Links Page

Links Page

Computing/Networking Links

IPSwitch - makers of PingProPack, which I highly recommend for anybody that uses TCP/IP in their networks. This tool allows you to scan for an IP address range and resolve names to the IP addresses it finds. It also allows for SNMP management info, as well as sophisticated PING capabilities, and a host of other functions. I learn something new every day or so about how it helps me to manage my network.

LOpht, Inc- makers of LOphtcrack, some of the best password strength testing tools around, not to mention discovering all of the service account passwords that your predecessor conveniently "forgot" as he was escorted out of the building.

Technet- You cannot run an NT network without this tool. MSCEs who got their certification prior to Dec 1999 got a free one year subscription. When mine runs out, I WILL be renewing it. This tool, along with Event Viewer, are your BEST friends. Technet is the Practical Knowledge that you CAN'T get in the classroom, doing labs.

Blackwater Systems Solutions-These are two guys that I work with who are DYNAMITE!!! when it comes to databases and programming.

Music Links

Alesis- Effects units, Digital Pianos and Electronic drums that play just like the real thing.

Peavy- Amplifiers, Guitars, Keyboards, Basses ( I have a Foundation that has served me well for the last 12 years) etc. My amplifier for my bass is a Peavy Minx 30 watt that has been thrown around in the back of a truck as I drove like a maniac, and yet, still worked flawlessly at the gig that night. The only complaint that I have is that the fuse (which is one of the first things to check after confirming power) is located on the INSIDE of the amp, and to get to it, you have to remove way too much stuff. A simple screw in type of connector would've been great, but that's OK. I still love it. It's served me for about 13 years or so.

Tascam- I have a four track Multi-track recorder that one of my students sold to me. This thing is great. It allows you to record all four tracks simultaneously, or individually, if you please. I also have a 6 track non powered board that has worked as a drum kit sub mixer in Korea and will soon be working again as a keyboard/sound module mixer for my MIDI devices so that I get to use MIDI, but don't have to tie up two or more tracks on the four track recorder. The question is: Now that I have the mix down tape, how do I get it to CD so that you, the website visitor, can enjoy listening to it?? GREAT question...see below.

CoolEdit Pro 2000-software that turns anything going into the soundcard into any electronic file that you want. In addition, it will allow you to cut out certain parts and boost or cut decibels at any level that you want. Great for creating MP3s as well as Wavs that your CD Burner software can use to turn it into Digital Audio ( e.g a CD that any schmuck can pop into their car or stereo and listen to...don't worry , I'm one of those schmucks too). You have to love it when it works. Speaking of which....

Ahead- Not sure what this is to? It's the website for NeroBurn, a CD burning software package that is awesome. I use this for making data CD's (for Networking utilities etc as well as backups), BUT...I also use it for (gasp) making MUSIC CDs. NeroBurn takes my WAV files created from CoolEdit Pro 2000 and turns them into Digital Audio CDs. I'm not sure exactly how or why it works this way and I don't really care either. I'm happy that it works. BTW, if you are getting an itch to do the same thing, you had better make sure that your system meets certain system requirements as well as some other tips that I have discovered through talking with other people and a LOT of trial and error.

Graphic Design Links

Corel Corp.- Makers of CorelDRAW, one of the leading illustration programs on the market for the PC. CorelDRAW is an incredible package deal, with an image editor that ranks with the best, a world class illustration package, a 3-D package that's ....well.....anyway, about a zillion fonts and clipart graphics that take up the other two CD's, all for one low price!! I have been using CorelDRAW since about version 3 and am currently using version 8 in my design work. It has become my favorite tool for designing logos, due to its power and flexibility. I've been a fan for the past five years and will continue to use it in the future.

Quark- Makers of QuarkXPRESS

Adobe- Makers of Photoshop, InDesign, PageMaker and Illustrator, among other tools. Photoshop has been in my palette for the past 12 years, ever since version 2.5, and my love for this incredible Image Editor is endless! NO designer can function without it, regardless of the field of design that you work in. I was weaned on PageMaker, back when it was Aldus and the version was 4.0. I have worked with this very competent Page Layout software on many projects and have found that it is easier to get into and use that its competitor. Plus, Adobe's tight integration with Photoshop and Illustrator make it a hard argument to not add PageMaker to your toolset. NOTE: Pagemaker got replaced by InDesign, which took all of the good from QuarkXPRESS and PageMaker and combined it into one incredibly tight package!!

Publish Magazine- a very unbiased publication that caters to ALL designers, no matter what tools they use. Publish covers all topics, whether print based or web based equally. I have read quite a few magazines (Adobe, Corel, StepbyStep etc.) and have found that only Publish consistently delivers what I need to make informed decisions about the tools that I use, as well as the tips to help me use my existing tools more efficiently.

Here is a subnetting calculator that I ran across somewhere- my thanks go out to whoever wrote this... SubNet Calculator

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