http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php Copyright 2010, Billy Miller Billy Miller en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100228-010853
Also, earlier in the evening (after I had discovered the date issue and solution), I was about to junk this VCR. Whenever I would enter a tape, it would make some clicking noise, and then eject the tape. I took the cover off, and cleaned the heads (surprisingly the inside of the case was dust-free). That did nothing. I then remembered that a few months ago, I had to move the VCR to clean my bookcase off. I figured that I might have jarred some internals around and that's why it might have not been working. So I simply picked up the VCR, lifted it about a foot off the ground, and dropped it a few times onto carpet. Afterward, I inserted the tape, and success, it didn't spit it back out. It's amazing that analog recording is so picky like that, and just something being jarred would make it work or not work.]]> Technology http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100228-010853 Billy Miller Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:08:53 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=02&entry=entry100228-010853 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-012625 R2, this R2...

After considerable thought, earlier tonight, I finally got rid of my 33-month old Vista x64 install on my desktop. Like anything else, the circa May 2007 install of Vista Ultimate was starting to signs of age. Certain things within the OS were broken, some programs liked to hang, and I've noticed a general slowdown as I had installed more programs and saved more files over the years.

Why did I chose to install Windows Server 2008 R2? Because I got it for free through Microsoft's DreamSpark program. Otherwise the software would cost me in excess of $400, which I don't have right now.

Windows Server 2008 R2, being based upon Windows NT 6.1, is fundamentally the same as Windows 7, but with a few changes. All of the consumer "goodies" in client Windows are missing, although some, such as Windows Media Player, Windows Defender, and all of the Windows Aero eye candy can be re-added into the OS through the "desktop experience" feature in the server manager console. 2008 R2 also doesn't include the wide range of drivers that Vista and 7 do. After I installed the server OS, I needed to hop online to find audio and video drivers.

On top of all that, there are some pressing application compatibility issues present in Server 2008 R2 (and most other versions of NT Server). In order to install a conventional client anti-virus program, like Avast, you have to hack the registry. I've also had some problems with video editing software, like Windows Movie Maker not cooperating properly with some file types I throw at it.

Despite those issues, I've had a generally positive experience thus far, but I feel like I may need to dust off my Vista DVD once more in order to run programs not compatible with Server 2008 R2. I may either dual-boot Server 2008 R2 and Vista, or simply install Vista inside a virtual machine and run it that way. ]]> Technology http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100227-012625 Billy Miller Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:26:25 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=02&entry=entry100227-012625 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100212-162426
For the first major snowstorm back in December, I had quite an adventure which left me and my car spun out into the median on a major US highway because I had two final exams on that Saturday morning. Also, my grandfather had a heart attack that day shoveling snow. He was left in the hospital for nearly two weeks.

The next major storm, which was just a week ago, had me racing home from school on a Friday afternoon in order to make it home before the snow started accumulating on the ground. I made it home at 4:30, right when the first flakes started laying on the side streets.

And the latest storm, a true blizzard, just happened a few short days ago. It started snowing on Tuesday afternoon, at about 4:30 again, and didn't stop snowing until about 4:30 the next day. By 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday evening classes were canceled, and at around 8:00 Tuesday night, classes for Wednesday were canceled (my first snow day since an ice storm in 2008). At about 4:00 pm Wednesday afternoon, they canceled classes for Thursday, because many of the roads in the area were simply impassable. On Thursday night, I had the pleasure of digging my car out of about 20" of new snow. Myself, and two others got it out from the snow in about an hour.

The forecast is calling for more snow on Monday into Tuesday, my roommate and I are taking his truck back to school instead of my car. Many of the side streets are still in very poor condition. On my drive home today, I had to be detoured around the side streets of a small town, and the streets were barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

I really hope spring comes soon...]]> Weather http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100212-162426 Billy Miller Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:24:26 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=02&entry=entry100212-162426 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100130-140741
A few weeks ago, I told myself that I'd blog again, but that hasn't happened. With the combination of the holidays back in December, working back in the first few weeks of January, and the start of the spring semester two weeks ago, I've been very busy. I can already tell this semester of school will be one of my busiest yet. While I don't have anymore credits than I normally have, I think I'll have a much higher workload than normal.

Since I feel I'll be so busy, I may not be able to provide regular updates here, but I'll try to be a bit more consistent with the blog posts.]]> Site, Life, School http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100130-140741 Billy Miller Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:07:41 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=10&m=01&entry=entry100130-140741 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080824-111302
As I mentioned, I moved in to my room for the year last Sunday, and I've gotten quite comfortable in my new home already. It was a lot easier moving in this year, as opposed to last year when I was a freshman. I had no problems connecting to the school's network this year, unlike last year.

This year, the dining opportunities on campus seem even more limited than last year. First off, the main dining hall, Gordinier, which last year was open from 7am through 7pm every day not has limited hours on Sundays; it now opens at 9:30am and closes at 7pm. It doesn't really concern me that much as I'm never awake before 9:30am on Sundays, but I'm sure at least a few are.

The other main dining establishment I use on a regular basis, The Galley, which is a food court-like area in the Student Memorial Center, has also cut their weekend hours significantly. Yesterday when I tried to go there for lunch around 1pm, they were closed, despite their new Saturday hours from 11am through 3pm.]]> School http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080824-111302 Billy Miller Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:13:02 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=08&entry=entry080824-111302 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080725-023902
What am I doing up at this hour? Well, not much. I just thought I'd pop by to let you know that I haven't forgotten about this blog.

In the coming days (probably not before Tuesday the 29th of July), I hope to review a new purchase that I made. Stay tuned!]]> Life http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080725-023902 Billy Miller Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:39:02 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080725-023902 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080709-233944 Site http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080709-233944 Billy Miller Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:39:44 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080709-233944 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080627-214955


Is seven plus spam comments in about three weeks time (give or take a few days) a lot? I think it seems pretty excessive. The thing is, they're all spamming basically the same thing: World Of Warcraft (and other similar video games)-related topics. Why? I have no clue because my blog has absolutely nothing to do with these topics.

I ban the IPs of the spammers and then delete their comments, but when I delete the comments, it seems that all comments in the entry are deleted, even the valid ones from real people.

Oh well.

Anyway, today at work they've started using handheld computerized scanners for returns. So now when I have to people greet at the doors, instead of just putting a simple pink return sticker on the item, I have to scan the UPC barcode with the handheld computer, then go through a few on screen prompts, then a wireless portable printer prints off the return label.

IMO, the older way of doing returns was so much more simple, but very antiquated, apparently. From what I was told, most other stores nationwide already use the new computerized system for returns, so I guess my store was a bit late to the game.]]> Site, Life http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080627-214955 Billy Miller Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:49:55 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080627-214955 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080605-194145


Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to these very extreme temperatures because I have to work on three of the five days when temperatures are forecast to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the past few days of 80-some degree temperatures are any indication, I'll be needing to drink lots of water, and will probably come home drenched in sweat. Oh well, at least I'll be making money while I'm doing it...]]> Life, Weather http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080605-194145 Billy Miller Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:41:45 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080605-194145 http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080525-213922 Life http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080525-213922 Billy Miller Mon, 26 May 2008 02:39:22 GMT http://billy.mozfaq.org/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=05&entry=entry080525-213922