(2007-11-05) Gmail's IMAP server appears to be down [UPDATE: Back up]

As of 9:33 PM EST (GMT -5:00), the IMAP server imap.google.com appears to be unresponsive. I am using Thunderbird 2.0.0.6 on Windows XP Pro. I am still able to access another IMAP server so Thunderbird is working. It just does not want to connect to Gmail after I left work and started up the computer (and Thunderbird) at home.

UPDATE: As of 10:15 PM EST Gmail's IMAP server is working again.

Official Google Blog: By the pricking of our thumbs...

Official Google Blog: By the pricking of our thumbs...

The Google folks do have some cute costumes.

I just wish that the Picasa slideshow player (which I didn't know existed as something that could be embedded until just now) showed up in Google Reader.

AT&T Mobility Data Network Down [UPDATED]

The data network for AT&T Mobility seems to be down in the northwest Atlanta area. No Media Net, no google, nothing. I wonder if this is affecting iPhone users.

UPDATE: At about 6:45 pm EDT it was working again.

So tonight i'm going to a haunted house with my wife and a friend. It should be a lot me fun. Hopefully we end up going to one close to ou

RESOLVED: Gmail Problems (after enabling and using IMAP)

I just spent a half hour using IMAP in Mozilla Thunderbird Portable Edition. After using it for a little bit, I decided I wanted to check that the changes I made in Thunderbird were in fact reflected in the webmail.
After attempting to log in it appeared that nothing happened. I tried this multiple times to no avail. I then entered an incorrect password to see if anything was happening and sure enough I got an error that the password was wrong. I have since submitted an error notification to Google and am expecting a response any day now.

Well, I (sort of) found out what was causing my Gmail webmail account to stop letting me log in. I had to delete all of the cookies related to Google. After I did that I was instantly able to log in.

IMAP from Gmail

It appears that Gmail has finally enabled IMAP access for people who don't want to download all their messages. IMAP enables email users to have their email available anywhere they can access it rather than only in the email client that emails are downloaded to via POP.

Inside the Box » Blog Archive » ThinkPads are Ruggedized Machines

Inside the Box » Blog Archive » ThinkPads are Ruggedized Machines: "It was past time for us to get third party validation that our machines could take on the rigors of use normally reserved for only the “rugged” category. Earlier this year, Trace Laboratories took our ThinkPad T61 and ThinkPad R61 and put them to the test. The results are great news and a great testament to our engineers. We passed the following tests: Altitude (500.4), Humidity (507.4), Vibration (514.5), High Temperature (501.4), and Temperature Shock (503.4). We almost passed blowing sand and dust test (510.4), but there was an error message on boot. However, the system did boot normally after we bypassed the error message. I count that as a half victory — so a ThinkPad has successfully passed 5.5 MIL Spec tests."

This makes me somewhat happy to own and use a ThinkPad. I say only somewhat because I used the older T42 model. However, I already knew that the ThinkPad was somewhat ruggedized as it uses accelerometers (starting with the T40 series), and roll cages and such. Its cases are built fairly strongly. The main weak point is the power connector (something like DMC connector?). In any case the ThinkPad which costs slightly more than some other "standard" laptops, but far less than "rugged" laptops, passed 5 MIL Spec tests.

Apple Sales and Refund Policy

Apple Sales and Refund Policy: "Should Apple reduce its price on any shipped product within 10 calendar days of shipment, you may contact Apple Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or credit of the difference between the price you were charged and the current selling price. To receive the refund or credit you must contact Apple within 14 business days of shipment."

The iPhone (8GB) just dropped in price from $599 to $399. As such, it is important to remember that being the first to own the latest and greatest does have its price. However if you bought the iPhone from Apple withing the last 10 days then you should hurry up and call the above number to ask for a refund of the difference.

Freakin Weekend

Things for me are going all right. I had a not-so-great day in class on Saturday when I found out that one of my group members didn't do all his part for the group paper and presentation. Also, when I got home on Saturday I was on the phone and out of nowhere I feel this burning sensation on the side of my face, right where the phone is. I feel the side of my face and don't feel anything. Then I feel another burning sensation a little lower on my face and wipe at my face and realize that there was something on there. I drop the phone and as I get up I hear the thing flying away. I step out of the room and eventually come back into the room to try to find the bug. I finally find it to discover that it was a wasp.
Apparently, it stung me twice on my face without leaving me with his stinger. So, I go and use some Benadryl spray that I had, thanks to finding poison ivy near my house. Then I put an ice pack on my face and take some ibuprofen. Luckily, I'm not allergic at all to bee and wasp stings otherwise I'd have gone to the emergency room. After an hour the two sting areas didn't hurt at all. Now I'm working and studying for my two finals, one today and one tomorrow.

Aging infrastructure at heart of Minnesota disaster | CNET News.com

Aging infrastructure at heart of Minnesota disaster | CNET News.com: "'We just don't have enough inspectors and inspections,' said William Ibbs, a professor of civil engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. 'It didn't surprise me. It is a tragedy, but unfortunately it doesn't surprise me.'"

Wow, I guess we really need more civil engineers.

"To a large degree, the difficulty of adequately maintaining infrastructure is caused by the sheer scope of the task. 'Did you know that there are over 600,000 bridges in the U.S.?' Ibbs said. 'And there are also pipelines, roads, dams, schools.'"

Yes, there are also pipelines, roads, dams, and schools. There are quite a few structures and buildings that are not inspected that should be. I know that the county recently sent a person to inspect the quality of the water at my office building. That's great that the water in my building should be clean, but that isn't even what the county is responsible for. The county is only responsible for the water up to the water meter, which I would presume is within 10 feet of the curb.

This makes me wonder how many civil engineers are employed in their field and how many agencies/companies are actively hiring civil engineers. Perhaps Congress and other legislative bodies should look at ways to get these agencies the funds (and directives?) they need to inspect these structures and buildings in a reasonable time period.