The RAnts of RA

Stupidity knows no bounds, but in my experience is especially prevalent in people who always feel the need to prove their intelligence. If the first thing someone does to defend their position  is to point at their license or degree, chances are  very good they’re completely inept.  Recently I had a discussion with someone who reminded me just how offensive it is to even try to communicate with these idiots.

My very first experience with someone who had a master’s degree in computer science was my first duty station supervisor in the military. This LT (JG)  was in charge of the base computer systems, and I was his first and only enlisted staff member. I had never touched a conventional computer before, knew absolutely nothing about them, and was, of course, immediately tasked with building hundreds of computers from parts and then shortly thereafter tasked with being the security point of contact for all the military users of  tens of thousands of computers across every military base on the entire West coast of the US.

The  problem is that the LT  was a degreed idiot. He may have passed a few tests and had a pretty piece of paper with his  name on it,  but he had no clue how technology actually worked, he didn’t understand the very basic concept of Boolean values and could not even comprehend what a batch file was.

Seeing that I’d get no help or answers from him, I took the  manuals home and  read them cover to  cover, read the entire IETF RFC library and many technical books on the subject  over the course of my first few weeks at that assignment. Then  I spent eight months trying to gracefully educate him on these basics…and in his gratitude he took every opportunity to treat me like crap for having a better understanding of technology than he did after years and years of his “education.”

Fast forward a few years. When my son was a toddler we spent a lot of time with his friends’ parents. One lady in particular (Maria, a college professor) drove me quite batty. Most of her family were MD’s and many in my family were DC’s, so,  knowing only this,  she treated me like a pariah. Maria would take her son to urgent care if he slept in late, had a headache or dared to talk back to her. In her mind, these were all major defects and something just had to be wrong with him.  As you can expect, this poor child was one of those kids who was branded ADHD before he could talk.

Maria stepped on my every nerve, but one specific incident stands out. She was in the middle of telling me how chiropractors frequently paralyze their patients (a flat-out lie), and I pointed out that MD’s are far more lethal than guns. In point of fact, your MD is  about 300x more likely to kill you than a gun. Not wanting to make it personal by suggesting that Maria’s family were incompetent or homicidal psychopaths, I followed that up with this simple  statement: “but you have to remember that 50% of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class.”

She stood there glaring at me, aghast, her jaw dropped to the floor, for what felt like a full minute. The other parents and even the children in the room were completely silent while  we  waited, watching intently  for  her response.  The only sound was the air conditioner chugging away.

Finally, she screamed, “no they don’t!” The other parents and some of the children couldn’t even contain their laughter. This woman was so high-and-mighty, perpetually attacking everything and everyone she disagreed with,  but couldn’t do fifth-grade math?  Apparently, the reason 7,500 people die each year from pharmaceutical errors is that simple mathematics are beyond the scope of medical school.

But this all pales in comparison to what happened with my latest experience with another degreed idiot. A client’s site had both an email account and an ftp account hijacked within 24 hours. The passwords  had both been randomly generated, were not brute-forced,  and only this one person, Jane,  had access to both of them.  I asked the client to talk to her and have her scan her computer for malware so we could ensure the machine wouldn’t be compromised again after a password reset. The client forwarded me a message from Jane where Jane clearly stated that she had not been infected and that it couldn’t have been related to her.

I took the time to be sure and again reviewed the logs. The only tie for these two accounts was definitely Jane, but, she was quite adamant that she had not been infected. I wrote a very civil and respectful message to her asking her to scan again, along with my regular advice for security, and the common compromise mechanisms for the specific hijack I suspected. I even offered to login and verify that the machine was actually clean and safe.

Jane wrote back absolutely livid that I would dare suggest security changes or that she might have ever been infected. After all, and I quote, “My husband and I both have Master’s degrees in computer science…” The most compelling proof of this was that she didn’t use a single carriage return in her 350+ word message. Apparently she obtained her degree before keyboards included a return or enter key.

She also went into greater detail about how she had actually been infected, and it was none of my business, but even though neither of the antivirus programs on her computer could remove it, she was just sure it was gone now. Not interested in keeping it civil, she took several swipes at my character, my skill level and my education – including a statement about how my message to her was a perfect example of why IT workers  were justifiably hated.

I wrote her again, maintaining my civil and respectful tone (my professional policy is to “kill ’em with kindness”). I reassured her that it was not a personal  attack, and that she was the only one with access to both accounts.

As expected, her response was absurd, and only proved her level of incompetence. Remember: master’s degree in computer science, okay? She explained how there was never an “infection,” though there actually were files detected by both her antivirus programs whenever she opened her browser that  both antivirus programs  were each  incapable of removing…but just because there were infected files detected by both her antivirus programs doesn’t mean she was ever actually “infected.” And because I clearly needed the reminder, “you don’t know who you’re dealing with or what you’re talking about.” Topping it off, her firewall is “locked down tight.” As if firewalls had anything to do with normal browsing behavior. I’ll bet she regularly deletes her browser cookies for her “security,” too. Sigh.

