Wireless home

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: General | 5 Comments 

Now that my laptop has a wireless network card inside (Apple Airport Extreme) compatible with the 802.11b (11Mbps) and 802.11g (45Mbps) standards, it was about time I got a wireless access point. Turns out that the PC Superstore here in Helsinki had an offer of a DWL-700AP for 79Ä. It supports the 802.11b standard which is more than enough for a very little home network, and I have the say that it works great. The only problem I had when configuring it is that I couldn't figure out how to input 128 bit WEP key in my Mac, for encryption and increased ecurity so I left it using a 64 bit WEP key which is more than enough for the time being (though I now know how to do it so I'll set it up soon)

Setting up everything else was a breeze. The wireless network configuration in the Mac is very easy to use: turn on AirPort and it will detect the network settings, asking you the WEP key if necessary. And that's it! And the feeling of a wireless network is quite nice... now I can even chat from the sofa or browse from the bed!

How To Write Unmaintainable Code

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: Geeky | 0 Comments 

It's very long, but if you're geek enough and into programming you'll have a laugh. I just hope nobody really uses these guidelines!!!! How To Write Unmaintainable Code

Yankees, go home!

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: General | 0 Comments 

Wherever they go, they have problems...

Apple operating systems and Apple history

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: Apple | 0 Comments 

I have recently become quite interested in Apple, its history and specially its operating systems. Did you for example know that Rhapsody DR1 and DR2 run on x86? If you're interested to know more, have a look at A History of Apple's Operating Systems.
Another interesting page with lots of funny stories about the Mac is at Folklore.org: like the Swedish Campground or Quick, Hide In This Closet!

When your bussiness model doesn't work anymore...

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: News | 0 Comments 

...sue the competition.

That's exactly what Kodak has done. During the "digital revolution", contenders such as Sony and Canon dared to step forward and challenge the dominance of Kodak in the picture market. Kodak lost (at least, they're not the biggest in the US market) and now they have decided to sue Sony because of patent infringement. To make it easy to understand: "we are lagging behind and our bussiness model is crap so why don't we start sending lawsuits at will and see what happens?" (doesn't this sound slightly reminiscent of what SCO is currently doing? ) In the lawsuit, Kodak claims that "Sony Electronics infringes 10 patents issued between 1987 and 2003, including ones for image compression and storage"
That's simply amazing... And besides, shouldn't they be suing all the companies that produce digital cameras?

On companies and applicants (Already updated!)

25/12/2004 19:29 | Categories: General | 0 Comments 

Today I received in my email account an answer to one of the many applications that I sent while I was unemployed (March-September 2003) That wouldn't be big news if it wasn't because that was over half a year ago, and the application to which they answered was over 9 months old! It really pissed me off because it shows how little respect they have towards applicants... I mean, why the f*ck do they even have an email address dedicated to job applications advertised in their page if they check it every 9 months? A few weeks ago I also received an answer to a very old application and I felt tempted to (politely) answer but for one reason or another, I didn't do it. This time, I did it and sent it to them. The name of the company doesn't really matter. I think I was polite enough not to enrage anybody there at my response but if they still do and want to get back to me, I haven't hidden behind any fake email address. I used my real one and signed with my name so they know who I am. Heck, they even know where I live but I have also asked them to remove any reference to me and trash my files.

Anyway, here is the letter:

Dear Mrs. xxxxx,

with all due respect that you and your company deserve, I appreciate your answer but I do not think that I would ever bother to work for a company that handles job applications so disdainfully. My application was sent over 9 months ago, and after such long time, the only official response I have got from your company is a ready-made template where not even my name was included. Therefore, I prompt you to completely remove any reference to my application, CV and personal information from your internal database.

Nonetheless, I do not completely blame you. The market is slowly recovering and applicans are many but jobs are still few and scarce. However, I strongly believe that you should treat applicants with a little bit more respect, because despite the great amount of applications that you may have received, they are persons and not sheeps. If you consider too much a burden to receive applications, do not advertise an email address for such purpose in your corporate page.

Hopefully I found a company over 6 months ago that trusted in me. I wish our professional paths will never cross and I hope you do not show the same attitude towards your own employees.

Best regards,

Oscar Renalias.

Don't know if it was a good thing but somehow, I feel much better. And if any of you is wondering if I would have done the same if I still were unemployed, the answer is that probably yes.

UPDATE: They have already answered to my feedback-complaint! It arrive about an hour after I sent my message. Click the "more" link to see the answer:
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