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2007 The Year of Vraxx Added 1-29-07
OK honestly any year starts out as the year of Vraxx but usually get's turned into something like "The Year Vraxx didn't do ______". In any case, my next few months are littered with a lot of travel. New York for training, possibly Palo Alta, several neighbor island shows that we're doing, a Microsoft Launch Day Event for Exchange 2007... just a full calendar all the way around. While I'm enthused about the whole idea I'm also pretty nervous since I seemed to be stretching things pretty thing these days.

 

VMWare -- A Must for IT Admins? Added 11-12-05
Saw this article and thought 'how timely'. While my job has me doing more development work these days I began to look at VMWare, which I haven't touched since college.

While I agree with some of Mr. Ou's points, I don't necessarily think it's a MS Killer. If nothing else it compliments the OS fairly well and could provide yet another valuable tool for IT administrators looking to create thin-like client PCs. On this level I concur with Ou.

My own usage of VMWare is geared towards prototype testing. Installing multiple copies of Windows 2003 Server and examining impacts of things like Service Packs, security hotfixes, configuration changes. The system isn't meant for "production" so performance is less a concern.

For the average desktop user being able to clone on the fly and then jump into that clone would be a great idea. Though I am skeptical that the average user would really know when/how/why to do so.

If you're an up and coming system admin, or perhaps a programmer, I'd give a serious look at both VMWare and Microsoft's Virtual PC. The benefits of having flexible testing environments shouldn't be overlooked.

 

Batman Begins... To Reinvent Itself? Added 6-18-05
Wow, been a while since I did a movie review. Let me preface any flamers by saying that I am a fan of the Batman franchise, and enjoyed the first two Burton helmed movies a lot. I'll try to avoid comparisons to the original films and weight Batman Begins on its own merits.

From a cinematography standpoint the movie is well shot. You have a great sense of the gritty origins of Bruce Wayne and the seedy criminal underworld that he delved into to become the Dark Knight. Most of the progress of the storyline is well laid out and the environs used feel right. (Though perhaps rather too modern)

What I was less impressed by oddly enough were the leads. Christian Bale's performance as Bruce Wayne was very close to what I expected of a younger, playboyish millionaire. Though perhaps he lacked some of the quirky wit of Michael Keaton's performance, he had that youthful fire and the recklessness that was needed of the part. In that regard I felt he brought something that was lacking in the Keaton performance. As Batman however I felt Bale was trying too hard and the end result was a rigid, often over-acted hero. There were points in the film that I felt a sense of the dubbed-Japanese films, seeing Bale's mouth move with an over-enunciated mannerism. Katie Holmes' character of Rachel Dawes (apparently a prosecutor in Gotham) though providing a wholesome, all American girl look, just didn't really endear herself. Lackluster lines and scenes that really weren't lengthy or impressive left me feeling they could have just cookie cuttered the role.

On the plus side I felt that the support casting was done very well. A surprisingly restrained Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon played well to Bale's younger Wayne. Though his scenes are few and far between they framed the relationship that the two characters would have into the future of the series very well. Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow) was very well portrayed, though I tended to wonder if he was just a tad "too pretty" to play the fear-inducing villain. Sir Michael Cain as Alfred had me somewhat torn. While I felt Cain portrayed the faithful butler well as the "second father" to a young Bruce, I missed some of the simple and understated style of actor <Insert Name> who has portrayed the role in all the previous films. Liam Neison plays his roles well, though the limited number of scenes we see him in don't really unravel a great deal about his character. Lastly, but not least we have Morgan Freeman. Now this is one of those roles that seems well suited to Morgan Freeman's light hearted style with a sense of snap and wit. As Lucius Fox he plays a character seemingly tossed aside and buried in a useless department of Wayne Enterprises. His banter with Bale has a great amount of chemistry and should the series continue I hope that the two actor will continue to have scenes the likes of Begins.