Out of curiosity, and because I “didn’t know who I was dealing with”, I googled her name and location to see just how bad the state of the world was. Not surprisingly, this woman teaches computer science at a university. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t even feign surprise. Abrasive, defensive, ignorant and technologically incompetent. Yep, that sounds about right. She simply must be teaching computer science at a university somewhere. What’s more: her husband manages the campus IT network. It finally makes sense that about 30% of all hacking attempts against our servers are from college and university IP addresses.

The most appalling thing to me is that these people each felt so justified in their behavior that they were prepared to scream it from the rooftops. Not knowing that 50% and half mean the same thing, or that an infection is an infection (but especially when your antivirus is incapable of removing it), is a sign of extremely defective reasoning. These are the “experts” for military, medicine  and education, at least in their own heads.  They are so set in their opinions that facts, reason and logic are simply vulgar words to them. These people shape the minds of technology today.

And people still wonder why Windows 8 didn’t have a start button.

What I’ve really learned from these experiences is that my policy of being nice “no matter what” is the real source of this problem. Would the LT have still treated me so poorly had I not tried to help him understand the problems with his decisions? Would Maria have still had her abrasive behavior had I not taken the effort to allow her an out? Would Jane have attacked my character had I not offered to help her? We’ll never know.

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Please take a moment to remember what this day represents: standing up to oppression and a statement of freedom.

This day is not about the formation of the United States, but of the dissolution of the bonds the American  colonists had with England, a remote entity who didn’t share their values, interests or goals. England imposed  her will on the colonists without proper representation — deciding  their fates based on grand self-interest.

The current administration usually adorns these types of declarations with one of the adorable phrases “we can’t wait” or “for the children.” Nevertheless, these are abuses on their face and no amount of decorative wording can justify these actions.

The great men we call the Signers and Founders did not start by creating a new government to replace what they had, but first agreed that whatever may happen, what they had was severely broken, and knowing that regardless of what MIGHT come in the future, that what they were already subjected to was simply unacceptable.

The Signers had no way of knowing that several years in the future their efforts would eventually lead to a functional democratic republic.

As a developer I believe in having a true understanding of all inputs and potential complications before opening up an IDE, but when your life and liberty are on the line it’s all too often important to act impulsively. Remember this the next time you’re treated like a war criminal for refusing to submit to bogus “authority,” are threatened with force if you dare step outside  your “free speech zone”  or are declared an enemy combatant simply for disagreeing with Dear Leader.

The Declaration of Independence, for which this holiday is named, identifies twenty-seven (27) distinct classes of violations against the colonists. Fully twenty-two (22) of these are being actively repeated by the current administration and other recent administrations.  Of the remaining five, three are likely already happening as well — the incomprehensible lack of government transparency shrouds far too many of their actions. Moreover, there are plenty of additional offenses against us taking place each and every day, such as the gross invasion of our privacy by the NSA. Are we really supposed to believe that “person, papers and effects” doesn’t include our computers, telephones or travel?

Since the passage of the 16th amendment, which provided the federal government with it’s very own wishing well, our nation has gone to hell in a hand-basket. The last hundred years our nation has decayed more and more, providing a roost for some of  the worst mankind has to offer. From war profiteering to false flags to backroom deals for lobbyists…our elected representatives would do well to wear the logos for the brands and companies who sponsor each of their activities, for so rarely are they truly representing the interests of their actual  constituents. We can no longer stand idle while these people perform their ghastly deeds in secret, in our names. Sadly, “voting the bums out” when the only alternatives proffered are two sides of the same coin isn’t a realistic solution.

The worst part of it is that this has been in the works for so very long. Our nation flounders because we are so easily divided. The last several Presidents, while on television during (and I use this term in protest) “debates”  they portrayed their actions and positions as heatedly different, each performed in exactly the same ways. Taken as a whole, there has been nothing done by any of them to distinguish them from one another.  You would be hard-pressed to look at the individual actions of any of them and be able to identify exactly which person, or which political party, had done.

Not to be outdone, congress alternates between doing nothing at all and doing everything wrong. Personally, I would rather survive without  the added oppression imposed by “look-busy legislators”, so I pray for stalemate rather than compromise. My darling wife is very fond of saying, “when both houses of congress agree — you can be sure there’s a greater-than-normal conspiracy underway.” Some of the greatest offenses against the American public have been at the hands of a united and near-unanimous majority. Sigh.

This month I’m going to write about each of the reasons the Signers declared independence from England and how that applies to our lives today.  After 238 years, are we falling into the same trap?  Come back and visit. And tell a friend.

-Shawn

Image via Wikipedia

With the economy in the toilet, inflation going strong and the poor job outlook — thank you, Obama —  many people are scrambling to make some “extra” money, so they can keep the lights on and food on the table. Many people have discovered that their home computer and printer will allow them to work from home to earn a few bucks.

Sure, it looks easy enough. Since we are already plugged into the World Wide Web, anyone can work from home. And yes, this is true — but — once you have drummed up enough work to make it a worthwhile endeavor, you soon realize the cost of working from home — on the body.

Sitting in an office chair —  or worse —  a kitchen chair for several hours every day puts a tremendous amount of strain on the back and  the neck for starters.

