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I can now talk about the project that I've been working on for Enhanced Software Technologies for the past year. It is named BRU Professional, and to a great extent it's my baby -- I architected it, was team leader (actually I'll say "co-leader", because many days Richard took point), and implemented major chunks of it, including the storage management subsystem, the cryptographically secure authentication systems and protocols used to prevent the kind of 'spoofing' and replay attacks that our competitors are succeptible to, etc. It uses the time-proven 'bru' engine to actually store data on tape, and 'mtx' as the loader driver. Neat shit, in other words. A far cry from what EST originally hired me to do (serve as system administrator!).

Let's see: EST decided to toss money at me to make sure I didn't jump ship now that the BRU Professional product is nearing release, so I have a new car. It's a 2001 Subaru Forester, and so far I am reasonably happy with it -- it is fairly powerful for a 3200 pound car (165 horsepower), the all-wheel drive means that I can accellerate out of parking lots VERY rapidly with no loss of control from the front wheels spinning or rear wheels spinning, and I got the top-of-the-line S+ model so it is extremely comfortable and has every luxury. It handles city driving with comfort, and will roll down the Interstate at 80mph without even breathing hard. As a bonus, with its all-wheel drive and reasonable ground clearance it is capable of handling many rough Forest Service roads -- though it certainly isn't going to give a Jeep a run for the money anytime soon (the engine configuration means it's always going to have too much front overhang for good approach angles).

I guess this is pretty much all the news that's fit to print for today. Happy New Year!