Data Execution Prevention - Freaking Windows Explorer

Friday night my laptop goes nuts on me. All I want to do is transfer some mp3s from my laptop to the Creative Zen Nano Plus for my evening run. Yes, I don't own an iPod and I love my Creative Zen. For $80.00 dollars it's simply awesome. Just drag & drop your mp3s or any file. Its that simple. No importing. Anyway, instead of copying my mp3s I get hit my this stupid Windows Error...ughhh...

At this point, all I wanna do is go run. So, instead of clicking on the "Close Message" button I just transfer the files first. I noticed if you don't click the "Close Message" which kills explorer, just open any folder from your desktop. Then you can brows to other areas within the folder. That's what I did, for the time being.

Later that night I fixed the problem, and here's what I did:

1. Shut down my laptop,

2. Restart in Safe Mode. For Dell its "F8" before the splash screen,

3. Go to Start --> Control Panel --> System,

4. In System Properties click on Advanced --> in Performance click Settings,

5. In Performance Options click the Data Execution Prevention tab , click "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:" and select Windows Explorer,

6. Click "OK" and restart your computer in normal mode.

And it should be working fine. Once its all up and running you can enjoy reading this article by Sam Harris on the latimes.com. I think it's a well written article. Enjoy!

10 myths -- and 10 truths -- about atheism

Wish you were still around Carl

"Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense."
Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996)

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Carl Sagan's death. I have watched few episodes of Cosmos & it really filled my mind with joy that I cannot explain. The way he talks about the universe, human, evolution and earth is very touching. He makes you think, take some time and think deep. It is obvious that he truly believes and cares about theses subjects. You can tell how deeply he feels about this earth that we call home, and the future of the earth and human.

To honor his work, his gift to the world and to human being, I am going to checkout both "The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God" and the "Cosmos" from the public library. I urge and encourage everyone to do the same. At least watch the Vol. 4 of Cosmos titled "Heaven and Hell." A lot can be learned from this volume alone. Carl beautifully explains the solar system, Asteroid, Comets and Meteor. Then he shows the current states of our neighbor Venus and it's current state. He draws a distinction between the earth and the Venus. He shows what will happen to earth if we fail to take the necessary steps to prevent our beautiful earth (heaven) from becoming Venus. Again, I ask each of you to watch at least this episode of Cosmos. Read something from him or about him. Read anything. Here's few links to begin:

http://www.carlsagan.com/

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Carl_Sagan/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/sagan.html

History of Religion

Here's a great presentation of the history of religion, thanks to MapsOfWar.com.

Penguin likes to shop

I must give credit to TokyoMango.com for this great clip. I am amused. I am sure you guys will enjoy it too.

D. Dannett on faith and Human Evolution

It's been a while since I had the chance to write. I've been very busy between work & trying to choose the right school for MBA and possibly moving at the end of this year. Read a great article on NS this week. Here's few lines & the link to the whole article:


"Are humans still evolving? In the vernacular sense of improving morally and intellectually - by cultural changes - I think so," says Steven Pinker. "In the biological sense of changes in the gene pool, it's impossible to say."

Are we still evolving? by Kate Douglas

Another reading on the Washington Post. Daniel C. Dennett discusses democracy over faith. You can also join the discussion board at the end of the article.

"What we tend to lose sight of, however, is the price we must pay for this religious freedom: we must commit ourselves to the First Amendment principle of separation of church and state even when the principle works against the interests of our particular religion."

Protecting Democracy Comes Before Promoting Faith by Daniel C. Dennett.

Another really great read again from NS on Human Evolution this week. For this one you would want a human evolutionary tree around while reading. It will make more sense. In one of my previous blog "Neanderthal's DNA code unveiled" I posted one tree. Here it is again and the link to the aritcle:

Instant Expert: Human Evolution by

John Pickrell

Well, I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Friday evening attend friends graduation, then graduation party afterwards. Saturday office party & I will be the DJ. This one is really scary since in a club you can get by playing hip hop, R&B and Rap. But an office party is a completely different environment. I have to mind the folks in their late 60's and also get the yound crowds going at the same time. Sunday, plan on going to the new National World War I museum in KC, Mo. I'm excited about this trip, it should be a lot of fun.

The Crazy Week

A lot has happened this past week. Friday, didn't do much. Watched The Da Vinci Code. Really amazing, Tom Hanks rocks. I just can't believe some people would take it literally. Saturday, went to our mini office party. Bunch of us just hanging out, talking & having a good time. Lots of food, and they were really good too.

Yesterday finished reading the chapter Aggression in "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins. It's an amazing chapter describing the reason behind aggressive behavior of an individual. He analyzes individuals, not groups. But also remember an individual is part of a group thus affects the group one way or another.

On tech, you should checkout Jaman.com. It's in beta that promises to offer international movies such as French Film & Bollywood. Here's a review of their service. For now you just drop your email on their site, once the site is up & functional they will let you know. I hope the movies have subtitle options & be able to watch over and over again. In the end, here's some co-ordinates for Google Earth.

17°55'35.04" S 25°51'43.33" E

It's pretty amazing. On Earth, check out "An Inconvinient Truth" by Al Gore.

Here's "The God Who Wasn't There"

UPDATE: This video is not available on google video anymore.