Send $25.00 to melody.byrne AT gmail.com via paypal for what is going to be one of the very best cook books ever printed ($10.00 for an e-copy).
These people, Chris and Melody of http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/ have been going through hell the last few years with an extremely expensive international custody battle. This couple has done everything to protect their kids. I've read their blog for quite a while and several others I read, read it often, as well. If you've got the dollars, in this very tight and scary economy, help someone with a bit of relief. They are not asking for handouts or charity, but are offering what they know (some damned good recipes!) in exchange for a few shells. I've ordered one and intend to order others, as pay days roll around. I think these will make some excellent X-Mas gifts.
and tell them P.Blacksmith sent ya!
29.5.09
23.5.09
bad e-mail advise
This e-mail was forwarded to me, lately. I decided to respond in a helpful way, rather than just smacking someone around as my mood suggested.
**************************
How to protect your e-mai l address book
A computer repairman says this is like having gold.
This is a good thing.I learned a computer trick today that's really ingenious in its simplicity.
As you may know, when/if a worm virus gets into your computer
it heads straight for your email address book,
and sends itself to everyone in there,
thus infecting all your friends and associates.
This trick won't keep the virus from gettinginto your computer, but it will stop it from using your address book to spread further, and it will alert you to the fact that the worm has gotten into your system.
Here's what you do:
First, open your address book and click on'new contact,'
just20as you would do if you were adding
a new friend to your list of email addresses.
In the window where you would type yourfriend's first name, type in 'A'.
For the sc reen name or email address,
type mailto:AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA
Now, here's what you've done and why it works:
The 'name 'A' will be placed at the top of your address book as entry #1.
This will be where the worm will start in an effort to send its elf to all your friends.
When it tries to send itself to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA,
it will be undeliverable ONT>
because of the phony email address you entered.
If the first attempt fails
(which it will because of the phony address),
the worm goes no further
and your friends will not be infected.
Here's the second great advantage of this method:
If an email cannot be delivered,
you will be notified of this in your In Box almost immediately.
Hence,
if you ever get an email telling you that an email addressed to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA could not be delivered,
you know right away that you have the worm virus
in your system.
You can then take steps to get rid of it!
Pretty slick huh?
If everybody you know does this then you need not ever worry about opening mail from friends.
DO IT NOW and pass this on to all your friends.
**************************
Another case of wishful dreaming propagated to create a false sense of security. The virus/worm does not stop with just the first message. Instead it will generate 100's of messages as quickly as possible
and sends them. The speed of this attack is important, as well. Others don't go for JUST the address book. They also go for the received and sent items in your mailboxes, farming good addresses tested by someone else, you.
The best way to ensure lower risk of e-mail worm infection is diligence. Keeping your anti-virus current and updated. Being aware of what is being sent to you and by whom. Don't use known tools and applications that are vulnerable to these attacks. Keep your applications, such as outlook express and IE current, too.
If possible read your e-mail online. Using the webmail made available by most ISP's (and others) most worms can be caught there, before infecting thousands of other people. Those businesses are intent on keeping those threats to a minimum as their bottom dollar is threatened in several ways by each virus/worm threat. First, they lose advertising dollars when their servers are clogged with CRUD. Secondly, if you can't get to your data, you stop using that particular service, again more revenue loss. Thirdly, if they have enough problems with their service and quality, they lose credibility starting the downward spiral that is known known as internet death.
If you don't like your information being 'out there' where anyone with a few kiddie scripts might get to it because of a weak password, and you have concerns regarding the inherent weaknesses of Windows, then you have two options. Stop using e-mail and go back to letting the USPS handle all of your correspondence. They could use the business, anyway. OR switch to a proven more secure operating system and set of tools. Many distributions of Linux are available for a great variety of skill levels.
Last I heard, my mother was using an ubuntu linux install to surf the internet, purchase stuff via e-bay and send receive e-mails. She is a smart woman, but computers just are not her 'thing'. As long as she stays within the parameters set up, the machine works flawlessly for her.
Use the right tools and the best tools for the job. Linux is not for everyone, but there are a great many of the same tools from Linux made available for Windows. Using tools such as FireFox and Thunderbird can also help. Choose and use what is right for you and for what you need to do. If you have questions, please let me know. I will answer them as best I can and help you choose the best solution for your unique needs.
