The Adventures of Systems Boy!

Confessions of a Mac SysAdmin...

Translucency

Friday, February 22, 2008
Every now and then, when I connect to a network share, the window opens with its top slightly behind the menubar. This has been happening at least since Tiger, and I half expected it to go away in Leopard. But it hasn't. What has changed in Leopard, however, is the menubar, which is allegedly translucent.



Leopard Menubar: My Window has Been Decapitated
(click image for larger view)

But, as you can see from this screen grab, when one of my windows opens behind this supposedly translucent menubar you cannot see it. It just disappears. So, one of two things is happening here: either the menubar is not actually "translucent" but simply draws a shaded strip from the top of your Desktop image and layers the menubar atop that strip; or my window is not actually going up behind the menubar but, rather, is being partially sucked up into some neither-universe where graphics as we know them cease to exist.

Either way, it sure is disconcerting.

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I Don't Care Anymore

Friday, November 16, 2007
I've heard that the WACOM company's name is supposed to be pronounced "wack-em." But I don't care. I'm saying "way-com." 'Cause let's face it, you just sound stupid saying, "Hey, can I try your wack-em?" Or, "Your wack-em is huge. Much bigger than my wack-em." Or, "Wow, I just love my new, giant wack-em."

Oh yeah, and I say, "OS Ecks" as well.

Deal with it.

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Word of the Day

Friday, October 26, 2007
The term "sea change" has been extremely popular of late. I'm not sure why. I have a sneaking suspicion that the universe of online Mac journalism is highly incestuous. (I feel dirty.) But stranger still, the word "rejigger" has popped up, in one form or another, in no fewer than three articles or blogs, today alone, each related to Leopard.

And that is why rejigger is today's Word of the Day.

Okay kids. Give it a rest now.

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El Keyboardo

Thursday, September 20, 2007
I'm still swamped, buried under the avalanche of work that is the direct result of endless delays to the renovation of our department. Nevertheless, I find myself with little to do today. Or, I should say, little I'm actually able to do. Today's delay, from the "I can't catch a break to save my life" department: Keyboards. In Spanish!

Today I finally got a chance to start unboxing and building my new Macs. Opened up the first one and noticed that the keyboard said "Ayuda" where it should have said "Help." Uh... Shit...

So now what? Will I have to send the entire box back for exchange, or just the keyboards? Until I know the answer to this, I can't build my systems. And I won't know 'til Monday, because purchasing is closed this week.

So I blog.

Hola.

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Installer Renaissance

Thursday, September 13, 2007
First it was Adobe. Then Apple. Now even Microsoft is making the software installation process more sensible and trouble-free.

I tell ya, it's enough to make a Systems Boy cry, I tell ya.

I tell ya.

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Magic iPhone

Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Just got done watching the iPhone Activation Video — 'cause with the announcement of the very reasonable service plans I've pretty much decided I'm getting one of these puppies — and I noticed a bit of an error in the video. The demonstration iPhone in the video is apparently an 8 GB model and starts off with 7.27 GB of storage.



iPhone: 8 GB Model
(click image for larger view)


But by the end of the video its capacity has increased tenfold!



iPhone: 75 GB Model
(click image for larger view)


Well, that cinches it. If the iPhone's capacity magically grows as you add data, it's surely the most wondrous device ever, and certainly worth having.

I'll take three!

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Abusive When Harried

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
I've determined that approximately 75-80% of all technical questions can be accurately answered with the response, "Because you are a dumbass."

Examples:
  • Q: Why isn't my computer working?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why did my computer freeze?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why can't I log in to the server (x)?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why can't my browser read the website (x)?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why can't I get online?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why can't I find my file (x)?
    A: Because you are a dumbass.
  • Q: Why is this piece of technology (x) so slow?
    A: Because you are an unbelievable dumbass.
Seriously folks, computers have become exceptionally reliable and predictable. If something's not working, well, frankly, it's probably your fault.

Now leave me alone. I have work to do.

Idiot.

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Google Gone Deaf?

Monday, April 09, 2007
So the other day I was searching the term "Risso's dolphins" on Google. Something I'd read had referenced them, and I was curious what they looked like. So I type "Risso's dolphins" into that ever-familiar Google search field, and this is what I get back:


Google Search: Do I Stutter?
(click image for larger view)


Uh, yeah. I did mean "Risso's dolphins." That's why I typed, "Risso's dolphins."

Seriously, Google, you're losin' it, man. Maybe you should see a doctor.

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How Do You Dress for That?

Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The weather's been insanely variable 'round here for the past couple months. Recently I took this screen shot from WeatherDock.

Seriously, Mother Nature, what are you smokin'?


Insanely Variable Temperatures: Good Day for Layers
(click image for larger view)

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An Elephant in the Way

Thursday, March 29, 2007
I still don't have time to write anything coherent. So, in lieu of — and as a tip of the hat to — my inability to do so, I give you this:
They didn't study

Via Scribd.

Oh my god that's hilarious.

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