20 July, 2022

Some of you asked me why I switched from RoboForm to LastPass, over a year ago. It is due to its (LastPass') support of duel authentication via Google Authenticator. In English, this means I use the Google Authenticator app, on my phone, to generate a key that I have to enter, along with my password, to access my secure online password vault. This means that my account cannot be hacked unless someone knows or can hack my password AND they have access to my phone, all simultaneously.

It was simple to switch from RoboForm, as I was able to export my existing passwords and safe notes. They have import options for several other password vaults too.

Give it a try! https://lastpass.com/f?2246786

For more information on Google Authenticator app, see http://goo.gl/sbBxn . It also supports Google logins (of course) as well as Dropbox logins.

26 February, 2013

"Not A Problem" is an Uppity Response

The "Thank You" Scenario

I have noticed the tendency the past few years, for someone to respond “Not a problem” instead of “You’re welcome”, when someone says “Thank you” or “I appreciate the help” to them.

Being sympathetic to the thanker in the conversation, I look at the “Not a problem” response as if the person is telling me, “Our interaction was not all that horrible. You didn't bother me as much as one would think. You annoyed me only a little bit.”

I wonder why folks don’t just say “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure,” instead. I would think “Not a problem” would be appropriate if a person first said, “I am sorry to have bothered you,” or “I apologize for causing you more work.”

Do with it what you will.

The "Giving Direction" Scenario

More tolerable is saying "No problem" or "Not a problem" after receiving direction, but it still annoys me. Example:

Boss: "I need you to have your re-writes done by Tuesday."

Employee: "Not a problem."

While the employee might be accurate, that performing their job duty is not an undue stress on them, the boss typically has that consideration low on her list. She simply wants her document completed and turned in so she can move it forward. The employee is not doing the boss a favor. He is doing his job.

In both scenarios above, I am seeing a tendency to be less respectful to others, less thankful, less responsible for one's actions, in favor of using diffusing language. Perhaps it is an attempt to remove oneself from the moment, or perhaps it is just dynamic dialect in action.

[Author's note: This posting was originally posted back in the summer of 2007, but I edited it, in 2013, to separate the two sections for readability.]

16 February, 2013

Google Talk, Google Voice, Google Chat - Differences and Uses Explained

Google Talk and Google Chat - http://www.google.com/talk/

These two services have effectively merged over the years, and even Google's documents intermingle the documentation of the two.

Google Chat: This specifically refers to the Jabber protocol compatible text chat portion of the service, as near as I can tell. Thus, one can use Spark, PSI, Trillian, to use the service, or simply use the chat feature from within Gmail itself (which is what most people will do).

Google Talk: This adds the audio and video components.
Install it as either a browser plug-in or desktop software.

Plug-in - http://support.google.com/chat/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=159499 - PC & Mac - Offers video/audio chat within Gmail, iGoogle, and orkut

Desktop Software - http://www.google.com/talk/about.html - PC Only - Text and voice chatting, free multiple-user audio conferencing, file transfers, free PC-to-PC calls

rVPt0

Google Voice provides one phone number for all your phones, should you wish to have one. Two example scenarios of the utility of this feature are below.

[Note that phone number porting, of your cell phone or land line number, is available for a fee. I do not recommend this though, since you will then have to get a new phone number, for your cell phone, from your provider, to retain that device with a phone service. It is a useful feature for those of you who do not want to inform your contacts of your new or additional phone number. Personally, I just told people to use my Google Voice number instead of my cell number, and all was well. If they failed to do so, and continue to use my real, service provider given number, my cell phone still rings; the calls are simply not forwarded also to my other Google Voice devices. - d.r.]

Scenario #1: Having the Google Voice Phone Number Ring on Multiple Devices

Obtain a Google Voice phone number.
Via the Google Voice interface, add your existing phones' numbers to be associated with your Google Voice account. E.g, add your cell phone, home phone, and work phone.
Click the check-box, in Google Voice, for any phone you wish to RING when your Google Voice number is called.
Give the Google Voice phone number to your contacts.

When the Google Voice number is called, all of the devices that you define will ring. Whichever phone you pick up will be the phone you use for the call.

Thus, you will not need to manually forward phones from anywhere to anywhere else.

In my testing, I got the following results:

Answering the call on the PC:

I called my Google Voice phone number. All my devices (PC's logged into gmail plus my cell phone) rang as expected.

I answered the call on my PC, talked, then pressed * , causing my cell phone to ring. I answered the call, on the cell phone, and the cell was then conferenced in, via a three-way call. I hung up, on the PC, and the two phones were then left successfully in the call.

