The Interface

For you Techies...

2006-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

*Windows Vista Installed in Dual Boot Configuration*

I have to say that RC1 has a much more complete feel. The installation went smoothly, provided I had left some unpartitioned space on my Hard Drive. I left 60GB for the OS and applications, and my media/data will be stored on my XP Partition (215 GB), easing my ability to access any data created in Vista.

IE 7 is stable, and only had some hiccups with Java on some Mapping sites. This may be due to the Beat version of Java for Vista (Version 6.0 Standard Edition).

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 14 (8.130.1001) installed smoothly. I always install as minimally as possible and Trend's install wizard does a great job providing a Minimal option. This installed only the antivirus component including a real-time scanner. It required a restart, but for some reason, even after the restart, it left the Windows Firewall disabled. It did not install it's own firewall, so maybe it had prepared the system and then forgot to finish up.

I will keep you posted as I continue testing, but for now, I'd say I am much more likely to transition my daily use (at least at home) to Vista than ever before. At the office, I have too many mission critical apps to know yet if Vista will allow me to carry on with business.

Also, My Beta 2 key works fine with RC1, so don't worry about which key to use. Microsoft never sent me a key for my RC1 download anyway...
-Scott Mickelson
CEO/Consultant
Syscom Digital Technologies, LLC
www.syscomdt.com

Network my Social Life

2006-06-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Social Networking seems to be the talk of the Year. And I think for good reason. Being a business owner, I am still realizing the potential of networking,. I can list myself or my company on the internet, where I have to do very little to maintain the image, creating a simple way to create business and personal connections. I have tried many sites, such as Ryze, StartupNation, LinkedIn, and ZeroDegrees. I haven't decided which has been most helpful yet, as not much activity has occured. Perhaps I haven't been active enough to see any results.( I'll post back when I have more experience) ZeroDegrees had errors during the "Join Now" process, so I cannot give any info on its workings. Well, more later on Social Networking, it's back to work on a couple of proposals that are due shortly.

2006-03-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

My current Company Logo, undergoing a redesign by a friend of mine with some radical Graphics skills.

Everyone needs a friend

2006-03-21T16:20:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs a friend at some point right? Well, I have befriended many people since I last posted on here. I've also befriended my job, and allowed it priveliges it should have never had.. But I've put an end to that one way relationship and now my work and I are on good terms. :v) The best part is that I am now enjoying what I do because I do it for a whole different reason. The reason I now work is to serve God. I cannot serve God while serving myself. When I serve God by working hard and giving back to those in need, He takes care of me better than I ever could. And the best part is that I have a joy that fills my life like none other. By the way, I am a Small Business owner (otherwise known as an Entreprenuer). I don't pride myself in that title, but know that Glory to God, I have been given the skills to start, run, and make a profit in my own business. It certainly is no walk in the park, but it is most rewarding to know that you are responsible for your success (and failure).
Anyway, to summarize how I was living before, I would wake up and go straight to work in my office that is just down the Hall. I would stay there, or make runs to Clients locations to consult all day long. Sometimes it was a full day of reasearch, sometimes it would be writing estimates, invoices, e-mails, documentation, etc for an entire day. And I mean entire! Then, I would make a small amount of time to hang out with a friend or my wife to be, before I'd crash and get up to do it all over again. I was laying so much blame on myself for not getting all of the results I hoped for, so I would just force myself to accomplish more. This only lasted until I'd burnout, get angry and frustrated, and begin to resent my job. VERY unhealthy for a 23 year old and certainly not the life I had planned. I started to give my work over to God last year and also began to tithe out of the revenues. This began my slow process of letting go of my business and giving the burden to God. I continue to submit my needs to God and to my Wife on a near daily basis, but I have miles to go before I am totally free to live.

Found my account

2006-03-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

Wow, I guess I neeeded to find my account sooner. I wouldn't have even realized I still had this blog, except for that familiar Orange "B" in the Google toolbar that I just downloaded. Great stuff. Well, I'll post more later.

Time for an update

2004-07-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Since I have completely neglected this site, I guess I need to redeem myself. I have been a busy guy. Traveling to Boise, Portland, Fourth of July, Ending a Contract with my biggest client, putting my dirtbike up for sale, rebuilding my resume, applying for a new job, running as a hobby, downhill mountainbiking, seperating from my girlfriend in order to persue a complete relationship with Jesus Christ. You must be thinking... This guy really has lost it... and I'll admit, I've lost everything... by giving it up to my savior and letting him handle it. Let me tell you, it has been the most amazing thing I've ever done with my life. I have nothing to worry about any longer. I approach everything in my life with a new found sense of grace and love. I am learning to love everyone, even my enemies, and I truly value every minute of every day.

