Technology, Theology, and Anything In Between

It is now another new year.  Time to think about what to do differently this year, and set some goals.  My big goals this year are to get through the pile of books that I have.  I could easily read many of them in two months, but I’m trying to take notes and record them [...]

I’ve been very busy during the months of November/December, so that is why I haven’t posted since October.  There are many things in life that take priority over blogging.  I’m hoping to get back to a normal schedule of at least two posts per month in 2010. This year, I studied many theological books and [...]

I want to thank any of my regular readers, especially if you have clicked on my advertising.  I received my first check from Adsense today, which has been 4 years in the making.  While this blog contributed maybe 10% of the total payout, it has been helpful. I know there are debates about whether or [...]

If you are like most software engineers, you are probably worried about keeping your job, and what would happen if you were laid off. While none of us can predict the future, here is an idea to help stay organized, should a search become necessary. If you have a web server, either one on the [...]

I realize very few people that are my friends will need this information, but there are a few that may benefit from it. To that end, I wanted to write about an ongoing problem I’ve had with a break-in that happened to me. One of my development systems on the Internet was compromised recently. I [...]

I’ve not been posting for awhile, due to some intense configuration of a new server with Xen, and also installing Asterisk on an existing server.  My intentions are to lower my fixed hosting and telephone costs by using virtualized servers, and by using Asterisk for an interactive IVR to help route support and sales calls [...]

Here are some ideas for being “socially responsible” with technology, at least in the software engineering field: 1.  I’ve found over the last year, I was able to reduce my electric bill by not running a server at my house.  When I first started my business, I thought that it would be great to have [...]

I was reviewing my blog statistics today, and realized that most of my hits come from people looking for reviews on AT&T’s U-Verse service.  If you haven’t read any of my other posts, I’ve had U-Verse since January of 2008.  I had the TV and Internet products at the beginning.  I was thinking of switching [...]

I’m reading “The Art of Deception” by Kevin Mitnick.  It is interesting to read how it is so easy to get people to trust you and give information that would normally be held confidential.  It makes me think that I should be much more careful about verifying the identity of who is calling or emailing [...]

I’m on vacation right now.  I have a couple of  books by Kevin Mitnick, which I’m hoping to get through reading by the end of the week.  My thinking is that these books will help me understand how to secure my systems better, and also understand the “human nature” side of hacking.  I also have [...]