Answering the call on the phone:

I called my Google Voice phone number. All my devices (PC's logged into gmail plus my cell phone) rang as expected.

I answered the call on my phone, talked, then pressed *, and nothing happened on my PC. I was not able to take over the call, on my PC. Perhaps this was a problem with my phone, since I heard no * tone, or perhaps it is only designed to go one way. The Google help page at http://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=115080 does not address the issue of failures transferring from phone to PC. I submitted a "Rate this article" review as follows:

This does not address failure situations. I can transfer easily from PC to phone, via *, but pressing *, on the phone, will not transfer calls back to the PC. Nothing happens on the PC, and I'm using Chrome. Thus, the KB item does not specifically state what to do in such situations, although it does state calls could be picked up "from your desk", implying the feature is possible.

You can make outbound calls, from your Google Voice number, only from devices that have been enabled. Thus, you can use the PC, via Google Talk, easily. You could only use your cell phones or house phones, with that number, if you port your Google Voice number to those devices. If you do not port the number, your outbound calls from those devices will simply function as usual, originating from their usual phone numbers. See below Scenario #2.

Scenario #2 - Use your Google Voice number only from your PC

If you do not wish to add cell phones and/or land lines to the mix, you can simply use your Google Voice number as an originating number when calling from your PC via Google Talk.

You can also use its voicemail feature, on your cell phone, and keep the "forward calls to…" turned off, for the cell phone. In this fashion you will easily be able to use Google Voice voicemail, and all its online features — also available on your phone — without having to give out your Google Voice phone number. See the below 'Voicemail' section for more details.

Google Voice Mail

You can simply dial your Google Voice number — from any phone — press *, enter your PIN when the greeting starts playing, and access your messages. If you have a smart phone, you can download the Voice application, and even more easily access your messages.

You can have individualized voicemail greetings based on the caller's ID.

See http://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=164648 for voicemail configuration information.

Additional Information

See http://goo.gl/hNNhb for information on how to choose your Google Voice phone number.

How Google Voice works: http://goo.gl/FkQwG

Google Voice is not a phone service but is compatible with phone services. For example, you can utilize it through a VoIP service (such as Google Talk), a cell phone, a land line, your work phone, etc. There is no software to install; the set up is all done via the Google Voice site.

Its voicemail is likely superior to your current voicemail.

You can define which devices ring based on who is calling.

My Scenario

I utilize these services as follows:

I have a Google Voice phone number. The system let me choose an available number that met my criteria. Thus, the number is almost identical to one of my other device's phone number, with the XXX-YYY-XXX x's being the same. Only the YYY value is new, and thus the number was easy for me to memorize.

When I am in my basement office I make all outbound calls via my PC headset, because my cell reception down there is weak. If I want to continue the call I am on, I press the * button, and my cell phone rings. Note that my current call is NOT interrupted. When I answer the call, on my cell, the call is seamlessly conferenced, to my phone, and I can then hang up, on my PC, and leave the basement and take the call with me. The person with whom I am talking receives no beeps or interruptions, and they do not even know I have transferred devices unless I choose to share that with them.

09 January, 2013

#Unfit2BTied - The Vasectomy Live-Tweets

From December, 2011:

It being my first vasectomy, I didn't know what to expect…aside from wanting to tweet the event, of course.

To read this properly, begin at the bottom and work your way up through the document.

I did not think to capture these until a while afterward, and I think I may have missed a few, but whatteva.

My twitter: https://twitter.com/ebsewi

The Tweets:

ebsewi ebsewi

@vlmedina To be clear, the 'blows out the gunk' comment was with regard to positive #writing effects & not the #Unfit2BTied thread.

5 minutes ago

ebsewi ebsewi

Too soon for the standing desk apparently. A day of pillows commences. #Unfit2BTied

9 minutes ago

ebsewi ebsewi

To those of you who Facebook-poked me today, know that I am not allowed to poke you back for several days, per doc's orders. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

And before I take a tweet break, my final #Unfit2BTied (or is it?): Go forth and DIVIDE BY ZERO ERROR

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

For some reason I'm feeling less of an affinity with bunnies.#Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

A friend advised an underwear-based supporter from the hockey store. Was going to buy it but it didn't come with a goalie mask. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

When I retire I'm thinking a return to the work force as a surrogate is now off the table. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Whoever started "No White After Labor Day" was a frickin' prophet. #Unfit2BTied.

