Roger's Information Security Blog » Offtopic

Google Page Layout Algorithm Change

Roger — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:34:01 +0000

This isn’t a SEO blog, I see Google has announced a change to their algorithm. This change is designed to punish websites that have a so many ads at the top of the page forcing you to scroll down to see content.

Reminded me of the default theme in WordPress. The top image on many screen resolutions wastes so much space you have to scroll down to see anything. Probably not who they are targeting.

Merry Christmas

Roger — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:37:20 +0000

Circuit City Warranty Anguish

Roger — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:40:14 +0000

This post is completely off topic for this blog. I beg your indulgence while I rant for a bit.
In 2005 I bought a Samsung DLP at Circuit City and purchased Circuit City’s extended warranty as well. I normally don’t buy those, but given the price of the TV and the newness of the technology I thought it was worth having a little bit of insurance. The Circuit City Advantage Protection included a bulb replacement which would almost pay for the warranty by itself, so it seemed worth it. Little did I know that I was buying months without TV and many days waiting for a TV repair guy.
In January of 2008, I began to hear buzzing for a extended period of time when I turned on the TV. I called for warranty service and was told that a local TV repair show would call me within 24 hours to schedule an appointment. I did not receive the promised call but the TV difficulties were still tolerable so I didn’t followup.
In April 2008, I found that I could not longer put up with the noise (apparently from a failing color wheel). I called for service and an appointment was set up with G&E Television. On April 7th, a technician from G&E put in a light bulb and left quickly before verifying that the problem was solved. I found that the picture on my TV was actually worse than before. The screen was very dark and was shaded on one side. A followup appointment occurred and G&E replaced the color wheel, light bulb and ballast on April 9th.
While I continued to hear the occasional grinding/buzzing noise at startup it was brief and occasional enough that I considered the problem solved, but was glad to have more time on my warranty in case the situation worsened.
Unfortunately the situation did worsen. My TV began to spontaneously reboot while watching shows. The reboots often occurred at startup and once it rebooted a handful of times it would perform normally. It later progressed to continuous reboots that would not be solved until the plug was pulled. These reboots could occur immediately when the machine is turned on or it might occur an hour after the TV is on.
I called Circuit City Warranty in July to resolve the reboot issue. They scheduled Advance Video to come out on July 9th to look at the problem. It should be noted that G&E Television provided a TWO hour window and Advance Video provided a 5 hour appointment window. Advance Video is located in Baltimore MD according to their website. The technician, Jimmy, said he only comes to Virginia a couple days a week (further slowing response times).
Jimmy could not reproduce the rebooting problem during the brief time he was here, but explained that given what was already swapped out, the problem is likely the light engine. He said I should call him directly if the problem recurs within the next two weeks. Jimmy said he would order the light engine so it would be ready when I called. By Friday the problem had recurred. When I called Jimmy he had not yet ordered the light engine. Jimmy called me on 7/15 and let me know that the part was ordered and would take 5-10 days.
When the part came in Jimmy set up an appointment for 7/31 from 10am-1pm. Jimmy said he would try to work it in on the early side of that. At 1:10pm when I hadn’t heard from Jimmy, I called him. I found out that he was in Woodbridge, which by my estimation is more than 30 minutes away. Since I couldn’t continue to take off work to wait for a TV repairman, I called Circuit City Warranty. They asked if I was available on Saturday 8/2/08 at 11am for Jimmy. At 1:10 pm I received a call from Jimmy who was just leaving Waldorf, MD (50 miles away). Around 2:30 Jimmy finally arrived.
He put in a new light engine and the TV would not power up. He put in the old light engine and it wouldn’t power up. Since it would power up before he arrived I questioned just what he did to the TV. I offered to show him a video I took demonstrating the problem to show that the TV did power up before it just rebooted spontaneously. For some reason he declined to see the video. I would think a technician would want to see that. Jimmy now tells me it will be another 5-10 days to get a power supply in. He claims that he will hold onto the light engine.
I am not happy about the large appointment window times of Advance Video.
I am not happy with the technician missing the large appointment times.
I am not happy this problem has not yet been resolved. It appears to me that rather than having Samsung certified technicians we have jack-of-all-trades technicians who throw parts in the TV until either the consumer gives up or Circuit City declares the TV a total loss.
I am not happy that it takes 5-10 days to get necessary parts for the TV.
8/20 – 2.5 weeks after Jimmy ordered the power supply I still haven’t heard anything.
I call Circuit City Advantage and find I can no longer speak to a human. Instead a automatic ticket is put in for another TV repair company from Maryland to call me! (I eventually get that canceled since my parts are already on order through Advance Video.
I call Jimmy, the part has apparently come in, but they only come to Virginia on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
So I take yet another day off of work as with an appointment window of 12-5 there isn’t much point in going into work.
8/21/2008
“its not the power supply.” exclaims Jimmy
I never thought there was a power supply issue unless he blew it. Turns out there was a loose wire. I suspect he knocked it loose when he was putting in the new light engine
So now it powers up. Because Jimmy had put the original light engine back in it on August 2nd I am still at the original problem reported on July 9th.
Jimmy no longer had the light engine that was ordered for me. Since its a $650 part I wonder what happened to it. He did have a light engine destined for another customer and he received authorization to put that light engine into my TV. It still didn’t work, so he put my original light engine back and diagnosed (guessed) that the problem was the analog and digital circuit boards (those are pretty much the only things left). I asked Jimmy if it would be another 2 weeks to order the boards, he replied “oh no, since we know what the problem is now, it will be much quicker.” That makes no sense.
9/3 I called Advance Video since I haven’t heard back yet.
Oh goody another 12-5 appointment.
9/4
Waiting for jimmy. Fortunately he shows on the early side of the window. Puts in the two boards and a new light bulb.
TV stays up two minutes before rebooting.
Jimmy comments “that the light engines are on back order. Since we already tried a light engine this TV should be declared a loss.”
He tries to call someone for guidance and gets voicemail. Says he will call me back.
9/8
I call Jimmy since he did not call me back. He says that I should have heard back from “victor”. I need to call victor.
9/9
I call Advance Video and ask for Victor.
Victor is on a week of vacation. According to my file I need a light engine.
I told them we already tried one new light engine. I’ve been without a tv for two months and have taken numerous days off work due to their incredibly large appointment window.
They will email victor and call me back.
9/10
I got a call back from advantage video. They say I need to call my warranty people.
9/11
calling circuit city warranty.
They tell me I need to call
888 615 8156 consumer relations option 2 twice
The person at customer relations says “they will send to the exchange dept to get an auth number. It will take 7-10 days. They will call me.”
9/24/2008
Since 14 days have passed, I called them. Jessica says that it will be 14 business days from 9/11.
This post will be updated as the saga continues. As I’ve googled, I’ve found plenty of experiences posted to the web about Circuit City Warranty ripoffs. The best written one is at Made by Mark..
From what I’ve read online, I have several things to look forward to still.
1. Assuming I ever get a “authorization number” rather than being able to use it at my local store, they will pick a random store within a 45 mile radius.
2. Rather than giving me a dollar amount toward a new TV, they will attempt to stick me with some refurb/open box item. I spent months researching HDTV models (look where that got me) and they expect to replace my TV with some random TV that has been kicked around their store room?
9/30/2008 – Progress
I got a call from Circuit City Warrenty and now have a claim number. I’m told to call the entertainment manager at my local circuit city.
So I’ve dodged two bullets 1) its approved, no more long waits 2) its a store of my choice rather than of their selection. That had been a concern.
So the next hurdle is making sure I get money towards a TV of my choice or at the least a TV that is acceptable.

