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Welcome to SimGuy.net! Here you will find information about me, my hobbies, and my projects. I will try to blog some happenings in my life or rant about things that bug me at least a few times a month. Anything I post is fair game for comments and public ridicule, so interact by all means!

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Words of Seldom

Sunday, April 20, 2008

[Comments: 0] 3:40 AM - from the firefox-3-is-in-my-way dept:

Firefox version 3.0 has implemented a new user "protection" feature which forces phishing scam reports and SSL certificate mismatch errors to be full page messages which completely block access to the page. I can accept the phishing scam feature because it is possible to disable the warnings entirely if they bother you.

The SSL error page, to its credit, allows you to bypass it if you like, as there are some sites which legitimately use an SSL certificate that cannot be fully verified. I see the types of cases where this happens daily in my line of work. The problem is, the old verification method from 2.x and below resulted in up to two dialog boxes, in which the defaults were to accept the issue and continue with a single click each. In orther words, two clicks total. The new behavior requires no less than five clicks:

  1. Click the link which un-hides the button that allows you to add an exception.
  2. Click the button to add an exception.
  3. Click the button in the new window to re-fetch the certificate that it didn't like.
  4. Click the button to add the exception.
  5. Reload the page.

This assumes that the new window that pops up already contains the URL you tried to go to, which sometimes seems not to be the case and causes you to have to type and click many additional times.

I filed a bug about this, because I am not willing to accept the need to do more than double the work previously needed to access sites without fully validated certificates. The response so far seems to suggest they don't consider my use case worthy of consideration.

I know that a lot of customers of Steadfast will be frustrated by this change as well. To get a "validated" certificate, you must pay a yearly fee to have your certificate signed and then install it properly on your server. In a lot of cases, this is simply not worth the money, since an unsigned certificate still accomplishes the basic goal of encrypting the information sent to and from the system. I consider the idea of trusting some random set of "certificate authorities" to arbitrate who is and is not to be trusted by me based solely on who is willing to pay them up to hundreds of dollars per year a bit of a scam. I believe that self-signing of certificates ought to be an acceptable practice for users that just need encryption and don't need any fancy "seal of approval" from a mystery corporation.

That said, the reasoning for the more complex blocking of the page is somewhat sound from Mozilla's standpoint. Users can sometimes be victims of "man-in-the-middle" attacks, in which someone manages to get a computer in between the user and the real server, allowing them to create an encrypted but compromised session. In such a case, it would be less likely that the destination would happen to have a validated certificate (though it's not impossible and thus this does not actually guarantee anyone's safety when using SSL). For most users, adding a five-click exception is fine once in a while, but when you need to do this many, many times a day like I do, this is a major irritation and impedes workflow.

The way to solve it is simple. I'd like a way to specify a set of network address ranges to which these certificate verification steps do not apply. However, it seems as though Firefox developers are not going to help me out, so I decided to find a quick way to reduce the number of clicks to a predictable two or fewer. I have found that it's pretty easy to edit the Firefox "chrome" to do so. There are only two files that affect this user interface, called "netError.xhtml" and "exceptionDialog.js" and changing the behavior was simple, though for the purposes of getting what I want, I didn't really care to make sure I did things "the right way."

I edited netError.xhtml to eliminate the first click. netError.xhtml is found in the "toolkit.jar" file in your Firefox home directory (it's just a zip file) at the path content/global/. The changes I made are here. I edited exceptionDialog.js to eliminate the third and fifth clicks. exceptionDialog.js is found in the "pippki.jar" file (also a zip file) within content/pippki/. The changes I made to it are here.

After doing this, I repackaged the updated files back inside their respective jar files. As a side note, you can also eliminate click number 4 if you add a line that reads "addException();" directly below the line "checkCert();" which will make the first click add the exception with no further prompts. I didn't do this because I want the chance to review the certificate, should I run into a site on which an unvalidated certificate actually bothers me.

