Diary of a Network Geek

On this day in 1951, my profession was, essentially "born".

Today marks the anniversary of the unveiling of the UNIVAC, the world's first commercially produced and available electronic digital computer in the United States. The first electronic computers were invented during World War II by the military. Engineers in Great Britain invented the Colossus computer to help break Nazi codes, and engineers in the United States invented the ENIAC, to help calculate the trajectories of missiles.
The ENIAC used 17,468 vacuum tubes, 7,200 crystal diodes, 1,500 relays, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors and around 5 million hand-soldered joints. It weighed 30 tons, was roughly 8 feet by 3 feet by 100 feet, took up 1800 square feet, and consumed 150 kW of power. The ENIAC radiated so much heat that industrial cooling fans were needed to keep its circuitry from melting down. It took two days to reprogram it for each new task.

The men who created the ENIAC decided to go into private business for themselves, and it was on this day in 1951 that they unveiled their first product, the UNIVAC I, the world's first commercially available electronic computer. It was quite an improvement over the ENIAC, using a mere5,200 vacuum tubes, UNIVAC I weighed just 29,000 pounds (or 13 tons), consumed 125 kW, and could perform about 1,905 operations per second running on a 2.25 MHz clock, which was the fastest calculation rate in the world at the time. The Central Complex alone (i.e. the processor and memory unit) was 14 feet by 8 feet by 8.5 feet high. The complete system occupied more than 350 square feet of floor space.
The first customer to buy the UNIVAC was the United States Census Bureau, and the computer was used to predict the presidential election of 1952, after early returns began to come in. It correctly predicted that Eisenhower would win. Originally priced at $159,000, the UNIVAC I rose in price until they were between $1,250,000 and $1,500,000. A total of 46 systems were eventually built and delivered.
Thomas J. Watson, the chairman of IBM at the time, thought that computers, with all their incredibly complex vacuum tubes and circuitry, were too complicated. He famously said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." But with the invention of the microchip in 1971, all the processing power of those thousands of vacuum tubes and punch cards could suddenly be crammed into a space the size of a postage stamp. Within a decade, the first personal computers, or PCs, began to appear. Ironically, Apple made them popular and inexpensive enough for the home user and drove what we think of as the computer revolution.

But, it all started with UNIVAC. So, happy birthday, big guy. Thanks for being just delicate enough to keep me working!

So, I'm not entirely happy with my webhost.

After bouncing around from place to place, I finally found a great webhost who had competitive prices and super-responsive support. Even when I had issues with some particularly unruly scripts, they worked with me and got everything working just right.  Granted, the company was run by the cousin of a friend of mine, but, stll... Unfortunately, they also sold the business to someone else who's not quite as good as the folks I was with for so long.
Normally, I wouldn't just jump ship, but I have a little project that I've been toying with and it would be a perfect test case for a new web provider. Naturally, I thought I'd ask you all, my faithful readers, before just closing my eyes and picking someone, if any of you had any suggestions. So, do you? Are there any of you who have had particularly good, or bad, experiences with any web hosting companies?
Inquiring minds want to know!

And, yes, this little "project" is also why I've been thinking about blogging software and search engine optimization.  Funny how all these things seem to tie together with me these days.

Well, everyone else seems to be talking about it this week.

No, really, it feels like everywhere I turn someone's talking about how MoveableType is going to an Opensource version and how important that is. Now, for those of you not familiar with MoveableType, it was the first really good blogging software that was freely available. Before that, bloggers basically had to write their own HTML pages and upload them one at a time. When I first had this blog, that's how I did it and let me tell you, it sure was a tedious proceedure to suffer through for a little search engine marketing!
In any case, it wasn't the easiest software to use or customize, but, frankly, it was the only thing going, so pretty much everyone who had a serious blog used it. Then, blogging started to get popular and a lot of other people started making blogging software and Blogger showed up, among others, to make it easier for anyone who wanted to rant about their unfair life to set up a blog. I stuck with MoveableType because I had invested so much time and trouble into getting it just right. I even kept up with the upgrades, right up until they started wanting to charge for what had been free. And change the license agreement in ways that made me very, very uncomfortable. So, I started hunting around for a replacement.
That's when I found WordPress. Opensource, free, easy to install and configure. It was everything I wanted in blogging software. And, it was easier to write plugins for, to boot! Well, I wasn't alone in my migration to WordPress. Lots and lots of former MoveableType folks, as well as new bloggers, moved to WordPress. They've always been free, had great community support, and there don't seem to be any plans to change.

But, still, it's nice that the new version of MoveableType will include an Opensource version. I think it's interesting that they're also including features that have been in WordPress for a version or two or three now, too. Kind of seems like they missed the boat on this one, doesn't it? I wonder how many people will move back from WordPress to the new MoveableType? I doubt too many. Frankly, we're spoiled now. I just couldn't go back to the hassles of developing and customizing blogs on MoveableType after having it so easy on WordPress.

But, what do I know? I've only been blogging for seven years or more.

Wow, I guess I undervalued my skills to my divorce lawyer.

