Neural Connectivity, Internet Friends and Rage (ABC1)

I turned on the TV this morning and noticed Rage was being Guest Programmed by @theJezabels and remembered an Internet friend @BettyisPretty had mentioned she wanted to see them at the ANU a little bit back but didn’t get there. Anyway gave it a watch and thought might have a bit of a look at The Jezabels later. Hope YouTube will be my friend for an initial look.

The First song I saw was Life on Mars by David Bowie this triggered a memory of another version I had seen recently and I think it is AWESOME and one of the YouTubers commented it makes me want to smoke and take up guitar. Well I always want to smoke but have not done so in 12 and a half years :)

I think while I jump about with one thought leads to another and another I guess if I didn’t follow back @BettyisPretty when she followed me I would have missed out on this mornings finds and I suspect much much more long term Thanks Danika

So I’ll let you compare even though the Seu Jorge version is in Portuguese I still think it is wonderful …

 

This guy is so cool

and this one not so bad either

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bet you thought I would not link a jezabels song give this a listen

Write your own epitaph or crowd-source memories after you are gone

People seem to be talking about putting social media accounts in your Last Will and Testament for a little while now and while I have not gone looking for cool things about afterlife events when I saw this linked from an article that spoke about QR code malware I thought hmmm.

If I did want that perhaps I need to start aggregating my life to one spot in advance ...

Given my Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity background I think I might need to provide different data because I don't think QR codes will be in vogue when I'm gone and I'm not certain a URL will be valuable then either.

So just like updating tape technologies I might need to look at a fund to conduct data transformation and also headstone rejuvenation for the new access methods but I think it is a funny idea to toy with.

Would the site need to be open to publishing from friends and colleagues? Don't worry I won't be calling it WikiDavia

Ball Camera - Captures Panoramic Views

Recently I have been taken by photography but almost lost interest by forcing myself to post a photo every day what a physiological disaster. Taking a picture everyday because you have too rather than because you want to not good.

Often we I was thinking about what to take I was drawn by the idea of Panoramas and went to some lengths to prepare for stitching a larger shot if the whim took me so essentially I thought this might be a nice photo and then took about 8 more shots around the periphery to ensure I'd be able to get the bigger picture.

Today I found a link to something marvellous the Ball Camera

Now just to find out where I can get one and for how much would make a cool addition to a travelling kit.

Dreaming of Cabins and Houses in the Bush

While I watch “The Renovators” finale tonight I have been dreaming about property but maybe not renovating one.

Since our dear friend “Suzi” moved out to the country I had dreamed of buying the place across the road from her (looks that sold recently) and really I don’t think I want to buy an established property with a house …

This is my daydream today how about we buy a couple of hundred acres in the country say out near Suzi

and somewhere in the middle near a Dam like this one put the main house and I kind of like this one:

I’m a little bit in love with space for my stuff, shade and being tucked in so I’d want a plantation on at least one side of the property maybe a native gum forest. With this idea comes the risk of fire so I need a funky retreat for me to do stuff maybe perched a little high so a middle aged persons tree house but cooler… I thinking this one:

Notice the Steel Shutters all around … Good for those I’m busy go away days but also keeps the Burglars and Bush Fires away. This could even be out on a perimeter of the property and maintain a high degree of safety and security.

Of course I’m looking for my space and I think Libby should have hers too. I’m pretty interested a third building that is designed to be a writers retreat:

If we were to “Line” the undersides of the Patios I think we could get a degree of Fire Protection and Security here too

You would think I’m finished by now too but no I’m not and these are cool because I could use a tractor to move the next buildings around the property for Privacy, Scenery change or more importantly fighting kids…

I used to want to live in mum and dads garage because I was a man now and wanted my own space. I like these because they are “portable” ish and make great guest cabins too so we might need 3 or 4 in a clear spot and orientate them so they all get a view. I might make the interior a little less Spartan but I really like the idea and so would Libby because visitors can retreat away from the house:

Yes I understand they look like Shipping Containers with cooler roofs, BUT look Cool Wheels

Of course these are just day dreams and I have not seen floor plans, I’m also not entirely sure I want to give my houses grease and oil changes.