I can be reached as daniel@l4smb.net or on my website, http://www.l4smb.net.
**************************
How to protect your e-mai l address book
A computer repairman says this is like having gold.
This is a good thing.I learned a computer trick today that's really ingenious in its simplicity.
As you may know, when/if a worm virus gets into your computer
it heads straight for your email address book,
and sends itself to everyone in there,
thus infecting all your friends and associates.
This trick won't keep the virus from gettinginto your computer, but it will stop it from using your address book to spread further, and it will alert you to the fact that the worm has gotten into your system.
Here's what you do:
First, open your address book and click on'new contact,'
just20as you would do if you were adding
a new friend to your list of email addresses.
In the window where you would type yourfriend's first name, type in 'A'.
For the sc reen name or email address,
type mailto:AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA
Now, here's what you've done and why it works:
The 'name 'A' will be placed at the top of your address book as entry #1.
This will be where the worm will start in an effort to send its elf to all your friends.
When it tries to send itself to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA,
it will be undeliverable ONT>
because of the phony email address you entered.
If the first attempt fails
(which it will because of the phony address),
the worm goes no further
and your friends will not be infected.
Here's the second great advantage of this method:
If an email cannot be delivered,
you will be notified of this in your In Box almost immediately.
Hence,
if you ever get an email telling you that an email addressed to AAAAAAA@AAA.AAA could not be delivered,
you know right away that you have the worm virus
in your system.
You can then take steps to get rid of it!
Pretty slick huh?
If everybody you know does this then you need not ever worry about opening mail from friends.
DO IT NOW and pass this on to all your friends.
**************************
Another case of wishful dreaming propagated to create a false sense of security. The virus/worm does not stop with just the first message. Instead it will generate 100's of messages as quickly as possible
and sends them. The speed of this attack is important, as well. Others don't go for JUST the address book. They also go for the received and sent items in your mailboxes, farming good addresses tested by someone else, you.
The best way to ensure lower risk of e-mail worm infection is diligence. Keeping your anti-virus current and updated. Being aware of what is being sent to you and by whom. Don't use known tools and applications that are vulnerable to these attacks. Keep your applications, such as outlook express and IE current, too.
If possible read your e-mail online. Using the webmail made available by most ISP's (and others) most worms can be caught there, before infecting thousands of other people. Those businesses are intent on keeping those threats to a minimum as their bottom dollar is threatened in several ways by each virus/worm threat. First, they lose advertising dollars when their servers are clogged with CRUD. Secondly, if you can't get to your data, you stop using that particular service, again more revenue loss. Thirdly, if they have enough problems with their service and quality, they lose credibility starting the downward spiral that is known known as internet death.
If you don't like your information being 'out there' where anyone with a few kiddie scripts might get to it because of a weak password, and you have concerns regarding the inherent weaknesses of Windows, then you have two options. Stop using e-mail and go back to letting the USPS handle all of your correspondence. They could use the business, anyway. OR switch to a proven more secure operating system and set of tools. Many distributions of Linux are available for a great variety of skill levels.
Last I heard, my mother was using an ubuntu linux install to surf the internet, purchase stuff via e-bay and send receive e-mails. She is a smart woman, but computers just are not her 'thing'. As long as she stays within the parameters set up, the machine works flawlessly for her.
Use the right tools and the best tools for the job. Linux is not for everyone, but there are a great many of the same tools from Linux made available for Windows. Using tools such as FireFox and Thunderbird can also help. Choose and use what is right for you and for what you need to do. If you have questions, please let me know. I will answer them as best I can and help you choose the best solution for your unique needs.
I can be reached as daniel@l4smb.net or on my website, http://www.l4smb.net.
24.4.09
Memories attack with the mildest of stimuli
Sitting at work, things were slow, so I pulled out the MP3 player to jam to while surfing for Linux stuff.
