Monthly Archive for April, 2007

A Lovely Day

Published on April 30, 2007 in General. 1 Comment

My parents were out last weekend.  We had a really nice time, and the weather (for once) was sunny instead of raining.  We Rode the Duck [ridetheducksofseattle.com] and went to the Space Needle [spaceneedle.com].

While riding the duck over the State Route 99 bridge that crosses Lake Union, the guide played Lovely Day by Bill Withers over the speakers.  Looking around at the Seattle area, with the hills, green trees everywhere, the lake below, the cool breeze, the mountains in the distance, and the song playing in the background, everything was just wonderful.  Seattle and the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful, and I’m thankful that I’m able to live in such a great place, doing work that, while very difficult, is very satisfying and rewarding.

Next time you’re down, close your eyes, and picture yourself in your favorite place, whether it be on a roller coaster, on the beach, or just sitting in a public park flying a kite.

After all… it’s gonna be a Lovely Day.

Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (July – December 2006)

Published on April 25, 2007 in Microsoft. 2 Comments

I had the pleasure of working with Jeff Williams et. al. on this report.  It discusses software vulnerabilities, malicious code threats, and potentially unwanted software information for the second half of 2006.  For the curious, the focus on rogue security software is where I contributed.  You can download the PDF version of the report through a download button available here [microsoft.com].

This post is provided “AS IS” without warranty, and confers no rights.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center Preview

Published on April 25, 2007 in Microsoft. 3 Comments

We just announced this [microsoft.com] at RSA Japan.  Thought you might like to see it.  :)

This post is provided “AS IS” without warranty, and confers no rights.

Insight into what “limited attack” really means

Published on April 25, 2007 in Microsoft. 1 Comment

Here’s a blog post that I find interesting.  Hopefully you will, too.  It’s entitled So now we know… the story behind a “limited attack” and provides some interesting thoughts on how potential attacks are rated as limited or widespread.

Click here [msmvps.com] to read.

This post is provided “AS IS” without warranty, and confers no rights.

Back to the default theme

Published on April 25, 2007 in Blog. 3 Comments

Yes, the default theme is back.  In the post before this, I included code to show a Soapbox video.  In the Amsterdam theme, part of the video’s right side was hidden due to the narrow column the theme has where it shows blog posts.  Making my own theme is on a long to-do list, but for now, I’m back on the default.  I did make a few tweaks on the sidebar to show the same things as I did on the Amsterdam theme (such as the weather), and also kept the login/register links exposed, as that makes sense to have.

I’m addicted to Lumines

Published on April 24, 2007 in General. 1 Comment

Hey everyone.  Long time no post.  Quite frankly I just haven’t disciplined myself to sit and write.  I’ve had the time, just haven’t done it.

So what have I been up to?  Well, Cedar Point opens in 18 days!  Tickets are bought, hotel room reserved, season pass is here, I’m ready to go!  Next trip after that is most likely CoasterMania, but I don’t have anything purchased yet regarding that trip.  Then, closing weekend.  :(   Let’s not think about that yet.

I’ve also played the living crap out of Lumines (pronounced loo-min-ess).  Last year it appeared on Xbox Live, and after I had that version, I ran out and bought a PSP so I could play it, say, while flying back and forth (need something to do when flying all those miles – and I can only stare at a book for so long).  For those that aren’t familiar with the game, the object is to make same-colored blocks, and they are swept away when the timeline crosses.  Sounds weird, but peek at this video up on Soapbox to see how it works.  (This is from a Japanese console, so the ’squished’ look I believe is caused by PAL versus NTSC, but I could be way off.)

Video: Lumines Live!

Here’s another video, much longer, up on YouTube that shows the skins available in the Base game.

I like puzzle-type games, so this was a natural win.  What I really enjoy is how the audio is dictated by piece movements.  Example is when the pieces are dropped, it makes a sound.  When a piece is rotated, that has a sound, and so on, making the gameplay a unique experience during each session.  The audio, piece colors, and background change as you progress (these are skins).  The one in the video is my favorite skin, named Circles.  Check out the demo if you have a Xbox 360.

The temperature is finally warming up outside.  Still having rain now and again (it is Seattle after all) but I don’t mind.  When it’s nice out, as in sunny and 65 ~ 70 fahrenheit, I grab lunch off campus or such so I can enjoy it.

My parents visit this weekend; it’ll be nice to see them and have them out here again.  They were out last year, and it was kind of rushed, but this time we have a little extra time and have planned a few things to do in the Seattle area so they can see downtown and such.

My main laptop (Dell Inspiron 8600) passed the 3-year-old mark.  The warranty’s expired, and it’s showing signs that soon the time will come to replace it.  Maybe 6 months down the road.  I’m thinking a Tablet PC, preferably a slate model (no keyboard), from Motion Computing, but that’s the dream machine… we’ll see what reality dictates I purchase.  Any laptop suggestions are appreciated, just keep in mind that I’m looking for what I call a portable desktop, which means lots of RAM, 7200 rpm hard drive, and so on.

Oh, I bought new networking equipment.  The Linksys WRT55AG (Version 2 for those that care) was just a piece ‘o junk.  It would have worked out great for it was an a/b/g WAP/router, but it locked up all the time, or rebooted itself, or would stop talking over the WAN port… longest stretch it worked was a month, but average time was about 2 days between power cycles.  It’s been replaced by a ZyXEL ZyWALL 2 Plus (what a great router!), a Linksys 8-port gigabit switch, and a D-Link a/b/g WAP (no router in this one).  Finally finally finally my network is stable.

The ZyWALL 2 Plus has a TON of options, and quite frankly, for home use, is probably too much for the average user.  I love options and geeky things, so it fits well with what I want.  Lots of security options (it’s main purpose is an Internet Security applicance).  Read about it here.

Well that’s all I have for now.  Leave your comments – the more you leave, the more inclined I am to post. ;)   Take care.