Networking impacts everyone’s daily lives whether they realize it or not. For example, when I go to Office Depot to make a purchase, the register that is running point of sales software is talking to a server that tracks inventory that is either in-store or in another geographic location. It’s hard to imagine, but fifteen years ago, if someone came up to me and said, “I Googled that” or, “I saw that on YouTube,” I may have looked at them in bewilderment.

When I was just starting high school, my family did not have a computer or Internet access. During my sophomore year, in 1996, my school received a grant for a computer lab. I was assigned to a group to do a research paper on a baseball player. One of the members of the group made the statement, “Let’s look that up on Yahoo.” I said, “What’s Yahoo?” This was my first experience with a search engine and the Internet. Looking back I wonder how we ever got by without these valuable tools that we take for granted today.

Around 2001, I got my first personal computer, and it wasn’t long afterward that the dialup modem failed. I took the computer to a local PC repair shop and was quoted $120 for the repair. I decided that this was way too much, especially since I knew the modem was a $30 part, and I decided that I was going to learn how to repair it myself. I did not know it at the time, but this simple decision would lead me to pursue a career and a degree in networking.

Over the next several years I took an interest in repairing computers. I started installing small networks, first gaining confidence with my home network, then with building them for friends and family. Eventually, I started using my newfound skills for local small businesses.

In 2006 I was offered a job at a local phlebotomy laboratory, whose network spanned across seven states including several remote offices as an IT technician. I accepted and have gone on to gain valuable experience in the field of IT.

Networking has changed my life in various ways. It affects how I exchange ideas and information through the use of e-mail and instant messaging. It affects how I manage my personal finances though online banking. It even affects how I keep in touch with old friends and past coworkers through social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. One of the things that appeals to me about technology is discovering tools that improve my quality of life and makes everyday tasks simpler.

With that being said, not every change has been for the best. I find that even as technology evolves and we become further connected, it has become easier to multitask, and it is tempting to take on more work. My smart phone, for example, is an invaluable tool for work, but it is also the biggest source of stress in my life.

I am truly amazed by how fast technology has evolved since that day in the computer lab my sophomore year of high school. Looking back, all the tools and services that networking and technology has provided me in the last fourteen years is truly remarkable, and I look forward to learning more.

*Disclaimer* I’d like to thank wiihacks and  for this info. I have posted this for educational purposes only, I am not personally responsible for how you choose to use this information.

A while back I wrote a tutorial to softmod your Wii titled “My complete “How to get Homebrew Channel on virgin 4.0 Wii!” using several tutorials I found across the internet and combined them to make one detailed tutorial. Since then there have been some changes and I found a really great tutorial on www.wiihacks.com titled “Updating from your old soft mod”. I found this information extremely useful to upgrade my Wii from the 4.0 to 4.1 firmware allowing me to play some of the newer games such as “New Super Mario Bros” . Below is the tutorial from wiihacks.com. 

Updating from your old Softmod!

Please be aware that this guide was written by both myself, as well as ShadowSonic2. If this helps you out be sure to thank him as well because I did not do this alone. Also remember, anything done to your console is at your OWN Risk! We are not responsible for any Damage!

If you have not softmodded your wii yet THIS IS NOT THE GUIDE FOR YOU TO START OFF WITH. If you’re on system menu 3.1-4.1, use the guide by Dogeggs FOUND HERE. If you’re on system menu 4.2, use the guide by ShadowSonic2 FOUND HERE.

IF YOU ARE ON SYSTEM MENU 4.2 and are already softmodded, only use the cios38rev17 installer from this guide, and the loaders if you wish. If you’re also softmodded with DogEgg’s tutorial, this guide is NOT for you!

DO NOT use any programs such as Pimp my Wii or Cioscorps. These programs are not worth their weight in dirt and usually drop you off at Fail right before your wii dies.

Download Pack from here, The password for all files are www.wiihacks.com
Unzip the pack and place all the files and folders onto the root of your SD Card formatted to FAT32.

This is for people who softmodded a while back and want to be back up to date. This requires wi-fi. You might want to do a NAND Backup with bootmii if you can.

Step 1 – Clear up some clutter
a) Go into Data Management. Delete all backup launchers. Do NOT Delete Homebrew Channel.

