L u k e n . O r g

First, the Windows 7 upgrade matrix, table, chart.

And now, the Mac Snow Leopard Upgrade Chart

Any more Questions???

Our president better stop hanging around French president Nicolas Sarkozi, he’s starting to pick up some bad habits and he doesn’t look tough enough to take on Michelle when he gets back home.

So after some fun poking at the President (hoping that it’s still allowed) here’s the video clip clearing it up. Note that Nick is still a horn dog.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07102009/news/nationalnews/tail_to_the_chief_178552.htm

0709_obama_11032342_h8320192_landov.jpg 500×442 pixels.

Well, here we go. I figured I’d document this because you know there will be a story. About six weeks ago, I noticed fiber being laid to my neighborhood. I asked the construction guy and he confirmed that it indeed was AT&T U-Verse. Imaging my joy as I immediately summarized that I would be fred from the shackles of TWC.

So a couple of weeks ago I get a flyer in the mail advertising that U-Verse is here and available in my neighborhood. I immediately run inside, go online to their site and check the availability of my address. Wham-o, it’s available !! So of course I immediately order U-Verse, just the broadband and television. Not phone, I use Vonage. I get an install date of June 8th, from noon to 2pm.

So on Saturday the 6th, the doorbell rings and it’s an AT&T guy. He says, “Hi, I’m from AT&T”. I say “wow, you’re a bit early”. he laughs and tells me that he is here for a pre-site survey and qualification. Wait, you’re not sure if I’m qualified? Your website says so. He explains that he needs to check the quality of the line and that I’m within 3000 feet of the DSLAM. Well, I’m a couple of hundred feet from it (it’s behind our subdivision) and it’s a new neighborhood, lines couldn’t have rotted that fast. About an hour later the doorbell rings again and he’s looking real sad. I know that look. It’s the look of “we have a problem and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it” look on his face. He proceeds to explain.

First the simplified explanation. My phone line is connected to that little phone box about four houses down, instead of the box that is actually between my house and my neighbors. Go figure. That in itself isn’t a problem. The problem is that in their many databases, it shows me connected to the wrong box. He explains that it is simply a matter of doing a change of record, a relatively simple data entry tasks that takes about two minutes, and that he could do it himself, but he would get in trouble because that’s not his role. Also the maintenance dept. is closed on Saturdays. And that this process usually takes up to 48 hours.

Now for the wild part. He begins to confide in me about the internals of AT&T. YOu see, he’s a union guy, and the U-Verse division is non-union and they hate each other and don’t get along, and they’re not treated well. Also, if you’re going to get U-Verse, better get it now because it looks like a strike is coming in August because the evil AT&T wants to pay the union guys $15 less per hour to put their payscale in line with the non-union U-Verse folks. So the union guys do all the exterior work and the non-union guys do all the internal work for U-Verse. And it’s not fair. Well…thanks for that primer. I think because I’m a minority he thought I was in full agreement with him, but that’s another post in the political category.

So, on to yesterday. A complete no-show. So, on to this morning. I call…. navigate the voice response unit trying to avoid getting trapped in the VRU flowchart of death. I finally get a voice that’s backed by a temperature of ~98.6, a blood pressure of 122 over 80, and a heart rate of 86 beats per minute. After providing all the relevant information about my first born, sexual preference and what I ate last night, I could tell that her vitals were quickly going out of whack after I mentioned that yesterdays’ U-Verse installation was a U-Verse stranded at the alter event. So three people and two long on hold transfers later, I get the selected scripted apology based on the computerized detection of the stress level in my voice (that’s actually a real system, btw). So, the change of record was done yesterday (probably between noon and 2pm) and I was told that someone was “probably” going to call me today about it. Ok, whatever. So I’ve been prioritized and have a new appointment between 8am and 10am tomorrow morning. So stay tuned for part II of this post, it should be a fun filled day but I have faith and Im looking forward to U-Verse eventually…. possibly….. hopefully.

Well, well. I think its time that I traveled back to my homeland, my native United Kingdom, and head up to the highlands of Scotland to reclaim my family land and rebuild the family castle. Next, head back down to England and check out some of the tributes to some of the great Nelsons’ in the family, such as Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. I’m in a cynical mood this evening….

