6.07.2004
Passwords make it more secure... really.
Picked up this while perusing Paul Robichaux's E2K Security blog. While it's not Exchange related... wow. I have to go practice my duck and cover and see if I fit under my desk now!
Permissive Action Links.
Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. I wonder if this is the same code Dub is using to keep his new pistola safe?
Permissive Action Links.
Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. I wonder if this is the same code Dub is using to keep his new pistola safe?
6.03.2004
So... Why "Am I King Yet?"
Okay, so folks are asking where my blog's current title, "Am I King Yet?", comes from.
Those that know me well have had possibly to suffer throught the whole explaination of my history of gaming (both old school AD&D and online gaming), my interactions with the Suzerain of Sloth waaaaaay back in Monarchy, and numerous other things, to get the not-so-simple answer to "why AragornSoS?". I guess the title of my blog is no different... it comes from an inside joke that spun out of me using AragornSoS as the member name for darn near every online IM service there is, and one of my co-workers stumbling across this hilarious "Secret Diary of Aragorn" online one day shortly after the first LoTR movie was released a couple of years ago.
Ever since then, I'll get random IMs from him stating nothing more than "Not king yet, damn it!" and various other spins on that theme. So I figured, why not?
Plus, the Microsoft Exchange team already took the much cooler title "You Had Me at EHLO".
For those that want to read the document that spawned all of this, here is...
THE SECRET DIARY OF ARAGORN, SON OF ARATHORN
PART ONE
Day One:
Ringwraiths killed: 4. V. good.
Met up with Hobbits. Walked forty miles. Skinned a squirrel and ate it.
Still not King.
Day Four:
Stuck on mountain with Hobbits. Boromir really annoying.
Not King yet.
Day Six:
Orcs killed: none. Disappointing. Stubble update: I look rugged and manly.
Yes!
Keep wanting to drop-kick Gimli. Holding myself back.
Still not King.
Day Ten:
Sorry no entries lately. V. dark in Mines of Moria. Big Baelrog.
Not King today either.
Day Eleven:
Orcs killed: 7. V. good. Stubble update: Looking mangy.
Legolas may be hotter than me.
I wonder if he would like me if I was King?
Day 28:
Beginning to find Frodo disturbingly attractive. Have a feeling if I
make a move, Sam would kill me. Also, hairy feet kind of a turn-off.
Still not King.
Day 30:
In Lothlorien. Think Galadriel was hitting on me. Saucy wench.
Nice chat with Boromir. He's not so bad.
Took a shower. Yay!
But still not King.
Day 32:
Orcs killed: none. Stubble update: subtly hairy.
Legolas told me that a shadow and a threat had been growing in his mind.
I think Legolas might be kinda gay.
Nope, not King.
Day 33:
Orcs killed: Countless thousands. V. good.
Boromir killed by Orcs. Bummer. Though he died bravely in my arms, am
now quite sure that he was very definitely gay.
Not so sure about Gimli either.
RIP Boromir.
Still not King, but at least Boromir seemed to think I was. Might
however have been blood loss.
Day 34:
Frodo went to Mordor. Said he was going alone, but took Sam with him. Why?
My God, is everyone in this movie gay but me?
Not so sure about me either.
Still not King, goddammit.
Part TWO
Day 1:
Ran forty miles across Rohan. No squirrels to eat.
Gimli looking about roasting size. Have been told dwarf tastes like chicken.
Still not King.
Stubble update: satisfactory.
Day 2:
Ran into army of Rohirrim. Asked Eomer if he knew where hobbits were.
Got v. cagey answer.
Perhaps Eomer still mad about that last bender I went on where I painted rude
words in Elvish all over his horse.
Decided not to mention he has obviously copied hairstyle from Legolas.
He wouldn't be giving me this attitude if I were King.
Day 3:
Once you've seen one pile of smoking dead Orcs, you've seen 'em all.
That's all I'm sayin.'
Day 4:
Ran into Gandalf.
Turns out he did not actually die but instead was forced by Balrog to sell out to
laundry detergent company and is now Gandalf the Sparkly White.
PR whore.
Next thing he'll be charging for pointy hat trick.
Day 6:
In Edoras.
King Theoden giving me attitude.
He was all, "Are you King here? Last time I checked, I was King here.
I'm lookin' around and I don't see anyone else with a crown on his head. Eh? Eh?"
Was forced to admit I am indeed still not King.
In revenge, stole his wallet when he was not looking and used it to open charge
account at Gap of Rohan. Have bought matching poke bonnets for Gimli and Legolas.
Day 7:
Suspect Eowyn fancies me. Cannot blame her as stubble so manly is turning even self on.
Day 9:
Fell over cliff. Stupid wolves of Isengard.
