Another Birthday

Well happy birthday to me. Another year has somehow passed by without me noticing. They tend to do that.

Celebrating my birthday always makes me think of my parents. On a sentimental note, I think of the decision that they made to have a fourth child, conceived several years after their third. Thank you for choosing life Mom and Dad.

My parents have told me for years that time goes by more quickly the older you get. I never quite understood what they meant by that when I was younger, as everyone was stuck with 24 hours each day, and time was measured using the same atomic clock for everyone. However, they have once again been proven to be oh so wise. It didn't take long for me to realize that the busier my life became, the faster the days, the weeks the hours would fly by. Now as my wife and I try to keep-up with three busy kids of our own, we can hardly believe how the seasons come and go.

Birthdays also make me think of my parents because of the perpetual gift dilemma... What do you buy your parents for their birthday? As children, this is a very frustrating situation. You would like to buy a nice gift to recognize your parents' special day. However, what do you buy somebody who pretty much has everything that they need? Oh sure, it would be great to present them with a 'round the world cruise or a new car, but financial realities moderate those ideas rather quickly.

When we ask our parents what their wishes are, the response is usually something like "Oh just keep your money, there's no need to buy us anything." That just won't do though, as we are compelled to try and make them feel special with a gift, so we usually wind-up giving them something that is either very practical ("Dad says to just get him some new socks.") or very impractical ("Oooh! Another flower vase!").

The humorous side to this story is that for all of the complaining I have done to my parents about this, I now find myself in the very same situation. Our children are in their teens and usually have enough pocket change to want to buy Mom and Dad a little something for their birthdays. Trouble is, we don't really need anything either, so we repeat the same speech "...there's no need to buy us anything," while our children desperately try to choose between the socks or the flower vase.

Whenever your birthday is, happy birthday to you.

If it's Fat Tuesday, it must be Paczki Day!

Ugh! My belly is full. I have been literally overdosing on my favorite Polish pastry... paczki.

Paczki (correctly pronounced as 'ponch - key') are only around for a short time each year. The tasty treats are special-made as a pre-Lenten tradition, making their appearance for only a week or two before Ash Wednesday.

The pastry is often mistaken for a simple, jelly-filled doughnut. However, it is much more than that. The dough is extremely rich, containing plenty of eggs, fat, sugar, milk and yeast. They are filled with one of several different types of tasty fillings, such as custard, prune or raspberry. After frying, the paczki is coated with powdered or granulated sugar, or light icing. The flavor and smell of the dough is noticeably strong. It's difficult to eat more than one, unless you are a gluttonous binge-eater like me.

I grew-up in Michigan City, Indiana, a small town near Chicago that has a Polish-American community that still celebrates many ethnic traditions. My family would make paczki, as well as buying some from the local bakeries. I fondly recall the yeasty smell and wonderful flavor of these treats. My grandmother used to tell me that making paczki was a way to clean out the cupboards and icebox of all those ingredients that would not be needed during Lent; the 40 days before Easter when Catholics sacrifice some of the luxuries of our normal lifestyle.

Now that I live in the wasteland of suburbia in Northern Virginia, my Polish-American heritage is somewhat lost. The area is a great melting-pot of cultures from around the world, but that has also resulted in many of our cultural traditions being lost or watered-down. However, I was not about to give up on having my annual fix of paczki!

After soliciting the help of some friends that live near Chicago, and making a few phone calls, I found a 'qualified' bakery (i.e. a bakery that actually knew how to make a real paczki; confirmed by the fact that the women I spoke to could hardly speak English through her thick Polish accent!). They agreed to ship a couple dozen of the pastries to me via overnight delivery. Thanks to the good folks at Delightful Pastries in Chicago, I have been eating more than my share of apricot, boozy custard, plum, raspberry and rose petal jam paczki for the last four days.

Now that I am dizzy from the rush of carbohydrates, I am properly prepared for the beginning of Lent. And honestly, I've had enough paczki until this time next year.

Mac OS X Lessons in File Permissions and Installation Discs

I am fairly confident in my ability to perform a number of administrative tasks on both Mac and Windows computers. Unfortunately, I may be a bit too confident.