Where did the English Nelson family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Nelson family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The name Nelson is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from Nell, an Irish name. Nelson means “the son of Nell.” It came to England by a rather circuitous route. Adopted by Norse Viking settlers in Ireland in the first millennium, it traveled to Scotland and Norway. From there it traveled to France with the Normans who settled there in the 9th century after dispossession of their lands in Norway and Scotland by the respective kings of those realms. Eventually, of course, the Normans, led by Duke William of Normandy, invaded England and defeated the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At this point the name entered England proper.

via Nelson Family Crest.

Today, America has a chance to redeem herself in the World Baseball Classic. At 2pm, we yanks play the Canadians in Toronto. Two years ago, Canada knocked America out of the Baseball Classic…..CANADA. They don’t even play baseball, I mean, they don’t even have a steroid scandal for heaven’s sakes. How can they be a major baseball contender? I can understand Hockey or Curling, but we’re not supposed to loose in baseball.

Well it’s time for redemption. If by some aweful reason the gods fail to look down and bless us, and we loose, I’m asking my congressman to form a special subcommittee and hold hearings as to why the greatest baseball nation can beat a bunch of toothless, beer drinking (better than us) hockey players who say”ey?” at the end of every sentence. God Speed, May the Force Be With You, and anything else that may help in our revenge. Stand up America, support our Baseball troops, buy Baseball Steroid bonds and help a player stay on top of his game.

Nothing says I’m sorry like a Preemptive apology. This is just downright funny. The Onion is the best

Congressman Offers Preemptive Apology For Extramarital Affair | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source.

WASHINGTON — The Republican National Committee chose Michael Steele, an African-American, as party chairman on Friday, putting a new face on a beleaguered party as it seeks the right posture to take on President Obama and an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress

via Republicans Choose First Black Party Chairman – NYTimes.com.

Man…we black folks are kicking off Black History Month with a bang !!!!

First, we elect our first black President. Next, the first black Republican Party Chairman. Lincoln would be proud. On this coming Sunday night, hopefully, the first black Superbowl winning Head Coach. Sometime next week, the first black Attorney General. We’z be on a roll….

Now of course this poses a problem for my beloved Republican Party. We’re obviously going to be fewer in numbers because the right wing crackpots in the south will probably form a new party. No way a self respecting southerner is gonna take orders from one of “us” (“Us” being them American folks that don’t need as much SPF protection in the summer, and have less wrinkles because their skin has more oils). I reckon the name of the new party will be named something like “The Clean Sheets Coalition”. And of course, they’ll justify their actions by misquoting something out of the bible. But that’s OK, ’cause tomorrow morning I’m heading out to my nearest militant home supply store to get that little white guy with the lantern to put in my front yard. A lantern in his right hand and a tray on his left hand holding a pack of Kool’s (that’s the black man’s Marlboro ya’ll).

Spoiler alert…for those who don’t know me, I like to instigate and poke extreme fun. Because if we can’t talk and laugh honestly about our prejudices, our nation will forever be divided. 

So, I think there is hope for my party again. No, not because they chose a black man, but because I think the party is moving to a more centrist philosophy. Individual freedoms and liberty, along with individual responsibility. Now the question that needs to be asked is this. If McCain won the presidency, would Mr. Steel have won the votes to be party chairman. That honestly is something the party has to answer for itself. Because if he was, then the party is no better off and will most likely sink further. 

Anyone want to fulfill their patriotic duty and assist me in reviving the economy? I need someone to help me write a justification so I can get some of that bailout money with no questions asked as to how I spend it. I promise it will be spent, and on American made products. That’s all that matters. This is about putting people first, getting people back to work. Don’t be concerned about what I’ll do with the money, ignore that man behind the curtain.

I’ve always wanted a supercomputer. Now Cray has an “affordable” deskside option, complete with sound dampening so you still can hear folks on conference calls while on a RPG. All we need now is for Handbrake to be recompiled to support multicore/multi-processor systems. I can backup all my movies in about two minutes each.

YouTube – George Bush Top 10 Moments – David Letterman Show.

