26 February 2007

More Crap About Me

I visited this website, as suggested by BBC's Click, and it gave me a free "numerology" study of me! Not sure if all of it is true, though.

http://www.amtelecom.net/~mandclu/numerology/

Your Life Path number is 11.

The number 11 Life Path has the connotation of illumination describing its general focus. This is the number associated with spiritual awareness. As one of the two master numbers, 11 vibrations yield understanding and knowledge beyond the grasp of others. The attitude toward life of those possessing this Life Path is somewhat extreme; extremely intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. These extremes make you an interesting, if unusual person, with much to offer society. The Life Path 11 person is deep-thinking, and you are no doubt interested in understanding many of life's mysteries and more intriguing facets. Your inventive mind and broadminded views will permit you to succeed in life in any number of ventures. You can best serve society, however, in those endeavors utilizing your skills of counseling and guidance. Much of your idealism is people oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. You expect a great deal of yourself and of those to whom you are close.

On the negative side, there is a lot of nervous tension associated with the 11 life path, and you can be a difficult person to deal with because of this. For this reason, relationships, at times, can be difficult. This is a Life Path that seems to feature broad mood swings between the elation and depression. You are likely to have trouble making decisions and getting your life in gear, so to speak. There is a tendency for the 11 to harbor feelings of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction with accomplishments and personal progress in life. Your grandiose schemes usually make sense, but you can get off the track and they can be very impractical. You have a very distinct side that lacks common sense, and you are quite often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In this regard, you are perhaps more of a dreamer than a doer. When you do get on target, your ideas seem to have been inspired on high. Perhaps you are not a leader, but you are a visionary and a very talented idea person.

Your Expression Number is 4. Order, service, and management are the cornerstones of the number 4 Expression. Your destiny is to express wonderful organization skills with your ever practical, down-to-earth approach. You are the kind of person who is always willing to work those long, hard hours to push a project through to completion. A patience with detail allows you to become expert in fields such as building, engineering, and all forms of craftsmanship. Your abilities to write and teach may lean toward the more technical and detailed. The positive attitudes of the 4 Expression yield responsibility; you are one who no doubt, fulfills obligations, and is highly systematic and orderly. You are serious and sincere, honest and faithful. It is your role to help and you are required to do a good job at everything you undertake.

If there is too much 4 energies present in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes of the number 4. The obligations that you face may tend tocreate frustration and feelings of limitation orrestriction. You may sometimes find yourself nursing negative attitudes in this regard and these can keep you in a rather low mood. Avoid becoming too rigid, stubborn, dogmatic, and fixed in your opinions. You may have a tendency to develop and hold very strong likes and dislikes, and some of these may border on the classification of prejudice. The negative side of 4 often produces dominant and bossy individuals who use disciplinarian to an excess. These tendencies must be avoided. Finally, like nearly all with 4 Expression, you must keep your eye on the big picture and not get overly wrapped up in detail and routine.

Pinnacles and Challenges The pinnacles and challenges in your life show your response to your environment during the period of time that these influences are in effect. The timing of pinnacles and challenges are simultaneous, and mark the four phases of your life. The pinnacle number is usually considered a benevolent force, while the challenge number is just that, a challenge during those years.

First Pinnacle...1 With a number 1 first pinnacle, most of your youth was probably spent learning how to use original ideas, how to lead, how to rely on yourself without being egotistical, stubborn, self-centered or dominating. This is a period to learn leadership and it may not product the opportunities you would like. It is primarily a learning time.

Second Pinnacle...9 With the number 9 energy apparent on the second pinnacle, you may at times express very emotional and dramatic humanitarian views and ideals and become a champion of the need for tolerance and compassion in the world. You may possess a universal view of the world, working in ways that will benefit mankind.

Third Pinnacle...1 With the third pinnacle providing number 1 energies a degree of aggressiveness becomes apparent in your demeanor. Your ability to get ahead and develop your talents is limited only by your own initiative. Your achievements are likely to be very apparent to the public and a sense of independence allows you to assume a leadership role.

Fourth Pinnacle...3 There is a good possibility of much travel, social activity and entertainment. This transit usually promises freedom from financial worry in the later years. While there is a tendency to drift in relative comfort, this is a time when you can be at your creative best. Your first challenge, starting at birth and lasting until age 25 is a number 6. The challenge of the number 6 suggests that you may have difficulties because of your insistence on extremely high standards. You are apt to appear authoritarian, intolerant, and a little self-righteous.

It is hard for others to live up to your standards of expectation. Many of your considerable talents for balancing situations are used with a negative emphasis. Avoid creating friction in relationships and strive for harmony. You must learn that your diplomatic approach will only be appreciated if others feel that their needs are met, their desires understood, their point of view respected. You must learn to allow others to set their own pace, make their own rules. This challenge requires learning unconditional love and acceptance.

