Ajax and JAWS
posted by JC at 3:05 PM
0 comments
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
sage to some, windbag to others
Computing is a blessing and a curse. It is the bee's knees when everything works as it should; but everything can go to hell in a hand basket without warning or reason. The long short of it is that computers and technology in general are prone to breaking. Many jokes have been circulated on the web, such as the classic "General Motors issues caustic press release in response to Bill Gates' comparison of advances in computing to the automotive industry." . The jokes are examples of dissatisfaction with on the poor situation of computing technology and they are only funny because they are true.
So don't fret, you aren't some kind of outcast singled out for not being as astute about computing technology as the next user. Viruses crash systems, hastily written spyware/adware programs crash systems, hard disk drives up and die losing volumes of information, and liquids spill invariably on important things. So given that bad things happen to good people. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of having problems and to mitigate loses when problems inevitably arise.
1. Backup your important stuff.
Store multiple copies in different buildings or even different cities if you can. Just in case your hard drive dies, your house burns down, or a hurricane takes out your entire city. The trouble you take to back stuff up is entirely up to you and how important your stuff actually is to you.
2. Backup frequently.
If you've been working for a few hours on something you should back it up somewhere if you don't want to risk having to start over again. I recommend getting an external hard drive and backing up to it twice a week at least.
3. Install and keep your virus protection updated.
4. Check for patches regularly.
MicroSoft releases patches the 2nd tuesday of every month so go visit Microsoft's windows update web site around that time.
5. Don't open anything you receive via email or links via instant messenger. EVER!
Well that is a little extreme I suppose. At least try not to open anything that you were not expecting. When in doubt ask whomever sent it if they intentionally sent you something. Opening the wrong website link can lead to having the nasty surprise of a virus making itself at home on your computer. Viruses can send attachments using people names without that person ever noticing and it can even do it from computers that don't actually belong to them. It is a good practice to call or write that person and at least warn them that you received a bogus mail that looks like it came from them.
"But I have virus protection, why do I have to worry about viruses?" Well that is because virus creators are making new viruses every day and the virus protection companies are always playing catch up. Meaning that there is a small window of vulnerability between when a virus is created and released and when it is being eradicated.
6. Turn off your computer when you aren't using it.
Think about it. How is hardware going to fail and the bad guys/nasty viruses gonna get to your computer and make mince meat of it if it is off? Turning off your computer also has the added benefit of turning off the fans that keep everything cool. It'll just sit there like a little vacuum cleaner sucking in dust otherwise. If folks wanna leave you a message they can send you email. If you use it a lot during the day and don't want to wait for it to turn back on at least turn it off when you're planning to go somewhere or you go to bed.
7. Make some computer savvy friends.
Seriously, this is easy, befriending geeks sometimes only requires some pizza and a couple beverages. Sometimes you'll have to put up with some conversations about some weird stuff you don't understand completely but smile and nod. Poke fun if you want just don't be mean about it. Friends will teach you how to fix things on your own, and it is necessary that you learn to deal with things on your own. Nobody likes dealing with people who don't care and just want the problem fixed. That is why geeks with tech. jobs get paid well to do just that. So ask questions and have them show you and explain what they are doing as they do it or after they fix it. Eventually you'll become savvy enough to recognize what is going on with your computer, describe the situation to someone over the phone and understand what folks are talking about when they ask you to do a few things over the phone.
Ok now that I've covered some real basic concepts of what to do before bad things happen lets go over what to do when the schmutz hits the fan.
A. DON'T PANIC!
Seriously look in a mirror, look outside, and take a few deep breaths. Life goes on. No need to go Chicken Little on some poor friend whom you look to for help. Besides if you have backups you can get the files and go borrow someone else's computer if you have a deadline to meet. So relax.
B. Turn your computer off and then turn it back on.
Sometimes this simple action fixes everything. If not
C. Gather information.
What were you doing when it happened? What does the computer do when you try to make it work now? What is the exact error message you are getting? Did you install any new software recently?
D. Call in reinforcements if needed.
People have busy lives so be patient and the more geeky friends you have the better chance you have of getting someone who can help you sooner rather than later. Whomever you call is likely ask you to gather more information for them and can instruct you on where find to the information.
