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September 30, 2005
Last Day
Today is my last day at SkyWay USA. It's been an interesting run, to say the least.
Next week begins a new direction in both my life and my career as an IT professional. For starters, I am beginning my 5-year plan a year and a half early. I don't really think that this makes any major difference in my experience and expertise, at least not as much as I thought it would.
I've learned something interesting over the past two weeks: I am an extremely unique individual in a field full of intelligent and knowledgeable people. Apparently, most Microsoft people stick with Microsoft products and Linux/Open Source people tend to stick with Linux and Open Source applications. I'm one of the rare kinds of people who blend both sides together to put forth the best possible product.
Also, I've learned that because of my unique abilities, it is damn near impossible to find a single replacement for me at SkyWay. People who know people have been looking, and can't find anyone to match my expertise and knowledge. It's a bit of an ego boost, to say the least, but it's also nice to know that everything that I've put my time and effort into has created me a unique nitch that is difficult to fill. As a result, I have discovered that I can also fill unique positions that no one else can fill.
I guess I need to go through my resume and update it a bit to reflect my uniqueness.
Anyhow, I'm excited about joining the Solarity Group. This is the company that I'm going to. The people that I have met thus far have been absolutely fantastic towards me, and I really feel that they will help me broaden my horizons even more. They've even offered me the ability to teach others my knowledge of IT.
Anyhow, that's all I got for now.
~out...
Posted by ed at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2005
It was bound to happen...
Seems that record companies are wanting a percentage of every iPod sold now.
My response? The record company is a thing of the past. Kill it off and let it die ... preferably a slow and miserable death. Let artists make their money directly per song, a la iTunes, and take over their own financial future instead of getting a minor profit from the record labels.
In the past 10 years, technology has changed the way that consumers purchase items. Consumers are getting to a point where they can purchase things the way they want them. Many companies have understood this change and have adapted to the consumers demands. I think that Nike is a fantastic example of this understanding. Instead of giving the customer a few bland choices of shoes to choose from, perspective buyers can now custom design a shoe on the Nike Web site and have it delievered to their home.
Show me a record company that lets you go to their Web site and customize an entire album. It just doesn't exist.
Customer choice is a foreign thing to the record labels and similar technology-blind companies. It's just something that they can't possibly comprehend. They either don't understand technology OR don't care to use it, thinking that their older methods are better. These company's have always told customers what to like and dislike. They fight tooth and nail to keep things the way that they've always been, and when the dust settles realize that they've been left behind.
Technology is the way of the future. There's no stopping it. It's going to change many businesses models and the way that people consume. Those who try to keep things the same try to lobby for lawmakers to create laws to save them, but ultimately it will be the customers who make the ultimate decision. I personally can't wait to see the final nail go into the coffin of the RIAA and MPAA.
Update: This is a great article that really fits in with this topic. Seems that a lawsuit brought on by the RIAA was dismissed, without prejudice, against a woman who's daughter downloaded music.
~out...
Posted by ed at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2005
I finally bought one
I've finally been broken down. I never thought that I would actually do this, but the time finally came.
I am ashamed.
I am a marketing whore.
I am an iPod owner. :D
Actually, I've been wanting an iPod for a while now. Since the nano came out a few weeks ago, my interest has increased significantly. I've been toying around with purchasing a nano, but the biggest problem is 1) it's price and 2) it's lack of availablity. As a result, I've been looking at the Shuffle instead.
Now, here has been my thinking on the Shuffle thus far:
Positives -
1. It's small and ultra compact, meaning it'll fit in my pocket.
2. It's an iPod.
3. It's inexpensive.
Cons -
1. No screen to navigate with.
2. Limited storage capacity (the 512MB model, at least).
3. It's small and ultra compact, meaning I can lose it.
I've been staying away from the iPod Shuffle mainly for the memory issue. I couldn't justify spending $130.00 plus tax on the 1GB model when for $70 more I could have a 4GB mini or a 2GB nano.
Yes, the $30.00 price difference between the 512MB and 1GB model DOES make that much difference to me.
