Recently I spilled coffee on my work laptop. Yes it was a stupid careless thing to do but accidents happen. The upshot of this was I was out of a work laptop for a little while while they determined what was wrong with it. Fortunately for me all that got damaged was the keyboard, so the damage was minimal.
This left me with some choices as I have a few laptops at home to use. I have a relatively new HP laptop with a big 17" screen which is very nice. It runs windows 7, and I primarily have it for gaming and to run iTunes. The other choice was the old mac book pro my sister gave me.
I chose the Mac.
There are a few reasons I did this. The primary reason was portability. The HP is big and heavy and I didn't feel like lugging it around. Second, I do play games on it. I have steam and other things installed on it, and didn't particularly want those connecting at work. However another part of the decision was that I really like having a *nix workstation. My work computer runs Gentoo Linux and the Mac runs Unix under the hood. What I wasn't expecting was how much I liked the Mac. So much so in fact, that I genuinely regret not asking for one when I started.
Why?
Well to be honest, they are very stylish. Even this 4+ year old Mac Book makes the Dell's we have look like a piece of junk (which in my opinion they are). I haven't bought/used a Dell in years and have been reminded of why. It's not the performance or parts. Those are more than adequate, it's the packaging. They look and feel cheap. Now, let me be fair, the reason I got the HP was cost. To get a laptop with it's feature set (dual drives, 3rd generation i7, back lit kb, 17" 1080p screen and a Nvidia card) I had to go with this laptop. The comparable Dells were significantly more expensive. I always choose Nvidia for Linux support, and fully expect to run Linux on in at some point in the future, but I digress, back to the Mac :)
What really surprised me, and this is coming from someone whos never really used one, was how well everything works together. Maybe I've gotten older, but the Mac is really a joy to use. So much so that I want to get a newer one. Yes, this one still works, but it's a core 2 duo, has 2gb ram and has a 200gb drive. For a "Pro" computer those are some pretty basic specs for a 2008 laptop. My previous HP blew that away and cost a lot less, but I digress again. The things that annoy me in the Dell + Linux setup are simple things like undocking the laptop. The Dell has a terrible screen, so I use external monitors in the docking station at work. If I undock the laptop X will crash. Now the Mac doesn't have a docking station, so I have to use just one external monitor, but it works. Even Windows 7 can undock.
So here's my dilemma, do I spend well over 2k for a laptop for home, where things like undocking don't matter because I *want* a laptop? The real issue with the new Mac's are that you have to put all the features you want in them at purchase because you can't upgrade them. Hard drive upgrade? Nope. Ram upgrade? Nope. I'm just used to being able to upgrade those later. In my last 2 laptop purchases I've upgraded the ram and added a SSD after I bought them, but to get a Mac with a decent HDD and ram its well over 2k.
Decisions, decisions... Not to mention Apple is probably getting rid of the 17" MacBook...
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Taliban
So as you're probably aware the Taliban recently attacked and tried to murder a schoolgirl in Pakistan. Why? Because she had a blog and spoke against them.
BRAVO for her. That must have taken an incredible amount of bravery, especially after seeing what the consequences of her actions are.
However, what I'm astounded by is this. The Taliban taking actions like this is nothing new. Maybe this is the beginning of the real Arab Spring. One where Islam finally comes out of the stone ages.
We'll see...
BRAVO for her. That must have taken an incredible amount of bravery, especially after seeing what the consequences of her actions are.
However, what I'm astounded by is this. The Taliban taking actions like this is nothing new. Maybe this is the beginning of the real Arab Spring. One where Islam finally comes out of the stone ages.
We'll see...
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Cigarettes
So.... I'm at day 3 of no more smoking. I'd forgotten how fucking hard it was to quit.
Just wish it was somehow possible to only have one or two a day. That can't be all that bad for you, can it?
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Not so proud to be an American
So I meant to post this a while ago, but got sidetracked and forgot... Anyway here it is:
As I watch the Olympics and see the US winning medals, I'm finding myself feeling not very proud of my country. Before anyone accuses me of hating America allow me to say I love my country. I was born here and have lived my whole life here. Let me also say I am very proud of the athletes, they are some of the best in the world. They worked and trained hard, and deserve their accolades. That's not why I feel this way.
It's what happened in Wisconsin and in Aurora.
This almost never happens in any other country.
When it does people run out and buy more guns while saying guns don't kill. People do. They then wish someone with a gun was there to "put two in his chest". I guess it's un-american to not want a shootout. Or to not want every person to have a 44 on their hip. Let me be clear, the absolute last thing anyone wants in case they're in a situation like that is some moron who thinks he's Dirty Harry. If you don't know who that is, let me Google that for you.
