Archive for August, 2006

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Am I a nerd?

Sunday, August 6th, 2006

Sometimes, when I listen to my coworkers talk about software, linux distros, etc, I wonder if I am really a computer nerd.  They talk about all these things that only seem to interest me mildly.  I’m always willing to talk to them about it, but never know as much as they do, and never am interested in learning a whole lot more.

I’ve worked on some interesting projects in the past that I have enjoyed.  I’ve worked on a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), audio/video network transportation, code optimization, and administration tools just at my current employer alone.

They have, for the most part, been interesting projects.  The most interesting being the optimizing, and the HAL.

I’ve decided though that what I am most interested in is security, encryption, and other such things.  I probably am not good enough at math to develop or break encryption algorithms.  But, I think I need to start spending time getting more acquainted with these things that interest me.  Even if it never ends up aiding me greatly in a professional aspect.  I think it would make an interesting hobby.

Posted in Programming, Technology | No Comments »

Xbox 360 problems

Saturday, August 5th, 2006

Well, I never ended up sending my Xbox360 in because the problem is now happening with my brother’s xbox also.  So, I just assume that the problem has to do with an incompatibility with how my TV handles 1080i.  Crazy since my native resolution is supposed to be 1080i on the thing.

A coworker of mine, howver, has had a major hardware problem.  That is when we discovered that the manufacturer’s warranty is only for a period of 90 days.  Even the original Xbox had a warranty of 1 year.  His problem appears to be related to the audio/video cards.  It cost him $130 to have it fixed.  You can read his post here.

He goes on to state that in 5 years time, an xbox 360 is way more expensive to match the features for a PS3.  My only argument is not everyone wants everything the PS3 has.  They may not need it.  My other argument is that I don’t believe for an instant that their online matchmaking / game playing will be free.  If it is, I am sure that other consoles will follow suit.

Posted in Video Games | No Comments »

Microsoft / California Class Action Settlement

Saturday, August 5th, 2006

Well, I got my settlement today.  It came a lot sooner than I had anticipated.  I thought that I was due to get something like $96 back, but I can’t remember.  It has been a long time since I filed my claim.

What I did see though, disappointed me in a way.  I was hoping to use the money to get an HD-DVD drive for my Xbox360 when they come out.  Well, at least to partially pay for an HD-DVD drive.  But, it doesn’t work for that.

It is useful for:

  • Publically available software that will run on a Laptop, tablet PC, or Desktop. I assume this covers Mac software
  • Computer Hardware
    • Desktop, laptop or tablet PC
    • Printer
    • Mouse
    • keyboard
    • monitor

It won’t even cover an HD-DVD drive for a desktop, it seems.  Since it is valid on purchase made since July 18, 2003, however, I can use it to receive reimbursement for an older purchase.  That means I can still use it for an HD-DVD drive for the 360 but it wasn’t half what I was expecting.  Oh well, I guess it is “free” money.

Posted in Personal | No Comments »

Don’t work in Wisconsin!

Friday, August 4th, 2006

My brother used to work for AMD in Texas.  His group was sold to another company and he quit AMD to work at this new company.  They didn’t direct deposite his last check for several weeks, and never mailed him his paycheck stub.  Pretty unprofessional for such a large company. In California, where AMD is headquartered, a company has to pay a final paycheck on a person’s last day if they give at least 72 hours of advance notice.  We decided to see what the laws were like in Texas.  We found this site.

That page contains final paycheck laws for every state.  If you look you’ll see that Wisconsin’s law states “Any employee, except a salesperson paid by commission, who does not have an employment contract and who quits or is fired: next regular payday but not more than a month later.” (Wis. Stat. Ann. §109.03).  Can you imagine that? It suggest that in Wisconsin, they don’t have to pay you more often than once a month.  In fact, they may not even have to pay you once a month.  It is unclear.

Tennessee could be even worse: “Next scheduled payday or 21 days, whichever occurs later.” (Tenn. Code. Ann. §50-2-103).  What if they only have to pay you ever 45 or 90 days in Tennessee? You could go months without getting your final check and then go months without getting your new check if they allow pay periods in excess of 30 days!  It may be cheaper to live in places other than California, but I’d rather live there than either of those two states!  Check out your state here.  If it prompts you for a zip code, put in any one you’d like.  I like to use 90210 when any site asks for mine.

Posted in Personal | No Comments »

Why I won’t be renewing my Internet w/ AT&T

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006

I seem to have a habit of discussing old news but this actually came up at lunch today with my friends.  I have a friend who repeatedly gets emails from a friend of his attacking President Bush.  So, naturally we started talking politics.

I’m a conservative person and I tend to lean towards the Republican platform.  I can’t say that I agree with everything they believe in, but it suits me better than the democratic party.

That being said, however, I completely disagree with what President Bush has allowed the NSA to do.  They may only be spying on people who are emailing and calling international people, but it does not matter. 

People have the right to privacy.  The fact of the matter is that this widespread invasion of privacy is going to push people towards encryption, which is only going to further hinder the government.

But people ought to be able to call and email their friends, family, and business relations without fear of eavesdropping. This could very easily be a stepping stone into monitoring all communcations, domestic and international.

My lovely ISP has embraced the government with open arms and has been freely providing all that they ask for without a court order.  That is wrong. AT&T should be protecting the privacy of their customers and not bowing to government pressure.

People argue that they have nothing to hide.  Well, if that is the case, may I please have your social security number, mother’s maiden name, date of birth, and all of your credit card numbers and expiration dates? Oh did you want to hide that from me? What if I worked for the government? Then you might not be able to hide that from me.

Posted in Rants and Raves | 2 Comments »

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