Testing my first Ping.FM to all the social networks. Thanks Lee, Robi, and Charisse for the tip!

Comcast and Linksys Router BS

I awoke today to start working (well job hunting and side business). I depend on multiple devices going out on my Comcast cable address. Well, today it was not working. I tried the usual power cycle things. Called in, got a snotty girl that had me turn everything off (no real reason for this) and plug into my PC directly. After doing so, it worked on my PC. I was like Hmmm, guess I was wrong and I apologized.

I plugged into the router after hanging up. Nothing. Didn't work. I called back not satisfied. He walked me through a few things that didn't work. I said thank you and I would figure it out. Well first off, I changed out the cable, that was not it. I could connect to other machines on the network and the server. That was not it. So I plugged it into my machine directly again and restarted.

After getting a connection I did a search for Comcast and LinkSys. This link came up. Aparently Comcast found a way to thwart users that are not using Comcast router equipment. After following the instructions of cloning my MAC address, everything worked well. Here is the kicker, I asked repeatedily on the phone if anything had changed. "No sir, nothing here." I won't be too indignant, read the EULA and you will know why. Here are the instructions:

1. Plug your computer directly into the cable modem.
2. Use "ipconfig /release" and "ipconfig /renew" from the windows command prompt to get a new IP address from the cable modem.
3. Unplug your computer from the cable modem.
4. Plug your computer into the router, leaving the router unplugged from the cable modem.
5. Use ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew to get an IP address from the router.
6. Enter the router's configuration with your web browser.
7. Tell the router to Clone your Mac Address. wait a few seconds.
8. Plug the router into the cable modem.
9. In the web interface, tell the router to ask for a new IP address from the cable modem. (This is the "DHCP Renew" Button) The cable modem should think that you are the PC that just spoke with it and will let your router work again. You might have to ask it to renew a couple times.

~Jeffrey

I just don't know

I have say, what LONG STRANGE TRIP it has been. Life's turns and twists are anything, if not different.

I look forward to a Brave New World (thank you UK and Mr. Aldus Huxley) and not his shining world actually. If you don't know what I mean, ask your local library for a copy of the tome to borrow.

Not to get into semantics, but I find my personal world is changing of late. Actually the opportunities that are presented to me are fantastic. The question one in my shoes must ponder is the sheer number of them to consider.

Never lacking a number of ideas, I find the two hardest conundrums being, which opportunities to undertake and the finding the acumen of HOW to FOLLOW through on those opportunities.

Advice? I will find out how. And I must do quickly, concisely, and diligentily.

Peace,

~Jeffrey

Edison Inventors Association

My bride and I went to the monthly meeting for the Edison Inventors Association. It is held at the famous (or is that infamous) inventor's winter home laboratory in Fort Myers.

There were 3 products that were showcased. Impressed as always, all three were in the patent pending stages.

Also, we got to hear the expertise of 4 patent experts. One was a former US patent clerk manager for the 15 years. The other three were patent attorneys. I learned about Provisional patents, and "TRADE SECRETS" (which lead me to the thought that I want a trade secret instead of patent if I can get it!).

All and all, it was a good meeting. I recommend it at least once to anyone local.

~Jeffrey

Dumbass, M.D.

My friend Chris D. shared this with a group of us and I thought I would re-post it here. We worked out several solutions, but one quickly rose to the top. Leave your solutions in the comments. I will reveal our solution next week.

~Jeffrey

Dumbass, M.D.

From http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/000339.html

You have Some Terminal Condition, which necessitates taking two pills a day: one Pill A and one Pill B. If you neglect to take either pill, you die; if you take more than one A or more than one B, you die. If you don't take them at exactly the same time, you die.

This morning you are going through your usual routine. You pick up your bottle of A Pills and gently tap one into your palm. Then you pick up your bottle of B Pills and tap it, but two pills accidentally fall into your hand. You now hold three pills (one A and two Bs), you don't know which are which, and they are completely indistinguishable from each other. The A Pills are the same color as the B Pills, they are the same shape, same size -- they are identical in every respect. Man, your doctor is a dumbass. But he's a rich dumbass, because he's charging you $10,000,000 a pill! So you dare not throw any away.

Thus, the puzzle: what can you do to ensure that you take only one A Pill and only one B Pill today, without wasting any pills (either today or in the future)?