After all, if it's not guns, it must be Americans. Right? I got asked about that many times when I was in Ireland, and had no answer to give other than to feel embarrassed. The only person who understood was a Norwegian man I meet who, as you might recall, had a similar event in his country. Of choose that was just once, and not every few months, or so it seems.
Any attempt to discuss a gun control here is greeted with scorn and criticism. How can I love the US and not want every idiot to have a gun is how it's phrased by friends of mine. After all It's our god given right to have gun shows and even a 2 week waiting period is considered excessive to buy an assault rifle. The Constitution says so. Listen folks, and I mean the NRA, the founding fathers never EVER imagined that people would own weapons like we do.
The problem as I see it is the combination of guns and Americans, and that's why I'm not so proud of my country right now. So until we start a serious dialogue on how to stop these senseless mass killings we deserve the scorn the rest of the world gives us over our obsession with guns, the ease with which Americans can obtain them, and the mayhem people cause with them.
No guns can't kill alone, but then again, I can't kill anyone by throwing a 9mm bullet at them.
As I watch the Olympics and see the US winning medals, I'm finding myself feeling not very proud of my country. Before anyone accuses me of hating America allow me to say I love my country. I was born here and have lived my whole life here. Let me also say I am very proud of the athletes, they are some of the best in the world. They worked and trained hard, and deserve their accolades. That's not why I feel this way.
It's what happened in Wisconsin and in Aurora.
This almost never happens in any other country.
When it does people run out and buy more guns while saying guns don't kill. People do. They then wish someone with a gun was there to "put two in his chest". I guess it's un-american to not want a shootout. Or to not want every person to have a 44 on their hip. Let me be clear, the absolute last thing anyone wants in case they're in a situation like that is some moron who thinks he's Dirty Harry. If you don't know who that is, let me Google that for you.
After all, if it's not guns, it must be Americans. Right? I got asked about that many times when I was in Ireland, and had no answer to give other than to feel embarrassed. The only person who understood was a Norwegian man I meet who, as you might recall, had a similar event in his country. Of choose that was just once, and not every few months, or so it seems.
Any attempt to discuss a gun control here is greeted with scorn and criticism. How can I love the US and not want every idiot to have a gun is how it's phrased by friends of mine. After all It's our god given right to have gun shows and even a 2 week waiting period is considered excessive to buy an assault rifle. The Constitution says so. Listen folks, and I mean the NRA, the founding fathers never EVER imagined that people would own weapons like we do.
The problem as I see it is the combination of guns and Americans, and that's why I'm not so proud of my country right now. So until we start a serious dialogue on how to stop these senseless mass killings we deserve the scorn the rest of the world gives us over our obsession with guns, the ease with which Americans can obtain them, and the mayhem people cause with them.
No guns can't kill alone, but then again, I can't kill anyone by throwing a 9mm bullet at them.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Thank you google...
For this: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/14/us-protests-google-idUSBRE88D1MD20120914
At least one major company here in the US believes in the first amendment, no matter how stupid the content.
At least one major company here in the US believes in the first amendment, no matter how stupid the content.
Friday, September 14, 2012
More on the muslim "uprising"
So this editorial/article appeared on CNN today. It talks about how most middle-eastern muslims are unaware that our government didnt condone the "movie" and how some people are intolerant.
Wake up dude. This is more than a "few" people, and yes many muslims are intolerant of a lot of things. Ironically, he's calling for a muslim reformation, which is something I've believed was necessary for Islam to be able to participate in the modern, western world.
What's missing though, is any sort of recrimination for the belief that rioting and murder and other criminal acts are acceptable.
To quote his article "Little wonder, then, that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy has called for the prosecution by the U.S government of the filmmakers, and Egypt's top cleric, Mufti Ali Goma, has called on the United Nations to forbid denigration of faiths." proves that point.
He seems to be willing to blithely accept this behaviour simply because people don't "know better", and wait until they learn about freedom.
Really? Are you fucking serious?
A top cleric wants to forbid denigrations of faith? Why because we can't count on muslims not to riot over a movie, or god forbid a fucking cartoon? I really don't care if it's "haram" in islam, I'm not a muslim and never will be.
Get a clue...
At least Fareed Zakaria gets it, although I think it's more than "a few hundred" people
And for the record, yes I believe the individual responsible for the movie is a "crude bigot" too.
Wake up dude. This is more than a "few" people, and yes many muslims are intolerant of a lot of things. Ironically, he's calling for a muslim reformation, which is something I've believed was necessary for Islam to be able to participate in the modern, western world.
What's missing though, is any sort of recrimination for the belief that rioting and murder and other criminal acts are acceptable.