Think was rescued by Arwen but when woke up was kissing my horse. Bit of a squick there.
Have lost favorite sparkly necklace in river.
Feeling v. petulant as there is no such thing as bad jewelry.
Well, maybe Ring.
Stubble update: wet.
Day 12:
Triumphant return to Helm's Deep. Got hugged by Gimli.
As if I needed to be reminded that he is belt buckle height yet again.
Necklace returned to me by Legolas, yay!
He muttered something in Elvish that could have been "You're late" or could have been
"Throw me down and shag me rotten."
Not entirely sure which. Must brush up on Elvish as do not wish to presume.
Still not King but too busy keeping up men's morale to brood.
Upcoming battle should be piece of cake, really.
Day 14:
Standing on battlements of Helm's Deep.
Absolutely ridiculous number of Orcs headed this way.
Who are we kidding anyway. We are so fucked. Perhaps this place has a side door.
Day 14:, Later
Elves have sent army of most willowy and graceful warriors to assist us.
Will be no use at fighting of course but at least I will die looking at something pretty.
Theoden keeps muttering, "It's unbelievable!" about elf army.
Was forced to agree -- it is unbelievable that Haldir's eyebrows do not match his weave.
Keep trying to sneak out side door, but Gimli following me everywhere.
Will never be King at this rate.
Day 15:
Unexpectedly victorious in battle of Helm's Deep, but celebration ruined by obnoxious
postcard from Faramir, which included picture of himself on beaches of Osgiliath with tiny
Ringbearer and fat companion, sharing a pina colada and wearing colorful shorts.
Postcard reads:
Dear Aragorn,
Thanks for the Ring and the hobbits. They are small, but v. bendy.
Just what I always wanted! Still have fond memories of that night we spent together in Minas Tirith.
Love and kisses, Faramir.
God damn Faramir.
Might as well just have let Boromir have the Ring and cut out the middleman.
At least I know Sam will kill him if he tries anything.
Still not King.
Those that know me well have had possibly to suffer throught the whole explaination of my history of gaming (both old school AD&D and online gaming), my interactions with the Suzerain of Sloth waaaaaay back in Monarchy, and numerous other things, to get the not-so-simple answer to "why AragornSoS?". I guess the title of my blog is no different... it comes from an inside joke that spun out of me using AragornSoS as the member name for darn near every online IM service there is, and one of my co-workers stumbling across this hilarious "Secret Diary of Aragorn" online one day shortly after the first LoTR movie was released a couple of years ago.
Ever since then, I'll get random IMs from him stating nothing more than "Not king yet, damn it!" and various other spins on that theme. So I figured, why not?
Plus, the Microsoft Exchange team already took the much cooler title "You Had Me at EHLO".
For those that want to read the document that spawned all of this, here is...
THE SECRET DIARY OF ARAGORN, SON OF ARATHORN
PART ONE
Day One:
Ringwraiths killed: 4. V. good.
Met up with Hobbits. Walked forty miles. Skinned a squirrel and ate it.
Still not King.
Day Four:
Stuck on mountain with Hobbits. Boromir really annoying.
Not King yet.
Day Six:
Orcs killed: none. Disappointing. Stubble update: I look rugged and manly.
Yes!
Keep wanting to drop-kick Gimli. Holding myself back.
Still not King.
Day Ten:
Sorry no entries lately. V. dark in Mines of Moria. Big Baelrog.
Not King today either.
Day Eleven:
Orcs killed: 7. V. good. Stubble update: Looking mangy.
Legolas may be hotter than me.
I wonder if he would like me if I was King?
Day 28:
Beginning to find Frodo disturbingly attractive. Have a feeling if I
make a move, Sam would kill me. Also, hairy feet kind of a turn-off.
Still not King.
Day 30:
In Lothlorien. Think Galadriel was hitting on me. Saucy wench.
Nice chat with Boromir. He's not so bad.
Took a shower. Yay!
But still not King.
Day 32:
Orcs killed: none. Stubble update: subtly hairy.
Legolas told me that a shadow and a threat had been growing in his mind.
I think Legolas might be kinda gay.
Nope, not King.
Day 33:
Orcs killed: Countless thousands. V. good.
Boromir killed by Orcs. Bummer. Though he died bravely in my arms, am
now quite sure that he was very definitely gay.
Not so sure about Gimli either.
RIP Boromir.
Still not King, but at least Boromir seemed to think I was. Might
however have been blood loss.
Day 34:
Frodo went to Mordor. Said he was going alone, but took Sam with him. Why?
My God, is everyone in this movie gay but me?
Not so sure about me either.
Still not King, goddammit.
Part TWO
Day 1:
Ran forty miles across Rohan. No squirrels to eat.
Gimli looking about roasting size. Have been told dwarf tastes like chicken.
