Archive for July, 2018

Personal and administrative note.

Monday, July 2nd, 2018

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog may recall that, almost exactly five years ago, I started working for the IronPort division of Cisco as a contractor.

I am pleased and excited to announce that, almost exactly five years later, and after many ups, downs, and changes, I am no longer a contractor: I am now an official, full time, “blue badge” Cisco employee, with all the rights and responsibilities appertaining to same.

I’m still doing IronPort and email security related stuff: the job hasn’t changed, only my status. This will bring some changes:

  • a hefty pay raise
  • possible yearly bonus pay (not counting those chickens before they hatch)
  • Paid time off!
  • Paid holidays!
  • Better and (I think) cheaper medical/dental/vision coverage
  • Reimbursement for continuing education. Unfortunately, St. Ed’s has apparently discontinued the Master’s program I was considering before I left Dell. But I might be able to leverage this into getting some certifications.

I’m also hoping that this will give me more access to resources, both inside and outside of Cisco, that I can use to pursue some projects that interest me, particularly with respect to computer security. (I’m thinking possibly more Bluetooth work.)

This blog’s policy remains the same: I won’t be discussing non-public matters involving Cisco here. I may point to publicly accessible documents, such as press releases or the annual security report, but don’t look here for anything internal. Anything I do say here is just my opinion: it certainly isn’t Cisco’s, and, you know, I could be wrong.

(Speaking of public matters relating to, in this case, an ex-employer: what the heck?)

Quick random shots.

Sunday, July 1st, 2018

I hate soccer.

This is a story about a soccer ball.

Margalit Fox, one of the NYT obit writers, is leaving the paper. And the Times graciously granted her a few column inches to say goodbye.

Today, the subject of the first advance I ever wrote, in 1995 — a major American scholar — is still going strong at 90-something. He remains, blast him, almost obscenely productive, forcing me to update his obituary several times a year.

I have a theory about who that might be…

(Also, Ms. Fox’s new book sounds pretty interesting. I intend to keep an eye open.)