Recently, while working to modify the file permissions on a secondary hard drive installed in our Mac Pro, I allowed my mouse finger to work faster than my brain and I wound up changing the file permissions on the hard drive that holds the operating system and network user accounts.

Uh-oh.

As soon as I clicked the mouse button the world started moving in super-slow motion. It was one of those events that made you wish that you could go back in time for just a few seconds, just like they did in one of my favorite science fiction comedies, Galaxy Quest, where the characters have a beryllium-powered time machine.

So I found myself in a predicament. With the file permissions changed on the OS X drive I was unable to access any applications or files. I was essentially locked-out of using my computer and there it sat in a sad, disabled state.

"No problem!" I told my wife, I figured I would just pop in the OS X installation DVD, access the Disk Utility application and set the file permissions back to their default values. So I dug through my collection of old software discs to find the Mac Pro's gray-colored OEM ("original equipment manufacturer") installation DVD and proceeded to reboot the computer to begin the process.

Not so fast there mister techno-geek.

I booted the Mac Pro holding the Option key (or ALT key if you're using a Windows keyboard). This start-up option will present you with a screen that allows you to select which connected device to boot from. I chose the OEM installation DVD and waited patiently for the installation application to bring-up the menu where I could locate the Disk Utility. Instead I was greeted with a 'kernel panic' screen (see image).

That's not what I was expecting.

So I booted again, this time holding the 'C' key right from the start. This option will force the computer to load the operating system from whatever disc happens to be in the CD / DVD drive.

Kernel panic again... not good.

The kernel panic screen is normally displayed when a Macintosh computer encounters some type of fatal error from which it cannot recover. Such errors are usually attributed to a hardware issue (i.e. bad memory, disk controller, motherboard, etc.). I was confused. My Mac Pro had operated just fine until I changed the file permissions, why was I receiving a kernel panic?

"No problem!" I told my wife again. If I could not access the Disk Utility via the Mac's graphical user interface ("GUI"), I would just use another cool start-up option, holding the Command and 'S' keys while booting the computer to access a good old-fashioned command line through what Apple calls single-user mode.

Soon enough I found myself at the command line and after locating the brain cells that were not killed-off while I was in college, I recalled some of the basic commands needed to navigate via the text-based interface. In a few minutes I was executing commands that allowed me to check the disk for errors (Phew! None found!) and to mount the drive to be writable. However, when I attempted to run the Disk Utility application to repair file permissions I was denied. Evidently, this operation cannot be performed in single-user mode.

Uh-oh (again). Now I was getting nervous. Somehow I had to get to the Disk Utility application from the installation menu.

I was stumped at why every attempt to load the installation DVD resulted in a kernel panic. I found some obscure references on the Apple support site that suggested the OEM installation disc was specific to the original configuration of the computer; so if the user had added more memory or another internal hard drive, the OEM installation may not work. The user would need to remove the added memory or storage device to bring the computer back to its original specifications.

Think man, think...

Well, I hadn't added any memory. I hadn't changed any of the storage devices. The only thing that I had changed from the as-purchased configuration was the video card. The original economy-model nVidia GeForce 7300 GT crapped-out just after the one-year warranty expired, so I had replaced it with a nVidiaGeoForce 8800 (much better!). The failed video card had been discarded long ago, so it could not be reinstalled to bring the machine back to original specifications, and besides, it had failed; it wouldn't have worked even if I had it handy. Certainly, Apple would not allow a replacement video card, one that I had to be replaced because of failure, to prevent me from using the OEM installation DVD.

Au contraire Apple breath.

It seems that the gray-colored installation discs that come with your high-priced Apple computer are essentially worthless the moment you must replace any failed component in the device.

That hardly seems fair to me.

Well, I had no choice but to stop by the local computer store and purchase a OS X installation disc. Not a gray OEM version, but the full-blown, black-colored, retail version.

I inserted the new DVD, and booted the Mac Pro holding the 'C' key. Presto. The installation menu displayed as expected and I was able fix the file permissions and save myself from total embarrassment. The only price to pay for my 'over-confidence' was the $130 for the new copy OS X. A cost that I blame on Apple, since the crippled OEM DVD that they provide with each new computer purchase is absolutely worthless.

