that display the disparities in human interactions more than the conversations held via email between a tech support person and a non-technical user. It is like a game, trying to be successful at guessing what in the world people are trying to say. Samples below, with eventual translations. The original spelling has been preserved to convict the guilty:

CASE ONE:
Subject: NETWORK-INTERNET
Location: 25E
Description: "this is for andria in pod 25E. having porblem getting in the interent and get one logged into more then the one or freeze up out and not able to log in to another system. Also having nudity pop ups on her system."
Translation: Andria infects her system with spyware anywhere she goes. She cannot log into her current system or the old ones she's been at, because she has been installing the same porn-supplying junkware at every station she visits.
Solution: Put head in hands. Cry. Replace regular computer with a Macintosh or Folger's Crystals.

CASE TWO:
Subject: HARDWARE-CPU
Location: G-10
Description: "Wires came out of the box."
Translation: The user couldn't get the mouse wire to give slack, so rather than untangle the wires near the source, the cord was yanked, ripping the mouse's cable, leaving the end of the plug still dangling from the back of the computer.
Solution: Put head in hands. Cry. Spend an hour replacing the entire motherboard since the mouse port is now dead. :(

CASE THREE:
Subject: DESKTOP-SOFTWARE
Location: 302-B
Description: "I am trying to get the resume wizzard to work in
my word program, but it says its not available. Can I get this installed as
soon as possible. It is very important because I don't think I will have a
job tomorrow. Thank you"
Translation: I am failing to fulfill my responsibilities in my present position, therefore action is required on someone else's part.
Solution: Laugh. Prevent user's email account from sending emails to more than a handful of other employees at a time. User is a prime candidate to be found sending a "Fare-thee-unwell-I'm-leaving" blast email.

CASE FOUR:
Subject: COMMON-HELPDESK
Location: 418C
Description: "When I put my user id and password in, it takes me
to the sign-on information screen and then in the data base selection and
choose and I watch the men dance and then they disconnect me."
Translation: The icon in the topright corner of the software they were using shows two little stick-figures dancing while the program tries to connect to a network computer. The stick-men stopped dancing, therefore were directly responsible for severing the connection.
Solution: Laugh. Send to as many other techs as possible via email. Perform the Rhumba all the way to their desk.

CASE FIVE:
Subject:COMMON-HELPDESK
Location: 717B
Description: "Is there any way you can un sweek my mouse is sounds like a really thing"
Translation: My mouse ball is dirty and keeps making an irritating noise and skipping across the screen.
Solution: Replace the mouse with another. Clean the mouse in question and place back into use at another desk. Begin using the word "unsweek" regularly with other techs as if it was common technical jargon.

I have to admit that communicating effectively is much harder for me in the morning, and I have my own personal set of top-of-the-morning emails where I have committed what should probably be felony counts of horribly unclear communication.

2006-11-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

First of November's daily posts here:

Since I work with computers, I enjoy the geeky jokes and gimmicks within the job. Here are a few shirts that illustrate these day-to-day technological truisms. I think I need to own them, as I think geek.

1) Remember: Binary is made up of 1's and 0's...
2) For the gamer left hand that falls to rest NOT on ASDF...
3) I still hear the sounds of Street Fighter II in my head...
4) 127.0.0.1 is a computer's own address...
5) For the days when you're just too busy...
6) Sadly, scripts only automate tasks...
7) To let others know the true power of the IT guy...
8) Problem exists between keyboard and chair?
9) 'Nuff said...
10) Might be true, but doesn't inspire confidence...

This would make quite the ensemble.

2006-09-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

I love disc golf. Back in the late 90's, some friends at college told my wife and I to grab a frisbee and meet at a particular tree on campus. When we got there, they mapped out for us an insane series of stunts to run a frisbee through. This became our golf course. Among the feats we were to achieve, we had to land the discs in a small sandbox, hit a huge knob in an old campus tree, pass through a playgound tube, and generally attempt to avoid nailing students in the head along the way.
We even had the "front 9" and the "back 9" laid out with a diagram. Eventually I graduated from the frisbee to a finders-keepers official style disc I acquired on a trip to Georgia.
For the "Folf"-unaware, disc golf entails throwing a disc down a course into a basket (pictured, although not my throw shown here; my throw would probably not be visible). You play the game a lot like regular golf, although you should lose a lot fewer projectiles. :D You track your throws like you track your strokes in golf; the fewer the better.