If I have stirred your interest all the structures are Architecturally Designed by Olson Kundig Architects and the Pictures are from their Web Site

I’m still kind of Interested in pricing in case my dreams could come true in the next few years.

Password Creation Key Material - If you HAVE to used known passwords

I was reading my RSS Feeds today and saw a post from Wayne Small over at SBS FAQ talking about Passwords and how people store them.
He spoke about a Password Card from Savernova which gives you the beginning of a secure password system. It won’t protect you from a KeyLogger but it might protect a password to a password, which is what I might use it for…
I already use KeyPass for storing and generating my high value credentials so I can just copy and paste into Application and Web Dialogs well ones I don’t already have Single Sign on for (but that is another post)
KeyPass allows me to use a Password to open the Encrypted Password Safe AND I’m Pretty PARANOID (They still might be out to get me) so I store the App and Data on an IronKey that is pretty much always with me. Oh yeah the IronKey is Decrypted with a Password
Now at work I use a Smartcard to login and our user Attributes are set to Require Smartcard so there is no worries about a Password or is there? My SmartCard Pin is an 8 Character Password DAMN
So to login to my Internet Banking I need a 24 Character Password I stored in KeyPass so here goes…
I am tempted to make lots of the passwords the same to make them easy to remember but I work in an Identity Management, Authentication and Security Team hmmm maybe not. Now If I did maybe they might be @BettyisPretty after someone I follow on Twitter (Because that Twitter ID makes me Smile)
Today I looked at Wayne's Card and thought NOT Strong Enough and set about making my own
Here is how I did it:

• Create a Constant in Excel and call it Characters


• Insert the Characters in your Password Policy: 0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ!@#$%^&*[]{}-+


• Create a Matrix of Cells I used the same one as the Card from Wayne's post and added some I didn’t think I needed to miss


• Copy the Random Selection Formula to each Cell: =MID(Characters,INT(RAND()*LEN(Characters))+1,1)


• Put a Border around it like Map Co-ordinates and you are good to go


• Print


• Laminate and


• Insert into your Smart Card Holder

This is not the Matrix I’m using and it changes with each open anyway so make sure you print a spare and save it SECURELY (against Loss not Compromise)
In my Scenario I might use the following to Comply with the ISM (Govt Security Guidance) Complexity Recommendations
Smartcard Pin – I5 Diagonal Down 7 Chars = iR5p7xh
IronKey Password – D9 Horizontal 8 Chars = “&0yfmgk
KeyPass Password – L3 Vertical 8 Chars = V-deJp#3

Password Creation Key Material

I was reading my RSS Feeds today and saw a post from Wayne Small over at SBS FAQ talking about Passwords and how people store them.
He spoke about a Password Card from Savernova which gives you the beginning of a secure password system. It won’t protect you from a KeyLogger but it might protect a password to a password, which is what I might use it for…
I already use KeyPass for storing and generating my high value credentials so I can just copy and paste into Application and Web Dialogs well ones I don’t already have Single Sign on for (but that is another post)
KeyPass allows me to use a Password to open the Encrypted Password Safe AND I’m Pretty PARANOID (They still might be out to get me) so I store the App and Data on an IronKey that is pretty much always with me. Oh yeah the IronKey is Decrypted with a Password
Now at work I use a Smartcard to login and our user Attributes are set to Require Smartcard so there is no worries about a Password or is there? My SmartCard Pin is an 8 Character Password DAMN
So to login to my Internet Banking I need a 24 Character Password I stored in KeyPass so here goes…
I am tempted to make lots of the passwords the same to make them easy to remember but I work in an Identity Management, Authentication and Security Team hmmm maybe not. Now If I did maybe they might be @BettyisPretty after someone I follow on Twitter (Because that Twitter ID makes me Smile)
Today I looked at Wayne's Card and thought NOT Strong Enough and set about making my own
Here is how I did it:

• Create a Constant in Excel and call it Characters
• Insert the Characters in your Password Policy: 0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ!@#$%^&*[]{}-+
• Create a Matrix of Cells I used the same one as the Card from Wayne's post and added some I didn’t think I needed to miss
• Copy the Random Selection Formula to each Cell: =MID(Characters,INT(RAND()*LEN(Characters))+1,1)
• Put a Border around it like Map Co-ordinates and you are good to go
• Print
• Laminate and
• Insert into your Smart Card Holder

This is not the Matrix I’m using and it changes with each open anyway so make sure you print a spare and save it SECURELY (against Loss not Compromise)
In my Scenario I might use the following to Comply with the ISM (Govt Security Guidance) Complexity Recommendations
Smartcard Pin – I5 Diagonal Down 7 Chars = iR5p7xh
IronKey Password – D9 Horizontal 8 Chars = “&0yfmgk
KeyPass Password – L3 Vertical 8 Chars = V-deJp#3

Good Result for Manly Fans

I haven’t been very interested in the NRL since the Super League distraction and I often wonder how many others are like me totally disinterested except for when the team you followed as a child makes it into the finals and then takes out the Premiership

Well today is that day and I’m pleased as punch that the boys were able to win today.

Perhaps it makes all the times I heard other kids in Primary School follow me around chanting..

Manly-Warringah Fultons a stinka, Branighans a poser first in line, Eadies a fairy all the rest are hairy

All worth it :)

Those were the days when kids were mouth pieces of their fathers and nobody really took things so seriously, when we all collected Footy cards and chewed the Bubble Gum it came with at school without fear of choking on it

I’m no Environmentalist but ….

Last night I bought some land to help protect it forever and it came with a title. Yep an actual title …

Lord David Lawrence Mackie of Glencoe

As the owner of a Scottish estate, you will have the full rights to style yourself as a Laird (Lord) or Lady. This is the same wherever you live in the world. You do not need to live in the UK or be a British citizen

So why did I go with Lord and not Laird? because when ever I wear this T-Shirt I need to explain it and it turns out “As Yoda said to Luke” is not explanation enough. SERIOUSLY??

If I decided to use my title I don’t want to be saying “It is like a Lord, but the Scottish variation” why do that all the time when Lord was an option.

Don’t worry I probably won’t ever seriously use Lord David but it add some fun to a way of maybe offsetting some of my carbon and maybe giving Lady Elizabeth and I a reason to go to Scotland sometime in the future.

I wonder if there are similar schemes elsewhere in the world? Let me get back to you.

In the mean time have a look over at Highland Titles to learn more about the project and even join the fun.

I’m thinking I’ll buy a little bit more land in Glencoe when my dear friends have their first baby.

Friends–An Interesting Perspective

While most folk know I have been out of the Navy for way longer than I was in the best posting I had was HMAS Parramatta from Feb 1988 to Jan 1991 (I discharged in 1994) .

I have been following a Facebook group HMAS PARRAMATTA - Past and Present and saw this…

CIVILIAN FRIENDS - Disown you for running around their house naked in front of a bunch of people none of you have ever met before

MILITARY FRIENDS - Take photos and then join you

CIVILIAN FRIENDS- Think its disgusting that you got so drunk you pissed your pants and drowned the phone in your pocket - in their bed

MILITARY FRIENDS-Upon hearing what happened say "That's fucked - that's why I don't sleep with my mobile in my pocket anymore" and help you turn their mattress over ...

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you are too busy to talk to them for a week

MILITARY FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after many years; and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Never ask for food

MILITARY FRIENDS: Are the reason you have no food

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr and Mrs

MILITARY FRIENDS: Call your parents Mum and Dad

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Bail you out of jail and then tell you what you did was wrong

MILITARY FRIENDS: Would be sitting next to you saying, 'Mate...we fucked up ....but what a giggle?

