I going to Cabo San Lucas for me and my fiance's honeymoon in 22 days! I'm really excited, about the wedding OF COURSE but also about getting away from this frigid state for a week or so. We've heard really good things about Cabo so I am definitely looking forward to it. Nothing sounds better to me now than sitting on the beach with the love of my life, drinking a margarita, soaking in the hot sun, and watching the tide roll in. It will be like paradise after the craziness of the past few months.
Here's a link to the resort we're staying at: http://www.pueblobonitosunsetbeach.com/.
I've been to Mexico before and it's great. Anyone that hasn't been there yet should definitely check it out.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Exporting, Hotspots, & Slices
I just finished learning how to create hotspots and slices and how to export and optimize Fireworks’ graphics and web pages. This was by far the newest section of the course for me and the most time consuming, but I think I came out with a pretty good grasp on how to ready my Fireworks’ creations for posting on the web. I wouldn’t say that any part was either obvious or too difficult to understand.
I took my time going through the lessons and assignments and doubled over sections that didn’t make much sense at first. I like the fact that you can see right on the screen how the changes you make when optimizing affect the quality and size of an image. This helps a web developer visualize exactly what viewers will see when surfing to his/her website and how quickly their site will load.
It’s a good idea to consider people with lower speed internet connections when optimizing. You have to find a healthy balance between quality and performance. Overall, the last few lessons were very informative and interesting for me.
I took my time going through the lessons and assignments and doubled over sections that didn’t make much sense at first. I like the fact that you can see right on the screen how the changes you make when optimizing affect the quality and size of an image. This helps a web developer visualize exactly what viewers will see when surfing to his/her website and how quickly their site will load.
It’s a good idea to consider people with lower speed internet connections when optimizing. You have to find a healthy balance between quality and performance. Overall, the last few lessons were very informative and interesting for me.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Researching the Latest Technology
1) Here are three top of the line AMD processors:
AMD Athlon 64 X2- for IBM
AMD Athlon 64 FX-for IBM
Intel Core 2 Duo-for MAC
2) After searching the internet for the difference between SATA and SATA2, this is the most helpful answer I found:
"SATA and SATA2 are different only in speed and cache size. they are fully compatible.SATA runs at 150mb per second, But SATA2 runs at 3.0Gbits, which is 384mb per second. SATA2 drives usually have twice the cache, which is a small piece of onboard ram to deal with the lag between the drive and the cpu.The response time of an SATA2 drive is usually half of SATA."
3) The main intention of the lastes USB standard, WUSB, is to give you the ability to use all of the devices in your home office (such as printer, scanner, external hard drive, and digital camera ) without any wires. The concept is really rather exciting. This would greatly increase efficiency and clean up clutter.
Here are two links to WUSB products:
and
Looking for a PC support job
If the pictures of these websites don't show up well in the blog I've also included their web addresses in the answers below.
1) Here are the qualifications for each job:
High School Diploma required.-
IT industry recognized certification:
- A+, Net+, OR HIGHER (required).
- MCP or MCSE (preferred).
- Help Desk industry recognized certification e.g. HDI, STI, SSPA (preferred).
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and/or at least five (5) years of experience with computers and networking
A+, MCSA, and/or MCSE Certification
Strong skill and experience with:
Windows Server 2003
XP and SMS
Network Management tools
Experience working in a Microsoft products WAN environment with an Intermediate knowledge of Networking
A+, MCSA, and/or MCSE Certification
Strong skill and experience with:
Windows Server 2003
XP and SMS
Network Management tools
Experience working in a Microsoft products WAN environment with an Intermediate knowledge of Networking
A+ Certification required.
· Dell Certification (assistance will be provided to obtain certification).
· Strong knowledge of Microsoft XP.
· Knowledge of technical configuration of laptops, PC's, and peripherals.
· Strong follow through on paperwork and call reporting.
· 1-3 years related experience.
· Dell Certification (assistance will be provided to obtain certification).
· Strong knowledge of Microsoft XP.
· Knowledge of technical configuration of laptops, PC's, and peripherals.
· Strong follow through on paperwork and call reporting.
· 1-3 years related experience.
2) None of the salaries for these positions was listed.
