BlueWolf's Howl

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January 10, 2003

Hardware Schmardware

After the frustrations of last evening, it was nice to see things go smoothly. I thought it would take all weekend to get all the pieces back together and working the way I wanted. It just clicked and everything fell into place. (I love when that happens...)

All the pieces of both Windows computers are back in place. The server has been formatted and is now connecting to Verizon. Now to set up the internal network and get all that working...

For those who don't know >> this is not just happy geek speak. Believe it or not, this is part of studying. I've installed DNS > now I have to configure and test it. I've installed DHCP > now I have to configure and test it. The part I'm most challenged by is the RRAS. Since most of the networks I've been on have had routers connecting to a provider through a DSU/CSU in a secure way, a remote access server has always been a security risk. Hence, I've always had a hard time with that section on exams. Now I have a chance to configure it for myself and get it working. Everything that I need to study for this exam is now right at my fingertips. And I can not only learn it...but I can get GOOD at it...

You'd be surprised to know how much you learn when you're relaxed. You may think you're just chatting in a chathouse. You may think you're just emailing some friends. But in reality, you're learning. And all it takes is a little bit of "want" and you end up learning more. Gee...I want my background to look like this... Gee...I want to put a groovy script on my blog.... All these things are motivators. There's something you want to work a certain way, and it provides the impetus to learn how to get it done.

There's probably a few of you wondering why I do this at home. After all, I do this stuff all day long at work. But it's different. VERY different. It's much easier to learn how to configure software sitting at home with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. I can try different things and learn the effects. If something doesn't work (or goes wrong), I know what I did to cause it. I don't have to wonder what someone else did incorrectly in order to zero in on the problem (and solution). Also, it's nice to want to make this or that work because YOU want it. Contrast this to having to get something working because someone is screaming at you because it's NOT working. (Don't you have that fixed yet, dammit!) I have many moments that are similar to the commercial where the guy is walking into the bathroom and the exec asks, "where are you going? My email isn't fixed yet...") Not exactly an environment conducive to learning, is it?

So I'm a happy camper. Instead of spending the weekend trying to get it to work...I'll be spending the weekend seeing what I can do with it!!! *happy geek dance*

I hope your weekend will be as enjoyable as mine...

Posted by BlueWolf on January 10, 2003 10:18 PM