Single sign on
Since I am going to start migrating all my web logins to a single sign on approach (using Chris Zarate SuperGenPass), I think the best way to start is by saving the bookmarklet I will have to use over and over. There is a Greasemonkey version available, which has much more features than this bookmarklet version. I will use the latest because it works with all browsers.
The bookmarklet is: Single Sign on.. Drag and drop it on you … ⌘ Read more
Shameful website
Have you ever tried going to the U.S. website for Kenwood? Kenwood, you know, that audio equipment, transceivers maker, etc? Go look! They ought to be ashamed! ⌘ Read more
Beware!
There is a flu strain going around. I am not sure of how vast its geographic coverage will be, I just know I caught a drop –or a bucket– of it here in Orlando, Central Florida.
Now this sucker is not like any other. At least for me it isn’t. This one blocks your nose and lungs and converts you into a phlegm dispenser machine. It gives you pain in all your joins (joins, not loins!), head and eyes. It will take your appetite away, it will give you flatulence. It will not let you sleep and it will bother you w … ⌘ Read more
Good bye MMIV. Welcome MMV!
And here I am, to wish good byes to 2004 and to greet 2005. The year 2004 was a heck of a year, too many things to write in just a couple of minutes. Just one true thing, everything we—the Collantes’ family—did go through was worth the journey.
So, 2005 starts and with it my often erratic and/or pedantic ramblings. To all a prosperous, peaceful, hopeful, fruitful 2005. Just love one to each other, everything else comes after. ⌘ Read more
A busy week
It has been a busy week. On Monday classes will start and, as you can imagine, a lot of things are left to the last moment on a Campus. It is also true that Murphy’s Law applies as well on that final week: if something is going to go wrong, it will certainly go wrong. If you are thinking Microsoft Exchange you are on the right track.
You see, when I installed Exchange 2003 I swear I installed the Enterprise version. Of course I did not; I guess Windows 2003 Enterprise Server got me confused. Running th … ⌘ Read more
Dropping BellSouth
Our VoIP gateway shipped yesterday and it should reach us around August 3rd (Tuesday). We are going to try Voice over IP technology and service, from Lingo. The reason why? Save money. Lingo VoIP service is $20 for unlimited long distance for US, Canada and Western Europe. Very –very– competitive fees to the rest of the world. And you get all the other goodies (caller ID, call waiting, return call, *69, voicemail, etc. [See more](https://www.lingo.com/guWeb/ … ⌘ Read more
Sunday morning rants
As I previously wrote, I believe IE is no match to Firefox. I will tell everyone I know about its problems, I will show those to them if I can. I will praise the goods of Firefox, so everyone I know will enjoy web browsing as much as I am. But…
One thing is not using IE and another thing is not serving pages to those using it. That’s plain wrong. It is like going to a japanese restaurant and have sushi … ⌘ Read more
Week recount
Nothing major happened during the last week that I can recall. Someone called me a copycat and accused me of copying another site, which was a totally baseless accusation and hence not worth of occupying more space here. We have been looking —well, Kim more than I— for a pre-school for KM without much success. That’s pretty much it.
I am going to try and do some exercises starting tonight, since the lack of it is taking its toll on my body. It is not only the gaining of fat on certain spots that … ⌘ Read more
It happened again
Last Friday family got together in our house and some photos were taken. Well, it happened again, just this time there was no other family around, but the three of us. We were making time to go over the airport to pick Khanh (brother-in-law) and girlfriend up, so I snapped a few photos, from which I have choosen five. It is mainly about KM, but Kim is in one of them, for the first time!
Something bad about the night … ⌘ Read more
Short and sweet
Just a quick post, short and sweet, while my wife and kid still sleep and I patiently wait for the ServerBeach people to fix the mess on my server (the other server). Can you believe that I lost connection last night, went to sleep and this morning I found that my IP goes to a Windows 2003 server? Boy, talk about some big time screw up!
