A nice visitor

Today, we had our first real visitor to the house. Well, he was not really a visitor. It was the man who designed the house. The front part and the garage to be exact. Nice gentlemen. Just wanted to take a look and a picture. I tried to get him to come in but he appeared to be a little bit choked up. That was just my impression. He knew Mr. Heller and the information about the plane crash right up the hill a little ways above the house.

Yes, a previous owner (Mr.Heller) apparently died in a plane crash only about 100 yards from the house. At least he was close to home when it happened. I guess that is a good thing. That would be a good thing to me. I can't speak for anyone elses view. More on that later. That story is only a partial one which has been compiled from accounts of the even from either the last owners or friends of the Heller family. That makes it rather dubious as to the exact storyline.

I gave him my business card and asked him to e-mail me. I want to send him the photos I have taken of the house. That and I want to get his information to make a permenent record for the home. No matter who owns it. I hope he e-mails me once he gets back home (in Florida).

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Message my cell phone

In case you want to message me when I am not at home, send me a message to my cell phone. It does not cost me anything and I will get them when I leave the house.

Remember, there is a 100 character limit to these messages (Including blank spaces).

I still always recommend you e-mail me with the link button near the top of the left frame, but some people are hard to convince to use it. This goes under the "You can lead a horse to water......" theme.

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Cold feet should be accompanied by a guilty conscience.

Things here are starting to get back to full health. For the last 7 days, someone has had either a case of the flu or a stomach virus. This means I have had little ones snuggled up next to me every night. This also means a severe lack of restful sleep for me and someone constantly kicking me in the side 40 times a night.

This all night kicking routine is nothing new. I usually have Bridget doing that with her "feet of ice" every night. We had started putting a blanket in the dryer to heat up and then I would wrap her feet up to get them warm. Since she has been going to bed 2 hours later than me, she will not do it herself and thus can't get to sleep. That is not my fault so I keep a big barricade of pillows between us. That way, she can't stick her cold feet on my back to warm them up. You know, I should be mad when she does that, but she has done it for nearly 10 years now so I guess I am used to it now.

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What am I reading now?

Beowulf

The story of Beowulf is one of those rare books that can translate into modern times without much of a problem. If you want to read this book, there are several things you can do:

Buy it from Amazon.com,

E-mail me and I will send it to you to read on your PC (You must have Microsoft Reader® Installed to view it)

Go to the Library and check it out, (If your in Cincinnati, you can order it online through www.cincinnatilibrary.org)

I hope you take the time to read it. It is a short book-story and is a nice change from the stuff your probably reading now.

If your not able to seperate your hand from the TV remote, there is hope for you too. Breakout a copy of "The Thirteenth Warrior". It is another telling of Beowulf and is a fine item for all you couch potatos out there. You can pick it up around here for about $7.99 at the used DVD place near here.

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Well, if a free virus scan is not enough!

Well, I have had 4 notes right after posting the free virus scan information. There must be a lot of you who are not running antivirus software. Lets stop that practice right now!

If your not running antivirus software on your machine (for any reason), I want you click on Grisoft Antivirus right now! Then look down on the left frame till you see where it says AVG Free Edition. Click on it and get a copy of their Free Edition, Antivirus Software. I run the purchase copy on one of my systems and I like it. You need to protect yourself from all the nasty virus problems going around and this is the cheapest way to do it. You can't get any better than FREE!

If the link to the free edition has changed since I created this entry, just go to the main page and go from there to find it.

Now there is absolutely no reason why you should not be running an antivirus on your system. So for all those people who are asking me for ways of removing a virus! Ask no more because you will be protected.

Questions? Just ask me (The link to my e-mail is right there in the left hand frame) and I will answer to the best of my abilities. If your not willing to purchase antivirus software, or do manual scans with a free antivirus software version, then you can not expect me to help you out the next time your system gets infected. Do not expect me to put in the time to help you out with a virus, if your not willing to protect yourself in the first place.

This sofware was recently rcommended on Tech TV's "The Screen Savers".

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Free Antivirus scanner

In the last few days, I have had so many people ask me about this or that computer virus that I have reposted a link to the TrendMicro free virus scanner.

Just look over near the top of the left frame and you will see it moving and blinking. If your not viewing graphics with your browser, the accompanying text is there to tell you where to go.

This is only one of about 5 FREE antivirus scanners on the web, but it is my favorite for ease of use. If you feel you might have a virus and are currently not running any antivirus, please go here and clean your machine. Even if it does not detect a virus in the scan, at least you know you are virus free.

