I, honestly, did not think I would revisit Aion, but NCSoft did something very surprising in preparation for launch. It seems the various problems and complaints from users got to them and they fixed the biggest problem I had with the game: the inclusion of intrusive, possibly destructive anti-cheat software called GameGuard. It was announced days before pre-selection opened that GameGuard would be removed, at least for the time being. I decided to reward them with this move by reactivating my account (it wasn’t due to expire until sometime next month) and rejoining during pre-selection.
As should be evident from my blog, I am learning Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan. My instructor is Bobby Garcia of Authentic Kung Fu, who teaches and learns in the Fort Worth school, and teaches in the Dallas school. I’ve been a student for some months now, and I’ve decided to take the step to put more dedication into it, including purchasing a uniform, and learning what’s ahead of me for the class. In last Wednesday’s class, after we were done and watching the Wing Chun class, I asked him some questions about the studies and will post the questions and answers here. The answers are not his quotes, they are my own paraphrasing.
This week, I resumed classes after a week break. The emphasis was on recouping from the break and making sure I retained what I learned the week before. I practiced a little, but not really enough to be really effective. The secondary emphasis was on rooting and exercises to reinforce proper rooting.
The two most common ways a computer becomes infected with a virus are user deception and exploitation of poorly maintained computers and networks. It’s the ignorance and laziness of computer users that results in the large botnets that exist today. Unfortunately, the proportion of those in this category is way too high to really mitigate, and as I’ve discovered, it seems as though education is not enough to prevent problems. Even the use of “security” software can sometimes not be enough. This method of deception is called social engineering, and no amount of computer security can stop it.
Healthcare reform is needed badly, and private healthcare doesn’t want it to happen because it will impact their bottom line. Heavy regulation would have a positive impact, but I believe it is not enough. Healthcare is something that should be guaranteed, and can only be done so as a social program, much like our current social programs such as police, fire fighters, schools, parks and recreation, and other things we greatly benefit from.
A former healthcare exec opens up about his experiences as a healthcare exec and how he woke up and opened his eyes about how corrupt it really is. He really brings home why reform is needed and what the real reason the heavy opposition exists. This is Bill Moyers of PBS interviewing Wendell Potter, formerly of Cigna.