Ergonomics is a huge issue. At the very least you will need an adjustable height office chair, one that fits you well. I love shopping for office chairs at Office Max because, unlike Staples, they actually rate every single chair in their showroom in “hours.” I normally sit at least 8-hours a day but out of ignorance, I was buying chairs that were  rated for only 3-5 hours.

Did you know a chair will last longer and perform better if you switch it out frequently — just like your shoes? I’ve found that buying two pairs of shoes and swapping them out daily will make my shoes last not twice as long as you would suspect but actually for at least four times as long. (Barring any unforseen mishaps, of course.)

Having a comfortable chair, one that is rated for the amount of time you actually plan to sit in it, will make a big difference in your overall comfort level.

If you are starting out on a “shoestring” budget, don’t fret. Most areas have used furniture stores, flea markets, freecycle, etc… You can get a nice one  free if you ask around and let people know you are in the market. I found a perfectly good fully adjustable chair at a local junk dealer for $49 — the chair was originally sold for well over $300. This chair has held up for years, much better than the 9 new chairs I have bought at prices ranging from $49 to $299, plus warranty.

I don’t normally  purchase extended warranties but when purchasing a chair, or a printer, I always buy the extended warranty. We shop a great deal at Staples because we live in a rural area with few shopping options. Staples has a terrific extended warranty, if it breaks within the warranty period (usually between 1 and 3 years), they will replace it, no questions asked. They actually give you the full purchase price that can be used toward any item at the store. You can’t beat that. Rarely does an office chair or printer last longer than 3 years.

I’ve known many men and women who work from home over the years. The most common complaint from those who are new  at it is how hard it is  to sit for hours on end. The other most common complaint is eye strain from staring at a screen for the same period (or more!).

I’d like to offer up a few tips for those who are new to working from home and those who are struggling or considering a work-at-home career move.

Additional Work from home tips:

• Invest in a telephone headset and use it. – I can’t believe how many people I speak to on the telephone, daily, who I am positive have neck problems. I can tell they are struggling to hold the phone against their ear, while trying to type at the same time. It simply doesn’t work. (Cost  $20.00+)
• Take time for yourself. – Computers have gotten more complicated over the years. They add as much pleasure as they do frustration to our lives. I’ve put up a few bird feeders out back, where I can enjoy what I like to call a “mental health moment.” It’s a good idea to set up an area in your home (or outside your home) that makes you feel good and helps to calm you. It’s amazing how much a even a 10-minute break can help calm the nerves.
• See your Chiropractor. – Regular chiropractic care helps to keep our spine in  alignment, helping our bodies to evenly distribute our weight and assist our organs in functioning properly. Chiropractic care is an inexpensive way to stay healthy. Our family goes weekly, but even monthly maintenance visits can provide a tremendous boost to your system and quality of life.
• Do what you love. – This is probably the most important tip. Working at something you hate will take a physical and emotional toll on the body. Find something that you truly love and make it work for you. If you do what you love, people will love you for it.
• Don’t make money your focus. – If you are only working for a paycheck, you aren’t a very happy person  (of course being able to pay the bills is nice, so don’t just up and quit). We all have money issues but try not to get distracted by them. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to make any business venture work. You must stay focused on the business, not on your growing stack of bills. Worrying won’t help a thing but diverting your attention from the work at hand could cripple your ability to function productively. Stay focused on working your business.
• Keep a positive mindset. – One of the hardest things for me is to maintain a  positive attitude  during these rough economic times. I have  enlisted my  spouses help. I tend to be a chronic worrier, so when I ask him how we are doing, he always tells me, “we are doing fine,” and we always are. It helps to have his feedback and support. When things get tight, we pull together to fix the issue. Staying in a positive mindset is essential to work-at-home families. (Otherwise, it’s like living in a war zone — no good for anyone.)
• Make space for work. – One of the most common reasons for for a work-at-home business to fail is neglecting to provide a distinct workspace. Not just a computer and desk to sit at when you’re working, but a dedicated space that won’t be infringed upon by personal bills, homework, meals, and entertainment. Dedicating even  just a few square feet of space to the business will help you focus while you’re working, which will help enable you to enjoy more time when you’re not working. This method prevents the business from consuming every aspect of your life.

You might take the stance that  “hey, you don’t have my bills,” or “you haven’t walked in my shoes.” But I can tell you honestly, I’ve been homeless more times in my life than I care to recall, so I won’t. I’ve pulled myself out of the depths of poverty many times — and often with help from unexpected places.

I’ve been through recessions, depressions — heck, I’m from Michigan.  The economy in Michigan hasn’t been good since the early 70’s. I remember in the early 80’s the most common  Michigan quote was, “Would the last person to leave, please turn out the lights.” This was during the mass exodus that took place in  80-84, when everyone in Michigan (or so it seemed) moved to Texas because of their huge construction boom.

My late husband and I moved to Houston in August of 1983, three days before hurricane Alicia hit the Galveston/Houston area. I was terrified. It’s one of the worst  storms I’ve ever experienced.

I guess I’ve gotten a little off track now but my point is that no matter the economy, those who are prepared and willing to work hard, will find a way to make it work.

Just remember to: Always use the right tool for the job

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