My Geek Notes

Here are some pictures of some amazing balloon art (32 pics). My favorite ones are the full suit of armor and the life size couch. I got them forwarded to me in an email with no reference of their origin so if you know anything, please let me know and I’ll update this post with the proper credits.

I chopped out the funny part on this podcast where you can here the exercise ball exploding and Leo hitting the ground.

You can find the whole thing on The TWiT Netcast Network with Leo Laporte. I’ve listened to it a couple of times now and laugh every time. Enjoy!

I recently decided to limit my time spent fixing others’ computers to mine and my wife’s immediate family; still quite the handful of people, but they do favors for me all the time so it seems an even exchange. The problem now lies in how to handle everyone else (mostly neighbors and associates) who would love for me to fix their computers for free. Even just giving advice can be terribly time consuming. The following are methods I’ve started to use to ensure I don’t end up fixing others’ computers for free, and still save face.

1. Leave the ball in their court
I just used this one the other night when stopped by a neighbor as I walked past her house. She needed some sort of HTML template for a site she submits to regularly. What she needed didn’t sound too hard, but I wasn’t willing to become the “project lead” by any means so I told her to get it all on paper and swing it by my house. I still haven’t heard from her. Making the requester take the initiative cancels out many would-be projects.

2. Delay them for another time
Most times when people have approached me, they want me to look at something right then or the same day. Similar to number one you can put the ball in their court by saying, “you know I don’t have time today (or this week) - give me a call next week and we’ll coordinate something.” This way they now have to take initiative a week from now and you’re not left getting back to them.

3. Stop volunteering advise or to help
Back when I was a young geek I used to want to fix everyone’s computer problems because I “knew it all”. Now I don’t even like to tell people what I do for a living for fear they’ll want me to do something for them. This method is a great one because it actually forces the requester to ask for your help when, after telling you their story, you haven’t volunteered a solution. It’s great practice for being a good listener and offering the occasional, “wow, that sucks.”

4. Refer someone else to fix the problem
I used this one the other night with the same lady in method #1. She said that her second computer was no longer seeing the printer over the network. Well come to find out, the original setup was done by another guy in the neighborhood, a friend of mine. “Well, he’s the man to fix that problem then”, I said. It’s such a great feeling to refer someone else who is more “skilled” at something than you are.

5. Quick list solution
This method usually starts off with, “Now here’s what you need to do …” and ends with a list of programs, tweaks, or hardware that will fix their problem. Best case scenario, they understand and fix the problem. Worst case, they come back 10 minutes later not remembering one of the steps or with a new problem because they did something wrong. Only use this one on the simple stuff because it will take you seconds/minutes to explain and won’t be too hard for them to do themselves … you hope.

6. Offer a “discounted” rate
I got this idea from my brother-in-law who uses it quite often. The neighbor approaches with the problem. You state your regular rate of $150/hour but say, “hey, your my neighbor so I’ll only charge you half that amount.” And there you go - either the neighbor pays you for your time or walks away thinking, “what a great guy to offer such a discount, although I can’t afford it”.

7. Offer to exchange services
Same as the previous one and also from the brother-in-law. This time you turn the tables and ask a favor in return playing on the requester’s strengths. I’d advise you use a different method if the requester doesn’t do something beneficial to you like mechanics, landscaping, or dentistry.

8. Refuse to troubleshoot over the phone
I really, really hate trying to figure out what’s wrong with someone’s computer over the phone especially when you’re at the question level of “is the computer on?” or they ask, “what’s a desktop?”. Say, “you know it’s really hard to do this over the phone” and then work in a #1 or #2 and cross your fingers that they never take initiative.

9. If you really don’t know, tell them
I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to do research myself to figure out someone else’s problem and then fix it. Saying, “you know, I really don’t know how to fix that” may make you look a little week in the geekhood, but when you’re a seasoned (and weathered) geek, do you really care anymore? I know my time is more important to me now than how much others think I know.

10. I’m sorry, I just don’t have the time
The end all, the failsafe, the honest answer. The best way to approach this one is to make them understand that you really, really wish you could help them, but you just don’t have the time. This one reminds of the episode of Cheers where Norm has to fire people as part of his job and ends up sobbing every time. Those being fired end up comforting Norm. Great show.

Let me know of any you have. Anything to save my time and face.

I ran across two sites today that showed some pretty amazing toilet setups. The first one located on the top floor of the famous Peninsula Hotel on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. Rumor has it (read the text below the picture) that before they installed the black marble urinals, you used to have to pee on the wall (or window, as some have thought.) And all the time you’re looking out over the city. Wow, here is the link to that one.

The second one is a public toilet located in Basel, Switzerland made of one-way glass sitting right out in public. This one would have me curious enough to actually want to use it. Seriously, using the toilet right there in the open as everyone passes by - you can see them, but they can’t see you! Here is the link to that one. Rumor has it, there are others around the world like this one. If you know of one here in the US, let me know.

There are very few people in Hollywood that I would care to meet and Josh Long is one of them; he just seems like a pretty cool guy. If you don’t know who I’m talking about … he’s the Mac in those hilarious commercials, he was the guy in Dodge Ball who is the first hit with a wrench, and he is now in the new Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis. I’ve yet to see him in a show I didn’t like.

I’m stumped as to what to plug today, so I’ll just have to point out the sweet Firefox plugin list that sprocketrocket posted earlier today. I use some of the ones that he mentioned, but not all of them. In fact, there are some that I need to check out as they look very handy. Thanks sprocket!