Had to put this here because it’s downright funny. But now that he’s gone from public life, I hope he re-engages in public service though. While definitely not suited for the role that he was in, and clearly having some bd advisors that ran roughshot around his office, I think that Pres. Bush would actually be an excellent humanitarian for social causes around the world. I think he understands the challenges in the world, and has a good faith belief to motivate him.

I hope he gets involved in third world humanitarian and social issues. His down to earth personality would benefit those causes such as AIDs campaigns, medicine and clean water initiatives. I think that is something he wanted to tackle as president, but since 911, was obviously sidetracked and never recovered. That and our party being hijacked by the extreme right.

What Joe Biden should have done in the debate.;-)

YouTube – Terry Tate: Reading Is Fundamental.

All I can say is man, this guy’s a stud. Having an affair with an affairee over your affairrer? Double dipping, burning the candle at both wicks. Which beings me to a question here. Ever notice that when Democrats have an affair, they get caught with a woman, or several. But when Republicans get busted, it’s usually the material for the midday talkshows? Busted in bathrooms with other men, or running around D.C. after 16 year old pages. What gives? It seems that while both sides have nothing to hold their heads up against, the Dems do rank a few points higher on the family right wing values scale. They’re at least doing it with women.

Sorry, couldn’t resist, just an observation, it’s 1:30am and I’m sleepy….

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A married congressman who faces accusations that he had an affair with a former aide and paid her to keep quiet about it also was having an affair with a second woman around the same time, a person close to his campaign told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Details of the second affair came hours after Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney held a news conference to address a story, first reported by ABC News, that he had been involved with the former aide. Mahoney acknowledged he had caused “embarrassment and heartache” to his family but denied doing anything illegal.

The Associated Press: Fla. Congressman said to be involved in 2nd affair.

Channel4.com – IT Crowd

Awesome, a device that only affects teens and makes them go away. No pain from Mace or a lawsuit from a Taser.
The device, called the Mosquito (“It’s small and annoying,” Stapleton said), emits a high-frequency pulsing sound that, he says, can be heard by most people younger than 20 and almost no one older than 30. The sound is designed to so irritate young people that after several minutes, they cannot stand it and go away.
This Mosquito makes unruly teenagers buzz off – Europe – International Herald Tribune

Too funny, the Network Traffic Violation Ticket. You’d probably get exhausted from handing these out at work.
ticket.gif (GIF Image, 578×1154 pixels)

This is just too damn funny.
DevilDucky – Family Guy: Death To America
Behind the scenes during the Osama Bin Laden video shoots

I love legalise !!!
I think I’m going to incorporate this into my email sig at work to set the proper expectatiosn.

Except for the factual statements made herein, the information contained in this news release consists of forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism and satisfaction with current prospects, as well as words such as “believe,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates” and variations thereof, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward looking. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and the company’s actual results could differ materially from those contained in such statements.
Overland Storage Awarded New Tape Automation OEM Business

I absolutely have no words to explain this. It’s funny but cheesy, creative but a knockoff, and just downright Dell ….
Dell Tech Force

So here’s the letter and response when Microsoft tried to recruit Eric Raymond…Armed and Dangerous � Blog Archive � Microsoft tries to recruit me

Yankee Stadium vs Shea Stadium Of course the advantage is with Yankee Stadium, who cares about the swamp.

In case this page is ever lost, here’s a reprint:

LOCATION: Yankee Stadium is located in the South Bronx, right near the Bronx county courthouse, Shea Stadium is located in Queens, near Flushing Meadows Park, LaGuardia Airport (that’s why you hear the planes roar during some games,) and the Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium. Across the street from Yankee Stadium are sports bars (Stan’s rocks,) a bowling alley, a McDonald’s and other small places of commerce. Located across the way from Shea is undeveloped land and a junkyard.
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium

TRANSPORTATION: To get to Yankee Stadium, you can drive via the Major Deegan Expressway, of course, but you can also take 2 subway lines. One is the Woodlawn (#4) line which takes you from as far south as the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, then to Manhattan’s East Side, before reaching the big house in the Bronx. Also the #4 line stops at Grand Central station, which means you can take a Metro North train from upstate or Connecticut to eventually get to the Stadium. You can also take the Grand Councourse (B/D) line from as far south as Brighton Beach or Coney Island, through 6 Avenue (a PATH NY/NJ Port Authority train station included at 34 Street), the area where the Polo Grounds used to be (155 Street/8 Avenue,) then finally to the Stadium. To get to Shea, besides driving to the park via the Van Wyck Expressway, Grand Central Parkway or other roadways, only one subway line is accessible – the Flushing (#7) line, the line John Rocker made famous back in 2000. It goes all the way from Times Square, through the beautiful sections of Western Queens (including my neighborhood,) up to Shea.
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium (by one subway line)