3)
Job 1: MCP or MCSE (preferred).- Help Desk industry recognized certification e.g. HDI, STI, SSPA (preferred).
Job 2: MCSA, and/or MCSE Certification
Job 3: none
4) If I were actually looking for a PC support-related job I would apply for job #3 because it seems like more of an entry level position that has the least requirements. Coming right out of the degree program with no real job experience in this field would make this a good opportunity for me to gain some valuable experience.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Cleaning my system of malware
1) I ran my antivirus software, which is entitled AVG Antivirus. 169439 objects were scanned and no threats were found.
2) I ran my anti-spyware/adware program, which is AntiSpywareBot (www.antispywarebot.com). After scanning the hard drive, the program found 2,141 infected files. I’m a little leery to believe this though because I’m not sure how trustworthy this program is. I downloaded it off the Internet through a link in the course book, but I’ve never heard of it before.
2) I ran my anti-spyware/adware program, which is AntiSpywareBot (www.antispywarebot.com). After scanning the hard drive, the program found 2,141 infected files. I’m a little leery to believe this though because I’m not sure how trustworthy this program is. I downloaded it off the Internet through a link in the course book, but I’ve never heard of it before.
Image Maps & Slices
Here are some examples on the internet I found that use graphics for navigation:
www.nfl.com
http://www.radiokenai.net/ksrm/index.asp
www.nba.com
www.nfl.com
http://www.radiokenai.net/ksrm/index.asp
www.nba.com
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Email Hoax
I could not find any virus hoax in any of my email accounts, but I went to the website www.hoaxkill.com to research some email hoaxes that are out there. Here is some information that I found on one:
-------------------------------------
Osama Bin Laden virus warning
This actually used to be partially true. The message warns people that email are being sent which claim to contain pictures of Osama Bin Laden hanging himself but actually contain a virus. In 2004, messages were indeed being spread which claimed to contain such pictures. The messages themselves did not contain any virus, but they did link to a website which tried to trick visitors into installing a piece of software -called a Trojan- which would allow their computer to be taken over by the perpetrators.However, the website the message linked to is no longer available, and the misleading messages are no longer being sent.Which brings us to the big problem with messages asking you to send them on to all your friends: There's no stopping them! So, as long as Bin Laden is still at large, this warning will keep going.
---------------------------------------
I actually remember hearing about this one several years ago and got an email from a friend of mine describing this hoax. The best rule to adopt is that if the email isn't from someone you know, or if from someone you know but out of bounds with what they usually send you, be very suspicious. And if it sounds stupid then it probably is. Some hoaxes I hear about people falling for a just ridiculous.
-------------------------------------
Osama Bin Laden virus warning
This actually used to be partially true. The message warns people that email are being sent which claim to contain pictures of Osama Bin Laden hanging himself but actually contain a virus. In 2004, messages were indeed being spread which claimed to contain such pictures. The messages themselves did not contain any virus, but they did link to a website which tried to trick visitors into installing a piece of software -called a Trojan- which would allow their computer to be taken over by the perpetrators.However, the website the message linked to is no longer available, and the misleading messages are no longer being sent.Which brings us to the big problem with messages asking you to send them on to all your friends: There's no stopping them! So, as long as Bin Laden is still at large, this warning will keep going.
---------------------------------------
I actually remember hearing about this one several years ago and got an email from a friend of mine describing this hoax. The best rule to adopt is that if the email isn't from someone you know, or if from someone you know but out of bounds with what they usually send you, be very suspicious. And if it sounds stupid then it probably is. Some hoaxes I hear about people falling for a just ridiculous.
Bitmap and Vectors
Here are three graphic design examples I found on the Internet:
http://www.sanclementelinks.com/images/ad_graphics_large_bratty_pets_001.jpg
http://www.midgibyte.com/images/graphic-design-glasgow.jpg
http://www.2hotmarketing.co.uk/images/graphic-design.jpg
The first example is a very simple ad setup that uses bitmapping to paste text graphics onto a picture. Also a border style was added to the picture to make it appear as though is was torn out of a newspaper or magazine.