If Mozilla does not want to fix this problem for me, I may consider maintaining the adjustments an an extension. However, I'm not familiar with Firefox extensions or the work needed to replace "built-in" files using extensions, so if anyone wants to save me the work of RTFMing, and give me some advice or a working extension, I won't complain. :)

For now, at least I have a solution that works to avoid so many unnecessary extra clicks.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

[Comments: 0] 5:36 AM - from the birthday dept:

The earth has made it around the sun about 26 times now since I was born. I didn't really have any plans for the day, but I have to thank my friend Steph for insisting that I should do something. We ended up meeting up on the north side with Karl for some pizza and bowling and a good time was had.

Now that I am 26... I am no longer 25! Hmm...

Thanks to anyone that sent a happy birthday wish or a gift via any media. :)

There are a few things of note I think:

For some reason my iPod Mini had long ago stopped working or charging correctly. When I dug it out from my boxes of belongings, I couldn't even get it to be detected as by the computer, but then I left it plugged in for 10 days and it magically started to work again. I don't believe iPods can heal, but this one seems to. Now that it works again, I can take my music along with me again on planes, trains, and in automobiles!

My sister gave me a PSP game called "Atari Classics Evolved" for my birthday. I am really enjoying this game so far because it includes Pong, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Super Breakout, Warlords, and a number of other amazingly cool Atari games in both original and "evolved" (modernized) forms. The modern forms are a lot of fun, as are the classes, but I have one complaint: The D-Pad does acceleration when you hold it down. This makes the place a paddle stops when I try to move it back and forth frequently difficult to time properly, and in the classic versions of the game, nearly impossible to control stop in the middle of the screen. I am getting the hang of it though and enjoying the results!

I just finally got the last of my utilities switched over (or I should say that I "applied" to have switched over). My power service with ComEd apparently has to go through about a 5 step review process. The first two steps happen in about 10 minutes, then the third step automatically fails, and has to be processed manually, which takes up to 5 days. Step 2 is the "acceptance" of the order and step 3 is the "processing" of the order. After step 3, you get a confirmation email, and in mine I've been told that my account number is a string of 9s. This seems wrong. Supposedly I will find now that my account will become active and I will then be billed, but I am not yet convinced this will happen. How can an electric company (or any company) be this disorganized and slow?

Finally and somewhat to my glee, John McCain is now the Republican nominee for president of the United States. He's the most acceptable viable candidate I saw on that side, and I am content to vote for him. Now all that remains is to decide the Democratic nomination. I do not think I can vote for Clinton, so I am pulling for Obama to win, and the numbers seem to strongly suggest that he can clinch the nomination with only a few modest wins and that it will be nearly impossible for Hillary to do so unless she wins big in several. If this race turns out to be McCain vs. Obama, I'll be very excited. I have a feeling that we can look forward to some very honorable campaigns with real ideas, interesting and thoughtful debates, and a generally high level of discourse we're owed from presidential candidates. I don't think Hillary knows how to do this and I don't know that she's level-headed enough to carry the country in the new direction she claims to intend to take it.

Friday, February 29, 2008

[Comments: 1] 4:05 AM - from the wonderful-words dept:

For some reason, the word "ridiculous" has recently become an important part of my vocabulary. I always knew this word existed and how to use it, but I generally didn't think to use it when an opportunity arose. I would say something was "absurd" or "crazy" or "nuts" instead of "ridiculous."

On some date, fairly recently, someone used the word in a conversation with me and from that point on it seems to have become the first word I can think of to describe something absurd. I feel that much I encounter is, in fact, ridiculous and now I have trouble managing not to use the word constantly.

I've actually been trying to force myself to use alternatives to avoid sounding like I favor the word especially, but I do. Why do I like this word so much suddenly? Why is it that nearly anything that happens that I find preposterous, I am compelled to call it ridiculous?

It's ridiculous.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

[Comments: 0] 5:47 AM - from the holy-crap-I've-moved-in dept:

It really did happen. I closed on my condo on January 25th, 2008 and I am now officially a home owner, in the sense that I own 15% of this home and 85% belongs to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Regardless, this whole place is mine, and it is already largely unpacked and organized.