I'm starting to increase my list of played courses, and was able to try out a newer set of 18 holes at Farragut State Park recently when our church held a campout there. The original course is very rugged, and I managed to turn disc golf into an extreme sport by chewing up my arm with a tumble down a mountain. Ok...maybe it was a hill. The course isn't called the "Wreckreator" for nothing. I managed to pull out a +3 (amateur) on this course, one shy of the lead (I'll get you, Adam!!!). The new 18 holes are known as "North Star", and are much shorter and open. I managed to pull within two of the lead on this one, blowing a shot at the title on the 17th hole. (Again, Adam...)

I'm playing just about every other day at work now, as well. The college I work for has a 9 pin course right along the edge of campus. All the trees have their branches trimmed up quite high, so it is like throwing a disc through a field of erratically-placed poles. I swear that tree bark has some kind of magnetic relationship with plastic.

Last score anywhere: Par.
Favorite hole I've played: The Water Tower

2006-06-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates is on his way out. He's actually been on his way out of Microsoft for some time now. Just about eveyone in the world has heard of him. We've all used the products his giant corporation has produced over the years. I'd like to take this space to recognize his true passion. It is not tech. It isn't his iPod (ya know he's gotta have one of those). It's his foundation. He's leaving his role as a core person in the Microsoft machine so he can go do what he really wants to do. Microsoft is a big front for a massive charitable organization that helps education and health causes obtain much-needed funds and supplies. Amazing how we watch money completely destroy people, drive a wedge between couples, and stir up fights between loved ones. Bill & Melinda Gates are leaving the majority of the Microsoft world in hands that Bill has assured will continue to keep the flow of cash coming, while they go off and spend it on other people. Not your typical response to being the owner of billions of dollars. I hope the best for the Gates'. If his success and attention to detail within Microsoft is any reflection of what his increased attention to the Gates Foundation will be like, I am sure that good things are coming for many people.

2006-05-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

I'm no fan of the propaganda that IS Apple advertising. I don't think Macs are the best computer for the money. I DO think Apple products are stylish and simple to use. Where are the counter commercials for these Apple ads? You know, the ones where the guy sitting at the Mac frowns as he watches the Windows guy play incredible 3D games on his computer, only to return to his Mac and cry about the limited software support? Or the one where the Mac breaks down, and his repair bill for a tech to fix it feels like taking a legless 15-year old Cocker Spaniel to the vet (while the Windows dude asks his youth group how to fix his PC)? Sarcasm aside, I have to admit that my wife owns an iPod.

*gasp*

"Paul, don't you have an MCSE*?!?", you ask. "Won't they...come GET you?"

No, they will not. Because they are too busy trying to find out why people buy iPods instead of PC-able mp3/wma media players. Microsoft recently teamed up with music television to bring a competitor to the iTunes market: Urge. Creating a nifty interface and joining up with MTV, VH1, and others will not bring Apple to its knees, however. iPods account for over 70%** of the music player market right now. You know how to compete, Microsoft? It isn't by just relaunching a music store that you already had, albeit with some more zing. Here is the secret:

Support the devices that hold the music.

Don't just make Windows compatible with them. Make stuff for them. Honestly! Have you SEEN what is out there for an iPod? Name another media player that has a partnership with Nike like this! People can take an iPod, go to just about any electronics store in town, and find an accessory area with all sorts of gadgets for your gadget. The plethora (yes, I'd say a plethora.) of items has even trickled into WalMart, Target, and Hastings. I bought my wife an iPod because she can pick up stuff for it just about anywhere. No hunting, no fuss, just cool parts. This is important since I am married to a woman who once asked me to go the video store and rent a playstation game "that uses THIS many buttons", holding up two fingers and lining me up between them with her eye in order to make the suggestion^ more powerful.

She's enjoying the iPod, and it has made me realize that if you want something to be adopted by the masses, you have to support it. You can't just plan it. You can't just advertise it. You can't just lay out some fliers about it. You can't just blog it. You can't just make silly commercials about it. You have to find something tactile to accessorize with. People have to see that carrying your patent with them will bring easy-to-find joy just about anywhere they go.

Yup. I can see that I need to take this theory to other areas of my life.

* Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, a painful certification from Microsoft
** I read it on the net. So it is true.
^ I rented Crash Bandicoot.

