I'm going to run somewhat of a play by play of the current state of the union address as I watch it.
[paraphrase] We know that some of those men and women who serve in our military are gay. We will no longer make any determination about anyone's ability to serve based on who they love. [end]
Standing ovation from all but the military commanders in attendance. Actions speak louder than words...
20110125
Random
Random thoughts today. 0200 is probably the best time to do this.
Music is good. Grabbing a bunch of new stuff (eat me RIAA).
People need to respond to my poll. Jerks.
Being unemployed blows ass. Everyone who says 'treat it like a vacation' needs to have their head examined. With a sledge. And some fire. Yeah, fire.
Car stereo install is easy work. I don't know why people pay others $80 to do it. Only problem I had was a) GM (and apparently every other car manufacturer now...) likes to tie EVERYTHING on the dashboard to the back of the radio. Spend the $100 for the advanced harness if you need it. b) Buy the Scosche harness if you can. The Axess is a piece of garbage. c) Test BEFORE you put your dash back together. Then you don't have to tear it apart again (yes, I had a DF moment).
DF of the moment: AT&T
From The Blog of Helios
First, everyone who's in to Linux should at least look through Paul's blog to see if it's something they'd like to read on a regular basis. I like to.
AT&T is telling people Linux isn't a supported operating system. I'd like to attack this issue two ways. First they DO NOT support it. I don't know of any ISP that really does. Their people are trained for either Windows or Mac. Yes, you're calling support. But calling them support may be a bit of a stretch. For the most part they're morons off the street who know how to use their iPod so they get the job, some basic training, a script and directions to be as condescending to users as possible (yes, I'm more than a bit jaded).
Second this is a larger problem than just AT&T, as I've stated above. This is an issue with virtually all computer companies who provide any kind of 'computer' service. I guarantee that if you take your system to Best Buy for anything and it has Linux they'll tell you they don't support the entire system. That's the way they're trained. Part of the reason for this is there's no software company that provides Linux that pays them (the supporting companies) to support the product. It's money people and I've said that for years. And yes, it's bullshit.
I actually had to get support for my Linksys router a few years ago. This took three months and talking to a developer (no, I don't recall the name, but he was a dev responsible for some of the firmware available on their now defunct FTP site). Their T1 and T2 people responded to me like I was insane because only Windows or Mac exists in the world. They didn't bat an eye when I told them I had my BS. I had to escalate (as always when I call anywhere) to a supervisor and request someone who actually knew the TCP stack.
So, here's my solution to all of you: fake it. When you're on the phone and they ask you to open run ask them if they want you to get your IP address or ping something. When they ask you to go to the device manager ask if they want the status of the device (NIC in this case) then go get it. I won't even presume to tell you what utility to use because we all use different utilities. In general if you're working on a Linux system you know what you're doing or you call the person who installed Linux for you. That's the best place to start. You need to be or have someone be the translator for support. That's just the only way to go, trust me.
Music is good. Grabbing a bunch of new stuff (eat me RIAA).
People need to respond to my poll. Jerks.
Being unemployed blows ass. Everyone who says 'treat it like a vacation' needs to have their head examined. With a sledge. And some fire. Yeah, fire.
Car stereo install is easy work. I don't know why people pay others $80 to do it. Only problem I had was a) GM (and apparently every other car manufacturer now...) likes to tie EVERYTHING on the dashboard to the back of the radio. Spend the $100 for the advanced harness if you need it. b) Buy the Scosche harness if you can. The Axess is a piece of garbage. c) Test BEFORE you put your dash back together. Then you don't have to tear it apart again (yes, I had a DF moment).
DF of the moment: AT&T
From The Blog of Helios
First, everyone who's in to Linux should at least look through Paul's blog to see if it's something they'd like to read on a regular basis. I like to.
AT&T is telling people Linux isn't a supported operating system. I'd like to attack this issue two ways. First they DO NOT support it. I don't know of any ISP that really does. Their people are trained for either Windows or Mac. Yes, you're calling support. But calling them support may be a bit of a stretch. For the most part they're morons off the street who know how to use their iPod so they get the job, some basic training, a script and directions to be as condescending to users as possible (yes, I'm more than a bit jaded).