To quote his article "Little wonder, then, that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy has called for the prosecution by the U.S government of the filmmakers, and Egypt's top cleric, Mufti Ali Goma, has called on the United Nations to forbid denigration of faiths." proves that point.
He seems to be willing to blithely accept this behaviour simply because people don't "know better", and wait until they learn about freedom.
Really? Are you fucking serious?
A top cleric wants to forbid denigrations of faith? Why because we can't count on muslims not to riot over a movie, or god forbid a fucking cartoon? I really don't care if it's "haram" in islam, I'm not a muslim and never will be.
Get a clue...
At least Fareed Zakaria gets it, although I think it's more than "a few hundred" people
And for the record, yes I believe the individual responsible for the movie is a "crude bigot" too.
Why Americans don't trust Muslims
First off, apologies for not posting, but I've been busy with new job, and I doubt anyone reads this other than me... I was going to re-post my comments on the iPhone 5, but this seems a bit more pressing.
Recently I read this article which describes how muslims life in fear in the US since 9/11. It's a well thought defense of Islam. It goes on about how Islam is a religion of peace etc... and the 9/11 terrorists don't represent Islam. Fine, we've heard this before, and yes there is some truth here.
What I don't get, is how so *many* muslims themselves don't understand Islam, and are willing to be jihadists? Really lady, how about we talk about that? There seems to be a never ending supply of young people willing to blow themselves up in the name of Islam. And honestly, why publish this on 9/11/12? I'm sorry you live in fear, but you know what? A lot of Americans do too. Some are still afraid to fly, some worry that there will be another attack and we won't know when/where it will come from. How about we talk about that?
However, what really pissed me off about this article, is that shortly after, the US embassy was stormed, and our ambassador to Libya was murdered.
Why?
In case you haven't heard/read/seen, there is some film that is being produced that makes fun of Mohammed. Yeah that's it. A stupid movie, that most people had never heard of justified riots and murder. Here is a story from CNN this morning about more uprisings in other countries.
The initial response from the Egyptian president was to condemn the movie, not the rioters.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Some movie makes fun of a religion, which happens to be protected under the US constitution, and the muslim world goes mad? What part of "Your religion is practiced by a large number of fucking dimwit nutbags" don't *you* get? I never heard of this movie, would have never taken it seriously had i did, and probably would have never watched it until this crazy shit happened in Libya. Then I made a point to watch it, and honestly I feel like buying a web server and hosting it forever now. Of course if I did, I'd probably have to go into hiding because someone might murder me for insulting their religion, despite the fact that it's legal in MY country. All while feeling free to insult my country, my beliefs etc...
Free speech is a *key* part of the US constitution. As is freedom of religion. Somehow it seems that we're supposed to abandon that to prevent pissing off muslims. I think not. Am I to believe that all of these people don't understand Islam? Perhaps all those muslims should be re-educated about Islam's basic tenets, instead of worrying about Americans.
So I ask YOU Sumbal Ali-Karamali, do you really wonder why Americans don't trust muslims?
Recently I read this article which describes how muslims life in fear in the US since 9/11. It's a well thought defense of Islam. It goes on about how Islam is a religion of peace etc... and the 9/11 terrorists don't represent Islam. Fine, we've heard this before, and yes there is some truth here.
What I don't get, is how so *many* muslims themselves don't understand Islam, and are willing to be jihadists? Really lady, how about we talk about that? There seems to be a never ending supply of young people willing to blow themselves up in the name of Islam. And honestly, why publish this on 9/11/12? I'm sorry you live in fear, but you know what? A lot of Americans do too. Some are still afraid to fly, some worry that there will be another attack and we won't know when/where it will come from. How about we talk about that?
However, what really pissed me off about this article, is that shortly after, the US embassy was stormed, and our ambassador to Libya was murdered.
Why?
In case you haven't heard/read/seen, there is some film that is being produced that makes fun of Mohammed. Yeah that's it. A stupid movie, that most people had never heard of justified riots and murder. Here is a story from CNN this morning about more uprisings in other countries.
The initial response from the Egyptian president was to condemn the movie, not the rioters.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Some movie makes fun of a religion, which happens to be protected under the US constitution, and the muslim world goes mad? What part of "Your religion is practiced by a large number of fucking dimwit nutbags" don't *you* get? I never heard of this movie, would have never taken it seriously had i did, and probably would have never watched it until this crazy shit happened in Libya. Then I made a point to watch it, and honestly I feel like buying a web server and hosting it forever now. Of course if I did, I'd probably have to go into hiding because someone might murder me for insulting their religion, despite the fact that it's legal in MY country. All while feeling free to insult my country, my beliefs etc...
