PlayTime Inc. Team Building & Leadership News

Leadership Lesson: Juvio Computer Tech becomes Hero by defeating MyDoom virus

It's not often us geeks get to be heros, imagine what leadership decisions and quick action this tech had to make, the imagine the impact his quick action had. PlayTime Inc. uses Symantec products and is proud to have Symantec as part of our client family. We were beneficiaries of this unsung hero as we auto-downloaded new protection and prevented any downtime at PlayTime INc. I highly recommend their stock (10% since I bought it in Jan) as well as their company.

(Note: Stock recommendations are personal, do your homework and don't sue me if you lose money. If you make money, I want my cut! ;-)

Juvio Corporation Intercepts Deadly `MyDoom` Virus

January 30, 2004 13:24:00 (ET)

SAN DIEGO, Jan 30, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On Monday, January 26, 2004, the most voracious computer virus in history was unleashed on the world. Hours before the world realized what was happening, a certified Juvio computer technician was assisting a customer with a troubled computer. On-hands research via remote hosting capabilities allowed the technician's keen eye to detect a new virus previously unseen. With no known protection codes available, the Juvio technician immediately set about to write script to defeat this destructive new virus. In a matter of minutes, the victimized customer ceased to be attacked by this malicious virus thanks to the expertise and quick skill of the attending Juvio technician. The technician immediately alerted fellow Juvio technicians to the situation and provided them with a repair solution, effectively assisting several global customers who found themselves to be in need of emergency help.

Once the technician determined that the repair solution would give adequate protection to all inquiring Juvio customers, he filed a volunteer report to Symantec, manufacturer of Norton Anti-virus softwares. Several hours later, his discovery was authenticated and his repair solution was validated with the resounding success it was reaping to victimized customers. In a matter of hours from this approximate authentication time, all leading virus protection services released startling announcements of the destructive potential of the W32.Novarg.A@mm, or more appropriately, "MyDoom" virus. This newest danger to the Internet and computers worldwide operating on the Microsoft Windows operating system has proven in mere hours to be the most voracious virus in history with an estimated 1 in every 12 emails sent daily being infected. Skilled Juvio Corporation staff identified the threat and provided a swift solution before the entire virus protection community even acknowledged that the problem existed!

Providing such extreme service is not new to Juvio Corporation. An incident on November 5, 2003 found yet another Juvio technician investigating a subscribing customer's computer problems via remote hosting. Instantly, the attending Juvio technician discovered the presence of an unauthorized entry and moved quickly to isolate the intruder, decompiled the infected files, and established a protocol to stop the attack. Once the situation was under control, the Juvio technician submitted his report to Symantec along with virus samplings only to be told by Symantec that the file was "not malicious." Nonetheless, fellow Juvio technicians were alerted to the situation and given the repair solution in the event a similar situation should emerge with other Juvio subscribers. It wasn't until January 12, 2004 that Trendmicro Virus Protection announced the introduction of the virus called "TROJ_MENDWAR.A." This announcement was over 2 months after first being discovered by a certified Juvio technician! It is presumed that the complexity of the repair solution caused a delay in the release announcements by the virus protection community yet a Juvio technician was able to identify, isolate, and render a repair solution in a matter of minutes.

About Juvio

Founded in the fall of 2002, Juvio sought to revolutionize an industry plagued by poor and over-priced technical support, while at the same time allowing motivated individuals the opportunity to sell the service and earn a residual income.

Steve Reid
JUVIO CORPORATION
http://www.juvio.com
214-520-4080

This news release was issued on behalf of the above organization by eMediawire a service of PRWEB (TM). http://www.prweb.com

SOURCE Juvio Corporation

Steve Reid of Juvio Corporation, +1-214-520-4080

http://www.juvio.com

Copyright (C) 2004 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

Use Yahoo! To Find WiFi When You're On The Road!!!

With the theme "Technology as a team member", WiFi is definitely one of my newest sought after team members when I'm on the road. Today I'm in Ft. Lauderdale for my first time ever and it was just too frustrating to plug into a PHONE line (how quaint!) and dial in.

So I remembered that on Yahoo! Mobile, they have a new WiFi locator which can help you find WiFi hotspots near whereever you are.

I entered my hotel's address and voila! I found that a FREE hotspot was .7 miles from my hotel, close enough for a walk while my teammates drive to lay out a new GeoTeaming course! Life is good and very good, and wifi is...

Click here to check out the Yahoo! Mobile WiFi Locator!
PlayTime Inc. recommends NetGear's WG511 802.11g card.