In the news, in the news. There are a few things of interest, one being the upcoming Lyrid Meteor Shower which should be visible on the mornings of April 22 and 23. Other news about space comes from the Seattle Times in an article about how Japan is now trying to catch up with China who is the current leader in Asia’s space race. Between Asia, the US, and that Virgin guy in the UK, we just may be vacationing in space pretty soon.

I usually quickly glance at the news each morning to see what’s happening in the headlines. It’s been a while since I was shocked like I was today at what happened at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia early this morning. It was only 7am here when the second shooting spree happened so the news sites had a good amount of information already by the time I pulled up CNN’s website to see it on the homepage.

I can’t even imagine the horror that it must have been for those on campus and the anguish felt by those who lost loved ones. Just a little over 2 months ago Sulejman Talović killed 5 bystanders, injured 4 others, and then took his own life in Salt Lake City at the Trolley Square shopping mall just 20 minutes south of where I live. Yet I’m having a harder time getting a grasp on today’s tragedy.

Over the next few days/weeks I’m sure we’ll hear many in the news saying that stronger and better gun control laws could have prevented it. It may have, sure … probably not. I think it’s more important to remember that by taking away the right of the law abiding people in this country to own a gun and protect themselves when needed will not reduce the number of guns the criminals have.

Every once in a while I sit down and take all of my scattered notes and compile them into one big list. This works well for me for about 3 days then it’s back to scribbling on any piece of paper I can find. I’d like to move to a fully online task management system (one I’ve wanted to code myself forever) but really lack any free time to do it. Someday, maybe.

Have you ever heard of viral games? Well, they’re called that for a good reason. Recently a co-worker introduced me to one game written in flash that I just can’t seem to beat, and have determined that I will! Someday, maybe. Anyway, it’s a strategy game where you place defense towers on the board and try to stop the little “creeps” from making it to the other side. I can’t even beat the easy level, although I’ve gotten close once or twice. It’s called Desktop Tower Defense. Good luck!

I’ve searched through all of my news links today and didn’t find very much of interest. Although, on CNN’s homepage as the main story it was announced today that Don Imus was canned by CBS for the racist remarks he said on the air the other day. He is 67 years old so maybe it’s about time for him to retire anyway.

UPDATE: With just 2 lives left, I just beat the easy level. Yea for me!

Big day tomorrow on my project and I’ve got tons to do so this entry will be pretty short. Surprisingly I’m not too tired yet and my iPod is fully charged. Wish me luck!

Quick plug today on a friend’s site/software that just hit the big v.2 with updated features, etc. I used it in the past and was really impressed with how easy it was to set up and monitor. It’s called GeoDetector and is a geo location software along with some pretty cool security features; basically it blocks bad IPs based on the geo location. And, if I remember correctly, you can even specify what countries/regions you want to limit your site to - don’t do business in China, no need to have you site there then. Check it out, GeoDetector, it’s free for the next little while! Oh, and if you like what you see, Digg It.

In the news … sigh. Really not much of interest. I guess I could talk about how much heat Don Imus is getting over what he said the other day, but in all honesty, he’s getting what he deserves. Racist or not, there’s no need to make comments like that. Are people over-reacting? The publicity seems to be feeding the fire. Other than that, here is a link to an article that cites the Top 10 Firefox extension to avoid.

I’m working late tonight at the office thrashing through a project due within the next two days and my iPod just died on me. That is, the battery just gave out so I’ll have to remember to plug it in for the long haul tomorrow.

In a previous post my monkeyx talks some about Flash, which I think I’ll give a little word on tonight. It’s more of a success story really, or not. Either way, I tried the new Flash 9 plugin for Linux again today (after it constantly crash my browser last time, over a month ago) and so far so good. What does this mean? It means I’ll see the full features of Flash apps now. Woot!

Not too much in the news, but here are some links to some important places in Silicon Valley. The first is the Shockley Semiconductor Lab and the second is that HP Garage. Interesting that one is being preserved and the other not at all.

We went and saw another movie, Premonition, tonight with some of my family after the big family Easter BBQ. Would I recommend it to anyone? Maybe once it hits the dollar theater sure, but don’t pay $8.25 per ticket like I did. I think the most annoying part was that they started playing the wrong movie at first and on top of that, until about 10 minutes into the correct movie, they had the image too wide. So 3 feet on either side of the screen (on the curtains) was where the movie was playing. Come on, for $8.25 a ticket I expect no hassles! Oh, and I didn’t like how the movie ended.

I’m going to have to break away from my planned continuation on Google Apps to talk about my favorite IM client that is now going under a huge name/site change because of legal issues with AOL. It’s also the first (and currently only) notes piece that I’ve posted; I’ll have to change the name there too. Anyway, I’ve been using GAIM for a few years now and really, really enjoy it. They are changing the name to Pidgin and you can see their new site here, http://pidgin.im/. The current top article on their new site talks about the change, why, when and how. Pidgin … not sure if I like that name. Oh well.

More and more is coming out on the ship that hit rocks and has now fully sunk off the coast of the island Santorini, Greece. It looks like there are two French passengers that are still not accounted for and the officers are now being charged. Here are two links that show the ship in its last moments above water. Wow, a couple of days ago when this all started I never thought that the ship would sink. Hit rocks, tip sideways at the dock, sure, but not sink out of site!