My lovely wife and I decided to skip the Superbowl this weekend and head out for shopping.  First, it was the mall, then it was the outlet in San Marcos.  It was somewhat dead, but we found a bunch of good deals.  She even let get my Oakley ski pants I've been dying for, an Oakley belt, an Oakley beanie, some more socks, an Under Armour shirt for skiing, and she even topped it off with a Nike reversible beanie.  She complimented my goodies with 3 pillows from R. Lauren, an Oakley beanie, a pair of Oakley ski pants, some socks, a reversible Nike beanie just like mine, and a backpurse bag from Nike.  Such a wonderful wife to let me have it ALL =))  Just think, we got it all on sale too.  Can't wait to go skiing now and bring back lovely photos.

The Superbowl, we all know we only watch the Superbowl for the commercials now.  Why, just stop at www.youtube.com/superbowl.  Tomorrow will be the American Idol showing filmed here in the Alamo City.  Can't wait to see how silly the San Antonians look singing.....<sigh>

A History of Microsoft Windows

Co-worker sent me this:

A History of Microsoft Windows - by Keith Axline

The world's most ubiquitous operating system was not always so. The evolution of Windows was often uncertain and precarious. Its success was symbiotic with advancements in processor speed and memory capacity, and Microsoft relied heavily on third-party software to bridge the gap between concept and consumer. Tour the 23-year history of the Windows OS through these screenshots.

Bill Gates announced the Windows project in 1983, but Microsoft's first graphical user interface -- Windows 1.0 -- wasn't released until November 1985, nearly two years after Apple introduced the Mac. Due to legal issues with Apple, Gates couldn't include key features like overlapping windows and a trash can. Looking at it now, it's not surprising it was a flop. Windows 1.0 was more an extension of MS-DOS than its own operating system, but it did allow limited multitasking and mouse support.

Gates soon signed a licensing agreement with Apple to use some of the Macintosh GUI elements in Windows. It was a huge coup for Gates, especially when Apple later took him to court for 170 counts of copyright infringement after Windows 2.0 was released. Windows 2.0 had fully realized icons and overlapping windows, but all the alleged infringements were eventually dismissed.

In addition to the face lift, version 2.0 also enjoyed some key program support. Early versions of Word and Excel used Windows for their interfaces, even though Windows closed when the programs were exited. Aldus PageMaker, a popular desktop-publishing program that had previously run only on the Mac, also debuted for Windows 2.0. This was a pivotal moment for Windows, as it greatly expanded the operating system's usefulness and its market.

Windows 3.0

Released in 1990, Windows 3.0 was a complete overhaul. A new file-management system and enhanced graphics finally made the Windows PC a competitor to the Mac -- six years on. The OS had a new look, and protected and enhanced operating modes for more efficient memory handling. Windows 3.0 was a huge success, selling 10 million copies in two years. Developers began writing a ton of third-party software -- a huge incentive for consumers to buy Windows. The sudden influx of money changed Microsoft's direction and narrowed its focus on the OS.

Windows 3.11

Mainly a polish of version 3.0, Windows 3.11 included support for TrueType scalable fonts, multimedia capabilities and Object Linking and Embedding. A host of other fixes and updates released since 3.0 were also wrapped into 3.11.

Windows 3.11 NT

A much more powerful version of Windows and developed independently from the consumer version of 3.11, NT was developed for businesses and engineers who needed more sophistication in their OS. Unlike 3.11, NT was written for 32-bit processors. Unfortunately, there was little hardware support. Developers didn't want the trouble of making their devices compatible with NT because it was so complex and the OS captured only a small segment of the market.

Windows 95

Windows 95 brought computing to the masses, and served as an introduction to Windows and the world of computers for a vast number of people. Packaged with Internet Explorer, Windows 95 also became a common portal to the web. Windows 95 marked the debut of the Start button and the taskbar, which remain Windows fixtures today.

Windows 95 was also emblematic of Microsoft's everlasting struggle with backward compatibility. Much of the architecture from 3.11 -- as well as some of the design flaws -- were ported to Windows 95, and while some parts ran in 32-bit mode, others did not, leaving the OS stretched between the past and the present. Most users were ignorant of these issues, but they laid the groundwork for system instabilities and constant security updates.

