It Takes Every Type of People

I am truly sympathetic to the "Gay Cause" or many other “Causes” for that matter. This is not in the vein of a 1960's Enlightened "Oh, I have a 'black friend' (not that I think that's a problem)" kind of sympathy. I really do not care what color your skin is, who you pray to, where you are from or what gender you get your jollies from. I am much more concerned about important things like whether you will join me for a shot, a beer or a glass of wine and what I should expect to be pouring. (My preference is sambuca; ma chere prefers tequila; wild turkey is for one special occasion though that is negotiable; otherwise, BYOB, I am congenial that way.) Food is important to. We tend towards an omnivorous diet, but I would not throw you out for bringing a good bean salad. Ma chere and the Ts might grump a bit though.

Title by: Robert Palmer

Love and Marriage

I believe that marriage is a sacred sacrament given by God. The Bible tells us that this sacrament is to be performed through God between a man and a woman. HOWEVER, I believe the church no longer has any authority in the realm of protecting the modern concept of marriage. Consider first the farce of a Las Vegas wedding or the secular-in-the-extreme courthouse wedding. The result of these unions is a marriage that is recognized in all 50 states and most of the civilized world. Where was the church when these types of unions were started?

Should I dare ask why a member of the clergy must be licensed or certified in the United States? The answer is rather simple if rather cynical. It is so they can tax both the marriage couple and the officiate. Are we to believe, as most churches do, that a ceremony performed by a judge, with no mention of a higher power (much less Christ), is a "holy union" simply because an xx and an xy joined hands and kissed at the end of the service? JUNK, BALDERDASH! Or, to put a fine point on it, No...

Title by: Frank Sinatra

In My Life

This is where the trouble really begins. Recent news, election results, radical conservative pundits, etc. have rubbed me a bit raw lately. So, here we go…

I believe in the right of life. I believe life starts at conception. I believe that the willful taking of a life at ANY point after conception is not just wrong, it is a sin. HOWEVER, I do not believe in the government's right to legislate or otherwise regulate a person's right to choose. No to anti-abortion legislation, No to capital punishment.

Abortion kills, capital punishment kills. Abortion flies in the face of not just Christian morals but also existential fundamentals. If your Christian beliefs are not insulted, then your agnostic or atheistic codes should be.
Capital punishment does not work as a deterrent. An eighteen year old with a semi-automatic believes he is immortal AND invincible. (Is that the 2nd stage or 3rd stage of tequilla? umm, never mind...) That he might face death for blowing away a rival does not even cross his mind.

However, the world is ours to convince otherwise. Not through the force of legislation, but through love and understanding. Christ gave to us, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." There is not a suggestion of hiding behind a law in that verse or any other verse I am aware of for that matter....

Title by: The Beatles

Tangled Up In Blue

I am going to get into some trouble here. I just know it. However, I cannot help myself.

I am a Christian. This should not be too much of a surprise for the few of you still hanging around and reading this blog. My faith is an important part of who I am. My quest for faith consumed a fair amount of my formative years. It is solid now and beyond question or doubt.

Because of my faith, I embrace a number of social issues. I believe that anyone can reasonably expect to be cared for when they are too young, too sick or too old to take care of themselves. I believe that anyone can reasonably expect a fair chance at being safe, getting a quality education, getting a job and returning the favor to the next generation. There is plenty of controversy in this paragraph to keep most of us at the dining room table with a few bottles of wine for an evening....

Title by: Bob Dylan

Legalize It

There is a big bruhaha in the media and on the web over a recent Washington Post article that some college presidents are asking for a dialogue to change the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
To begin with, the bruhaha begins with the premise that we are discussing "kids". Their legal status is "Adult" once they turn 18. This arbitrary number, like 19 or 20 or 21, is not a measure of maturity, ability or responsibility. Because we cannot quantify these subjective aspects of a person, we pick 18 for most things, except drinking. Younger, in some states, for marriage…but that is a different story, right? It sounds to me like the current discussion implies that "College Students" are the only 18 to 20 year olds (or for that matter any age) that get into drunken accidents, experiment with drugs or start the long march to degradation. What makes 18 any more secure than 21?
While it is great that this discussion is being brought up by college presidents, who will represent the other 75% of 18 to 20 year old adults in this matter. Are they to be considered less mature or less able to control themselves because they have not sat through Poli-Sci 101 or Bio 101?
And lastly, I can understand why it is true on-campus, but why is it the colleges' responsibility to keep students from drinking off campus? The students are adults, responsible for their own actions under the law. I certainly cannot blame my college Dean for a DWI or worse at 40, why can I (or my parents’ lawyers) do it at 20?

