Useful security site

Go here, and the site will ask you to download a Java applet that will check your machine for several major software packages and check to see if you haven’t updated any major patches.

Flaky email

If you’re trying to reach me by email, it’s gone wonky – thought it was fixed, but apparently it’s not.

And who knows if the web site will still be here shortly.

I think I need a new web host for the new year.

New receiver

I bought a new receiver, a Sony STR-DG800. It’s got 7.1 audio (as opposed to my old 5.1, not that much out there takes advantage of that, or even 6.1), and it’s XM capable (not sure I’d use that). I think the main problem with my old receiver is the senter channel on 5.1 is losing it (dropping in and out), and with the amount of TV I watch that broadcasts in 5.1, it was starting to really annoy me. I could have bought any number of receivers, but wanted a fairly cheap one with HDMI connectors – I had to buy a special HDMI connector since I’ve got two outs (cable and DVD) and only one in on my TV. The Sony was cheap, and had decent reviews. The last time I bought a receiver was 1998, and I went with a Sony because everything else I had was a Sony. That receiver was good to me for a long time.

Fuuny thing was reading on the forums about the DG800. Lots of people complaining that the HDMI connection was only a passthrough and you couldn’t get 5.1 sound from your DVD player through the HDMI. Turns out that’s only in the HDMI 1.2a specs, which is implemented only in very high end receivers. But people were bashing Sony nonstop until someone pointed this out. The workaround is using digital optical, which I’m fine with because that’s what I do now. I’m not sure if any receiver you could currently buy would be future-proofed, so I’m not even going to try. And I’m not convinced I want or need 7.1 speakers either, may try it with other speakers I have to get a feel for it sometime.

I went to set it up after I got home tonight. Went pretty painlessly, but as I got up, I was thinking “pretty quick – was that 30 minutes, maybe 40?” Nope, 90 minutes. Oops – made some shrimp scampi in a jiff as it was past 10. Looks like we’ll both be up late tonight.

OldVersion.com

I wish I’d known about this site before I started setting up Jill’s computer. It would have saved me some time, since it’s running Windows 98 (don’t make fun, it’s a legal copy and I didn’t want to buy a new OS).

Entry 700

700 blog entries? Seems like it should be less.

Tonight was the joy of setting up Jill’s computer, since I finally got Windows 98 to install successfully last night. Not the worst thing, but a pain that reminds why I don’t do it that often. Worst was trying to get drivers for the CF reader – the company went out of business. Had to use driverguide.com to get one (and the ones marked as working with Windows 98 didn’t work, finally found one that worked with Windows 95).

We had wraps with leftovers and a salad Jill made for dinner since I didn’t have time to cook, I took a break for that, and I’ve only now finished. Now I can relax. Man, am I glad tomorrow’s Friday.

Catproof your computer

I don’t have cats anymore, but if I did, I’d buy a copy of PawSense:

Once a cat has been recognized, PawSense blocks the cat’s keyboard input. This keeps the cat from entering lots of commands to your programs or operating system.

If a cat gets on the keyboard, PawSense makes a sound that annoys cats. This teaches your cat that getting on the keyboard is bad even if humans aren’t watching.

I’m safe until Illa figures out how to climb, and if he then gets on the keyboard, he’d probably crush it.

Another Treo fix

About a month ago, my phone started dropping calls, both incoming and outgoing, and it’s only been getting worse. I did some research, found out it was a known issue. The interesting solution: a new battery. So I ordered one off eBay, it came Monday and I installed it last night (while watching Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in HD, a wonderfully cheesy film I remember watching in Chris’s basement). The operation was more than a success, not only does the phone work fine but the new battery charges faster.

Only bad thing – I’ve lost my stylus somewhere, so last night I ordered three more styli (hey, that’s the plural I’ve seen used), plus a new case. The one I had (fondly referred to as the phone condom) is starting to come apart, and I decided I want a change, so I’ve ordered a leather flip case as well (all from Bosity.com).

Computers and music

I found an interesting article on the new services like Pandora and Last.fm that try and predict songs you will like, and similar ones that go on your hard drive. Best point?

you should get “an ongoing music experience,” that sticks the right gaps or overlaps between songs, never separates Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” from “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)”, and appreciates how to bring the party up and then slow it down.

No shuffle’s figured out that danged Zep thing yet.

Good management

There was an article at computerworld.com (where the Shark Tank blog, true tales of IT woe, is a daily must) on management this week. This passage really rings true:

Once you have the right people in place doing the things they are good at, leave them alone. Managers often don’t understand that creative thinking and intellectual curiosity are what it takes to solve complex problems. These processes function poorly under time limits and rigid schedules. Yes, we have to meet deadlines. But creative problem-solving can’t be squelched, stomped on or denied if you want to solve real problems.

I think the best management feels like no management at all, but you know they’re out there filtering you from the constant demands of others (executives, customers, etc.). My last job had such poor management at every level – it’s a good thing to remind myself every once in a while that it’s important to work in an environment where you feel like you can get things done without constant pressure.

MP3 player at last

While I can play mp3s on my phone, I hadn’t really messed with it too much due to the rather crappy speaker it has. Last Friday I was trying to play some songs from the opening act that night on it, and decided it was ridiculous – the phone has a headphone jack, and my car has a headphone input.

But the Treo is tricky – I knew the ear bud that came with it you could hear the phone but not music on. Finally I tracked down some forums where I found out I needed a 3/32″ (or 2.5mm) adapter. Luckily, someone had found the exact part at Radio Shack with the caveat that you needed to cut the plastic off the end to get it to fit in the recessed area on the Treo. So last night while we watched Lost (good ep, psyched about the finale), I cut it down, then used an adapter to connect to my stereo. Success!

So I was ready this morning to plug into my car stereo (I’d bought a 1/8″ to 1/8″ cord as well at Radio Shack). Didn’t work – sound was coming from the phone. In talking to Rob, my coworker who also has a Treo, he told me he’d tried the same thing and there isn’t enough resistance on the cord to the stereo, and he needed to add a splitter and connect a pair of headphones on one end. So when I got home, I tried his advice, and it finally worked.