Happy Birthday, HAL!

OK, so this was too funny a coincidence to let it go by and not blog!
I was logged into a Unix box, and tried switch to root (mind you I didn't have the password). So I try a [random] password, and I get back the infamous phrase from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey:

"Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?"

Thought it was quite funny, and I headed over to IMDB.com and low and behold, the movie premiered (in NYC, Wash DC doesn't count, right!?) on April 3, 1968! Ok, it's geeky, nerdy, whatever. But I couldn't help but think: I'm *so* blogging this! :)

Overheard on Twitter

"exchange is to email as my dog is to the lawn."

Wanna have some fun and get a few good laughs?

Start following "exchange" and "outlook" on twitter :-)

These are my favorites for today:

"Now my work PC Outlook is complaining about ActiveX controls when I want to reply to a missed... wtf?! Wonder if I got an ActiveX virus?"

"can cloud computing help when exchange servers going belly up?"

"Have I mentioned recently how much I hate Exchange? Just to install the Mgmt Tools I had to install IIS and 3 more subtools...."

And let's not leave Apple Mail out :-)

"Removing stupid mail options. Apple Mail thinks a dozen msgs from the Exchange server are junk. Bad Apple Mail! Bad! On to System Prefs!"

Ah..the joy of having a heck of a stable platform and a redesigned client UI :-)

Update Feb 23: Here are some additional ones:

"Fearing the worst -- that I might have to shift to MS Outlook for my email."

"Microsoft Exchange server sucks... oh wait... it is a Microsoft product... that explains it."

"Thinking about trying out Thunderbird... I've lived in Outlook WAY too long. I need something new. Suggestions? (On Windows...) :)"

"Consulting for someone on their Exchange installation right now. It reminds me of the reason why our company uses Google Apps for our mail."

"Fixing a broken Exchange migration is why I make the big bucks. Just kidding. No really, it is. :-)"

Update Feb. 25:

(sallyt): I loathe Outlook Web Access. It has the functionality of a rock. Actually less.

(coffeemick): @tobetop Outlook ist Usability-frei

(luizguelfi): tentando abrir o Outlook...e tá difícil

girliegeek): Outlook is such a POS (that's Piece of Sh*t in case you were wondering)

(esjewett): Auspicious start to the week: client's Outlook over VPN is borked. Predicted helpdesk answer is, "Use web interface." Productivity nirvana!

(socgirl): And now I am melting Outlook. It does not help to be on a slooooooow network. So glad to be done with this job soon.

(sillyevar): tried switching to outlook from Thunderbird and LMAO. The Junk mail features were 1997, not 2007. Back to TBird for me.

(thisboyelroy): Outlook exchange is the dumbest thing ever to happen to email.

(mikemorrow): Always a Monday bonus to find your entire Outlook profile was blown away by "maintenance" over the wknd. Hooray for backup.

(FrankSchuil): Optimizing my Outlook 2007 , because it's far too slow.

(Eyebee): Outlook is a pain in the posterior.

(sallyt): Outlook web access is for the boids!

(mercurystate): Why is Outlook so slow?

(Caymon): annoyed at our slow exchange server

(thowland): I continue to be amazed at how poor Outlook's HTML rendering is. Here I thought it was IE7 under the hood... it's actually much much worse.

(binderodaemons): so sick of Outlook and Exchange and it's not even lunch time

Fun: Dilbert's take on the Software Consultant

System Administrator Appreciation Day :-)

Today is the System Administrator Appreciation Day! Nominate your friendly sys admin for System Administrator of the Year.... or.. he'll read your email ;-)

Project Bandaloop's performance at IBM São Paulo

Here's a short 3 minute video from last night's performance of Project Bandaloop at IBM Brasil's 90th birthday celebration in São Paulo:

The show was great, but very difficult to take pictures as the lighting was not optimal and the dancers were quite far (for a picture taking on a point-and-shoot Canon 450). But great to watch, nonetheless.

IBM celebrates 90 years of presence in Brasil

IBM is celebrating today and tomorrow it's 90th anniversary since opening shop in Brasil, back in 1917 when it was still called Computing Tabulating Recording Company. In 1920 it was contracted by the Brazilian Government for tracking the census of 1920. In this same year the first typewriters were introduced by CTR Co.

Here are a few facts about IBM in Brazil:

• IBM Brazil was the first subsidiary to be opened by IBM outside the United States.
• 1924: IBM is officially registered in Brazil as International Business Machines Co. of Delaware.
• 1939: Thomas Watson opens IBM's first factory in South America, at Benfica, Rio de Janeiro.
• 1949: IBM World Trade Corporation is the new name for it's operation in Brazil.
• 1960: The company's registration changes again to "IBM do Brasil".
• 1963 marks the opening of IBM's branch office in Brasil's new capital, Brasília.
• In 1971 the factory at Sumaré in the state of São Paulo marks the beginning of a new era, with production of the S/370 beginning one year later in 1971. This site is today known as the Centro de Tecnologia IBM, where it's Global Delivery Center is located on what was once the factory floor.
• In 1981 IBM do Brasil begins shipping PROFS, it's mainframe-based e-mail system.
• Another name change in 1984: IBM Brasil.

To celebrate, IBM has brought Project Bandaloop for 2 free shows which will be performed at IBM Brasil's headquarters in São Paulo:

The shows will be on April 4 and 5, starting at 9PM. If you're in the area, be sure to check it out!

More info at www.90anosdeBrasil.com.br
Location: IBM Brasil - Rua Tutóia, 1157, São Paulo
Additional info: Expansão do centro de Hortolândia retrata guinada da IBM no Brasil

The sign of times