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Virus is masquerading as a PayPal account notice:

This is not an Urban Legend

Don't be fooled by an email circulating the Internet disguised PayPal account expiration notice. The worm will arrive in your email claiming that you must run the attachment to keep your PayPal account active. The attachment prompts you for private information including your credit card number, social security number and mother's maiden name. If you open the infected attachment, the virus will also send itself to email addresses it collects from your address book. Please always use extra caution when opening emails with attachments. I have persoanlly received over 60 of these in the last few weeks. I will not use Paypal due to its security problems and client problems so I have deleted every one right away.

For more information on this, please go to your antivirus software's website. All of them should have it up and listed since this is a fairly high incident level at the current time.

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Tonight was nice

We spent the afternoon at our friends the Mannings. Had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner and all. Even sat down and watched a football game. I think the last time I sat down and watched a football game was in 1986. I didn't even care who the winner was. It was just relaxing.

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Strange, but probably not true

This is one of those stories you wish were true, but you doubt it is. Anyway, I thought it was good. With the way things are and the things I have seen here in Cincinnati, I do expect it is true but I would have liked to have seen it. I have to put up with this crap on a weekly basis so I am numb to it anymore. I was sent this by a friend who keeps me up on all the neat things to make you smile (like this one).

The story as sent

I got off the train in Roslyn because I had to use the bathroom and the train was moving quite slowly. When I was getting back on the train, there were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America. I politely declined to take one. An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice said, "Ma'am, don't you care about the children of Iraq?" The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my first husband died in France during World War II so you could have the right to stand here and bad mouth your country. And if you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."

I'm glad to report that loud applause broke out among the onlookers and the young protester was at a total loss for words.

At any rate, it was a good story.

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Spybot & AdAware have new pattern files

If you run AdAware 6 and "Spybot - Search and Destory", you need to update the pattern files for both applications and run them.

If you Immunize with Spybot, there are 34 new blocks you can install too. Don't forget to do this task, it will make life much easier.

If you have any questions about this, e-mail me. I am glad to discuss it.

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Stupid Snow

Yes, it snowed this morning. It was 72 last night when I took out the trash. I just can't figure that one out.

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Dumbest weather around.

This shows how stupid and unpredictable the weather is here in Cincinnati. This is from MSNBC's weather alerts.

The Three day forcast for CINCINNATI, OH

SUN: Partly Cloudy, 72/39.

MON: Snow Showers, 39/16.

TUE: Partly Cloudy, 45/31.

This goes along with why it is never boring here in terms of weather. Right now I have the doors open with the breeze flowing through, while I fill up the kerosene heater, check the filters in the furnace, and make sure the kids have their winter coats ready.

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Has the population really gotten that bad?

Public Viewing Version

Fox news just announced that there will be a worldwide candlelight vigil for Michael Jackson so he can get through his situation.

OK, I am going to PUKE at this point.

I can't believe people are so stupid and-or moronic that they actually care about this guy, thing, whatever. It is apparent (to me at least) he has to be insane and unable to contemplate what life really is.

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Ouch, That hurt!

That was interesting. Passed another kidney stone. Now I know why my side was aching last week. I was at the Microsoft seminar downtown on Monday and took a break for a minute. I was really surprised that all of a sudden, 'tink' and there it was. I didn't even expect it. The one thing I was not going to do was fish it out and take it to my GP. I also heard another one last night about 3 but figured it was not worth worrying about. I will just get a bottle of cranberry juice this weekend and flush out anything else that is in there.

That should be a commercial for Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice. Makes your body go 'tink'!

>

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You might be from Ohio if:

A very good friend sent me this and I thought it was funny enough to publish. I have several others but I figured that if I smiled when I read it, that was sufficient enough cause to post it.

Jeff Foxworthy on OHIO

You may be from Ohio (pronounced O-hi-uh) if:

You think all Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange!

You know all the 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, Construction.

You live less than 30 miles from some college or university.

You know what a buckeye really is, and have a recipe for candy ones.

"Toward the lake" means north and "toward the river" means south.

You know if other Ohioians are from Northern or Southern Ohio as soon as they open their mouth.

You can spell words like Cuyahoga, Olentangy, Bellefontaine, Tuscarawas, Wapakoneta (and know which letter is doubled in Cincinnati)

"Vacation" means spending the day at Kings Island or Cedar Point.

You measure distance in minutes.

Your school classes were canceled because of cold.

Your school classes were canceled because of heat!

You've had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

You know what should be knee-high by the Fourth of July.