I have 15 (fifteen, that is) invitations for Gmail that I am giving out for free. If anyone wants one, go ahead and [email … ⌘ Read more
Futilely insisting
Human nature is quite interesting and I type so based on my own experience. I am talking about myself.
It amazes me that I keep going to check for new entries or read comments, once — and sometimes two, three, four times — a day on Ambivalent.US, when I disagree 9 out of 10 with everything the owner has to say (actually, write). Same thing happens with Hivelogic, I go there every day just to find a bo … ⌘ Read more
Expect changes
I know it has been a long time. I guess other things are using my mind and what’s left is not enough to dedicate on this. I have been back in Orlando for two weeks already, time is flying.
Wanted to get DSL, ordered and before receiving the modem cancelled. Bell South wants you to use their SMTP server and nothing else and I can not accept that. Modem is going back and I am back to my old cable modem.
Placed two cameras for auction on eBay, they are not selling that well. Let’s keep hoping … ⌘ Read more
It has been a ride, UCF
I am leaving the College of Business and, hence, the University of Central Florida. When I started working for UCF almost eight years ago I did not know I was going to stay that long, but most important of all, I did not know it was going to be that much fun. It has certainly been a ride, a good one. I learned a lot in all aspects and for that I am grateful.
I had the opportunity to work with excellent people in a very healthy working environment. Accepting the fact that nothing is … ⌘ Read more
First working week; about to start
The 2004 first working week (at least for me) is about to start. I know it is going to be difficult after 4 and a half days off, but hey, “a man has to do what a man has to do…”. I hope we (TRC staff) will know early this week who was the choosen one for the position we interviewed people for.
Went to sleep early today (around 2:00 AM). I was playing with [AnyDVD](ht … ⌘ Read more
Happy New Year 2004!
As we get closer to changing years —in some parts of the world it is already 2004— I feel like going over the things that happened to us (the Collantes’ family) during 2003. I may not have enough to write about to make this a serious entry, but here I go.
This year we are leaving behind brought very few things, but some made a deep impact in our lives at this point. To start with, we turned out one year older (duh!) and, hence, gained on experience (yeah, right!). We reached our 5th … ⌘ Read more
Good bye 2003!
Twenty one days is a long time without talking to you. Yes, you, the one reading here at this very moment. Even though I had my reasons I am afraid they were way too lame to be used, so I am not bailing out. A lot has happened since the last post, let’s recount.
At work we had had the most controversial and lenghty hiring process ever. It has been going throughout the whole month, more or less, and still extends to the new year. Moods changed, feelings were hurt. In all and all, I think it will en … ⌘ Read more
Mid-life Crisis
When does mid-life crisis starts? I mean, how old do you need to be to start feeling the effects of it and, furthermore, what are such effects?
The reason I am asking all this is because, even thought I am barely on my 35th, I think –I just have that impression– that I am slowly, but at a very fast pace (talk about paradox here!), moving into my own version of mid-life crisis. I want to think it is version 1.0. Now, how many versions and for how long?
What’s going on with me? Hmm, hard … ⌘ Read more
That simple life
Reading an email from my oldest brother today, I went back to the days of my infancy, when life was so simple. You see, these days no one will dare to drop by your house without previously calling; you will ride you car even if it is to go just around the corner for a bottle of milk, or a six pack—for those who drink. Everything has it’s price: “Would you do such-and-such for me?”, “Sure, it will be $25.” or “How much are you going to pay me?” And the money part will be normal and ex … ⌘ Read more
Dissecting a Nigerian scam
I am almost willing to bet that you know what I mean when I type “ Nigerian scam”. It has been going around under different subjects, using different names and approaching the scam in a multitude of different ways. The ultimate goal is simply one: to get you bite their scam so they can [get money](http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/scams/nigeria.htm “Some more explanati … ⌘ Read more
The never-ending story
I am living the never-ending story with this website. It all comes down to lack of time. It could be also that the little time I have free I am dedicating to my family, but then again, that’s also lack of time.