Today, while at Wally World, I happened by the display case for digital audio players. There were some good deals in the case, but the one that stood out, as always, was the iPods. Amanda urged me to get the 512MB Shuffle because of it's price of $99, but I told her I didn't want it. I knew that if I got online I could find a better price on the 1GB model ... there HAD to be some place out there that was selling this thing for around $100.
So, when we got home, I immediately began searching. Sure enough, every web site that I hit had the same price. Some with shipping, others without. I knew I could save a bit of coin on the shipping portion, but I still couldn't find the 1GB Shuffle for $100.
Then I found it.
On the Apple Web site, I noticed a link ... kinda out of the way and not really visable on first glance, but it was there. It said: "Looking for a Great Deal?"
I said: "Yes" and clicked on the link.
Sure enough, on the refurb page of the Apple store site, there was exactly what I was looking for ... an iPod Shuffle, 1GB, for a mere $99.00. I told Amanda what I found and she immediately encouraged me to go for it. After all, it's not every day you find exactly what you're looking for ... and I knew that I wasn't going to find a 1GB Shuffle cheaper than this. I logged into my Mac store account and bought the Shuffle.
Now, what's nice about this whole arrangement is that I have a Belkin wireless FM transmitter. My car CD player isn't exactly the newest model, but does play burned CD's. Instead of burning a massive amount of CD's to keep in the car, instead I can bring along two very small items that fit in my pocket, tune in my radio to the frequency of the FM transmitter, hit play on the Shuffle and be on my merry little way.
Here's my two toys, the Shuffle and FM transmitter.
What's also nice is that I was planning on purchasing a 1GB USB thumb drive. Since the Shuffle is essentially a USB thumb drive on crack, I can use it to transfer files and shit as well as music. To me, it's a great win-win situation that saved me a ton of cash.
Yay me.
~out...
Posted by ed at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2005
Moving forward
I turned in my two weeks notice to SkyWay today.
When I left WHAS back in February, I knew that I was leaving on good ground. I left the place better than what I found it. I put my heart and soul into my work and I honestly believe that it showed. I've visited the station a few times since I left, and found that most of the stuff that I did remains in place and still working properly. That, I guess, is a good sign.
Moving on to SkyWay was a difficult choice for me. I knew that I needed a change in direction. I felt as if I was only using a small amount of the overall abilities that I have while I was at the station. I needed to branch out and do more. SkyWay offered me the opportunity to continue my work with servers and phone systems, but allowed me to really dig my hands deeper into Linux and, best of all, create something from the ground up.
I launched the 2nd SkyWay bird, aka Horizons, in the beginning of July. Since that time, I have been working on my PHP and SQL skills, not to mention beginning my first steps into BASH scripting, which I had never done before until now. I created a unique backend from scratch that allows SkyWay employees to manage both satellite systems.
Now that I've sat here and thought about it, I've done quite a bit since February of this year:
-Installed and configured two IP servers.
-Installed and configured two SQL servers.
-Wrote Perl scripts to control both IP and SQL servers.
-Created serveral new Web sites for SkyWay.
-Created MANY databases to house information for the SkyWay site.
-Installed and configured a new file server.
-Installed and configured a new e-mail server.
-Installed and configured a new DNS server.
-Designed the interface for a new modem.
-Installed and configured several Web servers.
-Installed and configured one secure Web server.
-Reconfigured a Panasonic PBX with no help from anyone.
-Design flyers and posters for trade shows.
-Create several manuals from scratch.
-Created a backend management system using PHP and SQL.
-Provided helpdesk support for clients.
-Provided helpdesk support for employees.
-Took a trip to Canada to install servers.
-Took a trip to Atlanta to install servers.
-Tuned satellite dishes and LNB's.
-Taught others how to tune dishes and LNB's.
-Re-configured a demo station for customer use.
-Ran new network, RG6 and phone wiring.
-Re-arranged furniture ... several times.
-Designed a satellite location system called SkyFinder.
I'm sure that there's stuff that I'm leaving out, but I'm sure that you get the point I'm trying to make here. While at SkyWay, I can honestly say that I've been able to broaden my horizons a bit.
