the sad song or the coffee break?

Since there are apparently almost no instructions on how to remove QuarkXPress completely from your system, I have compiled a list of files to remove. This should leave no traces of Quark ever being installed on your system. It even works with reinstalling a trial after you found out that the just installed version is older than the most recent one available.

There is no way the installer will let you install over an existing 30 day trial version – even if you you installed it and never used it. This happened to me today when a client needed to have a special inhouse version of Quark installed before the actual serial numbers arrived.

To part with QuarkXPress once and for all, delete the following files if present (may depend on which version is actually installed):

/Applications/QuarkXPress [folder]
/Library/Preferences/Quark [folder]
/Library/ScriptingAdditions/QXPScriptingAdditions.osax [file]
~/Library/Preferences/Quark [folder]
~/Library/Preferences/QXPInstallDataOLD [file]
~/Library/Preferences/User Data {some number} [look for the file with the Quark icon and delete it]

Optional additional deletes:

/Library/Frameworks/KodakCMS.framework
/Library/Frameworks/LogoSync.framework
/Library/Frameworks/Xerces-c-xc.framework
/Library/Frameworks/Xalan-c-xc.framework

In case you know of some files I might have overlooked, please add your comments for the benefit of all.

Wow. Just wow.

Despite Microsoft’s efforts, the majority of developers still aren’t writing with Windows Vista in mind, a new study by Evans Data says. Only eight percent of software firms surveyed were specifically coding with Vista in mind, while additional data brought together by CNET indicates that 49 percent are still writing for Windows XP; 13 percent are programming for Linux, according to reports.

Source: electronista

There is a great article on Times Online about how the use of technology changes our overall views and behaviours.

Friedrich Nitzsche used a typewriter at some point in his writing. A friend noticed the change his style of writing, which poses one interesting question:

If a typewriter could do this to a mind as profound and powerful as Nietzsche’s, what on earth is Google now doing to us?

Regarding the ever-faster way we need to adapt to new impressions and the ever-increasing workload most of us have to deal with, the following except grabbed my attention:

The experience of reading only one good book for a while, and allowing its themes to resonate in the mind, is what we risk losing. When I was younger I would carry a single book around with me for days, letting its ideas splash around in my head, not forming an instant judgment (for or against) but allowing the book to sit for a while, as the rest of the world had its say – the countryside or pavement, the crowd or train carriage, the armchair or lunch counter. Sometimes, human beings need time to think things through, to allow themselves to entertain a thought before committing to it.

This is exactly what I have been missing for years now. To have the time to just dwell and reflect on things, without having to commit to anything. To have access to the luxury of being alone with one’s thoughts. Whenever there is even a small amount of time to do this, I find myself more relaxed and with a mind way more clear than before.

Google is gaining more and more sympathies as they continues to be very vocal about net neutrality. Recently, Richard Whitt (Senior Policy Director at Google) informed the public that Google will be providing a toolbox to allow end users to check if their broadband service is throttled, capped or in another way neutered. Check here for the full article.

Although, quite a few commenters over the net seem to have their difficulties accepting this to be a somewhat selfless act from Google.

Recently I tried to get the above configuration to work. Here’s what I found.

Information for everyone looking to accomplish the same: since firmware version 1.1 there is no way to successfully set up a usable VPN connection between a Mac and a WRVS4400N. This is due to two problems:

1. The router does not support IPsec client-to-host connections, only gateway-to-gateway. So if you’re looking to connect two networks through a VPN tunnel, you’re in luck. If you want to be able to check in to your home network while on the road, you are not.

2. The only client-side VPN functionality currently working is QuickVPN, which is a proprietary method of eastablishing a secure connection with the router. This software is Windows-only.

Interesting fact on the side: when I spoke to a Linksys technical sales representative, he told me that this particular router is aimed primarily at the home user market, although it is listed under “business” products. To use IPsec as intended on a Mac, you’d better stick to the RV082 and hook up a n-Wireless access point to it.

Wow, it’s quite unreal to see what the power of money and the apparently unstoppable lust for it does to people.

When looking for a way to connect VPN Tracker to a Linksys WRVS4400N router, I came across the vendors’ support site. There is a diagram on the right top side showing which department is available right now. Well, what can I say – it pretty much speaks for itself.

Sadly, this has pretty much become the “usual and accepted situation” for most vendors.

Update: I have been successful in reporting an incident via email and have been given a reply within 2 hours. Wow! The helpful tech support girl(!) even offered me to check the router via remote access. I removed all networking connections instead of the internet and let her work her magic. Unfortunately the router is just not capable of what I want to accomplish – back to the drawing board it is. Now I’m seriously impressed with their service!

