If you’ve got a Gateway, and malware *due to your pr0n surfing* has gotten you to the point where you don’t care whether you can save anything, and you’d rather just restore it to factory settings, go ahead and run Gateway eRecovery.

If you do NOT have Gateway eRecovery installed, hit and hold F8 to get to Advanced Boot Tools to Boot your PC in Safe Mode WITHOUT Networking. Save your important files, and then reboot again. This time use ALT + F10 to get your recovery options.

If you’ve got a bootleg version of Windows Vista (God Forbid) or Windows 7, go ahead and pop that bootleg disk in and click “Install Now” to install a clean version of Windows. It’ll save your old files in a windows.old directory for you to access and/or delete later. SCORE.

I’ll write some Malware Quick Tips soon…

w00t w00t!

I finally convinced my mother to cancel her AOL Dial-Up account. It has been a tug-o-war since 2000.

You see, by the time I had graduated from high school and been accepted to USC (Go Trojans!) under early admittance, I had already hacked into several small networks using AOL Dial-Up. “Security” wasn’t an issue back then. No one had a strong “secure” schema for “security”. *shrug*

So when I arrived at USC (Go Trojans!), and I was able to tap into a T1… I thought I was the hot heifer on the skreet (not “street”). And AOL Dial-Up was a red headed step-bastard…in other words, NOT POSSIBLE – NOT AN OPTION (N.O.).

I was bougie now. AOL Dial-Up? Psht. Pligga Neez.

However, it was good enough for her. She had a good government secure high-speed network on base everyday. She wasn’t concerned about having it at home too. If SHE was happy. I was happy. I mean, I didn’t go home as often anymore…but she was happy.

Fast forward to 2010…

Mom wants a new laptop.

The bargain: I’ll give you ONE OF THESE *holding up one of my 1 year old Gateway Laptops* … the day you cancel AOL Dial-Up.

My life hasn’t been the same since.

After countless text messages and email messages, it became MY job to power cycle through AOL’s chain of 800 #s to hit their India based cancellation crew.

If I had received one more “Did you call yet?” text message, I was going to plan an attack on AOL over a V.92 56k bit rate modem.

I mean, how did it become MY job to cancel something I been telling her to cancel for YEARS because SHE wants one of MY laptops? I’d been #swindled.

What took 14+ years to deal with, took 5 minutes to diminish.

Interesting how shed been paying $34.99 per month for 14 years and it took our calling in for them to offer her a “New Great Rate” of $4.99 per month.

*middle finger to AOL*

Dear AOL, I hate your face.

Kick Rocks Barefoot, Courtney

I love it when businesses find ways to be more efficient by going digital.

Yesterday, when we got to 24 hour fitness, they asked if we wanted to register for “Cardless Check-In“. I couldn’t be happier. You see, I ALWAYS forget my card. ALWAYS. To the point now, that I prepare and just take my Driver’s License in with me so that I can give them my phone number to check me in instead. It’s pretty pitiful.

But now, I don’t have to do that anymore. SCORE!

Yes, we still need it at clubs that don’t offer Cardless Check-In yet, but the ones that I go to… DO. And all clubs are slated to have the Cardless Check-In by the end of 2010.

All you have to do is scan your index finger and punch in your favorite 10-digit ID (pick your own), and we’re checked in!

• No more waiting for someone who’s talking on the phone to figure out how to multi-task!
• No more super long line of folks who just got off work!
• No more having to search through the car / truck for ID cards!
• And if you’re a “Greenie”…no more wasting paper!
• Read More about 24 Hour Fitness Cardless Check-In here

Phrase of the week: Scope Creep

Scope creep (also called focus creep, requirement creep, feature creep, function creep) in project management refers to uncontrolled changes in a project’s scope. This phenomenon can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. It is generally considered a negative occurrence, and thus, should be avoided.

Typically, the scope increase consists of either new products or new features of already approved product designs, without corresponding increases in resources, schedule, or budget. As a result, the project team risks drifting away from its original purpose and scope into unplanned additions. As the scope of a project grows, more tasks must be completed within the budget and schedule originally designed for a smaller set of tasks. Thus, scope creep can result in a project team overrunning its original budget and schedule.

If the budget and schedule are increased along with the scope, the change is usually considered an acceptable addition to the project, and the term “scope creep” is not used.

Scope creep can be a result of:

• disingenuous customer with a determined value for free policy
• poor change control
• lack of proper initial identification of what is required to bring about the project objectives
• weak project manager or executive sponsor
• poor communication between parties

Sometimes people ask me what music I use to work out / run at the gym.
I thought I’d post it here in case others wanted to know.
I’m all about music that keeps me moving when I’m at the gym.