It's Inauguration Day, Has Anything Changed Yet?

It's January 20, 2009, Presidential Inauguration Day; the day Americans welcome a new President into office and bid the former farewell.

Many others have already commented on virtually all aspects of former President Bush's term in office and the expectations for President Obama. I do not plan on trying to add any value to, or judgment on, those discussions. Instead, I'd like to offer some words on the new administration's ability to enact change.

I feel sorry for Barack Obama. Not in a pity kind of way, after all, he has already achieved great success, popularity and notoriety by winning the presidential election. I feel sorry for him because in many ways he is destined to fail in the minds of both his supporters and opposition.

Before he ever sat in the oval office, President Obama heightened the expectations of a nation that hungers for change. Change that can be measured in a number of ways; economic recovery, global warming effects, unemployment statistics, healthcare costs, value of retirement funds, energy independence, and what the heck... even world peace.

With so many people having such high hopes for change, change that impacts their own favorite issues, it will be difficult if not impossible for the new administration to satisfy everyone. To completely resolve every problem within a reasonable length of time.

Changing anything does not come easy or fast. I've often used the analogy that making big changes to legacy issues is like turning a ship in the ocean; it takes a lot of space and time, it doesn't happen immediately.

Does our American society and modern culture have the patience for that? We have become so accustomed to immediate gratification. We receive responses to most of our requests almost immediately. Is the average American actually willing to wait for change to occur?

Right or wrong, it seems to me that there is a rather large contingent of Americans who have transitioned from being an enthusiastic supporter of the President to a worshiping disciple. Will their strong emotional tie to the Commander in Chief make it more difficult for them to accept that even he cannot immediately resolve the Country's woes? That there are others in the Federal, State and local government with responsibility? That there is a level of responsibility in each and every one of us?

It is very likely that some people will not have the patience to wait long. I expect that some supporters will change their mind when their own personal issues are not immediately resolved. It is a combination of being naive and irresponsible. Some don't understand that it's not the President's fault that they have made poor decisions in life, just as it's not the President's responsibility to make certain that they find success, no matter how it may be measured.

I fully expect to hear people asking why they have not seen a change, why their own issues remain unresolved, before the ink dries on the Inauguration Day newspaper headlines. My hope is that the new administration can survive the test; for the benefit of the entire Nation, and quite possibly for the whole world.

My Legacy LCD Display Learns How to Talk HDCP

Uh-oh. Two technology related posts in a row. I hope that this is not a trend, although I could not help myself.

Don't let the title of this post fool you, it's really kind of interesting if you are into new consumer technology. It's all about a problem that I had with my high definition television. I suspect that there are others who may be experiencing a similar problem. Maybe this information will help them extend the useful life of their own legacy high definition television equipment.

First some background to help explain what this post is all about.

I am what some would consider an early adopter of new technology. I may not always own the very first model of some new gadget, but I am usually quick to assess the value and usefulness of emerging consumer technologies and will often make a purchase to have the new technology for my own enjoyment.

It was about five years ago that I entered the world of high definition ("HD") television. At the time, plasma screens were king, but I was really sold on the performance and durability of liquid crystal display ("LCD") panels. With a desire to have the largest LCD panel that would possibly fit into our existing entertainment center, I chose to purchase a Mitsubishi MLM400 commercial LCD display. This is not really a television, but a 40 inch LCD computer monitor, much like the type you may find at an airport for listing flight arrivals and departures. This particular model just barely fit within the available opening on the wall-unit, and the device had several input options to connect the display to various video sources. It was a great choice to meet our HD display needs.

The Mitsubishi LCD panel is a fantastic display even if it was a bit pricey (which is the true cost of being an early adopter of consumer technology!). At the time that I first purchased the display, there was very little HD content available to view on it. Still, using the component video output of a DISH Network satellite receiver (not to be confused with the composite video output) produced a stunning rendition of even standard definition broadcasts.