Overall I was entertained by the film but I didn't feel as bowled over as a lot of reviewers. Bale's performance as Batman left me feeling things were off kilter. If he reprises the role for future films in the franchise I hope he develops into something more like the cool, calculated Keaton Batman. I would not however change Bale's characterization of Bruce Wayne. I think he's got that down more so than Kilmer or Clooney before him. I give Batman Begins a 8/10. It shows a great deal of promise to revitalize a franchise that had been practically driven to the ground. Who knows, perhaps in a few years we'll see Batman Continues.

 

A New Business Concept: Wanime! Added 9-30-04
So one of the benefits of doing work at home (paperwork, research etc) is the added presence of all your entertainment. In order to maintain a level of calm, I've taken to doing my boring paperwork at night while watching anime. I've dubbed the practice Wanime, Working-Anime. I've found that while productivity takes a 4% decline, my general morale has maintained an all time high. I can only hope that other business units discover the joys of Wanime...

 

The Cute, The Bad and The Sci-Fi Added 9-29-04
There's something to be said for purchasing a wide variety of media. On a recent lunch break near a local mall, I decided to restock on some anime and toons. My choice apparently raised the eyebrows of quite a few sales clerks. Now granted, my selection was unique. Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex vol 2,, Azumanga Daioh (2 volumes) and Marilyn Manson's Golden Age of Grotesque. Trust me, the look I received was one of bewildered confusion. I'm not sure if they thought I was a psychopath, a geek or a perv. Or a geeky-psychopathic perv... Hrm, quite the trifecta there. Of course I'll cop to the geek thing, but not the psychopathic or pervy thing. I see you smirking...

 

IE (There's a reason it's pronounced Ai-Eee!) Added 7-12-04
There's been a fair amount of fervor regarding the most recent IE exploits. Particularly those dealing with the shell: scheme component and a download flaw which allowed arbitrary code execution. The CERT announcement regarding the matter was equally eye-opening. Now I'll admit I have little, to no, love loss for MS and their security record. However I also realize that any software application can be vulnerable. It's the nature of software development that as long as humans are writing code we are going to make mistakes. What I think most of us tend to forget is that many users take a blind leap of faith with regards to Microsoft and assume that they are automatically 'better' at security than the next guy. Ironically the next guy in this case is Mozilla. Though even Mozilla is vulnerable to at least some items extending from the OS upon which it rests. This was evidenced in the recently patched issue with the shell:scheme (Described here within SecurityFocus' forums) within Windows XP. I myself believe in facilitating the users needs through any software that fits the bill. If that's a MS product, then so be it, but you shouldn't put blinders on and think "Only MS Can save me!" As an example you can see what I'm normally running when working in Linux here. There's far more to the world of computing than just Windows. Hopefully more users realize this as the days roll on.

 

Your Next PC Will be something out of Tron Added 5-4-04
So while browsing Slashdot, my favorite haven for techie/geek news, I found this blurb regarding the 'average' Longhorn PC spec:

'Microsoft is expected to recommend that the 'average' Longhorn PC feature a dual-core CPU running at 4 to 6GHz; a minimum of 2 gigs of RAM; up to a terabyte of storage; a 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and an 802.11g wireless link; and a graphics processor that runs three times faster than those on the market today.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm expecting software specifications to rise steadily but this is borderline ridiculous. The RAM and storage requirements are about in-line with what I've come to expect with a major OS overhaul. But the raw CPU power they are asking for, let alone the graphics card specs make one wonder just how useful applications will be able to run. However this does perhaps bode well for the Linux community. One of the nice things is that generally speaking Linux has less overhead when it comes to computing resources. With such a steep hardware spec this may see a rise for systems donated to OSS groups such as Hawaii's own HOSEF. We shall see just what kind of impact the Longhorn release provides.

 

Who Knew I was Irish? Added 4-24-04
So occasionally one likes to see what a search on Google will yield. Little did I know I'd find the following.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/04/16/news_6093782.html I was actually quite surprised as really I had only entered the contest just to see how the odds would be. This wouldn't be unusual, except that only a few weeks earlier, http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/soldnersecretwars/news_6091718.html Who knew the luck of the Irish was with me? In truth this is probably just a sad commentary on how small a subscription base the gamespot.com people have. Hell I got mine because I was supporting friends who used to work there. Now... I dunno why I subscribe.

