How to disable the password expiration on Windows Server 2008

If your server is non-domain joined and you are not using Active Directory the Local Security Policy controls items like password complexity rules, account lockouts, and password expiration. To turn off password expiration you'll need admin rights and to simply edit the Local Security Policy:

• Launch “Local Security Policy”: Start > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy
• Expand “Account Policies” and select Password Policy
• Set the Maximum Password age to “0″

The bullion luster of a Silver Eagle Coin

There's something about the look of a mint silver coin that is very appealing. Not so much the shine, but the thick, creamy luster of the dull surfaces. Anytime I look at a Silver Eagle I think wow, too bad our real coins aren't made of this stuff anymore...

Microsoft Exchange Server - Using PowerShell to Share Outlook Calendar

On occasion I need to manage Exchange mailboxes. Generally I just do two simple tasks: Send As and Calendar permissions. The former can be easily managed via EMC, the latter cannot. While it can be managed from the sharing calendar user’s Outlook client, that is annoying and can require human interaction. Let's keep that kind of stuff to a minimum. It’s much easier to user PowerShell. Be sure to use the Exchange Powershell Module.

You can look at a user’s permissions with this cmdlet:

Get-MailboxFolderPermission

After entering the cmdlet you type in a user mailbox for Identity. You can also add the –Identity into the cmdlet directly to define. Either way, this will display the current permissions for that user.

To give a user to have permissions to another calendar use this cmdlet:

Add-MailboxFolderPermission -Identity TheUserCalendarYouWantToShare@somemail.com:\Calendar -User GivingRightsToThisUser@somemail.com -AccessRights Reviewer

Adjust the AccessRights as needed, ie: Owner, Editor, Author, Reviewer, etc…

 

The Prefect Demitasse Espresso Cup - It's Chip Proof

Ever since getting a Saeco Superautomatic machine, I take at least one 2 ounce pull of espresso each morning. For years I had a set of cute ceramic demitasse cups -- I've lost the tiny saucers, but who cares about those anyway. But I've found that the cups haven't been up to the task for daily use, by me. I ding them on the sink, I ding them on the faucet. They have chipped more then twice and one ding took off the entire handle... the poor demitasse cup!

As much as I like the painted ceramic look, I knew I needed a better replacement. Something that could handle the rigors of daily use, by me, and my always-in-a-hurry dish washing skill set.

In some moment of reflection I recalled a hardy campsite technology that allowed me to enjoy both wine, water, and, ahem, coffee for several years of camping: enameled-ware. This is the stuff of roustabouts and cowboys, and Boy Scouts probably. Sturdy. And un-breakable. Certainly the enamel can be chipped, but that will just add to the character of the demitasse moment.

I found a pair of little espresso size cups. They are fantastic. I love them. I want to dig around the garage and find my old coffee mug size one, if it hasn't been lost or abandoned years ago. I think these cups are, simply, the perfect espresso cup. You can check them out at Amazon here.

New friend and old friend

The business entering the cup

Ah, mornings with a Saeco

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Dave Ramsey's Mututal Funds - Two are growth funds from American Funds

Recently Dave tweeted and spoke about two of his mutual funds. I've heard him talk about "his" funds in the past but he never specifically named them. Now, for whatever reason, he has started revealing some of his funds. I suspect it has to do with people claiming that his is off the mark when recommending that people can regularly get 10-12% return year after year after year. So he is telling his detractors flatly what funds have average these returns over their long history.

Here are two that he specifically named recently. He is clear to say he isn't endorsing these products, but that he has his personal money in these funds. Both are products of American Funds:


Investement Company of America
AIVSX

Growth Fund of America
AGTHX

If you are looking for a long term growth fund, then both of these are worth a look. Dave did.

CC Filson Tote Bag - Tin Cloth - Made in USA

You'll be hard pressed to find a more rugged, utilitarian tote bag than the Filson Tote. Perfect as a grocery getter or for a weekend jaunt, this bag will give you a lifetime of service. I've been using mine for over 10 years and it seems like it is just getting broken in. I've used it to haul beer back from the market and to stuff a weekends worth of food for some car camping.

I'd recommend the zipper-version. Although I wouldn't mind having a non-zippered one as well. Maybe it's time I start shopping for one...

If you are thinking about getting a Filson Tote bag, don't think, just get one. Years from now you'll thank yourself. You can check out and buy the zippered Filson tote at Amazon here.

Make Google Chrome download PDF files by default

If you prefer for Chrome to download PDFs and not use the preview view mode you need to disable the PDF viewer plugins.