Your second challenge, starts the following year and lasts until age 34 is a number 7. The challenge of the number 7 suggests difficulties brought on by your discomfort with your own inner feelings; feelings of a reserved attitude and unexpressed emotions. You may feel unable to better your situation, or to change and improve circumstances. There is a tendency with this challenge to be a chronic critic and complainer, while offering little or nothing as a suggest to correct the faults that are found. The sense of discrimination is strong, but it is expressed in a very negative way. A sense of false pride tends to keep your real feelings buried beneath the surface. Avoid a tendency to approach people in a very reserved and aloof way, and develop faith in your own abilities rather than dwelling on your limitations. Marriage is apt to be delayed until this challenge is overcome, or if married, this can be a difficult time.

Your third challenge, starts the next year and lasts until age 43 is a number 1. The challenge of the number 1 suggests that in these years, you are likely to feel dominated by others with strong influence, probably parents or others with whom you compete. The challenge of the number 1 is avoidance of being dominated, but doing so in a fashion that does not impose upon or dominate others. With the challenge of the number 1 it's extremely important to control the ego, and avoid the negative aspect of individuality. False pride, pomposity, egotism are issues to be guarded against now. You are now in a period of learning about self-reliance and how to solve your own problems independently. Learn to rely on your wit and your intelligence, avoiding argumentation and resentfulness.

Your fourth challenge will last for the remainder of your life, and is a number 1. The challenge of the number 1 suggests that in these years, you are likely to feel dominated by others with strong influence, probably parents or others with whom you compete. The challenge of the number 1 is avoidance of being dominated, but doing so in a fashion that does not impose upon or dominate others. With the challenge of the number 1 it's extremely important to control the ego, and avoid the negative aspect of individuality. False pride, pomposity, egotism are issues to be guarded against now. You are now in a period of learning about self-reliance and how to solve your own problems independently. Learn to rely on your wit and your intelligence, avoiding argumentation and resentfulness.

All content is © Michael McClain 1997. Permission is granted for unlimited noncommercial use. All other rights reserved. Visit Michael's excellent web site at www.astrology-numerology.com to learn how to make your own readings. Report generated by Virtual Numerologist, © 2000 Tooth and Nail Design.

18 February 2007

Global Climate Change

Have you ever heard of BOINC? It is end-user software for running scientific research projects.

After recently checking out their website I found out that the BBC Climate Prediction research project is now complete... and the results are out - but the future does not look good for us lot in the UK...

Check the BOINC news page here: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/index.php

I recommend you watch the videos on YouTube about how the temperature is expected to change in the next 70 years... visit this page: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=carlgt1

And you can get loads more info on the BBC site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/climateexperiment/

All I can say is that the only way to prevent this prediction from happening is by making global changes - but we need great support from the government so that we can revert to renewable sources of energy.

I'm not crazy about the whole global climate change thing (I mean, The Day After Tomorrow is quite unrealistic) but I still like to be aware of what is going on...

13 February 2007

Great, Big Rumours

BBC News yesterday (click here for article) said that Lewis Pugh, who recently swam the Thames, is now going to swim the Maldives. Why? Apparently because of rising sea levels due to global warming.

No! This is wrong!

I am studying Geography for my AS levels and my tutor said that the majority of sea levels rising is not due to global warming melting the polar ice caps, but is instead the expanse of water melting from the most recent ice age.

My only question against that is, where is that water coming from? Glaciers? Water frozen deep underground or in caves (like Wookey Hole)?

Down with Apple!

Apple have yet again released more adverts for Get A Mac. Here we go again. This time, though, they've got the main characters from The Peep Show as PC and Mac. Great.

So what is this blog for? I want to directly attack Apple for their unjustified adverts. I am writing about these adverts because they really do make PCs look really bad - when actually they are not. Therefore I am trying to come at an unbaised point of view - giving you all the gory details.

Please bear in mind that I have only ever tried out a Mac ONCE. That has no relevance to this blog - I'm only talking about the adverts.

<-- Okay - so Macs come with iLife. Big deal. A load of software to help you with social networking - that is actually quite helpful.

However, a lot of the stuff listed here - you can also do it on a PC. You just need the right software.

And remember - podcast doesn't mean it only works with iPods.

<-- This one isn't really a big deal - both Macs and PCs have problems.

Troubleshooting is actually one of my specialties. If it weren't for troubleshooters - a load of people would have no work.

And anyway - troubleshooting usually only applies to software for PCs - not always PCs themselves.

<-- Mac OS X was built with security in mind? So was Windows. Even the earliest version of Windows already had anti-virus products on them already installed (from Symantec, by the way - its was called "Microsoft Anti-Virus"). But anyway - back to the picture.

Windows was built to bear the onslaught of attacks. The real big issue here is that Windows is more popular than Macs - so all the hackers choose to use Windows for writing their viruses, so naturally the viruses only apply to Windows. When it comes to viruses, it isn't all about how Windows are rubbish at security - because they are not. Its just because most viruses are written for Windows, seeing that its more popular. Just think - if Macs were more popular than Windows, then there would be more viruses for Macs instead. Got it yet, Apple? It isn't down to idea that Macs are more secure than Windows - because they are not. Macs probably have just as many holes as Windows - its just that because Windows is more popular that more viruses are made for Windows instead. Because the hackers don't use Macs, there are few viruses for them. But if, let's just say all the hackers were using Macs instead - then they would start hacking Macs instead of Windows. It doesn't matter which operating system is on top, because at the end of the day, the most popular one will receive the most attacks.

