When I was eight, Prince released 1999. This song suggested New Years Eve 1999 was going to be something for the story books. We would usher in a new century, and in the process, we would send off the previous one with a party unparalleled. I was (to quote Paul Simon) “born at the right time” — when 1999 rolled around I’d just be hitting my mid-twenties.

In the eighth grade I decided that I wanted to be an engineer. Initially, I thought chemical engineer, but after I discovered computers it quickly changed to computer engineer. In college I got hooked on programming and networking. It became clear I wasn’t going to be mucking about with circuit level design — Unix, routers, and programming was the life for me.

This proved to be a fateful decision. … Read More »

Anniston – A Memorial Service for Mr. Donald Paul Holland, 72, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at McCoy United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Quillin and Sandy Aids officiating.

Mr. Holland died Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Holland was retired from Baptist Health Systems. He was also a member of the Elks Club, a loyal Alabama fan, and of the Methodist faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Holland; his sister, Rose White; a brother, Daniel Holland; and a stepdaughter, Angela M. Hill.

Mr. Holland is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gloria B. Holland; daughter, Angela Parton; brotherin-law, Luther L. White; a granddaughter, Paisley Parton; three grandsons, Reid Parton, Jeromy Hill, and James P. Hill and his wife, Ali; great-grandson, Cameron Hill; several … Read More »

Across the street from the booth I usually occupy at McDonald’s, I’ve noticed three signs on a telephone pole: “CLEAR EYES” “FULL HEARTS” “CAN’T LOSE”

We may not be in West Texas, but listening to people talk around here you get the impression football is every bit as important.

The Warriors’ championship bid ended prematurely a couple of weekends ago, and just a few days later the signs were gone.

I’m not one to really follow sports, but I did like the imagery of the signs. I am a fan of Friday Night Lights, and maybe this is more a testament to the way the show is shot. The same stark contrast I see in the show, I can see in Walton when I look out the window. Maybe that is just what the show intends; that everyone can see … Read More »

Way back in 2006, I wrote (here and here) about Apple’s stance on viruses for the Mac.

It seems they are starting to come around.

Update:

I guess I spoke too soon. It appears Apple has pulled the tech note. They also released this statement:

The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box.