I upgraded the home LAN. My wife was having problems maintaining her wireless connection, so I thought I'd be cool and bring the router up, from under the basement stairs, and put it atop the entertainment center (putting a new switch in it's place, at the nexus of the home wiring). Turned out it wasn't so cool, and she had the same problems. Every four minutes or so it would lose its connection, and she would have to right-click and 'repair' to get back on.
So, I downloaded the latest flash firmware for the router. I downloaded the latest driver for the wireless NIC. I downloaded the updated encryption protocol for the NIC. I installed it all.
Oddly enough, it all works. Super G, blah blah blah. I'm out of the dog house.
04 December, 2004
03 December, 2004
Knowledgebase Item - Baby is driving you nuts with incessant crying
Problem:
Baby is driving you nuts with incessant crying
Notes:
Never shake a baby.
Solution:
Contrary to popular idiotic belief, babies do not cry to make you mad. They do it only for the following reasons:
Frustration
- Hunger (Feed them)
- Tired (Put them to bed)
- Dirty Diaper (Change them)
- Pain, such as teeting, ear infection, etc. (Help them! Call the doctor)
- Needs comforting from its care-giver (Comfort them)
- Other physical irritation, such as Nuk under the back, wrinkled sheet, they're too cold, they're too warm, missing comfort item (Fix it)
Fear
- Fighting with your significant other (Stop it and remember who comes first; hint: it ain't you or your spouse)
- Thinks care-giver will not fulfill their responsibilities (Comfort them) .
- Care-giver is yelling at them (Who's the adult here, anyway? Buck up and remain calm.)
02 December, 2004
Kids' Bed-Time
Put your kids to bed at a reasonable time. They need more sleep than you do, and they need to perform, in school or pre-school, better than you probably do at work. Letting them stay up late, while it might help you the next day, hinders them; they need a consistent schedule.
My guess is, you might want to keep them up at night, so they sleep late the next day. Wrong answer. It is your responsibility to give them a consistent, health-giving environment. So, you've got to buck up. You then have a choice: a) you get less "along time" after they go to bed, or b) you have to drink more coffee when they drag your lazy selfish asses out of bed earlier than you want to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Deal with it. Buy a coffee pot with a timer.
The patterns you set for these kids will be with them for a long time.
My guess is, you might want to keep them up at night, so they sleep late the next day. Wrong answer. It is your responsibility to give them a consistent, health-giving environment. So, you've got to buck up. You then have a choice: a) you get less "along time" after they go to bed, or b) you have to drink more coffee when they drag your lazy selfish asses out of bed earlier than you want to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Deal with it. Buy a coffee pot with a timer.
The patterns you set for these kids will be with them for a long time.
01 December, 2004
Ability to create PDF files - For Free
Have you ever needed to produce PDF files, of your documents, but you didn't want to shell out the $200+ bucks for Adobe Acrobat? I have, and I found just the beastie for it. At http://www.pdf995.com/, you can download free applications that let you:
- "print" to PDF files (looks like a printer to Windows, but it produces a PDF file)
- combine PDF files together
- convert various files from one type to another
- secure PDF's through encryption
The catch? You have to look at an advertisement if you do not pay the $9.99 for the license. Big whoop.
I am going to send these folks their $10, but until I do, I still have PDF creation ability.
Disclaimer: I am not in any way associated with the pdf995 people; I just found it to be a useful tool and thought I would share.
- "print" to PDF files (looks like a printer to Windows, but it produces a PDF file)
- combine PDF files together
- convert various files from one type to another
- secure PDF's through encryption
The catch? You have to look at an advertisement if you do not pay the $9.99 for the license. Big whoop.
I am going to send these folks their $10, but until I do, I still have PDF creation ability.
Disclaimer: I am not in any way associated with the pdf995 people; I just found it to be a useful tool and thought I would share.
30 November, 2004
Microsoft Outlook - Free Indexer - Lookout
We all know how crappy Outlook's search engine is; it sucks. It does not index.
For a while now I have been using the Google Desktop Search (beta) to give me indexing across Outlook email, Office documents, and WEB (internet and extranet) pages. However, I was curious is there were something inexpensive or free that might help me with just Outlook, with a lower overhead than the Google Desktop. Google Desktop does not index Exchange Public files, or Outlook Journal, Notes, or Calendar items, and I wanted that. So I went to CNet . . .
. . . and found that they have a series of Outlook articles running this week, and one of the articles (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10168_7-5511118-1.html?tag=nav) is on this very subject. CNet recommends the totally free Lookout 1.2 (http://www.download.com/Lookout/3000-2368-10309185.html?tag=txt). Note that it needs the 1.1 dot net framework installed on the PC.
My latest incarnation of my OS did not have 1.1 dot net, so I allowed Lookout to install it. Just prior to dot net's installation completing, Lookout stated it was complete. The dot net installation then wanted to restart my PC. I let it do so. Upon restart, I went into Outlook, and Lookout's toolbar was not present. I re-ran the installation, via double-clicking the installer EXE, and chose the repair option. I was then instructed that Lookout would be there when I next launched Outlook. I launched Outlook, and soon the Lookout indexer configuration module appeared. The thing then went on its merry way indexing my email.