<-- "you find that you're hobbled in some way or another." Yeah, as if?

Anyway - it is down to the OEM (Manufacterer) as to what software comes preinstalled on your computer. RealPlayer, you say? You could always uninstall it! And anyway - if Macs were more popular - they would have preinstalled software on them, too - because software writing companies would prefer to write software for Mac instead of PC. So there you have it.

Now here's a direct attack on one of the adverts (homepage http://www.apple.com/uk/getamac/)

"Pie Chart" - "Mac - I can do fun stuff like movies, music, podcasts..." - A PC can do all this too!
"PC - And I can also do fun stuff, like spreadsheets, and timesheets and pie charts." - This isn't all a PC can do. Windows Vista doesn't even come with that type of software (Office, Works, etc.). And what about Microsoft's Digital Imagery software? Windows Movie Maker? Windows Media Player? Hmm?

Make sure you check out my previous blog about the Get A Mac homepage - click here. And also my website page about Apple - just give your mouse a click here.


Luca Macis wrote:
OKAY, So you say that your not bias but the whole thhing was pretty much bias. Yes it's true Windows can do the same things that Mac can do concerning it's iLife software. The great thing is that you dont have to faf around looking for the software to download seperately. But we are living in the day and age where digital camcorders and camera is standard to software such as iMovie is great to import video. Yes Movie Maker does that to but can you burn it straight t dvd...nope. The whole iLife thing isnt sucha big deal tho The thibng that annoyed me was the issue of security. Whilst Mac's are still not as popular (gr8 computers and i love them but way overpriced which is the reason to me) gunning down their ability to protect the system is innappropiate. The reason there are not many virus's is because people cant breach the system! Imagine if someone finally managed to create a virus and release it for Macs and even only 100 computers were infected then Apples reputation would be ruined. This in itself is a reason to make one for any Microsoft lover. Thats the truth in it all :P
Feb. 20 | Delete

"The reason there are not many virus's is because people cant breach the system"

Umm... how do you know that? Please check my updates - the idea I am trying to get across is that "It doesn't matter which operating system is on top, because at the end of the day, the most popular one will receive the most attacks."

And what are you talking about Windows not providing the software to burn straight to a DVD? Everyone knows that when you BUY a PC you get all the software for using your hardware with it. But a camera, you get a CD with drivers. Buy a DVD writer... guess what? You get a CD with it with all the drivers and software! When my neighbour generously gave me his DVD writer drive, it had a load of Nero software with it - which works brilliantly! Contextualise, man!

And as for the iLife thing... you are right, iLife does mean you don't have to find software - but think - how many movie editors out there are made for Macs? Very few less than there are made for Windows! However, you could say that because "iMovie" is so good, there is no need for other software - but then why is there loads of software for Windows EXCEPT its own Movie Maker? Basically what I'm saying is that because Macs are so unpopular, the only software you can get for a Mac is what comes with them.

And remember - I am not trying to say that Macs are bad - because they are not. I'm just saying the Apple are wrong for making these adverts! They are not giving Windows a chance at all - if anyone is biased it is them - because they don't show the true power of Windows!
Mar. 3 | Delete

11 February 2007

One to Care, or One not to Care?

After having an endless supply of internet connection sharing problems with Windows Live OneCare, I finally managed to resolve the problem - just in the same way I did with the IPv6 Firewall service thing which I posted on the Dell Community Forums - trial and error!

Anyway... for anyone who has the same problem and just happens to type the right keywords in Google will find this useful: Go to the OneCare settings > Firewall > Ports and Protocols and click Add.

  • Share internet: TCP/UDP. Port range 139 to 139. For connections Inbound [local ports]. Scope Internet.
  • Share files: UDP. Port range 53 to 53. For connections Inbound [local ports]. Scope Internet.

So there we are.

However, a newsletter from CNET enlightened me wih the fact that OneCare recently failed completely to protect against recent internet threats - so I might go back to ZoneAlarm?! Any other suggestions, anyone?

4 February 2007

I now own a small part of the Internet!

I recently registered with Microsoft Office Live Basics to claim my free domain (rjc-uk.co.uk).
And the other day I got a letter through say I know own a part of the internet!
The letter was from a company called Nominet who apparently manage all UK domains! Wooh!
And now, after I've registered my details to their website, my name now appears on a WHOIS lookup!
Here are some examples:
(I obviously also had the option to add my address but I didn't really see why, plus I don't want any stalkers!)
The only catch to this registration is that it's only free for 2 years... and the Microsoft Office Live website isn't always working! Ha! Oh well...

3 February 2007

For all those people... you know who you are...

swearword ['sw*lE,wF:d] noun
a socially taboo word or phrase of a profane, obscene, or insulting character

Notice the word PROFANE. Hmm?