You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition (Example: "Where's my coat at?")

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

You think of the major four food groups as:

Beef,

Pork,

Beer,

Jell-O salad with marshmallows.

You carry jumper cables in your car.

You know what 'pop' is.

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and a flannel nightgown.

The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page, (but requires 6 pages for sports)

You say "Please?" after someone askes you a question and they look at you like your insane.

If your from Ohio, you actually get these jokes, then forward 'em to your OHIO friends, wherever they're AT.

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Job interview today

I delivered my resume and application for a position at the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown. The woman who was to meet me apparently forgot the conversation (Or was just surprised that I actually was there as she scheduled). Not that it matters. With a State job, they go by the application. I was also able to submit an SF-171 that shows I am a disabled Veteran. Not that it will make a difference in the process. By all accounts, I am ahead of everyone else who applies who is not a disabled Veteran. There is a way that is supposed to work:

Disabled Veteran,

Veteran,

Non-Veteran,

Whether that accountability really happens or not I am not too clear on. The people down at the VA indicated it is not clearly adhered to most of the time.

I also have to take an application and resume to the Veterans Hospital downtown later on. I am allowed to keep a resume and application on file for 6 months since I am a Disabled Veteran.

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Blood, Milk, and Squirrel Bones

Now that is a combination you don't see every day. Let me explain this one a little more. I let in my outside cat (whose name is actually Dawg) to finish off the milk the kids had left over from breakfast. Well, he polished that of in no time and walked back to the basement. I was doing the dishes and I didn't see him for a few minutes. Then he appeared again and laid down on the floormat in the back (and continued his practice of "I'm ignoring the world routine").

I had gone back into the basement to get some cleanser (to clean the countertops) and WOW, he had puked up a whole big gray squirrel. Of course, it was inside out and all chewed up, but there was the whole thing, fur, paws, tail and all.

YUCK!

I think it was the milk that made me want to puke. That and the little eyes looking up at me. Oh well, at least it was one big pile to clean up. And it is not that I don't feed him. He actually eats a can of dog food every day.(he likes it better than cat food). And it is normally mixed with some cheap dry cat food. Besides, the price of one of those big cans of dog food is about 30% of the price of one of those little tiny cans of cat food. Go figure. It must take a lot of energy to catch squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, crawdads, bluejays, mice, and some pretty big rabbits, which he brings up to the doorstep for me. At least we don't have a problem with mice anymore.

No!, I will not post any pictures of it. Too many silly people out there.

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Secure Memo

Here is a nice little app. It is called "Secure Memo". It is a password protected notepad app. It uses 128bit encryption and is nominally secure. But if you lose the password, the document (it is a notepad or text item after all) is locked forever. To download it without the installer, just click on the gold padlock (below)and put it somewhere on your system. It will run anywhere, but I recommend you put it in your program files directory under it's own directory. Then make a shortcut to it. Will solve the problem of forgetting where you put it.

Another way to get the application with an installer, is to visit the creators website. If you go there, you can download the app with an installer which takes all the work out of putting the application where it should go. Try this one if you don't like to put things where they should be in your filesystem.

There are other free apps there you can pick up in your search for all things free and easy on the web, so check it out.

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BOHICA!, Revision 1- part 1

The one thing I forgot to mention in the Windows98 demise is a better alternative. You can always install either a Unix or Linux operating system. Most of the current Linux builds include installers and configuration managers. You can even get free versions of OpenOffice to run on it.

So, for about $50 (or less), you can get "everything" including a great browser, Free Office suite, and no future hassles. And this will even run on your old machine that Microsoft will no longer support.

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BOHICA!

Windows98 is now at the end of its Life Cycle. Microsoft's support for Windows98 will expire on Jan 15, 2004. Between now & then, please make sure that you visit Windows Update and retrieve all the updates. If you don't, no computer repair shop (no I) will be able to help you. Should your computer crash after that date, it will be almost impossible to restore the system. Repair shops are encouraged to sell you Windows Millennium as a replacement. If the computer is a Pentium-2 or Pentium-3 processor, putting WindowsME on it is better than putting Windows XP on it.

FYI: WindowsXP is designed for Pentium-4 computers, and particularly 1.5 Ghz speed or faster. I wouldn't put XP on anything slower than a 1.5 Ghz processor.

For all you that thought right away that they would just slap on WindowsNT4.0. Sorry, the last word is that Microsoft will only support this until the summer of 2004. DOH!

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At least "Finding Nemo" was not (another) Tom Hanks movie.