For fun, I gave the tool a few minutes to index and then went in and tried a search. It nicely told me that it was not yet done building the index, and asked, "...but would you like to observe its progress?", to which I replied in the affirmative, and got a fun window showing me all the folders thus far indexed, and how many messages in each, etc.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for an Outlook indexer with low overheard, I heartily recommend Lookout 1.2. Note that Microsoft just bought these folks, so we can guess that the product, as is, will either go away, or no longer be free, or otherwise get absorbed into a future version of Outlook. So download it while you can.
For CNet's official review (which I read after typing the above), go to http://reviews.cnet.com/Lookout_1_2/4505-3684_7-31077413-2.html?tag=glance.
For a while now I have been using the Google Desktop Search (beta) to give me indexing across Outlook email, Office documents, and WEB (internet and extranet) pages. However, I was curious is there were something inexpensive or free that might help me with just Outlook, with a lower overhead than the Google Desktop. Google Desktop does not index Exchange Public files, or Outlook Journal, Notes, or Calendar items, and I wanted that. So I went to CNet . . .
. . . and found that they have a series of Outlook articles running this week, and one of the articles (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10168_7-5511118-1.html?tag=nav) is on this very subject. CNet recommends the totally free Lookout 1.2 (http://www.download.com/Lookout/3000-2368-10309185.html?tag=txt). Note that it needs the 1.1 dot net framework installed on the PC.
My latest incarnation of my OS did not have 1.1 dot net, so I allowed Lookout to install it. Just prior to dot net's installation completing, Lookout stated it was complete. The dot net installation then wanted to restart my PC. I let it do so. Upon restart, I went into Outlook, and Lookout's toolbar was not present. I re-ran the installation, via double-clicking the installer EXE, and chose the repair option. I was then instructed that Lookout would be there when I next launched Outlook. I launched Outlook, and soon the Lookout indexer configuration module appeared. The thing then went on its merry way indexing my email.
For fun, I gave the tool a few minutes to index and then went in and tried a search. It nicely told me that it was not yet done building the index, and asked, "...but would you like to observe its progress?", to which I replied in the affirmative, and got a fun window showing me all the folders thus far indexed, and how many messages in each, etc.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for an Outlook indexer with low overheard, I heartily recommend Lookout 1.2. Note that Microsoft just bought these folks, so we can guess that the product, as is, will either go away, or no longer be free, or otherwise get absorbed into a future version of Outlook. So download it while you can.
For CNet's official review (which I read after typing the above), go to http://reviews.cnet.com/Lookout_1_2/4505-3684_7-31077413-2.html?tag=glance.
24 November, 2004
Some Favorite DVD's
TV Series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seasons 1 - 7)
Angel (Seasons 1 - 4 {and 5 coming out soon, I hear)
Highlander (I'm up through season 5, with 6 on watch at CD Max)
Smallville (I've only got 1 & 2, but 3 is out, I think, and it is currently on-air in season 4)
Movies
Iron Monkey - Made in 1993 (and released here with a Quentin Tarantino introduction in 2002), this story is of Wong Fei-Hung (a real historical figure, though his eploits are exaggerated and downright just made up in many films), a boy who grows up to be a hero. This story is more about his father, and a local hero vigilante (the Iron Monkey), and their defeat of the local corrupt government officials. The character of Wong Fei-Hung is also played by Jet Li (in the 'Once Upon a Time in China' series), Jackie Chan (the two 'Drunken Master' films). The action is directed by Yuen Wo Ping, of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the Matrix films. Donnie Yen also does a great job, as usual.
The Matrix trilogy, plus The Animatrix
Lord of the Rings trilogy (I only saw them in the theatre; I've never taken the 1,000 hours to actually watch the DVD's, but I own them, just in case I ever do. I did spin them up to make sure they work, and the sound is great).
The Evil Dead trilogy (see related article regarding the remake at http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/568/568241p1.html). It kicks Ashe. Note there are several version of each film, available on DVD. I don't own, but need to buy, the rubber Necronomicon human flesh bound edition of II.(picture to be seen at http://www.toldyouso.net/search/details.cfm/hurl/tblDVDReview.RMovieName=Evil%20Dead,%20The,%20Book%20Of%20The%20Dead%20(IV)/details.cfm)
The Butterfly Effect. Yeah, Ashton Kutcher really can act.
C.H.U.D. Okay, it's not really a "favorite", but I would not part with it, for sentimental reasons.
PIXAR films: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story II, Finding Nemo, etc.
ANTZ - Woody Allen, the nebbish insect.
Kill Bill Volumes I & II. Uma? Oprah? UMA.
Wish Master I & II, and III - The first two movies on one DVD (flip it over). Fantastic trash.