Second this is a larger problem than just AT&T, as I've stated above. This is an issue with virtually all computer companies who provide any kind of 'computer' service. I guarantee that if you take your system to Best Buy for anything and it has Linux they'll tell you they don't support the entire system. That's the way they're trained. Part of the reason for this is there's no software company that provides Linux that pays them (the supporting companies) to support the product. It's money people and I've said that for years. And yes, it's bullshit.
I actually had to get support for my Linksys router a few years ago. This took three months and talking to a developer (no, I don't recall the name, but he was a dev responsible for some of the firmware available on their now defunct FTP site). Their T1 and T2 people responded to me like I was insane because only Windows or Mac exists in the world. They didn't bat an eye when I told them I had my BS. I had to escalate (as always when I call anywhere) to a supervisor and request someone who actually knew the TCP stack.
So, here's my solution to all of you: fake it. When you're on the phone and they ask you to open run ask them if they want you to get your IP address or ping something. When they ask you to go to the device manager ask if they want the status of the device (NIC in this case) then go get it. I won't even presume to tell you what utility to use because we all use different utilities. In general if you're working on a Linux system you know what you're doing or you call the person who installed Linux for you. That's the best place to start. You need to be or have someone be the translator for support. That's just the only way to go, trust me.
20110117
Hottie with Krinkov Uses Live Ammo On Attacker!!!! Girls Rule!!
I'm on a gun kick and this is fantastic. One of these days I need to get down to their location...
20100531
My response first
This is going to be out of order in posting terms but I needed to make sure that it was posted asap. Expect more on this later.
This email is regarding the actions of the Utah Highway Patrol on 05302010. It should be noted that this email, as well as any responses to this email, will be posted on the Utah Sportbike Association forums and my blog at http://dffaq.blogspot.com/.
The actions taken by UHP on 05302010 between the exit at Miller Motorsports Park and the entrance to I-80 were atrocious. I cannot fathom what possible reasoning any official could have had for detaining for any length of time any motorcyclist under the guise of 'safety inspections'. All of the riders who had valid Utah registrations were also required to have their motorcycle inspected concurrent with Utah law within the last year. Further I personally do not know any sane rider who would willingly be on an unsafe piece of equipment. The actions of the UHP also needlessly interrupted traffic on the road for an extended period of time.
Per Utah State Code 1501 - 1536, 41-6a-1501 - 41-6a-1506, motorcycles to not need turn signals; need only one mirror; do not require passenger accommodations unless there is a passenger; and the rider does not require a helmet unless under the age of 18; a motorcycle jacket or other safety equipment. Further the bars must be below the shoulders; there is no restriction on modulated headlight or tail light; and no regulation on sound beyond what is considered "excessive or unusual noise" as defined in 41-6a-1626. (Side note: as most cruiser or 'chopper' motorcycles are at least twice as loud as any sportbike I've ever heard, one can only assume that we are within acceptable limits.)
http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE41/htm/41_06a150100.htm
I am requesting a formal apology to the members of the motorcycling community that were detained outside of the scope of Utah State Code during this charade of an operation. Any officer who condoned or participated in this operation should be repentant of their actions. I wasn't in attendance, yet I am outraged at these actions.
I close my thoughts with a question: To whom do we turn when we feel oppressed by those who have sworn to protect our freedoms and way of life?
This email is regarding the actions of the Utah Highway Patrol on 05302010. It should be noted that this email, as well as any responses to this email, will be posted on the Utah Sportbike Association forums and my blog at http://dffaq.blogspot.com/.
The actions taken by UHP on 05302010 between the exit at Miller Motorsports Park and the entrance to I-80 were atrocious. I cannot fathom what possible reasoning any official could have had for detaining for any length of time any motorcyclist under the guise of 'safety inspections'. All of the riders who had valid Utah registrations were also required to have their motorcycle inspected concurrent with Utah law within the last year. Further I personally do not know any sane rider who would willingly be on an unsafe piece of equipment. The actions of the UHP also needlessly interrupted traffic on the road for an extended period of time.
