JC - Technology and Stuff

Back in September last year I blogged about a Firefox add-on called ‘Read It Later‘. Since that time I’ve come to rely on it and it’s proved itself one of the most valuable Firefox add-ons on the market.

As is my wont, I have surfed the Internet and saved lots of pages I have come across, to process later. My current list is about 70 bookmarks long and the oldest one dates back 200 days. I have made several of them permanent and have deleted countless others along the way as I’ve finished with them. Overall I have to say I really like the service and because I also use FoxMarks (which synchronizes bookmarks across PCs), if I switch to my laptop for the evening I still have all my ‘Read It Later’ bookmarks for use.

However, recently my bookmarks have gotten a little out of control. I used to have only about 30 ‘Read It Later’ bookmarks, and they were always processed quite quickly. Like I said, it’s now 70 and I also have 143 ’starred’ RSS articles that I need to do something with. Aaaarrrrrgggghhhh! It’s time to do a spring clean on my bookmarks and saved RSS articles. I think I’m going to create a Microsoft Notes notebook and cut out the interesting pieces of the articles and ’stick’ them into it. At least that way I can then get rid of all the non-ordered bookmarks that contain something I know I want to make a note of or remember for later. Then, you never know, I may even Evernote it all for later lookup (Note to self: write article on Evernote at some later date!). It’s going to be a long couple of weeks. I’ll report back on progress and any hint and tips for others.

Well it’s been just about 3 weeks since I wrote my ‘controversial’ blog post about whether you should complain about your local pub or restaurant. I have had a lot of feedback, both public, private, wanted and unwanted. It’s been a very interesting experience and something I felt I needed to follow up on.

The good news (for me) is that I am still alive! No one took out a contract on me (although I think a couple of people were close to it!). The other piece of good news is that some actions have been taken in the pub in question and little by little, improvements are showing up. So, credit where credit is due. I’m going to run over some of the differences that have been observed in the last couple of weeks and you can judge for yourself how ‘complaining about your local pub or restaurant‘ actually can make a difference.

So, what have been the ‘big’ changes? Here is a list of some of the observed differences during the past 3 weeks:

• Kitchen is now open an extra hour in the evenings on Friday and Saturday (let’s hope that gets extended to the whole week)
• New ‘buzzer’ system installed so that servers know when their food order is ready
• Full-time food expediter/runner employed to help with service
• Extra person added to busy shifts (I think this one is still a work in progress and being monitored)
• More attention paid to restroom and table cleanliness
• Better restraint shown with regard to taking breaks and personal calls
• I think a new system of allocating tables to servers is being / has been introduced to better handle customer load and service (but I can’t be absolutely certain on this one)
• Website updated to match ‘happy hour’ and main menu in pub
• Slightly better presence from management during busy shifts to observe pub ‘workings’

There are still some gaps, but I am confident that those, too, will be closed as time moves forward.

So, was it worth me writing the original article? Was it worth encouraging the wrath of all that work in a place I enjoy going to? I have to emphatically say ‘yes’. I believe my words have benefited the experience of others and ultimately benefited the long term reputation of my local pub.

To quote a part of my original article:

“So, should you ever complain about your local pub or restaurant? YES - You have an investment in it, whether you realize it or not. Your investment is not in shares, but in time and a contribution to the atmosphere and ambiance and clientele. You as a regular customer often see more of the workings of the place than the management. I urge you for the sake of the business and your relationship to let them know.”

Don’t let life pass you by. Don’t put up with things you are not happy with. Make your thoughts and feelings known. No one is a mind reader. No one can change something they know nothing about. You are ultimately responsible for the experiences in your life.

