Hitman Absolution - Beautiful graphics, environment, and sound. Better AI and portrayal of women would have made it excellent

I just spent far too many hours playing Hitman Absolution. For the greater part, the game was fun.
When AI, Artificial Intelligence, is too good, the game is far too difficult to be fun. This game made me think that I am glad to not have aspired to become a police officer, fail in training, and default to become a security guard. These pawns were entirely disposable.

Other things that made little sense is the change into the uniform at each level. I understand that it is the character's distinctive look, but entering new environments, a disguise, even as a woman, would improve chances of success.
With regard to change of scenes or environments, were guards to be on high alert, opening a door seems to block them from moving all along to the next phase. Communication withing and between these teams seemed rather poor. I also would not like to be a guard, thinking how the disappearance of someone just spoken to has no influence on regular rounds. I somehow feel like the firefights killed the game which had so much potential.
 
I was quite frustrated with how the story was about the rescue of a girl.  I am not female, but the portrayal of women was not exactly balanced: all the police officers, miners, security guards were men. The few female characters were like concubines or attachées.
Some were well endowed femme fatales: the Saints, hypersexualized assassins dressed as nuns who received no character development, of course; Jade, an operator of the Agency; Layla, the wife of a manical weapon manufacturer.


Seeing that the writers of the game were all male, it is not a surprise that character development was not a strong point.

Free Downloadable FixMeStick Alternative - For Microsoft Windows PC or Mac OSX

FixMeStick was a featured pitch on CBC's Dragon's Den. The tool is intended to help when one cannot boot into their OS. The only times I have had a virus on my computer was the result of my experimentation. I downloaded a virus pack, and tried to launch some on my computer and see how well MSSE and ClamAV worked.

Certainly there are some people who always use administrator rights (or superuser) on their computer in order to save time when installing software, those who do not read what they install, or others who download and install the first item on the Bing or Google search results and then find themselves with malware on their computers.  Malware isn't necessarily software that will damage your computer or take your personal information, but unwanted pieces of software that force you to use a specific search engine, hijiack your operating system.

A write-protected system like a CD or DVD is ideal as it cannot be modified by the hackers in the stream (i.e. a host rerouting), however a disadvantage, like that of  FixMeStick, is the unified factor. Hackers know exactly what to target, thus the hacks, workarounds etc. are less labour intensive to develop. Therefore advantage of fragmented recovery setups is that hackers' tools cannot account for all of them.
If you were using computers between the years 1998-2007, Windows was synonymous with spyware,  malware, trojan and virus infections. Windows is a very secure operating system, but if more than 97% of the computers are running Windows, why would you bother creating malware for Linux or OSX. Most mobile phones are Android, and it is no surprise that we heard about viruses for Android... and later for iOS. Popularity comes at a price!

Before trying to make your own boot-up/recovery solution, I suggest try the free commercial solutions below:

The AVG Rescue CD
http://www.avg.com/ca-en/avg-rescue-cd-download
The AviraRescue CD
http://www.avira.com/en/download/product/avira-antivir-rescue-system

How the FixMeStick, or any bootable USB recovery system works

When you cannot get into your computer OSX or Windows based computer, the FixMeStick/RecoveryStick boots to its own operating system, bypasses OSX or Windows and then searches the hard disk for viruses, malware, or other unwanted changes to the registry and system start-up.

How the FixMeStick works  (or at least what would make sense)

1. Computer boots to the OS on the FixMeStick.
2. Devices on your computer are identified and the appropriate drivers are loaded.
3. You will need to connect your computer to the Internet using either a WiFi or Ethernet connection (a USB modem tether would be fine too).
4. Assuming that your router is not infected (rare, but possible), you will be asked to enter your Wifi password if applicable.
5. The FixMeStick will update its virus and malware database. 
6. Your Windows based drives will be scanned for malicious programs (not quite code, but series of instructions in hexadecimal information )
7. If any infected files are found, they will be quarantined or deleted. If the Windows Registry requires modification, registry editing will be required.

Antivirus Software

The antivirus software packages available on the FixMeStick are :

• SOPHOS
• Kapersky
• Vipre Antivirus

There are free virus databases that are as up to date  as those used by the the three packages listed above. On the recovery disk that we are creating we can use any of the following as listed on Linux.org :

• ClamAV
• AVG
• Comodo
• Kapersky
• Avast
  
  

 There is also the Ubuntu Malware Removal Kit which could also be used.

Steps

Install Linux on a USB flash/thumb drive

1. I recommend using Puppy Linux or Ubuntu Live and install it to a USB thumb drive. Puppy Linux is faster to download and easier to use, but Ubuntu offers better software support. For Windows prepare your USB drive using Rufus or any other ISO to USB tool. If your OSX computer is infected, it is also possible to install Linux to a USB stick. Instructions are found here : http://www.computerbastard.com/usbmac-puppy/


2. Install all or some the antivirus software listed above. 
3. Scan your computer's hard drive for malware or viruses. 
4. Remove or quarantine the files
5. If necessary, edit the registry or system configuration.

If you have any other recovery systems to share, please do below.

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The 5 Year Detox Plan

After the holiday season, some people feel obliged to do something good for their bodies. The detox myth has been long demystified and featured on Marketplace. The following is a simple detox plan. No need to eat "superfoods", keep on eating bread and other products with gluten. Eat as much locally produced food as possible.