Still not King.
Stubble update: satisfactory.
Day 2:
Ran into army of Rohirrim. Asked Eomer if he knew where hobbits were.
Got v. cagey answer.
Perhaps Eomer still mad about that last bender I went on where I painted rude
words in Elvish all over his horse.
Decided not to mention he has obviously copied hairstyle from Legolas.
He wouldn't be giving me this attitude if I were King.
Day 3:
Once you've seen one pile of smoking dead Orcs, you've seen 'em all.
That's all I'm sayin.'
Day 4:
Ran into Gandalf.
Turns out he did not actually die but instead was forced by Balrog to sell out to
laundry detergent company and is now Gandalf the Sparkly White.
PR whore.
Next thing he'll be charging for pointy hat trick.
Day 6:
In Edoras.
King Theoden giving me attitude.
He was all, "Are you King here? Last time I checked, I was King here.
I'm lookin' around and I don't see anyone else with a crown on his head. Eh? Eh?"
Was forced to admit I am indeed still not King.
In revenge, stole his wallet when he was not looking and used it to open charge
account at Gap of Rohan. Have bought matching poke bonnets for Gimli and Legolas.
Day 7:
Suspect Eowyn fancies me. Cannot blame her as stubble so manly is turning even self on.
Day 9:
Fell over cliff. Stupid wolves of Isengard.
Think was rescued by Arwen but when woke up was kissing my horse. Bit of a squick there.
Have lost favorite sparkly necklace in river.
Feeling v. petulant as there is no such thing as bad jewelry.
Well, maybe Ring.
Stubble update: wet.
Day 12:
Triumphant return to Helm's Deep. Got hugged by Gimli.
As if I needed to be reminded that he is belt buckle height yet again.
Necklace returned to me by Legolas, yay!
He muttered something in Elvish that could have been "You're late" or could have been
"Throw me down and shag me rotten."
Not entirely sure which. Must brush up on Elvish as do not wish to presume.
Still not King but too busy keeping up men's morale to brood.
Upcoming battle should be piece of cake, really.
Day 14:
Standing on battlements of Helm's Deep.
Absolutely ridiculous number of Orcs headed this way.
Who are we kidding anyway. We are so fucked. Perhaps this place has a side door.
Day 14:, Later
Elves have sent army of most willowy and graceful warriors to assist us.
Will be no use at fighting of course but at least I will die looking at something pretty.
Theoden keeps muttering, "It's unbelievable!" about elf army.
Was forced to agree -- it is unbelievable that Haldir's eyebrows do not match his weave.
Keep trying to sneak out side door, but Gimli following me everywhere.
Will never be King at this rate.
Day 15:
Unexpectedly victorious in battle of Helm's Deep, but celebration ruined by obnoxious
postcard from Faramir, which included picture of himself on beaches of Osgiliath with tiny
Ringbearer and fat companion, sharing a pina colada and wearing colorful shorts.
Postcard reads:
Dear Aragorn,
Thanks for the Ring and the hobbits. They are small, but v. bendy.
Just what I always wanted! Still have fond memories of that night we spent together in Minas Tirith.
Love and kisses, Faramir.
God damn Faramir.
Might as well just have let Boromir have the Ring and cut out the middleman.
At least I know Sam will kill him if he tries anything.
Still not King.
{Semi} Intelligent Message Filtering
So, with the announcement of the release of the Intelligent Message Filter from Microsoft, we did the usual - test for a week in the lab, then roll in a "logging only" configuration to the servers. Sounds simple right? Log only, get a solid baseline to figure out where we might want to archive or force messages to land in the Junk Mail folder for end users... except, well, I had folks that weren't even on Outlook 2003 suddenly seeing most of their messages land in a mysterious new "Junk Mail" folder. I had folks who were on Outlook 2003 suddenly see messages landing in Junk Mail, and they had Junk Mail disabled. I even had one Entourage 2004 user (that's right, a MAC user!) see things landing in Junk Mail. And this with the system set to a threshold where only the spammiest of spams MIGHT still get moved into Junk Mail, but really, who's going to care if they don't get their notice about *V ~ I ~ A ~ G ~ R ~ A*! or something (apparently this chap will).
Well then, everything just hunky dory.... except for that one pesky, undocumented step of needing to restart the Store service on every mailbox server in your environment after installing the IMF. Many thanks to the folks at MS for helping us work thru the issue, it's nice to see that you guys read your own public newsgroups.
Squeaky wheel and all that I guess...
6.02.2004
Testing NewsGator
Testing out this new plug in I just dloaded for NewsGator. If it works, man oh man will it be easy to post updates to the ole blog... :)
6.01.2004
Am I King YET?
I Am! I AM KING FINALLY!
more to come...
more to come...