The kids watched "Finding Nemo" and I am happy to say, it is not another Tom Hanks Voiceover. The Fathers role was spoken by Albert Brooks. He has that whines, "I don't want to be here" while using a kind of intonation what makes you want to get up and leave, but the graphics are stunning so you will stay. The other lead is Ellen DeGeneres who plays a memory deficient fish who drives the other characters in the storyline.

The only two reasons I like this movie are:

The ocean sounds sweeping around you with the surround sound,

The ocean views where everything sways back and forth,

I have to give this movie a 6 out of 10. I just was not impressed with the story. Honestly, I would have been more in tune with the film if they would have had much different voices for the main characters. Maybe an Aussie like Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee fame) and even someone like Gillian Anderson has a voice that would have sounded better.

For a film that was supposed to be taking place on the Great Barrier Reef, you would have thought they would have picked someone that does not have a New York accent. Who wants to watch what are supposed to be Australian characters, with an east coast American accent? Yep, it totally threw me off for this film. Hey, it is the little things in life that make the difference.

A movie that cost tens of millions to make? You would think they would have taken these small things into consideration. Like...You probably should have been told why they sounded like Americans (since they did). I don't care if it was or was not part of the story. It was annoying. The previous Pixar films were110% complete. what happened here? I guess it will be left up to you to figure it out why.

The only voice that gave the film a positive note was William Defoe. He played the tough fish in the fishtank. See, I said one good thing about the movie.

The best I can give it is a 6 on the 10 scale.

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How do you host a friendly "class warfare" event?

Why is it, (IMHO) that we are having class warfare at the ward? It always happens around the holiday time, that the "haves" try and outdo the "have-nots". I don't think it is intentional. Matter of fact, I doubt that anyone knows it is an issue. But for a lot of my friends (and even people we really do not associate with out of church) who go to our ward, they have expressed that they feel the same way. Especially when it comes to having events at members homes of affluent status.

Sure, we have a fairly nice home. Its not worth half a million dollars, but we have it because it fit into what we wanted...."isolation". Matter of fact, it is not very "large" at all and it sure is not new. It just looks big and interesting. Look back in the archives and you can see the inside pictures.

Maybe it is just me. Maybe Bree and I are looking at this in the wrong perspective. But when your not "big money people", you just can't feel comfortable around others homes who are. Especially when it comes to drinking. Maybe it is the fact that members who do drink (which is against church doctrine) are hosting events for members who don't for whatever reason above the "Church doctrine" idea. I.E., we do not drink for personal reasons and had stopped way before joining the church.

Did any of that make any sense?

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A Sunday night call,

Sunday night, I received a phone call from Jon. (He is my son from my first marriage) That call was something I never expected to happen. It will take a couple of days to finish digesting the conversation. Apparently he wants to be an EMT after high school. That changes every time I speak to him, but due to the current situation, I can only really talk to him for a few minutes once a year or so. But at least he has his sights on something that will never be unneeded. There will always be a need for medical personnel.

Sidebar, I knew this when I was in but didn't have the need to go as far as that. I even tried to apply to get into the physicians assistant program while in the Navy but didn't have enought time left and enough core-reqs to get in under the age limit. But at least I tried.

Back to Jon. The picture here is his senior picture. You can't tell it from this picture, but he is very tall. Much taller than me or my father. If everything works out, he should graduate from High School in May or June. I don't know the date or anything. If I hear anything more from him, I will post it.

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additional text

I really need to make entries in this blog daily. Unfortunatly, nothing interesting happened to day. Maybe I can come up with something later.

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Whow, now that is a misplaced commercial.

There is a big Veterans movie marathon on American Movie Classics. I few minutes ago, when the commercial started, I thought I was imagining it. But there was actually a Barbara Strisand commercial on. The one person I would never believe would advertise on a Veterans Day Marathon, is Babs. That to me is about the equilvent of Jane Fonda advertising during a Veterans show. It just should not be happening. If you can't understand what I am talking about, your either 12 years old, or a far left liberal.

It is just my opinion, I could be wrong. (NAH!)

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Is your Yahoo Messenger up to date?

If you use Yahoo Messenger, I recommend you go to the security page yahoo maintains. There you will see if your IM client has the necessary updates to keep you fairly safe. Isn't nice to know, that if you are on a Windows machine, running Internet Explorer 4 or later, the page will automatically detect if you need the upgrade.

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Microsoft Office 2003 Launch Event

Now, I can tell you about the Launch event. It was very nice. It was also very crowded.