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry

MILITARY FRIENDS: Cry with you

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you

MILITARY FRIENDS: Could write a book with a shed full of direct quotes from you

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing

MILITARY FRIENDS: Will kick the backsides of whole crowds that left you behind

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Would knock on your door

MILITARY FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'I'm home, got any beer!

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Share a few experiences.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Share a lifetime of experiences no civilian could ever dream of.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough

MILITARY FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, "You had better drink the rest of that, don't waste it." Then they carry you home and put you safely to bed.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Will knock the crap out of people who use your name in vain

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know where you buried the body

MILITARY FRIENDS: Helped you bury the body

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will call you 'mate' as a term of endearment

MILITARY FRIENDS: Will call you a 'wanker ' c*#t or 'tosser' as a term of endearment

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

MILITARY FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this

MILITARY FRIENDS: Will forward this to their military mates

Why did I share this with you? certainly not because I agree with all of these things but many certainly ring true with my experience.

What I do know is some friends I chose and others are because of circumstance, many I have not seen for a very long time and with the exception of a few many are MILITARY FRIENDS

 

I have a friend who describes her friends in rings, kind of the onion theory of compartmentalised friendships. It makes me think of Protected Mode CPU Ring Execution (but I’m a geek like that)

I think I’d like to treat everyone in the way described in this supposed to be funny posting but I suspect life doesn’t work out that way. Although there was a time in my life where it did and I’d like to reclaim at least a little bit of that.

Open Source Procurement Policy – Reverse Discrimination??

I was an interested observer when AGIMO published their Open Source Software Policy Principles and recently I asked why are they in my view so one sided… Oh and on Twitter

I do think the Idea is solid but just like so many other things where we try to level the playing field we go to far the other way can’t we just require a detailed evaluation report be produced for all evaluations … Oh Wait

Let me explain

There was a time when I was a bit of a hater when it came to use of Open Source Software and was often heard to say “Open Source is free if your time has no value”. These days I use quite a bit of software not produced by the closed source dynamos.

The Document that I’m wanting to discuss is

Australian Government Information Management Office
(AGIMO) Circular
 
Subject: Open Source Software Policy 
 
Approved by the Secretaries’ ICT Governance Board on 21 December 2010
 
Circular No:  2010/004

Now I think the intent is to level a playing field but I’d like to demonstrate how it really is reverse discriminatory.

Principle 1:  Australian Government ICT procurement processes must actively
and fairly consider all types of available software.

Australian Government agencies must actively and fairly consider all types of
available software (including but not limited to open source software and proprietary
software) through their ICT procurement processes. It is recognised there may be
areas where open source software is not yet available for consideration. 

Can we pretend that I am a Public Servant with a project that includes software? I like that all software types are actively and fairly considered that is great.

Not all requirements will have an Open Source option but how do I determine that?? There will always be someone who has better Bing err Google Foo than I. Am I responsible for an exhaustive search or is an ATM in ausTender the end of my responsibility?

Closed Source Vendors either respond or not this should apply to Open Source Vendors too in my view.

---

Principle 2: Suppliers must consider all types of available software when
dealing with Australian Government agencies.

Australian Government agencies will require suppliers to consider all types of
available software (including but not limited to open source software and proprietary
software) when responding to agencies‟ procurement requests.  
 
Agencies are required to insert this requirement into their tender documentation. 
Suppliers will need to provide justification outlining their consideration and/or
exclusion of open source software in their response to the tender.  Agencies will
determine compliance with this requirement when assessing tender responses.  

I have enormous problems with this Principle…

We provide solutions we are expert in implementing and supporting we do not pretend to be all things to all people.

This Principle forces two outcomes:

• Justification of consideration and/or exclusion of open source software. This forces a bidder to say something negative in order to be compliant either:

• We are not able to provide breadth of services or (not great about the bidder)
• All other options but the one we are pitching are inferior AND BTW we have checked them all (arrogant and maybe actionable)

I’d much prefer to talk about benefits of our solution and not even talk about things that don’t enhance the evaluation teams understanding of our capabilities.