Now it's time for me to move in another direction. I've always been of the belief that God has a plan for all of us, and that when things happen that you shouldn't question His plan. In July, right after I got back from installing the servers in Atlanta, my dad had a heart attack. Two weeks later, Amanda's dad had a heart attack. In addition to other family issues, it seemed to both Amanda and I that God was telling us that we needed to go back home to our families. That they needed us and our support.
We've been going to Frankfort every weekend since July, with a few minor exceptions. Two weekends ago, I was a groomsman in Hash's wedding. This past weekend, I got to meet my brother, Roger, for the first time. He is my long lost brother from Germany. I didn't know about him until sometime just before the turn of the century. I have been waiting for him for a long time, and finally got the chance to meet him two days ago. It was surreal. I will write more about Roger at a later date.
Anyhow, Amanda and I had pretty much decided to move back to Frankfort. As luck would have it, a good man named Bud was looking for someone with my skillset to join his company as a consultant. Michael met Bud through school, as Bud taught one of his classes. Michael introduced me to Bud and we hit it off. I met with Bud's associates over the next few weeks and hit it off with each of them as well. This past weekend, Bud made me an offer to work for him and I accepted.
Why the change? Several reasons really.
1. I've done my part for king and country. I came to SkyWay to launch a satellite Internet system, and I've done just that. Not everyone can say that they lauched an ISP from the ground up. :)
2. I've gotten to a point at SkyWay where I'm getting into a routine again. It's the same problem that I was facing at the TV station. I don't do routine well at all. Bud's company promises something different every single day, and that can keep me on my toes.
3. I've been behind a desk since Feb. I have gained weight from sitting all the time. Add to the fact that I've stopped smoking, and it adds on even more weight. I REALLY need to start moving again. Not to mention that I hardly got to see real daylight while I was working.
4. I'm the only "tech" person that understands what the hell I'm doing at my job. If I got hit by a bus, I'm not sure what would happen to this company. NO ONE knows how the backend works at all. Hopefully, I will be able to change this before I go.
In two weeks I will bid farewell to SkyWay and say hello to my new position as a consultant. I'm excited about the prospects and even more excited about working with some people that really understand where I'm coming from. It'll be a nice change.
I think I've said enough for one night.
~out...
Posted by ed at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
The comic ... IT LIVES!
Yes ... despite what I'm sure everyone has been thinking, the comic that I've been working on does indeed continue to be worked on.
During Hash's wedding, Matt mentioned the comic and asked if I had created a character for him. I told him that I had done so several months back, but just hadn't had time to upload any additional characters.
So, I looked over the comic last night and decided that I didn't like the version of "Matt" that I had created in the previous months. So, last night I sat down in front of my computer and for the first time in roughly 5 months, I worked on my comic. I recreated the "Matt" character from scratch ... and I think it came out really good too. I've also been thinking about re-doing some of the other characters as well.
Anyhow, without any further delay ... here's the new Matt character.
The new Matt Dattilo character headshot.
Now, keep in mind that I haven't finished the model yet. I still need to create some glasses for the head and work on the body. But then again, I need to work on a new body for everyone, I guess.
Hope everyone likes the new character!
UPDATE: I got home and immediately went to work on a body model to put the new "Matt" head onto. I think I have something pretty decent in the works. Here's the updated Matt character, now with a upper torso.
The new Matt Dattilo character with torso.
Is it just me, or does this character also sorta kinda look like Bruce Willis? The mind boggles ...
~out...
Posted by ed at 09:29 AM | Comments (4)
September 12, 2005
Wedding weekend
This past weekend, one of my good friends and fellow PC Guru team member, Hash, got married. Hash allowed me the honor of standing with him at the alter as one of his groomsmen. I wasn't alone either, as Matt Dattilo and Kyle Harmon were there as groomsmen too.
Kyle, Matt and myself prior to the ceremony.
The wedding itself was wonderful. Hash's bride, Kim, did all of the decorations and planning herself. I must hand it to her ... it was absolutely beautiful. Her dress was beautiful as well.
The newlyweds, Kim and Hash.
