I’ve found a Software Development Meme (A meme  consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another) on a few blogs I’ve started reading (Larry Clarkin’s and Damon Payne’s), and I thought I would adapt it to the Sysadmin.

How old were you when you started using computers?

I was eight when I first started using computers.  My mom was a teacher for the local public school system and they were just getting computers.  She could bring one home over the summer and I started learning Basic on an Apple II.

What was your first machine?

The first machine we had in our family (other than the ones my mom could bring home) was an Apple II GS.  My first machine was a 486 IBM clone that cost me $2,000 (in 1993) (my summer work money - I was in high school).

What was the first real script you wrote?

The first “real” script I wrote was a Python script to enter addresses into a database system via ADO.

What scripting languages have you used?

I’ve used VBScript (marginally), PowerShell, and Python.

What was your first professional sysadmin gig?

My first professional sysadmin job is the one I currently have, with a local law enforcement agency.  I started officially as the IT Specialist here in April of 2006.

If you knew then what you know now, would have started in IT?

Definitely.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have finished college in the IT realm and started down this path sooner.  However, that might have changed how I’ve ended up, and I really like the position I have now and the opportunities in front of me.

If there is one thing you learned along the way that you would tell new sysadmins, what would it be?

Get involved.  I’ve learned more and met more great people getting involved in community.  By commenting on blogs, podcasting, spending time on IRC in the #powershell channel and participating in PowerShellCommunity.org, I have learned so much and met generous, knowledgeable people.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had scripting?

The 2008 Winter Scripting Games were a blast, even though I got busy with work halfway through, I had a great time.  It was awesome watching the community provide their solutions and see people working on the challenges in the IRC channel and forums.

Who am I calling out?

Rich Niemeier

Keith Albright

Hal Rottenberg

Jonathan Walz

Shay Levy

Aleksandar Nikolic

Check this out. Now you can listen to some of your favorite podcasts without an internet connection. Sure, it’ll cost you long distance or at least some minutes on your cell plan, but honestly….aren’t we worth it?

OK, OK so it’s probably not worth ditching your iPod, Gigabeat, or Archos, but it will do in a pinch.

You can now listen to the Couple Of Admins show using Podlinez by calling +1 (801) 349-3833.

Check out the other great podcasts you can listen to over the phone by visiting Podlinez.com.

Listen By Phone

podlinez.net

Recorded: September 4, 2007

Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, Ted Miller, and Steve Murawski

Show Length: 1:50:33
Ted returns this week for a regular format show. We discuss some recent news items; Microsoft shuts down AutoPatcher, SpamHaus gets a legal reprieve, and Sony introduces rootkit 2.0. Rich discusses the appropriateness of companies editing their Wikipedia articles and a look into the future of video on the Internet. Steve discusses employees Cyberslacking habits and the effect on companies. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.

A reminder for Podcamp Philly. Keith will definitely be there on Saturday and possibly Sunday. Drop him a note at Keith [at] acoupleofadmins.com if you want to meet up for lunch.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Podcamp Philly
• Microsoft Takes Down Autopatcher
• Spamhaus off hook for $11 million judgement
• Storm Worm Add Millions To Botnets
• Sony Rootkit 2.0
• Corporate Wikipedia Editing
• The Future Of Internet Video
• I-Caught TV Show
• Foldersize Utility
• Email at Work
  • CIO Magazine
  • Dichotomy
  • Enterprise Networking Planet
  • Law.com

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

Valid Syntax

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Steve’s Pick: www.diigo.com

Keith’s Pick: www.digibarn.com

Rich’s Pick: www.livecdlist.com

Ted’s Pick (By Rich): www.flock.com

Listen Now:

Download Here

Recorded: August 28, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, and Steve Murawski

Show Length: 1:59:32

Steve Murawski joins us again for this regular format show. We hold a lengthy discussion on open WiFi and the legal implications as well as how these cases may affect the innovation and use of WiFi by companies like Fon, etc. We also cover Acer’s purchase of Gateway and the ‘consumerization of IT’. Some technical segments on load balancing and ISP failover on a BSD box, stupid IP address tricks, and a couple utilities to round it up.

Take note of the promos for the Podcamp Philly Un-Conference and plan to attend. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Podcamp Philly
• Wireless Hijaacking in England
• Consumerization of IT
• Citrix Acquires XenSource
• Gunplay Blamed for Internet Slowdown
• WGA Servers Offline
• Acer to Acquire Gateway
• What is a System Administrator
• SlickRun Utility
• Multiple ISP Connections on BSD
• Microsoft Hackers Blog
• Network Time Protocol

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

The Mike Tech Show

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Steve’s Pick: Hanselman.com

Keith’s 1st Pick: Stupid Waste of Time

Keith’s 2nd Pick: Even More Stupid Waste Of Time (NOTE: NSFW)

Rich’s 1st Pick: Boot-Land.net

Rich’s 2nd Pick: Bootdisk.com

Download Here

Recorded: August 7, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, Ted Miller, and Otto Kopeczky
Show Length: 1:34:52

This marks the first of ‘Special Topics’ episodes. As we discussed in previous shows, we’ve removed the ‘Main Topic’ section of the show and put it out on it’s own as a round-table discussion. If this works, we are hoping to release a new episode each week alternating between the regular show format and these special topic round-tables.