2006-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Maturity v Convenience

Once again, I see that Americans are not ready for the technologies we employ. I can't speak for other nations, yet it would not surprise me to see similar or accelerated versions of what I speak of here. What I speak of is the volatile relationship between how fast technology develops and the proper use of said tech by humans. To illustrate, consider Moore's Law. This principle states that the speed of computers doubles every 18 months. That 3.4 Gigahertz computer you bought at the start of 2006 will be 6.8 Gigahertz by July of 2007! The size of these computers grows smaller, to boot, making portability an increasing possibility. More power, smaller size, more things you can do on the road. I carry a Dell Axim x50v, which is perfectly able to manage not only my contacts, calendar, and to-do lists, but also pictures, audio, and video files. My wife is awaiting her iPod shipment, which will consolidate and make mobile a large portion of our multimedia collection.
+ There is a problem when mixing people and peripherals. Like anything that can be used for good, there is a way to abuse it. A lack of maturity is increasing as these newfound devices discover new roles. Take, for example, the Playstation Portable. You can game on the go, which I find very appealing. The device also plays a small form movie disc and can be connected to a PC to play audio and video content on the road. People are taking this device and using it to store their porn collections so they can indulge wherever they are. It isn't enough to surf indecent content from home, NOW you can take degrading pictures and video to SCHOOL under the guise of a gaming system.
+ The push to consolidate to an all-in-one device is getting stronger, as Microsoft is partnering up with other companies to create the Origami (2)(3)(4), a voice, video, network, audio, video, and organizational tool. Apple also has a patent or two for new devices in the same vein of thought. How will those devices be used?
+ These devices are not inherently terrible, but the immaturity of a nation makes it a bad idea to allow them to handle the technology. Do you hand a gun to your three-year old? You and I BOTH know the FIRST thing he will do is look right down the barrel. Stupid? Immature. You may think I am exaggerating, but studies show a large amount of criminally convicted citizens have a history in pornography. (Beware what you surf from that last link). Do we hand a means to people who are thinking about negative ends?
+ You can't pose a problem without a solution, right? Hmm. The world is not going to stop producing devices based on maturity of users. I find the only solution is given to us from God in the Bible. If you are not a Bible fan, consider the words of Galatians regardless. I know I am not invincible or perfect. I recognize this and it makes me stronger in my struggle to protect my mind from the deluge of trash out there. Just that simple knowledge can make a man out of a baby and keep the gun pointed in the right direction. I keep telling myself "I am in the world, but not of it".

2005-12-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to speak to my home church congregation recently. If you have the mad curiosity, feel free to hop over to our church's home page, or hit the direct link to my lesson.

It is recorded in Real format, so you will need a player able to read it.

Open your mind and your heart!

2005-10-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

Definition of the internet:

An electronic, browsable view of the content of the hearts and minds of mankind.

2005-10-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

I have been working with a class at church trying to impart a personal ownership of one's involvement in the congregation. I know that people are often afraid of discussing the topic for one reason or another, yet I didn't realize how many people it seemed to put off. We're not talking about "get involved because the church needs people to do stuff", and we're not talking about "feel guilty so you will participate in more stuff". What we are talking about is being personally excited about worship, study, and service to the Lord. In having a personal ownership of these things, we will be the infectious Christians God desires us to be. We will be like the apostles who said "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard". We will be like those who studied the Scriptures daily to find Truth. We will be like those who went from house to house, encouraging others. Those who have been coming have offered great discussion, and have been open-minded to the challenge to perform a self-inventory. We can always benefit from being honest with ourselves. If we think we have "arrived" at some spiritual cap, then we kid ourselves. I really think God looks at us, sees our child-like fumbling that we call "mature worship", applies His magnificent grace, then loves us perfectly despite our efforts. I love God.

2005-10-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

Zen and the Art of Case Mods

I tell you what: creativity knows no bounds! I appreciate what people do when they put their minds to it. I have no idea what the one to the left is supposed to be, but it is interesting anyhow! Here are some great case mods (computer cases that have been altered, or computers crammed into strange objects):

"Encyclomedia" - for those wives who don't like how the PC looks in the living room...
"Humidor CL" - for the aficionado
"NESPC" - from the "Got too much time on my hands" archive
"R2D2PC" - for the Star Wars nut
"TeddyBearPC" - for those who feel the need to hug their computer before bed
"LogCabinPC" - man I miss Lincoln Logs...
"Accordion" - for the music lover
"Battlefield2" - for the military; also 2nd version
"Surface-to-Surface" - this one is the bomb...literally
"Half-Life2" - Amazing mod. Be sure to scroll down to see the inside when lit!

Amazing stuff! Mine has a blue light in the front. (oooooh...ahhhhh!)

