That is all…

Last night, I had a huge uprising with McInTEC (Again, yeah, I know). This endowed me a ban from his IRC network, after being personally invited by him, and some others. Doing so caused him to write a long and painful blog post, doing nothing but bashing me, and a good friend of mine, using our names, and IRC handles (Of course). After doing so, someone from his community came into #Datablab on AceIRC and spammed the living hell out of that post. After doing so, a great friend of mine, TXBrad, left my channel, no doubt by influence of McInTEC. Now, this is what disappointed me. I expected immaturity from McInTEC (Jason), and possibly the guy who spammed my channel… but NEVER TXBrad. Period. Now, unfortunately, this is goodbye for TXBrad and I, someone who has been my friend for a long while.

Here’s what happened (In a nutshell): I made a suggestion for McInTEC-IRC, and Jason didn’t want help from me (of course), so he started saying things in the room. I left McInTEC-IRC, and ended the fit. Then, Jason proceeded to PM me on Ustream’s network, wondering if I had a “problem.” Anyways, this eventually drew me back to McInTEC-IRC to finish what had been started. It was long and painful. Later, I found Jason, and asked him why the heck one of his people would spam the hell out of that horrible post in a community chatroom on AceIRC. Jason proceeded to say “If you say anything to me again, I’ll call the police,” or something of that nature. Anyways, I became very disappointed in McInTEC from this point, and decided to confront the person that did this. TXBrad proceeded to leave my channel, and deop me in his. He–obviously–hates me now. All I have to say is: “Whatever.” From this point, the immaturity is–unfortunately–rising from McInTEC.

On their IRC network, I apologized, I forgave, and I left. They proceeded to do immature things, like the spamming. This shows the immaturity, and unwelcoming qualities of McInTEC. Now, I’m not going to bash them more, and I’m not going to spam AceIRC. All I am going to do, is sigh, and be disappointed in McInTEC. I was once a part of McInTEC, a staff member. It was once a great community. But, things change. If you decide to visit McInTEC, think twice, please. For what has happened between two people, and McInTEC, can happen with you as well.

This is all I have to say.

~Sam

As I previously stated, I have been nothing but happy with OpenDNS’ service. I would highly recommend OpenDNS to anyone.

Thanks,

~Sam

Have you ever used a gallery software, or management system? What are your thoughts?

If you want, please feel free to comment on this post, and tell me what gallery CMS’ you like… or which you believe I should use.

~Sam

Ok, so, where do I begin… The McInTEC Community was introduced to me by a long-time friend, LinuxFan, of Digital-IRC. When he invited me, I came to the channel now and then, and popped into the Ventrilo server time, and time again. Then, I started chatting in #McInTEC (when it was on WyldRyde) more, and more. Jason gave me halfop in the channel, and I continually kept chatting there, and became an avid member of the community. One day, in Ventrilo, I was introduced–by Jason–to Darian Caplinger, also known as VorteX, the owner of AceIRC. When McInTEC made the move to AceIRC, I was there too (invited by VorteX, a bit earlier). I became a huge part of the community, and eventually became McInTEC Staff, and a web admin for McInTEC.net. McInTEC was my life.

I got to know Jason, and he became one of my best friends; He was someone I could talk to, my ‘brother’. He was someone who was always around, and would always listen.

A conflict arose…

Some feelings arose between the McInTEC Community, and I. One night, something happened, and I left the McInTEC Community. That same night, I said some things that I would grow to regret saying, and I knew I would regret leaving McInTEC, because of all the amazing people I would lose association with. Later still, McInTEC left AceIRC… in a more ‘permanent’ fashion.

I would like to say sorry to McInTEC, to Jason, and to everyone, but also, I would like to wish a happy birthday to the community, and to Scootz. McInTEC will always be remembered as an influence in my life, for the better. I will miss being with McInTEC, and will always be grateful to Jason for all the good people he introduced me to, and for being a great friend. Batty, Scootz, Domo, Blaze, Will, VorteX, and Andrew. I met them all through McInTEC, and will always be glad I did. Each one of these people have influenced my life in some way, and I will always be thankful for that.

Happy anniversary (or birthday), McInTEC.

Tyler Graffam, an amazing friend of mine, and someone who has influenced me in many ways has influenced me to write this post, and I felt I had to. Thanks Tyler, and thanks McInTEC.

~Sam

Edit: 7:56 PM CST - 11.01.2008

I figured I couldn’t go without writing a bit about some of my favorite people at McInTEC, so you can see how amazing they all are, in their own ways, and how I will miss them all.

Jason - Jason was my brother, and my friend. Jason started McInTEC last year, and it has continued to grow from the start. Jason is an amazing person, and a good person to get to know. Jason is a hard-working guy, and he still makes time for the community. Eventhough I am not around McInTEC much anymore, all of the people there are lucky to be a part of the community, and lucky to know Jason.