Windows 98

More of a stability upgrade to Windows 95 than a new OS, Win 98 included support for multiple monitors, WebTV and larger file partitions thanks to the new FAT32 file system. Win 98 was also the version of Windows to incorporate Internet Explorer into its GUI, fomenting the famous antitrust cases against Microsoft.

Windows 98 Second Edition was released a short time later, adding, among other things, the internet connection sharing function.

Windows 2000

Released in February 2000, Win 2K was an upgrade to the NT line of Windows. It was the first instance of Windows to offer automatic updates over the internet.

Windows Millennium Edition

Nicknamed "Mistake Edition," this build of Windows was particularly problematic. With infamous stability issues, Windows ME was released quickly before Windows XP and given little support. The interface inexplicably degraded with every new program installed, but the GUI was, however, a pleasing step forward from Win 98, or even Win 2K, and anticipated the potential of XP.

Windows XP

Released in 2001, XP merged the NT architecture with the consumer-friendly interfaces of the 95/98/ME versions of Windows. While coming under fire for security, XP was a vast improvement in many areas, including file management, speed and stability. The GUI was a significant upgrade and made the OS more palatable and accessible to less-experienced users.

Windows Vista

Just released to consumers Tuesday, it remains to be seen how Vista will affect Microsoft's varied track record with updates. Vista has already met mixed reviews, but it's been six years since XP, and the new OS is a significant step forward. The GUI is the most obvious change, with slick animations and transparencies. Microsoft has also included some ambitious security features such as User Account Control. Vista also sports a revamped search and file-management system.

Had a nice weekend golfing with my friend Dan.  Thanks for his many photos of me wacking the "little ball" and the vids of me saying silly stuff.

Built 3 (Microsoft)SMS packages for work because I got tired of installing Microsoft Visio Viewer 2003, Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Pro and Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Pro.  Now, all I have to do is remotely "push it" and no user or technician interevention is necessary.  What does that mean to me?  Credit for scripting software to autoinstall with no button clicking or answering silly questions, or pretending to read the EULA.  And because I'm the Software King<evil laugh> and see all the software tickets before anyone--credit for the all the trouble tickets requesting the software?  The time it takes to install the software goes from 5 minutes down to <= 1.  In the end, the time to surf the web goes from 0 to 30 min a day  

Went by the new house, and upgraded our range   Took a few shots of the house.  I wish they would install the staircase so I can go upstairs.  I don't know how they're getting up there.  Maybe the stork's dropping them off.

Have a nice week

Wow, so it's almost been 1 year since I last wrote an entry in here.  Well, well well, what can I say, a lot's changed since then.  But too much to write here.  Right now, the house is going up.  They are working on the second floor now.  My question is, is how did the contruction crew get up there with no ladder or stairs?  I want up there too!  I've been taking millions of pictures and thank goodness for digital cameras =)))

Here's the latest on the house:

I received a perfect score yesterday on my midyear appraisal by my boss.  I don't know if it's boasting or not, but to be a software manager and step on 80% of the building's toes and get commended for it is kind of weird.  Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.  I guess the more toes I step on, the better my rating??

Here's the newest addition to my little firetruck collection. 

It's an E-One ladder truck and used by the Chicago O'Hare Airport's fire department.  I found it on sale.  A little deep limegreen truck with extending ladders.  A little fire trivia:  Fire trucks are those with ladders.  The trucks carrying the hoses are called "Engines"  And a "company" is the group of firefighters at a particular station.

So this past Friday, I drove up to Dallas with my mom so that she could help my dad and sister move into their new apartment, and so that I could visit Hoa for the weekend.  The drive was lovely, and traffic was only bad in Austin.  I was sooooooo excited just to see Hoa again, because I feel that each time I visit, it becomes richer and richer.

