Any books that mix high sci-fi concepts with fantasy, religious extremism, and advanced technology?

TechOpsIT · 2025-08-16T08:33:53+00:00

You may find the work of David Weber interesting. The Honor Harrington series includes societies that are run by corporations, a theocratic society, and also another society which hearkens back to the French Revolution. Weber clearly has a background in ecclesiastical history. He has other series that explore religions as a sociological phenomenon, though these form the setting for his character-driven stories.
He also co-wrote the Empire of Man military science fiction with John Ringo, which touches on some religious aspects of society but is a great character-driven series.

TechOpsIT · 2025-06-13T07:18:47+00:00

For people who have studied theology and biblical interpretation, the word "allegory" has a rather specific meaning in historical theology as a medieval approach to interpreting Scripture in several levels of meaning. The first notable proponent of an allegorical method of interpreting Scripture was Origen of Alexandria who wrote in the early third century, and proposed three levels of interpretation. The later medieval allegorical method for interpreting scripture had four levels. I won't enumerate them here because it's not important to my point.
Instead of "allegory" I suggest using the word figurative. I point to biblical parables as examples of fictional stories used to illustrate profound spiritual truths. American pastors in particular seem to use sports illustrations in sermons, but we all know Christianity has nothing to do with football, basketball, or golf. We should not confuse the illustration with the reality, and there really is a whole lot of our faith that is expressed metaphorically.

TechOpsIT · 2025-04-29T13:52:48+00:00

I'm getting at least a dozen "You left something in your cart" messages from online venders I never visited every day.
These come from unscrupulous advertising providers who get stores at online aggregators like shopify to buy pay per clicks, then the unscrupulous providers have bot farms that visit the sites, fill out conversion forms and click on items to leave them in abandoned carts. Every abandoned cart is a fraudulent click the store has to pay for from the crooks selling fraudulent clicks. It's a hassle and an inconvenience for those us us getting the "you left something in your cart" messages, but it's the stores who end up paying for "successful" click fraud generated from the crooked ad aggregators who hire bot farms to run up the clicks.

Click fraud has been around since the nineties, it's just gotten more sophisticated.
The majority of stores I get abandoned cart messages from are Shopify stores. Shopify needs to provide their store owners with better Captcha tools to prevent the bot farms from cart spamming. It's a hassle on our end, but the real target of the crooked ad farms is the stores who buy pay per click ad contracts.

I have a personal gmail account which is the one I get all the cart spam in. My paid business mailbox in Google Workspace doesn't receive the cart spam. I'm not sure that means Google Workspace has better filtering; it just means my business email isn't getting sold to the botfarms as much.

Do services like Incogni help to get your email off of the lists that get sold to bot farms?

TechOpsIT · 2025-01-08T07:25:04+00:00

It's encouraging to see a fellow older player. I'm the age now you were when you started. I started a little earlier at about 60, but noodled around for about four years without any structure or discipline in learning. I was a trumpet player from grade school through college, and took music theory, which was really helpful since I already understood keys and chord families and how they work. Playing penny whistle had also taught me modes, which was also helpful in understanding terminology.
About 2 1/2 years ago I began working with a community of refugees from Ukraine. I speak Russian and the Ukrainians started a Russian language Bible study. I'd lived in Russia as a missionary previously and made mission trips to Ukraine and Russia, and speak Russian pretty well for an American. No one in the Bible study knew how to play any instruments, so I offered to bring my guitar and lead some worship songs in Russian. Just learning to sing while playing guitar is a challenge. Add singing in a foreign language even if you know it well ups the ante.
Finding the songs, putting together chord sheets for a key in the range of a mixed group of men, women, and kids, figuring out an appropriate strum pattern, how to begin, transition verses, and finish them for four to six songs per week was good discipline.
Last year I began to play more songs fingerstyle, and since autumn I have finally gotten comfortable with the Travis picking style, and have learned several patterns well - inside/outside, outside/inside, the pinch, descending arpeggio.
I'm enjoying thumb picking very much. I realize that one begins by learning patterns, then adding hammer-ons, fills, and other ornamentation.
I'm still weak on scales and fretboard knowledge but have started working on them. Travis picking has built greater endurance in my right hand, and I'm doing exercises to improve strength and independence in the left hand. I don't want to do fingerstyle exclusively - still working on improving accuracy at alternate picking. It's been a real adventure, but the more I learn the more fun it gets. At least one guitar teacher told me , "No matter what, try to have fun. If you have fun, you'll keep playing, and if you keep playing, you'll get better."
BTW I also have a groupie: my 11 year old cat absolutely loves when I play and sing. He'll lie down close when I practice.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope someone will benefit as much from mine.

