Cannot empty the clipboard.

Cannot empty the clipboard.

Well, I finally found a solid solution for this error (so far as I know for now). I tested this near 50 times and about 5 different ways.

I've read LOTS of message posts on this, and not one has suggested this. Although one came close by suggesting to leave a copy of MS Word open (if the problem is happening in Excel). Unfortunately, this problem has been known to happen in Word also.

My solution? Ready for it? Here it is...

Open the clipboard, and leave it open (but minimized).

How to open the clipboard? There should be a file in your system32 folder named "clipbrd.exe". Double-click it. Or, you might be able to "Run" (Win-R, or Start->Run) the "clipbrd.exe" command (minus the quotes).

Please note that this solution is primarily for anyone with this issue that isn't running the Get Right Monitor, or you're not running remote desktop (rdclip) and/or terminal services.

DirecTV vs Dish Network

In a follow-up to my AT&T; DirecTV Home Entertainment blog post:

Although I would still love to have access to FIOS, we were recently forced to switch from AT&T; HE over to Dish Network via Ygnition. Although skeptical of a company I've heard nothing about (which is why we didn't go with them when we first moved in), we had no choice. Living in an apartment has a lot of upsides (for us anyway), but this is one of the downsides.

However, surprisingly, I like them. The pricing is still ridiculous if you get a SetTop per TV (which we had to do with AT&T; HE). With AT&T; HE we had no choice but to get a SetTop per TV because you couldn't get local channels without it (at least not anything worthwhile, and we speak very little Spanish). But with Dish Network, we get every single channel we could want without a SetTop box. So, we only got one for the living room. Pricing is still high with only one box, but it's better than AT&T; HE with 4.

Although changing channels is normal without the SetTop box, changing channels with one is a bit slow. But it's bearable with the speedier menu.

And what's best (aside from local channel availability), the menu system is what I was hoping for with DirecTV. It even looks like it was created in the 21st century! The box does too :)

All in all, I'm glad we were forced to switch, but we'll most likely still be considering moving in the next 6 months or so. I'm hoping we won't be restricted to a particular school district this time. But no matter where, if FIOS isn't available, we'll certainly be hoping Dish Network/Ygnition is.

Tribute to Reba on CMT

Tribute to Reba on CMT - 09/16/2007
Such class. Such beauty. So much emotion! So inspirational!!!

Lorreta! Dolly!
Such class. Such beauty. So much emotion! So inspirational!!!

I love everything from folk to hip-hop, and am mostly an 80's person, yet country always grabs my heart and soul.

I see these artists, I see talent, professionalism, and such beauty...

LinksManager Raising Monthly Price

Looks like LinksManager is raising their pricing, starting immediately, from $19.95 to $29.95. I could barely justify the $19.95 per month for a recip link checker. Was curious if anyone else felt $30/month is worth it? Or am I just being a little overly self-conscious with my monthly allotments and priorities?

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Change Your Passwords

It is highly recommended to change your passwords so that they are at least 8 characters in length, provided you at least include a number or two, and one or two capital letters.

Some good password information pages are at:

Great strength checker
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx

Good advice, but don't use the checker (the one
above is better b/c you don't have to 'submit' it)
http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php

Consider changing your passwords today! Consider your e-mail, ftp, computer login, network login, router/access point (14 or 15 recommended), and any other passwords you might have.

And don't put them under your keyboard! :o

Technorati - A Great Blog Resource

Technorati... is to me what it sounds like - a souped up, really nice looking blog directory and social networking tool. I get a little more formal feel from it than I do from BlogCatalog, which both have their own level of personalization and comfort. And that's why I'm proud to be a member of both.

They help keep the web current, focused, and interesting...

AT&T; Home Entertainment - Customer Owned Equipment

This message post isn't so much a complaint, although I do have those in this regard, as it is just something I learned that I thought to share, and who knows, perhaps I'm missing something.

We have DirecTV. Not by choice, but because the apartment complex we live in has a contract with them, so we basically don't have a choice. However, although we have DirecTV, for our area, DirecTV farms out our service to AT&T; HE (AT&T; Home Entertainment).

Aside from other major fiascoes with AT&T; HE, their services, and their customer service (or lack thereof), we thought to avoid rental fees on our receivers by purchasing our own. In February, AT&T; HE even recommended "Customer Owned Equipment" (first e-mail at bottom). However, apparently now, there's no longer such a thing as "Customer Owned Equipment".

Wow! I was and still am bewildered. But again, perhaps I'm missing something... I can't find any news articles on this anywhere. Am I missing something? Like maybe its a bigger deal to me than to anyone else? I just feel really, really locked in here. The only other service I know of we can get in this complex is another dish company. I tried both Verizon and Time Warner on a couple different occasions, and they simply cannot service our complex. What's worse is we can't move for another couple years due to varying factors.

Below is an e-mail thread between ourselves and AT&T; HE discussing "Customer Owned Equipment".

