A much needed update
Time to finally use LiveJournal for what it was truly meant for.... Ranting.
What's inside:
Boys and Girls Club
-Hired
-The Job (and the mess that comes with it)
-Today
Roommateism
-Relationships (His)
-Relationships (Mine)
-Relationships (Mother's)
College Life
-The New Quarter
-Another Job
World of Warcraft: The Girlfriend Replacement
Boys And Girls Club: Hired
Not many people know, but I've applied at and been hired by the Blaine Boys and Girls Club. It's a job that I believed I would be happy with that would give me invaluable work experience. Woot!
Boys and Girls Club: The Job (and the mess that comes with it)
Wouldn't you know it, but I am now in charge of 14 member computers and about 50 kids at any given moment. I'm working 2:45 to 6:45 every weekday. It seemed like a simple enough job. Watch the kids, make sure they stay away from inappropriate websites, and keep things "tidy" while maintaining order in the room.
The untold story is that I would be picking up the old way of running things. This included having the kids sign up on a list (one list) and they would switch every 20 to 30 minutes (I'm still not sure which one). This was quickly changed by me to the system that I used back when I was a member: a chart where the kids would sign up for a specific computer at a specific time. A simple idea that quickly turned chaos to calm (relatively). The first day, I fixed two "broken" computers and came up with a plan to implement actual control over the member computers including setting Local Policies combined with a simple (possibly Linux based) Proxy server which would allow me to restrict websites and web services with high granularity and also allow me to remotely control and administer member computers. The computers I am in charge of are seven Pentium III Desktop computers and Seven Pentium 4 Laptops. Both sets of computers (especially the laptops) are rather abused. All the laptops (except one) are missing keys. The kids thing it's fun to pull the keys off, apparently.
Okay.. Lets ignore the physical condition of the laptops. Just ignore them and pretend there's nothing wrong. Unfortunately the list of generally enjoyable surprises doesn't end there. The laptops have been subject to years and years of completely unrestricted Internet access. This means.. yes, yes.. spyware and viruses. It's on there and I can prove it. Now I know what you're saying. "Kyle, you're a super-mega-computer-genius. You can fix it, right?" Well, of course I can. All I need is the administrator password. Naturally, no one knows it. It takes three days, but someone finally tells me that we need to ask Ed from the Bellingham branch what the administrator password is. He tells me and I try it. Hmm.. Doesn't work. I try it in all-caps, no-caps.. NOTHING. I hear a rumor that the last guy might have changed it. [(Brain: You're kidding. You have to be kidding. Please tell me this is some kind of joke.) While I'm at it, might I add that no one knows the combo to the laptop locks that were installed years and years ago. I cracked it in 30 minutes. Now they're at least locked down, not like they'd be worth stealing.] So here I am looking like an idiot because I can't control these computers. They're going without updates, without ANY maintenance that they SO DESPERATELY NEED. This is, like, the geek/nerd equivalent to a little beaten, abused, abandoned and oh-so-cute puppy that you just want to take home and nurture back to health. It's seriously driving me insane that I can't fix these things. Absolutely driving me... up.. the... wall.
I just want to reformat them all. Wipe them clean and start again. Ugh.
I better wrap this up and get to the next section.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Taking steps toward a safer Internet
The great thing about blocking one website is that there are at least 10 million other websites just like it that the kids will find and use instead. Andkon.com is one. It features a vast collection of online flash games, some of which feature adult content. The kids find humor in going to them over and over again (of course only so that they can slam the screen down or cover it with their hand when they bring it up [and talk about it later]).
I've tried to take on the role of a "Mystery Admin". A man who is cruel and will block websites at the drop of a hat. A man who will log on to your computer and take control! This is the man who blocks the websites. HE does it.. not ME. The only problem is that I still can't without the administrator password. To be continued?
Boys and Girls Club: Today: The Strength Competition
There are two members that like to help me set up. They're really helpful, but they ask for a lot in return. They saying "Since we helped, we get to sign up for the entire day."
Um.. No? Then they'll sit on the computers ("I'm not playing, I'm just logging on.") and bug me while I'm trying to work on fixing the other computers. Today, they wanted to know if I could pick them up. Well, um, okay.. I'll try. Now I have a sore arm, shoulder and neck that are all contributing to a nice, lovely, surging headache. The pain goes on later.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Wireless Security (and illegal things!)
