Adobe Flash - Nested communication

When working with Adobe Flash, communicating with various movie clips and swf files can be a pretty stressing.

For nested SWF files, it goes as follows:

1. First SWF (level 0) loads another SWF file into a different level using either loadMovie or loadMovieClip function.

2. The loaded SWF file can then refer to the first SWF by referring to it through "_level0"

For nested movie clips, _root, _parent, this, "instance name of movie clip" can all be used.

_root refers to main timeline
_parent refers to the calling movie clip

Network Detection Methods

Been awhile since my last post, been caught up with a million things here and there.

Recently I have been trying to figure out a way to detect on a network when certain devices are actively connected to the network. Reason for this is when users need to know when a certain devices is sending and receiving data (especially when we are talking about mission-critical devices - such as metal detection, programmable ovens, etc). Nothing is worse when a user "thinks" that the device is sending data only to find out that it didn't and must redo the entire job again. This not only wastes time, but obviously wastes money.

All this is assuming that the device being used has an internal ethernet adapter or is using wireless.

FREEping is a free software that pings any IP and keeps track of it through time. By pinging a certain device at regular intervals you will know whether or not the device is connected or not. Users can simply view the monitor and know right away. I'm sure there is other ping software out there, but this one does the job well enough.

Another solution which is better is to have some sort of LED light on the outside of the device indicating the connection is good, but of course this usually has to be custom implemented if it wasn't already built-in to the device to begin with, which equals more money. But is a better indicator.

Either way, both solutions work fine and I can finally get this little issue out of the way.

Server Room - Temperature & Humidity

Well, thought I'd talk about this a little bit since this is something that isn't very clear cut. While temperature and humidity levels can vary among all server rooms depending on the number of servers there are, other hardware, type of room, size of room, location of room, etc. Most people aren't sure what the ideal temperature and humidity levels should be to properly cool their equipment.

I can say that from my experience it varies a lot, but there are general guidelines to follow. Most of the IT community (from talking with individuals in the field and through sources on the Internet) agree that the server room should not exceed roughly around 28 degrees Celsius in general. I think that's way too high in my opinion, 28 degrees in a room is pretty warm!

I've had the server room hit 26-27 degrees before and to me it was really warm. APC wrote a white paper to give their general guidelines (http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5UDSLG_R2_EN.pdf). They say around 22-24 degrees Celsius is adequate with about 35%-50% humidity. Sun Microsystems in a articles (which I cannot find anymore) suggested around 21-23 degree Celsius for temperature.

From what I've read and heard so far and my own opinion on the matter, "normal" server rooms should have temperature of about 19-23 degrees Celsius and about 30%-50% humidity.
Minimum temperature I would say don't go below 16 degrees Celsius and for maximum temperature don't go above 25 degrees Celsius.

Server rooms should always be "cool" and "dry", but not "too cold" or "too dry". Anyway, that's my thoughts on that.

Microsoft Surface

I have to admit when I saw this I was impressed. Although this is something you've seen in movies and what not, to actually see this coming to home use very soon is exciting. Technology is just great (when it works that is). The possibilities for this type of technology are endless, a computable surface table, awesome.

Take a look at the site:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Check out "The Possibilities", that's amazing!

Metal Gear Solid 4 Gameplay Revealed!

The only thing I can say about after watching this is I wish I didn't watch it. It is so sick that I can't wait now. Damn it! Thanks a lot Kojima-san! >.<

Sysvol

Many people may overlook this very important folder. By default, Windows 2003 Server gives "authenticated users" full control of this folder. Patches will automatically adjust the security settings to accommodate for it, but you can easily do it yourself after installation of a new 2003 server machine.

The System Volume (Sysvol) is a shared directory that stores the server copy of the domain's public files that must be shared for common access and replication throughout a domain. The Sysvol folder on a domain controller contains the following items:

• Net Logon shares. These typically host logon scripts and policy objects for network client computers.
• User logon scripts for domains where the administrator uses Active Directory Users and Computers.
• Windows Group Policy.
• File replication service (FRS) staging folder and files that must be available and synchronized between domain controllers.
• File system junctions.

Best Practices for Sysvol Maintenance
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324175

Authenticated Users Group Has Too Many Permissions to the SYSVOL Network Share
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812538

Group Policy - Notes

Workstations check with Active Directory every 60 to 120 minutes to see if there are any new policies. If there are, then the workstations apply them - both user and machine policies.

If you are using group policies, local policy is always processed before site, domain, or OU group policies

Policies are reapplied every 90 minutes, with a 30-minute "randomization" to keep the domain controller from getting hit by many computers at once

Policies on DCs are refreshed every 5 minutes

Order in which policies are applied: local > site > domain > OU
If multiple GPOs attempt to set a setting to conflicting values, the GPO with the highest precedence sets the setting

GPO-links that are enforced cannot be blocked from the parent container

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Managing inheritence of Group Policy:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/212eb1fd-11f4-465f-b243-73e542d06b2c1033.mspx?mfr=true

Referenced from "Mastering Windows Server 2003" by Mark Minasi

Best Ending in Gaming History

I thought I'd post this clip to give tribute to the best videogame ending in history (IMO of course).
The story, the characters, the music, all top notch. By far, the most emotional ending out there to date.

Dictionaries all over there world should change their definition of "patriotism" to:
Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3.

Great game.