Hit the Switches

I finally ordered a new switch for my home network. I was going to order the same type from Dell, but I found this one for $0.74 less, including shipping. So I made out like a bandit.

I need the switch because I continually add devices to my network, and I'm tired of unplugging my printer or web server to connect a laptop for the night. I am running CAT5 to my Xbox this weekend, and I have nowhere to plug it in. This 24-port switch solves my problem.

I'm trying to raise money for a new firewall, but my campaign is going very slowly. My only method for raising the money is getting up and going to work every day. Maybe by Christmas I'll have what I need.

Oh, and if anyone knows why my Fedora Core 3 router won't forward UDP packets for me, I'd like some help. Thanks.

Discouraged

Today I feel a bit discouraged. I'm tired and I think my monitor is getting ready to die.

I don't have much to talk about because I don't do very much during any given day. I go to work and come home, sit at my computer when I'm not holding my daughter, and go to bed. Weekends aren't much different.

John Mayer is great. I just downloaded a song (I could find no other way to get it) by John. It was "Why Georgia," my favorite song. The track I downloaded was a live recording of John playing along with Brad Paisley.

John wrote that song when he was 20 or 21, I think. He had just left college without finishing and went to Atlanta to pursue his career in music. He played at Eddie's Attic, which, from what I understand is a small bar of sorts in downtown Atlanta. He also played other venues, but that one I've heard him talk about.

Now he's playing on stage with a well-known country singer (at least for that song) a song he wrote when he was still dreaming about doing just what he does now.

Maybe someday I'll get where I want to be. I don't know exactly where that is, but I'm sure I'll know when I get there.

Intel Apple Core

What's Really Behind the Apple-Intel Alliance - New York Times

I don't like Intel, but it's nice to know that Apple Computer will begin using Intel processors in 2006. That, to me, brings Apple down a notch in status, with some hope that the machines will become more affordable.

I've always secretly wanted a Mac, but couldn't ever afford one. Hell, the dual-G5 still starts at $1999, and comes to $2474 before shipping, tailored to my liking. That includes no monitor. Just the box and a keyboard/mouse. I can build a very hot 64-bit gaming system with twice the hard drive space and two 19" LCD monitors for that.

So the news of Apple using Intel processors puts hope in my future for affording a Mac and learning its secrets. And hopefully I'll find out what makes it better than any other computer.

Carnage

I got my new desk today, but not without a fight. The weather has been bad lately, with the tropical storm and all. Wouldn't be so bad if Florida would keep their hurricanes under control. They just let the damn storm go everywhere, instead of keeping it to themselves. It's like they're farting in front of a fan in a room of 500 people. Assholes.

I love my new desk. It's 2592 in² of prime real estate for my work. I no longer will be found in a toddler's chair in confusion over which keyboard I have. It's all laid out in front of me. Doesn't mean I'll blog any more than I have previously.

Beth is studying sociology today. It's pretty rough stuff. One time it put her in a deep sleep, just from having the book set in front of her. I can't imagine what she's going through; I know I couldn't get into sociology or public speaking. I'm a technologist, not an arts student. If I had to read that much theological and philosophical text, I'd never get a job. Bring on the machines, though, and I'm ready for anything.

Back to Florida. As my readers might imagine, I have some beef with that state. I think they should leave the country, or just sell the state to Disney. They'd just have to rent Kennedy to NASA. If they had kept this storm under control, I wouldn't have to pick up limbs in the yard (I just mowed two days ago, and Florida's fucking up my hard work.) And in the words of George W. Bush, "It's hard work!"
But at least I'm not reading sociology.

Would He Win Now?

One of the articles I read in this morning's news talked about Bush's job approval ratings. Sure, the sample size was very low, but that doesn't stop the poll from making a point.

"I don't think he's read his history enough about different countries and foreign affairs," said Harvie, a political independent who lives near San Diego, a region with several military bases. "Anything they try to do in Iraq has spelled trouble. I think he bit off more than he can chew."

When, in fact, I don't think the President reads much at all. Haven't you heard him read aloud to the public? It's like listening to the slow kid read in class. Of course, I'd probably sound the same, but I'm not the president. Back to the topic:

Would he win now? What would John Kerry's approval ratings look like? It'd be nice to discuss this with someone, but I don't think I can find anyone around here who doesn't support that assclown.

I Don't Know

What to write about. I quit reading the news because I don't have the time, and the local newspaper delivery fuck can't get his/her shit straight. Five days after I e-mailed a cancellation request due to sporadic delivery, I got another paper. WTF?

That's all. I'm pretty boring lately.