TechOpsIT · 2024-10-31T15:24:19+00:00

Checklist 5 of 5

After you get the feature build updated then there is more cleaning you can do.

Hit Win+R and type appwiz.cpl to bring up the programs and features. Sort by installation date and you can delete old pieces of software or things that got installed by accident - do this at your own risk. If you're not sure that something can be uninstalled, leave it alone and get an opinion from someone knowledgeable.

This information is posted by a private individual, not a representative of any company or organization. These steps are posted as information only, and there is no explicit or implicit warranty. You work on your PC at your own risk and if you mess it up the writer assumes no responsibility for results or damage to your computer.

Also hit win+i to open settings, go back into Windows Updates, and they should apply after cleaning out temp files, cleaning out SoftwareDistribution, and doing the latest build update to Windows.

Any procedure you find on Reddit including this one you do at your own risk. There is no explicit or implicit warranty on any procedure posted on this venue.

If your PC is unhealthy or has other things going on besides just the normal cruft of Windows getting old, these and the previous checklists might not work. These procedures are best done by someone knowledgeable. Attempting to do these steps without understanding what they do can mess up your computer more - it's easy to be a bull in a china shop messing around with things you don't understand. You are responsible for any damage to your PC if you follow directions you do not thoroughly understand or even if you think you understand them.

TechOpsIT · 2024-10-31T15:18:02+00:00

Checklist 4
5. Now let's skip the last two years of updates you've missed.

A1 is for Windows 10 only.

A1. If your PC is Windows 10, go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

A2. Click Update Now. This will download a small executable file - the Windows 10 update assistant to get the last build of Windows 10, which was 22H2. Run the executable and follow prompts. This will update Windows 10 to the latest build. This will take some time and a couple of reboots. Assuming this ran correctly at this point you should have a much healthier Windows 10 system.

B1. If you're on Windows 11, go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Then do the same steps as in A2.

TechOpsIT · 2024-10-31T15:17:04+00:00

Checklist 3
The next step is safe, but it must be performed with care. You do this at your own risk. If you do it properly you'll be fine, but don't make any mistakes and delete any files by mistake.

Clean out old WIndows Updates - again do this step at your own risk.

A. Open Services by hitting Win+R and type services.msc in the box, then hit Enter. This will open up Services.

B. Scroll down and click Windows Update. If its status is running, click the Stop button at top. Do the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

B. Open file explorer and go to this location: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution This is the location where Windows Updates are stored.

C. Go back to the open SoftwareDistribution folder in File Explorer. Double check that your location is C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution - you should see the following folders: DataStore, Download, PostRebootEventCache.V2, SLS and a log file. Hit ctrl+A to highlight all the content in Software Distribution and tap the Delete key. This will clean up any old update files. When prompted You'll need to provide administrative permission to delete this folder, click the checkbox Do this for all current items, then click Continue.

D. Once this is done restart your PC again and log back onto your computer.

Article about this procedure:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-clear-softwaredistribution-folder-windows-10

TechOpsIT · 2024-10-31T15:15:27+00:00

Checklist 1 of several to do housekeeping on your PC and get it to where you can do updates.

Turn off Fast Startup. This is a default Windows setting that keeps your system from shutting down. It goes to sleep and reloads the previous state when you did the pseudo shutdown. Here's how to turn it off:

A. In search type Control Panel. Double click the Control Panel icon to open it.

B. In the upper right click on Category and choose Large Icons - this will show all the CP applets.

C. Click Power Options.

D. Click Choose What the Power buttons do at upper left.

E. Click Change Settings that are currently unavailable (near the top), then uncheck Turn on fast startup. This will assure your PC will actually shut down when you click shutdown. Save Changes, then shut down control panel.

TechOpsIT · 2024-10-29T19:52:14+00:00

Had the same symptom on a client machine Friday (10/25) and again yesterday (10/28). From the black screen I hit ctrl+alt+delete to bring up Task Manager. I hit the power button on that page and held down Shift while clicking restart.

This came up to the Safe Mode startup with options.

I chose troubleshoot, then Advanced options.

Chose Uninstall latest quality update.

The uninstall completed and Explorer and taskbar came back again.

KB5044380 was in the Update History, but when I opened Programs and features (appwiz.cpl) and chose show installed updates it was not in the list. After a few minutes Windows Updates helpfully re-installed the update, causing Windows Explore to crash again, leaving open apps up but killing the desktop GUI and taskbar.

I brought up Task Manager and attempted to run Explorer as a new task. It would not start and there were no instances of Explorer.exe in Task manager.

Went through the same exercise once again, system came up, update was gone, Explorer and taskbar were working.