Title by: Mojo Nixon

Unbelievable

I am usually patient person with technical support representatives. It is a grueling job on the best of days. Now, they cram 100 people in 50 square feet in some rigged up call center in New Delhi. The handlers have them take phone calls, email and chat sessions simultaneously with minimal documentation, training or other resources.

Symantec has been notoriously lacking in the support department for years. It is one of the reasons I refuse to use their products on my home systems. Unfortunately, they are the preferred standard at work. Here is a transcript from a 45 minute chat session I had with a Symantec representative recently.

Chat ID: 6ea2c6bf-ba3d-405f-aefc-3d961f81ea8a

Problem : Question regarding online storage

Sazed: Hello CmentMixer. My name is Sazed.

Sazed: Welcome to Symantec Technical Support.

Sazed: Hi,how are you doing today?

CmentMixer: Hello, I am looking for details regarding the Online Storage feature included with Norton 360

CmentMixer: Well, thank you

Sazed: Okay. I will help you in this.

CmentMixer: What is the security in transport? What is the security on the server? What is the encryption on the file?

CmentMixer: If there is a URL with this information, please provide it.

Sazed: You can check it through www.symantec.com

CmentMixer: Where on the site?

Sazed: Go for Norton 360 product and then store options.

CmentMixer: let me check before you disconnect, please

Sazed: Okay.

CmentMixer: Store Options?

CmentMixer: There is no such link

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: May I know the doubt you have?

CmentMixer: I have spent 45 minutes browsing the Norton site. I cannot find specifics regarding the Online Storage feature. I want you to provide the URL for that information. The information you have given to me is not detailed enough or is outright wrong.

CmentMixer: "Go for Norton 360 product and then store options" means nothing to me.

Sazed: Okay.May I known what information you need regarding the Online Storage .

CmentMixer: As I stated before...What is the security in transport? What is the security on the server? What is the encryption on the file?

CmentMixer: What are my assurances or guarantees against my file not being hijacked in transit? What are the security measures in place to guarantee transport? How are the servers secured physically and virtually?

CmentMixer: What is your retention policy? If I remove the file from your servers, how long does it actually remain in your files before it is purged from your systems?

CmentMixer: If I have multiple licenses, how do I restore a specific backup to a re-imaged machine?

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: You will be having only 2GB of space over all the computers.

CmentMixer: I know that, thank you.

CmentMixer: I even know I can purchase more, thank you.

CmentMixer: Symantec is quick to sell, but I want details about what it is you are offering beyond the marketing spin on the store web-site.

Sazed: You can go to www.symantec.com and then search option you can find all these things.

CmentMixer: No, begging your pardon, I CANNOT! I have already communicated that this information is not that readily available at that URL. I need a specific URL from you to the spec page for this feature.

CmentMixer: If it is that easy, YOU do it and show me where you find it.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Once you remove the file it will be automatically removed from our server also. (CmentMixer: This is not true; the file is deleted only after your subscription lapses.)

CmentMixer: Ok, that's a start. What about security getting it to your servers? Is this FTPS or HTTPS? Is the backup file encrypted on my system before transport? If so, what type of encryption is used?

CmentMixer: Oh, and where do I access the files from? I do not see a link from My Account.

CmentMixer: Hello?

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Sorry for that.

CmentMixer: Do you have any additional information for me?

CmentMixer: This transaction has now taken 35 minutes. If you are unable to assist, please let me know who at Symantec I should contact. In the intervening time, I have Googled my question. There is no information to be found on the Web either.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Sazed: Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Another 90 minutes spent with a different representative. That conversation went somewhat better.

Chat ID: 10438f31-0393-4b47-b842-0a9ce18ff244

Problem : Question regarding online storage

Kamal: Hello CmentMixer. My name is Kamal.

CmentMixer: Hello, Kamal.

Kamal: Thank you for contacting Symantec Support. Please give me a moment while I review the issue you have described.

CmentMixer: Then you have the transcript from the previous Rep?

CmentMixer: I will be happy to submit my bill for 1 hours time to Symantec.

CmentMixer: Though, it would appear I could expect nothing more that to be ignored, then disconnected.

Kamal: May I confirm that the issue you are encountering is that you need to know about the online storage?

CmentMixer: That is correct.

CmentMixer: Does Norton 360 uses the same process as the Symantec Online Storage for Backup through the Symantec Protection Network service? I found a .PDF that has some of the information I am looking, but it is for the Symantec Protection Network service.

Kamal: Thank you for confirming your details. Please make a note of this case no.488198647 for your future reference. This case number will include the details of today's chat.

CmentMixer: Thank you.

CmentMixer: Hello?

Kamal: I need to verify some information. Do you mind waiting while I check this information for you?

CmentMixer: Yes, but please not too much longer. This has now been 1 hour.

Kamal: Thank you.

