Compact Framework Controls, Games, and other goodies.

http://www.resco.net/

I started looking at Lego Mindstorms becauseI thought the robotic nature would make it interesting for some presentations that I have to give on programming to people who know very little about computers and are not programmers.

This book was a super "Jump Start" that includes 10 quick projects so you can dive right into it.

It's a quick, understandable read. AND FUN !

You can get it HERE.

We got lucky. Though there are still 200,000 homes in New Hampshire without power, ours came back on today.

Thought the power surge blew the power supply/motherboard in my Media Center PC :(

I got concerned email from Microsoft (Thanks Natalie & ScottGu) and from local friends (thanks Ron & Jon) and friend as far away as Iran (thanks Armin)

So, I'll be back up to speed by tomorrow.

So... The damage.

• $1000 for Generator, gas, extension cords, batteries,  and ancillary gear.
• $ ??? - For a replacement computer
• 11 impressive bruises from falling down a full icey flight of stairs in the dark :)

It's amazing what we take for granted.

Since there are still so many local families without services, we've opened up our home to a couple of local families to come stay until their own power is back.

Many thanks to all for your interest!

First, thanks to everyone who has called and emailed. Jill, the Girls and I are all fine, if not warn and well rested.

We lost Power and Phone service on Thursday Night - now Sunday, Electricity, Phone, Internet, and Cable are all still out. Due to compromised towers, even cell phone service is effected.

400,000 homes in our tiny little state of NH are effected.

We've been declared a "State of Emergency" and 4 deaths have been reported.

The State Emergency Services office is warning that all power may not be restored untill NEXT weeked (a total of 9 ot 10 days without power)

I waited in line for 11 hours for a Generator on friday and thankfully was able to purchase one of the few that were successfully shipped to the state.

So we have a generator and a bit of propane powered heat. I'm also able to scoop water through the ice of a local pond so that we can flush the toilet once a day :)

I'n the meantime, I'm making a daily trip to the Borders Book Store in Concord NH once a day to sync email and make phone calls and spending much of the rest of the tie making sure the pipes don't freeze and such.

More news soon.

I've spent allot of time in my career focusing on Software Security.

I'm also a bit of a VoIP geek.

SoHacking VoIP: Protocols, Attacks, and Countermeasures  was a treat for me, especially since it uses Asterisk which is a hobby of mine.

I'd never really thought about the subject and this book was a great intro. Not too light and a good read. (197 Pages, I read it in a single day.)

I highly recommend it if you are remotely interested din the subject !