Per Utah State Code 1501 - 1536, 41-6a-1501 - 41-6a-1506, motorcycles to not need turn signals; need only one mirror; do not require passenger accommodations unless there is a passenger; and the rider does not require a helmet unless under the age of 18; a motorcycle jacket or other safety equipment. Further the bars must be below the shoulders; there is no restriction on modulated headlight or tail light; and no regulation on sound beyond what is considered "excessive or unusual noise" as defined in 41-6a-1626. (Side note: as most cruiser or 'chopper' motorcycles are at least twice as loud as any sportbike I've ever heard, one can only assume that we are within acceptable limits.)
http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE41/htm/41_06a150100.htm
I am requesting a formal apology to the members of the motorcycling community that were detained outside of the scope of Utah State Code during this charade of an operation. Any officer who condoned or participated in this operation should be repentant of their actions. I wasn't in attendance, yet I am outraged at these actions.
I close my thoughts with a question: To whom do we turn when we feel oppressed by those who have sworn to protect our freedoms and way of life?
20100523
Holy rusted keyboards Batman! It's an update!
And here I find myself a bit lost. Year of the Tiger. Overt, strong and typically overbearing. And I do feel overbeared (yes, it's a word, otherwise I wouldn't use it).
The song 'Broken' by Seether seems to typify my current state. I don't necessarily find it a negative or depressing song, more just a statement of how I am. And generally lonely. But that's because the half of the species with the fun bits is batshit insane. Wait, that describes our species as a whole, no?
Thanks for joining me on this minor personal journey.
DFOTM:052010
Global warming fanatics
Seriously? You really think that cow farts and people breathing are the cause? hey jackass, when was the last time you threw your net carbon emissions on the scale? Don't forget your dead skin (aka DUST) you fucking lunatic...
OK, lets dispel a couple myths. First, contrary to what your kindergarten teacher told you, plants do not 'exhale only oxygen'. They intake all the same crap we do and transpire the same things we do, just with a higher concentration of oxygen and lower concentration of environmental nasties than their intake. Don't believe me? Transpiration is the process most plants use, and it's not air they're breathing, it's water.
Geologists have been telling you for frickin' years that a moderate sized volcano (an active volcanic system with gas emissions may or may not have visible lava or measurable magma flow) produces in 5 minutes what humanity as a whole produces in a year. (This may or may not be an exaggeration but I'm pretty sure it's correct.) (BTW: an observable, active volcanic system, arguably the second most famous in the world, is the entirety of Yellowstone. Think those hot pots and pretty colored pools smell like festering terds because some bearded dude said 'Hey, that's a good idea!'?)
Global warming huh? It's the end of May, well in to the summer, I live in a desert and it's 45F outside (SLC, UT, 05232010:0913MST).
We're heading in to a cooling period. Geological studies have shown that every 8000 years we go through a minor cooling trend with global temperatures dropping an average of 3.5-5F. Don't think it's that much? Ask someone who lives in a non-temperate climate what the difference between 95 and 90F is. Or someone in the middle of winter what the difference between 30 and 25F is. I can tell you from experience that it's the difference between lifting your hand and sweating vs being comfortable in the shade (latter) and I need a coat vs my fingers just fell off (latter).
Major volcanic eruptions cause more massive shifts in temperature than the last 100 years of industrialism we all enjoy. (And you sad sacks can kiss my ass: industrialism is the reason you can read this anywhere in the world.)
Know what's funny? I feel better after this. Next week: Why PETA is retarded XDDDDDDD
Gryyphyn, out.
The song 'Broken' by Seether seems to typify my current state. I don't necessarily find it a negative or depressing song, more just a statement of how I am. And generally lonely. But that's because the half of the species with the fun bits is batshit insane. Wait, that describes our species as a whole, no?
Thanks for joining me on this minor personal journey.
DFOTM:052010
Global warming fanatics
Seriously? You really think that cow farts and people breathing are the cause? hey jackass, when was the last time you threw your net carbon emissions on the scale? Don't forget your dead skin (aka DUST) you fucking lunatic...