E. Pay attention to what they do to fix the problem.
Take notes if you need help remembering how to fix the problem if it comes up in the future you'll be able to handle it on your own terms and not wait for help. If you need clarification call the person that helped you and ask. They'll likely be impressed that you remember as much as you do.
F. Be gracious but don't over do it.
A sincere thank you and offering some form of compensation is enough. Don't insist. Some folks are of a mind that we are here to help each other. It is up to whomever helped to decide if they accept. If they don't accept anything in return for helping and you still want to do something nice for that person it won't go unnoticed. As I said just don't over do it. A thank you card and if you know that person well enough to get a small gift for them go for it.
Personally I don't accept much in the way of compensation from family, friends, or friends of friends. I generally accept dinner or lunch if they suggest it. Seriously who passes up free food?
So don't fret, you aren't some kind of outcast singled out for not being as astute about computing technology as the next user. Viruses crash systems, hastily written spyware/adware programs crash systems, hard disk drives up and die losing volumes of information, and liquids spill invariably on important things. So given that bad things happen to good people. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of having problems and to mitigate loses when problems inevitably arise.
1. Backup your important stuff.
Store multiple copies in different buildings or even different cities if you can. Just in case your hard drive dies, your house burns down, or a hurricane takes out your entire city. The trouble you take to back stuff up is entirely up to you and how important your stuff actually is to you.
2. Backup frequently.
If you've been working for a few hours on something you should back it up somewhere if you don't want to risk having to start over again. I recommend getting an external hard drive and backing up to it twice a week at least.
3. Install and keep your virus protection updated.
4. Check for patches regularly.
MicroSoft releases patches the 2nd tuesday of every month so go visit Microsoft's windows update web site around that time.
5. Don't open anything you receive via email or links via instant messenger. EVER!
Well that is a little extreme I suppose. At least try not to open anything that you were not expecting. When in doubt ask whomever sent it if they intentionally sent you something. Opening the wrong website link can lead to having the nasty surprise of a virus making itself at home on your computer. Viruses can send attachments using people names without that person ever noticing and it can even do it from computers that don't actually belong to them. It is a good practice to call or write that person and at least warn them that you received a bogus mail that looks like it came from them.
"But I have virus protection, why do I have to worry about viruses?" Well that is because virus creators are making new viruses every day and the virus protection companies are always playing catch up. Meaning that there is a small window of vulnerability between when a virus is created and released and when it is being eradicated.
6. Turn off your computer when you aren't using it.
Think about it. How is hardware going to fail and the bad guys/nasty viruses gonna get to your computer and make mince meat of it if it is off? Turning off your computer also has the added benefit of turning off the fans that keep everything cool. It'll just sit there like a little vacuum cleaner sucking in dust otherwise. If folks wanna leave you a message they can send you email. If you use it a lot during the day and don't want to wait for it to turn back on at least turn it off when you're planning to go somewhere or you go to bed.
7. Make some computer savvy friends.
Seriously, this is easy, befriending geeks sometimes only requires some pizza and a couple beverages. Sometimes you'll have to put up with some conversations about some weird stuff you don't understand completely but smile and nod. Poke fun if you want just don't be mean about it. Friends will teach you how to fix things on your own, and it is necessary that you learn to deal with things on your own. Nobody likes dealing with people who don't care and just want the problem fixed. That is why geeks with tech. jobs get paid well to do just that. So ask questions and have them show you and explain what they are doing as they do it or after they fix it. Eventually you'll become savvy enough to recognize what is going on with your computer, describe the situation to someone over the phone and understand what folks are talking about when they ask you to do a few things over the phone.
Ok now that I've covered some real basic concepts of what to do before bad things happen lets go over what to do when the schmutz hits the fan.
A. DON'T PANIC!
Seriously look in a mirror, look outside, and take a few deep breaths. Life goes on. No need to go Chicken Little on some poor friend whom you look to for help. Besides if you have backups you can get the files and go borrow someone else's computer if you have a deadline to meet. So relax.
B. Turn your computer off and then turn it back on.
Sometimes this simple action fixes everything. If not
C. Gather information.
What were you doing when it happened? What does the computer do when you try to make it work now? What is the exact error message you are getting? Did you install any new software recently?
