Ξ November 30th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
while moving, I figured that my television (the Mitsubishi in the link) would be the hardest thing to move. Thus far, I have been correct. It posed so much of a problem that I had to abandon the task and put it into storage until we get our house. So, tsk tsk .. I had to buy a new TV *sigh*. So I picked up a snazzy new Phillips Flat 52′ LCD. It’s flippin’ nice. I just attached it yesterday to my new RCN Cable and Internet Service. So far I’m pleased with the setup. I got the deluxe internet package at 20Mbps. I looked into the Verizon Fios service, but it wasn’t available in the building that we were moving too.
Anyway, I have to get back to moving furniture. I have a few more trips to make today
Ξ November 24th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
As I’ve mentioned, my highschool had it’s twenty year reunion for my graduating class. It was a great time and I feel that our class was unique. Everybody got along with one another. While there were cliques, nobody was ever excluded. Basically, I went to school with a really nice bunch of people. Since our reunion, a lot of us have been staying in touch via facebook. Over the weekend we had our first post-reunion reunion. It was a great time. This is truly a bunch of people I like getting together with. It’s great to see everyone doing so well. I look forward to our next get together.
Ξ November 24th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
I’ve mentioned that I was getting magicjack. I in fact got three of them (though I’m only using one at this moment). I got it because I’m moving (twice) and don’t want to change my phone number every single time I move somewhere. So, with luck, this will be the last time I have to change phone numbers. I got three of them because I figured that I would attache one for my resume and send recruiters to that one (I have a lot of recruiters that call). Use one for family and friends, and the last one I figured would be used for business or something (undetermined at this point).
I’ve attached the family / friends one at this point. I’ve selected a 718 area code since most of the family and friends are in Queens (though I could select a different area code if I wanted. Each of the magicjacks can have its own phone number and area code). The instructions say that you need to hook the magicjack directly to your computer, but I found that if I use a USB hub that has an AC addapter, it powers the devices just fine.
Configuration is simple. The first time the device is plugged in, it walks you through the configuration process. The one caviot is that your computer has to not only remain turned on, but you must be logged in. We currently have this working at home on Rosie’s Windows XP computer. We’ve attached a telephone with an answering machine. If there was no answering machine, Magicjack would take a message and email me the voice message in the form of a wav or avi file that I could listen to on my computer.
As the television ad said, it’s $20 a year after your first year (you have to pay for the device so your yearly cost in your first year is $20 plus the cost of the usb device). There have been no hidden costs as far as I can tell. The service is the same as with any other telephone. You pick up the phone and you dial. In general I give this product a thumbs up. If I were to change something though, I’d say that if my computer was disconnected, it would be nice if Magicjack activated my message service. Other then that, its a great product.
Ξ November 24th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
I’ve reached new lows with this one: rap contest about computers
Ξ November 20th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
For the fellows from SIAC (Securities Industry Automation Corporation ) in my RedHat 130 Class ..
Founded in 1972, SIAC runs the computer systems and communications networks that power the NYSE and the Amex.
Until the NYSE stopped giving tours a few years ago, they used to say that they had more computing power then any place on Earth, with the exception of NASA. That’s a lot of computing power. Since then, the NYSE aquired the American Stock Exchange, growing its technology holdings further.
The SIAC Network - moves about 40 megabits of data per second over IP. Much of the traffic is multicast which they use to distribute real-time stock quotes th hundreds of parties. At the customer end, they generally use a product called Wombat which acts as both a feed handler and message bus. Here is an older press release regarding the SIAC networkthat gives a good idea how they distribute data to customers.
The Computing Environment - SIAC has made the decision to move to Linux and IBM. An excellent choice unless you consider yesterdays post on China infultrating IBM’s processors. Linux is rock solid though.
I’d write more on the computing environment at SIAC, but, i gotta get back to work.
Ξ November 19th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
We are clearly in a cold war with China, though it seems that the Chinese have gotten a huge head start on us. The The Manchurian Chip is a component in CPU’s that get made in China that sits idol until the Chinese Govt. activates it. It can then be used to take over and control your computer.
The have also tested shooting down Satellites (Anti-Satellite Missile Tes)t, a technology that could disable communications, GPS, and other vital systems used by other countries.
“China’s action drew sharp protests from other nations with satellite programs — a predictable response that experts said dramatically illustrates Chinese willingness to face broad international criticism when it comes to space, which Beijing considers a key part of the push to modernize its military and increase its ability to compete in high-tech warfare.” - China Criticized for Anti-Satellite Missile Test By Marc Kaufman and Dafna Linzer
Ξ November 17th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Scatt Adams may get peeved for me posting this here, but I swear to God .. if he tells me to take it down .. its outta here
Ξ November 17th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
I don’t know that I agree with the financial policy of Obama yet, but I think we’re on the same page in terms of the flow of information. Check out this article here.
Ξ November 17th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
I’ve never worked at Citi, but I hear that it’s not a great place to work. Now Citigroup is planning to lay off 50,000 people, yes, you read correctly FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE. Merry Christmas..
Here’s a holiday bird just for you citi: here
Lets keep our fingers crossed that these people find something better.
Ξ November 17th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Welp, Rosie and I expect to get the keys to our new apartment before this weekend (or next week) and our closing date to be on (or about) Dec 8th. This will give us a few weekends to get everything moved. I suppose its better then doing everything in one fowl swoop. In the meantime we’re living in a bit of disarray. We’ve picked up a storage unit this week and moved a bunch of stuff in already, but we’ve also unloaded most of our attic into the living room. Since the plan is to move in as little as possible we’re also starting to go through all the kitchen stuff to see what will come with us and what will go to storage.
I’ve been looking forward to moving for a few weeks now. The commute from the new apt. will be only 30 minutes door to door. I’d really like to put this whole experience behind me, but in truth, even when this exercise is done, we’re only half way there. We still need to buy a house and move again in a few months.
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