penn

I am THE networking goddess

We have a home network here, and it's been persnickity recently. Computers will work sometimes, they won't work sometimes, and it's just a general all-around pain. We've always used our computers to communicate with each other and shuffle around files; in fact, my laptop is completely backed up on two computers for safety.

As I mentioned previously, my dad just bought a new HP Media Center computer. We brought it home, and everything got set up beautifully . . . except filesharing. The computer couldn't access the workgroup. (it said "workgroup is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available." yeah, I typed that for the next person who has my problem and googles that string.) Agh. Screaming frustration. I tried the TCP/IP bios thing, and starting the computer browser service. No such luck.

Then I tried this cool regedit thing, because my computer (which couldn't access my dad's and didn't see the other computers on the network) had the node type listed as peer-to-peer. It worked for my computer, so I could see everyone on the network. Yay fun times.

Still, my dad's computer didn't work on the network; it still wouldn't access workgroups. What did I finally do to get it to work?

I uninstalled Norton firewall. Oh, heavenly day. Everything works beautifully now.

PS I also updated my router's firmware. I didn't know you were supposed to do that. It was actually kinda cool.

PPS my dad bowed to me. Woot. It only took me, oh, half the day to get the networking figured out. I guess I did clean up my room some while doing that, and we also cleaned up the entire computer room and set up my dad's old computer in there. Anyway, it's now a happy computer day.

Redesign mostly complete

I still have to update my links list, but other than that, the redesign is complete. I'm quite excited; I had no idea what to use for the banner pic, but my Friday activities inspired me. A big thanks goes out to Steve and his family for teaching me how to decorate cookies like a pro. They are amazing people. Do you know any families that have cookie decorating contests? I even learned a few new card games while I was over there.

Anyway, I promise I'll update the links list soon, but I've got to go troubleshoot the network at my house. I can't get the computers to see each other, even tho they all see the internet. Harrump and phooey.

It's an HP sponsored Thanksgiving

Last night, as I braved Seattle rush hour traffic to come home, my dad insisted I drop by the "Moonlight Madness" Comp USA sale. I picked up a jump drive for $13 (128 mg, so not too shabby there) and some cheap DVD-Rs. My dad, however, picked up a complete new computer system: the HP media center PCm1171n.

It's kinda cool, actually. I've already spent hours setting this up and transferring files off the family's old computers. I completely cleaned off one old computer, and I have on more to go, but we are well on our way to having just state-of-the-art systems here (well, systems newer than two years old, that is).

My dad's new computer receives FM signals, so I was listening to NPR earlier. We'll have digital editing capacity, so we're going to try and import stuff we have on VHS over the holidays; hopefully, we'll get our old home movies on to DVD. Unlike most families, we only have a couple of hours of home movie bliss, so it shouldn't take too long *fingers crossed*.

I'm glad my dad finally treated himself to something nice. Previously he had both the oldest car and computer in the family. I'm still not giving him my car just because I feel sorry for him. He's got a new computer now.

I'm enjoying tinkering around with the machine. We'll see what else I can come up with in the next few days. It's always fun to customize a new system. And, yes, I did download iTunes for both my parents, and I already taught my dad how to rip CDs. Also, my dad now has two browsers to choose from: ie, which works just fine most of the time, and Firefoz, for the atom feed from my weblog. Ahh, good day in computer land.

PS he has both a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse. Everyone's jealous.

I'm really proud of myself; I figured out how to pop email into MSOutlook from my campus server . . . and how to send it back out using the SMTP server. *shakes head* I'm a geek, and proud of it.

Amazed

There are people in this world who have not heard of Garrison Keiler. Wow. Are there more of you out there?

Blogging Live from Eaton's Cafe and Gaming Center

So I went to go see Shark's Tale tonight, and I walked by Eaton's Cafe and Gaming, the freakin' busiest little groove spot in forest grove. The DDR machine has been pumping literally all night long. Honestly. I've been here since 8 or so, and it's almost midnight, and I haven't seen the machine free at all.

I'm chilling with Brandon and Bryan, two of the coolest guys EVER. Hi, guys! I met these two cool guys thru my work study job (I work in the technology center of my university). We've just been shooting the breeze, and it's wonderful. Bryan doesn't work there anymore, so I've got to catch up with him here on Friday nights.

Did people hear about the NBA brawl tonight? That was some . . . interesting stuff.

Anyway, just a blog post to catch up. It's nice to have a relaxing evening for once. Yay. And the rest of the weekend shall be . . . homework. And hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow morning to be a lane timer for the swim team competition.

Amazingly Lazy

I just got the complete door-to-door service from the science building to my apartment. And by complete door-to-door, I mean that my wonderful friend Joe Green drove up the sidewalk to the stairs for my apartment. He went the furthest possible in his truck. I'm impressed.

backstory so this makes sense:

I live about a 3-5 minute walk from the science building, depending on pace. I went over there to use the math lab (mm, G5s) and get some tutoring help from Joe. I spent two hours there, of which about 1.2 hours or so was spent on math; the rest of the time was spent on planning the "Joe Green tutoring night" (entrance fee? a six-pack). Joe and I left at the same time, and he offered me a ride home since it was on his way.

Now I feel lazy, but it's not often one gets door-to-door service between campus buildings.

Tangled Bank

The latest Tangled Bank (a collection of science-oriented posts) is up at Rhosgobel. One of my articles is even on there. Check it out!

the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation

One of my huge pet peeves is this:

you just finish a large assignment, or two, or a few that are due on the same day. You breathe a sigh of relief as you turn them in. Then, as class lets out, you realize . . .

1. you forgot to turn in your math homework yesterday. now you have to go do the computer assignment part of it (5 minutes when the math teacher gives you the correct notes for the day you missed) and turn it in

2. you have 150 pages of reading for English lit b/c you're behind

3. you have to write curriculum for your activity with the middle schoolers tomorrow afternoon

4. you have a bio club activity tonight that you can't miss

I think I'm big on extra-curriculars . . . it's a little crazy here right now. I promise more rants fueld by NYTimes articles and random reflections soon, but not until the homework craziness is done.

A sign you're tired, and thank goodness you're proofreading

We isolated genomic DNA from Vibrio fischeri (Carolina Biologicals) via a harvesting and lysis of bacteria by bowling protocol (Sambrook et al., 1989) with modifications.