jdoehring's Blog

Now that I am back in the technical support arena, I thought it would be good to share computer tips once a week. These will be based on the largest computer problems I have seen the week before. This weeks tip has to do with wireless connectivity.  It is by far the largest complaint that we see in the tech support arena. Everyone wants to connect wireless because they believe that wireless is the latest and greatest fad.  Couple of points here. Point one, if you connect wirelessly, you will notice a difference in speed  This is simply because a wireless connection is slower than ethernet. If you are a gamer, that difference will be more noticeable simply because of the amount of bandwidth a game takes to play online versus browsing the internet or checking email.
Point two of wireless connectivity has to do with EMI, which stands for electric magnetic interference.  This is feedback which interrupts your wireless connection. Things that we have seen which cause EMI are microwave ovens, wireless phones, cell phones, static electricity from your carpet, televisions, and stereo systems.  This is just some of the items that cause EMI, and these items will cause your computer to drop connection.  As the bundling of products appears to be the latest fad of internet service providers, the big complaint is when the customers Residential Gateway is installed right next to the television.  Although it will make it easy for the technician to install, the fact is, it will cause the wireless to drop constantly. My advice, ask your technician to move your gateway away from any electrical equipment and on top of a shelf. 
Point three about wireless connectivity, is that of security. With security being on everyone's mind, in doing this, connecting to the internet now is starting to include a third step in some cases. This third step seems to throw a lot of people off as far as connecting. We have gotten use to just plugging in and it works, in the wireless world, this is not the case. One has to first choose which network to pick, then type in the network key, and then it works.  Now both Windows and Macintosh will save your key, and you will auto connect next time, but the fact is, the requirement of a password appears to be throwing a lot of people off. 
Bottom line is that although it is a nice feature to hook up wireless, the fact is that a wireless connection is still not as stable as hardline. Do not compare the two, for there is simply no comparison.  The best advice to give if you are looking for a wireless connection is to purchase a Apple Airport Extreme base station which is a dedicated wireless router. The airport base station can be used for both windows and mac networks, and appears to be the best built for the job. The multipurpose routers that we see out there, are just like anything else, where the more you build into one thing, the more that can wrong.

Make sure you make a morally correct decision before voting for Obama. Take a look at this video and you will understand why... 

http://www.youtube.com/v/VIdbYjmbFzo&hl=en&fs=1

I was attempting to think of a way to protest against companies who outsource support or product production out of country. One simple way would simply be by not purchasing their products. Very simple, if you want to purchase a computer, look into the manufacturer, and make sure that their support is in country. If it is not, simply don't by their product. There are plenty of companies who have their support a hundred percent in country, and there is no reason why you should support companies that decide to go overseas.  Managers in these companies only respond to sales, so hurt them where it hurts, right in the wallet.

Last week I broke down and purchased a new MacBook Pro for my wife. I got the computer home, turned it on, and the first thing it asked out of the box was which wireless network to connect to. I put in ours, and then I went through the registration which took about two minutes, then it connected and registered me. After registration, it ran Apple software update one time, and downloaded four updates and that was it.

Yesterday, since my wife wants to use the computer at work, I took her computer and using boot camp software, I put a native version of Windows Vista. First, boot camp walked me through partitioning the drive, after that was complete, then it asked me for the Vista disk which I had, and I was walked through installing Vista which only took about 10 minutes.  After installing Vista, I put the Mac OS 10.5 cd in the machine, and the boot camp installer installed all the necessary software and drivers for windows to run.

After that was complete, I restarted the machine, and manually ran windows updarte, which took 57 updates!!! That took a total of 2 hours to download, and another half hour to install. After those were complete I restarted the computer using the option key so I could get back into windows, and ran windows update again, it found another 14 updates to install, which took another hour!!

Restarting the computer again, I ran Windows update again, and another three updates pending windows validation. I validated windows, and then it downloaded the three and installed. So my  one hour project of putting windows on the laptop turned out to be three in a half hours!!! To me, there is no argument as to which operating system is better. Maybe if Microsoft had gotten windows right the first time, it might have been a little easier. It was not a hard process, but then again, I work in IT, but I can see how the average person would have difficulty with just getting windows started!!!