Why am I so happy after going to an all day, packed conference where people only talk in "Geek"? Because I won the big prize of the day! A new Fujitsu Tablet PC worth about $2,500 retail. I searched around on the net and that is what they are going for. I have to find a picture and post it. It's only about the size and weight of three pads of paper. You probably know what I mean. The kind of 8.5x11 writing pads that fit in a portfolio. The picture here is a bad one taken right now for the heck of it.

NOTE: The pictures contained inside this specific blog entry were taken with my Casio WQV-1 Watch Camera. Clarity is not the objective of this camera, it is just to take pictures.

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Instant messaging dilemma

I have been doing a lot of thought about what takes up study time around here. One of the biggest time-takers is instant messaging. Just when I get into studying, a flurry of messages appear. Sure, I like to chat as much as anyone else. I even have friends I really enjoy chatting with whom I have never met face-to-face.

Due to the addiction of IMs, I have come to the decision to not have my IM running during the day. That way, I can concentrate completely on what I really need to be doing. Sure, when I was learning all about Instant Messengers, it was necessary. Now that I have either functioned on an IM support helpdesk or managed an IM server system, I do not have the luxury to chat outside of personal time.

So, as of this message, I will not be chatting during business hours. The only time I will chat is during the evening and early morning. Thus, if you have something to say, please send me an e-mail. I have filters setup to manage all my friends e-mail separately. Then at the end of the day, I will answer all my friends e-mail first. Everyone must maintain that this is nothing personal and or directed at anyone. Some of you might even take this personally, but it is exactly the opposite of what I am trying to do. I can't just chat with one person and ignore the other friends I have here. I have to nip this in the butt completely. I have about 40 people who IM me all day long and that is one thing I am extremely thankful for. I just need to focus on my priorities more.

One more thing. If you see that I am online from my blog, remember that when my laptop is on and connected to the net. That does not mean I am at my PC or even at the house. It just looks that way. Also, I have found that when my system interfaces with the network, like when it downloads the new antivirus pattern file or check for new mail, it changes my online status from "idle", to "I'm available" even though I am not there. It even shows me as active on my blog if I am logged into my yahoo account with just my browser at "My Yahoo" or "Yahoo Mail". Just think of it as a feature or undocumented function. An annoying function I admit, but a function all the same.

Go figure. Murphy's Law seems to always be in effect here.

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Busy week.

Sorry I have not posted this week. I was busy feeding my brain.

Monday - Deploying the Desktop with WindowsXP, Tuesday - Microsoft Office 2003 Launch Event, Wednesday - ITEC convention and training classes, Thursday - ITEC convention and training classes, The good thing is I won the Tablet PC at the Microsoft Launch Office 2003 Event. There were a thousand people there, I won. Silly think cost over $2,000.00 and is definitely nice. WindowsXP Tablet Edition is definitely strange to work with. It will take me a few days to learn how the different input methods work. But I still can't believe I won it. More on that later.

I have to fix dinner now so I will try and update this later after the kids get fed and their homework done.

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Time at the park,

We took a trip up to the park last night. Everyone played on the playground equipment.

We found out that there are lots of fish in the fish pond. Some, are pretty big too. I would have to estimate about 16 inches long. Not sure what they are, but they look like Crappies. (don't give me any grief here people, it is the name of the species of fish) There are even some really big Koi in there too. Looks like about a 9 pound orange one. They like to eat break and cheerios so I believe we will try and make a trip up there every couple of days.

NOTE: The pictures contained inside this specific blog entry were taken with my Casio WQV-1 Watch Camera. Clarity is not the objective of this camera, it is just to take pictures.

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Identity theft, the easy way.

Today, I officially am steering the Chuggles (or "non-Computer folk") away from MSN messenger. I have just turned up three bogus login screen popups which not only look authentic, they are identical to the login screens Microsoft uses. (I.E., like to have users log into their passport accounts) Unless you were on guard 24/7 for these types of hacks, you probably would not know better. There-in lies the problem. Most Chuggles aren't vigilant 24/7.

*See my Saturday, October 04, 2003 entry on "Chuggles = Non-computer folk" for an explanation.

The inherent danger is that many people have a lot of personal data associated with their Microsoft Passport. The extent varies from their phone number to credit card numbers and eBay accounts (which hold credit card numbers). The last one I saw pop-up on my screen, I traced to some website in Hong Kong. So, if you have personal information (or even if you don't), I recommend never logging into a Microsoft Passport "pop-up" unless you are absolutely sure it was supposed to happen.

Remember, there are many ways to steal your identity, just don't fill in the passwords for the thieves yourself.

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