Bathroom Art

I ran across this image during some random searches this evening. I just had to share it lol. I think this would make a great piece of bathroom art.

Well its "Back to School" season and time for Seb and I to do our annual school clothes and supplies shopping. Perhaps we will make the journey tomorrow and make a day of it. I'm not a big shopper by nature, Sebastian on the other hand loves shopping and spends his money every opportunity he gets lol.

If you've been following Sebastian's Website you know his 8th birthday is just a week and a half away. It sounds like we are going to team up with his cousin Macy who's birthday is about a week after Sebastian's (she turns 9). I'm not positive yet where we are going to host the party but there is talk about a skate rink this year. I'll keep you posted.

Microsoft Names New OS

It was a busy week for Microsoft and one of the things they accomplished was unveiling the name of their new Operating System. Microsoft rejected names that project strength and security, choosing instead something that reflects improved data access and the user interface improvements built into the new OS. They named the new OS: Microsoft Windows Vista.

Since Bill Gates continues to tell financial analysts that security remains Job 1 at Microsoft, I'd have expected the new name might have reflected this. Since they didn't follow this name setting framework it makes me wonder whether Microsoft isn't confident that the changes it's lacing into Windows Vista will actually change the security landscape. Or did Microsoft just want to avoid stirring up a hornet's nest as hackers would surely try to make a phule out of the company for its claims? They will, of course, try to do exactly that regardless of the name Microsoft chose.

There are already hacker groups claiming to have the ability to spoof Genuine Advantage license verification program which was implemented this week on the Microsoft Update pages. Genuine Advantage was designed to alert users to pirated copies of Windows XP and then keep them from downloading anything more than security fixes from the Update site. No doubt IPs from fraudulant copies of the operating system are being databased by the software giant.

Microsoft did have one win this last week, a former Microsoft executive who left the company this month for Google can't begin the work he was hired to do until another round of legal arguments in September, a King County Superior Court judge ordered yesterday. Judge Steven Gonzalez granted Microsoft's request for a temporary restraining order to keep Kai-Fu Lee, the highest-ranking executive at Microsoft to leave for Google, from working on anything that competes with what he did at Microsoft. Google says they are fine with the judges decision as Lee was hired to to open a research center in China, a job that in no way relates to the work he did with Microsoft.

Uber Face Lift

And finally I'm done. Two solid days of work but UberDragon Networks has a new look. The flash header turned out much better than I ever could have expected. If you are wondering, that is my voice you hear and I'm saying "Welcome to UberDragon Networks." I actually recorded this on my digital camera, transfered it to computer and distorted the heck outta it with a program I downloaded on the spot from the internet called WavePad. Unfortunately you can only edit one track so heavy mixing isn't going to happen with this software, but the built in effects made lite work of the project at hand.

If you are new to the website definately check out what the site used to look like, just click here. I still like my old design, but new is definately better in this case in my opinion. Please take a moment to give me your opinion with a comment to this post. Be honest is all I ask, if you hate it say it, I'm always open to constructive critism regarding my work.

Hacking vs Cracking

A recent conference in Chennai was thick with talk about data security and how to keep their digital information safe from professional crackers. The term hackers is becoming known for the good guys in the cyber war while crackers are the bad, the conference members agreed the term cracking implies breaking into systems without permission. Statistics say most of the cyber crimes taking place today are emanating from cyber cafes also known as internet cafes. When I owned the First Cyber Cafe in New Orleans I saw signs of this as well, the local 2600 met in my cyber cafe regularly to talk about it. The FBI also liked to hang out and try to get leads on the hacking community. At one point the FBI attempted to hire me as some sort of informant, they approached me at a Computer Trade Show (Louisiana Computer and Electronics [L.A.C.E.]). I told them if I ever heard anything I'd give them a call, as luck would have it I never heard anything. . . Well I never called anyway.

I predicted back then cyber cafes would one day be forced to keep physical records detailing users name's and other information. Talks of this very same thing came up at the conference and I can only see these talks continuing across the continents.

So where does this leave the mom and pop cyber cafes that have sprung up around the US? They too will one day be required by law to register their users in some way in case "The Man" needs to track down a hacker. I wouldn't be surprised to see homeland security a regular buzz word to help perpetuate the user registration movement. Some of the businesses out there, especially big corporates like Starbucks or Kinkos will surely comply forcing all their internet users to swipe their drivers license into a reader and recording as much personal information they can to cover their own cyber butts.