D. Call in reinforcements if needed.
People have busy lives so be patient and the more geeky friends you have the better chance you have of getting someone who can help you sooner rather than later. Whomever you call is likely ask you to gather more information for them and can instruct you on where find to the information.
E. Pay attention to what they do to fix the problem.
Take notes if you need help remembering how to fix the problem if it comes up in the future you'll be able to handle it on your own terms and not wait for help. If you need clarification call the person that helped you and ask. They'll likely be impressed that you remember as much as you do.
F. Be gracious but don't over do it.
A sincere thank you and offering some form of compensation is enough. Don't insist. Some folks are of a mind that we are here to help each other. It is up to whomever helped to decide if they accept. If they don't accept anything in return for helping and you still want to do something nice for that person it won't go unnoticed. As I said just don't over do it. A thank you card and if you know that person well enough to get a small gift for them go for it.
Personally I don't accept much in the way of compensation from family, friends, or friends of friends. I generally accept dinner or lunch if they suggest it. Seriously who passes up free food?
posted by JC at 6:38 AM
0 comments
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Too far.
Ok so I was surfing the www.Thinkgeek.com and I found this Some might think with all the deaths related to over use of computer that this cup holder and cigarette lighter drive bay accessory is a bit irresponsible of Thermaltake... I frankly think it is absolutely hilarious.
posted by JC at 7:16 PM
0 comments
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Chronicles of Narnia
I went to see the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I have to say I really liked that movie. It was quite good and has so many wonderously idealistic philosophical notions underpinning everything that I was left thinking about it long after I left. I recommend seeing it if you get the chance. Great family film for those with kids 8+ years old, younger folks might find it a little bit intense and not understand some of it.
posted by JC at 11:53 AM
0 comments
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Blog Essay: Final words
Technology is richly defined amongst my circle as a collection of systems or devices that has been designed for the advancement of society through innovation. All those who responded agree that implementing technology within society has some serious pitfalls but most issues can be mitigated if not avoided through education and responsible use.
posted by JC at 4:29 PM
0 comments
Blog Essay: Highlighting what others thought about technology
The following links are the full text responses to the questions I posited in my email interviews.
Kelly
Jim
Krysta
Peter
Hannah
Q 1 Interesting points: The personal definitions of technology varied widely among each person. Some included such specifics as technological development is based on principles of science, technology is devised through systematic application of knowledge, technology is a system or device that embodies some improvements, and/or technology is an expression of mechanical innovations.
Q 2 : Kelly is optimistic about technology being the embodiment of a society's attempts to better itself. Everyone else expresses slightly skeptical view of technological innovations not functioning as purported by the innovators or highlights that new technologies can be dangerous as they may be abused.
Q 3 : Agreement exist in that everyone interviewed believes that almost every technology can be abused to the detriment of society but all are also optimistic that the possible loses are outweighed often by the improvements gained through the implementation of new technologies.
Q 4 : The theme from all responses gravitates towards the incorporation of recent advancements of knowledge and time/labor saving efficiency in high tech. Low tech. is considered older and sometimes considered more reliable.
Q 5 : Almost everyone felt occasionally frustrated with using some technologies and traced their frustrations to lack of familiarity and the expenditure of time to gain a working familiarity. Peter expresses that although any of his frustrations with technology have been insignificant he has been frustrated when he has had dealings with people who are frustrated with or fearful of technology.
Q 6 : Energy production (includes heating houses for cats), user friendly design, and those technologies which benefit all humanity in general were mentioned as needing improved.
Kelly
Jim
Krysta
Peter
Hannah
Q 1 Interesting points: The personal definitions of technology varied widely among each person. Some included such specifics as technological development is based on principles of science, technology is devised through systematic application of knowledge, technology is a system or device that embodies some improvements, and/or technology is an expression of mechanical innovations.
Q 2 : Kelly is optimistic about technology being the embodiment of a society's attempts to better itself. Everyone else expresses slightly skeptical view of technological innovations not functioning as purported by the innovators or highlights that new technologies can be dangerous as they may be abused.
