Back at it.

So some of you may have noticed that this page has been down a while. Turned out that my network card actually got loose and the connector nearly snapped off. I'm using the onboard NIC, which works fine, but the presence of a 10/100 device on my network really bugs me, so I'll have to get a new gigabit card to put in the server.

Aside from that classes has been keeping me busy this summer. Both have been really excellent though. The first, "IT and the Global Economy" discussed a lot about globalization and how information technology enables business to be conducted on scales previously unheard of. For an IT class we went over a lot of economics as well. It was a terrific class. There’s a video series we watched as part of the class called “The Commanding Heights” and I’m honestly considering ordering it on DVD. There’s a book it was spawned from, but the video is very good itself. You can actually watch it for free on the PBS website. (Click the “Storyline” link and then select “see the chapter menu” to watch the episodes.)

The professor proved to be quite popular and so about half of the class (myself included) signed up for “Information Warfare and Defense” the following month. Kinetic vs. non-kinetic attacks, network-centric warfare, precision-guided weapons, network and internet attacks, the works. I put together a small website on satellite technologies here that could be a little better, but it’s a good overview for what’s out there. A lot of work involved in this class though, today I have to give a plan to the class for our mock “cyberwar” and describe how our team (a cult of wired technologists who defend mosquitoes. Don’t ask, teacher picked it) will attack and defeat the rest of the world (U.S.A., Greenpeace, Al-Qaida, North Korea, and the NRA.) I was originally pretty gung-ho about it until I realize how much it sounds like a plan by Dr. Evil.

Did I mention that I pay more for this single class that my friend Erin pays for an entire year of schooling in France?

That last one was a cheap shot, the schools in France don’t really compare.

My friend Molly flew in from Germany yesterday, and since the news isn’t covering anything except Lebanon, I’m assuming she arrived safe and sound. Won’t get to see anyone till Saturday at best, however.

The Escapist has a neat article on race and gender in video games. I’m really starting to like that publication in it’s coverage of game culture in general. Intelligent reading, 4TW.

On that note, my friend Chris and I have realized that had we possessed drawing skills, we might actually be able to make a good Gabe and Tycho.

I’m done, that wraps this one up. Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, I’m still obsessed with EVE Online, and I’ll probably rant some about it next time. Expect a change in the theme of this site to reflect my favorite game’s dark nature.

Currently Listening to:

New Order - Republic

la Oreja de Van Gogh - en Directo

Cellador - Enter Deception