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

1 more for the playlist-end: 'Swing low, Sweet Chariot'/'Lay Down Sally' mash-up. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Those worms from Dune were awesome. I wonder if they minded those hooks. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

That couple with 19 kids can afford to expect less, proportionately, from each kid. #LoweredExpectations #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

"So, what attracted you to this line of work, Doc? Moments like this, or the money?" #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

I wonder why no one offers me giblets at Thanksgiving. Always dug 'em as a kid. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Should have worn a big red nose & brought a buzzer. #Unfit2BTied #Operation

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

"Expect a brief prick." Sounds like my mother-in-law's advice to my wife. #Honeymoon #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Humming "It's Cold Outside" & thinking I should have made a playlist. #Unfit2BTied #Pandora

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Should have worn shades. Feeling naughty when I make eye contact #Unfit2BTied #CatholicUpbringing

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Is it inappropriate to ask my doctor what scent he is wearing? #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

Entering the building. I had expected thunder & lightning. Seems too cheery. #Unfit2BTied

23 Dec

Live-Tweeting, during the procedure, begins above this line.

ebsewi ebsewi

Off to bed, People. Look for #Unfit2BTied around 10:30AM CT/ 4:30PM Greenwich time 2011-12-23 for my live reporting from my vasectomy.

23 Dec

ebsewi ebsewi

#Unfit2BTied will be thoughts that occur to me during my vasectomy but they may not be directly related. 2011-12-23 apx 10:45 AM CT forward

22 Dec

08 January, 2013

"Portal", "Portal 2", and Steam

Below is information I sent to a friend of mine recently. I've had a few messages from people asking me "What's this Portal game you've been going on about?", and "What's this Steam thingie?"

Some background for you before diving in the links:

Portal

"Portal" and "Portal 2" are multi-platform games capable of being run on PC, PS3, Linux (I think), Xbox, and Mac. Players on any platform can play the multi-player portion of "Portal 2" with each other.

The game is non-violent, unless you count the various AI entities trying to kill you.

"Portal" and "Portal 2" are often available on Steam for crazy low prices. One can even buy multi-packs so as to gift copies to friends. As I type this, "Portal" is $9.99 and "Portal 2" is $19.99, but I bought both of them, as a package, for under $10 over the holidays. All you need to do is add them to your wishlist, on Steam, and then you'll get an email when they go on sale.

"Portal" has no multi-player, but "Portal 2" has one that is great fun. Voice works across platforms, by the way.

Steam

I play the game via the Steam gaming network (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software) ) . Steam happens to be owned by Valve, which also created "Portal", but this is a coincidence. That is, I play other games that are simply downloaded and played, via Steam, that were not created by Valve. Steam is a free online service via which you can buy and download games and connect up with your friends, within Steam, for playing the games.

A Steam account is FREE. Several games, such as "PlanetSide 2" (hilarious review at http://angryjoeshow.com/2012/12/planetside-2-angry-review/) are amazing...and again, FREE. To get the hang of Steam, I suggest creating an account, installing their client software, and downloading a free game.

Note that the client software has a low overhead. I set mine not to launch at Windows boot and only launch manually, but it can of course be there all the time if you want it to be.

Steam often has enormous specials where games are .99 or a couple of bucks.

Links:

Portal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game)

Portal 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_2

Official Site at Valve: http://www.valvecorporation.com/

17 November, 2012

To My Wife, on her birthday, a love letter

Happy Birthday, Kristie
-------- ----------- ---------

To she who has been my companion throughout the years,
I love you.

Others say "To my dearest ____, you are the most wonderful wife/husband/mate/F-buddy in the whole wide world!", but they are wrong.

Their mates are whores, a-holes, douche bags, pricks, meanies, compared to you. On Facebook, they profess thanks, to God, for having the presence of their loved one, bestowed upon them, when in actuality, God had been busy elsewhere, when the couple hooked up, and like in Bryan Singer's 'Superman Returns' movie, when Superman had been off on a mission to [the blown up?] Krypton, and returns to Earth, to find some very boring, nondescript, vanilla dude had been bangin' his old lady, proclaims "WTF?!".

They think they've got it great, but they don’t.

Compared to being with you, they might as well be living in a Pearl Jam song.

They've settled. "This person is so great," they think, yet everyone - especially their parents and college friends - knows better, wondering how they could have chosen such a tool.

So, thank you for, via your very existence in the universe, and my life, for making it easy for me to see how everyone else’s relationships really suck. I don't cry for them, because I really don't care, having no horse in their race, but I do enjoy my life all the more, knowing mine is so much better than theirs (even if they are ignorant of that), because of you.