Just a recount of the things that had occurred since the last time: we got cable for the first time (mainly for the enjoyment of Kent Martin and mother); our TV is kind of failing, so we go another; Kim got her first job interview, which she graciously flunked (hey, job sear … ⌘ Read more
On a training, for two days
I am going through a Windows 2003 training for two days. A few things we are talking about here I have already played with, some others are boooring! But it could be worse, at least it is not a Microsoft sales pitch.
It does feels weird to be away from work, I am not used to Trainings of this kind. It feels weird as well to be typing this from the classroom, while the instructor is going through his Powerpoint presentation. Botton line is, the chair where I am sitting is ve … ⌘ Read more
On hiatus…
Well, collantes.US will go on hiatus for a while. I have some other things on my hands that are taking some—or a great part—of my free time. That’s it. Entries will resume soon. Not very soon, but soon. When that happens the site might look slightly different. Those of you out there that have been coming here now and then already know what I mean… 😄
That said… cheers, you all! ⌘ Read more
A new server, a new life
Well, I have finally moved to my own collocated server. I know you saw nothing here for a while, then you probably saw some errors and now we are finally back, running smoothly, we want to think.
This new server is connected to a faster pipe, so you should see an improvement: pages should load faster and site availability should be around 98 or 99%. That’s about it!
There are a few things to left to do, so off I go. I will return later, hopefully with much more interesting … ⌘ Read more
Newly digital
I started using computers back in 1985. The PC’s I used were old dinosaurs, running at the blazing speeds of 2 MHz, with 640KB of RAM, no hard drive and 5” ¼ floppy drives. I could turn the machine on and go to flirt with girls on the halls of my college while it was booting. Sometimes I even had time to make out!
Programing was done with Quick Basic or Turbo Basic, and floppies had to be swaped at times, in endless search of the “command.com”. I had a whole collection of floppies, all carefu … ⌘ Read more
Things are changing… once again
Things are changing around here once again. I am going to try, once again, to please my mind on this little spot. There has been a gap, since the last time I posted, but I had had my reasons. Uncle Eddie died and now, almost a month after, I feel the same emptiness I felt the first day.
I am working on a Webmail for family use. For those who already have a username and password, go ahead and give it a try. I am try … ⌘ Read more
A short and tiresome weekend
This has been a short weekend and I am tired. I wish I could talk about the great things I did, but it was mainly staying home, going to mom-in-law house and being with baby (and wife), of course.
I can tell I am growing old at a fast pace. You see, we are all moving towards elderly, that’s nothing new, but it does normally happens slow, or doesn’t it? Well, if that is the case –that is, it happens slow–, I do not know what failed on me. It seems like the years w … ⌘ Read more
Definitely, humans are born violent
War topics are prime news. From the time we wake up to the hour we go to sleep, war news are the focus of people’s attention. We are a violent race, it is not a stereotype: humans are born violent.
My son is barely two years old. He hasn’t seen violent television programs, our home is a stable one, no fights, no yelling. Still, when he is around his little cousin, and more often that we would like, he constantly hits her. They play along, like pals, but … ⌘ Read more
Nuclear Blackmail, North Korean Style
Looks like the only thing a poor country, or a country in deep economical problems, has to do to turn things around and get all major powers striving to come up with a solution —which in the case I am talking about is recognition, non-aggression treaty and, most important of all, economical aid— is to publicly say it is going to build a nuclear bomb or that is in the process to do it. That is the case of North Korea, of course.
All major countries ar … ⌘ Read more
Iraq, are we going to war?
If you have been following the news you already know about the Iraq situation. You might still be asking yourself why are we building up such a massive military power in the area, that is, Middle East. Right, you are not questioning that, since you know the answer: we are going to war. What you might be thinking is whether or not we should be there, should we care. All valid questions.