We have a little problem at the Boys and Girls Club in Blaine. I'm going to blame it on ignorance and/or lack of maintenance. Some/most of the computers there have connected to the wrong wireless signal, therefore "stealing" Internet from someone else.
Being the wonderful admin that I am, I started the task of pointing the computers back in the right (wireless) direction. To keep other people off our network (since it is currently wide open to anyone), I have been trying to implement a wireless password to discourage people from using our connection. The fun part is that the router we're using combined with the beat up laptops simply refuse to work together. The laptops absolutely refuse to connect to the password protected wireless signal. I spent hours trying to... well.. I'll let the next two sections explain that.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: "...rapping at my chamber door"
When I go to work (assuming I'm there on time), I have 5 minutes to get set up for the day. By the time I get to sit down in my chair, I have kids at the door asking me if they can help set up. This door can not be locked because the computer room is also a coworker's desk/office, the "you're in trouble" room, storage, staff workroom, etc. I have to let kids in if they need to talk to one of the staff. When I let a few kids in to help set up, the room turns to unproductive chaos. Not only do they hang around while I'm trying to work, but I have kids outside asking "Why do they get to be inside?". This means that the last 30-45 minutes of my time is mostly spent telling the kids that barge in to get out. I'm lucky if I get any time to actually work.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: "Doing Nothing"
I really like the people I work with. They're helpful people. With that being said, I sometimes feel like they're throwing the ball with me still on the leash. They're telling me I have virtually full control over that lab, but when I start working on what I need to, they ask me to do other things. When I closed the computer lab for the day, the staff must of thought I was "doing nothing" and asked me to come outside where I was asked to play racket baseball. I was working on tons of stuff. I had just brought in my computer (one of my computers from home), monitor, keyboard and mouse to set up on my "desk" (read: collapsible table covered in paint from the Arts and Crafts room).
I was working on a lot that day. I was trying to get the laptops to work with the new wireless settings, trying to set up my computer at my desk, trying to clean up the lab, all the while dealing with the kids banging on the door to come in (which takes up a lot of the time). In the middle of it all, I was asked to help with a problem some of the staff were having when making labels with Microsoft Word.
What I haven't had time to finish (let alone start):
Wireless Password
Local Policies
Admin Password
Proxy Server
Laptop Software Maintenance (Big Project)
Fix a broken laptop
Remote Administration
Reformat/Reinstall (?)
Spyware/Virus Cleanup
Sweep the floor
HOSTS file
Many more things that have escaped my mind
What I've managed to finish:
Print a new sign-up sheet
Fix two computers
Clean the windows, desks, monitors
Break a squirt-bottle
As you can see, I obviously don't have anything better to do and I might as well be sleeping under a desk.
If you'd like to neglect the computers to the point where they're dead, then.. Come to think of it, you can't. This is my job description and this needs to be done... NOW. If it means I come in at noon and volunteer my time, then I might just have to.
I must stress again that I like and respect the other staff. I probably won't get the stones to explain why this needs to be done. I probably won't get half these things done without orders directly from this mysterious Ed guy from Bellingham. If I call him, maybe the computer's cries for care and maintenance won't fall on deaf ears afterall.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Racketball
When I was asked to come outside, I joined a game of racketball that everyone was playing. It was getting late (5:30) and I was sore from what I mentioned before. I was quickly chosen for a team ("..but Tony's on the other team!") and had a few good hits. As the guardians of the kids arrived, our numbers dwindled . Racketball eventually turned into a couple kids smacking the ball as far as they could so they could watch me run and get it. When it was all over, exhausted, I made the comment "If I keep this up and I'll end up being healthy". Also, I apparently run really fast.
Roommateism
To be finished later.
College Life
Also to be finished later.
World of Warcraft: The Girlfriend Replacement
Not that anyone actually cares, but the loads and loads of free time that I've had recently (mostly on weekends) has almost all gone into playing World of Warcraft. I am now the proud owner of a level 61 Troll Hunter complete with new (green) gear from Outlands. Check him out.
Dear roommate who said "Damn. I hope it's important" in reference to my longer-than-usual livejournal post.
No. It's not really that important, but neither is meeting you in Hillsbrad Foothills to gank Alliance. Apparently, writing this journal is only supposed to take "like, 30 minutes". When you asked me if I'd like to come with you when you got back, I didn't know you meant 2:30AM.