Q 3 : Agreement exist in that everyone interviewed believes that almost every technology can be abused to the detriment of society but all are also optimistic that the possible loses are outweighed often by the improvements gained through the implementation of new technologies.
Q 4 : The theme from all responses gravitates towards the incorporation of recent advancements of knowledge and time/labor saving efficiency in high tech. Low tech. is considered older and sometimes considered more reliable.
Q 5 : Almost everyone felt occasionally frustrated with using some technologies and traced their frustrations to lack of familiarity and the expenditure of time to gain a working familiarity. Peter expresses that although any of his frustrations with technology have been insignificant he has been frustrated when he has had dealings with people who are frustrated with or fearful of technology.
Q 6 : Energy production (includes heating houses for cats), user friendly design, and those technologies which benefit all humanity in general were mentioned as needing improved.
posted by JC at 3:48 PM
0 comments
Blog Essay: Answering my own questions.
1.) What is your working definition of technology?
I define technology as anything that was developed through a broad range of processes into a tool to be employed in further processes to solve a particular problem
2.) What are your feelings towards technology?
I am very ambivalent in my feelings concerning technology. The technological is a large source of frustration for me and also an outlet for my own creative entertainment.
3.) What technologies do you think are a benefit to society? Why? What technologies do you think are a detriment to society? Why? Are there any technologies that you think are both beneficial and detrimental to society? Why?
I think that stop signs are a technology that has a profound benefits for individual members of society that use them. My reasoning is that if people did not use them horrendous accidents would occur with far greater frequency. I personally think that advertisements are a detriment in that they sap productivity by distracting people from more important matters. It is my opinion that most technologies are both beneficial and detrimental to society based on whether not they are used responsibly by an educated populace. Condoms for instance are one such technology, they protect people from themselves when used properly, however their use may embolden people to follow a path of abuse such as infidelity, rape, and other misuses of sex. Responsible use of any technology is highly dependent on education of the issues that surround a particular technology which is why I feel that education in general is extremely important and needs to start as early as possible.
4.) What to you is the distinction between high technology and low technology? What are some examples of each that you have used and why were you using it? How do you think people valuate high technology and low technology? Is one better than the other for any reason? How do your feelings vary when you when you compare your feelings about high technology to your feelings about low technology?
I think the distinction between high technology and low technology is directly related to the amount of knowledge one must possess to produce it and use it properly. I regularly use computers, cars, cellular phones, and other high tech. devices that require a fairly high amount of background knowledge to use to the fullest of their capability. I also use many simple low tech. tools such as wheeled carts, knives, forks, and the like regularly which most folks can figure out just be observing someone else using it for a moment. I use almost all these technologies in my pursuit to do my job as a computer support consultant as efficiently as possible. I think that people sometimes over valuate high technology as sometimes something low tech. could serve the same purpose more simply and more efficiently but they choose to use a high tech. solution because it is available. I don't think one is particularly better than the other but each individual technology whether high or low has it's own set of conditions for effective application. I feel that high tech. is more frustrating to deal with due to the need for continuing education in order to use it effectively.
5.) What technologies have you felt uncomfortable/frustrated with using? How familiar with that particular technology were you? Do you think your familiarity, or lack of familiarity, impacts how comfortable you feel using the technology? Were there other factors involved besides familiarity that made you uncomfortable? Have you continued to use the technology? If so have you become more comfortable with using whatever caused your to be uncomfortable in the first place?
I've often felt uncomfortable using copier machines and I think it is because I am very unfamiliar with copiers. I'm certain that my lack of familiarity negatively impacts my confidence in using them properly. I also feel exposed and self-concious due to the fact that copiers are often in public rooms and are often in high demand. Also nothing to me is more embarrassing that having to ask for help concerning a copier as a computer support person. I feel that if I know so much about operating computers which are a particularly complex technology I should be able to make easy use of copiers since they are relatively less complex. I've continued to use copiers and I've come to be a little more confident and familiar with their nuances; but I'm still nervous that I'm going to accidently enter a command that tells it to make way to many copies or make my copies unreadable.
6.) What technologies do you think are most important to you for developers to improve? Why?