Scootz - Scootz was one you could always count on. Someone who was always there, day or night, and would help you with anything. When I needed help with mIRC, VB, or a PHP script, Scootz would virtually stop what he was doing to help. Scootz is an invaluable part of the McInTEC community, and an amazing person. Alike Jason, anyone would be lucky to know Scootz.

Batty - When I was up late in the vent server, Batty would always be there too. Batty is one of the most intelligent people I have ever spoken to, and a good friend to have. I remember times where Batty and I were in the Vent server at three in the morning, and he would always be active, and friendly. Batty would help me with anything from my router, to Rubik’s cube, and I am lucky to know him.

TXBrad - TXBrad is one of my best friends. Brad and I have known each other for quite a while, and I believe we met through McInTEC. TXBrad has been a friend to me, and would always listen, have good ideas, and be able to help out with anything you needed. TXBrad is another invaluable part of McInTEC, and I am lucky to know him.

JazzGuru - I remember when JazzGuru first came around McInTEC, through Ustream.tv. JazzGuru was active with McInTEC daily, and an amazing person to know, and have around. JazzGuru always has good ideas, and strong opinions. He is a person that I will always remember, now that I am not around McInTEC anymore.

Osxdude - Osxdude is a friend I still have to this day, and someone I met through McInTEC. Osxdude is a key part of Datablab today, and a fun person to be around. Osxdude always has a good idea, and is a very intelligent person to know. He can help you with almost anything, and will do it in a friendly way. I am privileged to know him, as well as everyone I have met through McInTEC.

Andrew - Andrew is someone I met a while ago, and I met him through McInTEC. Andrew is one of the most intelligent guys I have known, and, like Osxdude, can always help you with almost anything. Andrew is another key part of Datablab, and I am privileged to know him, too.

VorteX - VorteX is someone that doesn’t hang around McInTEC, but someone I met through Jason. VorteX is like an internet father-figure of sorts, and he gave me my first REAL chance as an IRC operator, and taught me so many things about IRC, I couldn’t list them all. VorteX is one of those people I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t meet them, and I have Jason to thank for it.

These are just a key few of the many amazing people around McInTEC. Thank you, Jason, for introducing me to them all. Without Jason, I don’t know where I’d be right now.

~Sam

Drupal has many features, and ways to customize it, that make it an amazing CMS to use with your sites. Drupal has various modules enabling blogs, and a blog API, and even built-in forums. Drupal includes a feed aggregator with it, allowing you to read any RSS, or Atom feeds you would like… and even make them all display on one page!

If you are interested in a powerful, and easy-to-use CMS for your sites, I would recommend Drupal. You can get it at http://drupal.org.

Thanks,

~Sam

The Wiki: I am going to start off with the Wiki. The wiki is located at http://www.TheCellist42.com/wiki. The wiki, is also going to be associated with my new project, IntelliForge, allowing users to share ideas, and knowledge, and collaborate on articles to help anyone who reads with whatever they may need. The wiki is a place for people to collaborate. If you can, please stop by the wiki, and check out what it has to offer… and maybe even make an account, and post a few articles!

The LifeStream: Now, onto my LifeStream. The LifeStream page is a place for feeds from all of the social networks I am on, to be displayed together. As of now, I have my blog’s feed, my Twitter, and my Flickr feeds integrated in this page. You can find it by looking at the navigation bar at the top, and clicking: “Life Stream.”

All for now!

Thanks,

~Sam

If you cannot give, just think. It’s better to at least care than to be indifferent to this tradgey that is occuring. Be informed about poverty and see what you can do to help. You don’t have to jump onto every poverty fundraiser but rather just support the end of poverty and voice your opinions to those in power.

I agree with this statement so much… It is better to think, then just forget. I take this quote:

We never touch people so lightly, that we do not leave a trace.

~Peggy Tabor Millin

This applies here too… everything you can do, little, or large… can make a difference in someone’s life. Just think about the people who live in poverty… and think about a difference you can make in someone’s life.

Thanks,

~Sam

Where to get it: You can get WordPress in a .zip, or .tar.gz file at WordPress.org. It is simple to install, seeing as all you need is a MySQL database, and about two minutes. WordPress truly is the one-click install system.

Want to blog, but don’t have a site? Simple. Setup a free WordPress blog at WordPress.com. You simply setup an account, and begin blogging. Its that easy.

Sites that use WordPress: Some sites that use WordPress include WordPress.com, and Lockergnome.com. Both sites are free for you to sign-up for and use.

So, what are you waiting for? Start blogging today!

Thanks,

~Sam

Now, onto the radio… Digital-IRC has recently setup a SHOUTcast, which you can listen to, for free, using Winamp, or VLC media player. Digital-IRC plays all types of music, anywhere from disco to rock. You can listen to Digital-IRC radio free by going to http://radio.digital-irc.net:8000, and clicking the “Listen” button at the top. A direct link to listen now, can be found by clicking HERE.

Have fun listening to Digital-IRC Radio, I know I will!

Thanks,

~Sam