Free speech is a *key* part of the US constitution. As is freedom of religion. Somehow it seems that we're supposed to abandon that to prevent pissing off muslims. I think not. Am I to believe that all of these people don't understand Islam? Perhaps all those muslims should be re-educated about Islam's basic tenets, instead of worrying about Americans.
So I ask YOU Sumbal Ali-Karamali, do you really wonder why Americans don't trust muslims?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Ireland
Really was a blast... I drank altogether too much beer, and ate all kinds of bad food, but it was great.
Friday, June 15, 2012
AT&T
Ok AT&T its about time to release the ics update for the galaxy note. I get that it takes time to QA the release, not that your QA on your own apps is that great. I'll rant about the lousy messages app later.
You've been promising the release for months. If I wanted to root my phone id have it. Can't you just release the damn thing before the galaxy s 3 comes out? Every other country has it.
Maybe we can get it before ios 6 and the iPhone 5 come out? Or maybe before Android 6 is released by google?
So I wanted to say AT&T finally released it. It's not that different, but so far no problems.
Battery still so-so
Haven't bothered with AT&T messages anymore. I miss visual voice mail, but so be it.
Fixed using a cert with email. This was a big deal
No activesync issues. Another big deal
The only annoyance is the phone insists on html mail. I despise that and can't figure out how to change it.
You've been promising the release for months. If I wanted to root my phone id have it. Can't you just release the damn thing before the galaxy s 3 comes out? Every other country has it.
Maybe we can get it before ios 6 and the iPhone 5 come out? Or maybe before Android 6 is released by google?
So I wanted to say AT&T finally released it. It's not that different, but so far no problems.
Battery still so-so
Haven't bothered with AT&T messages anymore. I miss visual voice mail, but so be it.
Fixed using a cert with email. This was a big deal
No activesync issues. Another big deal
The only annoyance is the phone insists on html mail. I despise that and can't figure out how to change it.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Oh Virginia...
So Virginia wants to add a fee of $1/month per transponder for ez-pass.
Are you fucking kidding me?
We don't get a discount on tolls, we don't get anything other than the outrageous tolls they charge. As it is the ez-pass is saving them thousands of dollars because they don't have to man tollbooths. Yes this is the first state I've ever lived in where after hours you are required to have exact change.
If you think this is ridiculous feel free to sign this petition. I doubt it helps, but what the hell...
Are you fucking kidding me?
We don't get a discount on tolls, we don't get anything other than the outrageous tolls they charge. As it is the ez-pass is saving them thousands of dollars because they don't have to man tollbooths. Yes this is the first state I've ever lived in where after hours you are required to have exact change.
If you think this is ridiculous feel free to sign this petition. I doubt it helps, but what the hell...
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Juniper Network Connect
Wow... Let me say what a steaming pile of shit this product is... Maybe I was spoiled by Cisco AnyConnect, but getting this to run on a x86_64 linux installation was a real chore.
Yes, the whole problem is that I have a 64bit O/S, the question is WHY Juniper would still require a 32bit JRE for this is ridiculous. As it is, i was forced to install an old *insecure* java package to get the correct plugin, then after reading page after page and trying just about everything, including using win7 because I had to be able to connect to the VPN. I kept getting "Unable to connect to IVE". Of course there is no clear explanation of what causes this anywhere on Juniper's site. I found the answer on an Ubuntu forum.
I finally realized that gentoo was still using the 64bit plugin. I found this page which suggested using Opera, and it worked like magic.
Listen Juniper, I realize that Linux isn't the most popular O/S, but get your act in gear and support a 64bit jre, it is 2012 afterall, and FYI, compared to Cisco your product is crap. On Cisco all you need to do is install the package, start the service, and launch the gui. Believe me, if I could, I'd throw your VPN in a dumpster and put in an ASA...
Here are some other links in case anyone ever looks here to help getting this to work on 64bit linux:
Mad Scientist Script - Note this didn't work for me
Ubuntu Forum - This has lots of good info and links to every site I've mentioned here.
Yes, the whole problem is that I have a 64bit O/S, the question is WHY Juniper would still require a 32bit JRE for this is ridiculous. As it is, i was forced to install an old *insecure* java package to get the correct plugin, then after reading page after page and trying just about everything, including using win7 because I had to be able to connect to the VPN. I kept getting "Unable to connect to IVE". Of course there is no clear explanation of what causes this anywhere on Juniper's site. I found the answer on an Ubuntu forum.
I finally realized that gentoo was still using the 64bit plugin. I found this page which suggested using Opera, and it worked like magic.