I still have a few bins of stuff that needs to be disbursed around the condo, but it's the stuff I don't really use or need, and I'm on the verge of just dumping it down the trash chute to make my life easier. Probably won't do that though. :)

Anyway, I moved in on the Saturday following the closing with Curt's assistance. The following week, my dad drove in with some items from Long Island I wanted to take and he helped me settle in further. We managed to get in a washer/dryer unit and additional storage and wired everything I have up in appropriate ways. My parents and sister are on their way back here later today to help me decorate and organize even more, so I should have a busy weekend, bleeding into early next week.

There are few issues with the place, though the most worthy of note is that the floor is uneven in some areas and has some flexing, indicating there's space under the floor. I have a work order in, but they're taking their time getting it repaired. I'll keep on them until it's fixed. I don't want to have my floors go bad in a few years because the construction people didn't put things together properly.

Nothing else is really new. I've been immersed in the condo project since it finally began, only 4 - 6 months past its original delivery date, and I haven't really gotten to too much else. Give me a few more weeks and perhaps I can get into a stable routine that lends itself to more fun stuff.

There are some pictures of the place hiding somewhere. The ones from the 21st are from the walk through, the 30th represent the initial organization, and the 5th show it roughly as it is now, though it's gotten significantly less cluttery since. I am also not still sitting there waving in the direction of the television.

I have a new local phone number and an address. If you need them, check my Facebook profile or email me!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

[Comments: 0] 3:13 AM - from the really-really-moving-soon dept:

My attorney finally confirmed with the developer that the fifth floor is ready to close and scheduled my closing tentatively for January 30th at 2 PM. In order to speed this up, I checked in with my mortgage consultant and confirmed that there would be no problem with moving up the closing to the 25th instead.

I have a walk through scheduled for Monday morning at 11 AM in which I will be able to inspect the unit and confirm it meets the requirements and specifications of what I am purchasing. If everything proves to be in good order, I will aim to proceed with the closing on the 25th as planned with a likely attempt to move in on Saturday.

This could really, really mean I'm moving into my own (owned) home in a week! I am so excited and nervous at this point that I'm going to probably have a fairly restless week.

I just started making final preparations, including transferring money needed to bring to the closing, as well as getting together insurance, and I will have to schedule TV and Internet hookups soon.

I've been waiting 4 to 6 months for this all to finally come together and it seems at this time it's really happening. If you might read this and be around on Saturday and want to help me move my stuff, let me know. :)

Time to own something that costs more than I make in a year! Yay! :)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

[Comments: 1] 4:19 AM - from the rouding-the-end-of-the-year dept:

It's been a good three months since I last posted, and I suppose that's fine and dandy if you are otherwise informed on what I am doing, which you most likely will be if I talk to you more than once every three months.....

Many things have happened, but of all that could have, one thing has carefully managed not to happen: I have not moved into my condo yet.

After three or four sets of scheduled closing dates, all of which have been quite completely missed, I am informed that occupancy certificates were not granted, first because of the lack of proper power configuration, and second because of incorrect lighting in the parking garage for emergencies, in violation of fire code. The word is, as of now, they are finally scheduling for closing and/or closing units on the second, third and fourth floors. This continues to exclude me, as lucky as I am, on the fifth floor.

I have from the mortgage agent and my attorney that I should be able to see a closing around the middle of January, which seems to be reasonably plausible at this point. I have actually seen movement in and around the building, so I feel confident that things are finally progressing. If need be, I can hang on for another couple weeks, but after that, Clark's lease begins to approach due, and if his rent goes up or he decides to move, that's going to put me in a bad spot. Here's hoping everything goes as re-re-replanned.

If it does, my parents will attempt to bring out various belongings to me during the next scheduled school break for my Mom, with my Dad packing his truck and driving things westward. I expect to be able to settle in with what I already have, lacking only some auxiliary items that would make the place more comfortable.