I think some of the smaller cyber cafes in existence will be forced underground. We've all seen the movies where elite underground hacker groups exist, and they are on our side. They'll help you exist in society without the big brother tracking you, oh they will help you alright, for a fee because big brother will be working on technological counter attacks, hacking the hackers to infiltrate and destroy these anti big man establishments. Outlawing anyone with a working knowledge of Unix, making shell a crime?

Ok so maybe that's a little farther down the road but I see it coming. I bet within my lifetime in fact. Which side of the fence will you be sitting on? Will you line up to digital implants and digital tracking in the name of homeland security? Perhaps you are already making plans to go underground, stay hidden from the prying eyes of cyber government.

You can read more about the conference I'm referring to here.

Russian PenPal

Well I got another letter from my new friend in Russia today. Her name is Dinara and she seems incredibly nice. We've been communicating for almost 2 weeks now. Interestingly enough she found me from a personal ad I put out on the internet.

Internet personal Ad? Sure why not? I've spent a good portion of my life on the internet, I started before the word internet had been invented and popularized. Waay back in the day of BBS (Bulleting Board Systems) where you had to dial directly to a computer (long distance charges DO apply lol). When you factor in my status as a single father, I certainly don't have any time to try and find new friends. Thats where the personal ads come in. I figure atleast 1/3 to 1/2 of my day is internet related, I may aswell have some ads out there working for me.

Unlike alot of folks, I'm brutaly honest in my ad, I have pictures of my head dragons , 4 angles in fact, all around my head. I talk openly about my son and his meaning in my life. Nobody is getting any surprises after seeing my ad lol. I am who I am and I'm happy with that.

Anyway, my new Russian friend is a chemist making $250/month salary. I almost fell over when I read this. I could never support myself on such little money. Things are very different in Russia indeed. I'd hate to see what a low paying job is in Russia.

Dinara had a childhood similar to mine also so we have a common bond. Bad Childhood people of the world unite (I smell a webpage forum in that). Other than an E-PenPal I don't see how we would ever actually end up together seeing as she lives in RUSSIA, but one never knows. So far its just fun to talk to and learn about a different country and new people.

Religious Movies

In the last few days I saw two really good movies, The Prophecy and The Rapture. Both these movies have deep religious themes. I consider myself spiritual but not religious so these recommendations aren't coming from the church. How I ended up watching two religious themed movies in the last few days and enjoying them enough to recommend? Pure random coincidence.

The search for a replacement car window is still on going. Nobody in the neighborhood noticed the break in either. New Orleans is a strange city, one block is upper class while the next block down or so is ghetto as ghetto gets. I've lived in many parts of the New Orleans metro area and this seems to be the case everywhere.

I recently signed up a good friend of mine, Dale Latino, at My-WebHoster.com. I will be working on a website for his recording studio FDBigMan.com in the coming days and weeks. He does have a website in existence right now and it will be a number of days before his domain transfer is complete. Since these domain transfer times aren't an exact science, if you'd like to see my progress on his website click here.

Life is Full of Irony

Yesterday I bought a new AC unit. I got a great deal on it too, only $40. A friend of mine recently moved into a new place with central ac and was happy to get some money for it.

Yesterday was also big cleaning day. Sonny and I cleaned the house from top to bottom. It looks great too. Then late last night I made a new website for a friend. He plays the PC game, "Battlefield 2", and he runs a server to host the game for others. It must have been 5am before I finally called it quits and was somewhat satisfied in what I had come up with for the website/forum. I did this work in my living room, which is room right at the front door of my house, the closest room to the street. After cleaning all day, then web working all night I fell asleep on my couch.

You'll remember I was worried about an annonymous roofer casing my house. As it turns out I should have been thinking about my car instead. When I woke up at 11am with Sebastian blaring cartoons and eating cereal, I stepped outside to see the day. I park right in front of my door so naturaly the first thing I see is a broken out drivers side back window and -1 air conditioner. Why didn't we take it in the house last night? I don't know, but I'm definately kicking myself for it. :(

Now begins the journey of trying to find that perfect replacement glass from a salvage yard. I've been told by two people they know how to replace it. Hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg.

Moral of the story?

Procrastination will make your air conditioner disappear!

Was my joint cased?