Listen Juniper, I realize that Linux isn't the most popular O/S, but get your act in gear and support a 64bit jre, it is 2012 afterall, and FYI, compared to Cisco your product is crap. On Cisco all you need to do is install the package, start the service, and launch the gui. Believe me, if I could, I'd throw your VPN in a dumpster and put in an ASA...
Here are some other links in case anyone ever looks here to help getting this to work on 64bit linux:
Mad Scientist Script - Note this didn't work for me
Ubuntu Forum - This has lots of good info and links to every site I've mentioned here.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
SANS
Why the hell are sans courses so expensive? There is one I was thinking of taking, and its conveniently at night. The hook is that its four thousand dollars. come on sans. Four grand for a virtual class is absurd. I can justify paying that for a conference, but not one class. You're not a college.
The NFL
Its pretty shameful that the NFL is holding the state of Minnesota hostage over a stadium bill. Those teams make millions from the fans and then expect the fans to pay for the new stadiums so the teams and the NFL can make more money.
Don't state governments have better things to pay for with or tax dollars than fancy new stadiums?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Why...
So I hear on the news that North Carolina voted against gay marriage, honestly I'm not very surprised by this, but what I am surprised by is the reaction of people on Facebook and the news channels.
I generally consider myself a republican/libertarian and vote along those lines, however I'm disappointed to see that gay people can't have the same rights to get married and then taken to the cleaners when they get divorced, ok small bit of personal sarcasm there. If two gay people want to have some binding legal commitment to each other I'm fine with that, and honestly they should be allowed to.
Folks listen, NC is in the *bible belt*, not to mention one of the most conservative states in America. They did after all elect and keep Jesse Helms in the Senate for five terms. Why should anyone be surprised that this would happen? Look at this wikipedia page, all the southern conservative states are opposed to this. You have just as good a chance of North Carolina allowing gay marriage as you do of going to Saudi Arabia and expecting religious equality or for women to have the same rights as men.
This, of course, is what de Tocqueville, John Adams and John Mill describe. Although I like the way Lord Acton puts it:
I find that Americans tend to laud democracy, and while it is certainly preferable to other forms of government, we overlook its failings when the outcome of a public vote isn't what is considered "right". This is what the people of North Carolina want. If someone doesn't like it they are free to try to change the law.
I generally consider myself a republican/libertarian and vote along those lines, however I'm disappointed to see that gay people can't have the same rights to get married and then taken to the cleaners when they get divorced, ok small bit of personal sarcasm there. If two gay people want to have some binding legal commitment to each other I'm fine with that, and honestly they should be allowed to.
Folks listen, NC is in the *bible belt*, not to mention one of the most conservative states in America. They did after all elect and keep Jesse Helms in the Senate for five terms. Why should anyone be surprised that this would happen? Look at this wikipedia page, all the southern conservative states are opposed to this. You have just as good a chance of North Carolina allowing gay marriage as you do of going to Saudi Arabia and expecting religious equality or for women to have the same rights as men.
This, of course, is what de Tocqueville, John Adams and John Mill describe. Although I like the way Lord Acton puts it:
The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections.—The History of Freedom in Antiquity, 1877
I find that Americans tend to laud democracy, and while it is certainly preferable to other forms of government, we overlook its failings when the outcome of a public vote isn't what is considered "right". This is what the people of North Carolina want. If someone doesn't like it they are free to try to change the law.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
My Phablet
Yes, it's been a while, but I've been trying to get settled at the new job and being sick doesn't help...
Alright call it what you will, but I got a Galaxy Note for work. Yes, I have an iPhone too, but overall I like the note. After the substandard Android phones I had before, and the constant sync issues with HP's email servers I was a little nervous, but 3 weeks in I've had no problems with email. The s-pen is kind of a disappointment. I really thought it would be useful, but I've barely used it, and for whatever reason I can't seem to send any notes via MMS. Probably some stupid AT&T shit, who knows.
The reviewers complaints about the size of the phone are just stupid. I've had to hold it to my face occasionally but it's not like holding an ipad or kindle fire to your face. Yeah it's big, but 99% of the time I have a bluetooth headset on, so I don't have to worry about it. The screen is big and bright which more than makes up for it. Browsing the web or reading/replying to email is a piece of cake whether I have my glasses on, contacts in or neither. Any of the reviewers who dog on the phone because of it should hate the Galaxy III when it comes out, because it's going to be big too. Not Note sized, but big enough. If you're a stupid hipster with painted on jeans and the phone doesn't fit in your pants pocket tough shit. Get a tiny phone to go with your tiny hands. I'm 6'4, have big hands and can use the phone with one hand, and it's nice to not mistype constantly because the keyboard is designed for someone with smaller hands/fingers.