I was reading an article the other day about the beginnings of Mcdonald's corporation. It was back in 1967, and on a horse ranch in California, Mcdonald's owner, Ray Kroch was just finishing the day up meeting with a distributor of meet. At the end of the day, a deal was struck, no papers were signed. The deal was for the distribution of meat to Mcdonalds with the agreement being that the distributor can not ben late with a delivery, once. This deal was finalized, with a simple hand shake. That hand shake deal is still active with some distributors today. Now a days with so many people trying to take advantage of every angle in business, this type of deal can no longer be done. It is unfortunate now that every tiny little thing has to be in a contract, and signed now. I find this story fascinating, and I talked to my boss about it because he use to be a district manager for Mcdonalds back in the 70's. He said that there are still some distributors today who fly the Mcdonalds flag in front of their business's. If they do not make 89% on time delivery, the flag goes to half staff the next day. If it occurs 2 days in a row, the flag is removed and the distributor loses the contract. Pretty interesting...

I was just reading an article about LA attempting to force a fast food ban in south LA. I think this is ridiculous. The government cannot tell people what to eat, it is not up to the them. It is up to the individual. If this ban is approved, what is next?

I hope the lesson from the fire at Yosemite National Park will be not to go to a reserve and shoot their guns off. My wife and I were going for a drive one day, and we went into the 4 peaks wilderness area. Back there, we saw several groups of people hanging out, drinking alcohol and firing their guns off. I couldn't believe it!!! Needless to say, we got out of there fairly quickly.  Let's stop being foolish with our fire arms, and have some respect for the environment. 

I am now on the second week of working out. Last week, it started with the Wii fit. With only using the Wii Fit, I have lost 2 lbs. So, this week, I have decided to extend my workout to the gym. I am still using the Wii Fit as well, but the gym is purely for aerobic.  Today will be day four at the gym. I feel my muscles getting tighter, even though no real weight change, I can tell my body is starting to get back in the swing. The main thing right now is to continue going.  The aches and pains will disappear over time, even if it takes a month or two to get back in the swing. My wife has lost 8 lbs in a week with the Wii Fit, so that is adding to my frustration as to why I haven't lost anything significant yet. I've been through this before, Several years ago, the first three weeks of working out were the toughest, but after that, I extended the workout to two to three times a day, with running in the morning, lifting at lunch, and then running up and down toboggan run stairs in Illinois (126 steps). I don't know if I will get that involved again, but back then I lost 40 lbs in a 3 month time frame. My goal now is to lose 52 lbs. in 4 months. That would get me to my after boot camp weight. That was the other time I was really in shape, but, that was 14 years ago. The problem is, marine boot camp is purely designed around getting in shape. With the perfect program of weight control through exercise, diet and stress. One can recreate the diet and the exercise, but not the stress.. That is something which can be unmatched regardless of what situation one is in. the exercise itself is also nearly impossible to match. Simply because one is ALWAYS moving in boot camp. It is a never ending cycle of exercising. I will try my best, however. One thing I remember very distinctly about boot camp is that we only used weights in one of the obstacle courses. Everything was done through pull ups, push ups, sit ups, and running. It was all based on you using your own weight. That is why I like the Wii Fit, for it is the same way. There is no need for anything anything else. I will keep everyone posted as I progress through this!!

How is it that a possible commander and chief has decided what to do in Iraq BEFORE meeting with the very people that are on the ground?  As commander and chief you CANNOT base your decisions on news reports. You have to dig deeper than that. How can he lead the country when he doesn't talk to the one's involved? According to Obama, he states that he will make the decisions on Iraq, because that is what the Commander and Chief does. My question is, if you are not on the ground overseeing what is going on, then how are you qualified to decide what is best? Apparently, many Democrats believe they can make the decision on Iraq without knowing what is going on. I don't know what is going on, so I cannot make an educated guess on what to do. How can anyone else? The news is now starting to show the positive side in Iraq, but they are not the source to go to figure out the situation. I would rather hear reports from the field commanders, for that is what will tell me the truth of the whole situation.

My wife and I went up to StubHub to get some tickets to the Cubs game tonight, and I was in shock that the tickets were $100 each!! These tickets have a face value of $50, so my question is, how is StubHub not legalized scalping? When will sporting events and concerts become a thing of only the rich, as opposed to the average person? Once again, it comes down to investors buying up all the tickets, then reselling them at a ridiculous rate. How is this legal?

