Yes, it’s true.  Finally a way to get your personal files on each machine you work with that gets backed up online without any worry of who is rummaging through your data when you aren’t looking!  It’s the secure online backup you were looking for!

Windows? Linux? Mac? No problem.  Installers are available for all three systems.

DropBox (a glorified subversion system for the rest of us) has finally worked its way out of beta and will become the backbone for our project.  Transmission of data to DropBox is via HTTPS, so we at least have half the problem resolved.

The second problem is DropBox’s STORAGE of my files.  If they defect to the goverment faster than AT&T did with the NSA, then you can be sure your private key and personal bookmarks to porn sites will be used against you.  I wanted the storage of my files encrypted. Since I couldn’t trust DropBox, I turned to my good old friend, TrueCrypt.

The solution here is to create a TrueCrypt volume inside of your DropBox folder.  Even though DropBox has a 2GB folder limit, you shouldn’t use all of it for your TrueCrypt drive.  Unfortunately, TrueCrypt creates the encrypted partition to it’s maximum capacity, which means if you create a 1GB encrypted volume, it actually takes up 1GB on the harddrive even with nothing in it.  And transferring a 1GB file many times for little to no content isn’t the best plan.

Since the volume is filled out to maximum filesize even with no data, it’s best to create a few smaller drives (in the 256MB range) as DropBox has to upload the entire file at least once and you have to download the synchronized file on every computer.  TrueCrypt can mount about 12 volumes automatically, so my recommendation is to keep the volumes small and increase the sizes for volumes you don’t modify often.

Don’t feel guilty about using encyption.  Don’t be guilted into the “If you have nothing to hide” mantra; privacy is your right as a human, exercise it.

The only good thing about Tom Brady tearing his ACL in the Week 1 opener is the crying of all those fantasy football players.  The screams of agony of thousands of “virtual coaches” as they watch their No. 1 draft pick get sidelined for the season.  Do not feel sympathy for them; these are the same bunch of jocks who thought playing Dungeons and Dragons was queer.  Now 30 years later, when their wives won’t give up the balloon knot, they have to sit in some guy’s living room in a circle around a table and fantasize they are something they are not.  Delicious irony.

One would think since Activision is using the same damn engine, they could’ve either tweaked the game slightly or added in something useful.  As predicted in an earlier post, Activision fell on their face with their latest release.

One of my favorite new features is audience involvement.  In this version, the audience CLAPS while you are using your star power.  Sound fun?  Think you’ll be hyped?  Until you realize the audience DOESN’T CLAP ON BEAT!!

Since the set list is seriously underwhelming, playing songs that don’t even belong on “Deep Tracks” on XM, another suggestion not out of the realm of possibility is fixing the sound.  To their credit, they did fix the Dolby Pro Logic issue that plagued Wii users, however you are still reaching for the remote to lower the sound between game play and the ending “You Rock” Animation, as there is a +10dB difference.

They even politely included more crap to interrupt your game play:

• 2 additional intro videos to click past before you even get to the main menu
• A “who cares” interview video as you open each level in their career

Even as a fan of both Guitar Hero and Aerosmith, I have to say it is a lackluster game in terms of content but I was biased as I grew increasingly irritated by the off-beat clapping during my favorite songs.

We’ve all played Guitar Hero. Press a few buttons, flick the strummer. But why all the over-hype on a game that simply rules on its own merit.

Activision has released their press junket to the pre-order sites with these statements:

• Challenges you to perform the music of the legendary Aerosmith
• Take on the roles of Aerosmith members Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton
• Experience the career trajectory of a band becoming more and more popular

Really? I can take on the roles? Does the package come with an 8-ball? Can I hit a groupie after I’m done my set? I don’t understand all this hype, who is buying this game honestly thinking they can “Experience the career trajectory” of Aerosmith.

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The Internet would be better if two related technologies would work together:

1. Google needs to get their ass in gear and present their Single Sign-On (SSO) package.
2. Forum Coders and Popular Websites need to embrace this technology.

I’m TIRED of having to create a new sign-on for every stupid shitty website (including THIS one) I want to post information on. Read the rest of this entry »

Why should fans be loyal to sports teams, when the players aren’t loyal to the fans? Each year (read: end of contract), players have to decide if they want to go to another team to make more money or stay where they are. The only reason most players stay on a team for any length of time is because they are bound by contracts.*

I, however, am not. I’m not bound to the Phillies(/Eagles/Flyers/Sixers) just because I live near Philadelphia. I’m a fan. I demand action, and excitement. If my “team” isn’t giving me action or excitement, why can’t I choose another? Tell me honestly, WHY do I have to be a fan of only one team?