Friday night, I dropped my mom off to my dad in an "undisclosed" place in Richardson, and then went over to Hoa's house.  Afterwards, she came with me to check in to the hotel, and then 2 other friends met up with us there and I drove us downtown to eat sushi and then off to a club named "Blue".  I would have to say that meeting a lot of Hoa's friends and relatives has become quite enjoyable to me.  I don't know why, but it is.  One would think that it seems a bit awkward to have to meet everyone, but not so.  I guess I'm different.  I'm really glad that everything works out though.  While I'm meditating to myself, let me see how many of her friends I've had lunch or dinner with.  Starting with this week, there were 6 others at lunch, but I would have to say about 3 of them were her friends, and then there's the 2 from Friday night, plus 2 from last time I was in Richardson at lunch time.  There's the time before that when I met Annie and Robert.  Oooopsies!!!  I'm getting side-tracked....  Back to what I was saying earlier.  Yes, we had dinner at Laurie's mother's sushi restaraunt for Laurie's b-day.  Well, it's not really her mother's  She's a manager there.  The food was superlicious, and I've never had that much sushi before in one sitting.  What a new fun experience!!!  The drive to the restaraunt was interesting.  The parking was pretty bad everywhere, so when we finally found a spot, I had to go and circle the block, but I cut through one of those $7.00 parking lots with the guys that flag people in.  I didn't know I was cutting through, seeing how everything was dark.  But the attendant was nice and didn't fuss about it.  When I circled the block, I had to wedge my car in.  Thank goodness I love to back in.  The maneuvering into the tight spot between 2 cars was quite challenging.

After the dinner, we went clubbing at "Blue".  What an interesting club.  My first impression was "Wow!  What a lot of blue lights.  And it's quite cool in here for a club."  I guess I've been A/C deprived in other clubs.  Well, the music was loud and not really our group's type, but we groove to the jams here and there and sat around.  My partner really made the dancing fun that night for me =).

Saturday, I came by Hoa's house around 9:30, even though I said I would at 10:30.  I just had to squeeze in an extra hour =P.  We both went out with her brother and sister for breakfast at McD's.  I felt quite awefull b/c my throat was course and bothering me.  It's like I want to talk louder but my throat would crack.  (I feel much much better now.  Thanks for asking.)  After breakfast, I drove to Hoa's work, and she showed me inside her office building now.  All the times we talk on the phone and she describes things to me was now completely seen by my very own eyes.  No more artistic mental images in my head.  Her office inside was exceptionally beautiful, and I got to see her desk and where she sits.  Then we walked down to the cafeteria where she sits for lunch and spends time with me for about 50 minutes.  I have ALWAYS wanted to sit roughly where she sits for lunch at the same time we normally talk.  That dream became a reality, when we sat in a booth right across from the table she normally sits at and we sat on our regular lunch-hour time.  It was kind of like I was having lunch with her(only there wasn't any food on the table in front of us =P)

At around 12ish, we left for lunch to meet up with Ricky and 5 other friends, and then we went into the bakery next door afterwards.  I suppose now I've accepted the fact that everytime I meet every other 3 Asians, they happen to know my younger brother, and it's like "Do you happen to know Mark?"  And my answer is, "Why yes, he's my younger brother =)"  "The counter-reply is, "Wow!!  I didn't know that.  You look just like him".  Why do I have to look like him?  I was born first. He should look like me.  j/k  Sometimes, it's said that we just look alike.  But my Hoa doesn't think so, and I'm glad she sees it like that.

After lunch, Hoa and I went to Fry's, and I bought a rubber raincoat for my iPod, and we looked at some computer games.  I haven't looked so closely at computer games for a few months now.  It's amazing how things change so quickly, and the graphics get better and better.  Back in my days....  ...well, we won't go there!!!

Then we just hung around in the hotel room and chatted until it was time to go the the David Crowder Band concert.  IT WAS SUCH A BLAST!!!!  Quite crowded in the place, and a bit stuffy.  If my throat wasn't sore, I probably would have made it sore by singing.  Luckily no damage was done.  Then we went out for a late dinner/breakfast for me and off to bed after that for everyone.

Sunday, Hoa and I went to church.  I got to chat with more people there, and the Sunday school teacher realized that this was my second time there.  I guess he remembered me from about a month ago.  And another individual remembered me as well from Journey.  After church, hung out at Hoa's house, and talked some more until dinner.  I had dinner with her and my parents, and then it was off to my dad's apartment after dropping Hoa back home, and then off to the land of S.A.

So, mom was driving, and I nodded off around 8:45.  When I woke up, it was midnight, and we were in S.A..  I was about to pinch myself to see if it was for real.  So I asked mom if we were really in S.A..  I thought it was a dumb question.  It's kind of like me asking if the "chairs were moved" while I was sleeping =P  When you dream, and you ask a question.  You don't know if someone is responding in your dream, or someone is confused in reality.  Or if someone is confused in your dream.  At any rate, it's a bit embarassing if it was the second