Change Windows 7 logon image

Windows 7 provides a simple way to customize the logon image. Here is the short-and-simple solution:

• Run REGEDIT and navigate to:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

• Change the OEMBackground key from 0 to 1.
• Now go to the C:\Windows\system32\oobe folder.
• If not present, create a folder here called info, and then a folder under info called backgrounds.
• Copy your jpg file to this folder and call it backgroundDefault.jpg. This file must be less than 256K.

That is it! Now you have a custom windows logon background.

I found this info at the following blog post. For more information, including support for multiple files in this folder for separate screen resolutions, see the original blog post at http://www.blogsdna.com/2698/you-can-customize-windows-7-logon-background-officially.htm

Upgrading from Windows XP to Vista to Windows 7

This blog post shares my experience with upgrading my desktop PC from Windows XP to Vista to Windows 7.

From XP to Vista
Last fall I picked up a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate. Since my computer was a few years old, I decided to wipe it clean and install from scratch. This would mean reinstalling all my apps, but I liked the idea of cleaning out 3 years of accumulated junk. I backed up my files, migrated my email over to my laptop, and was ready to go.

I had a very smooth experience reloading the OS. It was also shockingly fast. The entire process didn't take an hour and I was up and running without a hitch. Reinstalling everything took some time but was also problem free. Once I was up and running, I was very happy with the experience and pleased with Vista. I would definitely recommend the start from scratch install for everybody that is up for it.

Vista to Windows 7
So now 6 months later, I'm anxious to try Windows 7. Since I wiped my drive clean not long ago, I thought I would do the upgrade option and see how that compares.

Windows 7 comes with a nice pre-install compatibility checker that tells you what to watch out for, what to update first, and what to uninstall and reinstall. After taking care of a my to-do list, I lauched the upgrade. It quickly became apparent that this was not going to be the blazing fast install I had experienced with Vista. Of course, doing an in-place upgrade is a much more complicated affair.

After the initial setup and copying files phase, it rebooted my system and came up in a low-resolution mode to do the next step. I started to wonder when several times I peeked in on my computer and it still said Expanding Files... 21%. A quick google search on the laptop confirmed this is common, and sure enough, next time I looked it had moved on. So if you are reading this blog post and stuck at 21%, don't worry - just go get yourself your favorite cold beverage. From a restaurant. Even if they have slow service. All kidding aside, the entire process took a few hours, but it completed without any problems.

The pre-install compatibility check warned me that SQL Server 2008 might not be compatible and suggested uninstalling it. After reading a couple blog posts, I decided to imploy a well-used IT pattern: "Ignore it and see what happens". I did already have SP1 installed. When I logged in for the first time after the install, SQLServer services fired up automatically and I was able to run the management studio and connect to my databases with no problem.

The upgrade automatically kept my printer sharing settings, but the share of my public folder was gone. I had to reshare that drive for my wife to have access again from her laptop.

All in all, it appears to have been another successful upgrade. I will likely blog about my experience in using Windows 7 in a separate post after I have had a little more time to use it on a daily basis.

High Speed Rail in America

The other night I saw a pretty compelling documentary on PBS called Blueprint of America. The film focused on the city of Detroit as a case study in transportation issues. In the middle of the 20th century, Detroit invested heavily in auto transportation at the expense and eventual demise of other mass transit options.

During the documentary, a point was made that I believe is of strong relevence for us to consider today: History shows that major invenstments in national infrastructure initiatives have been followed by economic growth. Consider these examples:

• The Erie Canal built in the early half of the 1800's provided a connection between the eastern seaboard and the Great Lakes. The video credits the canal with a tremendous growth of the city of Detroit, which now has better access for exchanging goods with the east coast. Once complete, transportation costs were reduced by 95%.
• In the mid-1800's, the focus shifted from ships to trains, and the development of the railroad system and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 were major drivers of the industrial growth that followed.
• In the mid-1900's, the focus was now on the automobile, and President Eisenhower spearheaded the Interstate Highway project, creating a network of highways connecting the nation that was the envy of the world. Once again, this invenstment in infrastructure drove economic growth, facilitating over-the-road transportation as well as our own individual ability to travel across the country.

And now here we are today, 10 years into the 21st century, trying to climb out of the worst economy since The Great Depression, and facing serious challenges regarding climate change, a seriously handicapped automobile industry, and a strong need to reduce our dependency on oil. Certainly these our complex issues that will not be addressed with a single solution. But as we as a country look at transportation, I believe it is time for the next big focus shift and consider what a post-automotive transportation strategy looks like. And I believe if looks like the rebirth of something from our past: RAIL!

High-speed rail is a transportation model that has already been proven to be successful in multiple places from Europe to Asia. High-speed rail provides benefits in terms of energy, safety, the environment, and efficiency. I am excited to see our president embracing this idea and moving forward with a national plan. I think this quote by him sums it up:

"As all of you know, this is not some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future. It is now. It is happening right now. It has been happening for decades. The problem is that it has been happening elsewhere - not here."

Links for further consideration:

• President Obama speaks on high-speed rail
• California high-speed rail project
• PBS Blueprint America website

Let the blogging begin!

I have thought of starting a blog for quite some time, and finally decided to do it. Why blog? I thought it would be a great outlet for all my various thoughts and ideas that can't be compressed into a single Facebook status post or tweet. Surely the world has been waiting to hear all of them, right?

Blogging is the modern day dairy or journal. Not that I actually have any of those. I'm just saying... I like the idea of having a forum to record and share my thoughts. Hopefully some of you will also find them informational, thought provoking, funny, or insightful.

What will I blog about? The same things I post on social networking sites, but in more detail: technology, my job - or these days the search for one - Northwest Arkansas, community involvement and volunteering, transportation, tennis, my family, and who knows what else.

Please take advantage of the ability to comment on my posts and let me know if something was meaningful or worthwhile to you!