Biggest thing I'm waiting for are the new premium s-pen apps, and Android 4.0 (no I'm sorry but I think naming an OS release Ice Cream Sandwich is stupid). I really don't know what the hangup is, but 4.0 has been out for months and almost no phones have it. Google, Samsung and AT&T need to get their act together and push this to the phones that can run it. According to this story just under 5% of all android devices are running 4. Look I get the custom UI, and even the bloatware that comes with the phones, but I paid for the phone, I pay for the monthly service, let me determine if I want Touch wiz and all the AT&T apps, or if I want to run a clean version of android. It's a work phone so rooting it is out of the question... I want it to work and work reliably.
My only other gripe is the quality of Google Play. It's getting better by leaps and bounds, but it's so far behind Apple's app store it's ridiculous. Google needs to be a little more dictatorial like Apple and clean it up.
Last but not least. Hey Cameron Brown(e). Listen fuckface, tell your stupid "bros" that you cancelled or lost your service and your fucking number changed. I'm sick of getting your stupid phone calls and texts from idiot teens.
Alright call it what you will, but I got a Galaxy Note for work. Yes, I have an iPhone too, but overall I like the note. After the substandard Android phones I had before, and the constant sync issues with HP's email servers I was a little nervous, but 3 weeks in I've had no problems with email. The s-pen is kind of a disappointment. I really thought it would be useful, but I've barely used it, and for whatever reason I can't seem to send any notes via MMS. Probably some stupid AT&T shit, who knows.
The reviewers complaints about the size of the phone are just stupid. I've had to hold it to my face occasionally but it's not like holding an ipad or kindle fire to your face. Yeah it's big, but 99% of the time I have a bluetooth headset on, so I don't have to worry about it. The screen is big and bright which more than makes up for it. Browsing the web or reading/replying to email is a piece of cake whether I have my glasses on, contacts in or neither. Any of the reviewers who dog on the phone because of it should hate the Galaxy III when it comes out, because it's going to be big too. Not Note sized, but big enough. If you're a stupid hipster with painted on jeans and the phone doesn't fit in your pants pocket tough shit. Get a tiny phone to go with your tiny hands. I'm 6'4, have big hands and can use the phone with one hand, and it's nice to not mistype constantly because the keyboard is designed for someone with smaller hands/fingers.
Biggest thing I'm waiting for are the new premium s-pen apps, and Android 4.0 (no I'm sorry but I think naming an OS release Ice Cream Sandwich is stupid). I really don't know what the hangup is, but 4.0 has been out for months and almost no phones have it. Google, Samsung and AT&T need to get their act together and push this to the phones that can run it. According to this story just under 5% of all android devices are running 4. Look I get the custom UI, and even the bloatware that comes with the phones, but I paid for the phone, I pay for the monthly service, let me determine if I want Touch wiz and all the AT&T apps, or if I want to run a clean version of android. It's a work phone so rooting it is out of the question... I want it to work and work reliably.
My only other gripe is the quality of Google Play. It's getting better by leaps and bounds, but it's so far behind Apple's app store it's ridiculous. Google needs to be a little more dictatorial like Apple and clean it up.
Last but not least. Hey Cameron Brown(e). Listen fuckface, tell your stupid "bros" that you cancelled or lost your service and your fucking number changed. I'm sick of getting your stupid phone calls and texts from idiot teens.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
New job
So I'm changing jobs. I've been at EDS and HP for 12 years now, and it's definitely going to different going to work for a small company again. Not that I've been particularly happy at HP for some time now, but it's familiar and comfortable. Of course I was labelled as "jumping ship" by one of my co-workers when it got out on Friday.
Most of my career has been in network security and I only took the position at NII because it was close to home and required no travel while I was going through my divorce. Nor do I want to be someone who simply answers tickets in sm9 (the lousy ticketing system NII put in place). EDS/HP never did a good job of managing anyone's career and I got a chance to try and put mine back on track, so I took it.
I made my decision to leave EDS/HP in December, was just waiting until after my wedding and for the right job. Cloud networking is where it's at, in my opinion, and to pass up a chance to move back into security there is a golden opportunity.
All that aside, I liked my time at NII, I like the people there and I will miss it...
Oh and I'm already regretting not asking for a mac instead of a pc. Yeah, it's a learning curve for me on the mac after all these years of running xp/vista/7 for work and linux at home, but the mac is a great laptop, after all I'm writing this on a macbook pro... Duh!
Most of my career has been in network security and I only took the position at NII because it was close to home and required no travel while I was going through my divorce. Nor do I want to be someone who simply answers tickets in sm9 (the lousy ticketing system NII put in place). EDS/HP never did a good job of managing anyone's career and I got a chance to try and put mine back on track, so I took it.