Enjoy.

And, I'm still debating whether to post another e-mail thread (3 actually) that spanned a month when attempting to upgrade our DirecTV services. That one still floors me, and its been over 5 months since that fiasco. Perhaps I'll just summarize it and post the highlights :/

I've reversed the thread on this e-mail, so you can read from top down.


----- Original Message ----
From: ATTHEonline.com
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 2:51 PM
Subject: Reply from attheonline.com

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately, we are unable to exchange boxes at this time. Our technicians are allocated boxes for installation directly from our warehouse and have no control over the make or model of the boxes that they receive.

There is another option – Customer Owned Equipment. You may purchase your own equipment and avoid the receiver rental fee. You are, however, still required to rent our access cards at a rate of $.99 ($.99 First card fee) per month for the first card, and $5.98 ($.99 Additional card fee, $4.99 Mirroring fee) per month for each additional card.

If you are considering purchasing your own DIRECTV receiver, please direct your browser to the following site for further information on customer owned equipment and AT&T; Home Entertainment:

http://www.attheonline.com/atthe/main.nsf/apAMain?open&key;=coe

*Please also note that, unless your customer owned receivers have the ability to accept a stacked signal, additional equipment may be required to activate the box.

Best regards,

AT&T; Home Entertainment

----- Original Message ----
To: ATTHEonline.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:50:15 AM
Subject: Re: Reply from attheonline.com

Well, it would seem, I learned today, there's no longer such a thing as "Customer Owned Equipment".

I was told by a Best Buy IT representative that DirecTV no longer allows the direct purchase of DirecTV receivers.

Instead, I'd end up leasing it from Best Buy, whereas I'm already leasing boxes from DirecTV. What's the point in "Customer Owned Equipment" if we're not allowed to "Own" it?

Keith

----- Original Message ----
From: ATTHEonline.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:12:21 PM
Subject: Reply from attheonline.com

Thank you for your email.

We are sorry to hear that. You can try getting a used receiver, off the internet.

Regards,

AT&T; Home Entertainment

----- Original Message ----
To: ATTHEonline.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 12:34:25 PM
Subject: Re: Reply from attheonline.com

I'm sorry too. For the lack of decent desktop boxes, non-DirecTV-compatible remotes, the insufferable interface, and the cost. And being our apartment complex is locked into a contract with DirecTV, this will become a primary factor when our lease comes ready to expire. But that's something I'll be bringing up with the apartment complex. Obviously, not your worry.

Thanks.

Keith D Commiskey

----- Original Message ----
From: ATTHEonline.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 01:17:17 PM
Subject: Reply from attheonline.com

Thank you for your email.

We do apologize, if you purchase any equipment please let us know we will be happy to activate it for you. We have recently purchased new DVR receivers which we rent out monthly at $5.99 with a installation cost of $41.99. If you would like to exchange any of your receivers for a DVR please call our call center at 1800-585-2278 press option 1 then 1 then 0 for a installation specialist.

Regards,

AT&T; Home Entertainment

BlogCatalog: Become a Neighbor, Become a Friend

Of all the blog directories that I've posted my blogs to, I've come across one that has taken blogging to an inspiring level. Blog Catalog has allowed individual bloggers to become part of a larger family, where you can join neighborhoods and become friends with folks around the world based on likes and similarities. A new definition of the word friend, where you don't even have to have ever spoken with your friend, yet you still share a kindred bond between blogs.

Come join the family, join a neighborhood, and become a friend :)

Inspiration for this blog post comes from Monawea, who is helping to let folks around the world know of this great blogging directory/community. Join the discussion!

To Blog:
Providing personal insight to the world.

Write it, and it will be read.

Keith D Commiskey
GiftsForYouBiz Profile

Featured Blogs:
Keith D Commiskey Et Al. - Personal Blog
and the Moral of the Story is... - Thoughtful Blog
Crystal Figurines, Crystal Gifts - The Collectible Crystal Blog - GiftsForYou.Biz Blog

Google launches iGoogle & Gadget maker

Google Personalized Homepage will be rebranded as iGoogle and will let you build your own gadgets using wizards. The gadgets are very simple and are more like containers for things that matter to you: photos, videos, events.



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Care to earn some money?

Care to earn some money?

YOU can earn up to $10 for submitting moral story clips.

Payment is $1 for each moral clip that is accepted and is payable only via PayPal. Acceptance is solely at the discretion of Keith D Commiskey. At this time, up to 30 clips will be accepted. Submit up to 10 clips at once, or submit one at a time.

See the bottom of the morals page for contact information. If accepted, a request for your PayPal e-mail address will be sent. You can also elect to have your contact information made available, or your moral clip will be submitted by "Anonymous".

Acceptance or non-acceptance will be made within 2 days. Payment will be made for each submittal as they are accepted or in agreement with submitter. Offer will end by May 31, 2007, but can be extended or cut short at any time.