• An evaluation team needs to decide about non compliance based on this requirement. What if a bidder says “we did not consider ANY open source options because we believe our closed source partner fits the requirement” is this a non compliant bid? Should IBM be required to explain why they did not pitch Exchange in place of Domino? or Vice Versa

---

Principle 3:  Australian Government agencies will actively participate in open
source software communities and contribute back where appropriate.

The Australian Government, through AGIMO, will actively seek to keep up-to-date
with international best practice in the open source software arena, through engaging
with other countries and organisations. Australian Government agencies should also
actively participate in open source software communities and contribute back where
appropriate.  

I have no problem with Principle 3

---

The Key points I think are fantastic except Point 4. I think it needs work and hopefully I will have explained my position adequately enough to help someone smarter than me to redraft something a little better.

Key Point 4.  Agencies should consider re-using existing software assets before acquiring either open source or proprietary software.

I think the decision to reuse existing assets is often not taken due to fear of being accused of not being open to the market, particularly when software licencing bundles include features where there are vendors of niche software now commonly included in most operating systems.

This usually makes Departments go to tender to seem impartial and then something unexpected happens, nobody bids the product / feature that is bundled because you can’t sell someone something they already own.

This is a shame because the bundled product often needs to be disabled at risk to the solution and expense, all because the evaluation team has no option but to say if the vendor wanted us to use their product they would have bid it.

This really is a big issue not strictly related to OSS but I’m sure a frustration for IT Teams who if they could, would in house bid the product they have and can manage best.

Of course they shouldn’t have to.

Conference shenanigans and Doctors visits

Last Tuesday was the opening of TechEd Australia and I'd made my annual pilgrimage to suckle at the teat to get my nourishment of all things technical in the Microsoft World.

The other main reason I go to TechED is to catch up with techo's from all over many of whom I consider to be close friends.

After the welcome party, an online technical community AuTechHeads had it's second annual party at Waxy's Irish Pub. This was the beginning of my reminder that I'm not 20 years old anymore.

So there were a large number of people in the upstairs bar and Kilkenny takes a little while to settle, keen to get from the bar to where we were standing I saw a gap and headed at pace toward it... Complicating things I saw someone I knew a turned my head to acknowledge them sitting there. Just then boom flat on my guts and let's say damp from 2/3 of a pint. Yep saved a third pint still in hand ;)

See the small black staging in the picture? They were separated and not really high visibility so I tripped and belly flopped on one.

I must say the security dude was way on top of his game and was right at me, asking are you alright?, do you need help? do you want to fill in an accident report.

Of course I'm fine, no I'm good and I'm embarrassed enough so no.

Several Kilkenny's later I went back to my apartment and went to bed of course when I woke up dude this is pretty uncomfortable and here is a warning boys one visual inspection does not equal oh crap I've popped a kidney. Just settle petal and DRINK LOTS of water.

I limped around gingerly for the rest of the conference and come Sunday caved to the wife pressure to see our doctor checked that I hadn't put a rib through a lung, which I have not and said take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen 4 times a day and if in 2 weeks it still hurts come back for a scan yay.

All in all great conference and great friends but beer and dark rooms CAN be the gift that keeps on giving ;)

Are you coming to InfraSat in BrisLantis? I am

Last year I had the opportunity to attend Infrastructure Saturday in Brisbane and remember having a fantastic day.

There is a call for topics coming soon and not certain I won't want to talk, maybe format and something interesting to say will be my limiting factors.

Perhaps I should talk to Shane and Alan about a session where folk get to pitch an idea or a project they would like to get off the ground and would want some help collaborating on, kind of the 2-5 minutes pitches at the end of Bar Camp

Any way if I were to talk about anything it would be Identity and Access Management or Run Book Automation or maybe BOTH how about System Center FIMhestrator ????

I'll be having a think about what I could do and maybe you should too. Last Year I saw the first Public Presentation by the Molk and I hope not the last by any stretch.

ANYWAY it all starts with registration and ends with Beer on Saturday Night so are you interested ...