(...not to name names)
/sigh
What's inside:
Boys and Girls Club
-Hired
-The Job (and the mess that comes with it)
-Today
Roommateism
-Relationships (His)
-Relationships (Mine)
-Relationships (Mother's)
College Life
-The New Quarter
-Another Job
World of Warcraft: The Girlfriend Replacement
Boys And Girls Club: Hired
Not many people know, but I've applied at and been hired by the Blaine Boys and Girls Club. It's a job that I believed I would be happy with that would give me invaluable work experience. Woot!
Boys and Girls Club: The Job (and the mess that comes with it)
Wouldn't you know it, but I am now in charge of 14 member computers and about 50 kids at any given moment. I'm working 2:45 to 6:45 every weekday. It seemed like a simple enough job. Watch the kids, make sure they stay away from inappropriate websites, and keep things "tidy" while maintaining order in the room.
The untold story is that I would be picking up the old way of running things. This included having the kids sign up on a list (one list) and they would switch every 20 to 30 minutes (I'm still not sure which one). This was quickly changed by me to the system that I used back when I was a member: a chart where the kids would sign up for a specific computer at a specific time. A simple idea that quickly turned chaos to calm (relatively). The first day, I fixed two "broken" computers and came up with a plan to implement actual control over the member computers including setting Local Policies combined with a simple (possibly Linux based) Proxy server which would allow me to restrict websites and web services with high granularity and also allow me to remotely control and administer member computers. The computers I am in charge of are seven Pentium III Desktop computers and Seven Pentium 4 Laptops. Both sets of computers (especially the laptops) are rather abused. All the laptops (except one) are missing keys. The kids thing it's fun to pull the keys off, apparently.
Okay.. Lets ignore the physical condition of the laptops. Just ignore them and pretend there's nothing wrong. Unfortunately the list of generally enjoyable surprises doesn't end there. The laptops have been subject to years and years of completely unrestricted Internet access. This means.. yes, yes.. spyware and viruses. It's on there and I can prove it. Now I know what you're saying. "Kyle, you're a super-mega-computer-genius. You can fix it, right?" Well, of course I can. All I need is the administrator password. Naturally, no one knows it. It takes three days, but someone finally tells me that we need to ask Ed from the Bellingham branch what the administrator password is. He tells me and I try it. Hmm.. Doesn't work. I try it in all-caps, no-caps.. NOTHING. I hear a rumor that the last guy might have changed it. [(Brain: You're kidding. You have to be kidding. Please tell me this is some kind of joke.) While I'm at it, might I add that no one knows the combo to the laptop locks that were installed years and years ago. I cracked it in 30 minutes. Now they're at least locked down, not like they'd be worth stealing.] So here I am looking like an idiot because I can't control these computers. They're going without updates, without ANY maintenance that they SO DESPERATELY NEED. This is, like, the geek/nerd equivalent to a little beaten, abused, abandoned and oh-so-cute puppy that you just want to take home and nurture back to health. It's seriously driving me insane that I can't fix these things. Absolutely driving me... up.. the... wall.
I just want to reformat them all. Wipe them clean and start again. Ugh.
I better wrap this up and get to the next section.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Taking steps toward a safer Internet
The great thing about blocking one website is that there are at least 10 million other websites just like it that the kids will find and use instead. Andkon.com is one. It features a vast collection of online flash games, some of which feature adult content. The kids find humor in going to them over and over again (of course only so that they can slam the screen down or cover it with their hand when they bring it up [and talk about it later]).
I've tried to take on the role of a "Mystery Admin". A man who is cruel and will block websites at the drop of a hat. A man who will log on to your computer and take control! This is the man who blocks the websites. HE does it.. not ME. The only problem is that I still can't without the administrator password. To be continued?
Boys and Girls Club: Today: The Strength Competition
There are two members that like to help me set up. They're really helpful, but they ask for a lot in return. They saying "Since we helped, we get to sign up for the entire day."
Um.. No? Then they'll sit on the computers ("I'm not playing, I'm just logging on.") and bug me while I'm trying to work on fixing the other computers. Today, they wanted to know if I could pick them up. Well, um, okay.. I'll try. Now I have a sore arm, shoulder and neck that are all contributing to a nice, lovely, surging headache. The pain goes on later.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Wireless Security (and illegal things!)
