Posted by Robyn on May 28, 2008 in
Technology Okay, so Microsoft really has designed a nice home theater interface with Vista Media Center. I run it on my HTPC, and was happily watching a recorded episode of NCIS a few minutes ago. (Incidentally, the newer episodes are much better than the old ones.)
Near the end of the episode, a dialog box pops up, informing me that updates are ready to install, and would I like to reboot? I politely tell it that I will manually reboot later.
A few minutes later, with no further warning and no option to cancel it, the computer reboots.
RIGHT AT THE CLIMAX OF THE EPISODE
Microsoft, you have been angling for space in my living room for the better part of this decade. If you want to keep it, you will not reboot my computer against my will while I’m watching TV ever again. Do we have an understanding?
Seriously. 
Posted by Robyn on May 23, 2008 in
General For those who don’t know, I was rear-ended yesterday afternoon, but the police and paramedics were all over it. The accident happened right by the high school where I substitute teach, so there is always an officer on site. They had to pull me from the car on one of those boards, and they strapped me down! I got to take a fun ride in an ambulance, and of course the visit to the hospital took forever.
The doctors were initially worried about neck and spine trauma, but the x-rays came out clean. Fortunately, our chiropractor is also a whiplash specialist, so Justin took me to see him this morning. I have some ligament damage and tearing in my neck and back, but nothing else major. I have to wear a goofy neck brace and see the chiropractor regularly for a few weeks, but I should be good as new.
Sadly, my car did not fare quite as well. It sitting at the body shop, in critical condition. We’re hoping it pulls through. 
Posted by Robyn on May 9, 2008 in
Technology I finally gave in and installed XP on my Eee PC. After struggling with the space constraints for a few days, I think I finally have a very handy little unit here. I can access my Exchange account in Outlook 2007, sync files with FolderShare, access my other computers using WHS — it’s awesome.
Believe it or not, XP loads a lot faster than Ubuntu Gutsy, and feels more stable on the Eee’s somewhat puny hardware. Of course, the fact that it’s six years older could have something to do with that.
Linux, it’s not that I don’t love you. But Windows and I have had a long history together, and it just feels… comfortable on the Eee. I know I promised you space on the MacBook Pro, but with Leopard and Vista on there already, it’s getting a little crowded.
Don’t worry, though. I’ll always save a partition for you on my desktop. 