And the jocks cry, “duuuude, you bandwagon jumper! Where were you when we were on a 10 game losing streak?” You know where I was? Supporting a team which DESERVES my energy by giving me fantastic games to watch. But I know your anger stems from your jealousy of me, watching me jump up and down in elation as the team I’m rooting for scores again, and it’s OK. It’s a perfectly acceptable response, you just need to recognize that as a human, if I’m going to invest my time, money and emotions into a team and I don’t get a return, I need a new investment.

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I was finally annoyed with Ads to the point I blocked them on every single device that accesses the internet through my network. Screw you all, there’s too much, it’s out of control. On the Wii, on the iPhone, in my RSS feeds, punch the monkey, win an xbox… ENOUGH.

With the help of Squid + SquidGuard + Rick752’s EasyList for AdBlock Plus, I broke free from the clutter that is web advertising.

Yes, it’s easy and you can do it. Read on for my scripts.
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I’m not a nice guy.  But, I do pride myself on being fair.   If I pick on someone, I expect them to do the same, there is no double-standard in humor.

However, where I find myself lacking in being a human is playing with the animals down by the watering hole (read: Xbox Live).  I believe that there are violations to which Xbox Live removal should be mandatory.   If I haven’t been talking trash, playing respectfully, there’s no reason to act like your mother never loved you.

Presented, for approval, are the Xbox Live Commandments…

1. Thou shalt not send invites for Xbox games after the sequel has been released for Xbox 360.  It is beyond comprehension.
2. Thou shalt not send invites while someone is “Watching DVD/Movie”.  It is akin to talking during a movie in a theatre.
3. A maximum of two invites are permitted to a gamer currently engaged in a match.  It’s possible during the aftermath of the firefight they have forgotten about your invite and a reminder is permitted.
4. Thou shalt make use of the “Mute” function on the headset.  Talking on the phone or anyone not on Xbox Live while your headset is transmitting is grounds for booting from the party.  Nobody cares what ‘everyone’ is doing later.
5. Thou shalt respect the GamerChix (this applies to all women gamers, PMS, etc).  This rule does not supercede all other rules.  Exceptions to this rule are permitted for any gamer breaking the other commandments.
6. Thou shalt not mistake Xbox Live for a dating service.  This includes improper use of the video camera.
7. Thou shalt not take the game seriously.  It is a game.  Some people are better than others at playing the game.  Unless you get paid for playing games, bragging about how good you are via Matchmaking just makes you look silly.

These are in addition to the general Video Game Console Commandments, where you might remember such laws as the “Sweaty Hands” edict of 1986–any person with excessively sweaty hands, must supply their own controller.

Regardless of how many resume resources there are on the net, I have yet to find someone who knows how to write one. Here is a subset of my many resume peeves.

• Multiple Pages - I highly doubt you are so skilled and have achieved so many notable accomplishments to warrant two pages. Unless you are preparing a Curriculum Vitae, follow the KISS ASS method; Keep It Simple, Short And Sweet, Stupid.
  • Waste of Space - By merely handing me your resume, I understand your Objective — to get a job.
  • Nobody Likes You - There is no need to tell me your references are available upon request.
• Nobody Cares About Your Personal Life - A sure-fire way to not get the interview is to get way too personal on your resume.
  • Communication Breakdown - I will not hire DrexelShaft4U@gmail.com, DarkElven1@aol.com, or FansyPanties69@hotmail.com. Get a more professional email address, and don’t use the email address of the company where you currently work.
  • Instant Lawsuit - If you place an interest, hobby or organization on your resume that could be controversial, there can be grounds for legal action if you aren’t hired; regardless if you bombed the interview. Therefore, you will not be granted one.
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader - Proper grammar and spelling are a sign of fine craftsmanship. If you failed to perfect something you had plenty of time to work on, how am I supposed to believe you can follow-through on a task during crunch-time.

It’s no secret that most of the country hates Eagles fans.  From their bad attitudes to the band-wagon jumping, they make up some of the most deplorable humans in sports fan history.

Last night I’m at a bar in Philadelphia, and there’s a Phillies game on (vs the Washington Nationals).  It’s closely tied at 1-1 for most of the game, tensions are mounting.  As we go into the 10th inning, nearly everyone at the bar is watching the game.

The “Phils” have runners at first and second, no outs.  *crack* Up the middle and off the shoe of the center fielder! The runner at second base rounds third base and heads for home!  SCORE!  2-1 Phillies!

And the bar erupts, “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!”.

WHAT?  Are you kidding me?  Do you realize how stupid this looks?  Chanting a FOOTBALL team cheer during a BASEBALL game?  Your LAST PLACE Eagles aren’t even PLAYING!  I wanted to buy hot coffee just to throw in their faces.