Steve Jobs was the visionary co-founder, and later chief executive, of Apple, makers of the Macintosh computer, the iMac, the iPod, iPad, and iPhone, and the man behind the astonishing success of the computer animation firm Pixar, makers of Toy Story and Finding Nemo. As a result, he did more to determine what films we watch, how we listen to music, and how we work and play than any other person on the planet.

Today was the long-awaited iPhone announcement, and I must say that I am personally disappointed with what we were given.  For those of you who are aware of my tendency to lean in favor of Apple, and sometimes push people more towards their products than I have in the past, it may come as a surprise when I say that I will be waiting for the next version of the iPhone before I waste one of our upgrades on this one.

I've had every version of the iPhone, and i have to say that I have truly enjoyed the experience.  Aside from the limitations that Apple puts on customizations and a few other things, it really is the best phone on the market in my opinion.  Some may read that statement and ask "Then why do you have a Motorola Atrix running Android now?" and the answer is simple...I am a developer and wanted to start writing Android apps.  However, I have now put that on the back burner and want to focus more on iPhone/iPad apps instead.  That and the fact that I got my mom and my aunt and uncle to buy Android phones since they wanted smartphones and the iPhone was somewhat cost-prohibitive, so I needed to be familiar with Android so that I could answer their questions.

As a .Net developer I obviously can't switch everything to Mac and still be productive.  But I have my 15" MacBook Pro, iPad 2, Apple TV, and Missy has her 21" iMac, so Apple is definitely a big part of our lives.  Each time I upgrade phones, Missy is happy to get my previous model, and right now she has my iPhone 4 while Aubrey's iPod Touch is floating around somewhere too.  So the only reason I'm even considering getting another iPhone is so that I don't get any glaring looks when I need to test the latest version of my apps.

The new iPhone 4S is a good device, but its not enough to make me want to spend the money for it.  Sure the camera is better, but the iPhone 4 camera does a really great job with the pictures that I take.  We already have a video camera that does 1080p video, so that does nothing for me, and Siri may be nice, but I just don't see myself using it much.  The A5 processor is nice, but my iPad 2 already has that.  So really the only thing left is the new 64gb model, but I'm not spending $400 just to have it.  I guess the HSDPA speed is nice too, but if I really need that much speed my Verizon 4g MiFi is actually faster, so I can always connect to it.

So what would have made me think twice about buying the new iPhone?  For starters if it had at least a 4" screen like my Atrix, I would like that.  There were rumors of it happening, but Apple saw things differently I guess.  Also if the 64gb model was cheaper I may reconsider.  Memory prices are down right now, so at this point it's just price gouging by someone in the mix.  And since the iPod Touch 64gb model has been out for some time now, it's not like there's a massive R&D cost that needs recouped.  Then throw in some new feature that would be unexpected, and I may be singing a different tune.

With that said, it is a worthwhile upgrade if you're coming from the 3G or 3GS.  The 4(S) is a dramatic improvement over the previous versions in terms of speed, quality of display, and overall aesthetic features.  Aside from the antenna issue with the 4 (which I never really had any problems myself) the only other issue I have is the proximity sensor "thinks" that I moved the phone away from my face is I put it on my shoulder to use both hands for something.  Other than that, I do recommend the upgrade from the 3G(S) but not the 4 to 4S.

At this point though I'm going back to the iPhone, and sticking with the iPhone 4 until the next iteration arrives.  For now I picked one up on eBay in excellent condition, so I will once again be back in the iPhone clique.  I'll keep the Atrix as a backup, and for when I decide to pump out a couple apps, but for now it feels good to be back.

All data, source code examples, and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. ChrisGlavan.com, it's owner, and affiliates make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Thoughts an opinions change from time to time. This is a necessary consequence of having an open mind, and of having the ability to decide for yourself what you believe in, and what makes sense to you. This weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot of experiences, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs at the time that the post was written and published. As time progresses, you may notice see changes in various posts that reflect this, and agree to accept the fact that this is a reality of life.

This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, or anyone else for that matter.

I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, or that I hadn't noticed it before, but things change pretty dramatically over the years.  I'm not just talking about age or technology or even moving from one area to another.  The changes that I'm referring to are the emotional and psychological changes that I'm assuming we all go through.

When I was growing up, I had a whole different outlook on life.  I was far from being the most popular in school, and seemed like the one who everyone defaulted to picking on.  My homelife consisted of a father who rivaled some of the well-known dictators in history, and a mother who still struggles with having the backbone to take charge of her life.  And yet somehow all these things, regardless of how dysfunctional they may be, made me the person that I am today.  The person that many would have said that I could never have become.  I would even go as far as saying that I didn't even think that I would be where I am now, and that I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunities that I have.