I just told the the MP3 player to start randomly playing any of the music on there. The first few songs were not 'right' for my mood. Then came up "Girl" by the Beatles. I chose to listen to that album, Rubber Soul. For 30 or so minutes I was transplanted in time a space, within my mind to places and times that were simpler for me. During 'In my Life' I remembered standing beside a black TV stood up on it's side, smacking out the drum bits with my hands. Getting different tones from different parts of the side I was tapping on. I could not have been more than 9. Then came 'Michelle', and I saw my sister, in freeze frame through her growing up with me. Granted the song is about a crush or a girlfriend or a lover. But my sister was named for that song. 'Run for your life' was visions from the backseat of a small car, with a very young version of my father in the driver's seat, tapping out the rythym on the steering wheel at a stop light. During 'The Word' I'm sitting on the floor of my Dad's CB shop, behind the house, taking apart radios for him to use for spare parts. I've got the diagonal cutters in my hand, asking Dad how long he wanted the tranformer wires.
Good memories, good time. Better times and simpler times.
Before this little journey I had been having a bit of a rough day. Now? My day is better.
Trust me on this one. Take a few inutes and explore the memorie sform the stimuli you have abotu. that little 30 minute vacation down memory road was as refreshing as beautiful spring day, playing hooky from work. I think we technically call them "Mental Health Days."
P.Blacksmtih
I just told the the MP3 player to start randomly playing any of the music on there. The first few songs were not 'right' for my mood. Then came up "Girl" by the Beatles. I chose to listen to that album, Rubber Soul. For 30 or so minutes I was transplanted in time a space, within my mind to places and times that were simpler for me. During 'In my Life' I remembered standing beside a black TV stood up on it's side, smacking out the drum bits with my hands. Getting different tones from different parts of the side I was tapping on. I could not have been more than 9. Then came 'Michelle', and I saw my sister, in freeze frame through her growing up with me. Granted the song is about a crush or a girlfriend or a lover. But my sister was named for that song. 'Run for your life' was visions from the backseat of a small car, with a very young version of my father in the driver's seat, tapping out the rythym on the steering wheel at a stop light. During 'The Word' I'm sitting on the floor of my Dad's CB shop, behind the house, taking apart radios for him to use for spare parts. I've got the diagonal cutters in my hand, asking Dad how long he wanted the tranformer wires.
Good memories, good time. Better times and simpler times.
Before this little journey I had been having a bit of a rough day. Now? My day is better.
Trust me on this one. Take a few inutes and explore the memorie sform the stimuli you have abotu. that little 30 minute vacation down memory road was as refreshing as beautiful spring day, playing hooky from work. I think we technically call them "Mental Health Days."
P.Blacksmtih
Tags:
23.4.09
Time to Gripe
Ok, I've been quiet quite a bit, lately. Mostly because I've been working on my L4SMB.net website. Thanks for dropping by, if you have not, get on over there.
Anyway.
Obama the fierce is being clapped on the back (by his own people) as a firm, decisive leader with a spine.
BULLSHIT!
Yes, I just used an offensive word. Get over it. If you don't like it, crawl under a rock and hide for a decade or so.
anyway....
Obama is being lauded all these strong wonderful things for his handling of the Somali Pirates and the sea captain that was hostage. Obama did nothing more than hinder the SEAL team and the on site commander, preventing them from doing their jobs, effectively.
The hostage, even got out of the boat and into the water, freeing the SEALS to shoot with no risk to the hostage, and again, the idiot with solar screen sized ears held them from acting, as they, the pirates, recovered their prize.
Here is a small boat with three unruly men holding another, unarmed man hostage. Many threats of violence and death have been promised by the pirates. And still the orders stood that the Navy was to take no action unless the hostage's life was in serious and eminent danger.
The on scene commander saw one of the pirates point a weapon at the hostage. he considered this to be serious and eminent danger and ordered the SEAL team to remove the threat.
The scenario ran for many ore hours than it should have. and the hostage was left in the hands of pirates. Intentionally left in danger.
One commander took a look at the situation, determined the risks and ordered the shots. I hope he is awarded a medal for dis-obeying an order and saving a life.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. Komisar Obama is a fraud.
But as I was recently reminded by a comic from my father, who grew up in a different time, the caption of which read: "don't worry, after all, how many black men do you know that have kept the same job for 4 years." Racist, yes, undeserved? doubtful.
Good night, all
P.Blacksmith
Anyway.
Obama the fierce is being clapped on the back (by his own people) as a firm, decisive leader with a spine.