UPDATE:-

With the Quick Pitch Session idea I was meaning …

Something like Teachmeet sessions

• Micro-presentations - lasting 7 minutes
• Nano-presentations - lasting 2 minutes

Micro Presentations could be a Quick Tip / Idea / Best Practice and a few Minutes Q&A

Nano Presentations might be I have been thinking about how we might build Blah here are the beginnings of the requirements… Can we collaborate on Documentation, Automation, Design. Who's with me?

One of my favourite photos from the Photo 365 Project Attempt

…

She is the Cat’s Mother

What a rich tapestry of language we have. I remember when I was young that my mother would use the expression “She is the cat’s mother” if I ever said she when referring to a girl or woman in the room.

I always thought yeah what ever …

Recently I have seen (Heard) a resurgence in the expression and I have often wondered at the root of this term. So today I had a little search about for it and here is what I have discovered…

Male cat = Tom

Female cat = She

so by extension “She is the cat’s Mother”

Hmmmm So what about all the cats whom have never had litters??

Doesn’t matter She refers to the Sex and English speaking mothers the world over have been I assume confusing their sons and daughters for a very long time.

Geek TV should be …

Fun and Quirky and while the main characters are wonderfully cast and drive forward the story I find my self with an affinity for the Geeky supporting cast right now I’m watching 3 shows with very strong supporting cast Warehouse 13, Lost Girl and Earth Final Conflict

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBFOSKKVXnI&hd=1]

Kenzi is the one that makes Lost Girl enjoyable for me.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi3CLccWoAI&hd=1]

Claudia Donovan–Warehouse 13 Geek Chick.

“Street” my other current favourite Geek Character

I really like Trance Gemini in Andromeda but have not watched in a while but will soon because it is that much fun.

Trance Gemini is really fun and then there is some more seriousness toward the end of the series Trance is one of my favourites

I think the Eyes have it

Yesterday I watched the First Episode of Lost Girl and then caught up on some of the stuff in my iQ… I watched Joy Division a Documentary about the band.

The thing I noticed was Ian Curtis and Ksenia Solo both have eyes that seem too look back through the Camera at you. I find that both kind of eerie and intriguing.





I got to thinking they also reminded me a bit of a photo I saw of Alessandra Torresani from Caprica (Must go back and watch it again)

I think she has a similar look in this photo at least. What do you think?

How to Troll Friends and Family using Google +

This has been doing the rounds on Google + and elsewhere ...

I got it from www.intech-bb.com/how-to-troll-friends-family-using-google-fun/

No one’s like to troll their friends and family in real life, but how about for the sake of fun? Below we have shown you funny steps to troll your family and friends on Google+

Step One
Randomly divide everyone you know into two separate circles.

Step Two
Post to circle 1 that you just got an awesome new job.

Step Three
Post to circle 2 that you just contracted some disease.

Step Four
Post to your extended circles that “Tomorrow is my last day”.

Step Five
Watch resulting comment battle between the two groups.

Have fun while trolling your friends and family around!

If you are looking for an Invite (because I'm a little bit lonely) make sure I have your email address and ping me for one.

So very proud of my son right now Sketchbook Project 2012

My son Alexander is participating in the Sketchbook Project 2012 with the Arthousecoop.com, he let me scan what he has done so far and I thought I'd share with you his in my opinion fabulous work.

Lanyon Homestead with Catie

		Lanyon Homestead VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Thanks GFI and Jinx

I entered a draw for a free T-Shirt some weeks ago and I buy tons of Jinx T-Shirts too. Today I got an I’m a Tech Blogger T-Shirt from GFI and a Sticker Pack from Jinx so to express my Gratitude and Joy I have made this my Photo 365 Project snap for today.
Had they not come it would have been something else.


I am really glad to have been selected by GFI for the T-Shirt and Best get back to blogging more on my Tech Blog

Of course as I have said before I love Jinx and almost exclusively wear their T-Shirts so if you click the Banner Below when you order I’ll get a small amount of Jinx Gold for my very expensive habit