Others close their eyes and think of Ryan Gosling, or Scarlett Johansson, or that guy from Mad Men, or a cheerleader, but I don't have to do that, cuz I've got you, not being saddled with someone I met in a bar, back in the day, to whom I got hitched because I had nothing better to do, and I was getting old, and what the heck.

Love Always,

- me

http://www.1happybirthday.com/play_song.php?name=Kristie

04 October, 2012

2012-10-04 Obama vs Romney_Debate 01

As posted to my sister's page in response to a thread there, I place this item here, in my notes, so I can refer to it as needed.
- d.r.

I am judging the performance, in my posting, not the content. I thought both candidates were great debaters. Romney avoided directly answering several of the questions, and he did it deftly. Jim Lehrer, whom I've watched since the '70's, immediately lost control of the proceedings. I shed another tear for the loss of Tim Russert, who would have eaten both of those guys for breakfast, lunch, dinner, shat them out, and eaten them again.

I did not see Romney as either maniacal or psychotic, but as cool and professional. He operated extremely well within the confines of the rules*. That is, he got away with what he was allowed to do.

Obama performed well, but he looked tired. His words were well chosen, but his professorial approach hurt him here.

Make no mistake, Obama is my guy, but performance wise, Romney was the cooler cucumber.

That said, Obama was much FUNNIER. For that reason alone I'd vote for him, because comedy is my number one election issue.

As for content, it will take me days to read all the fact-checking stuff. For me, that's like pawing through the stats after a great game, and I love the task. I feel like Asimov sitting on the floor of his apartment and indexing his books manually, for fun.

*This sentence was written due to the assertion that "Romney looked maniacal and nearly psychotic", with which I disagree.

02 October, 2012

Webkey (ROOT REQUIRED) Remote Control Android App - Mini-Review

    I had been looking for an app to "take control" of my Android phone's SCREEN, and not just its functions. Prior to trying 'Webkey' I had been using 'AirDroid', the latter of which, although great, did not give me a true screen control. Webkey does just that.

    Currently (2012-10-02), however, my Samsung Galaxy Nexus' on-screen keyboard is disabled after running the app, requiring a restart of the phone prior to regaining on-screen keyboard functionality.

    My Google play review:

01 October, 2012

Information for Creating a Google+ Account

To participate in a Google+ Hangout one needs a Google+ account, freely obtainable by Google.

If you already have a Gmail account...
Click the pull-down menu, on the upper-right portion of your Gmail screen, then select 'Join Google+', as shown in the screen shot below.

If you do not already have a Gmail account...

Navigate to https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=oz&continue=https://plus.google.com/?gpsrc%3Dgplp0&hl=en
Choose the "SIGN UP" button in the upper-right corner, as shown below.

20 September, 2012

Google+ Hangout & Other Phone Video Conferencing - Beware the Restroom Click

Yesterday, after working with a coworker and my boss, helping the latter familiarize herself with Google+ hangouts, I went to the restroom. Sitting there, checking my phone's status updates, it looked like my boss had sent another hangout request. I went to click it, with the idea of removing it from the droid notification list, but instead I launched Hangouts. Since my last camera-related action had been using the forward-facing camera, I found myself looking at my startled self, upward from my lap.

I scrambled to turn off the hangout, before she signed-in, and in so doing, I was waving the camera around. 'Oh no!!!!', shrieked my mind, as the point of view blazed across my chest, my distressed face, and the walls. Even navigating to my phone's home screen did not shut down the client. I managed to find the appropriate command, and I exited the hangout, prior to anyone signing in, but it was touch and go (no pun intended) there for an eternal 20 seconds.

Beware, oh ye user of Google+ Hangouts, Skype, and FaceTime. This could happen to you.

17 September, 2012

ITIL Family Restaurant & Bakery

Inspired by the events in today's ITSM meeting:

ITIL Family Restaurant & Bakery

My Service Portfolio, My Recipes
My Service Catalog, My Dining Menu
My Experts, My Suppliers
You, My Clients, My Diners

You consume my sauces
Which meet FDA inspection

I do not divulge where I buy my tomatoes
My suppliers request anonymity
Their relationship with me is
As mine is with you

I deal with them on your behalf
As your appointed proxy
Your champion
To illicit from them their best

My bread is tasty
You care not what flavor
So long it meets your nutritional needs
And is tasty with complimentary morsels

I provide meals
You ask not for a plate of ingredients

You and your party plan to return
You have seldom seen food appear so quickly
Hot
And Steaming

You eat
You enjoy

You purge
You are happy

You converse while you dine
Oblivious to the kitchen machinations

As it should be