Step 2 – Update your custom iOS

a) Run Homebrew Channel and load cIOS38-rev17 Installer.

b) Use iOS249 for installation.

c) Select ‘network installation’, allow it to download and install. Once done, exit.

Step 3 – Update Homebrew Channel and Bootmii

a) Use bannerbomb to install bootmii as boot2 if possible if not install as an ios

b) If you have the home brew channel already there is no need to install it again. If it prompts you on start up while connected to the internet that there is an update you can accept it if you wish.

Step 4 – Upgrade your System Menu (If you’re already on system menu 4.1 only install ios60patched.wad)

a) Run Homebrew Channel and load WAD Manager using default settings (iOS249 and SD Slot)

b) Navigate into wad folder.

c) Highlight iOS60patched.wad and press A and install!

d) Once done successfully, press home to exit.

e) Back in Homebrew Channel, load ‘Waninkoko’s Firmware Updater v4.1′

f) Sit back and allow it to do its work. Do NOT Turn off your Wii!

g) It will tell you once done.

Step 5 – Install Priiloader (Brick Protection and System Hacks)

a) Load Homebrew Channel and run Priiloader v0.4 installer.

b) Press + on the wiimote to install.

c) Your wii should reboot into Priiloader after the installation (If it doesn’t, power off your Wii and hold reset on the console while turning it on). Go to System Menu Hacks (You might get something about hacks.ini, read this) and enable ‘Block Disc Updates’ and any other hacks you would like, select ‘Save Settings’ when finish. Press B on the wiimote to go back to the main menu, next go to Settings and use the d-pad to set Autoboot: System Menu. Then select Save Settings. Press B to go back to the main menu. If you get any problems, look here

DO NOT INSTALL PRIILOADER ON SYSTEM MENUS 3.3 OR 3.4!!!!!

Step 6 – Update/Install iOS

a) Once again in Homebrew Channel, Load WAD Manager v1.4 using default settings (iOS249 and SD Slot)

b) Navigate into the wad folder.

c) Highlight iOS38.wad, press A and install.

d) Do the same for iOS50, iOS53, iOS55 and iOS56.

e) Don’t exit. Move onto Step 7.

Step 7 – Installing a Newer Backup Loader

Newer backup loaders are now available which even allow you to load from a USB HDD.

a) You’ll now be in the wad directory in WAD Manager. If you plan on using Discs, highlight and install Neogamma R8.wad; If you plan on using USB HDDs, highlight and install USB Loader GX r929.wad.

b) Press Home on your WiiMote once installation is complete.

All done, you now have an up-to date Wii.

*Please note that some games are problematic and have special methods required to get them to work properly. Krank as composed a thread FOUND HERE for these games with links to their guides.

Here is a list of awesome sources I have found for Wads, IOSs, and ISOs

1. http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/downloads/index.php Username:Nintendo Password: XBOXPS2
2. http://www.mediafire.com/Timewalker All US WADS
3. http://www.wiiiso.com/ Wii ISO’s
4. http://wiihacks.com A great place for info and tutorials

Microsoft announced Monday that they have released the beta version of the next version of Windows Home Server code named “Vail”. I for one am very excited. Looks like they have expanded on the already awesome capabilities of the existing version and added some new built in features such as steaming your media over the Internet. See the video below for more info and check out the official blog post.

The new website is up for the Buter County Flying Club. Check it out at http://www.butlercountyflyingclub.org.

Let me start off by saying that I am assuming that you know your way around Active Directory. If not you probably should not attempt this.

Over the last year and a half or so I have received many emails and phone calls from users on my network using Office 2003 who are receiving the newer Office 2007 formats and requesting that I convert the files so that they can open them.

Usually I just do it, however this has gone from a minor pain to a major inconvenience. So that being said, I decided to install the Microsoft office 2007 compatibility pack though a Group Policy Object (GPO) in active directory on every computer on the domain.

I had never done this before and was very surprised how easy it was. The first thing that you need to know is that for this to work you need to have a .msi (Microsoft Installer) file. A .mst or .msp file will work as well (or so I have read). Second this file needs to be located in a shared folder on the network that all computers have at least “read” access to.