We had gotten a new Nintedo Wii and Wii fit the other day, and so far, I  cannot believe it.  So far, it has only been a couple of days, however, I will say that it is a good workout. At first, the run was so basic, my heart rate never went up. Now, I have unlocked the long distance run, and it's not that bad. The long distance run lasts about six or seven minutes, at a faster rate. I am waiting to unlock more of these runs eventually. The Yoga work out is pretty good to. The whole game is based on balance. The better balanced you are, the better off you will be. The game tracks your progress, taking your wait and checking your balance every day, and you are always working towards your goal. Personally, my goal is to lose 22 pounds in six months. The strength workout is pretty good as well. It reminds me of how we worked out in boot camp!!! I would highly recommend this for anyone who is serious about getting fit!!!

We are not in a recession. As far as the whole morgage situation goes, there are 160 million homes in the United States, 80 million of which are paid for in full. Out of the remaining 80 million, 75 million of those homes are in 30 year fixed mortgages, another 3 million homes are are investor houses. That leaves 2 million homes in a possible foreclosed state. 2 million homes is less than 2 percent. The media has to calm down in regards to this, and stop dishing out the word recession. It is still a lot, but for the most part, it is not nearly as bleak as many are saying...

As a empty bomb shell was found yesterday, and Mexican military has been spotted in Phoenix, the question is, are these coyotes run by the military?  What does that say about relations between the US and Mexico? If they are actually involved in human smuggling, what can we do to prevent this? 

I heard a story on the radio today that I couldn't believe.  That being the story of Marian Anderson. She was a singer back in the 30's with one amazing voice. They had asked her to put a concert on in Washington DC, and sold the concert out to 25,000 fans. Unfortunately, the powers to be at the time decided to recant on her invite because she was black. She insisted on giving the money back to everyone and then to put on a free show at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. She stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial n front of 75,000 people and sang My Country Tisavy.  Singing about the freedom of all people in the United States. This type of protest was a amazing display which advanced rights for people of all color back all the way back in 1939!!! That is a protest I respect, not one of insulting others, or yelling and screaming just because your guy lost.  Not blocking entrances to place and not allowing people in. But rather, one of simplicity. One which showed to the world, that regardless of what is going on in the world at this moment, I still believe in the dream of America. People today should take a lesson in that!!!

Now that Gates has retired what is left in technology? Jobs is still in the game however he must be getting close to retiring as well. My question is simple, are we better off the last 20 years or are we worse? Is it better to have any info you want at your fingertips all the time or is it better to learn patience?

If we have no patience, then how can achieve anything long term? The goal of society is not one of materialism but of human improvement. At least that is what led to our founding fathers, discoveries in science, and advancements in technology.  Without the drive to better ourselves, we become content and that is the down fall of humanity. Always strive to be better, never settle.

If history has taught us anything, it is that every time rules are broken the individuals who broke them get taken down. Never is this more evident than what we have seen in the past twenty years with the simple rule of greed. At first, it was corporate greed, which was wiped out right at the turn of the century with the accounting scandals. When this occurred, the economy didn't feel that much because the philosophy was simple, the big guys got their time due. But then in the 90's as well, mortgage brokers and companies bent rules to fill their pockets. Now it's in the private sector, now we are in a recession.

As far as oil goes, the question isn't weather or not we are running out, the question is why is our entire economy based on a finite resource? Technology is available and has been for sometime to completely stop using oil, but yet the powers to be on both sides of the aisle are not allowing the technology to come to light. We could use solar power to run our electricity and. nuclear power for everything else, but no, the powers to be are being controlled again by greed. So it comes down again to money. 

Maybe money is the problem? Maybe due to the fact that survival and success are being linked to money, instead of being linked to our natural instincts, that might be where the problem lies. How would one get rid of money, however? How would one be able to move everyone off the primary motivator for human achievement? That is a good question, one which will take a very long time for anyone to figure out. The only way I could see us getting off of money would be if there was a way to somehow make all of humanity work toward a common goal. 

Look at how united the United States was after 9/11. President Bush had a 85% approval rating, and people in this country all united for one reason, and one reason only that being anger. My question is, why is it that we can only unite with anger after a event occurs? Why can’t we unite for a different cause? Why does disaster have to happen in order for everyone to throw their arms up and force change? If anything, pure anger in this country proved one thing, that being how strong of a emotion it is. What if we all came united even stronger with compassion instead of anger? It could be amazing what we can do.  

Bottom line is that we as a society have to get away from the current motivators we have, and move toward a common goal. One which would fulfill everyone’s life, and improve us as a society.  What could that be, remains to be seen, but hopefully we can find something. Hopefully we will learn from our errors without having to have anything happen. Do we really want to be known as a society which would go through all of the planets natural resources before learning our lesson? The bottom line is, it starts with each individual, getting united and saying no more.