OK, lets dispel a couple myths. First, contrary to what your kindergarten teacher told you, plants do not 'exhale only oxygen'. They intake all the same crap we do and transpire the same things we do, just with a higher concentration of oxygen and lower concentration of environmental nasties than their intake. Don't believe me? Transpiration is the process most plants use, and it's not air they're breathing, it's water.
Geologists have been telling you for frickin' years that a moderate sized volcano (an active volcanic system with gas emissions may or may not have visible lava or measurable magma flow) produces in 5 minutes what humanity as a whole produces in a year. (This may or may not be an exaggeration but I'm pretty sure it's correct.) (BTW: an observable, active volcanic system, arguably the second most famous in the world, is the entirety of Yellowstone. Think those hot pots and pretty colored pools smell like festering terds because some bearded dude said 'Hey, that's a good idea!'?)
Global warming huh? It's the end of May, well in to the summer, I live in a desert and it's 45F outside (SLC, UT, 05232010:0913MST).
We're heading in to a cooling period. Geological studies have shown that every 8000 years we go through a minor cooling trend with global temperatures dropping an average of 3.5-5F. Don't think it's that much? Ask someone who lives in a non-temperate climate what the difference between 95 and 90F is. Or someone in the middle of winter what the difference between 30 and 25F is. I can tell you from experience that it's the difference between lifting your hand and sweating vs being comfortable in the shade (latter) and I need a coat vs my fingers just fell off (latter).
Major volcanic eruptions cause more massive shifts in temperature than the last 100 years of industrialism we all enjoy. (And you sad sacks can kiss my ass: industrialism is the reason you can read this anywhere in the world.)
Know what's funny? I feel better after this. Next week: Why PETA is retarded XDDDDDDD
Gryyphyn, out.
20090521
My recent letter to the editor of Time.
Thought someone may enjoy this. And I wanted to post it for posterity's sake...
This email is in response to a recent article,
Boom in Gun Sales Fueled by Politics and the Economy
By Sean Gregory Wednesday, Apr. 08, 2009
The headline was copied from your site.
There are two key points that I would like to comment on. First is the following:
"The gun culture is hypersensitive," says Miles Hall, an Oklahoma City gun-shop owner. "If someone sneezes in Washington, we hear it and get nervous. There's a lot of anxiety out there."
And these elected officials wonder why... We, the collective sporting shooters, have every right, cause and reason in this country to fear for our constitutionally guaranteed right to keep, bear purchase and use firearms of any variety. The alarmist bureaucrats in office currently have their heads so far up their collective rears that they can't seem to see passed their own pants to realize that the crimes committed with firearms are, by and large, committed with illegal guns, not the benchrest and hunting rifles, or sporting handguns and revolvers, that my compatriots and I use.
The second topic I would like to discuss is the recent actions of these types of politicians. In particular, NY Bloomberg's actions interfering with law enforcements efforts outside of his own jurisdiction to literally litigate law abiding citizens, entrepreneurs and businesses out of commission by conducting illegal and unsanctioned sting operations in five states. His actions alone speak to the majority of these lawmakers: sportsmen aren't the ones panicking, we're simply watching closer. These people who see their actions causing them to lose control of a situation they have no business attempting to control is causing them to commit illegal acts under the guise of enforcing laws that are themselves illegal and unconstitutional.
When do we start holding all of the criminals responsible for their actions?
Gryyphyn, out.
This email is in response to a recent article,
Boom in Gun Sales Fueled by Politics and the Economy
By Sean Gregory Wednesday, Apr. 08, 2009
The headline was copied from your site.
There are two key points that I would like to comment on. First is the following:
"The gun culture is hypersensitive," says Miles Hall, an Oklahoma City gun-shop owner. "If someone sneezes in Washington, we hear it and get nervous. There's a lot of anxiety out there."
And these elected officials wonder why... We, the collective sporting shooters, have every right, cause and reason in this country to fear for our constitutionally guaranteed right to keep, bear purchase and use firearms of any variety. The alarmist bureaucrats in office currently have their heads so far up their collective rears that they can't seem to see passed their own pants to realize that the crimes committed with firearms are, by and large, committed with illegal guns, not the benchrest and hunting rifles, or sporting handguns and revolvers, that my compatriots and I use.