So this workout mix is for:
Cardio: 60 Minutes
Cool Down: 5 – 7 Minutes

Download Workout Mix – Volume #2:  Workout Mix 2 (188)

I’m Goin In – Drake
One Call Away – Chingy
Set Me Free ft. Mystikal – Lloyd
Emergency Room – Mario
Attention ft. Snoop Dogg – Avant
Love King – The Dream
Superman High (Dirty) – R. Kelly
Bet I Bust (Remix) – B.o.B.
Cuff Yo Chick ft. Fabolous – Bow Wow
Turnt Up – Fabolous
Salute ft. Lil Wayne – Fabolous
Lose My Mind ft. Plies – Young Jeezy
Its Going Down – Yung Joc
Superhuman – Chris Brown
Outta Breath – Mario

Download Workout Mix – Volume #2:  Workout Mix 2 (188)

I was happy to receive a package from iD3sign & Co. today.

It came in an iD3sign & Co. logo branded bag, which was kinda cool. I wish that I could have kept the bag, but through shipping, the ink that was used to print the logo started to flake off.

Seeing that it was printed on an American Apparel shirt, I knew that it would be a good quality tee. The concept of wearing the seams on the outside was a cool one. However, I wish that it was printed on the correct side, as opposed to inside out. If it was to be printed inside out, it could have been on a true tagless tee, in which the size and care are printed on the actual tee.

Overall, I think it’s a cool graphic tee and I look forward to seeing more work from iD3sign & Co.

iD3sign & Co. THE STORE specializes in custom made T-shirts that stand out with any pair of sneakers, such as Nike’s. Our products are made to compliment your style as an individual. iD3sign & Co. brings elegant and professional style to the fashion industry. With this line of clothing you make a statement that you “Dare to be Different”.

• Shop iD3sign & Co.
• Purchase the “High Maintenance” Tee
• Send Your Product for Free Plugs

I marked today in my calendar…
For personal reasons…
I want to remember today…
Because, I refuse to feel this way again.

Remember me.

@christann played my favorite song last night…from my favorite group on the entire planet…PM Dawn. (Note: Sade’s my favorite artist)

I Love You, PM Dawn.

It happens often: a high maintenance client contacts you after their current web designer “magically disappeared”.

The “my web designer suddenly disappeared” explanation (read: excuse) should be a red flag line for you. There isn’t that much magic in the world. It’s an illusion, remember? An illusion no greater than the idea of your current desire to “disappear” once you heard those words. I bet if you wanted to “disappear”… you. could. too.

However, you, the contractor, must take a minute to analyze what that client just said to you and ask yourself a few questions:

1Why did their previous designer / programmer disappear?

2Have I worked with this client before?

3Did I LIKE it?

4How much is it worth to me, to maintain my sanity and still gain revenue, all the while, providing a great service and product to this client who could potentially be the real reason why the previous designer / programmer disappeared?

5How much do I want to add to my service cost for having to deal with this client who will now micro-manage me because they’re concerned and now… “broke” due to their previous contractor.

If you got past #3 with a smile, and/or this statement is not that much of a red flag for you and you decide to continue to work with the client, it’s very important that you remember these 3 things:

1YOU chose to ignore the red flag.

2It’s not the client’s fault that YOU chose to ignore the red flag.

3The red flag will NOT magically disappear.

Here’s the kicker…

No matter how many times you run from a red flag, there will still be times when you forget.

But have no worries! Live with no fears!

That client will surely remind you.

The truth is…

How you respond to this client from here on, is what will determine your fate.

If you choose to work with the client:

1Be sure to keep a smile on your face and try to remember why you accepted the project in the first place.

2It will benefit you to endeavor to find out why your client “thinks” their previous contractor “disappeared”. Note: Trying to go the cheaper route and getting stiffed by a company from India IS second common. Having an entitled high maintenance attitude and thinking that their $50.00 project is what pays your mortgage, car note, and health insurance is usually first.

3You may not be the previous contractor, but you’ll bare the brunt of having to reassure the client that you won’t cause the same sort of issues. Take it in stride. It was “worth it”…remember?

4Emails can sometimes be misconstrued.  Sometimes a phone call works best. Pick up the phone.

5Set a clear project scope. Be sure to be clear and concise with what you’re providing and what you’re NOT providing. Repeat yourself…multiple times. Note: This person is now emotional because they feel wronged. They may try to forget what they wanted.

6Get it in writing and keep records.

If you choose not to work with the client:

1Be kind and provide them with the contact information of a rival designer / programmer.

Hopefully you chose the latter.

It seems like less of a headache.

Piece of mind is hell of a drug.

While the recession is slowly coming to an end, things are still rough. Taking on that demanding client may be a must for you in some cases. But keep your eye on the prize. Be mindful of the end result.

And Godspeed.

x0x0, Boon

Textarea Cache for Firefox is a lifesaver.

This extension will save automatically the content in the textarea or WYSIWYG editor when user is typing. The user can recover the saved text in the cache window, even if the tab or the window is closed unexpectedly.

The user will see an icon in the status bar when the text is saved in the cache.
Clicking the icon will open the cache window.

• Add to Firefox
• Read More about Textarea Cache
• View Courtney’s Must-Have Firefox Addon Collection