Spyware...

I really, really, really hate the sh*theads who make a living from Spyware/Malware and the like. Viruses are illegal aren't they? People who make viruses and worms can , and have been prosecuted. Who can't the people putting spyware on our machines be prosecuted?

Yes, I know, "I need some spyware protection" you say, and yes I have installed Lavasoft AdAware on my machine, which does detect the offending items, and it does attampt to remove them, but as soon as I reboot, it reappears. Arrrrgggghhhh!!

After spending the day looking for a way to remove the 17 "software" items hidden on my machine, it seems to me there are dozens of anti-spyware packages out there, but none of them guarantee removal of all offending items, so I could potentially end up buying several different apps from several different vendors - I want to buy ONE piece of software that will solve the problem, not spend upwards of £10 on a piece of software that, once I've paid for it, cannot remove everything.

So, I am now going to rebuild my machine, to start from a clean build again, I suppose it's due anyway.

The bottom line? Spam is becoming more and more unacceptable/illegal - Is'nt it time we did something about spyware, tracking cookies, datamining and the rest?

Now the fun starts....

Hmm, time to start to really think carefully before opening my mouth. HP has just suddenly started to get into gear with his speech. In the last couple of months he has mastered his ABC, and he's had 1 to 11 sussed for the last six months or so. All well and good you may think.

Well, yes, yes it is, until Mummy dropped something in the kitchen the other day and exclaimed "bollocks" in a rather loud voice. Quick as a flash, I heard a little voice say "bollocks" in return!
I can't wait for Nanny to come and try having a conversation with him, that's really going to be one to look forward to if we're not careful. If you need an illustration of what I mean, here's a list of some of his notable vocabulary.

Stinky kaks
Poo
Greebo
Bum
Farty
and of course "bollocks"

Need I say more? (Especially if he strings them all into one sentence!)

A Thoughtful Moment...

Another illustration of how blogging expands your horizons and makes you think. I'm not a very demonstative bloke - for example, when HP was born, all I could bring myself to say was "hello little man, I'm yer dad"

So, when I read this on Jim Cota's blog, it really struck a chord. I don't know much about Gen. Douglas MacArthur, but this piece makes him a wise man in my book...

A Prayer For My Son

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whoses heart will be clear, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, give him, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."


Thanks for posting it Jim.