Archive for 'Off-Topic'
Cisco Background?
Posted on 09. Sep, 2008 by rivansystems.
I’ve never been hip on desktop wallpapers for my PCs…I usually just go with a straight “black” solid color background. This morning, I suddenly had the thought, “it sure would be cool to have a Cisco logo (the new one, of course) right in the middle of my desktop.” Some quick Google searches didn’t turn up anything…anyone know where to get a sweet Cisco wallpaper?
FOLLOW-UP #1: Here’s a decent one with the old logo. I’d really like to keep my black background though…Fluorescent green fries my eyes.
FOLLOW-UP #2: Here’s a wallpaper with the new logo on a white background (thanks Brandon!).
FOLLOW-UP #3: Here’s a wallpaper with the new logo on a black background (thanks Daniel!).
Continue Reading
Jeremy and VMWare ESX Server…Love at First Site!
Posted on 05. Sep, 2008 by rivansystems.
We take a break from our regularly scheduled Cisco programming to bring you this ‘killer free-product’ alert. I’ve now added VMWare ESX server (free) to my list of “programs that will change your life.” I believe we actually have Microsoft to thank for making this product free since they’re now trying to compete with VMWare by including Hypervising with MS Server 2008.
If you haven’t seen it, VMWare ESX allows you to do essentially the same thing VMWare Server does, but without running on a client operating system (well, technically there’s a 32MB VMWare operating system it runs now). I know, it doesn’t sound that cool, but I can’t begin to describe the performance increase for all my virutal machines. About 3 weeks ago, I converted my Dell Poweredge 2900 server to this product…Suddenly, I got a raise, my dog stopped barking, my neighbor brought me chocolate chip cookies, and I found an extra 5 bucks I had forgotten in my shorts pocket months ago (I love it when that happens).
Seriosuly…VMWare ESX server cannot be explained; you must experience it for yourself.
Continue Reading
CiscoWorks LMS…Shoot me now.
Posted on 04. Sep, 2008 by rivansystems.
I am currently sitting in a sub-zero IT room on my 6th hour and 12th CD of a CiscoWorks Lan Management Solution (LMS) 2.6 installation/upgrade. This is the most pathetic, waste-of-time product I’ve ever worked with…and I haven’t even finished the installation.
I will never agree to do a CiscoWorks LMS installation again.
Ever.
At least my fingers are numb so I can chew on them from boredom without feeling anything.
Continue Reading
Best Cisco Laptop?
Posted on 30. Jul, 2008 by rivansystems.
I’ve been a “quasi-apple fan” for years…When they came out with the MacBook Pro, I bought the 17″ giganto-screen model and have been using it to configure Cisco devices ever since. Recently, I was at a client site…he pulled out an old Dell X200 12″ laptop to configure a Cisco router. I suddenly found myself [...]
Continue Reading
Another Great Resource
Posted on 21. Jul, 2008 by rivansystems.
Here’s another great blog/website resource to add to your list:
The site is well organized into interesting sections. I especially like the cheat sheet (for technology, not exams) and Network Monitoring / Utilities categories.
Continue Reading
Training in an Alternate Universe
Posted on 25. Jun, 2008 by rivansystems.
So…I’m sitting in the Cisco keynote speech featuring Padmasree Warrior (Cisco’s new CIO) who is talking about the power of collaboration in the world. She was mentioning things like Twitter, vLogs, and Second Life…suddenly, a brilliant idea hits me: training in Second Life?!? Is it possible?
Okay, I admit, up until now, I thought Second Life was going to lead us into the Matrix…where everyone lived in and was controlled by machines. I steered clear of it. But, now I’m thinking - is it possible to deliver live, interactive classes through Second Life? Help me out here second-lifers…Here’s my idea…
Build a “virtual classroom” in second life where “virtual students” can come and see a whiteboard, ask questions, watch live demos on Cisco gear, maybe even do labs themselves? Is it possible? What would it take to make it happen?
This could be really cool…