Sydney Australia

Back in 1990, I was asked by Unisys to travel to Australia to teach two classes in Systems Performance and Tuning. Basically, this was a working job interview. I would teach classes in Melbourne and Sydney and they would determine if they wanted me to have the job. The classes went well. I was definitely teaching up and it was a challenge. The first week was Melbourne. Melbourne is a very cosmopolitan city. I had been told it was more like Europe than Australia. Not having been to Europe at this point, I would have take that on faith. (Once I did go to Europe, I learned they were right). After the first week (of mostly rain), I flew to Sydney. As I made my way through customs, I proceeded to a cab and directed the driver to bring me to North Sydney. If you look at this picture, it is on the right side beyond the bridge. The apartment building just to the right of the bridge tower is close to where I stayed (this is a current picture and the building may have been replaced by now). In any event, as I crested a small hill in the taxi, I saw the wonderful Opera house framed by the Harbor bridge. It had to remind myself that this was not a postcard, but I was seeing this with my own eyes. Just looking at this picture brings up memories of simpler times and also thoughts of what might have been. I was eventually offered the job in Australia, but I didn't take it. I was living with Cheryl at the time and we had plans to get married. I didn't think it was fair to put the cat in quarantine for 6 months and it certainly would have been very hard for Cheryl (my former spouse) not working and not knowing anyone. It is not like this would have been a massive salary increase. With taxes, I think I would have lost money. All that aside, the most important part is that if I had chosen to follow the path down under without Cheryl, I would have never had the blessing upon my house that is David. So, let that be a lesson to everyone that wants to second guess a decision -- if you give up a path that leads to doubt; you have to give up anything good that ever happens on that path. To put it simply (how rare for me), You take the good with the bad. Life is not about second guessing things, it is about the sum of your experiences. As Jean Luc Picard discovered, when you try to tidy up some loose threads in your life, you also loosen the very thread that is the tapestry of your life.

Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

I wonder if anyone that reads this knows about the Wikipedia. If not, here is some information: Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

basically the Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that ANYONE can edit. Look something up and if you think you can add something, go ahead. I have added things to the history of the Home Shopping Network, and caller ID (see previous blog entry). It is lots of fun especially if you like to write. So, go ahead..pick a topic and show us what you know.

Oh, and before the detractors say how could you ever trust the information, this Wiki has been the subject of intense scrutiny and the academic consensus is that it is managed well and incorrect information is normally updated quite regularly. When you post, you are encouraged to post your references to allow others to verify your information.

Caller ID is not always true

I read an article that discussed Scam artists using the ability to specify your own caller ID to fool people into thinking they are calling from a particular place. Now, without incriminating myself, allow me just to say that if you have your own telephone system and an ISDN line, this has always been possible. It is trivial to send any number you want. If you want the WHITE HOUSE to show up on a caller ID, you send 202-456-1414 to the phone company and it shows up on the caller ID. Qwest even bills incorrectly based on the number you send. So, regardless if you have an Internet based phone (like Vonage) or a regular POTS line (believe it or not, that really does stand for Plain Old Telephone Service). I love the phone business!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, my first class is almost over. I gave a presentation last night on what I currently do and why I would want to change it. I don't know how I am doing all of this. I am still playing pool 2 nights a week, but once the season is over, I will cut back to one night per week. I need some diversion! MY next class is an upper level IT class on what for me, is basic IT stuff. Software design, basic network, etc. This should be a cakewalk. Although it is always those classes that sneak up on you. Bye, bye.