As for this episode, we previously kicked around tidbits on preserving your digital data safely and securely and decided to do an in-depth discussion. We are joined by Otto Kopeczky, a friend of Ted’s, to add some new viewpoints on the matter. We cover the various types of medias, the myths and realities surrounding their longevity as an archival medium, and some best practices to help preserve your digital data.

Here is a brief outline:

Media Deterioration

• Best practices
• Different Types of media (CD, USB, HDD, etc)
• Life Expectancies for each type
• Media variations (eg. CD-R lasts longer than CD-RW)
• Factors: Humidity, temperature, sunlight exposure, pressure

Technical Obsolescence of media

• Not just physical media, data format as well
• JPG vs. BMP, MP3 vs. WMV, etc.
• Open vs. proprietary

Links mentioned in this show:

Please see the show notes for all links and reference materials. Too many to list.

See the full show notes here.

Download Here

I just got back from the Juniper Networks event; The Bourne Ultimatum was awesome.  If you like the series, then you will definitely like this one.  I listened to an interview with Matt Damon on the way to the event and he promised it had more action scenes than the previous two and he wasn’t kidding.

Oh yeah, and there was some talk about firewalls and network products somewhere in there as well.  Actually, the coolest thing was Juniper giving away three SSG5 firewall appliances with wireless.  Your talking about a $500 security appliance.  It was a nice change from the usual MP3/Digital Camera giveaway.  Unfortunately, I did not win one…..oh well, maybe next time.

Thanks to Allan Sumerfield at Juniper for the invite to the event.

Recorded: July 31, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, and Ted Miller
Show Length: 1:29:40

This week we cover a variety of news and other topics; We have a brief discussion on technology vendor salespeople, Instant Messaging to interview job candidates, and a new fiber-optic cable. Ted informs us of the deadly threat lurking in our laser printers. As usual, we end with our website picks and we hope you enjoy.
NOTE: I think we finally nailed the sound quality. Let us know what you think.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Digital Pictures Backup Device
• Best Buy’s Geek Squad Tech Steals Porn
• Order food At Safeco Field from your Nintendo DS Lite
• Seven Ways Tech Vendors Blow The Sale
• Corning’s New Fiber
• E-Waste
• Using Instant Messaging In The Interview Process
• Cisco Adds CCENT Certification
• Secunia Personal Software Inspector
• Laser Printer Particle Health Risk

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

Technorama

PaulDotCom Security Weekly

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: Youlicit.com
Rich’s Pick: Free Church Music
Ted’s Pick: Etsy.com

Download Here

Recorded: July 5, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier
Show Length: 1:47:02

Rich and I discuss legacy devices and the problems encountered when trying to replace them. It extends our discussion from last episode on the conflicting viewpoints between the business leaders and the IT organization. News items on VoIP regulations and contact-less payment methods. Rich starts exploring Network Access Control (NAC) while I rebuild all of my mail security servers. A new resource for portable apps for your USB drive. We finish off with a couple of website picks and a musical finale courtesy of Pantless Knights Productions.
As usual, we hope you enjoy.

Links mentioned in this show:

• Kevin Devin Announces his departure from the In The Trenches podcast
• VoIP provider regulations
• Contact-less Payments Use About To Explode
• Contact-less Payment Insecurity
• Network Access Control
• ZDNet Webcast on NAC
• ProxMox Mail Gateway
• SnapFiles.com Apps for your USB Drive
• Best Practices - When to Upgrade Your Hardware

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

• In The Trenches
• Technorama

Full Show Notes

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: MacorPC.org
Rich’s Pick: Slide.com

Download Here

Recorded: June 7, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier
Show Length: 1:28:00

Rich and I discuss an article on extreme jobs and how IT workers fall into this category. We discuss a couple recent news items related to Wi-Fi and security as well as Dell’s recent legal troubles. Rich experiments with his Blackberry as a tethered modem while I rant about email etiquette. A couple of utilities and our website picks rounds out the episode.

As usual, we hope you enjoy.

Links mentioned in this podcast:

• NetworkWorld E-Discovery Article
• Dell Accused Of Fraud
• Motorola Invests In Vocera
• TJX Compromised via Wireless
• InSecure Magazine
• CCleaner Utility
• Extreme Jobs Article
• Wavosaur Utility

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: My Best FM

Rich’s Pick: Trunk Monkey

Rich’s Makeup Pick: E-How

Download Here

Recorded: May 8, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier
Show Length: 1:54:28

Rich and I discuss development of IT policies and procedures; how to start and why they are important. In addition, I throw in a couple of my thoughts on how to audit yourself and how to handle an audit. Rich talks about his move from the Treo to the Blackberry and his battles with a SCO Unix box that died. Rich uncovers some new Virtual Machine appliances available from Microsoft. We discuss Microsofts proposed $3 educational software bundle for developing countries. I attended a seminar on wireless network troubleshooting by Fluke Networks and we discuss their products as well as our own personal experiences troubleshooting wireless systems. This episode marks the debut of our show promos that we’ve asked other podcasts to play. Take a listen and we hope you enjoy.

Thanks everyone.

Links mentioned in this podcast:

• Fluke Network AnalyzeAir Spectrum Analyzer
• Microsofts VHD Test Drive Program
• Microsofts $3 Educational Software Bundle
• Google’s Website Translator
• Airtroductions.com
• SANS Security Policy Project

Download Here