Tippecanoe

Evolutionary Fast Track

I just read a couple of articles discussing how to protect us from spyware, and how to identify it.

IT Confidential
Uncovering Spyware

The author of both articles, John Soat, thinks that there is a difference between spyware and adware. He calls adware a "legitimate online-marketing program" and says that "legitimate adware companies (if that's not an oxymoron, and I don't think it is) face problems defending their business model."

The gist seems to be that since the adware companies operate within legal boundaries, that no one should stop them. Differentiating between the two is a problem that the anti-virus companies are struggling with while they try to determine if and how protection from spyware, etc. will be included in their products.

However, instead of thinking about the adware companies, Symantec and their ilk should be considering the customers' wishes. It doesn't really matter to me if an operation is legal (and that certainly depends on the location of both the publisher and user of content). Instead, I want a product that will keep both the unsafe and annoying away from my machines.

Think about pop-up ads. Most are not violating any law, but they really disturb a web-user. The better browsers offer pop-up blocking capabilities. Some are better than others, and none block everything, but it's a good start. Advertisers have been forced back to less obtrusive methods of getting their message to the people. Web sites that use pop-up methods to display content have also had to change their delivery methods, which I think has given us a little more control over the web surfing experience.

Let's convince software vendors to offer the software we would like to have, not that which supports a business segment we'd rather not be involved with.

I am a manager. However, sometimes I find myself doing actual work. I tell myself, "Isn't there something else that I shouldn't be doing? I'm supposed to be not working on this other project."

I am a facilitator. I look for synergies between systems, build consensus, and negotiate compromises. I lead project meetings where I'm in charge, yet I'm the only one without any assignments. I get credit for all of the great work my staff does, while they seem to get blamed for the problems. At the end of the day, if I can say that I really didn't do anything (other than attend meetings, answer email, and make phone calls), then I had a good day.

It's been a tough transition these past few months. Luckily, the raise in pay makes it easier to handle!

OK, I'm bummed.

According to this article in the J&C, March in the Lafayette area will continue to be cold and will see more precipitation. This is not good biking weather!

Who can I call?

I may be able to get a ride to work in next week. We'll see.

I found this page that details how to disassemble a Panasonic DVD player similar to my troubled model and lubricate the motor to temporarily bypass the H07 error.

I tried it, but had no luck. The motor isn't spinning at all!

Oh well. It was worth a try.

I bought a Panasonic DVD player just about a year ago - a DVD-RV32. A couple of months ago, it quit working. The displayed showed the error H07.

I looked it up in Google today and found a number of product rating sites where other owners of this appliance reported the same error. According to several, this is a problem with the motor speed and is not easily (or cheaply) fixed. It would cost less to buy another.

I will buy another player, but it won't be a Panasonic.



Update: Click Here for part 2.