We have a little problem at the Boys and Girls Club in Blaine. I'm going to blame it on ignorance and/or lack of maintenance. Some/most of the computers there have connected to the wrong wireless signal, therefore "stealing" Internet from someone else.
Being the wonderful admin that I am, I started the task of pointing the computers back in the right (wireless) direction. To keep other people off our network (since it is currently wide open to anyone), I have been trying to implement a wireless password to discourage people from using our connection. The fun part is that the router we're using combined with the beat up laptops simply refuse to work together. The laptops absolutely refuse to connect to the password protected wireless signal. I spent hours trying to... well.. I'll let the next two sections explain that.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: "...rapping at my chamber door"
When I go to work (assuming I'm there on time), I have 5 minutes to get set up for the day. By the time I get to sit down in my chair, I have kids at the door asking me if they can help set up. This door can not be locked because the computer room is also a coworker's desk/office, the "you're in trouble" room, storage, staff workroom, etc. I have to let kids in if they need to talk to one of the staff. When I let a few kids in to help set up, the room turns to unproductive chaos. Not only do they hang around while I'm trying to work, but I have kids outside asking "Why do they get to be inside?". This means that the last 30-45 minutes of my time is mostly spent telling the kids that barge in to get out. I'm lucky if I get any time to actually work.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: "Doing Nothing"
I really like the people I work with. They're helpful people. With that being said, I sometimes feel like they're throwing the ball with me still on the leash. They're telling me I have virtually full control over that lab, but when I start working on what I need to, they ask me to do other things. When I closed the computer lab for the day, the staff must of thought I was "doing nothing" and asked me to come outside where I was asked to play racket baseball. I was working on tons of stuff. I had just brought in my computer (one of my computers from home), monitor, keyboard and mouse to set up on my "desk" (read: collapsible table covered in paint from the Arts and Crafts room).
I was working on a lot that day. I was trying to get the laptops to work with the new wireless settings, trying to set up my computer at my desk, trying to clean up the lab, all the while dealing with the kids banging on the door to come in (which takes up a lot of the time). In the middle of it all, I was asked to help with a problem some of the staff were having when making labels with Microsoft Word.
What I haven't had time to finish (let alone start):
Wireless Password
Local Policies
Admin Password
Proxy Server
Laptop Software Maintenance (Big Project)
Fix a broken laptop
Remote Administration
Reformat/Reinstall (?)
Spyware/Virus Cleanup
Sweep the floor
HOSTS file
Many more things that have escaped my mind
What I've managed to finish:
Print a new sign-up sheet
Fix two computers
Clean the windows, desks, monitors
Break a squirt-bottle
As you can see, I obviously don't have anything better to do and I might as well be sleeping under a desk.
If you'd like to neglect the computers to the point where they're dead, then.. Come to think of it, you can't. This is my job description and this needs to be done... NOW. If it means I come in at noon and volunteer my time, then I might just have to.
I must stress again that I like and respect the other staff. I probably won't get the stones to explain why this needs to be done. I probably won't get half these things done without orders directly from this mysterious Ed guy from Bellingham. If I call him, maybe the computer's cries for care and maintenance won't fall on deaf ears afterall.
Boys and Girls Club: Today: Racketball
When I was asked to come outside, I joined a game of racketball that everyone was playing. It was getting late (5:30) and I was sore from what I mentioned before. I was quickly chosen for a team ("..but Tony's on the other team!") and had a few good hits. As the guardians of the kids arrived, our numbers dwindled . Racketball eventually turned into a couple kids smacking the ball as far as they could so they could watch me run and get it. When it was all over, exhausted, I made the comment "If I keep this up and I'll end up being healthy". Also, I apparently run really fast.
Roommateism
To be finished later.
College Life
Also to be finished later.
World of Warcraft: The Girlfriend Replacement
Not that anyone actually cares, but the loads and loads of free time that I've had recently (mostly on weekends) has almost all gone into playing World of Warcraft. I am now the proud owner of a level 61 Troll Hunter complete with new (green) gear from Outlands. Check him out.
Dear roommate who said "Damn. I hope it's important" in reference to my longer-than-usual livejournal post.
No. It's not really that important, but neither is meeting you in Hillsbrad Foothills to gank Alliance. Apparently, writing this journal is only supposed to take "like, 30 minutes". When you asked me if I'd like to come with you when you got back, I didn't know you meant 2:30AM.
(...not to name names)
/sigh