I made my decision to leave EDS/HP in December, was just waiting until after my wedding and for the right job. Cloud networking is where it's at, in my opinion, and to pass up a chance to move back into security there is a golden opportunity.
All that aside, I liked my time at NII, I like the people there and I will miss it...
Oh and I'm already regretting not asking for a mac instead of a pc. Yeah, it's a learning curve for me on the mac after all these years of running xp/vista/7 for work and linux at home, but the mac is a great laptop, after all I'm writing this on a macbook pro... Duh!
The 4th amendment
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Recently it's been written that companies are asking applicants for their Facebook logins and email addresses during job interviews. I find behavior such as this to be reprehensible. It would be unheard of for an employer to ask to search your home or mail, yet email and personal messages are allowed?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/28/facebook_employer_passwords_amendment/
So a few representatives in Congress wanted to pass a law outlawing this. Why is a law even necessary? It's already in the Constitution, even so, I'm all for this, and yet it got shot down.
Why?
Look, I generally vote on the "Conservative" side of things, yet I'm beginning to wonder why. I don't agree with this, I don't agree on abortion, and other things. I always considered myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but throwing the bill of rights out the window is just way more than I can stomach.
If some employer, not named NSA, FBI, DoD or CIA asked me for anything like this I would definitely not take the job. I've done work for the DoD and other gov't agencies and they never invaded my privacy like this. I've had to take drug tests and had background investigations, and although I don't think they provide much value(see Aldrich Ames or Robert Hanssen) that's a requirement for gov't work, but private companies asking this is absurd. And anyone who is in Congress not supporting the 4th amendment is utterly ridiculous...
Recently it's been written that companies are asking applicants for their Facebook logins and email addresses during job interviews. I find behavior such as this to be reprehensible. It would be unheard of for an employer to ask to search your home or mail, yet email and personal messages are allowed?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/28/facebook_employer_passwords_amendment/
So a few representatives in Congress wanted to pass a law outlawing this. Why is a law even necessary? It's already in the Constitution, even so, I'm all for this, and yet it got shot down.
Why?
Look, I generally vote on the "Conservative" side of things, yet I'm beginning to wonder why. I don't agree with this, I don't agree on abortion, and other things. I always considered myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but throwing the bill of rights out the window is just way more than I can stomach.
If some employer, not named NSA, FBI, DoD or CIA asked me for anything like this I would definitely not take the job. I've done work for the DoD and other gov't agencies and they never invaded my privacy like this. I've had to take drug tests and had background investigations, and although I don't think they provide much value(see Aldrich Ames or Robert Hanssen) that's a requirement for gov't work, but private companies asking this is absurd. And anyone who is in Congress not supporting the 4th amendment is utterly ridiculous...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
stupid politicians...
Yeah, so in a different part of my life I was a political activist. I was a delegate to a state convention, and an invited guest to a presidential inauguration. I'm not bragging, just pointing out that I was young, motivated and involved.
Fast forward a bit. I saw what a dirty nasty business politics are, formulated opinions on what the Constitution was supposed to be, saw how it's abused by career politicians (from both parties), and gave up on the whole thing.
Anyway, I live in Virginia and saw this: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73401.html. Look, I'll be honest and say I am firmly pro-choice. That doesn't mean "pro-abortion" before anyone (if anyone else even reads this), it means I believe that people have the right to CHOOSE for themselves. Fortunately I will never have to make that choice or live with it's consequences, but I support their right to choose. Either way, to force women to have a trans-vaginal ultrasound with something that looks like a giant dildo is wrong on so many levels that I can't begin to comprehend it. Yes, it involves someone inserting a "wand" into the woman.
It looks like this:
Not cool.
So a little while later I see this story on cnn: http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/us/2012/03/13/tsr-sylvester-ohio-viagra-billl.cnn and now some member of Ohio's legislature is going to stick it to men over as "payback" because some idiot Ohio State Senator is trying to pass a law banning abortion once a heartbeat is detected (about 6 weeks).
Look political dimwits, we have real problems in the US, and you're going to waste valuable time and money banning viagra and abortions? Perhaps your parents should have had one...
Fast forward a bit. I saw what a dirty nasty business politics are, formulated opinions on what the Constitution was supposed to be, saw how it's abused by career politicians (from both parties), and gave up on the whole thing.
Anyway, I live in Virginia and saw this: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73401.html. Look, I'll be honest and say I am firmly pro-choice. That doesn't mean "pro-abortion" before anyone (if anyone else even reads this), it means I believe that people have the right to CHOOSE for themselves. Fortunately I will never have to make that choice or live with it's consequences, but I support their right to choose. Either way, to force women to have a trans-vaginal ultrasound with something that looks like a giant dildo is wrong on so many levels that I can't begin to comprehend it. Yes, it involves someone inserting a "wand" into the woman.
