Melange Lavonne's video: Gay Bash.

I like the tune. The lyrics are a bit... well, to be honest I think that they're a little unpolished. However, the message is strong and good, and I think that it bears repeating, so I'm posting it here. Thanks to the goodly one who pointed it out.



Next there's the Craigslist Postings for Free Artwork. The following link takes you to something that some of the artist-for-hire crowd are touting as 'great' and 'must reads'. I can't say that I claim the same. I agree that the concept is good and valid. I agree that 'spec work' prepares us all for anal probing of the highest order, but I think that the rant is just that - it's a rant. It has the same kind of blind-faith 'data' that accompanies every AOHELL forward I've ever thrown in my virtual trash bin. I'm pretty sure that it might be just the same sort of 'email gathering bullshit' that they are. So why am I passing it on? Because I expect all of you to be smart enough to not give any information to folks through something like this.

I might just have to write a paraphrased document with some legitimate information. Something that shows illustrators and the like as something more than a bunch of zealots - misguided as well as misunderstood.

http://www.no-spec.com/archives/i-wish-i-had-written-this/

So while I'm on the subject of newbs and the intarwebs - I've been thinking. I've been thinking that boutell  's amazing web faq is a great thing and should be promoted. I wish more people would look through the vast array of information there (and elsewhere) on the web and just plain educate themselves. It's really not tough people.

I am currently of the opinion that Facebook is the shit. All of the (worthwhile) shit that basic myspace does (ie- not the music/comedy sections) and more without all the teeny bopper 'look at my annoying animations and bullshit sound files' crap. Just information, comments, groups, and pictures. Data. Good solid data. And the ability to share it. Novel concept that. The closest I would get to complaining about facebook is that it seems like it was built by really slick programmers who could use a hand in the interface design department - but I'll take quality over flashy packaging any day.

Now you can get Google Calendar on your mobile phone! For those of you who might have been holding out and using other calendar services, I say unto thee: SWITCH NOW!

These people are just TEH freakin HAWESOME.

Check it out here: Google Mobile Calendar

/end gushing

Today I started down the road to getting CCNA certified. Just touching the edge, and it's the first real studying I've done in many years. I have to admit that it feels a little overwhelming. I'm generally a 'hands on' guy. I learn much faster through doing because I get to see how things work.

I imagine that's not all that unusual.

Funny thing is that I'm feeling like a complete newb and it kinda feels good. I like the sense of exploration. I know that I'm certainly not breaking truly new ground here. Any time there's late night infomercials staring Sally Struthers advertising products to help you get certified in the thing that you're studying, it's a safe bet that it's well covered ground.

But it's new to me. What's more, it's a branch of something that I feel somewhat comfortable with. Granted, I'm no jeremym or boutell, but there was a day in age when people all around me looked to me as 'that computer expert guy'. (This was admittedly a naive crowd.) I would call myself an Intermediate to Experienced Home PC User. As I see it, that makes me better than a majority of your average Joes at most things PC related.

When it comes to networking, I'm finding that I'm a little like an epileptic trying to do brain surgery with a crow bar. But I can get there. It's an eye opener, but I feel pretty optimistic.

Just thought that I would share.