I should probably preface this post with some information. First, I live in a house commonly called a double shotgun. Basically its one house, with two seperate apartments/homes side by side. Since I moved into my current house there has been a leak from the roof into Sebastian's bedroom. After repeated attempts by the landlord's handy man (who lives on the other side of my double shotgun) the leak is still there. So yesterday an african american gentleman, whom I've never seen prior, knocks on the door asking which room has the leak. So he is escorted to Sebastian's room, we show him where the water is coming through. He proceeds to the roof where he goes to work fixing the leak (I assumed).

Today our handy man Mike asks me if I had called a roofer to take a look at the leak in my roof. I reply no, I assume Eshyah, the landlord, made the call. As it turns out, nobody seems to have called anyone to look at my roof. Nobody has paid anyone for work that was done. The landlord, myself and the Mike have no idea who he was or why he was actually on the property.

So what possibly could be the explanation? Was this actually someone casing my house, knowing many houses in New Orleans leak because of their tremendous age and using it to gain access and confidence of the occupants (me)? I wonder if the roof was actually fixed, the next major rainfall will let me know I suppose. Should I be worried, install an alarm. . . get a guard dog?

What would you do? Can you explain the case of the roof repair guy? He was never called, never paid, yet he was there.... Inquiring minds want to know!

Digital Break

Hello again ;) As you can tell from the dates shown, it has been a number of days since last I blogged. I did actually sit down to write a couple of those days, to put it simply nothing came out. I think sometimes my mind just forces a digital break. I work on the computer, I play on the computer, in some respects I've lived many parts of my life on the computer. After a while, I just break away from it all and go hang out IRL. But I always return to this digital world, and here I am again.

Since last I wrote I have gotten a few things accomplished. I have started a new website. It is 100% dedicated to my daughter. I have always been reluctant to put my real name on the internet. I don't know why, I suppose its because I come from the old school days of BBSs. But on this website I have published my real full name along with hers, hoping she will one day put either my name or hers in the search engines and find this site dedicated to her. The content is designed soley for her eyes, I doubt many from the world population would find the website interesting. That being said, if you have the ability to link to her webpage please do. The more sites that link to it, the better it will rank on search engines when she does finally make that search. You can visit the site here.

The online shopping system at Dress To Kill is public and operational. It is already beginning to generate sales. I'm trying to get the owners to give me a couple employees to speed up the process of getting their inventory online. We'll see what happens.

Well I just wanted to touch base, say hello and let you know I'm still doing just fine. Constantly working toward my goals, and making them one at a time.

Until Next Time~

Independance Day

Here we are again, July 4th, Independance Day. Sebastian is going with his friend to watch the fire works. He's very excited. I have a few black cats left over from last year I will probably shoot into the sky in celebration, but for the most part I will most likely be at home.

Essence Festival seemed to go really well this year. In recent years there has been trouble in relation to this event. For some reason this year everyone was very tame, had a good time and didn't shoot anyone (atleast I haven't heard any such reports on the news yet).

I do hope you have fun this 4th of July. Time for me to get back to work.

Friday Night Movies

Well here it is friday night. Originaly tonite was to be movie night with a couple of women that Uncle Sonny knows. As it turns out, the woman that was to be my blind date ended up in a car wreck. O.O Talk about meant to be alone lol.. The cosmos are trying to tell me something! So in some odd way I feel like the third wheel in my own house. Oh well, lol it's good to see Sonny smiling. He's been depressed looking around the house lately.

I sent the letter to Martina today in the mail. I gave her my email address again to try and promote free contact. When I was in Minnesota last year trying to get in touch with my daughter, I tried to get an email address from my exwife, for either my daughter or her. Trista (my exwife) knows I'm a computer nerd lol, but she wouldn't give me an email saying something was wrong with it anyway. I told her about free email accounts and offered an email on one of my domains, she declined lol.

At work today they pulled me out of my office and on to the sales floor. It was a nice change of pace, I'm actually a very good sales person. I have good communication skills and I tend to be able to relate to all kinds of different people, this helps alot in sales :) I spent a couple hours writing ".com" on every business card I could find. Since I'm responsible for www.DressToKill.com and it's success. I wanted to make sure all of this Essence Festival traffic was informed of the website so we can generate sales from this crowd year round. While I was writing on the business cards I had a number of opportunities to promote www.My-WebHoster.com. It's all about business :)

Well it's time to pick out the movie. I hope its interesting enough to keep me distracted from all that (.)(.) I don't have, over there having fun on the couch lol