The second topic I would like to discuss is the recent actions of these types of politicians. In particular, NY Bloomberg's actions interfering with law enforcements efforts outside of his own jurisdiction to literally litigate law abiding citizens, entrepreneurs and businesses out of commission by conducting illegal and unsanctioned sting operations in five states. His actions alone speak to the majority of these lawmakers: sportsmen aren't the ones panicking, we're simply watching closer. These people who see their actions causing them to lose control of a situation they have no business attempting to control is causing them to commit illegal acts under the guise of enforcing laws that are themselves illegal and unconstitutional.
When do we start holding all of the criminals responsible for their actions?
Gryyphyn, out.
20090120
The Sad State of Linux PR
Something I missed this December passed was a middle school teacher ranting off at Ken Starks of HeliOS Solutions. Ken is the author of HeliOS, an open-source Linux distribution, and sells refurbished computers for disadvantaged kids running his Linux distro. First, for reference, please view the following, original blog article and the retraction just after:
Original post
Retraction
Now, let me state that I have read both articles as well as several opinions, both negative and positive from both sides of the fence on this one. Having done so I can say that the teacher's actions against her student, given her reasons as stated in the retraction, were correct. Her actions against Ken were completely off base and almost entirely illogical. And honestly I'm not that upset at Ken's initial response. Why?
Ken's first response was to defend himself. Given the information in Karen's initial email I don't blame him. While the assumption would be Karen was blustering and had no intention to seek litigation he still had to take it seriously. While his reaction and the retort may have been a little overboard I can't blame him. There have been a few times where I have had to defend my choice of OS to others. There have also been a few of those times where I was told that what I was doing was illegal because there's no such thing as free software. Everyone charges something. You can't get anything for free unless you steal it. Well, whinedows users, I've got news for you: you've been finnagled in to believing that you have to pay ungodly, entirely unethical amounts of money to get something that is entirely free, as in beer and spirit, elsewhere.
The problem I see with this entire situation is that there's no education about what Linux really is or can be going out to the everyday computer user. I know many people who will sit and bluster about how great the penguin is without handing the user information. "Well (winblow$, whinedows, whatever other creative annecdote about the MS OS) is overpriced software created by fucking thieves. You should try the flower child OS." These aren't good arguments but, unfortunately, I've heard them used by multiple, self proclaimed zealots who know how to use the system but don't know how to explain it to others in a valuable way.
Even in Ken's argument there was no explanation about the licensing (GPL) or what functionality was available, just the hint of what was there. People don't understand what we mean when we refer to OOo (OpenOffice.org) as an 'office suite'. They've been fooled in to thinking that the only productivity software (there's another one of those trick terms...) is MS Office. In large part this is due to Microsoft. Before we tread this path let me qualify the statement: I'm not ranting and raving all over MS. It's just simple fact that they have fooled everyone in to thinking that theirs is the only OS/software that the world can function on. The uneducated masses, the unwashed asses, have bought in hook, line and sinker.
As an alternative maybe we should start referring to OpenOffice as a productivity suite, which it is, that has the same capabilities as other office suite software has. Remember, it's not just OOo but there's also it's progenitor, Star Office, KOffice and others I can't remember now, as well as Google Docs and other online alternatives.
Perhaps instead of referring to Linux as distributions, which is the proper term, we should refer to them as different versions of the same core OS. (I can hear the fanboys now...) Linux is a kernel, not an OS. But how many people do you personally know and interact with on a semi-regular basis know what a kernel is? Honestly guys, let's learn how to communicate.
The bottom line is that we know what Linux and OSS is capable of. Let's work better to relating that information to people without the same understanding that we have.
Gryyphyn, out.
DF of the Month
Every once in a while some person goes above and beyond, standing tall above the rest, a thumb just a little more black and blue becuase they shut it in the door a second time. It is those who we honor here, the DFs of the world who are exemplary role models for those proud to say a rock has more grey matter.