But what has really hit me is the fact that I look at my wife, my kids, and the life that we've built together, and I have to say that it's amazing how everything came about.  Missy and I met online almost 13 years ago after both of us had bad luck with our first marriages.  We had somewhat of a rough start with me taking the cable contractor job and being on the road, and then the problems that stemmed from my computer store.  But we stuck together and made it through even though some people were telling us to move on.  And after seven years of being together we decided to try the whole marriage thing again.  By this time I was already working in Pittsburgh, driving back and forth to DuBois every weekend to be with her.  And then a year later we get the call that changes our lives forever.

Aubrey was 3 years old when we brought her over a month after mom moved to Pittsburgh in 2007.  We were already talking about starting a family, but had no idea that we would be faced with the reality of the situation in the way that we were.  We had so many things to figure out in such little time, and here we had a little girl who depended on us 100%.  So, one decision lead to another, and things were shifted around to accomodate, and we took on the roles that we had to.  And if we could turn back time and were faced with the same situation again...neither one of us would change a single thing.

In 2009 another surprise came about in the form of a letter.  It stated that the mother of my son was in trouble with the courts, and that her kids were being removed from her custody.  This after 14 years of phone calls, letters, and trips to Ohio trying to get any bit of information of his whereabouts and well-being.  The child support agency kept claiming "we can't tell you anything because of the privacy laws" but yet they could keep taking my money.  The next day I made a phone call, plead my case, and less than a week later talked to Vince for the first time since he was 2 years old.

The last long-awaited surprise came just a few months later when we found out that Missy was pregnant.  All of the trips to the doctor...all the fertility drugs...running to and from West Penn Hospital for different procedures.  It got to be a standing joke that it was going to cost us more to get pregnant than it was to raise the kid.  Then it happened, and all she did was stop taking everything the doctor's had her on.  And in March of 2010 Ashlyn was born.

Unfortunately I wasn't there to witness the birth of Vince or Aubrey, so I can't say how my life would have changed at those moments.  What I can say is that I'm proud to be the father of 3 wonderful kids, and that I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I have a loving wife that is my best friend, and who has stuck by me against all odds.  The tattoo on my left arm is a symbol of the bond that we have, and something that will remain with me even after my time here is done.  And that I would not change.

Came across a banner pic I made for Rodger.  Hard to believe it's been 3 years already.  I remember getting the call from Mike just like it was yesterday.  All I could think of was that it wasn't happening.  I just talked to him a couple days before.  The text messages on my phone were still fresh.  The next week would prove to be a rough period of time, but we all managed to get through it.

On June 9, 2008 the world lost a truely great friend. We may never know what exactly happened on the fateful ride home, but we know that our lives changed forever.

Miss you bro!

Internet security has become a major issue these days. The threat of viruses, spyware, adware, security holes, and many other "bugs" have made a lot of people almost afrad to do anything on the internet. People spend hundreds of dollars everyday on the latest firewall software, hardware, anti-virus and spyware programs, and other programs just so they have that peace of mind that they are safe. Yet, even though have the "latest and greatest" in technology, you are still susceptable to security problems which could very well cost you more than that $30.00 program you just bought

For those of you wondering how to secure yourself on the internet to prevent spam, viruses, spyware, and any of the other security-related threats that internet users face everyday, here is a list of the top 5 things that you can do to be safer on the internet.

1.) DON'T click on web page links in emails - By clicking on a link, you might be taken to webpage that looks identical to the one that you were expecting to go to. However, you have actually been taken to a hackers website that was made to look exactly like a legitimate site. Good examples of these sites include emails supposedly from eBay, Paypal, your bank or financial institution, college, or any other site asking for personal information. By entering your information (i.e. login username/password, SSN#, bank account number, etc.), you are freely and willingly giving your information to a hacker that will in turn steal your identity, money, etc. If you receive an email that looks like it is from eBay, Paypal, your bank, etc. DO NOT click on the link. Instead, open your internet browser, and manually type in the website address that you would use to login. This eliminates the possibility of you giving your information to someone who really shouldn't have it. How many of you clicked on a link in an email to get to this webpage? Good thing I'm not a hacker huh?

2.) DON'T open email attachments - Even if you know who is sending you the attachment, this is still a big problem. In 1999 the famous Melissa Virus was spread through emails that came from someone the person knew, but that person never actually sent the email. If you receive an attachment, contact the person that sent it and ask them if they sent you an attachment. If you work in a office, and use email to send documents back and forth, contact the sender and make sure that they actually sent the email. Viruses cause thousands of dollars worth of damage every year, but can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions.

3.) Update your computer regularly - Every second Tuesday of each month, Microsoft releases security updates to the Windows operating system. These updates are VERY important, and should NOT be skipped. If there is an immediate security problem, Microsoft will release what's called an "Out of Cycle" update. These updates are for immediate security holes that appear throughout the remaining days in between updates. For Windows, you should have your Automatic Update Settings set to download and install the updates on a regular schedule. This will ensure that your computer is constantly kept up-to-date if Microsoft should release an "Out of Cycle" update. For Mac users, your updates are just as important. Use the Software Update feature located under the Apple menu to keep your system up-to-date.