“When I’m working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.” - R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983)

• So there we have it. Sounders win 2-0 against a strong team in the #MLS. Looks like they’re a formidable team to beat going forward. #
• So, it’s all over. Seattle Sounders 2-0. Brilliant game. Still unbeaten. #MLS #
• http://twitpic.com/2tzdx - Seattle Sounders crowd @ 3 Lions, Redmond #MLS #
• Sounders 2-0. Standing room only @ 3 Lions, Redmond. The crowd is going crazy. Half time. #
• TV stations should be @ 3 Lions pub, Redmond. Amazing Sounders support. 1-0 Sounders. #MLS #
• Great turnout @ 3 Lions pub to watch Sounders game. Capacity crowd! #MLS #
• Seattle Sounders game live @ 3 Lions Pub, Redmond, WA @ 1pm - come along cheer the team… #MLS #
• Reading: Rejoice Oregon beer drinkers - the days of the short pint are finally over - http://tinyurl.com/can7r2 - Washington next? #
• Wonderful ham today in QFC $0.99 a lb - got a nice 10lb one and cut it into 3 portions. Yummy!! #
• RT @Eternalsquire: @jcx27 We should design the Twitter Medal Of Distinction and give the first one to Demi? http://bit.ly/2d84 @mrskutcher #
• Grocery shopping, cooking, catch up TV, Sounders game, relax, Formula 1 - sounds like a great Saturday ahead… #
• Pls pass this on to the naysayers of twitter: Demi Moore responds to Twitter suicide threat - http://bit.ly/2d84 #
• #QOTD: I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary #
• House, Bones, Coronation St - I don’t even know if I’m going to get to Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse… #
• Off out for a #gwillville meet up tonight… #
• RT @donnajolly: Interesting fallout from the recession: boats littering the coastline. http://tinyurl.com/d82n9a #
• #QOTD You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there. - Yogi Berra #
• “How fast were U traveling, sir?” “O, thk God. I thought U were going 2 ask about the dead body in the passenger seat” http://bit.ly/Cr7U #
• Woo Hoo - 700 twitter follower tweeps… day by day… the hard way. One at a time. #
• Reading: Sounders’ Montero Under Police Investigation - http://bit.ly/Mv2wt #
• Reading: Tale of two lamas: The battle for Tibet’s soul - http://bit.ly/3UANQt #
• Headed out for my last day at the office: http://tinyurl.com/djullp - Goodbye T-Mo #
• #followfirday @MichaelHyatt @fbihop @delwynatlarge @ABWaite @edwinalui @wallyblock @mgd @Gerrigee @brynnallen - all great people #
• #followfriday @TimNebergall @rebaenrose @antsaint @Manifestintent @moriesbel @jrnygirl @ Avas_Writer @kate_day @efgfca - all great people #
• Reading: Everyone knows signs on beach that say “no vehicles beyond this point” R just there 4 a laugh. Excpt this time: http://bit.ly/sUaZ5 #
• Reading: If a teacher can’t duct tape a student to a chair anymore, what hope do we have for the future? http://bit.ly/Kyer #
• Reading: Google ‘on verge’ of buying Twitter - http://bit.ly/5IrHr #
• Reading: (okay ladies) - How eating chocolate can help improve your maths: http://bit.ly/1aCFP6 #
• #QOTD: I don’t necessarily agree with everything I say #
• Off 2 zzz. If the person that has my dreams can give them back, i’ll B very grateful. Otherwise sum poor b***ard is going 2B very scared #
• Heading out for some ’socializing’… #
• RT @JoJoTabares: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers #
• http://twitpic.com/2qhgf - Oh man, that’s a good loaf… #
• LMAO: Guy discovers code word “bailout” results in free Domino’s pizza. 11,000 free pizzas later, Domino’s wakes up - http://bit.ly/pO8aQ #
• Inhaling the aroma of nearly finished baking bread… just another 20 minutes. It smells SO good… #
• Off to sort out the PC in the guest room… be back later… #
