Mental Lockout

The phone rings.  I answer it, cheerfully.

“I’m locked out of the system.”

Ok, let me unlock that account for you.  Go ahead and try logging in again, if it doesn’t let you in, I’ll reset your password.

*Frantic typing*

“I’m locked out again.”  *Continued frantic typing*

Ok, let me unlock your account and reset your password.

*Continued sounds of frantic typing on the other end of the line*

I’ve unlocked your account, let me reset your pa....

*Pause in frantic typing* “I’m locked out again.” *Frenzied typing resumes*

Ooook....let me reset your password, then unlock your account.......all right, your password has been reset and your account has been unlocked.  Your password is qwerty.

*Continued frantic typing* “Is that with a capital Q?”

No, the password is all lower ca......

*Frantic typing pauses* “I’m locked out again.”

Why do I even try.

Random thoughts from my day.

I see you there.  I know you have important things to do.  This does not change the fact that I am on a phone call.  There are many other technicians sitting in this area with me.  Stop looking at me with that "Please help me" look.  You're making me feel guilty.  That guy three feet to my left could help you out with your issue.  Oh wait, hold on.......

".....Thanks for calling, and have a nice day!"  *Click*

"Hi, how can I help you today!"

Splitting things up - Tech and Personal.

This was never meant to be a tech blog.  This was supposed to be the semi-incoherent ramblings of a technology obsessed madman.  I have failed my audience, and for that, I sincerely apologize.

From this point on, my technology writing will be found at my new home, TheTechStewart.com.  I'll share my thoughts on technology, pictures, videos, and perhaps even liveblogs from the conferences I do get to attend throughout the year.  I hope to find some of you there.

I'm turning this back into my personal blog.  There will still be some tech here, but no reviews, no formality, none of that silly nonsense.  This will be the home of the dreaded user horror stories, tales and images of technology being misused, abused, and other random ramblings from yours truly.  Perhaps I'll even open my heart sometime and share my true feelings.....nah.

Anyway, you've been warned.  I hope that at least one of my locations becomes a regular stop as you travel the information superhighway.

Why I still buy in person.

I've tried to embrace digital distribution.  Steam gets a fair bit of cash from my gaming budget, on occasion.  Every so often, however, I hit the local GameStop for my latest impulse purchase.  Each time, it reminds me why I don't like digital distribution - I think I may start buying all my games from the box retailers once again, and here's why.

To my fellow geeks - don't decry the visit to your local gaming store.  I view it as part of the experience now - chatting the latest games, getting advice from sales reps who know my game collection, and just generally getting to chat with folks who have the same passion that I do is part of what makes bringing the latest blockbuster game case home with me.  Buying from an e-tailer doesn't have that same magic.

To the rep at the Exton Mall GameStop - Thanks for the chat and the game recs, and I'll be sure to fill you in on Bulletstorm.  To GameStop - keep doing what you are doing, and hiring good people, and I'll keep coming back to satiate my gaming addiction.

Cr-48 update - fixed a problem that I didn't know I needed fixed.

For the past few weeks, my Cr-48, which is running on the developer channel, ran into some issues with the webcam.  No matter what site I tried, it simply wouldn't work.  I hadn't really paid it much mind, simply because I don't do much related to videos.  However, when I wanted to use it for Google video chat, and couldn't get it to work, I decided to take my little notebook to work and figure out the problem.

I didn't have to do much.  The update that dropped yesterday (I believe) fixed the issue for me.  I downloaded it when I got to the office, and discovered that my problem had disappeared.

For what it's worth, Google is doing a great job of keeping these units up to date for the testers, fixing bugs and taking care of issues in quick order.

Pinch Zoom functionality, and Cr-48 Pilots user map

So, I think I should be reading new release info more often.  I've just noticed, with the latest Dev channel update, that I can perform pinch zoom functions on my Cr-48.  I'm not sure if this was added in the most recent update, or if it's been there for awhile.  I guess I need to catch up on my reading.

Also, a few users from the Cr-48 Pilot user group on Facebook are attempting to get a map of us users together  Tag yourselves at the link below.  Particularly if you are from the Philadelphia area - I'd love to see just how many active folks got one of these sweet little netbooks out here.

http://sharedspaces.googlelabs.com/hJmrQcdpv3

Also, if you haven't joined the Facebook Cr-48 Pilot User Group, or the Cr-48 Philadelphia Area User Group, there's no better time than the present!

Thinkpad X201 Fingerprint Reader in Ubuntu

My project for the evening - configure my X201's fingerprint reader for use in Ubuntu 10.10.  Here's the process.

Source: https://launchpad.net/~fingerprint/+archive/fingerprint-gui

Open terminal, enter the following

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fingerprint/fingerprint-gui
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install fingerprint-gui policykit-1-fingerprint-guid libbsapi

Close terminal, then reboot.  Open System>Preferences>Fingerprint GUI.  Select the upec Biometric Touchchip/Touchstrip Fingerprint Sensor, click next.  The GUI will walk you through enrolling your fingerprints, and voila - logins, sudo, and keyring are all tied to your swiped fingerprint.