4.) Use a hardware firewall - Most users have broadband internet access available in their area. This type of connection is "always on" and usually never protected. Regardless if you only have one computer, or an entire network of computers, you need to have a hardware firewall protecting you from outside attacks. These days, any router that you purchase has a built-in firewall to prevent outside parties from accessing your internal network. By properly installing a router, and configuring the security settings, you can be assured that you are better protected. Wireless routers are ideal, and can be setup using WPA encryption to prevent unauthorized access to your wireless network. This allows you to connect a laptop, portable game system, or other game systems to your network, without having to run network cable throughout your house.

5.) Download files from a known source - Downloading files from the internet can also be potentially risky. However, don't be discouraged from downloading a trial version of popular software titles, providing the download is from a popular, well-known website. Sites such as Download.com, Tucows, and other software search engines are usually safe, due to the rigorous test that the applications go through before they are made available for download. These days, peer-to-peer sharing sites are more popular than ever. There is a risk of downloading a virus, spyware, adware, or other program when using these sites. We do not in any way condone downloading illegal software, music, or otherwise copy-protected files. However, if you choose to use these networks, be careful what files you choose to download. Use common sense when looking at the file size. If that song that you've been waiting to hear is only 197kb in size, it's definitely a virus, spyware, or other. Also make sure that you anti-virus software is fully up-to-date before opening any file that you download from anywhere.

All data, source code examples, and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. ChrisGlavan.com, it's owner, and affiliates make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Thoughts an opinions change from time to time. This is a necessary consequence of having an open mind, and of having the ability to decide for yourself what you believe in, and what makes sense to you. This weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot of experiences, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs at the time that the post was written and published. As time progresses, you may notice see changes in various posts that reflect this, and agree to accept the fact that this is a reality of life.

This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, or anyone else for that matter.

Welcome to my blog.....finally.....

I know I'm probably jumping on the train a little late here, but I've finally decided to publish my own blog. For those of you who know me well, it's common knowledge that I usually have a lot of irons in the fire. So, it's not like I just woke up this morning with a revelation and said "Gee I think I'll start a blog today." but more along the lines of "Now that I actually have time to put something together, I think I'll start a blog today".

This isn't necessarily going to be a daily blog, and it might not even be a weekly blog.  It's going to be timed as to whenever I feel like saying something, or something happens that I feel the the irresistible urge to tell the world about.  It may be something funny that happened in our daily escapades, or it might offer some insight into a general computer problem that everyone has.  It could be a word of advice, or something that you need to pay attention to because it could affect your life.  Either way my goal is to strive to make it at least somewhat important and meaningful, and not just one of those "I ate toast for breakfast this morning" updates that no one really cares about.

So what am I going to blog about you ask? Well I obviously thought about the whole "tech" blog thing, but there's already enough of those out there. Then I thought about the "family" blog thing, but then that gets to be too much after a while. So after careful consideration I finally figured out that I'm just going to write in general about anything and everything that happens in my life, how I feel about it, and what effect it has.  I'll throw in some helpful tips from the computer world that everyone loves to pick my brain about, and hopefully offer some advice in other areas as well.

If you're reading this, you most likely know who I am, and have some form of relationship with me and/or my family. As time goes on I hope that I attract new people who may be interested in what I have to say. By no means am I expecting to become some kind of prophet leading a mass exodus in hopes of finding the promised land. All I want to do is share my experiences, and express my views, concerns, and thoughts to anyone who is willing to listen to a different side of the overall story. I do not have any delusions that I am always right, or that there isn't another way of doing things. So if you don't like what I have to say, that is your right and you are free to express your own thoughts. But at the same time I expect you to respect my right to express mine as well. If that doesn't suit you, then I bid you a fond farewell, and wish you the best in your journey through this life.

The Rules

As with anything that I create and post on the internet, I have some simple rules that I would appreciate you follow.  My goal is to not have to police this site like a rookie cop trying to make a name for himself, but to simply have a place where I can express my thoughts and ideas with some civilized feedback.  With that in mind, the rules are as follows:

1. Respect my views and opinions, and I will do the same in return.  We may not always agree on certain topics, but that is our right as human beings.
2. Don't post something that you wouldn't want everyone on the internet to see, or that you wouldn't be proud of if your mother was to read it.
3. If you plan on using my comment section to sell viagra, cialis, or any other online pharmaceutical drugs, you are wasting your time, and trying my patience.
4. Links to porn sites are also a waste.  If she looks that good, but has resorted to that profession, there's probably something wrong and you don't want to meet her anyways.
5. Keep your comments clean.  There's a lot of people who may want to visit this site that don't appreciate profanity-laced posts.

In addition, I have posted a "legal disclaimer" here for those people who are "sue happy" and can't just sit back and enjoy life.

With that said, I look forward to building the legacy that will survive long after I'm gone. It's definitely going to be a experience, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I will.

So once again, welcome to my blog!!!

-Chris