a113n’s daily dose

When installing applications on any windows machine, I typically find myself with multiple apps to install. This never works out as easily on Windows as it does in any Linux distribution. Typical example, today after uploading the VS install discs to the server and beginning the install, I remembered the large Vista SDK that I also needed to install. Since these are both required for the same project (PowerShell cmdlet development), it makes sense that I could kill two birds with one stone–install them at the same time in parallel instead of consecutively. So while VS is installing, I start the web-based SDK install, only moments later to get the message “This install cannot complete because the Windows Installer is already running.” This problem does not exist in any distribution of Linux I have ever used. Though each distribution has it’s own package management system (yes, I know many of the newer distros are based on or directly incorporate prior package management systems, but no one denies there are several systems in use), they all allow applications to be installed in parallel. Therefore, the same scenario with only the OS changed is much more streamlined and simplified. I advocate neither Windows or Linux individually, but believe both have their place (reference my work-in-progress Windows vs. Linux article), but in situations like this, you can see how Linux seems better accustomed to increased productivity. Why can we not have a streamlined install process in Windows? I don’t expect any real answers, just a bunch of excuses traced back to a bad design; chop this up to another frustrating aspect in the world of Windows that we are forced to live with (kinda like the various crap Apple forces down our throats on the iPhone).
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• Current Location: Bed
  

So tonight I got some pizza from Mother Bear’s, bought pen styli to replace the one Mama Bear lost, and got a movie to watch, King of Kong. When I went to to pick up the movie, there were a couple of store clerks (and one of their friends) standing around discussing the movie and its taglines. Evidently we’re in for a good treat. Speaking of treats, I picked up some Starburst and Laffy Taffy. I LOVE Laffy Taffy. In the recent copy of MakeZine, I learned how to build a crude yet effective taffy pulling machine. This one I really want to follow through with, because it’s easy to build and a great way to make homemade taffy. The hard part is just picking my first recipe.

It’s funny how the really simple things make a difference between a boring night and a really fun night. Mama Bear & I don’t have to go out and spend lots of money to have a good time, we enjoy a cup of tea and a game of Tiger Woods at home. I think that’s one of the reasons I love being around her so much, I can really be the closest to the “real” me as it’s going to get. Speaking of which, great xkcd comic that is hilarious and so very true. That site is possibly the best comic on the net, nuff said.

This night is just what I need after a day like today. I spent 3 hours in a courtroom for my 30 seconds in front of the judge where I was told to return two months later. I get back to the office to deal with a crashing email issue on our server and then try to get various other websites and email clients migrated. It just seemed like one slap after another today where I try to get something productive done only to be held back by a single minute detail, derailing my whole plan. I do so much impromptu work, it just isn’t funny, but as a plus I really pushed myself to get on with the PowerShell stuff. I am currently uploading our copy of VS to the server for installation, then I can do some new, exciting code-work. Interesting enough, these VS templates I found for PowerShell require the Vista SDK, which is a multi-gigabyte download. If this SDK is needed on Vista/Server 2008, skip the DVD download and use the web-based install because its less of a network-hog & using that link you can bypass MS genuine crap. I have valid copies of my OSs, but the genuine validation process for Firefox users (of which you should be one) is far too complicated even with my tricks to shorten the process.

So come to me sweet relaxation, for this weekend is DTS catchup time (with some makeout time for Mama Bear and play time for Baby Bear thrown in).

• Current Location: Living Room
  
• Website: http://www.xkcd.com
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: Web comic of romance, satire, and nerd stuff
  

I’m a huge fan of cartoons, the memories of Saturdays starting off with the early morning toons rolling into the afternoon where I’d find something to do outside once my last favorite show was over. Now that I’m older, the taste has become refined. TMNT, Gargoyles, Darkwing Duck, Animaniacs becomes Futurama, Family Guy, South Park. But it seems like The Simpsons is a timeless classic that still has a bite. Falling into a good toon is a great way to unwind and let the day or week’s weights fall right off.

I want to do photography more, but it seems like I pull myself in too many directions. Photography, programming, guitar practice, trying to get in shape, all of this top of the normal Papa Bear routine. I’m so looking forward to HOPE, more on that later. We watched Takedown recently getting prepped for the conference, ha.

• Current Location: Bed
  
• Website: http://www.stumbleupon.com
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: Great way to browse new websites by topic, everyone should stumble (I don't give 5 stars easily)
  

This should be an eventful week, with lots of tasks being finalized and taken off my plate. However, that is not the case. It seems that every thing has a minor detail beyond my control–waiting on approval for module purchase, waiting on confirmation that user emails have been downloaded, etc. My work is typically structured so that one task precedes another out of necessity, so holding up on task being finalized holds up the next and the next and the next. This really makes things drag on as I not only have to switch gears to handle a completely unrelated task, but at any moment I may be called into action to take care of one of the aforementioned, incomplete tasks when the bottleneck is resolved. Everything is so much more efficient if I just take care of it all myself, but that’s not always feasible when you are dealing with clients and users across the country.

I am really enjoying the new work with the new server, but in the back of my mind, I harbor doubts. Not in my ability to handle whatever may happen, just doubts that my next course of action is appropriate. I still believe that I can handle the various issues that arise much better and quicker than our hosting company, but my inexperience with the new range of applications on the server makes me second-guess my decisions. However, this is the extra edge I had been looking for, and I take it all in as valuable experience.

Mama Bear and I went to a carnival last night and had a great time. The only downside was that Baby Bear did not take too well to our having a night out, and she ended up fussing for the whole hour we were gone, only quieting down 10 minutes prior to the call where we informed the sitter we were coming back. At least she does take beautiful pictures. Now if I can only to remember to bring in my boss’ copy…

• Current Location: Office
  

I try to plan my tasks in advance, which is a great way to start a new day, but there is this vicious cycle where something is always added in. Today, my boss’ PC is down for an unknown reason and must be taken into the shop that built it for repairs. I spent 5 minutes to see if it was something trivial I could fix, but given the symptoms I think the motherboard or power supply is shot. It’s rather annoying because I wanted all power connectors to be covered, not open like they are. However the technician who put the computer together contradicted my assertion that exposed power connectors could potentially scrap against the metal case and cause electrical damage, so there are no covers. And now we have a machine that will not turn on, only a slight whirring noise. Of course my boss is out of town until Wednesday and needs remote access to the machine, so the burden of getting it fixed falls squarely on my shoulders. This is on top of the various other tasks I had planned to finish today that sets me up for the work to finish for the remainder of the week. Perfect Monday.

• Current Location: Office