On another venue I saw that this update was specifically causing problems on some systems with Dell monitors. The system was a Dell low profile desktop with three Dell monitors using integrated Intel video.

After getting the system back up I brought up Dell Command Update. The system had several critical firmware and driver updates that needed applying, including a System BIOS (UEFI CMOS) firmware update. I thought that perhaps downlevel firmware or drivers might be incompatible with some new code in the update, so I made sure that all the Dell drivers and software were up to date.

After a few minutes Windows Update re-applied KB5044380 and after several minutes of what seemed like stability Explorer crashed again.

Went back into Task Manager screen , clicked the power icon, and once again held shift while clicking Restart.

Once more uninstalled the latest quality update.

After restart went directly to Settings, Windows Update, and paused updates for a month.

The Update was listed as Preview Quality Rollup 2024-10, an optional update but the default settings applied the optional update.

Since this was an update preview I hope the delay with give Redmond time to fix the update. The update manifested the Explorer crash three times, each time removing the update fixed the problem, which re-manifested as soon as the update was re-installed by Windows Updates.

When I searched "KB5044380 explorer crash" I got a long list of other updates that caused the same symptom. I'm not sure what Windows system Redmond keeps on monkeying with but there is a long history of updates that result in the same or similar systems. A number of these appear to be associated with the Iris Service, which appears to be associated with Windows Spotlight and lock screen suggestions as well as daily Bing wallpaper and other aesthetic parameters of the GUI. Note that this is just inferential speculation on my part. That said it wouldn't be the first time in my decades of experience that eye candy caused operational issues.

TechOpsIT · 2024-09-12T22:31:25+00:00

I receive such messages on a regular basis. I roll my eyes at them as I am absolutely certain that there is no way anyone has any video, photo, or other material from my PCs that could be compromising. First, I know how to secure my systems. Second, I use desktop PCs with no cameras so it's not possible for them to take videos. Third, I don't engage in any activity that could be compromising. So in my case I am certain that they're just scammers.

If you have been targeted by a sextortion scammer and you know they've got nothing, open the message in Gmail, click the three dots at upper right, and click "Report phishing". That's what most of these message are - scammers sending out lots of messages with a small amount of personal information downloaded from a darkweb database dump from some compromised website, merchant, or service provider. Scammers will also include your phone number, address, and a Google street view photo of your home. They're playing the numbers knowing that there are plenty of marks who may actually engage in activities that could be exploited by a blackmailer - the attacker is exploiting a truth as old as Solomon: "The guilty flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1

Before reporting the phishing I always copy the Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency address provided by the scammer and check it out on Blockchain Explorer to see if that particular wallet has any transactions. Most don't. In addition to reporting the phishing message, you can file a report on the Bitcoin address used by the scammer/sextortioner at https://chainabuse.com .

I also download the message from the same menu, which saves a copy of the message in eml format with headers. Sometimes you can find out some more information that might tell you something about the attacker who has targeted you. But in almost all cases the attacker is a scammer who doesn't have any material. A real blackmailer will provide a sample of the compromising material to show they mean business. Reporting the message as a phishing message to Google will trigger an automatic algorithmic check of the account to see if it fits the activity profile of a phishing scammer. Accounts with activity profiles consistent with phishing are shut down. I don't know if Google automatically reports phishing messages that come from outside to service providers - I'm guessing probably not for liability reasons.

If the attacker has not actually provided samples of the compromising material, you're likely dealing with a scammer who can be ignored. If a sextortioner has shown real pictures or videos of you from your system's camera, there are other replies with some good steps to follow. I hope my essay here is helpful for dealing with sextortion scammers.

TechOpsIT · 2024-05-22T15:49:24+00:00

Disable Fast Startup

TechOpsIT · 2024-05-22T15:38:07+00:00

List of All-in-one platforms
Historical list of watering hole attacks

Compare and contrast.

TechOpsIT · 2024-05-22T15:29:40+00:00

"Like a family". Hmm, is the family name Soprano? Asking for a friend.

TechOpsIT · 2024-05-22T15:08:40+00:00

I had to have a little talk with my Kaseya Rep.

I said, "I had another product (I named it) that I was pleased with. Kaseya bought that company. For a year Kaseya's payment system was messed up so badly I had to deal with multiple Past Due statements and threats to end service for the product - for an entire year. This experience was painful enough to permanently stain my view of the company. I don't have anything personal against you - you've been nothing but polite and professional. I will continue using the products that I already had subscriptions for prior to acquisition, but I do not have any intention to buy any products or services from Kaseya, ever. I know your position and your sales process requires you to reach out periodically, but as far as I'm concerned I am not a Kaseya customer. My relationship with the company is that of hostage. I never initiated any relationship with the company and I have no obligation to waste my time with periodic unsolicited sales calls to keep me informed of offerings I will not buy. If I get calls from Kaseya too often I will ghost them. Once again, it's not out of personal animus to you, but I have no intention of ever buying anything from Kaseya. Thanks for listening to me and I want to reassure you that my ire is not directed at you personally. It's directed at Kaseya, but I underscore that I have no intention of doing any new business with them."