BULLSHIT!
Yes, I just used an offensive word. Get over it. If you don't like it, crawl under a rock and hide for a decade or so.
anyway....
Obama is being lauded all these strong wonderful things for his handling of the Somali Pirates and the sea captain that was hostage. Obama did nothing more than hinder the SEAL team and the on site commander, preventing them from doing their jobs, effectively.
The hostage, even got out of the boat and into the water, freeing the SEALS to shoot with no risk to the hostage, and again, the idiot with solar screen sized ears held them from acting, as they, the pirates, recovered their prize.
Here is a small boat with three unruly men holding another, unarmed man hostage. Many threats of violence and death have been promised by the pirates. And still the orders stood that the Navy was to take no action unless the hostage's life was in serious and eminent danger.
The on scene commander saw one of the pirates point a weapon at the hostage. he considered this to be serious and eminent danger and ordered the SEAL team to remove the threat.
The scenario ran for many ore hours than it should have. and the hostage was left in the hands of pirates. Intentionally left in danger.
One commander took a look at the situation, determined the risks and ordered the shots. I hope he is awarded a medal for dis-obeying an order and saving a life.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. Komisar Obama is a fraud.
But as I was recently reminded by a comic from my father, who grew up in a different time, the caption of which read: "don't worry, after all, how many black men do you know that have kept the same job for 4 years." Racist, yes, undeserved? doubtful.
Good night, all
P.Blacksmith
16.4.09
Agitation on the Anderson Cooper site
First I read: http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/15/tea-bag-toss-ends-white-house-protest/comment-page-1/#comment-672022. And I was mildly perturbed that some idiot threw a tea bag onto the white house lawn. Then we learn it was a box of tea bags.
OK, so some idiot was being an idiot. THEN I read the comments.
My comments may get moderated out of existence, so here they are. I posted them following Bunmi of California's comments. Please excuse me while I look for that mythical place where America USED to be.
OK, so some idiot was being an idiot. THEN I read the comments.
My comments may get moderated out of existence, so here they are. I posted them following Bunmi of California's comments. Please excuse me while I look for that mythical place where America USED to be.
Hmmmm…
A ‘Tea Party’ to protest unjust taxation? Taxation being decided by those who will be exempt from it? OR at least able to give themselves pay increases to offset their new taxes? Taxation on those who worked and earned their wages, just so it can be given to those who are ‘less fortunate’?
Get over yourself.
Obama was elected for one reason and one reason alone. He BOUGHT the votes of a majority of the American People. The Media got behind him to make history of ensuring this BLACK guy got elected. Careers were made with the coverage of Obama’s campaign. Writers and reporters who previously were not good enough for the mainstream media outlets were all over Obama as a meal ticket. And suddenly they were stellar reporters with big numbers and careers.
Don’t come down on the conservatives and the Republicans quite so hard. After all, Madoff’s ponzi scam was first reported to the federal government while Bill and Hilary were in charge. And no one wanted to hear about it then, either.
And just to remind a few folks, the persons who have taken the majority of the profits from the illicit activities in the lending and housing markets are NOT the ones that pay the majority into the tax coffers. It is those people with JOBS who pay their taxes and go home. Bush gave tax breaks to the wealthiest in an effort to get money back into the economy. It was a bust, as far as ideas go.
Obama’s plan is to INCREASE TAXES, INCREASE SPENDING and bankrupt us wholly. The same man that bows in submission to another leader, an arab, as he represents THE ENTIRE NATION. He subjugated our entire nation to the feat of that Muslim King. Yet his wife will offer to shake the hand of the Queen of England. Not even able to present the proper respect of a curtsy.
But ALL of the above is without value when you consider our nations first “African American” President wants to reinstate slavery through the mandatory volunteerism required by the Give Act. I guess that is how he intends to pay for so much of what he is feeding the senate and the Congress while asking for Party votes.
Republicans may be full of sour grapes, as the Dems were during the Bush reign. The Dems are now walking on cloud 9 pushing as much socialism through as possible.
And those who use their BRAIN and vote on conscience, will see to it that this nation stands, despite the two ends fighting against the middle.