Kamal: Thank you for your patience. I now have the required information to help you

CmentMixer: Great!

Kamal: The Norton 360 has a 5 GB online storage. It stores in the same way as the Symantec Online Storage.

CmentMixer: The 5GB is an upgrade from the 2GB offered with the application. What about security?

CmentMixer: I am not looking for more space. I am looking for information on the security of the backup and storage.

Kamal: CmentMixer, Yes of course. You will have the same Symantec Protection Network Platform.

CmentMixer: Now, really, why would I assume this as a matter of course? Is this confirmed with your manager? Please pardon my skepticism that my answer is conveniently given back to me.

Kamal: The Symantec Online storage for backup is an enterprise product. The Norton 360 is for a Home office product.

CmentMixer: I understand that. So, what is the consumer platform security?

Kamal: The Technology is one and the same for both the products.

CmentMixer: So, you will confirm that "All backups use private-key 256 AES encryption and data is transmitted using SSL. The backups are checked after transmission on both ends to verify the transport was successful and not hampered during transmission." is a correct statement and is backed by Symantec?

Kamal: The data stored will be secure.

CmentMixer: That is a very broad statement. Am I to just trust you or is there a more formal guarantee? It also does not answer my original set of questions, which is how will the data be secured?

Kamal: Yes, The data is encrypted to store.

CmentMixer: Ok, is it private-key 256 AES or another encryption process?

CmentMixer: Also, can we step up the time between responses. We are now at the 90 minute mark for this conversation.

Kamal: We are storing the data by AES. The data transmission is done through SSL.

CmentMixer: You are encrypting the data with AES?

Kamal: Data to be stored is encrypted using 256-bit AES encryption and the transmission is encrypted using 128-bit AES encryption.

CmentMixer: Ah, you must have found something. Is this paper available to the public or is it only an internal document?

Kamal: You can get the information from the Symantec Website.

CmentMixer: Where?

Kamal: CmentMixer, You can search about the online storage for the Norton 360.

CmentMixer: I must insist, again, that my searching revealed nothing from the Norton 360 site. That is why I ended up on the SPN site.

Kamal: I have all the information with me now.

CmentMixer: Ok, thank you.

Kamal: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

CmentMixer: I would still like to get more details on the storage side. In addition, how do I access the backup? What happens in the situation where I have multiple backups in storage?

CmentMixer: Can I have multiple backups in storage?

CmentMixer: What about a scenario where I am not restoring to the original machine or O/S?

CmentMixer: These are some very large gaps in the documentation.

Kamal: If you have Reinstalled your operating system you can Restore the date using the following steps

Start Norton 360.

2 Click Tasks & Settings.

3 In the Tasks & Settings window, click Change Backup Settings.

4 Next to Backup Location, click Change.

5 Click Secure Online Storage.

6 If prompted, type the email address and the password used to create Norton Account.

7 In the Tasks & Settings window, click Restore.

8 Under Restore From, click Secure Online Storage.

If you are not able to find Secure Online Storage, click Change next to "Restore From."

9 In the Restore Now window, click Secure Online Storage.

10 Under "Select PC Nickname," select the name of computer that you have used to back up the files before uninstalling Norton 360, and then click OK.

11 If prompted, type the email address and the password used to create your Norton Account, and then click Next.

12 In the Restore Now window, click Restore Now.

13 Click OK, once the restore is completed.

CmentMixer: Good, thank you.

CmentMixer: However, this means I cannot remove a backup from your servers. Is that correct?

CmentMixer: Except, of course, if I let my subscription lapse.

Kamal: Yes, Once create a backup it will be there for you to access at any time.

CmentMixer: Ok, I'm done for now. I still have outstanding questions, but I have no more time.

CmentMixer: Thank you for your assistance.

Kamal: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

CmentMixer: No

Kamal: Before I close this case can I please confirm with you that this issue has been resolved to your satisfaction?

CmentMixer: It has not been resolved to my satisfaction; however, I do not have any more time today to devote to it.

CmentMixer: It took 2 hours to get 2 sentences. I cannot spend more time on this.

Kamal: I apologize for the inconvenience.

CmentMixer: Thank you.

Kamal: CmentMixer, Now that we have successfully resolved this issue to your satisfaction, Can you please confirm, if your system is responding as required. To further optimize your system's performance we offer our valued customers a free system optimizer tool which you can download and run by clicking on this link http://www.norton.com/pc_checkup

The tool will detect and fix problems which affect your computer's performance and security.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kamal: I would like to encourage you to provide feedback for this chat, as this helps in our ongoing efforts to improve the service we deliver. You can contact my manager at Symantecmanagers at symantec.suth.com.

Thank you for contacting Symantec, have a pleasant day.

CmentMixer: And to you as well.

