Diary of a Network Geek

No, really, actual Zen!

According to this article on Business Week, more companies are offering free, on-site meditation and yoga classes to help their employees deal with stress. I have to admit that I’d actually get into that. I’m so pressed for time these days that I have a hard time working in any meditation time or spiritual practice, so having it at work would help a lot. Also, lessons and classes can get kind of expensive and, since the job market is still in the hamper, money is pretty tight.
Of course, I don’t have a very stressful job right now, either so I guess I don’t need it that bad. And, I have this blog to let of steam with, too! Ah, well, it would still be a great benefit to get.

I’m not sure if this is good, or not…

I tend to think it’s not good, but, then again, as someone who would like to make their living at producing copyrighted works, I like the protection it would give me. According to this article on Wired News, a pair of Democrats, Reps. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Howard Berman (D-Calif.), have introduced a bill that would land a person in prison for up to five years and impose a fine of up to $250,000 for uploading a single file to a peer-to-peer network.
At first look, this seems a little harsh, but that’s been the penalty for illegally copying software for a really long time. And, while it seems like a nasty penalty for something that so many people seem to be doing, violating copyright is illegal. I guess my problem with it is that there seems to be some issues involved here that haven’t been completely addressed. Things like, when I buy a CD, what do I really own? Is it the right to listen to the music? Or have I bought a license to the music, or the CD? Anyway, it’s a little bothersome, to me, that they don’t seem to have worked out all the details of what is really legal, but they’re already stumping for really big penalties.
This is one to watch, folks.

Hey, this makes NASA all worth while!

No, really! According to this article in our own Houston Chronicle, NASA let a woman who moved to Houston from Russia get married to a Russian Cosmonaut in their command center this past weekend. And, considering that she plans to move back to Russia to be with her new husband, it was mighty generous of them. Too bad we couldn’t get him to move to Houston!
Anyway, a fun story for a Friday.

The tides of change are lapping at the “offshore”.

At least, according to this article on YahooNews, IBM is catching a lot of flack from both employees and politicians for their plan to move a significant number of programming jobs “offshore”. They don’t specify where, but they won’t be jobs for Americans. But, I see this as a good sign.
First, politicians are finally starting to take notice of their constituant’s problems and concerns. This has been going on for quite a while now, but not too many folks have been willing to speak out about it, much less do anything about it.
Second, IBM is getting pressure, both political and social, to change their policy. This, in my opinion, is the way to handle these issues. Social pressure, economic pressure and political pressure can all be brought to bear on these decisions. We, the American Workers, can influence this stuff. And we should.
And, third, there’s been talk of an IT union again. Now, I grew up in Chicago, so I know about unions and some of the problems that can go with them, but… But, once upon a time, unions protected the American Worker from business and politics that would have chewed them up and spat them out. So, even though I’m not a big fan of unions, maybe it’s time for one.

In any case, it’s a great article and it does show that we can make a difference!

Can it be true?

Well, according to this story on CNet News, Novell is seriously thinking about moving to an all Linux platform. Is this good, bad, or does it make any difference at all?
I don’t know, but I know it’s interesting. Not too long ago, Novell said they’d “support” Linux. Then, last week, they bought Ximian. Now, this news. I don’t know what it means, but it sure is interesting.
But, this story on eWeek would seem to indicate differently. Two conflicting stories about where Novell is going with Linux. Well, at least they’re in the news!!
But, again, it makes me really, really glad that I’ve been focusing on my Linux skills lately!

See what happens when I start reading new in Australia?

According to this article on Australia IT, there’s a company out there offering free servers! Well, not quite “free”…
The hardware is free, but you have to buy their services. Sort of like that “free PC” craze that went on a couple of years back. Of course, that was the boom times, but still, it’s interesting. At least, it’s interesting to a Network Geek!

Is free e-mail a threat to the free world?

According to this article on the Austrailian News Interactive site, the Austrailian Federal Police seem to think it is. If I understand who they are, the AFP is like the US FBI, so they’re national security heavy-weights. Anyway, they are working with free e-mail providers to make it easier to track anonymous threats, fraud and other crimes that are carried out via e-mail. That’s all well and good, but at least one “former NCA member”, whatever that is, by the name of Greg Melick said “Do away with free internet (email) accounts…” Which seems a little too harsh. On the other hand, he also said “Microsoft and others who provide these services have to be brought to heel.” And, I’m all for putting the screws to the Evil Empire.

Anyway, all you YahooMail and HotMail users might think about all that. Enjoy it while you can.

In celebration of my business travel being postponed, we saw a movie yesterday.

Earlier this week, as I was about to buy airline tickets, which I can’t really afford, I was told to “WAIT!” So, this project, or at least my end of it, having been put on indefinate hold, we decided to see a movie to celebrate.
First, I think it’s important that I say Pirates of the Caribbean was NOT my first choice. I was out-voted two-to-one by my wife and daughter.
But, I have to admit, I was very, very pleasantly suprised. This was a GREAT movie! Obviously, it’s about pirates, but it’s more than that. It’s about a curse on pirate gold, stolen from the ancient Aztecs. The story follows Jack Sparrow, er “Captian” Jack Sparrow, in his quest to regain the Black Pearl, his pirate ship lost to a mutiny.
The story also follow Will Turner in his quest to find out who he is and marry the fair Elizabeth who is the daughter of the local British Governer. Will, it turns out, is the son of a very important pirate who has the secret to lifting the curse. Only, he doesn’t know it, of course.

But, before I spoil any more plot, let me say that this movie had something for everyone. There was adventure, of course. After all, how could a movie about pirates not have adventure? There was romance. After all, how could a movie about pirates not have romance? And, there were wonderfully animated corpses. (Really, the special effects were so good they were almost an additional character.) Johnny Depp, who plays “Captain” Jack Sparrow, does a wonderful job of combining comedy, action and drama. And, I have to admit, he’s not too bad with a cutlass.
This movie is really a great one and good for just about the whole family. Anyone who could survive the Disney ride should enjoy this film. Go see it!

Why, oh why, would someone send me their resume?

This morning, I got an e-mail from someone over in India that read:
Hello,
My name is G. and I am working in Coimbatore, India as a Systems Engineer. I have 2 years and 6 months experience in Systems Administration, Networking and Systems Hardware. I am currently doing my CCNA. Iam looking for a change in my career from my current workplace and I do not have any location preference.
So iam forwarding me resume to your desk. I you find my Resume upto your expectaions please feel free to mail me. I will be waiting for your reply.
Thanking you,
G.

What makes this idiot think I have a job to give him? Did he not look at MY resume? Has he not read my blog?
Granted, he was, at least, asking to move, I assume to this country, but c’mon! I mean, I think I make my feelings pretty clear about importing workers when there are plenty qualified workers here that need jobs. I’m also not real hot on spammers, of any kind. See, it’s pretty obvious to me that this guy spammed my Inbox with his resume. Like I mentioned right off, if he’d read my website, he’d have known my position and my status as an employer.

Okay, I’m done ranting now.

Hey, it’s Friday!

So, relax and have a little geeky fun!! Do you like Star Wars? Did you ever play with Legos? (Do you still play with Legos?) Then you’ll love The Star Wars Alphabet Project!
No, really, it’s kind of cute and funny. And, for me at least, it brings back memories of a kinder, gentler age when I had time to play with Legos. You know, college.