According to this article on AustralianIT, SEO salaries are really out the roof! I mean, sure, I did search engine optimization as a bit of fun while I was working a banckruptcy back in 2000, but I am highly ranked on Google. And, my lawyer was very pleased with the results I got him by re-optimizing his pages then getting him hooked up with a submission mill. A reasonably priced search engine submission service, that is.
Hmm, maybe, just for the fun of it, I should start a website from scratch and build it up in the search engines.  It might be a fun project.  I mean, I've kind of been thinking about redoing some of my web presence.  You know, consolidating websites that are related and getting rid of old, dead sites that I don't really maintain any more.  That kind of thing.  And, I've been thinking about ways to sharpen my IT skills, or at least ways to keep my current skills sharp, so building a site from scratch, including fresh content, then making it a "number one" site might be just the thing.

Well, either way, it surprises me how something I do for fun can be big business.  Who knew?

I'm still here.

I'd have quoted Monty Python and the Holy Grail and written, "I'm not dead yet!", but I notice that some folks don't quite have the same dark sense of humor about my cancer that I do, so I thought better of it.  I've really gotten out of the habit of writing anything on the blog here and, I have to admit, it bothers me a bit.  Sure, I have excuses for why, not the least of which is chemotherapy, but when things are going well and I'm not actually in the hospital, I probably could write a bit more than I have.  I have been trying to read more, too.  So much time laying in bed in the hospital has almost over-dosed me on television, which is a Good Thing, as Martha Stewart would say.

I was in the clinic today, getting checked over, and then had the afternoon to relax a bit and rest.  I took that time and did just lay about and, well, read.  In fact, I finished  You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore this afternoon.  It's a great book, even if it's not his best, but it's a sequal to Blood Sucking Fiends: A Love Story and you'll be hopelessly lost if you don't read that one first.  Hmm, maybe I'll review those this week, if I maintain my mental and emotional stamina.  I actually feel pretty good tonight, which, of course, means that it's about time to check into the hospital again.  And, in fact, I'll be back in on Monday for five fun-filled days of chemotherapy.

In any case, I just wanted to put something in here so that folks knew I was alive and well and progressing the way the doctors want me to do.  There are a million other things floating about in my head, too, but as yet they're too nebulous and unformed for me to write about.  Maybe soon.  Stay well everyone.

Wow, it's been a long time since I updated my blog!

So, I'm sleeping well, my appetite has almost returned to normal and I'm starting to get a little energy back.  Must mean it's time to check into the hospital for more chemotherapy.  And, in fact, it is.  My bag is packed and I'm waiting on my ride, which will be here about noon.  I'll be in for at least five days, during which time they're going to put a new central line into my right arm, since I have a blood clot in my left arm still.  Not sure how long that will delay the start of my chemo, but, I'll get about five days worth either way.
For those of you keeping track, I shaved for the first time in a month today.  Mainly out of nostalgia, but also because I felt a wee bit of stubble.  The rash is gone, but now parts of me are peeling and, still, itching a bit.  Still, at least I'm not purple, so it's all good.

I'll try and update this blog more often, but the chemo really takes it out of me these days.  You'd be surprised how much energy it takes to write and be creative!  But, in any case, I'll try.  No guarantees, but I'll try.

Just wanted to let everyone know that one of my Mercy Street friends got me home from the hospital today, after the doctors finally released me in a "surprise" move at the last minute.

Seriously, I'm sorry I've been so out of touch, but this last round of chemo really hammered me hard.  Not so much with the side effects, but just my overall energy levels and general well-being.  There were a couple of days that I knew what a mental patient on heavy sedation must feel like, as I spent most of the day simply staring out the window rather blankly while replaying the same disturbingly short day-dream over and over in my head.  In between time, I somehow managed to carry on conversations with doctors and nurses and nursing aides.  Oh, and sleep a bit, too.  I think.
However, what kept me in the hospital past Saturday, was a low-grade fever that the doctors couldn't quite explain.  Now, I would have thought the dark, raspberry-colored rash that covers most of my body, and itches, might have concerned them more.  Or the blood-clot in my right shoulder from the central line.  But, no, it was the "fever" that ran anywhere from .2 degrees to two full degrees that concerned them. Even though most of the time that fever was less than a degree.  As my father said, "I can raise that much of a fever just getting mad!"
Apparently, the doctors were quite concerned about sending me out into the world with a mystery infection that might come back to haunt us all.  So, really, it was probably best that I was in the hospital, but, I'm really, really glad to be back home.

Now, the unqualified highlight of my latest stay at MD Anderson was Max, the Russian male nurse.  I met Max as he came on shift.  I was just waking up and he came in to check on me, as all the nurses do when the start their shift.  (Apparently, it's quite embarrassing to lose a patient at the start of a shift, so the check to make sure you're there and breathing.)  He introduced himself and asked that most dangerous of all questions, "How are you feeling?"
"Well, pretty good, except that I'm a little depressed that I'm still in the hospital.  I'd rather be home by now, " I told him.
Max paused for a moment, then, in a heavy Russian accent said, "Venn I was in Russia, in Moscow University, I had professor who say,'If you vake up in morning without zomething bothering you, then you are dead.'  So, is okay.  Is normal."
As Max was about to go off shift, he came into my room with something he called a "nasal irrigation", but he announced this procedure by telling me, "Now, I have for you a little bit torture."  Let me say only that "a little bit torture" accurately describes the procedure and, at that exact moment, I knew that the KGB had given Max a scholarship to learn nursing.  (Seriously, Max was actually one of the better nurses I had.)

