Hi everyone.  I received an invite to a social network site called Plaxo Pulse.  It reminded me that I was considering the possibility of signing up for Face Book.  So, clicky clicky, off I go to facebook.com to check it out.  I'm reading the terms of service, a dull read to be sure, but it's required (at least by me). 

This is were the rant started.  In the Face Book ToS, there is a section that describes rights that the user and Face Book have to various things such has images and content.  Of course, Face Book has the rights to their stuff, and you have the rights to your stuff.  But did you know that ANYTHING you put into Face Book, they own too.  You grant them a non-exclusive right to do with it anything they want, even after you close your account.  User beware...

This type of information is crucial for people like me.  I have hobbies that produce a product.  I'm a amateur photographer.  So, according to the ToS at Face Book, if I post one of my photos, then they have full rights to it.  I don't agree with that, and because of it, I can't use their service. 

I'm fairly convinced that if everyone read their Privacy Agreements, Terms of Service, and/or End User License Agreement, they would run screaming.  Those documents are some scary stuff.  The worst part, is that if you do agree to it, there is probably a clause that states they can change it at any time, and that you agree to those changes. All of a sudden, you're screwed.  Enjoy.

As you can tell, I do bite the bullet and subscribe to things anyway.  I use Bloglines, GoDaddy, and some various instant messaging programs.  I also use Google Apps quite a bit. 

When I sign up for an online service (free or paid), I take a legal risk.  I've come to terms with that.  Have you? 

Can someone explain why a computer toolkit from the year 2008 still includes a useless soldering iron?  First off, it's probably only a 35 watt iron which can barely melt paper, let alone industrial, high temp solder.  Additionally, the tip that is included with the kit is not small enough to work with almost any of the components on a mother board.  Even if the tip on the iron was small enough, there is a reason that these things are assembled by robots.  The average human hand just doesn't have the dexterity or stability to solder that small of a connection without damaging the board.

I've had first hand experience with this.  I've successfully replaced parts on motherboards including power jacks for notebooks and capacitors for larger boards (had to use a 45 watt iron to melt the solder to remove the part).  However, there is always something else wrong.  For the average home PC, which is the primary thing I work on, a new mother board can be as little as $70.  That's alot less than you are going to be paying me to replace some parts on the board and then still have it not work because of a power spike that killed three transistors I can barely see with a magnifying glass.

So, now you may be asking what's in a tool kit that's usefull?  Well, here's the list:

• Precision set of screwdrivers (Flat and Phillips)
• Needlenose pliers
• Small set of nut drivers
• Anti-static mat and grounding wrist strap (yes, static is a real threat)

That's you're basic kit.  It's got everything I need to replace any practicle part of a home computer.  And if it's a server, I'll probably need less.

Don't worry... more rants are coming.  I have a plan.  Comment away! 

I'm taking a half day at work, tossing Jess and the kids in the car and we are off to Ikea, dinner with Dawn and Archiver's!  I'm sure you can tell that this is going to be a fun afternoon and evening!

Of course, after last nights impromtu living room change up to protect the children from themselves, today's a piece of cake.  It's amazing how a ball of wires grows when left unatteneded behind the entertainment center for about 8 months. 

Adam... you're getting your Onkyo system on Friady, so be prepared to wrangle the mess 'o cables come November!

Woo Hoo: IKEA!

After being sick for a few days, and leaving the TV on the History Channel while moving in and out of a coma, I've learned a few things, and I have a question...

What I've learned... 

Caligula was messed up in the head.
His real name was not Caligula.
And way to much more about Caligula, or "little boots".
Tiberius was worse.

And I ask this one question...

Did the wicked witch of the west shower, or was she dry clean only?  Hahaha.  More importantly, how did her mom know before the first bath?  That would have be bad... "Here we go... a wicked witch still has to be clean... let's put you in the tub and wash you...  OH NO!  hehehe.

On the plus side, I'm starting to feel better.

Here I am, just sitting in the living room. I'm working on a contract, and I temporarily have a MacBook.  I'm working on a website, and to help with compatibility issues, they sent me an Apple MacBook.  Just so I could test in Safari.

 So, i thought I'd sit in the living room on a break (from cut and past stuff) to say hi!  I must admit that, so far, the Mac isn't bad. Registration was annoying, Apple trying to sell me stuff was annoying, but I finally got into the interface.

I must admit, that I've really only opened Safari for testing on the website, so far.  I did play with the nice little camera that's built in to the LCD frame, but it only for a few minutes.  Then I got back to work.

The thing has everything... bluetooth, WiFi (I'm using it now!), IEEE1394, USB, ir Remote, and the coolest power connection on the planet.  But, I ask, where is the stinkin' "home" key?  Can you tell me?  Is it just because it's a mac keyboard that it doesn't have some of the basics... like a home key?

BTW, there are new pictures in the gallery...  Just no link on the front page.  I guess, I could have just put a link in, huh?  Okay... fine... here you go .

Oh, and it's offical.  Safari stinks.  I had this post comleted, but couldn't save it using Safari.  But, that's okay... a quick visit to www.mozilla.org/firefox , and all is well.   Still... Safari sucks.  Couldn't even save a post...grumble grumble.