Drunken Master and The Legend of Drunken Master (#2 in the series) - Jackie Chan
Several trashy Jackie Chan 1970's poorly mastered flicks to DVD, from various cheapo bins. Good stuff.
Spider-Man (2001) - of course. Note: Spidey 2 will be released this month, but wait for the Limited Edition, due out in January, containing 8 more minutes of effects, shot for the DVD, at a cost of 14 million more bucks or something like that. Includes a new water battle.
Other
Walking with Dinosaurs - The PBS Series
One of my kids' first soccer game, my other kid's 4th birthday party - My first DV video to DVD transfer, complete with a soundtrack including Pink and Nine Days.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Seasons 1 - 7)
Angel (Seasons 1 - 4 {and 5 coming out soon, I hear)
Highlander (I'm up through season 5, with 6 on watch at CD Max)
Smallville (I've only got 1 & 2, but 3 is out, I think, and it is currently on-air in season 4)
Movies
Iron Monkey - Made in 1993 (and released here with a Quentin Tarantino introduction in 2002), this story is of Wong Fei-Hung (a real historical figure, though his eploits are exaggerated and downright just made up in many films), a boy who grows up to be a hero. This story is more about his father, and a local hero vigilante (the Iron Monkey), and their defeat of the local corrupt government officials. The character of Wong Fei-Hung is also played by Jet Li (in the 'Once Upon a Time in China' series), Jackie Chan (the two 'Drunken Master' films). The action is directed by Yuen Wo Ping, of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the Matrix films. Donnie Yen also does a great job, as usual.
The Matrix trilogy, plus The Animatrix
Lord of the Rings trilogy (I only saw them in the theatre; I've never taken the 1,000 hours to actually watch the DVD's, but I own them, just in case I ever do. I did spin them up to make sure they work, and the sound is great).
The Evil Dead trilogy (see related article regarding the remake at http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/568/568241p1.html). It kicks Ashe. Note there are several version of each film, available on DVD. I don't own, but need to buy, the rubber Necronomicon human flesh bound edition of II.(picture to be seen at http://www.toldyouso.net/search/details.cfm/hurl/tblDVDReview.RMovieName=Evil%20Dead,%20The,%20Book%20Of%20The%20Dead%20(IV)/details.cfm)
The Butterfly Effect. Yeah, Ashton Kutcher really can act.
C.H.U.D. Okay, it's not really a "favorite", but I would not part with it, for sentimental reasons.
PIXAR films: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story II, Finding Nemo, etc.
ANTZ - Woody Allen, the nebbish insect.
Kill Bill Volumes I & II. Uma? Oprah? UMA.
Wish Master I & II, and III - The first two movies on one DVD (flip it over). Fantastic trash.
Drunken Master and The Legend of Drunken Master (#2 in the series) - Jackie Chan
Several trashy Jackie Chan 1970's poorly mastered flicks to DVD, from various cheapo bins. Good stuff.
Spider-Man (2001) - of course. Note: Spidey 2 will be released this month, but wait for the Limited Edition, due out in January, containing 8 more minutes of effects, shot for the DVD, at a cost of 14 million more bucks or something like that. Includes a new water battle.
Other
Walking with Dinosaurs - The PBS Series
One of my kids' first soccer game, my other kid's 4th birthday party - My first DV video to DVD transfer, complete with a soundtrack including Pink and Nine Days.
Ben Bova's "Planets" novels -- "Venus", "Saturn", etc.
Stephen Baxter - Pretty much read all of his stuff, but there are a couple left to go. If you have to start with one of them, pick 'Timelike Infinity" or one of the "Manifold" books, like "Manifold Time". Bugger those. Instead, read "Ring" first. Why have dark-matter based giant space birds been smashing galaxies together for billions of years?
Oh, wait. Try "The Light of Other Days" - Imagine a WEBcam that could not only open a tiny (undetectable) wormhole to anywhere, it could open one up in any time. Privacy? Schmivacy.
Robert Jordan - The Wheel of Time series - What, me read fantasy? What up, Dawg? Careful, there are 10 books in the can and perhaps the 11'th being published as I type this. I've read four, but I bought 10 of them at Half Price Books.
Greg Bear - EON
Stephen Baxter - Pretty much read all of his stuff, but there are a couple left to go. If you have to start with one of them, pick 'Timelike Infinity" or one of the "Manifold" books, like "Manifold Time". Bugger those. Instead, read "Ring" first. Why have dark-matter based giant space birds been smashing galaxies together for billions of years?
Oh, wait. Try "The Light of Other Days" - Imagine a WEBcam that could not only open a tiny (undetectable) wormhole to anywhere, it could open one up in any time. Privacy? Schmivacy.
Robert Jordan - The Wheel of Time series - What, me read fantasy? What up, Dawg? Careful, there are 10 books in the can and perhaps the 11'th being published as I type this. I've read four, but I bought 10 of them at Half Price Books.
Greg Bear - EON
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)