Professor Peck Remix

So, another exciting thing happened when I was down in Florida - I was supposed to start teaching my cyberwarfare class while I was there - but at the very last minute (day before) they called and said they didn't have enough students so they didn't need me..... :-( I was really dissapointed but in the end it all worked out.

The night before I had receved an email stating that KVCC needed a teacher for a networking + class - so I emailed them back and got the job - I started the Thrusday after I got back from Florida - actually the first class was while I was away.

We are in the 4th week now and things are going great! I am a little outnumbered as there are 18 men in my class - classes are on Tuesday and Thrusday nights from 6-7:20 and so far we are doing well....

No Dad - no one has thrown any spitballs at me yet - but thanks for asking...!

Florida Trip

Hey everyone, I know it is has been over a month since I posted, but it has been a busy month. First of all in the beginning of January, I went down to Florida to our National Sales Meeting.... if you are saying that you are jealous.... wait until you here the rest of the story with Paul Harvey....

My project at the end of the year was to implement a new VPN - a VPN is a device that allows people who are not at a Stryker building to access Stryker resources from anywhere that has Internet access - we had a VPN before of course but needed to upgrade.... so after getting the new VPN installed here - I had to go to Florida and install it on 300 computers - of course I wasn't alone, 2 other co-workers and 2 contractors were there and it was NOT a fun time....

Bill kept asking me what the weather was like but I couldn't tell him because I didn't go outside for the entire time I was there.....

Here are some pics of a few of the computers we worked on.

Lets just say I was glad to be home....

New Year's Resolution - Security in '08

I think a great New Year's resolution to go along with the weight loss and money management resolutions that we all have is to be more computer security conscious in 08... ok so I guess it sounds corny now, but trust me... the more advanced hackers become, the more threats there are to us as we surf the web and shop online.

A couple of tips that I think you should plan for in 08....

-Buy a security suite for your computer... we have arrived at the time where antivirus is no longer enough for a home computer. Antispyware, AntiMalware, AntiSpam.. yes it all slows down your computer - but so does spyware, malware and spam... so make the smart choice.

-Check your credit - go to equifax.com or one of those places that let you get your credit history for free and DO IT.... make sure someone isn't using your credit cards without you even knowing.

-Investigate LifeLock - www.lifelock.com - GREAT TOOL!!!

-Wipe your PC. Ok so not all of us can do this - but maybe pay someone to do it (preferably not me) but seriously this needs to be done every once in awhile to clean out all the garbage that you get piled up as you surf the web.... do this in conjunction with my first posting

-Change your passwords and download keepass - how long has your password been the same as your bank pin your voicemail password... etc... seriously CHANGE IT!

But seriously - have a great new year and try to be safe when surfing and shopping online.

Welcome to 2008

Welcome to 2008... I am still not sure what the theme is for this New Year, last year I was excited to be done with school, this year I am starting teaching but ... still don't know how all of that will go.... so I haven't decided what 2008 will be yet - but I know one thing, it will be March before I remember to write 08 on everything. I just got used to 07.

Had to go back to work today after a much needed long vacation.... Bill & I were couch potatoes for most of the break, just hanging out, playing our new Wii and watching football and movies. It was great, I am pretty sure it was the most consecutive time we have spent at home in over a year.

We did buy a new Wii before the holidays and since neither of us are really videogame people it has been funny trying to figure out how to play. I am addicted to the mario galaxy game which I am sure anyone who has played the original Mario would love. It is 3d and if you can imagine, Mario walks around worlds and is upside down and sideways, making it very interesting to try to control him. Also, the Wii remote controls are different than any other remote. For example when bownling you move the remote just as you would bowl, tennis you swing - forehand and back, etc.... so at least it is amusing at all times.

Not much else happening right now, other than a ton of snow in my road and driveway.... but Friday morning I will be heading down to sunny Florida for work, so maybe I will catch some sun and sand down there .....

Here's hoping your New Year was great and wishing you luck on your New Years resolutions, whatever they may be.