The second example uses a combination of bitmapping and vector tools. It looks like the designers took an ordinary picture and made some modifications to it. The original photograph was black and white and then the sky section was cropped out via the magic wand and lasso tools. The remaining photo was layered over a background created with vectors that created the orange and reddish rays appearing to come out of the center of the picture. This graphic also utilizes text effects and border effects.
The third example is a good example of vectoring. It was probably creating entirely through the use of vectoring tools, the end result being and attractive collage of shapes and lines with the only recognizable realism being the silhouette of a man's head and neck.
http://www.sanclementelinks.com/images/ad_graphics_large_bratty_pets_001.jpg
http://www.midgibyte.com/images/graphic-design-glasgow.jpg
http://www.2hotmarketing.co.uk/images/graphic-design.jpg
The first example is a very simple ad setup that uses bitmapping to paste text graphics onto a picture. Also a border style was added to the picture to make it appear as though is was torn out of a newspaper or magazine.
The second example uses a combination of bitmapping and vector tools. It looks like the designers took an ordinary picture and made some modifications to it. The original photograph was black and white and then the sky section was cropped out via the magic wand and lasso tools. The remaining photo was layered over a background created with vectors that created the orange and reddish rays appearing to come out of the center of the picture. This graphic also utilizes text effects and border effects.
The third example is a good example of vectoring. It was probably creating entirely through the use of vectoring tools, the end result being and attractive collage of shapes and lines with the only recognizable realism being the silhouette of a man's head and neck.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Firewalling Your Home Network
What Santiago needs is a good combo of firewall software and firewall hardware. First of all, he needs to keep Windows updates current so that new security patches are installed as soon as they are available. Then he needs to run antivirus software and keep it current. A three-layered protection system of Windows updating, antivirus software, and firewalling software/hardware is an excellent way of protecting your home network.
Not only can firewall software protect your network from outside forces, it can also protect it from problems that originate from the inside. Not to say that Santiago’s friends are family would knowingly infiltrate his security, but accidents do happen. Someone might accidentally stumble across a site that is armed with malicious viruses, spyware, or adware. Firewall software can block certain sites from being loaded, such as sites with content inappropriate for children. These are sites in which a vast majority are more likely to be corrupted with these security risks than other types of sites. Some good titles of firewall software are Zone Alarm, Norton Personal Firewall, and McAfee Personal Firewall.
He also needs a router with firewall abilities. This is a great way to restrict outsiders from accessing your network system and can block anonymous internet requests. With this feature, your network is prevented from being accessed and detected from others on the Internet without an invitation.
Santiago’s current network setup is through the use of a host computer. One computer is hooked up to the cable modem and serves as a host computer which can share its internet access with a computer that is hooked up to it via a crossover cable. This setup is definitely not ideal when you have more than two computers on the network and want to maximize speed, efficiency, and security. What his family needs is a router, with firewall abilities of course, that allows computers on a LAN to share broadband Internet and also serves as an access point for wireless connections. So the new setup would be he and his wife’s computers both connected to a switch which is then connected to a router which is connected to the cable modem. The router would have a wireless access point that would allow Santiago’s daughter to connect to Internet anywhere in the house she pleases via her notebook’s wireless modem.
Not only can firewall software protect your network from outside forces, it can also protect it from problems that originate from the inside. Not to say that Santiago’s friends are family would knowingly infiltrate his security, but accidents do happen. Someone might accidentally stumble across a site that is armed with malicious viruses, spyware, or adware. Firewall software can block certain sites from being loaded, such as sites with content inappropriate for children. These are sites in which a vast majority are more likely to be corrupted with these security risks than other types of sites. Some good titles of firewall software are Zone Alarm, Norton Personal Firewall, and McAfee Personal Firewall.
He also needs a router with firewall abilities. This is a great way to restrict outsiders from accessing your network system and can block anonymous internet requests. With this feature, your network is prevented from being accessed and detected from others on the Internet without an invitation.