So, now I have to go give myself one of three shots I get to administer daily for the next several days, including the dreaded Neupagen shots that caused so much bone pain last time.  Luckily, I have an appointment Saturday morning at the clinic, so I'll get one of the nurse practitioners to call in a prescription for Darvon early this time.

Well, I guess it's time for an update.

I got a bit of a shock this past week.  Thursday when I went in for what I thought would be a regular doctor's visit, they were talking about checking me into the hospital for my next round of chemotherapy. Apparently, there was a bit of miscommunication, or lack of communication, when I was checked into the hospital last time, since it was on an emergency basis.  All my chemotherapy is going to be inpatient, not out-patient.  So, in other words, every twenty days, or so, I'll be checking into the hospital for five days worth of carefully controlled, medically monitored poisoning.  And, I get to do that at least four times, most likely six times, possibly more.
So, Monday, I'll be visiting my doctor then checking in to the hospital for my next round of chemotherapy.

I have to admit, this whole process has left my head spinning a bit. Just as I was getting used to the idea of being weak and doing out-patient chemotherapy, not to mention the loss of my hair and some of the other minor side-effects, I find out that I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time in the hospital.  And, of course, that means that the chemotherapy they're going to hit me with is most likely going to be as powerful as the last round.  I can only figure that means every round will be like that.  I'll be honest here folks, that scares me.  That first round of chemotherapy really took it out of me at the end. Granted, I could've stood to lose those ten pounds, but I don't think I can afford to do that four or six more times!
And, yes, I'm a little afraid of how I'll be able to take care of myself after each round.  I thought my life would even out a bit and be more, well, "normal".  At least, as normal as my life ever is.  But, I don't think that's going to happen for a couple of months.  Months.  Even thinking in those terms scares me a little bit.  Months of this... Well, so far, you all and God have seen me through, so I have to just trust that it will all work out somehow.  I don't pretend to know how or what that will look like in the end, but I know that somehow, someway, it just has to all work out okay.  There's an old Arabic saying that, translated, says something like "Where there is life, there is hope", so that's what I try to remind myself when things seem impossible.  As long as I'm still alive, somehow whatever life throws at me can be survived and overcome.  That doesn't mean I don't get scared or frustrated or tired, but I know that I just have to keep trying, no matter what.

So thank you for all you've done for me so far.  I hope I don't have to ask much more of you all, but I'm afraid that I will need still more help.  And, as those old Bartyles and James ads used to say, "Thank you for your support".

Wow, I'm tired this week.

I'll try to take the time to do more of an update this weekend, but, until then, I didn't want my faithful readers to think I'd abandoned them.  So, since it is Friday, I have a little bit of a fun link for you: Photos from the PC Design Contest 2007.
Yeah, I know, it's not much, but it's all I've got this week.

Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend!

So, I've actually had a few side-effects this past week.

There's been two, really, since I figure being totally exhausted just sort of comes with being slowly poisoned. That is, after all, what the chemotherapy does to me. The first side-effect is from that self-same chemo. Namely, my hair started falling out Thursday night. Slowly at first, but it picked up speed pretty quickly.
Friday, I had small clumps in my hand after washing my hair. Saturday and Sunday, though, I had a veritable toupee in the bottom of the shower. This morning was almost as bad. So far, it's only the hair on my head that's falling out. I still have my beard and eyebrows. So far. Since this is all rather new, those may yet go, too. And, thankfully, the rest of my hair is holding on, too. Not that I was a particularly hairy guy or anything, but, well, I've been told that it tends to itch in certain other areas when it grows back.
Oh, and I suppose that's the "up side" to this side-effect: my hair will eventually grow back. In fact, I'm told that sometimes it grows back darker than before, so maybe I'll have a little grey reduction and look younger than I did before! Hey, that'd be okay!

The other side-effect is less fun, but also more temporary. In this case, it's a side-effect of the treatments meant to boost my white and red blood counts. I have to give myself subcutaneous injections of Neupagen every day for ten days. Well, actually, I only have three left, but it was for a total of ten days. And, yes, I have to admit, the idea of sticking myself with a needle freaked me out at first, but, honestly, it's amazing what you can get used to doing.
In any case, the nasty, little side-effect of these injections is bone pain. Now, it was described to me as "mild bone pain", but when this kicked in late Thursday night, it was anything but mild. In fact, I would have rated this right up there with kidney stones. Without any exageration at all, it felt like my joints were trying to twist themselves in the opposite direction of the way they were designed to bend. Amazingly enough, the doctor on-call told me to take Tylenol until I could get the other prescription filled and that took enough of the pain away that I could actually sleep. Now, of course, I have my pain meds and I'm a little "spinny".
So far, no one at work has noticed.