Pagan Blacksmith of OKC, OK
9.3.09
Linux in the SMB space
Lately, I've been working on another website, quite a bit. Trying to get some google money from advertising, etc. But primarily, I have been trying to develop content for a Linux site focused on supporting small business.
For several years, I have been a strong proponent of Linux. The Open Source 'movement' has come a very long way in recent years. As applications such as Samba continue to progress, every day Linux is narrowing the Microsoft dominance in the IT industry.
In the IT industry there are five primary arenas. The most profitable arena is the 'Enterprise'. Followed by Government (or Public), Client, then SMB and finally Consumer.
The Consumer Market is home PC like what is available in most 'BigBox Stores' such as WalMart and BestBuy.
Enterprise is the large company with many computers, massive server farms, and the like. WalMart, Ford Motor Co, JPL, NYT, and similar companies would be considered Enterprise customers.
The Government or Public channel includes such as NASA, the federal, state and local governments, schools and so on.
Client is more like a joint sub-division of both Enterprise and Government. Client is usually alrge. high number sales orders for machines with all the same specs.
And finally, we come to SMB (Small/Medium Business). SMB is usually defined as 100 or fewer PCs. Microsoft has a product out call Small Business Server which has a set of restrictions limiting the system to support no more the 75 users.
The Linux environment is in use in all these markets. Many very large organizations may not even be aware they are using Linux systems outside of the IT department. Few people are using Linux as their primary home desktop primarily because of learning curves. Linux is not difficult ot learn, it is just ... different.
However, one issue I have seen that is holding Linux 'back' in the SMB space is the lack of support and easy integration of all these various tools. So, my website, L4SMB.net, is focused on bringing that information together. It is also a site for those persons who have an interest if supporting Linux in teh SMB space to share ideas and hopefully insight.
If you have an interest in Linux, or are in business, take a look at my site. http://www.l4smb.net
P. Blacksmith
For several years, I have been a strong proponent of Linux. The Open Source 'movement' has come a very long way in recent years. As applications such as Samba continue to progress, every day Linux is narrowing the Microsoft dominance in the IT industry.
In the IT industry there are five primary arenas. The most profitable arena is the 'Enterprise'. Followed by Government (or Public), Client, then SMB and finally Consumer.
The Consumer Market is home PC like what is available in most 'BigBox Stores' such as WalMart and BestBuy.
Enterprise is the large company with many computers, massive server farms, and the like. WalMart, Ford Motor Co, JPL, NYT, and similar companies would be considered Enterprise customers.
The Government or Public channel includes such as NASA, the federal, state and local governments, schools and so on.
Client is more like a joint sub-division of both Enterprise and Government. Client is usually alrge. high number sales orders for machines with all the same specs.
And finally, we come to SMB (Small/Medium Business). SMB is usually defined as 100 or fewer PCs. Microsoft has a product out call Small Business Server which has a set of restrictions limiting the system to support no more the 75 users.
The Linux environment is in use in all these markets. Many very large organizations may not even be aware they are using Linux systems outside of the IT department. Few people are using Linux as their primary home desktop primarily because of learning curves. Linux is not difficult ot learn, it is just ... different.
However, one issue I have seen that is holding Linux 'back' in the SMB space is the lack of support and easy integration of all these various tools. So, my website, L4SMB.net, is focused on bringing that information together. It is also a site for those persons who have an interest if supporting Linux in teh SMB space to share ideas and hopefully insight.
If you have an interest in Linux, or are in business, take a look at my site. http://www.l4smb.net
P. Blacksmith
5.3.09
One idea on 'How to Fix Our Government'
Ok, I had this truly evil idea. At least many in our government (mostly the elected officials) would consider it evil, yet they are the one's who gave me the idea.
Here are my thoughts on several things that are broken and how we can fix them.
Will this make America a utopia? NO.
Will this make America a Libertarian Paradise? NO.
Will this make America anything? NO.
Will you actually be able to again taste freedom? As an American, YES.
Here are my thoughts on several things that are broken and how we can fix them.
- Problem - Social Security - I'm paying a lot into it and doubt I will ever get anything back out of it.
- Fix - get rid of ALL the special federal employee retirement programs and have them use Social Security
- Problem - Medicare/Medicade/National Healthcare - If National Healthcare is so good, why do the English and the Canadians come to our country for major medial, like multip-by-pass surgeries?
