Now you might have noticed that I am not somebody who particularly likes Microsoft. However, Microsoft AntiSpyware(UPDATE: now called Windows Defender) is actually a nice product. While still in beta, I think it is even superior to Lavasoft’s Ad-aware.
Microsoft AntiSpyware is highly configurable, and allows you to set up a schedule for automatic updating, and to run scheduled scans. Both can be set to run overnight, when you’re computer is not in use, of course that only works if you leave your computer on all the time.
So if you are a Windows user, I highly recommend downloading Microsoft AntiSpyware(UPDATE: now called Windows Defender). If you decide to ignore me on this, please download something to protect you from Spyware, even if you go with Lavasoft’s Ad-aware or Spybot Search and Destroy.

I’ve been a Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox user for at least the past 7 years. Part of the reason for using these non-Microsoft non-Internet Explorer browsers is that I do not like the inherent insecurities of Microsoft Internet Explorer – being the target of spyware/malware/adware as well as other security holes including ActiveX, etc. Another reason is that for these past 7+ years I have been a (at least part-time) user of non-Windows operating systems, primarily Linux.

On Linux, (“obviously ” for some of you tech-savvy readers), Microsoft Internet Explorer does not exist. First Netscape, then Mozilla, and now Firefox are the most popular browsers for Linux, over the course of the past few years. And sure, other browsers do exist on Linux, just as others exist for Windows. But, the nice thing about using Firefox on Linux and on Windows, is that they operate similarly, offer pop-up blocking, tabbed windows, and fine-grain control over which cookies and images you would like to accept or reject based on hostname.

So even while I am at work running Windows 2000, or while using Windows XP on my laptop (usually only to run Microsoft only programs that I need for school), Firefox is the way I browse and utilize the Internet.

While I do recognize the title of this post, Internet Explorer can be used for a select few things. It should only be used:
1. To run Windows Update.
If you run Microsoft Windows, and use your computer very often to visit Internet sites or to send email, you should visit this web site and install all updates on a near daily basis. When you go to the site, click the ‘Scan for updates’ link and Windows Update will proceed to check what you have installed and gives you a list of items that need updating. Usually the ‘Critical Updates and Service Packs’ fix known security holes and are the most important. The update in the ‘Windows {your_windows_version}’ category usually fix holes related specifically to your Windows version. ‘Driver Updates’ are pretty self-explanatory, updates for software drivers of your hardware and devices. I recommend that you install ALL of the updates that Windows Update identifies. After the inevitable restart that it makes you perform after installing updates, I advise you to run Windows Update again. Sometimes some updates are dependent on prerequisite updates. Repeat this process of restarting and running Windows Update until it tells you “There are no updates available at this time”.
2. To visit non-standards compliant websites that simply do not work with Firefox.
Use a bit of caution in this situation however. If you are trying to do something illegal or borderline illegal (or even if you are not), these sites might also try to install harmful code on your computer, such as spyware, malware, adware or a virus. Think before you fire up Internet Explorer. Is this site really worth the risk? If it is to pay a bill or visit you bank’s website that will simply not work in Firefox, you should be alright, but always be extra careful.
3. To download Firefox.
This is probably the best use for Internet Explorer, after all.

I hope you take my tips into consideration and wean yourself off of Internet Explorer whenever possible. You will keep your computer that much safer just by making this small adjustment. Remember to always run and keep your anti-virus software and anti-spyware applications up to date as well.

If all of this seems like too much work, maybe you should consider running Linux. Personally, I run Fedora Core.

I added a lot of pictures to the band’s website from the rehearsal studio and from 2 shows: one back in July 2004, and one from a few weeks ago back on February 5th.
If you look carefully, you may even find rare pictures of me sporting a mohawk.

As a quick hack, I added this snapshot that I took in October 2003 as a header image. I still want to heavily modify the site to make it look more ‘non-defaulty’ if I can get away with that made up word. I see much more potential with the new version of WordPress, it offers a lot more functionality than the previous version that I had installed. As you can see, even in a mostly default type of situation it looks pretty good, which is more than I can say for the old default style. Stay tuned for a better upcoming site design, hopefully sooner than later.

Well, I just upgraded from WordPress version 1.2.2 to version 1.5. This is currently the default style, so I still have to customize the look of the site, but at least it is functioning properly.

This week has been crazy with a lot of things going on at work, school, and home. My workload at both school and work seemed to have doubled this week, and I’m not sure why. I feel like I haven’t had any ‘spare’ time, although I am working on a new version of the band’s website but I am not going to link either of the two development ideas here. It is based on WordPress like this site, but I am trying to modify the CSS to make it less ‘WordPressy’. It’s not really going to be a blog, but I want an easy interface to update post through, and WordPress is dead simple. Plus, it’ll keep it all nice and organized with the time and date in a MySQL database. More on this when I have a finished product, although like I mentioned, it’s been really busy.
In football news, the Pro Bowl is on this Sunday, and I will be cheering for the AFC as usual. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.

Lately I’ve received a lot of spam in my comments. This problem should be fixed shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience. Poker, holdem etc will not be tolerated any longer. If anyone has any tips on preventing comment spam, please post a comment. Thanks.

I want to inform my very few readers that I am sorry for not posting since last Thursday. I know you reload my site on an hourly basis wondering if and when a new post will appear. Go on, admit it.
I started the ‘Spring’ semester of school on Monday, and let’s just say it’s been really hectic. I use the term ‘Spring’ loosely, and in quotes, since it’s been so cold and snowy since this past weekend, it really doesn’t feel like ‘Spring.’ Arctic Winter sounds more appropriate, for some reason, and that reason is that it’s freezing, or below freezing lately. Today it’s not ‘supposed’ to get warmer than 18 degrees. Yes, Fahrenheit, wise guy. With the nice wind we’re getting it obviously feels sub-zero.
OK, enough of the weather report. Most people discuss the weather when there isn’t anything else to talk about. Hopefully that isn’t why I decided to do so here. I think it’s because my hands and fingers are so cold, and that never happens. So why don’t you post a comment and give me something else to talk about. Plus, then I can actually see who reads my site. Thanks for coming by. Your check’s in the mail.

The Jets didn’t waste any time getting a new offensive coordinator. On the same day that Paul Hackett called it quits, the Jets have landed Mike Heimerdinger, who was with Tennessee Titans for the past five seasons. In his first four seasons (2000-2004) at the offensive controls, the Titans were transformed into a wide receiver-driven offense and controlled the game with its rushing attack. The full story is on the Jets’ website here: (Link no loger available:)Heimerdinger Named New Offensive Coordinator.