Weblog

Monday, 10 October 2011

  • Much to say -- elsewhere

    So sorry I haven't updated here more frequently; I KNOW you've missed me. happy

    I have a couple other technical blogs to support plus other scribbles for work, and I just lose interest in writing after sitting behind a computer for six hours a day.  How many of you feel the same in your line of work?  We'll see how it goes.  Blessings.  -Pete

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

  • Ridley Scott to direct 7th Blade Runner

    I thought this was a joke at first...  but I'll probably go see it, too.

    ...............................................................
    Ridley Scott to direct his 7th version of Blade Runner

    scifiunion ............... 21 June 2010.  A source close to producer/director Ridley Scott tells us that he is making plans to re-edit his "seventh and final" version of Blade Runner, originally released in 1982.  Says Scott, "I've changed my mind about Harrison's narration, it seems to have worked after all." Additionally, "there are some fabulous new smoke and fog particle technologies available now. I can't get enough of that."


Wednesday, 09 June 2010

  • What if you find your phone bugged?

    What if you accidentally found your telephone line is bugged? How would you feel?  How would you respond?

    I have been increasingly more paranoid careful about every aspect of my online security. One of my worst fears is identity theft, so I have been upgrading passwords, etc. And when shopping in stores, I choose 'charge' rather than 'debit' so that I do not need to use my PIN in public.


    So in this case, my home DSL has never worked properly since installed over a year ago.  Despite installation of filters on the phone lines, whenever the telephone was in use our DSL connection would be knocked offline.  I finally dialed '611' and scheduled to have a line technician come out to the house the next day.

    I was in the garage when he arrived. After introductions, he asked what the symptoms were. I told him and he immediately replied "I know what the problem is!"  He opened the plastic interface box on the side of the garage and pointed to the little circuit card above, tucked into a slot. "That's the problem."  He clipped the four wires and handed me the 'bug.'

    He told me that the card was commonly installed in all houses years ago --before the digital age-- for line testing, but now it often interferes with digital connections and can be removed.  All done in less than five minutes.

    My point is that I had poked around inside of that interface box several times over the years and I never saw that circuit card.  How easy it would be for someone to hide a real bug, just like in the movies.
      -Pete-

Monday, 07 June 2010

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

  • The four most important choices of your life?

    As I go through life and observe the choices which I, friends, family, co-workers, etc. all make for their lives, obviously we don't truly comprehend the long-range consequences of the choices we make. For example:

    ---> "This sushi is probably OK." > food poisoning > liver damage
    ---> "I hate high school! Why bother?" > poor education = poor job prospects > trailer park
    ---> "But we are in love!" > unwanted pregnancy/STD's, etc > trailer park
    ---> Husband: "I'll buy life insurance next month" > (accidents happen) > family living in a car
    ---> "I can stop (my addiction) any time I want to..." > ???
    etc., etc.

    So, try this. Think of yourself as a loved and eternal creature, living here for a brief period of time. What are the four most important choices you could ever make regarding your life here, which would or has affected you (and others)? And what are the foundations for these life choices?

      -Pete-