Why Iraq, when no one has yet to see a proof of it’s nuclear/chemical, “weapons of mass … ⌘ Read more
Parents at home
We have my parents visiting for Christmas and New Year. Kent Martin is already showing his happiness and he remembered my dad. I am glad it is not too cold — at least for now — so my parents time is more enjoyable (meaning they will be able to go out with us and such). I have miss them a lot and I am really happy to have them with us for a while. It is curious, but now that I am older — and a father myself — I really appreciate what my parents did for me. Money can’t buy, not even Mastercard … ⌘ Read more
Redesign on the horizon
Pretty soon I will be redesigning. I am not sure what I will do yet, but the main site will change. Additionally, I will be adding an extra blog using MT (Movable Type).
On the main site I am not sure whether to go simplistic or zeldmanian, but changes are due, since I am also changing the way I have been writing lately. The domain Collantes.US will become the echo of my thoughts on technology, science, religion, politics and everything else in between. Stay tuned, if you want. Or … ⌘ Read more
Coming back: Happy Thanksgiving!
Howdy all! Finally coming back on track now. Kid still sick but getting better, pain on my back still there, but feeling hopeful on both fronts.
It is the evening before Thanksgiving and a long weekend is ahead. My parents are coming up to visit on Friday, so I guess it is going to be quite busy. I am back, logs shall flow, as they did before. I have a lot to talk about and I certainly need to come here to upload.
For my fellow Americans, enjoy Thanksgiving, b … ⌘ Read more
How to better protect Kent Martin?
Today was a sad day. I had good times, but my kid felt and badly bruised his lips and that shattered any happy moment I had. I feel like my hands are tied up, because I can not be with him 100% of the time to protect him. I know that even thought I could be with him all the time, I would not be able to protect him against everything. It just hurts me a lot to see him hurting. I wish I could trade and be the one bruised.
I feel tired, so I shall go to sleep. Pe … ⌘ Read more
Kind of quiet lately, I know
I have been quite quiet lately, I know. I have been going to sleep early and, when not, thinking and working on other site, which is not finished yet, by the way. I have been reading a bit too, something I used to do more and had neglected.
I am buying a Tablet PC soon (like tomorrow or so). It will be my first laptop in 9 years. I will let you know my first impressions as soon as I have it on my hands.
Going to sleep now. I hope to have more interesting things to wr … ⌘ Read more
Good bye October, hello November!
Today was a long day. I went to the dentist in the morning, with no little stress. Even though I has been going to the dentist since I was 5 years old, when I grew older I also grew a fear of them, I do not know why. Got to the dentist at 10:30 AM and, between x-rays and “impressions” (they put like a mold on your mouth to create a replica of your tooth in plastic), explanations and work (a crown), I ended up staying for almost 3 hours. I do have to admit that it … ⌘ Read more
It is that time of the year: Halloween
Well, you goblins, witches, bats, ghosts… Frankenstein lovers, here it comes your day, once again. Of course, I do not look at Halloween as such, it is just another day, like the others, with the subtle difference that is the day where kids go around, having fun, asking for sweet little treats, dressed up as the unimaginable.
Considering I never knew what Halloween was until I came to America and, hence, I did not experience the fun that it can bring … ⌘ Read more
Just Sunday
I am not going to work tomorrow, I believe. I need to go to a dentist pronto. With that Monday prelude, it would be easy to guess that I did not had a great Sunday.
Oh boy, do I hate to go to the dentist! ⌘ Read more
It is friday for me
Tomorrow I will not be going to work. There are personal matters I need to take care of. Weird that I started this entry talking about tomorrow, but sometimes I think tomorrow is always more important. That is, if there is a tomorrow…
Today was great. Work was all right. We — John, George, Gee, Yanyan and I — went for lunch out of Campus, since I needed to take a letter to the post office to get it postmarked and the whole gang decided to join me. We had a good time.
I meant to … ⌘ Read more