Last week one of these ID10T5, a true example of PEBKAC and BOFH, decided to quit college. It wasn't her class load. She wasn't being hazed by some sorority. It wasn't an inappropriate contact from a professor. No, she just didn't know how to use a computer:
Idiot student
While I don't typically support flaming anyone, and even given the nature of this update, well... she's an idiot. So much for the old saying "ignorance is bliss" eh?
I do have to say that it's not just this student who's at fault here. It's also the company that she purchased the system from. There response was ridiculous, unfounded and a complete load of waffle. Hooray for role models!
Original post
Retraction
Now, let me state that I have read both articles as well as several opinions, both negative and positive from both sides of the fence on this one. Having done so I can say that the teacher's actions against her student, given her reasons as stated in the retraction, were correct. Her actions against Ken were completely off base and almost entirely illogical. And honestly I'm not that upset at Ken's initial response. Why?
Ken's first response was to defend himself. Given the information in Karen's initial email I don't blame him. While the assumption would be Karen was blustering and had no intention to seek litigation he still had to take it seriously. While his reaction and the retort may have been a little overboard I can't blame him. There have been a few times where I have had to defend my choice of OS to others. There have also been a few of those times where I was told that what I was doing was illegal because there's no such thing as free software. Everyone charges something. You can't get anything for free unless you steal it. Well, whinedows users, I've got news for you: you've been finnagled in to believing that you have to pay ungodly, entirely unethical amounts of money to get something that is entirely free, as in beer and spirit, elsewhere.
The problem I see with this entire situation is that there's no education about what Linux really is or can be going out to the everyday computer user. I know many people who will sit and bluster about how great the penguin is without handing the user information. "Well (winblow$, whinedows, whatever other creative annecdote about the MS OS) is overpriced software created by fucking thieves. You should try the flower child OS." These aren't good arguments but, unfortunately, I've heard them used by multiple, self proclaimed zealots who know how to use the system but don't know how to explain it to others in a valuable way.
Even in Ken's argument there was no explanation about the licensing (GPL) or what functionality was available, just the hint of what was there. People don't understand what we mean when we refer to OOo (OpenOffice.org) as an 'office suite'. They've been fooled in to thinking that the only productivity software (there's another one of those trick terms...) is MS Office. In large part this is due to Microsoft. Before we tread this path let me qualify the statement: I'm not ranting and raving all over MS. It's just simple fact that they have fooled everyone in to thinking that theirs is the only OS/software that the world can function on. The uneducated masses, the unwashed asses, have bought in hook, line and sinker.
As an alternative maybe we should start referring to OpenOffice as a productivity suite, which it is, that has the same capabilities as other office suite software has. Remember, it's not just OOo but there's also it's progenitor, Star Office, KOffice and others I can't remember now, as well as Google Docs and other online alternatives.
Perhaps instead of referring to Linux as distributions, which is the proper term, we should refer to them as different versions of the same core OS. (I can hear the fanboys now...) Linux is a kernel, not an OS. But how many people do you personally know and interact with on a semi-regular basis know what a kernel is? Honestly guys, let's learn how to communicate.
The bottom line is that we know what Linux and OSS is capable of. Let's work better to relating that information to people without the same understanding that we have.
Gryyphyn, out.
DF of the Month
Every once in a while some person goes above and beyond, standing tall above the rest, a thumb just a little more black and blue becuase they shut it in the door a second time. It is those who we honor here, the DFs of the world who are exemplary role models for those proud to say a rock has more grey matter.
Last week one of these ID10T5, a true example of PEBKAC and BOFH, decided to quit college. It wasn't her class load. She wasn't being hazed by some sorority. It wasn't an inappropriate contact from a professor. No, she just didn't know how to use a computer:
Idiot student
While I don't typically support flaming anyone, and even given the nature of this update, well... she's an idiot. So much for the old saying "ignorance is bliss" eh?
I do have to say that it's not just this student who's at fault here. It's also the company that she purchased the system from. There response was ridiculous, unfounded and a complete load of waffle. Hooray for role models!
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