• Time to make a breakfast fry-up… so bad, but hey, it’s not every day (sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and fried bread). #
• ToDo today: research Middle Grade books with in-line pictures (to decide on a style) & prepare PC in guest room for kids’ visit… #
• Reading: Having a sister makes u happier & more optimistic, say psychologists - http://bit.ly/ttwtS (any volunteers for sisterless me?) #
• Reading: Having a sister makes u happier & more optimistic, say psychologists - http://bit.ly/ttwtS (any volunteers for non-sisterless me?) #
• Reading: Simon Cowell criticises fellow celebrities for Twitter obsession - http://bit.ly/Fkyz7 #
• Reading: Twitter and Facebook ‘can make you a better worker’ - http://bit.ly/ZOcbD (are you reading this at work?) #
• Reading: Chow Mein beats curry as Britain’s favourite food - http://bit.ly/wlzO4 #
• Reading: President Obama gives the Queen an iPod - http://bit.ly/Xet4o #
• #QOTD: Few people can see genius in someone who has offended them… #
• dvr watching done. time 4 some sleep now. will let my blog talk 2U during the night: Clearing my desk at T-Mobile http://tinyurl.com/djullp #
• Inspiration 365 Days A Year Movie - http://tinyurl.com/d7v3jo #
• My Twitter profile is worth $387 http://tweetvalue.com - i’ve doubled my value in the last week! #
• OMG: Kids’ TV chef kills Easter bunny (stun w/electric probe, cut its throat & then tell kids to skin it) http://tinyurl.com/crgvcv #
• catching up with the dvr - Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, House - glass of wine by my side… #
• Watching the lovely rain in Seattle and still trying to discover exactly whose dream i’m living - please can i get mine back? #
• Granny drives 103 mph, says was teaching grandson dangers of speeding. Now looking fwd to “dangers of cannabis” lesson - http://bit.ly/x0Lz #
• looking 4 a twttr client that has group functions of tweetdeck, but doesn’t take up all my screen. mayB 1 that has tabs 4 lists. any ideas? #
• Hilarious: Find Mike Arrington a date (TechCrunch) - http://bit.ly/2ONrBq #
• Amazing Spaghetti crop - looking back to 1957 - http://bit.ly/3nOz - MUST SEE VIDEO! #
• #QOTD: For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three #
• Many thanks 4 the follows today. Pls read my blog to learn about Facebook, Twitter, T-Mobile G1: http://blog.johncox.com - off to bed now #
• The wheels on the bus come flying off, flying off. The wheels on the bus come flying off, bouncing all through town - http://bit.ly/1vXH6o #
• Reading: Men can ‘laugh women into bed’ with GSOH, say psychologists - http://bit.ly/oRqD6 (That’s not even funny) #
• Still a way to go to my 1000 followers. Still, I added another 70 today. Hopefully I’ll get to my 1000 @ the weekend. Pls help me… #
• Eventually social outcasts in the real world will be social outcasts in the Web 2.0 world as well (credit Laura Childs) #
• Trivia night at the 3 Lions Pub in Redmond, WA tonight. 7pm. I’m hosting. Come along and have some fun. #
• Reading: ‘Neighbour from hell’ blew up his own home before bailiffs could evict him - http://bit.ly/Jfa3O #
• Reading: In wht may be a 1st in the history of baseball, officials wnt 2 press charges after somebody steals 2nd base - http://bit.ly/19qQWy #
• the sun has finally come out and the wind has died down. maybe the day will turn out okay #
• finally got the power back again. only 1.5hrs lost… #
• Damn it! Lost all our power… hope it comes back soon #
• Working on getting my new website up and running… #
• Reading: Trekker Re-Creates Classic Star Trek Scenes With Legos (sad but interesting) - http://bit.ly/4g6uC #
• 500 followers..woo hoo! that’s 100 since Sunday. pls help me get to 1000. remember, karma is returned 100 fold 2 those who give it #