After reading the following article in Macworld, the only conclusion a professional IT manager can arrive at is the complete block of Google services.

Google is releasing a new edition of its hosted applications suite that end-users can bring into the workplace without the involvement of their IT department. [Source: Macworld]

While I’m all for user-empowered usage of new technologies, I know that since working in IT services that no matter what happens, the IT people are responsible for any and all problems that occur. It just doesn’t matter. Now imagine what would happen if there was a leak of sensible data because some random user chose to host this data with Google and share it with external partners. Something which I believe can easily happen because it is considered being “feature”.

Much like any Web 2.0 application, your data is available immediately and everywhere you go, provided you have a password. Knowing the average users’ creativity when it comes to passwords (usually 1234, a colour or the first name of their child), this poses a very real security threat.

Google’s position on this appears to be something perfectly reasonable from the standpoint of a company looking to push their products into the market. It even appears to be quite smart since they are counting on the “viral” effect that for example Apple profit to for some degree. Once the product has entered the workplace (and you can’t argue with “free”), it is too late to try pushing it back. The moment a member of the board is using it, it’s too late, because it’s only a matter of time until you are practically forced into adapting the use of these tools, sooner or later.

This is a security nightmare. We all know that you can’t argue with people who are emotionally involved with something. Strangely, like the decision for a certain web host, telephone or DSL provider, car, TV or cable company, people feel emotionally involved when you challenge their decision. It’s about not wanting to feel uninformed, about not wanting to let a great deal pass you by while seemingly everyone else got their share, about defending you choice because you carefully considered the alternatives. Because you’re smart, not dumb. The same discussions arise the moment you are trying to explain to people why this “cool new way to work” is unsafe to use. Because to them, it looks and works great, plus they discovered it. Which makes them cool and you the evil guy who is trying to take this great work enhancement away from them.

The reasons to avoid Google app storage at all costs is simple. In a comment to the above Macworld article, user cnorth3 quotes the Google Term of Service:

In case you’re wondering how much Google cares about the security of your data, read their Terms of Service, for example: “Section 14, Exclusion of Warranties, 14.2 YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK … 14.3 INPARTICULAR, GOOGLE … DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT TO YOU THAT … (B) YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE … SECURE ….” And there’s a lot more where that came from.

Google signs all risks over to you. They don’t even guarantee you that they will keep the files, your email or whatever data you upload, edit or share. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. For the results of what can happen even with your Goole Mail account, look no further than one of my last articles.

This is exactly what a good backup strategy is for, something small to big companies spend a lot of time, money and resources on. There is no backup whatsoever with online services, especially not if they are free.

I will keep an eye on my clients workforce and educate them should it become neccessary. Unless Google changes their position on the involvement of the IT staff and offers ways to back up the data locally, I see this as a major problem. So let’s all keep our voices down in hopes that only few people will actually take notice.

Bob Parsons of GoDaddy.com fame has put out a poster with 16 rules of his life. While I find that hanging those anywhere to be a violation of any wall, I enjoy reading through the insights successful people have on life:

1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
I believe that not much happens of any significance when we’re in our comfort zone. I hear people say, “But I’m concerned about security.” My response to that is simple: “Security is for cadavers.”

2. Never give up.
Almost nothing works the first time it’s attempted. Just because what you’re doing does not seem to be working, doesn’t mean it won’t work. It just means that it might not work the way you’re doing it. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn’t have an opportunity.

3. When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.
There’s an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”

4. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.
Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of “undefined consequences.” My father would tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, “Well, Robert, if it doesn’t work, they can’t eat you.”

5. Focus on what you want to have happen.
Remember that old saying, “As you think, so shall you be.”

6. Take things a day at a time.
No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don’t look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get through anything one day at a time.

7. Always be moving forward.
Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge advantages.

8. Be quick to decide.
Remember what General George S. Patton said: “A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”

9. Measure everything of significance.
I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.

10. Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
If you want to uncover problems you don’t know about, take a few moments and look closely at the areas you haven’t examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be there.

11. Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you’re doing.
When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.

12. Never let anybody push you around.
In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much right to what you’re doing as anyone else, provided that what you’re doing is legal.

13. Never expect life to be fair.
Life isn’t fair. You make your own breaks. You’ll be doing good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (i.e., fare).

14. Solve your own problems.
You’ll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you’ll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: “You never succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others.” There’s also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this: “A wise man keeps his own counsel.”

15. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are.

16. There’s always a reason to smile.
Find it. After all, you’re really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time!”

Source: BobParsons.com