In the Chrome URL address bar type:

chrome:plugins

Look for and disable Chrome PDF Viewer

You may also need to disable any Adobe Reader plugin.

Close and restart Chrome and now PDFs will be downloaded.



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The sad end of my favorite Blundstone 500 boots

Wow, these boots were great friends for over 10 years. Wore the heck out of them. Hiked in them. Traveled in them. Took them camping. I got these as a gift from a friend that bought them on their travels in Australia.

But all good things come to a sad end. Including these #500 boots. As noted in the photos they hit their limit and blew apart while doing some DIY drywall work around the home.

No regrets though. These boots lasted, and gave me some great memories. I probably won't get another pair, since I don't even know where to find them being sold. I suppose I could buy some online, but then again, I kinda like the thought that these were my one pair to love, live, and enjoy.

We bid you farewell Blunnies.

Therias & L 'Econome Paring Knife - INOX steel

Lately my go to knife is a sweet little French paring knife. Made in Thiers France since 1819. Works perfect for a kitchen utility knife. The blade is made of European INOX carbon steel, not quite full tang. Easy to keep the blade sharp with my knife steel.

With this blade I slice veggies and meet as needed. It just feels right in my hand. You can usually find these inexpensive knives. The hardwood handle washes up easy.

Cheap case for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Android Tablet

I've been enjoying the Galaxy Tab 2. I take it to and from work each day and wanted a cheap cover to protect it when throwing it into my bag. I picked up a cheap checkbook style case for it from Amazon. Under $10 ought to do the job just fine. Totally imported from China and fake leather galore.

It does have the tab for the standing mode which I don't use often. But this is nice for watching movies when flying. It has the appropriate cut-outs in all the needed places.

You can check out cases for the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 at Amazon here.

Trader Joe's Bali Blue Moon Coffee Beans espresso shot

I'm a big fan of most things Trader Joe's. Their whole bean coffee does make the list of favorable items. Most of their beans are dark or medium-dark roast, which tend to be too oily for a superautomatic machine like our Saeco Vienna Plus.

Among the lighter roast beans they offer is a medium roast from Indonesia: the Bali Blue Moon bean. The beans aren't oily at all and see, like a good match for the Vienna Plus. The first shot I pulled from the Saeco proved it can produce a nice, smooth demitasse of espresso. Nice crema, smooth with little bitterness. On subsequent trips to Trader Joe's I'll have to try some of their other lighter roast beans.

Mora of Sweden Allround 711 Carbon Steel Knife - great value for the money

Wow, what a knife! You can check this knife out at Amazon here.

If you troll the web for the best utility, survival, bush craft knife for the money, you'll find a lot of opinion that the best deal out there hands down is for a Mora knife. These are simple, super sharp knives make in Mora Sweden. What the sheath lacks, the carbon steel blade makes up for.

A fantastic knife for under $20. Nice thick blade, with a raw unfinished back -- I like the industrial look. And the back is in no way sharp on the thumb. Very nice. The grip is grip-y dry or wet. I'll see how the rubber wears over time and use.

The highlight here is definitely the blade. The carbon steel is super, super sharp right out of the sheath.  I'll have to put this 711 through it's paces when camping this year. I expect it to be a fine campsite friend.

For all the good and value there is one let down. I don't trust the sheath since the knife doesn't really snap in and it seems the Mora knife could pop out. And I have a few leather belts that are too thick to go through the sheath's belt loop. So this knife may be better living in a tackle or tool or glove box, or easily accessible someplace other than on your hip. Or course, if you want a belt knife, I'm sure there are many options for getting a better sheath.

But overall I am very pleased with this 711. I bought it from Amazon for under $17 with free shipping. What a deal!

Complete Protein Salad - Black Bean and Corn Salad with Cilantro

Eating less meat? If so, you'll probably hear about the need to eat certain grains together. The reason for this is to create a complete protein, which has adequate proportion of the 9 essential amino acids. The two grains alone don't provide enough, but together they do. They are, together, a complete protein. There are two classics combos: rice and beans, and corn and beans.

I threw together a quick, simple, and tasty complete protein salad. 3 cans from the market: 1 black bean, 1 whole corn, and 1 diced tomatoes. If you have time and the ingredients are available you get a much better result using dry beans, fresh corn and tomatoes. But during the winter using cans works quite well.

1. Drain and rinse black beans and corn in colander. Repeat with diced tomatoes.
2. Mix all three together with olive oil and minced cilantro (or chopped coarse if preferred).
3. Spice or salt to your taste. Spice it up with garlic, chilies, or any spices you enjoy.
4. Let mellow out for at least an hour before serving. Enjoy your complete protein.

The complete protein salad.