 

TCP Flaw and the Internet Panic (sorta) Added 4-20-04
OK so technically this wasn't posted on 4-20 but I was lazy and forgot to upload the news blurb. You can query Bugtraq for the latest info on the TCP protocol structural flaw that may allow for forced socket resets. This was a design element that has since been proven to be detrimental and a potential source for a type of DoS (Denial of Service) attack. Particularly vulnerable are routers which utilize the BGP (Border Guard Protocol) when routing traffic. While this intrinsic flaw may have some major implications, particularly for ISP's and major network hubs, Joe-end User may be a bit filtered for now. We'll report more on the after-shocks of this development if it progresses.

 

Patches for you... patches for me! Added 4-13-04
Well if you haven't already attempted to, I'd suggest you patch your Windows based OS. Yes I said "Windows" not JUST 98, or NT, or 2k, or XP... Any Windows. Unless you happen to be running Windows 3.1/3.11 in which case "rock on!" Microsoft announced 3 critical flaws today which affect the entire breadth of the Windows family. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/default.mspx You can browse the tech posts at your leisure. Be forewarned, the patch takes forever to download since nearly everybody and their uncle is trying to patch today.

 

Linux/Sun Flaws Results in Headaches at Stanford Added 4-13-04
Within the same basic theme here, all you Microsoft fans that think I'm completely biased. Looks like Stanford admins are in a bind to also rid their systems of compromised boxes which appear to have been rooted big-time. Some of them used local flaws after siphoning password data over SSH or with keyloggers. Catch all the news here http://securecomputing.stanford.edu/alerts/multiple-unix-6apr2004.html Proof that there is no such thing as totally secure.

 

Sun and Microsoft Kiss and Make Up... Bah Added 4-2-04
So after a lot of hemming and hawing the war of words appears to be settling between Sun Microsystems and Microsoft. I for one found the settlement to be utterly pathetic. Rather than embroil themselves in more legal battles Sun decides $2 billion is just peachy keen by them. Just another sign that there is no such thing as a company that "fights the good fight".

 

Dawn of the Dead Review Added 3-28-04
So generally I'm more sci-fi than I am a horror fan, but Dawn of the Dead is a classic tale of love and... oh no wait it's not... So let's see. Take a cult classic film like Dawn, add in better effects, a better budget, and some pretty descent character acting and you get a fairly entertaining ride.

Now *spoiler* DO NOT LEAVE when the credits roll. If you do, you're missing out some great DVD-extra's esque footage. Overall the movie isn't going to win any awards. It is simplistic but a good romp for horror fanatics. I found the movie lacking that "thriller" element of say 28 Days Later. If you're ok with gore, and like guns, this movie is good... Well maybe goodish... if by goodish you mean 7.9/10
SIDENOTE: One of the more interesting things from the film is getting to hear the hilarious rendition of Down With The Sickness by Disturbed, as done by lounge singer Richard Cheese. There IS NOTHING funnier than a lounge act doing hard-rock. Be sure to check out all the Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine on Google

 

If Your Life Had a Theme Song Added 3-6-04
So every once in a while I go back and I think up some odd question that I've never been asked or never asked anyone else. This time around I realized, if your life were like a movie, just what would the theme song be? I came to the conclusion that my own theme song would be a little number Marilyn Manson wrote for Resident Evil the movie. Not that my life involves girls, zombies and a T-virus. I figure I don't really rate anything so deep as lyrics and a musical score was about on target. So ask yourself the same question and see what you come up with.