I personally feel that all energy production and transmission technologies need to improve drastically. I feel that the fate of our nation relies on finding better ways to power our industry and technology that supports our way of life. Our country is too dependent on foreign sources for energy producing products and I believe that the costs are far greater than any other problem our country currently faces. "Necessity never made a good bargain" ~ Ben Franklin
I define technology as anything that was developed through a broad range of processes into a tool to be employed in further processes to solve a particular problem
2.) What are your feelings towards technology?
I am very ambivalent in my feelings concerning technology. The technological is a large source of frustration for me and also an outlet for my own creative entertainment.
3.) What technologies do you think are a benefit to society? Why? What technologies do you think are a detriment to society? Why? Are there any technologies that you think are both beneficial and detrimental to society? Why?
I think that stop signs are a technology that has a profound benefits for individual members of society that use them. My reasoning is that if people did not use them horrendous accidents would occur with far greater frequency. I personally think that advertisements are a detriment in that they sap productivity by distracting people from more important matters. It is my opinion that most technologies are both beneficial and detrimental to society based on whether not they are used responsibly by an educated populace. Condoms for instance are one such technology, they protect people from themselves when used properly, however their use may embolden people to follow a path of abuse such as infidelity, rape, and other misuses of sex. Responsible use of any technology is highly dependent on education of the issues that surround a particular technology which is why I feel that education in general is extremely important and needs to start as early as possible.
4.) What to you is the distinction between high technology and low technology? What are some examples of each that you have used and why were you using it? How do you think people valuate high technology and low technology? Is one better than the other for any reason? How do your feelings vary when you when you compare your feelings about high technology to your feelings about low technology?
I think the distinction between high technology and low technology is directly related to the amount of knowledge one must possess to produce it and use it properly. I regularly use computers, cars, cellular phones, and other high tech. devices that require a fairly high amount of background knowledge to use to the fullest of their capability. I also use many simple low tech. tools such as wheeled carts, knives, forks, and the like regularly which most folks can figure out just be observing someone else using it for a moment. I use almost all these technologies in my pursuit to do my job as a computer support consultant as efficiently as possible. I think that people sometimes over valuate high technology as sometimes something low tech. could serve the same purpose more simply and more efficiently but they choose to use a high tech. solution because it is available. I don't think one is particularly better than the other but each individual technology whether high or low has it's own set of conditions for effective application. I feel that high tech. is more frustrating to deal with due to the need for continuing education in order to use it effectively.
5.) What technologies have you felt uncomfortable/frustrated with using? How familiar with that particular technology were you? Do you think your familiarity, or lack of familiarity, impacts how comfortable you feel using the technology? Were there other factors involved besides familiarity that made you uncomfortable? Have you continued to use the technology? If so have you become more comfortable with using whatever caused your to be uncomfortable in the first place?
I've often felt uncomfortable using copier machines and I think it is because I am very unfamiliar with copiers. I'm certain that my lack of familiarity negatively impacts my confidence in using them properly. I also feel exposed and self-concious due to the fact that copiers are often in public rooms and are often in high demand. Also nothing to me is more embarrassing that having to ask for help concerning a copier as a computer support person. I feel that if I know so much about operating computers which are a particularly complex technology I should be able to make easy use of copiers since they are relatively less complex. I've continued to use copiers and I've come to be a little more confident and familiar with their nuances; but I'm still nervous that I'm going to accidently enter a command that tells it to make way to many copies or make my copies unreadable.
6.) What technologies do you think are most important to you for developers to improve? Why?
I personally feel that all energy production and transmission technologies need to improve drastically. I feel that the fate of our nation relies on finding better ways to power our industry and technology that supports our way of life. Our country is too dependent on foreign sources for energy producing products and I believe that the costs are far greater than any other problem our country currently faces. "Necessity never made a good bargain" ~ Ben Franklin
posted by JC at 3:43 PM
1 comments
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Other blogs of personal notability
- Steve Kuusisto's Planet of the Blind
- This week in tech. Audio Blog
- John Dvorak's Blog
- Diggnation Video Blog
Previous Posts
- Ajax and JAWS
- sage to some, windbag to others
- Too far.
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Blog Essay: Final words
- Blog Essay: Highlighting what others thought about...
- Blog Essay: Answering my own questions.
- Blog Essay: Technology
- Song of the moment.
- A smile.
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