In my efforts to get rid of scratchtowin, I temporarily installed a proxy based internet filter hoping to block popups. This app came with an uninstaller, but it did not restore the browser settings to no longer use proxy (under connections... settings). Today I also figured out that I needed to check "Use NetBIOS" (under TCP/IP... Advanced... WINS). This deduction was partly due to my use of ping (ah, the command prompt: it failed to be able to ping the Server IP address). But also in attempting to correct the problem, it was simply the last stone unturned.

Readers of this weblog will be treated to more postings, at least until next week when I go on vacation to Florida. I will bring my PDA and my cell phone, and if time I will try the connectivity feature they have there for data (as high as 6kbps!) but only if I get it working here at home first.

Most folks who have been promoted in the software industry to management positions have gotten in the door with their technical skills. Then, they are given jobs which include social skills, negotiating skills as the key to success. The candidate is weaker in these areas (usually) and, in working with other similarly weak team leaders, makes for a tense work environment. Two remedies include 1) always allowing leaders to continue to be individual contributors on the project using 10 or 15% of their time, and 2) bring in some nontechnical managers who have technical aptitude to do the more political jobs. After all, just because someone is good at something, does that mean they shouldn;t do it anymore?

comment []7:16:22 AM