My Name Is Beo... Windows XP Reloaded Added 2-28-04
Every once in a while there is a rumor report that's just so stupid you have to laugh out loud. This is one of those reports. Several posts to Slashdot, ZDNet and other tech publications have made mention of a possible interim release before Longhorn (Microsoft next major update to the Windows family). Some trade publications are reporting it will be dubbed Windows XP Reloaded. Now if that doesn't sound like a rip off of the Matrix I don't know what is. I can see it now, Bill Gates as Neo... Everyone wanting him dead... Huge conspiracy theories. In any case this brings back memories of another "interim" product. Windows 'Fuck' ME. Anybody else remember that release? Not quite Windows 2000, but promising "a gimpse". I don't know about you but that glimse kept me from migrating to Windows 2000 until SP2 was released. So to Beo and his band of wacky Redmond rebels (Hm, it's KINDA like living thousands of miles underground) I say bring it on... Queue the Rob Zombie based Windows startup noise please.

Humor: Other name candidates included Windows XP: Die Hard with a Vengeance, Windows XP: Oops I Did It Again and Windows XP: Because We Said So Bitch

Suicide Jumpers and Traffic Added 1-30-04
There's a couple of things I can't stand. One of them is suicide jumpers. Nothing like spending an hour and a half sitting in your car as some distraught idiot decides he might be jumping off a highway. Here's a suggestion, if you feel the need to jump off something, do so AWAY from major roads. Mountains are good, so are very very tall buildings. Anything but a highway, and especially not when school just gets out.

 

New Virus DDoS attacks SCO Added 1-26-04
A new virus, a variant of the MiMail virus outbreak carries with it a new payload. Dubbed MyDoom this variant apparently initiates a DoS attacka against SCO. I suppose these kinds of things are to be expected when you figure just who SCO has been pissing off these days.

 

An iPod by Any Other Name would Smell of Toner? Added 1-10-04 Recently HP announced they will be rebranding and selling a version of the iPod under the HP banner. Don't get me wrong, this is an interesting attempt to broaden HP's market penetration. But at the same time it would seem rather odd to have Apple and HP selling against one another since Apple has created tools to make iPods usable by Windows platforms. Far be it for me to judge but the initial photo taken by ZDNet makes me think a) great an iPod in the stylish "grey" and b) Carly Fiorina looks like she's none to happy about lifting it up in the air

Somebody needs fiber... Photo ZDNet

Slow News Day Added 12-24-03
The world of CNN is something I read often, if only because I like to be kept informed. Now there are things I consider newsworthy... Then there's crap like this: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/12/24/queen.corgi.ap/index.html I feel for the queen, really I do... (waits for the sarcasm meter to go down) but really now when a corgi gets its ass kicked by a Bull Terrier, you have to wonder just how much of a pussy that dog was. The laugh here is that the dog apparently went through "counselling". Not to knock the profession but if you're sending your terrier to a shrink, I got news for you, the wrong animal is going to that couch. In other news, people died all over the damn place.

The Law, Idiocy and More Added 11-30-03
There's certainly no accounting for the types of lawsuits that are filed these days. A recent Slashdot article referenced several news sites covering the story of LA County and their request to hard drive vendors to remove the terms "master" and "slave" from the hard drive documentation. <rant>Now I'm inclined to be as politically correct as the next guy but when we begin thinking that an industry term which is based on a functional relationship between components is in fact meant to be derogatory or in some way reflective of the slave trade in the US I think we've crossed the line. If people are offended by this, then I would like to add the following to my list of lawsuits. Black Friday is offensive to me as it suggests that only Blacks are eligible for sales, also Yellow Fever offends me as I am asian and the fever has no correlation to Asians nowadays. And why is it a White flag for surrender? Does that make Caucasians defeatists? If we start reading non-PC thoughts into everything we'll never get anywhere</rant>

Conspiracy Theory! Added 8-23-03
Now I'm usually one to dismiss the usual conspiracy theory but I shall concede, I have stumbled on something that's just too eerie not to imagine that it is part of some larger plan. Let us examine the last few "consumer" versions of Windows. ME, XP
So far benign enough. Next up is LOnghorn... hm... put that together M EXPLO.... are we seeing something emerge? Now if the next versions of Windows are called RE and R.... M EXPLORER....
Now that's just eerie... Think what you will, it's my conspiracy theory and I'm sticking by it.