Random Opinions
Synergy is a great little program for controlling multiple computers easily from a single keyboard/mouse. You still need the monitors lined up but it lets you use them as a single large virtual desktop, and behaves much better than win2vnc for automatic connection/disconnection.
With my new digital camera, I figured it was time to get dedicated and create a proper album on the web so everyone could look at it. Coppermine Gallery seemed the most popular so I now have it set up and working cialisviagras.net. The only downside is it really needs a mass-edit feature for captions and descriptions (I’m using MySQL Administrator at the moment, which is like crushing a walnut with a Ford Explorer).
Finally bit the bullet and upgraded my hosting to use a Virtual Private Server (using DEHE as my host) and have been having a lot of fun setting it up, thinking about what I can do with it, not to mention having 200G of transfer available. Been slowly moving all my hosted boards to it and working on setting up MUDs, BitTorrent hosting and all sorts of other creamy goodness.
My work PC and monitor was shipped via FedEx from Pittsburgh to San Jose. I just have to say that FedEx really knows how to beat the living crap out of packages. They really looked like they had been dropped 3 or 4 floors onto some irregular object. The most amazing thing was the stand for the LCD was actually sheared apart in two places on the base – definitely not something that casual mistreatment could possibly do.
On a side note – I’ve never seen UPS or even US Post treat packages that badly. Only FedEx.
Just reading through Bruce Schneier’s essays and op-eds and I have to say that as usual he’s an incredibly smart guy who really knows the deal with security, even when it’s applied to non-geek stuff.
From Airline Security a Waste of Cash
Exactly two things have made airline travel safer since 9/11: reinforcement of cockpit doors, and passengers who now know that they may have to fight back. Everything else — Secure Flight and Trusted Traveler included — is security theater.
From Unchecked Presidential Power
Laws are what give us security against the actions of the majority and the powerful. If we discard our constitutional protections against tyranny in an attempt to protect us from terrorism, we’re all less safe as a result.
From Airplane Security and Metal Knives
Maybe people who have watched MacGyver should never be allowed to fly.
Honestly, every one of Bruce’s essays is a must read for anyone who remotely thinks that we are either more or less secure since 9/11, or who is actually interested in their own security.