The only thing I could find was a .exe but after doing some research on line I found the .exe extracted the .msi in C:\Program Files\MSECache\O2007Cnv\1033

After i set up my shared folder for my .msi file I then RDPed (see my article on how to use Remote Desktop) into my domain controller and went  to Active Directory Users and Computers. Right click on the domain, and go to properties. The properties window will popup and then  move over to the group policy tab.

Click on Edit and then select Software settings from either Computer Configuration or user configuration (yes you can do this on a user or group bases). Select “Software Settings” then right click on “Software installation” then “new” then “Package”.

At this point you will need to point to the .msi file ( Make sure not to point to a local path, use the network path, i.e. \\servername\somefolder\file.msi)

Once you have selected a .msi file it will ask you if you want to pick the “Assigned”, or the “Advanced” application deployment. I left it default “assigned”. You can Google what the difference is between Published , Assigned and Advanced.

Now any machine running under that group policy will install the package when it is rebooted and you should see the following just before the log in screen appears.

That’s all there is to it! You have just installed a software package across your entire domain saving you time, money and most importantly stress.

I am currently in the process of tinkering with my site. I’m not sure what the end result will be.

 This was an email that was sent out to all the members of the BCFC on 2/9/10 outlining the status of an airplane purchase. I thought I would pass this along to anyone who would like to read it or may be interested in becoming a flying member.

February 9, 2010

 

Members of the Butler County Flying Club:

 

The BCFC has taken another big step toward our goal of purchasing an airplane.  At our meeting on February 6, four members committed $1,000 each toward that goal.  We are now looking for 6 to 10 additional members willing to do the same —- commit to $1,000 per member.  Out plans and timetable are as follows:

 

All money will be held by our treasurer until such time as we have a minimum of $10,000.  No one’s check will be cashed until we have the minimum of $10,000 on hand.  We have set a deadline of March 12 to collect this total.  If we don’t make it, we will take a serious look at what the short-term future of the club should be.  If we cannot collect a minimum of $10,000 by that date, all checks will be returned to the owner.

 

If we collect the $10,000 or more, those members who have made the individual commitment of $1,000 each will form the decision-makers regarding the details of purchasing an airplane, i.e., what to buy; when to buy; how to finance; insurance; budgeting (fixed and operating costs as well as revenue generation); costs and terms of usage; scheduling, etc., all with one overriding principle in mind: the aircraft will be purchased in the name of the club and all members who are financially committed and obligated will have an equal opportunity yo use the airplane.  It is very unlikely and unrealistic to think that we will be able to purchase an airplane without financing some portion of the purchase price, which means that a lender will probably require personal guarantees of any amount we finance.  The cost of insurance may be less if we have fewer than 15 flying members, so while we need a show of support and financial commitment of $1,000 from a minimum of 10 members, we can probably accommodate up to 14 members for little additional cost.  Obviously, within reason, the more members we have, the lower the cost per person to own and operate the airplane.

 

No plane will be purchased until and unless all 10 – 14 members agree on details.

 

Airplane inventory is very plentiful now.  Prices are as good as they have been in years.  Terms for borrowing money are as good as they have been in a long time.  It won’t be too far in the future that we may be kicking ourselves if we don’t take advantage of all of these opportunities now.  If you are willing to add  your $1,000 to our seed money and willing and able to participate in the long-term financing, send or give your check for $1,000, apayable to the Butler County Flying Club to our treasurer, Dick Warn, 312 Horseshoe Lane, Harviell, MO 63945; Bill Gresham, P.O. Box 1510, 619 Vine St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63902; or, you may leave your check with airport manager, Mike Smith, at the airport.

 

We have placed out plans on hold for the pancake breakfast that was originally scheduled for March 20.  Our next regular meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 18.  See you then.

 

Bill Gresham

For more info please go to http://www.butlercountyflyingclub.org

Recently I Implemented Spiceworks on our network at work. I must say that i was sceptical at first, however after using this for a month now I am convinced that it is a great tool to have in any IT administrator’s arsenal.

What is Spiceworks? Well, acording to the site, Spiceworks is the complete network management & monitoring, helpdesk, PC inventory & software reporting solution to manage Everything IT in small and medium businesses.

I think the video below pretty well sums it up.

Check it out at http://www.spiceworks.com/

I just wanted to share what it was like to fly VFR above a layer of overcast. Just having fun