Over time, we upgraded to HD source components and very recently used a DISH Network VIP622 receiver with a high definition multimedia interface ("HDMI") output to feed the digital visual interface ("DVI") input of the LCD display. The true HD content from DISH Network looked simply stunning on the 1280 by 720 resolution display (720p). Yes, I know that this is not the highest quality HD display available, but the investment in the Mitsubishi LCD panel was rather significant and 720p is not exactly chopped liver, especially on a 40 inch screen.

This past Christmas, I decided to gift my wife with two new HD sources; an AppleTV and a Sony DVD Player / Recorder. Both devices used HDMI outputs, so I decided to also gift her with a Sony Audio / Video Receiver ("AVR") that could serve as an HDMI switcher to conveniently select from amongst the available HD sources. Since the DISH Network receiver had already successfully fed the LCD panel by use of an HDMI to DVI cable, I assumed that the Sony AVR would do so as well. Oh how wrong you can be when you assume...

At this point in the story, I would like to introduce you to mean old mister HDCP. HDCP is the acronym for high-bandwidth digital content protection; a form of digital copy protection introduced by the entertainment industry intended to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels between home theater components using various connections such as DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, Gigabit Video Interface and Unified Display Interface, even if such copying would be permitted by fair use laws.

Unfortunately, when I connected the Mitsubishi LCD panel (now considered a 'legacy' device due to its age) to the Sony AVR, I was not able to view content from any of the various HD sources, nor would the AVR play any of the audio content. The AppleTV gave me the first clue to my problem as it displayed a nice big error message informing me that there was an HDCP compliance problem. It didn't take long to determine that the HDCP scheme introduced by the new HD sources was preventing me from using my legacy LCD panel, even though I had no desire or intent of trying to illegally copy content.

What a shame. My beautiful LCD panel was rendered useless by the entertainment industry's efforts to protect the copyrights of the audio and video property. Now I'm all for protecting the property from illegal use. However, I found it very unfair that as a consumer who supports the entertainment industry, my early adopter investment in audio and video equipment was now all for naught.

The only obvious solution was to scrap the LCD display and fork over big money to purchase a new HD display that was HDCP compliant. Problem was, I didn't have big money to fork over.

Thank goodness there are others like myself who had found themselves in this situation. Based on my research, many of the consumer technology early adopters with this issue are home theater enthusiasts who have significant investments in HD projection equipment. You know, the families who have converted their basements into theaters complete with stadium seating and popcorn machines. Many of the projectors are very expensive (think 'glass optics') and like my LCD panel, they were rendered useless by their failure to handshake with HDCP-compliant sources.

I discovered that the non-obvious solution was to be a little sneaky and 'strip' the HDCP code from the signal, fooling the HD source into thinking that the display was HDCP compliant.

Hmmm. Sounds like cheating and could be considered illegal.

Well, maybe some people would argue that. However, rendering my multi-thousand dollar LCD panel useless is not exactly easy to accept.

There are several HDCP strippers available, with most coming to the United States from Asia or Europe. I learned that this is partly to avoid trouble with the United States entertainment industry for manufacturing such devices within the country. I also learned that the HDCP rules provide a bit of a loophole; the devices are not considered illegal as long as there is not an easy way to access the decrypted analog video, and that once the device is attached onto the display, it becomes 'a part of the display itself'. It didn't take much to convince me that using an HDCP stripper was within my rights, especially since I would not be using the device to send the HDCP-free signal to another intermediate device for illegal purposes.

I chose to use a small component named the HDFury2. The HDFury2 is considered a permanent HDCP modification that provides HDCP compliance for any analog RGB display. It is fully compatible with any HDMI sources such as Blu-Ray DVD, Playstation3, Xbox 360 Elite and HD cable or satellite. Essentially, it transforms any RGB display into an HDCP compliant device.

After a very simple installation of the device between my AVR and the legacy LCD panel, the HD video from all of the sources was displayed in flawless 720p and the AVR was able to play the audio from each source as intended.

As you might suspect, I am very excited that I was able to locate a device that allowed me to marry the new HD sources to my legacy LCD display. The best part is that the HDFury2 costs much, much less than a new HD display.

I hope that this information helps someone else extend the useful life of their legacy HD equipment.