• trying 2 get 2 1000 twitter followers - pls recommend me to others you know, tks Give good karma and you’ll get good karma in return… #
• Living the dream… Still trying to find out why it isn’t mine, and who it actually belongs to… #
• Reading: Traffic warden gets a little excited… & does pole dance as colleague books yet another hapless motorist - http://bit.ly/sAphD #
• Reading: When GPS systems go awry - http://bit.ly/A6IHd #
• #QOTD: It is not a bad idea to get in the habit of writing down one’s thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with them #
• Reading: Casual Friday? Fort Lauderdale employee accused of getting naked - http://bit.ly/38xEUR #
• Many thanks for all the follows today. Pls read my blog and learn something about Facebook, Twitter, T-Mobile G1 - http://blog.johncox.com #
• RT @garymccaffrey has a crazy idea. 19,530 new twitter followers in 30 days? Check it out http://tweetergetter.com/jcx27 #
• It’s not what the software does. It’s what the user does… http://www.gapingvoid.com/114446615687.jpg #
• Reading: Man foils bank robbery after assuming it was an April Fool - http://bit.ly/vDPi8 #
• Reading: Man cited for DUI on a motorized… Barstool!!! - http://bit.ly/11o0Lr #
• Reading: Jurassic lark: Students caught stealing giant model dinosaur from museum in drunken prank - http://bit.ly/kk0S #
• Very Interesting Article: A Short Collection of Unconventional Ideas - http://bit.ly/eA4m #
• Really cool: Earth Hour 2009 (The Big Picture, with before and after images of famous landmarks) - http://bit.ly/aIEE #
• RT @scobleizer What do you call someone who works 12 hours a day and is unemployed? An entrepreneur. Joke thanks to @perivision #
• Pictured: The driver who took on a puddle … then discovered it was a 12-foot deep crater - http://bit.ly/II2X7 #
• Reading: desperate husband tried to kill his mother-in-law with an anti-tank missile launcher - http://bit.ly/GOKM #
• RT @Sirjohn_writer: RT @TheDigitalLife: The pencil with an eraser was patented this day in 1858, a good day for a bouquet of pencil! #
• If you’re new to following me, check out my blog. Lots of T-Mobile G1, Facebook, Twitter, other S/W reviews - http://blog.johncox.com #
• Reading: Missing runaway Highland cow spent nine months in hiding to avoid the slaughterhouse - http://bit.ly/5iPW #
• Reading: Harry Potter author JK Rowling fights ‘pirate’ free books site - http://bit.ly/9M9o #
• My Twitter profile is worth $250 http://tweetvalue.com - what are you worth? #
• #QOTD: A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people #
• Oh well, it’s that time of the day again. Another weekend gone and Monday tomorrow. Still, another day, another opportunity… #
• Reading: Brazil doctors remove spear from man’s head - http://tinyurl.com/cvkhxe #
• Currently have 399 twitter followers. pls recommend me to some of your friends so i can grow some more. thanks to all #
• Wow! My blog hits are so up today. Thank you all you twitterers and facebookers… http://blog.johncox.com #
• fresh bread baked, dinner put away, glass of wine on the table… Yum! #
• Preparing for my last week at T-Mobile… #
• pork roast smelling delicious… time to open a bottle of wine… #
• Trying to grow my social network today… follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jcx27 or Facebook: http://bit.ly/P3WO2 - or BOTH #
• RT @MichaelHyatt: Do U have friends that need 2B encouraged 2 Twitter? I just updated “12 Reasons to Start Twittering.” http://bit.ly/QkiiQ #
• Great day yesterday. Watched Seattle Sounders win 2-0 in only their 2nd soccer game & also saw Jenson Button win his 2nd F1 grand prix. WOW! #
• #QOTD: It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit #

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Is your PC suffering from slowness Problems? Does your PC take two minutes to wake up from screensaver? Are you running Windows Vista? Do you have SQL Server loaded?

If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions then SQL server is your problem. Deleting it off the face of the earth is your solution.

For the past few months my PC has taken ridiculous amounts of time to come back from screensaver to a normal window where I can actually do something. All I could hear was disk thrashing, but there didn’t seem to be excessive CPU usage. I thought at first I had some kind of virus, so I checked everything - at least three times. But I found nothing. It has really bugged me over the past few months. I even considered turning off the screensaver. In the end I started monitoring my processes really closely and I noticed from time to time that my hard drive thrashed around a lot and a SQL Server process seemed to be active. Now, I admit I have SQL Server loaded, but I have never used the thing. It came with a version of Visual Basic I downloaded from the Microsoft site and has been hanging out on my hard drive for a while.

Anyway in the end I decided to nuke SQL Server (a long winded process in itself) and that has cured my problem. Now my PC zaps back into life when I come out of screensaver mode. All is well in the plastic box.

So, if you are suffering similar problems to me and you have SQL Server loaded - nuke it for your own peace of mind!

Links:
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-432): Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Implementation and Maintenance (PRO-Certification)
Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition 2005 CD/DVD

In a change from the normal technology things I write about, I decided to post one of my poems today. I hope you enjoy it:

The New Baby

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
It’s something to do with our eggs.
Not the sort that you have for breakfast with toast,
But the sort that grows long arms and legs.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
Just before Christmas, I’m told.
It’s so long to wait, it seems such a shame,
By then I’ll be ever so old.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
We’ve got to eat masses of food.
Our tummies are growing ever so big,
And it’s looking a little bit rude.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
We went to the clinic today.
My mummy’s baby kicked ever so hard
But mine had got nothing to say.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
Daddy’s taken my mum for a test.
He said they wouldn’t be gone very long
And he’s sent me to Granny’s to rest.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
Mum’s bought back a new baby boy.
I prodded and poked it, he started to scream;
Daddy told me it wasn’t a toy.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
He screams and he shouts every day.
He feeds and he burps, then changed, falls asleep
And he never comes outside to play.

We’re having a baby, my mummy and me
It’s such a big burden I’ve carried.
But I don’t think I’m ready to have one just now
I think that I’ll wait ’til I’m married.

(C) John Cox - Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without permission.

Well I packed up my desk today. My comfy compact corporate cubicle is now empty of any personality it once had and the dusty photos of the family are stored in my backpack for safe-keeping. My on-off relationship with T-Mobile is once again heading to an ‘off’ cycle. Maybe I’ll be back there again some time in the future. In the meantime it’s an opportunity to do something different - in the middle of a recession.

I have worked at T-Mobile in Seattle several times since early in 2002, both as a contractor and as an employee. I have enjoyed watching a small telecoms company grow into something that is now challenging the behemoths of Verizon and AT&T. Their phones and their phone plans are second to none and time and time again they have won Customer Service and innovation awards. They are fundamentally a good company.

Unfortunately though like so many relationships, especially ones that are realistically one-way, there often comes a time when a period of break-up is necessary. Now is one of those times. T-Mobile has bid me a ‘bon voyage’ and sent me out into the wilderness to fend for myself. Now I’ll have to learn a new daily routine. No more 7:30am trips to the kitchen to fill my coffee cup; no more 11:45am visits to the Chinese restaurant; no more meeting-packed days in conference room 4H; and no more all-hands meetings to learn the scoop on the upcoming phones. Now I’m merely a customer once again.

It’ll be nice to be in charge of my days again. It’ll be nice to have lunch with my wife. It’ll even be nice to be a little scared about where the next pay check is coming from. Change is inevitable in life and ultimately change is a good thing.

You can expect a change in direction and content on my blog going forward. I always write about whatever is on my mind, and that is one thing that is not going to change. It’s just that now there will be different things on my mind, and those are the things I will write about. It’s time to devote more time to writing. It’s time to get out and help some people develop better life skills. There are lots of things to do.

T-Mobile? Yes, I’ll miss you, of course I will. Breaking up is never easy. But there’s a big wide world out there that’s calling my name.