My sincerest congratulations goes out to Hash and Kim. Here's to a very long and successful marriage!
Posted by ed at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2005
RIP fellow classmate
I've never actually questioned my mortality. People have often told me that when you get older, you get to a point where you realize that there aren't as many years in front of you as there are behind. This may be the reason why people have mid-life crisis problems. I dunno ... but that's not really the point of this post.
I've never been one to listen to rumors. I appreciate facts and have always relied on the facts that I find to back up what I hear. So, when I heard that a fellow classmate from high school had passed away, I did some research on the topic, looking for his name online through search engines and the like to see what I could find. Until today, I have found nothing.
Recently, the Frankfort newspaper, The State Journal, did a follow-up with the family of this classmate of mine. I just happened to be doing some research on some old classmates and came across the article. Sure enough, what I heard a few years back was indeed true.
This has put me through a few emotions and thoughts this evening.
First, I feel bad because even though I knew of this person, I really didn't know him. You know, on a personal level. I wasn't in with the people that he hung out with. He knew who I was, I knew who he was, and that was about it. The same holds true for alot of the people in my class. I knew of them or somewhat knew them, but for the most part, I really didn't know them well at all.
It wasn't because I disliked my classmate. As a matter of fact, I neither liked nor disliked him. As far as I knew, he had no real opinion of me either. I remember him as being a free spirit, the kind of person that was on his on path and enjoyed being around his friends. He had a sense of humor and was a good student, from what I can remember.
There were alot of people like this that maybe I should've gotten to know better. After all, when you go to school with people for 13 years of your life, assuming that you go from grade 1-12, you do have some kind of ties with them regardless if you hung out or not. If anything, you were part of the same social order that made up your class.
Second, I realized that I had a completely different perspective on life in my senior year of high school than the rest of my classmates. This was made very clear to me today, as I was going through my senior yearbook.
As a senior, I was extremely focused on my future and making something of myself. I was at school for 3 hours and spent the rest of the day at work at Cable 10 on Co-Op. Everyone else, or so it seems, had a completely different senior experience than I did ... and it seems that the yearbook really showed it. They had fun. I saw groups and cliques, people that I knew well, that I really didn't associate with at all in my senior year.
Heck, I barely even remember Project Graduation ... and I showed up with a camera in hand so I could record the moment. I wasn't there to live it, I was there to remember it.
Man, what a weird thing to look back on.
Third, I wish that I had gotten to know the people that I really considered friends more than what I did. As I said, I was concentrating on the real world more than I was concentrating on those that I was around only a few hours a day. As I was going through the yearbook tonight, I counted the people in my class that I honestly considered to be good friends of mine throughout school. I counted 33 people.
Out of those 33 people, since I left high school, I have only interacted with 6 or 7 of them. Two of them I went to Panama City with and Steven came along. I saw two of them during Steven's graduation from college party. Others I have ran into out and about, and two have actually contacted me via e-mail because they were looking for me.
I know it's common for people to move away and do their own thing after high school. Sometimes, however, I wish I had kept in closer contact with some of the people that I cared for. The death of this classmate really got me thinking about what I have really missed out on in friendships. Could any other classmates have passed away over the 9+ years since graduation? What are these people doing now? Are they married? Do they have kids? Are they happy? Do they think of me at all?
The fourth item is really the reason for this post. I realized my own mortality today. This classmate of mine, he and I are/were the same age. It just goes to show you, I guess, that when God decides it's time for you to come home, it's time. There's no if, ands, or buts about it. You can't argue with God and his judgement.
I thought to myself earlier ... if I were to die tomorrow, would there be any regrets? I'm happy to say that I have really no major regrets regarding the decisions and paths that I've chosen in life. Yeah, and as I've mentioned in this post, perhaps I should've done things a bit differently when I was younger. But, I can honestly say that if I were to leave this Earth tomorrow, I could look back and say "I lead a good life".
...
Rest in piece, my classmate. I wish I knew you better.
Note: Out of the respect for his privacy and the privacy of his family, I have left out the name of the person who died, only refering to him as "my classmate".
~out...
Posted by ed at 12:42 AM | Comments (1)