More “help” from the Filezilla project owner

Roger — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:54:11 +0000

I’ve written before about the Filezilla project lead’s lack of people skills. Its getting to the point that I’d rather buy something than use this guys product for free.
I’ve been getting disconnected from FTP servers within seconds of concluding a download. I couldn’t find the keepalive settings in Filezilla, so I thought I’d check out the forum to learn how to do that and I found this thread, “Filezilla disconnects automatically please help.”
Here are some gems:

“FileZilla does not disconnect on its own. The server or some router or firewall disconnects you. This is not FileZilla’s fault.”
“Go ahead, prove me wrong. Show me which part of the code is causing the disconnects. Good luck finding what’s not there.”
“With seven nines reliability, I can assure you that the problem sits between chair and keyboard.”

It was worth it just to see this PARODY of the developer/site admin’s reply:

Filezilla is a totally flawless, dare I say bulletproof piece of software. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Filezilla.
You’re probably hallucinating. It’s ok though, I’m hallucinating too. I experience the same problem despite all my other FTP clients working fine on the same computer on the same network. We’re not alone, there are other threads with people claiming the same strange visions, Here’s one for example:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7065
As soon as you start thinking that it might be Filezilla’s fault, shoot yourself in the face. I found shooting myself in the face to be far less painful than having a rational conversation with the developer.

Then there is this thread

“Guess I should spend more time in my ivory tower, happily coding away. Customer support makes me want to bash my head into the nearest wall.
I do not like to be accused to be wrong, I want to be proven to be wrong. One possible proof for a software problem is a patch.”

I’d like to believe the first part of that is tongue in cheek, but the second part seems to be impossible to explain except take it at face value.

“Do I have to start banning people? FILEZILLA DOES NOT ****ing DISCONNECT YOU, THE SERVER, SOME ROUTER OR FIREWALL DISCONNECTS FILEZILLA.”