Santiago’s current network setup is through the use of a host computer. One computer is hooked up to the cable modem and serves as a host computer which can share its internet access with a computer that is hooked up to it via a crossover cable. This setup is definitely not ideal when you have more than two computers on the network and want to maximize speed, efficiency, and security. What his family needs is a router, with firewall abilities of course, that allows computers on a LAN to share broadband Internet and also serves as an access point for wireless connections. So the new setup would be he and his wife’s computers both connected to a switch which is then connected to a router which is connected to the cable modem. The router would have a wireless access point that would allow Santiago’s daughter to connect to Internet anywhere in the house she pleases via her notebook’s wireless modem.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Gas Prices
Gas is now at 3.59 per gallon, but who knows how long until that falls even further with the way things have been going lately. I remember this past summer when the price per gallon broke the 4.00 per gallon mark. I thought the world was ending. And then it just kept going up until it reached 4.79 per gallon. Today I spent ten bucks and got 2.77 gallons worth of gas in my car. To some of you that might not seem like a lot, but I have a little economy car, a Chevy Aveo to be precise, and 2.77 gallons gets me just over a quarter of a tank. My mpg is usually in the 25-35 range, depending how conservative I drive, so this will get me about 60 miles worth of driving, give or take five or ten miles. Well, maybe take away more than that because I tend to burn more gas when it’s colder out.
I usually gauge the price of gas by how much ten bucks can get me, because that’s usually all I like to put in my tank. If I spend more than ten bucks I feel like I’m burning a hole in my pocket or getting ripped off, or something like that. If gas ever gets back down to 2.00 per gallon then I’ll be able to buy a whopping half a tank of gas with my ten bucks.
I heard the other day that gas prices in Wyoming are down to 1.99 per gallon. And that gets me thinking. Up here in Alaska we are basically living on top of an ocean of oil, so why are we paying more for our natural resource than the states that we ship this natural resource to? I often daydream about having a Beverly Hillbillies experience and discovering oil in my backyard. I could be filthy rich. Well, at least that used to be the dream. I’m a little less greedy now. I think I would instead build a mini refinery to convert my oil to gasoline and then I would sell it to locals for .50 a gallon.
I usually gauge the price of gas by how much ten bucks can get me, because that’s usually all I like to put in my tank. If I spend more than ten bucks I feel like I’m burning a hole in my pocket or getting ripped off, or something like that. If gas ever gets back down to 2.00 per gallon then I’ll be able to buy a whopping half a tank of gas with my ten bucks.
I heard the other day that gas prices in Wyoming are down to 1.99 per gallon. And that gets me thinking. Up here in Alaska we are basically living on top of an ocean of oil, so why are we paying more for our natural resource than the states that we ship this natural resource to? I often daydream about having a Beverly Hillbillies experience and discovering oil in my backyard. I could be filthy rich. Well, at least that used to be the dream. I’m a little less greedy now. I think I would instead build a mini refinery to convert my oil to gasoline and then I would sell it to locals for .50 a gallon.
Fireworks Thoughts
I have used Adobe Photoshop quite exstensively in the past, and after my first assignment with Fireworks I notice that it has many of the same features, except that Fireworks is not quite as in depth as Photoshop. This is actually a good thing though because it greatly improves its ease of use and speed of learning. I found my first assignment to be fun. Fireworks will work great for designing and editing graphics for any web development that I do in the future.
I really like the cloning tool. I remember using this in Photoshop as well. It’s a tool that allows you to be creative and is also somewhat of a challenge to master. Getting an image to blend properly can be a challenge, as well as finding what part of an image to use as a stamp and smoothing the edges of the cloned selection. I had fun with the stuffed bear image, removing the eyes and nose and the items on the desk. I felt like I did a much better job on this than with the frosted cake image, with which I had a hard time getting the cloned sections to blend in with the rest of the frosting. The smudge and blur tools came in handy.
I look forward to learning more Fireworks and utilizing these skills in my own web design.
I really like the cloning tool. I remember using this in Photoshop as well. It’s a tool that allows you to be creative and is also somewhat of a challenge to master. Getting an image to blend properly can be a challenge, as well as finding what part of an image to use as a stamp and smoothing the edges of the cloned selection. I had fun with the stuffed bear image, removing the eyes and nose and the items on the desk. I felt like I did a much better job on this than with the frosted cake image, with which I had a hard time getting the cloned sections to blend in with the rest of the frosting. The smudge and blur tools came in handy.
I look forward to learning more Fireworks and utilizing these skills in my own web design.
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