SMOKING REGULATIONS: I am a smoker, and I’m not ashamed to say it (screw you Bloomberg, you Communist midget bastard!) At Shea, you are not allowed to smoke in the seating areas, then again, you are not allowed to smoke in any seating area of any ballpark, however you are allowed to smoke in the stadium’s open air ramps. However, at Yankee Stadium, smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the stadium, so once you are inside, you’re going to have to ignore those cravings till Mariano gets the final out.
ADVANTAGE: Shea Stadium

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER: Since the inception of the Mets, the Yankees have only had one announcer, Bob Sheppard (aka the voice of God) while the Mets have multiple, not-so-famous public address voices.
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium

SOUND SYSTEM: The sound system at Shea is nice and loud while the sound system in the Bronx is at a normal decibal count. Shea also has the problems with nearby LaGuardia and the planes taking off and landing at the nearby runway.
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium (where there is less chance of permanent hearing loss)

HOT DOGS: At Yankee Stadium, Nathan’s hot dogs are served, at Shea, Kahn’s beef hot dogs are served.
ADVANTAGE: Even

UPPER DECK SEATS:At Shea Stadium, they have recently installed rails in the upper level, so at least the trip is not as scary as it used to be. At Yankee Stadium, there are also guard rails, however the difference between the two stadiums is that at Shea, the rail is one long rail, while at Yankee Stadium, the rail is divided into multiple sections, which can make somebody who suffers from vertigo or acraphobia (like yours truly) feel edgy.
ADVANTAGE: Shea Stadium (slightly)

BLEACHER SEATS: Clearly this should be no contest at all! Yankee Stadium’s bleacher seats are available to all fans, and are the home of the most hardcore and rabid Yankee fans – “The Bleacher Creatures.” Add to that, the #4 train rumbles behind the wall. At Shea, the bleacher seats look tiny, remote, as far as I have heard (from a Met fan mind you) only a group of people can rent it for a game, and is called “The Picnic Area.” ‘Nuff said
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium

DIMENSIONS: Yankee Stadium is a hitter’s ballpark with left field at 318, left center at 379, dead center at 400, right center at 385 and right field at 314. Shea is more of a pitcher’s ballpark however the gaps do favor the hitters more. Left and right fields stand at 330, left center at 371, right center at 378, and dead center at 411.
ADVANTAGE: Even (it depends on what one prefers, slugfests or pitchers’ duels)

VIEWS BEYOND THE OUTFIELD: When getting a view from beyond Yankee Stadium, one doesn’t really see too much, except for the Bronx County Courthouse in right field which is actually about 2 blocks from the ballpark, and even the #4-train is hard to spot unless you sit in left field. Meanwhile at Shea one gets a beautiful view of the Grand Central Parkway, the Wan Wyck Expressway, the Whitestone Bridge, and some nice views of Eastern Queens and maybe a nice view of Western Nassau County on a clear day.
ADVANTAGE: Shea Stadium

FANS: There is no real difference between Met fans and Yankee fans, both fans have the energy of a typical New York sports fans and both are very baseball knowledgable (that’s for all you non-New York vermin who trash us – my apologies to real vermin.)
ADVANTAGE: Even

OVERALL: As I have already mentioned, both stadiums are good stadiums, but each has its faults. However there is one deciding factor for me. At Yankee Stadium, the team I’ve rooted for my while life plays its games – the Yankees play (unless you have some mental defect, I think you should have figured that out by now,) while at Shea, the Mets play. I don’t think anything more needs to be said about that.
ADVANTAGE: Yankee Stadium

So that’s why Bill created MSN Virtual Earth. Just like voodoo, if you remove it from a map, they disappear all together !!! Microsoft’s Earth deletes Apple HQ | The Register