2005-10-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

Piracy v Integrity

I have spent days thinking about how to write about this topic. It is at the core of what I do. Licensing software and managing those licenses is a daily consideration for the computers I work with. For the average user, it is also at the crux of what they do. Consider where piracy exists: music files, DVDs, computer / console games. I have deleted several attempts to pine about this topic, and decided that I know what the problem is: no matter how I write about it, I will appear either a hypocrite or will alienate people.
The fact is, we don't like to think about piracy much. It slows us down in our entertainment. People just copy products without thinking seriously about what is at stake. Sure, there is a danger of getting caught, busted, fined, and/or jailed (see RIAA, too). The greatest loss, however, is not what the law of the land threatens. The biggest hit comes to one's integrity. The strange thing about integrity is that people don't often realize they have lost or damaged it. Perhaps this goes back to the God v Man post at it's lowest level.
The apostle Paul in the Bible once said "All things are possible, not all things are profitable". I am a computer guy by profession, and know where to get almost anything in digital entertainment that you could want. Just because I can does not mean that I should go get it. I attend parties where geeks gather and game together. We play tactical computer games against each other for hours, eat good food, and stay up all night. At these events, I see recorded CDs get passed around with varying content. If someone comes to the party without owning the games that we play, they can easily get a copy of the game from someone. Me? I just don't play the game. If I own it, I play it. If I don't own it, I don't play it. At this moment, my computer and everything on it is 100% legitimate. I own no pirated software, music, or video. I am in the process of learning more about the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) so I can be in line with US law, but I find it difficult to understand entirely. The fact that the law has a hard time catching up with technology (it takes 2 years to get a big case to court, but computers double in speed in that time) makes it difficult to stay in line. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but the complexity of tech law coupled with the bliss of that ignorance makes for a lot of sacrificed integrity.

Things to ask yourself when managing your media and copying practices:
+ Are you coming up with rationalizations why you can share software, video, or music?
+ Do rationalizations trump the law?
+ Do disagreements with the law allow a citizen freedom from the law?
+ Is it ok to duplicate software, music, or movies for others?
+ Does the cost of software, music, or movies change the right to make copies for others?
+ Is public uploading/downloading of software, music, or movies is ok?
+ Do I have the right to decide how the property of others is handled?

If you answer "yes" to ANY of the above questions, then you are a pirate! For some it is obvious, for some it is not. Some choose to operate against the law, and others just don't realize what piracy means. Either way, the law is broken. I have a softer spot for those who don't know, and get angered now by those who do. I have helped many people out at their homes with their computers, only to find that one of their teenagers has installed a pirated copy of Windows on their PC. Rarely is there a sense of urgency to remedy the problem.
I am not perfect in this gambit; I get tempted by it all the time. I am choosing to make a concerted effort to learn what the law means, and how it is changing. I already have my Christian values which show me in the Bible the obvious nature of the heart and how others should be treated. I know my personal responsibility there, which stems from an absolute truth of how the property of others should be regarded. I challenge anyone to look at their collections and move to a better way. If not for the law, for your own enjoyment of knowing that your integrity is worth more than a $50 game, a $15 DVD, or a $1 mp3.

I hope that you care.

2005-10-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

"I don't want the world. I just want your half."

I tend to be successful in my predictions of technology trends and futures, yet have been floored by the publicity of a recent feud that has the precursors to make one of my wildest predictions come true.

I said that the next major worldwide war would involve the internet, and that the casualties would not be people, but rather information and access to that information. A sample of what I am thinking of is found in an article showcasing the BBC's rough take on the state of internet management. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4327928.stm (read before continuing)

Much of the world believes that the internet naming system should be managed by the United Nations. The United States manages all but two or three of the root domain naming servers, and much (all?) of the ARIN servers which are a critical component of how you get to read wonderful sites like www.ilovebees.com. I have several opinions on the subject, as well as some thoughts to reflect on:

The U.N. would have to get its own ducks in a row before trying to add ducks to the line. (see: Oil for Food, also see: Iraq)
The United States began the internet. I'm sorry you became dependent on it. The world depends on oil, so let the UN wrest control of oil from the few controlling nations before asking the US for control of the internet.

Right now, the Europeon Union says that they are considering their own internet, segmenting off from the rest of the world and threatening to splinter the information superhighway.

I, for one, can see both sides of the story. The businessman in me says "Let's make money off a hot commodity", the humanitarian in me says "Let's make information free". I have another part of me that says "Be nice to us, because we don't HAVE to make information free". I would sooner hand over the control of the internet to the IEEE or IETF than the UN. The UN is a peacekeeping organization (isn't it?). Technical standards groups already exist. If I want to move troops into a rebellious nation, the UN can help. If I want to quell riots and send relief aid, the UN can probably help. If I want to make technological standards and manage a multinational system of complex computer hardware and proprietary software that governs the world's flow of information? NOT the UN. Politics can flow across the internet, but let's not make the internet political.