Gnarly Weekend

2004-06-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well I had one insane time with my girlfriend and some friends riding ATV's in the Mountains of Idaho. Things couldn't really have gone any better. I send many thanks to God for keeping everyone safe. I am so greatful for the abilities He has given me. I managed to spend about 5 to 8 hours each day freshening up my 4x4 ATV skills. Now, many may think this type of riding is lame and uneventful, but I'm here to tell you otherwise. Come for a session in the mountains with me and I will show you how it's done. Spending the rest of the time gathered around the campfire was especially relaxing. The weekend allowed me to see that my relationship with God needs a lot more attention. So I am here, back in Missoula, scouring the internet for resources to feed my hunger. I have found a great deal of interest Boise, Idaho. It seems that my searches send me back to Idaho every time! A Great resource is the Calvary Chapel site. What an amazing Website. It contains a wealth of information about every ministry of the church, audio files, backgrounds, etc... Located in guess where, Boise. Well, enough of the oddities, the fact that there is a ton of information about ministries relating to core sports(being BMX, skateboarding, moto-x, wakeboarding, etc) is very encouraging to me right now. It seems that I need to merge my work into something of this sort to spread the word of God while maintaining the interest of our youth.

UN ICT Task Force

2004-05-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

Look at this! I recently discovered this specialized branch of the United Nations aimed at using technology for positive outcomes. I like how this mission statement sounds, now if I can only dig deeper into this organization to see how effective their governmental process is...
"...we look to you to help build digital bridges to the billions of people who are now trapped in extreme poverty, untouched by the digital revolution and beyond the reach of the global economy."
Take a look at their site, www.unicttaskforce.org, for more information. What an incredible resource for future endeavors. I know the last post seemed to just drop off, but I couldn't wait to look into what the UN's role in using technology to help impoverished nations. The Sleepytime Tea is making me very drowsy. -Zzzzzz-

Back At Home

2004-05-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

I made it. Spokane and back in a little over 24 hours. Seems like a long time, but if you consider the fact that I spent 8 of those hours sleeping and 6 driving to and from, the day becomes nothing more than a blink. Luckily, I was able to spend it with the most wonderful girl in the world and her good friend. What on earth is going down in Spokane? Wouldn't you like to know. Well, it seems to me that the whole place is blowin up. I must say that leaving town for a road trip, even though it was short, is always refreshing, allowing you to get a new perspective on old news. I guess this could be a good point to explain a little about the place and time I am in. I guess I'd be labeled as an entrepreneur, as I am running my own business. Who would ever believe that there would be so much involved with such a task. Now, occasionally, I let it get the best of me, but by Gods everlasting Grace, I manage to keep a level head and make the best of it. Contrary to most belief, giving yourself time off is about as hard as swimming without arms. It can be done, but trusting that everything is going to be alright when you take that breath and leave the solid ground for even a moment requires a great deal of faith. On top of that, you know that work is waiting for you when you come back to it, no one else is answering your calls or informing clients that you cannot wait to be back at their mercy. Well, I managed to do exactly this, escape for one day. Besides having to disinfect everyone's favorite virus, W32.Sasser, while using a laptop I brought along, I managed to stay away from my duties as owner and employee of Syscom Digital Technologies. What relief to check my Inbox moments ago only to find several test messages sent out on Saturday while at work. No one begging for my attention, what luck. Morning is coming too soon. Enjoy.

Looking at the Future

2004-05-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have been entirely intrigued by the current state of affairs that we overlook so often. The fact that we are allowing people in third world countries to die every day, while we go to walmart and buy our price-cut discount throw away furniture and temporary entertainment. Its a vicious cycle that must be stopped. What can we DO? Why not start with taking a close look at our habitual daily doings that are completely unnecessary? Maybe we don't need to rent a video each night... Maybe we can get away without buying a new car this year. Maybe we don't need to buy the latest George Foreman product or invest in the newest turbo-charged, super scrubbing, floor flossin, waste managing household cleaning device. Maybe we just need to get down on our hands and knees and take out that trusty wash cloth. Why get so worked up over this? Because People are Dying! And we as consumers are at the least partly responsible for it. You've got to ask yourself what you have done to help the situation.

Well How About It!

2004-05-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

I finally started one of these post and hope sites. Just wondering what will become of this makes my mind move in a thousand directions at once. Well I'm certain there are many posts to come.