- Fix - Put ALL State and Federal Employees and Elected persons on Medicare/Medicade/National Healthcare. Within 3 years, the 'unrepairable' will be fixed.
- Problem - 2nd Amendment Rights - The politicians say we have no reason to want or need firearms.
- Fix - If we don't need or have a right to firearms, then they don't need armed body guards, neither do their kids, their wives, mothers-in-law, etc. They want us 'dis-armed' then they should demonstrate how safe this land is.
- Problem - Pork Spending - Every single one of those politicians is spending our money for their next election.
- Fix - Mandatory term limits, salary capped at 2x national minimum wage, Social Security instead of their pension plan, Government run medical for them and their families. After all, if it's good enough for me and mine, it's good enough for them.
- Problem - Sex Scandals while in Office -
- Fix - "Hey! America! Give it up, already! The Emperor of Japan laughed at us, LAUGHED, because there was so much hooplah over Clinton getting a blow job from an ugly woman!" Yes, the man lied, but he lied only becuase there was so much BS being put on him for these actions. I am dead certain that Lewinski was intelligent enough and 'experienced' enough to know the difference between sexual harrasment and consentual sex between adults.
- Problem - Gay Marriage/Rights - Many don't like the idea of it and want federal laws banning it.
- Fix - Read your Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclimation and Bible with all with the same level of enthusiasm. Then shut up and sit down when I DON'T read YOUR Bible but some other belief. All four of these documents grants us the freedoms and makes us responsible for the freedoms of others to seek happiness. It does not gurantee us the right TO happiness, just the freedom to seek it out.
- Problem - Abortion
- Fix - See above
- Problem - Loss of Jobs in America - 'Good paying jobs are getting harder and harder to find'
- Fix - Stop sending OUR jobs out of country. Stop giving companies that outsource work to foreign lands federal tax credits and breaks for breaking the working spirit of our nation.
- Problem - 'The War on Drugs' - Stopping the trafficing, produciton, sale and use of illicit drugs
- Fix - Legalize drugs. Make them available to people who want them, tax the crap out of them, and persons who use drugs get ONE and ONLY ONE shot at state covered drug treatment. After that, they forfeit ALL rights to citizenship and the benefits there of.
- Problem - The Growing Anti-American Sentiment around the world
- Fix - Stop meddling. Bring ALL of our troops home. Call all debts to our nation by other nations 'due'. Some country gets hit with a natural disaster? Leave them alone to solve it themselves. After all, how many of them came forward to help with Hurricane Katrina?
- Problem - Illegal Aliens
- Fix - All those troops that just came home? Put them on the borders, two armed soldiers ever 100 meters. A second 'line' of soldiers 1/2 mile back from the border, again, spaced two every 50 meters. Give them all live amunition, the best night vision equipment and ORDER them to defend themselves and their nation agianst intruders. The first line is to attempt to turn back or capture 'those trying to break and enter into our nation. The second line is to have orders to shoot to kill anyone NOT in specific avenues of travel and not identified by radio communications. Make it even easier on these soldiers, anyone attempting to cross the borders (north and south) after dark is shot on sight. Period. NO questions asked. If you are out there in the dark, you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any soldier found guilty of colluding with the 'enemy infiltrators' are found guilty of high treason and executed, loudly, if not publically.
- Problem - Complicated, Unreasonable Taxation
- Fix - Flat tax of a given percentage. Say 10%. Flat. If you recieve money for ANYTHING or ANY SERVICE performed, you pay a flat tax on it. If people want to 'avoid' paying taxes, they are free to use the barter system for physical items. Anything not physically represented, care, repair services, rent, etc has to be paid for with currency. Only physical items can be 'bartered'. If you are a hunter and barter a 7 point buck for a three story house in the middle of Manhattan, congratulations. Damned good deal. Do you have a copy of the license used for bagging that buck, please? And did you pay, in cash, and taxed accrodingly, the notary for the transfer of deed and ownership services?
Will this make America a utopia? NO.
Will this make America a Libertarian Paradise? NO.
Will this make America anything? NO.
Will you actually be able to again taste freedom? As an American, YES.
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