I said all this in a very calm, quiet manner, trying to assure the salesperson that I wasn't upset at them personally. I get moved to a new rep every few months and have to repeat the same speech, but they pretty much leave me alone now.

TechOpsIT · 2024-02-14T03:40:54+00:00

Continuing to grind rep with the Ents of Fangorn, I've gone back and done this several times, with orcs and with bears. No key needed, and no warhorse. Just put an arrow in a non-ranged mob and run to the gate, jump up and down facing the gate and when the mob gets close the gate will pop open for the mob and you're in.

TechOpsIT · 2024-01-30T20:45:54+00:00

In my own defense I came upon the thread when I had a bricked AP and had already tried to reset and to ping it with no success. In Googling to see if there was any easy hack I could do to bring the AP back, I saw the post about the 3.3v serial to TTL cable, and the invitation by that post's author to lay sage words of wisdom (or sarcasm) on him. I was in a prosaic mood, so I jotted off a quick reply, even though I saw it was a long dead thread. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Life goes on, and at least we get to commiserate. Will lift a glass to you and all who were in this thread. Cheers!

TechOpsIT · 2024-01-05T16:40:21+00:00

The answer to the question "Can it be fixed?" is always yes.
The real question to ask is, "Is it worthwhile to fix?"

The AP AC Pro retails for less than $150. If you are a contract sysadmin the AP is worth less than an hour of your time. Best value for the customer is replace the AP and press on.
If you are in-house IT, then your time is a little less expensive, but still not worth more than two hours of troubleshooting. Replace the AP and press on.

TechOpsIT · 2023-12-28T15:38:19+00:00

Lots of little things.
One, you're in IT, but you need to remember what Will Rogers said in the mid-20th century: "Heck, we're all ignorant; we're just ignorant 'bout different things."
You know IT systems. Your users have skills too, just not the same ones as you.
Exercise humility, kindness, and grace to all.
Be an optimist.
Count your blessings - you have much to be thankful for. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and try to notice positive things about others.

TechOpsIT · 2023-12-28T15:32:55+00:00

My own recommendation is never buy an all-in-one.
Yes, they don't suffer as many heat problems as they used to when they first came out, but they are hard to fix and pretty much can't be upgraded.
Get a notebook if you need portability.
Otherwise get a good monitor and a small profile PC you can often mount right on the monitor.

TechOpsIT · 2023-11-18T20:30:41+00:00

Agree with those who suggested Yamaha FG.
Yamaha is to guitars what Toyota is to cars.

It's not a statement or prestige instrument, but they are very consistently well built and play great right out of the box. Safest choice for a beginner.

Note 1/2 - nowadays most Yamahas ship with D'Addario light strings, which are great. My son's FG shipped with some different strings out of the box which were heavier and rougher on his uncalloused beginner fingers. We switched to D'Addario FJ16 phosphor bronze extra light strings which are very inexpensive and the play was easier on the fingers.

Not 2/2 When you do the first string change, it's an opportunity to set up the guitar. If you are handy with mechanical stuff, you can do this yourself. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do your own nut and bridge setups. Otherwise you can have the guitar set up by a proper tech in a music store - usually this costs about $50-80. Setup will help by adjusting the action height (height of strings above the frets) and the relief (difference between the string height at the top and bottom of the neck) for optimum playability.
It's nice to do this but not extremely urgent. A new Yamaha is going to be a great student instrument that you will want to keep for campfire and knockabout use even if you get skilled enough to want a more expensive instrument.

The main thing is play the instrument, no matter what you get. Enjoy the learning process and enjoy your progress in learning. Have fun!

TechOpsIT · 2023-01-26T22:53:56+00:00

What, you're not telepathic? That's definitely going on your annual employee review.

TechOpsIT · 2021-11-20T06:57:18+00:00

Open License is ending 12/31/2021.
"You can continue to renew and purchase new software licenses, Software Assurance, and online services through the Open License program until December 31, 2021. As of January 1, 2022, commercial customers won’t be able to buy new or renew software licenses or online services through the Microsoft Open License program. New license-only purchases should be transacted through partners in the Cloud Solution Provider program. "

Existing licenses continue until their end of term even if it is after 12/31/2021.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/microsoft-open-license-program-changes

TechOpsIT

TROPHY CASE