It looks like this:
Not cool.
So a little while later I see this story on cnn: http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/us/2012/03/13/tsr-sylvester-ohio-viagra-billl.cnn and now some member of Ohio's legislature is going to stick it to men over as "payback" because some idiot Ohio State Senator is trying to pass a law banning abortion once a heartbeat is detected (about 6 weeks).
Look political dimwits, we have real problems in the US, and you're going to waste valuable time and money banning viagra and abortions? Perhaps your parents should have had one...
Friday, March 9, 2012
Live Nation
So today Dave Matthews tickets went on sale. I'm not the typical "IT" guy who listens to techno music and drinks Mountain Dew all day, although I can lose a day on the Xbox or fiddling around on my laptop, I actually like real music :) and DMB puts on a great show.
Apparently Live Nation's web site doesn't work well with Firefox or with *my* installation of Firefox because it sat there for a good 10 minutes trying to load the page. After getting frustrated, and worried that the show would sell out, as it did last year, I finally switched to IE and was able to buy my tickets. This is something special for Merinda and I, and I wanted to make sure I could got the tickets.
Here's my irritation. Two lawn seats at Nissan Pavilion (I refuse to call it jiffy lube live) at $40.50 each and an additional 12.50 "convenience" charge per ticket. What convenience? Your website isn't convenient. Ticketmaster/Live Nation have a monopoly on concert tickets. It might be convenient for THEM but it isn't for ME. Why are they allowed to monopolize tickets and add on whatever fees they want. Factor in their ownership of TicketNow and they really control most of this industry.
There's more...
Then I get charged $30 for VIP parking. This doesn't bother me because it eliminates the hour+ wait to get out of the lot, and then $14.50 to have the tickets sent via UPS. What the hell happened to printing the tickets? Apparently Nissan Pavilion won't mail the tickets (the free option) and we're not allowed to print them. So, my question to Live Nation is, how was this convenient? I had to spend $40 for unnecessary shit.
Total cost: $150.50 for 2 lawn seats.
At least the show will be worth it.
Apparently Live Nation's web site doesn't work well with Firefox or with *my* installation of Firefox because it sat there for a good 10 minutes trying to load the page. After getting frustrated, and worried that the show would sell out, as it did last year, I finally switched to IE and was able to buy my tickets. This is something special for Merinda and I, and I wanted to make sure I could got the tickets.
Here's my irritation. Two lawn seats at Nissan Pavilion (I refuse to call it jiffy lube live) at $40.50 each and an additional 12.50 "convenience" charge per ticket. What convenience? Your website isn't convenient. Ticketmaster/Live Nation have a monopoly on concert tickets. It might be convenient for THEM but it isn't for ME. Why are they allowed to monopolize tickets and add on whatever fees they want. Factor in their ownership of TicketNow and they really control most of this industry.
There's more...
Then I get charged $30 for VIP parking. This doesn't bother me because it eliminates the hour+ wait to get out of the lot, and then $14.50 to have the tickets sent via UPS. What the hell happened to printing the tickets? Apparently Nissan Pavilion won't mail the tickets (the free option) and we're not allowed to print them. So, my question to Live Nation is, how was this convenient? I had to spend $40 for unnecessary shit.
Total cost: $150.50 for 2 lawn seats.
At least the show will be worth it.
on the iPad 3, iPad HD or the "New iPad"
So, am I the only person on the Internet who is totally underwhelmed by this device? I'm not an Apple fanboi, or an Apple hater. I have an iPhone, iPad and yes even a Mac, but by and large I still use my laptop and linux. Yes, I'm a creature of habit. All that aside I was expecting a lot more from Apple with this release.
Here's my point. Asus is already working to bridge the gap between the laptop and tablet with their transformer. MS is poised to enter the tablet space with Windows 8 and Google is already there. This was the perfect point for Apple to move the market again by releasing something new and unique. Instead we get an incremental hardware upgrade.
I don't know if it's the death of Steve Jobs or what, but Apple made a lot of progress with the iPhone and iPad and seem to be very content to give it all back bit by bit....
Here's my point. Asus is already working to bridge the gap between the laptop and tablet with their transformer. MS is poised to enter the tablet space with Windows 8 and Google is already there. This was the perfect point for Apple to move the market again by releasing something new and unique. Instead we get an incremental hardware upgrade.
I don't know if it's the death of Steve Jobs or what, but Apple made a lot of progress with the iPhone and iPad and seem to be very content to give it all back bit by bit....
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