That would be so cool. Well, probably very stressful too, especially now with the U.S. dollar going down the toilet. But still, to be in charge of a behemoth, a Cash Machine, that would be pretty neat. And complex!

With technology changing so rapidly, you’ve got to stay on the edge. I just read somewhere that Japan wants to or will ban file sharers. Someone commented that the situation might force most users to upgrade to military-level anonymity. That’s crazy. But everyone’s got to stay secure, no matter what their situation.

I found out that Pragma Systems has been keeping Fortune 500 companies secure for 16 years. They build and adapt networking software, focusing on the telnet and ssh space. IBM’s a customer. So is… Coca Cola! And Intel, Sony, Target, HP, etc. etc. etc. They’ve got their act together. Great customer service I’m told. HQ in Texas. Don’t mess with Texas!

Basically Pragma makes its money by ensuring the security, scalability, reliability, and speed of telnet and ssh connectivity for major corporations. And of course, they cover Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). Sounds good…

I got this a little while ago. Scary stuff.

[Begin Email]

From: paypal@securesuit.net
Subject: PayPal
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:39:57 +0100

We recently have determined that different computers have logged onto your Paypal account, and multiple password failures were present before the logons. We now need you to re-confirm your account information to us. If this is not completed by March 20, 2008, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes. We thank you for your cooperation in this manner. To confirm your Online Banking records click on the following link: >>> Click here <<< Thank you for your patience in this matter. Paypal Customer Service. Please do not reply to this e-mail as this is only a notification. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. 1999-2008 PayPal. All rights reserved.

[End Email]

Like most companies, I believe PayPal will never ask you to confirm anything via email. And of course, securesuit.net is not PayPal.

Lots of people use PayPal. I was just thinking that the difference between PayPal and a normal bank is that PayPal is probably far more universally used and recognized. So a scammer catering to PayPal customers would have a much larger "sucker" pool.

Don't be a sucker! If you get a message like that, forward it to spoof@paypal.com.

A little while ago I wrote about learning online. That’s cool, especially because it makes the task of learning so much simpler. But sometimes when you’re in charge, you’ll tell someone to go learn, and then wonder about it later. I mean, how can you judge whether someone has learned what they were supposed to? Sure, through testing, but when you’re the boss, you don’t have time to say, “Pop quiz, hot shot.” So what do you do?

Track them! Did you know there is software for training administration in a business or company, and that same software can track each “student’s” progress? It’s like having an extra set of eyes in your employee’s computer! Well, not as creepy as that. It’s like having a kindly butler to update you every time your “student” completes a lesson.

I found out about training administration through ConductIt.com. You can track employees as they receive new educational training, and as they work toward any sort of licensing. So like if you had someone working for you and they needed to be certified in something, you’d get the right program and then be able to watch and see how long it takes them to finish it. That would ensure that your workforce is kept up to date and cutting-edge at all times.

And if someone plays hooky, you’d know enough to justify giving them an F!

I don't know about you, but I like to drink water. Seriously. When I was younger, I didn't drink water nearly as much as I do now. I had heard that it's good for your overall health, and has ties with weight loss and radiant skin. But I could never seem to enjoy drinking excessive amounts of water.

But I've found that if you have a glass or bottle filled with cool water next to you at all times, you'll drink more than you thought possible.

Did you hear, though, that bottle water has been banned in some cities? It does make sense when you think about all the oil that is consumed and exhaust that is produced in the transport of that water over large distances. Hopefully we can finally clean up our tap situation, and remove all those drugs. Get yer drugs outta mah watuh!!

Any way, Coca Cola. Coke. Cocaine. No, just the soda. When I see it on TV, "Coca Cola, The Pause That Refreshes!!!" I think to myself, "Really?" Because lately I've come to realize that junky stuff like candy and chips tends to build up in the body. It's not easily processed. I mean you can actually feel it after a large greasy meal. And since coke has been compared with battery acid, it just seems weird to present it as an alternative to water.

Well, that's the vibe I get anyway. When I want a refreshing pause, I reach for a cold glass of water. But in the absence of water, a cold beverage of anything might be refreshing. But then it's just the liquid and temperature at work, and not necessarily the specific makeup of the drink. Then again, coke has that "zing" of caffeine and carbonation, and the bite of carbonic acid. It's the good ol' CCC, back to work thanks to FDR!

I really think that an ideal refreshing pause can only be had with pure water. Maybe Holy water. What if they started bottling Holy water? Well, I'd settle for deionized H2O, myself (plus reverse osmosis to pull out all the estrogen and horse tranquilizers).