Well after making the connection from Blogger to FaceBook, I started to look at the Core of the platform, and decided to switch to WordPress as my blogging platform. If you want to hear more details, please let me know.
Update – 09-Dec-07 @ 13:14
Another thing that just came across is the ability to use MS Word 2007 to blog to WordPress!
Really easy!
Note – Need to say the Local Block page as Native MS 2007 format (.docx)
Couple of weeks ago, I got knocked off the internet, and it took me awhile to figure out what when wrong.
Background –
I’m working with a new client and their application requires a high speed network to do what they want to do. So I finally had an excuse to purchase 1GB network equipment upgrade: a Network switch and a Network NIC.
I installed the switch and NIC without issue, and proceeded to “clean out” my Server.
I literally pulled all cables and took the machine out to the garage and used an air compressor to dust the beast out.
After the major dusting, in which clouds of dust escaped from the open garage, I also removed several unused PCI cards, and finally put things back together, and got the internal network running, but could not connect to the internet.
Issues –
I could connect to all my internal machines, but I could not connect from any machine out via Name.
Oddly, I could “ping” outside servers by IP address, but could not by Name, even when directly connected to the cable modem.
A couple of times, after hard resetting the cable modem and firewall/router, there would be access for a while, or be deathly slow.
Resolution –
I had to shut down shutdown the network, except for the main server.
Opened DNS manager and cleared any and all DNS caches, along with stopping and starting the server, and a reboot or two for good measure.
Then directly connected the main server to the “cable modem” via wired ethernet.
I changed the Server’s static IP address to be on the same sub-net as the cable modem (192.168.100.1).
Connect to OpenDNS, and delete the old IP information, and setup new IP information.
Reconfig the server back to it’s original IP range, connect firewall/router to modem, and reconnect to OpenDNS.
Finds –
I went through all my settings, machine by machine, flushed caches, renewed IP, reset WinSock, etc.
Lessons Learned –
Since I originally ran into this issue, it has happen one more time, but I immediately connected the server to the cable modem, reestablished OpenDNS connectivity, and moved ethernet cables back. (Estimated time: 10 minutes vs. Hours of Troubleshooting)
I have also downloaded and installed the OpenDNS agent, and is running all the time.
Rather obscure way to get into a system, but none the less..
If you use Adobe Illustrator (.eps), then you might want to take a look at this…
Apparently, a Bad Person could alter an Illustrator EPS file in such a way that the Bad Person could gain access to your computer.
Adobe is still investigating and plans to have a patch shortly.
This is a rehash of a Facebook conversation from earlier today….
Originally, I posted a link to “Google Public DNS offers speed, few features” in which I made the comments that this could get interesting, and ended up doing a quick DNS description:
“DNS is a foundation level services that helps run the internet. Every device on the internet has a unique IP number that usually takes the form of [74.125.53.100]. Since humans are not that good with remembering numbers, we add names, such as google.com… What DNS does is translate backwards and forwards of IP Numbers [74.125.53.100] to Human Name [google.com]. Think of DNS as a Yellow & White pages phonebook for the internet.”
“When one connects to the internet from home or at work, that device uses DNS to find “stuff” for you. If you have an ISP (Comcast, Verizon, etc.) they give you their DNS Server addresses, which is fine for most folks, but with a little bit of techo-tink, one can access Open Public DNS servers that are usually faster then an ISPs, so your access is a bit faster.”
“Setting up your account is primary, but once done, the basics are that you need to access your router/firewall and change the DNS servers that they are “pointed to”. Some routers offer away to add more the two (2) entries. If this is possible, make your Open Public DNS servers the Top priority in the list.”
As a reference:
OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Google Public DNS
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
What an amazing year for pumpkin carving!
There were several new faces, and the competition was high!
Ya gotta start some where!
Pumpkin Brains removed…
This year, we even had a few carvers, that went all out!
Here is a little more detail
and here is my favorite! Thanks Cory!
Great job everyone!
and see you next year!