The steps to a clean body in 5 years or less :

1. Start everyday with about half an hour of exercise.
2. Eat a balanced breakfast which includes a large amount of carbohydrates (bread, rice, oats, millet, corn), a portion of fruit or vegetables and some beans, seeds(ie. sunflower, pumpkin) or nuts (including nut butter).
3. To be physically fit is more than a few minutes of exercise a day. If you work in an office, set up your workstation to be standing rather sitting. To be happy, change jobs to start working working outdoors, such as farming, construction, surveying, or something where you must walk a lot like waiting tables, working in a daycare, nursing etc. 
4. As for lunch and for supper, a balanced meal must be colourful. It would mean a variety of vegetables, different grains and the use of oils. All edible vegetable oils, including peanut, soy, canola, flax/linseed, sesame, olive, avocado, coconut oil are good to use on a daily basis.
5. If not already engaged in a community activity, take part in sports like ice hockey, curling, soccer/football, lacrosse, running, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, running, tennis, badminton, etc.
6. The most important of all requirements for a healthy body is sleep. The more physical activity we do, the better we sleep. 

The body's liver will do most of the work of keeping your blood and body clean. As long as you regularly treat your body well, you will be in good shape. 

Windows 8.1 makes the touchscreen and your mouse obsolete.

Face it : a mouse is great for drafting and some web pages, but it is far from ideal for productivity; a touchscreen is... a touchscreen - unpredictable and gives the users no tactile(haptic when hovering ?!?) or visual feedback for actions. It is unfortunate that mobile phone developers have taken that route and that the trend caught on for tablets and PCs.

I am currently repeating my opinion that Microsoft did an excellent job with Windows 8.1. As long as you have a the most basic computer vocabulary and know where to locate the Windows Key, you can use the computer.
No need to learn all the shortcuts, but just tap the Windows Key and enter a term : reset, settings, reboot, the name of a software package - Excel/Steam/DraftSight...

I use the mouse for a few items, such as mouse over for certain icons in Word, Perapera Kun ( or just now to use the Blogger Associate/link function), but really you can do so much with the keyboard even in Windows 8.1.

Canada Action Plan - Fraud by the Conservative Party of Canada

The TV commercials have been going on for years. Like anything, the more often you see the advertising, the more you are likely to trust and like the subject.

Not yet fully unemployed, I went to the Canada Action Plan(CAP) web site at http://actionplan.gc.ca/ - the first question that you have is where can I sign up for this apprenticeship program? How about liking job seekers to employers.
All I could find was an option to sign up to a mailing list for job postings. It feels like something I had access to in 1993. 

Last night on the National, there was a report about the program which is advertised under the Canada Action Plan, but is nothing more than propaganda : the advertised program doesn't exist.

It comes to little surprise as in late 2012, we also learnt how the Conservative Government is cutting funding for some programs but was adding $16M to the CAP advertising budget. In 2011, we also knew about this excessive spending through its choice of advertising slots.

SPAM Alert! GetResponse and Phishing - Lisa Miller 2nd- Job Follow up

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Benefits Assistant - National Jobs
Career Benefits Department

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Can I find work without applying online?

As much as love looking things up online, I hate the Internet. I don't use Facebook. Social networking in a virtual world doesn't interest me. E-mail is enough of a hassle.

With regard to my sudden task of looking for work, I hasn't taken me long to remember the experience that I dread: sending out my resume, writing cover letters that no one will read, and waiting for nothing to happen. Apparently very few people actually do find work from applying online.

What I plan to do over the course of the following weeks :

1. Print out my resume. Read it aloud. Make corrections. Have somebody else read it and change the wording as necessary.
2. Print out a number of copies of my resume, make my way to employment agencies (sigh), and drop it off. It will give me a chance to put a face to my resume should I speak with someone other than the receptionist.
3. Try to find a job waiting tables, or something that will force me to move. Sitting down and facing a screen is very unhealthy. 
4. Get back into some of my hobbies : drawing, reading, programming. It is a little too cold to work on something out side which would involve my welder or other tools that are made with or of plastic.
5. Continue to speak with friends. It is devastating being out of work, but there is no reason to pity myself. Maintaining relationships is more important than work itself. 

Why my $150 Flux-core/MIG Welder is better than your $700 iPhone 5S

There isn't much of a comparison going on. A phone is a communication tool, a welder is a tool for repairs and construction. However, the technology of electric welders hasn't changed greatly in the past 40 years, and much like wood working tools, the future of a welder isn't going to come to an end anytime soon.

While I would love to have the opportunity to walk into a Starbucks and let my creative side come out by welding something like some people bring out their sketchbooks or laptops to write, the scenario is unlikely for health and safety reasons. Regardless, a welder is a far better investment than a piece of disposable consumer technology.

As a note here are some projects that I have in mind :

• Repair the muffler hanger on my car
• Make a pair of snowshoes with EMT tubing 
• Build a greenhouse
• Build a sled for winter
• Adapt the sled for a bicycle trailer
• Build a wood stove
• Make a sculpture with various pieces of scrap metal 

Tools cannot be replaced : a plum bob, a level, a tape measure, a hammer, and of course a pencil will all outlive the latest HDTV projector or smartphone.

 See also

http://toolmonger.com/2008/08/29/cheap-ass-tools-chicago-electric-90-amp-flux-core-welder/