It was recently revealed to me that I will be receiving a raise of approximately 20% starting this January, which, where I had previously had any doubts about my financial status after my mortgage began, I am no longer especially concerned. I am supposed to be receiving a bonus for the holidays which I am hoping to put, in part, toward a new laptop, given my existing is over three years old and starting to slow me down.

My plans for the holidays begin quite soon. On Saturday, I will be flying back to Long Island to visit with my parents and my sister. We will celebrate Christmas at home, and also in Maryland with some slightly more extended family on my mom's side. I'll be there until the 30th, then returning to Chicago. Clark will be hosting a New Year's party with a fair turnout confirmed, so it should be a good time.

Ray will be in town around that time, as he's going to help us catch up on some work needing to be done at Steadfast, including some new automation tools, and some testing of new equipment and technology for future product offerings. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty with some new toys, with a hopeful chance that I might not be interrupted every 20 minutes with regular work.

I want to wish everyone joyous holidays of all kinds, including Secretary's Day and Independence Day, but most of all, Happy New Year, and Merry Christmas.

(Just a note, I have posted another fairly lengthly revelation below at about the same time, should you want to read on.)

[Comments: 3] 4:17 AM - from the this-changes-nothing-for-you dept:

It was recently revealed to me that a group of friendly folks regularly meet up (once monthly) to hang out and play board games. This group was introduced to me through a dating web site, but someone who happened upon my profile. I decided to give it a shot, and I had a lot of fun, so I've opened a door to a new set of potential friends and regular social activity, as had been much needed for me.

What turns out more significant, for me, but what should not be particularly important to you in knowing me, is that this particular group is known as "Gay Gamers" and may yet help me to find a relationship in the long run. It is in that fact, that as far as this web site goes, I am revealing that I am gay.

This is not information that I feel the need to widely publish or advertise out of irrelevant circles, but it is one I am disinterested in hiding. The Gay Gamers group on Facebook was created shortly after the event I attended two weekends prior, and I joined that group (which was marked quite clearly in my profile). I was also tagged in photos from the meetup. In doing so, the omission of my preference for dating men was revealed, so I decided it was justified that I simply make it explicit. It is now done.

This basically completes the "outing" of myself on the Internet, as I have informed those finding me via MySpace, via online forums, IM or IRC, and now and finally Facebook and my web site.

I am concerned that my cousins, aunts, uncles, and other close relatives, who do not yet know I am gay may react negatively to the information listed in Facebook or on my web site, should they read either. I have been considering discussing this revelation with my cousins when I see them during the holidays (though I don't want to force a discussion if there's no opening).

If any of my family (or anyone else) should read this prior my making it known in person, I will be happy to talk in person, on the phone, or via any other media about it. I hope, if it does come as a surprise, that it comes as no disappointment to you, as I am content with being gay and it really has nothing to do with you. It changes nothing as far as my personality, my points of view (on anything), my ambitions, or anything else about me. And as it goes, if it is something that you are unable to get past, then you'll have to deal with that on your own, as much as that saddens me.

I will, for now, not post about this matter again, nor will I rewrite my "about" page to indicate that I am gay, as, if I were straight, I would certainly not think to include that information in a general summary of myself.

I like to refer to this quote by Grey's Anatomy cast member T.R. Knight when dealing with the overall significance of my being gay to people who don't want to date me:

"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

If this revelation changes everything for you, with respect to me, then our relationship and what you know about me is all wrong. Only you can know whether that's true, but if it is, then you can now make the choice about whether you want to fix it, or lose it. I certainly hope the former.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

[Comments: 0] 5:33 AM - from the yay-moving dept:

I called up the sales office for my condo today and they told me letters went out this past week informing us that they're approaching the closing date! From what I am told, my unit will be ready for my inspection on October 1st, and closing on October 8th. My plan is to probably move on October 13th or so, since that's a weekend and will not interfere with work.

Now I've got to get some preparation work done as things close in, so I'll probably be nutty, excited, and frazzled for the next 35 days or so. ;)

Archive

But wait... There's more! Jump back in time a month or two and take a look at what I had to say then. It'll make me happy. Isn't that reason enough?