September 8
Lund University has a remarkably draconian enforcement of their university network. They have automated sensors that can identify if you attempt to use peer-to-peer file sharing programs such as Kazaa, Naptster, eMule, etc. and if it catches you using them, it will disconnect you for 2 days without warning. Also, if your computer has a virus that it deems hazardous, it will cut off your internet access. A call to the computer help desk often ensues, with the question of “I need to access the internet to download tools to remove the virus.” and you will get the response of “Uh…um…ask your corridor mates for help. Click!.” Tremendously helpful, I know. My internet was disconnected when I attempted to download the new Linux GNOME 2.12 Live CD. The program BitTorrent has become the preferred method of delivery for Linux distributions, and seeing as I had been having some problems with Windows, I wanted to use the LiveCD for debugging. So I am being punished for downloading a legitimate, legal, and perfectly free file. Ridiculous. Oh, and no warning of course was given. I’ll be getting my Internet back this weekend.
Anyway. The Swedish language course has started and it looks to have homework every time. The lectures for digital communication have been fairly useless so far; I find it better to read the book instead, however theory & equation based it might be. We are learning some pretty neat stuff though.
This weekend I go to Stockholm. Even though other people’s schedules aren’t really matching up, I feel compelled to go this weekend because a) it is likely the last weekend of good weather we’ll be having, b) i’m told by the local Swedes that Stockholm is a summer town and is best seen with good weather, c) this is likely my last three day weekend until December, and since Stockholm is a 5 or 6 hour train ride away, three days are necessary to fully see the city. I have booked my hostels and will go tomorrow to get my stand-by train ticket. The train ticket costs around 350 SEk one way, and the hostels are coming out to be around $60 for two nights. I’m gonna be packing some food and when I hit a new city I go into ’survival’ mode and can do for 8 hours w/o a full meal. BRING IT ON.
It’s around 12:15am and I gotta get back to Delphi from this computer lab in the E-huset. I hope my bike is still outside where I left it.
My next post will be on Monday or Tuesday, after I get back from Stockholm. I’ll be sure to put up pictures too. Peace.