Thanks Mr X

Roger — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:55:28 +0000

I received a funny email today from Mr X.

From: Mr. X
Subject: Business Opportunity
Hi
I m 21 year’s old guy, and looking for some business Opportunity
that’s why i need u’r help.
So kindly will u tell me something about u’r Organization and what’s u’r future planning.

Actually, that’s a small step from all the sales guys that have been calling. “You dont know me from adam, but tell me about your security needs.”
Clippy: It looks like you’re writing a letter
Sales guy: What can I sell you today
The answer to both is surprising similar.

Renewing GCWN

Roger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:46:24 +0000

I renewed my GIAC certification in Securing Windows today. When renewing a GIAC for the renewal fee you also get access to course materials (mp3s and the course books). I found it a bit dificult to listen to the MP3s. I did notice that when I took the course live I think there was some “you need to know this” where as this time around the only guidance toward the test was “everything in the workbooks.”
GIAC certifications now require proctored tests. They are still open book, but you can’t use electronic books. The answer isn’t as easy to find when you can’t just find it by searching PDF files. The test is 150 questions and you have a four hour limit.
I struggled a bit with IPSec, RRAS and PKI, but did fine over all. I’m glad I don’t have to do that again for another four years.

Grandcentral.com badness

Roger — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:13:15 +0000

looks like someone forgot to renew grandcentral.com. doh!

http://www.iptools.com/dnstools.php?tool=whois&user_data=grandcentral.com

Domain Name: GRANDCENTRAL.COM
Registrar: EASYDNS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Whois Server: whois.easydns.com
Referral URL: http://www.easydns.com
Name Server: NS1.EASYDNS.COM
Name Server: NS2.EASYDNS.COM
Name Server: NS6.EASYDNS.NET
Name Server: REMOTE1.EASYDNS.COM
Name Server: REMOTE2.EASYDNS.COM
Status: clientHold Updated Date: 20-may-2008
Creation Date: 19-may-1997
Expiration Date: 20-may-2008

Starting Your Own Blog

Roger — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:57:07 +0000

A commenter asked for advise in starting his own blog.
The first step in starting a blog is deciding what its going to be about. Is it going to be about everything, your life, or just one topic. While some people post about everything, and separate their topics in categories, I think a work related blog like this should stay on topic. People came here a specific reason. They dont necessarily want to hear how my day was, what the dog did on the carpet, or what I think of Hillary. To do otherwise is kind of self-indulgent and abuses the loyal readers.
A lot of bloggers give their full name or use real whois info if they buy a domain. If the purpose of your blog is self-promotion, than you’ll have to attach your name to your opinions. I think when your real name is attached to your blog, it makes it more difficult to blog about work. Its too easy for someone to gather information about the company you work for. Even if you blog pseudonymously, I would recommend blogging as if who you write about will read it later. You dont want your management, co-workers, etc mad at you later if you do end up sharing the URL with them.
When it comes to setting up a blog you can go with a hosted solution (typepad, blogger) or you can go buy hosting space and set it up yourself (movabletype, wordpress). I use movabletype although wordpress seems much more popular. I enjoy tweaking the design templates, installing plugins and doing the upgrades.
In terms of content, original content is preferred over linking. If your blog contains nothing but links, why should I read your stuff? There are already a ton of blogs out there with little to no original content. Yeah, it annoys me that they get more visits based on their (copyright violation) cut and paste of other people’s work. When you do link, have a opinion and insight. Keep your quotes brief and clearly labeled. If your target audience is the general public then its not as bad to spend time aggregating data for them. Ultimately though if you’re blogging for the right reasons, then post what makes you happy.
In terms of promotion, I am really antispam and gaining eyeballs wasn’t my goal in writing. I added a link to this site in my sig on a couple of sites where I was already a member and frequent poster and I made sure google found my site. That’s about it.
So that is my two cents. There are plenty of articles out there on ‘movabletype versus wordpress’ or other things like ‘getting your blog noticed’.

Fred – CDW Commercials

Roger — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:13:25 +0000

These bring back some memories

Fred, I promised someone remote access. What is remote access…
I opened that virus, just like you told us not to…
I’m taking user error to a whole new level…

Bad Dream

Roger — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 13:49:00 +0000

The following post was originally written in June but not posted. I was stressing out about our Full Disk Encryption selection. I didn’t want to talk to the Snr Manager for a few days after this dream. I can laugh about it now.
I had a dream last night that I got fired. It was so real.
We were trying to deploy an update to some software that I’m not responsible for in real life. My Senior Manager said to install it on the server so all the clients would get the updates. I responded that didn’t make any sense, we would have to deploy to each client. In my dream, the Senior Manager said, “that’s it, you’re through” and asked a co-worker to help me clean up my office.