As a Remote Administrator for a software vendor, there’s a popular challenge I often have to overcome; I need to deliver a software package to a lot of computers without using the more popular technologies available. Why the restriction? I generally only maintain the servers that house the software my company builds. That being the case, I don’t get access to such tools as Group Policy, SMS or the latest, greatest SCCM that a lot of IT staffs will use to push out and deploy application installs. You get the keys to a few locks, but they won’t give you the keys to the kingdom.
Recently, I was faced with a new challenge. I had a client that was needing to update over 50 workstations at the same time and the updates were starting to come in weekly. Citrix wasn’t an option for them. As a result, the client would have two people stay after work one night every week and walk to every machine (stretched out between 3 different buildings) and execute the new application install updates. After employing RDP, things went a little faster, as they could sit at their desk and login to every machine remotely. That’s still not a great option though.
The following is a batch file I wrote that allows an application to be delivered and installed to every computer on the domain by using nothing more than a text file with a list of the computer names. Read more…
I was looking for a way to create quick reminders for myself. After trying a few different programs, I looked to the command line to see what I could come up with. It turns out that “command-line email” is perfect for my needs. By combining Blat, Stunnel and Gmail, you can create a great reminder system for taking quick notes. Read more…
Well.. about 15 of us went to Incredible Pizza on Friday night, hogging a whole section of skeeball lanes to participate in the First Annual Skeeball Tournament. This great American sport has spent too much time in the shadows of football and baseball. We figured it was time it got it’s just due. So.. Christina organized the event, complete with scorecards and a rather nifty hand fashioned trophy. You could feel the intensity of the competition grow, with every ball thrown. Children, all around us, stopped playing their video games and looked on with a gleam in their eyes, as if to say, “that’s what I want to do with my life!”. Indeed, I think we influenced a whole new generation.
In the end, Dave claimed 2009 Skeeball Champion, but as Colton shows above, he thought he was the big winner. The sweet little boy loves all those lights and sounds at Incredible Pizza. Getting to watch him experience all his firsts, I’m pretty sure that I’m the big winner.
Ok.. so it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. Actually, I just changed web hosts and updated my theme to allow for more space. So now.. I have no more excuses for a while.
Colton is now almost 8 months old. It’s crazy how fast he’s growing and learning. I love watching it. I look forward to his smile every day. Seeing him light up at the smallest things just makes my day.
Amy makes my day too. So much so.. that I married her on Saturday.
We had a wonderful wedding. It was small with just a few friends and family. Truly, I am the luckiest guy on the planet. I keep wondering when something is going to go wrong.. because my life is just too good right now! But.. I am appreciative. I look forward to a wonderful rest of my life with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known.. and the best son a Father could ever ask for!
I’m ready for March.. and the Honeymoon! Look out Hawaii, here we come….
Well, it’s been a couple weeks now since I’ve been able to get on here and write… and that’s when I had my new, beautiful, sweet baby boy, Colton! 6 lbs and 11 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long and 3 weeks early on June 22nd, Colton arrived and spent the first couple weeks of his life in Intensive Care Nursery. He was having a few breathing irregularities, but it was more a “better safe than sorry” kind of thing, I do believe (though we didn’t really know that at the time!).
Colton is the new love of my life. Everyone tells me it just gets better.. and it’s almost hard to believe. He’s so wonderful. I’ve turned into a complete sap.. and I’m OK with it! I just can’t get enough of him. I love him soooo much.
Mom (Amy) was in labor for a little less than 6 hours after her water broke at home. She called to tell me.. and my heart was beating about twice as fast as normal all the way to the hospital. She did an incredible job of staying calm and keeping everything in check throughout the delivery. And now… I’m a Daddy. I still can’t believe it at times. I have the most wonderfully sweet boy I could have ever asked for. Here’s the first of what will no doubt be many videos of my new son… Colton Kastner.
Amy is at 3 cm and 100% effaced (ah yes.. the new lingo I am learning these days!). So, I am looking to be a new Dad very soon! Amy is doing great and she looks as beautiful as ever. Even more amazing has been her attitude through the whole pregnancy. She’s definitely ready to have our baby though. She thinks it will be sooner than later. I still think it will by July 12th. His due date is actually July 14th.. We shall know soon!
Wow.. I can’t believe I’ll be a Dad in another 8 weeks! Amy went to the doctor yesterday and everything is looking perfect. She’s doing pretty well overall..well, for carrying around a 4lb person in her anyway! I’m very thankful for the health of Mom and my son, Colton. I am super excited and can’t wait for him to get here! There is so much I want to do with him..
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