Kamal: Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Unbelievable.

Title by: EMF

Highland Laddie

One of my central roles is managing vendors. I am, generally, responsible for finding two or three vendors for a given project; getting estimates and references; and, making sure the work is done at the appropriate level of professionalism.

We recently had the floors done in the Hamptons. The company uses the new "dustless" system. While it was not dust free, there was a fine powder on most flat surfaces. However, it was a quick cleanup and was limited to just where the floors were done.

Why is it that as customers we have to force contractors to complete a job? The workmanship was sloppy. Stain and poly-coat left on base boards and stair risers. The sander apparently brushed up against the base boards leaving grooves. They could not keep to promised time frames, like showing up at 3 PM for an 8 AM to 9 AM window. They sent 1 guy back to move the furniture, 1 hour late (of course).

My complaints were at first met with shock. "But, look at how good the floors look." As if, after the pilot dumps the plane in the ocean, the airlines gets to say, "But look at how smooth the flight was." The best was, "You should just plan on the contractor showing up an hour later than they say." No accountability, no ownership.

I used a line from the Ps play book. "If you provide a less than perfect job, I'll provide a less than perfect check." I finally got their attention with that. They came back and cleaned up most of the mess. I still have some touch-up painting to do.

The floors look great.

Title by: Burl Ives

So long, and thanks for all the fish

From the time I was hired, there was a significant lack of work for me to do. I was told it would be a couple of months before I was engaged in a project. Eventually, I was commissioned to perform a task that was outside of my previous experience and never mentioned during my interviews. By all accounts, the role was relatively undefined, the deliverables were variable and the team was practically all new staff and shifting almost weekly. I was frustrated with the lack of clarity and expectations for my role, the culture of bureaucracy and the difficulty of getting any decision actually made. That frustration was outwardly expressed in my attitude and communications. I struggled; frankly, I failed at it miserably. The fact is I was outside of my experience; however, there is no excuse. I am better than that.

After several months of sincere dedication by me and my managers to meet my team’s and client’s expectations, it was indicated I still needed to work on my communication styles and interpersonal skills. My sincerity and passion is interpreted as over-bearing. My desire to share information and articulation is interpreted as arrogance, "know-it-all" mentality and “has to be right”. That is not to say I cannot be an arrogant snob, I can…with the best. The expectation was for me to be less detailed, less technical and less articulate in my communications with the internal client (though in a twist of irony I was accused of using slang in an unprofessional manner, go figure).

(I read somewhere that self-confidence can be interpreted as arrogance through the perceiver's self-doubt. "I am as arrogant as you are over-whelmed by your self-doubt.")

I am not prepared to make these changes. I admit that I should vary my "social style" based on audience; however, the concept of "dumbing down" a message is insulting to all parties. If it is not my role to dictate “what” and "how", the decision makers must have a reasonable amount of information in order to move the project forward. Unfortunately, the organization’s strong suit is not decision making.

My experience with the firm has been that experienced new hires are only valued if they can mimic the current processes. These lucky few do great in the firm. They are easy to work with and can get things done. However, the culture makes it so experienced hires must be "fixed" before they can really be trusted to do their job. The "this is the way WE do it" mentality is stifling. It is demoralizing and debilitating for new hires. Any organization that feels that 5 years is an ok acclimation period for experienced hires, needs to re-evaluate why they are bringing in experienced workers. The pay is substandard and the benefits are being trimmed to make the organization more competitive. This does not strike me as “doing the right thing”.

Yesterday was my last day. I could go on. Indeed, I did on my exit interview. I felt my criticism was delivered rationally and sincerely. I also felt my comments were not a surprise. However, I have already let it go.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

It's Time To Pay The Fiddler

I am trying to get the stray-ends of my non-work life in order before I leave. As a volunteer, I spend my time between 3 committees at church and our home owners' association. In the past few months, the first week of the month gets crazy. Somehow, all 4 groups meet within 7 days of each other. Since I am the Chair or Secretary on 3 of them, that means copious notes, transcription to the computer and distribution of the minutes. I feel like a copy-editor by the end of the week.

Our HOA is currently self-managed. That means the Board is responsible for the collection of fees, securing of contractors for maintenance, lawn care, snow removal, etc. and all the other duties that come from managing a property. Our biggest challenge are the home owners that do not pay their fees. We spend countless hours every month printing statements, talking to lawyers and being hard-nosed jerks. Then, to top it off, we get treated like it is our fault they missed the last 18 months of payments.

This week was classic for that. I spent around 8 hours preparing statements for 3 accounts that own the majority of our uncollected fees plus 3 hours on the phone and email with the lawyer. Tuesday, one of their kids is running around the neighborhood calling my wife a c@@p-head. Nothing like neighborly love, I always say!