In Honor of Jim Hickey

Just before I went to see "Touching The Void" I received a voicemail from my cousin Natalie that my other cousin Jim Hickey passed away on Monday morning.

About 3 months ago, Jim was driving down the freeway when he decided he wasn't feeling that well. He pulled over and drove to the nearest hospital. A few days and tests later, he was diagnosed with cancer. It was in the advanced stages. They tried everything, chemo, radiation, new drugs. Finally, the doctors declared they did all they could do.

Jim was a gentle giant. My memories of Jim always center around our family gatherings. He was a large caucasian who stuck out like a sore thumb at our mostly Chinese events, yet he felt so at calm and at ease with this crowd. I hear he loved his two cats. Most of all, he loved his wife and my cousin Teeny. Teeny was such a caring soul for Jim, she stressed over everything and tried to spend every possible moment with him, even when she should have taken a break.

They renewed their vows, they covered his room with photos, and they had as many friends over as possible. I'm glad I took the time to visit him on my last visit to my mom (they were at the same hospital for a while, Stanford Hospital). I had the idea to create a fun and memorable moment for him. I brought over my poker chips and a deck of cards and created an informal poker tournament with his old high school friends who were in the room. For a brief moment in time, I hoped he felt like he was in the World Poker Tour, the lights on him, when he finally won a hand. He's not as big a poker freak as I am, but he smiled and enjoyed it none the less.

And now his hand is folded. Or really, is it time to shuffle up and deal a brand new hand, different than the earth experience we have here? I left Touching The Void sad, sad that my cousin Jim is gone. Shit, I'm crying now.....sad that I'll never see him again, sad that I didn't get to spend that much time with him. Sad because I don't know if he should have fought harder like the climbers in Touching The Void? Or if accepting his cards was the better plan?

Who knows? The one thing I did learn is that life is like a project, it has a beginning, a middle and a definitive end. And it is very possible that the end or a change can happen very, very quickly. One day my mom falls down, then next 6 months+ she's in the hospital. Jim drives to the hospital and 3 months later he is gone. And it can be positive things, one day I get lucky and 9 months later Max is born. One day I start a job at a place called Microsoft and 7 years later I can't believe the ride I was on.

What I learned about life from Jim is the key reminder that life is finite, life is short, and if your goal is to enjoy it, well you better damn well get a move on enjoying it, because it will end and my only hope is that I enjoy it to the very end (and beyond).

If you're unhappy, if you're frustrated, if you're mad, if you're angry, if you're bored, if you're pissed, celebrate! Because you are not done yet, you have time, you can turn it around, or you can enjoy the sensations of unhappiness, then move on when you're ready. These last few weeks have been tremendous, as in my next entry, I'll tell you how my life is on a roll, I am truly having the time of my life and things are connecting together in ways I cannot even explain. If you're not living, then you better get a move on living.

Thanks Jim, I'll be saying my thanks at your service on Feb 7th in San Francisco, I'll even miss Aunt Sue's birthday party and poker tournament I organized for her just for you, that's how much I miss you already...

This blog's for you...

Technology Tip: Email Worm Clogging Network Traffic

A new key team belief I'm beginning to spread is, "Technology is your new team member. You need to learn how to communicate and trust your technology just as much or more than your other team members."

Today, a new virus hit and it looks serious.

I'm 98% sure this is a real threat. I have anti-virus software (Norton Anti-Virus by Symantec) and unfortunately receive a lot of spam that I filter out. Normally I don't have any special messages come up. In the last 24 hours, I've had to quarantine over 50 messages with this virus type.

This virus is rated "Wild" and "Dangerous" by Symantec's website. Make sure to update your virus definitions or get virus software (I'm a Symantec shareholder, so hey, why don' t you buy their products now? Also, they are a client and I really, really enjoy working with them. Their campus atmosphere is very much like Microsoft's) and definitely do not open emails with the attachments they are describing.

Happy Computing!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=562&e=7&u=/ap/20040127/ap_on_hi_te/e_mail_worm

On a Mountain, Deciding When You Have to Let Your Partner Go

From my NY Times newsfeed. A review of the movie "Touching The Void". I need to see this movie, I don't know when I'll get time to see it, but all the mountaineers in Seattle are talking about it!

Updated 8:30 PM - I just returned from seeing this movie. Whoa. What an incredible tale of survival. The story line is incredible and I emotionally moved by the end of the movie. I also have the book and I'm definitely going to put it on my nightstand and read it now! In addition, the photography is just incredible with my favorite shot of them zoomed in, then the camera pans out, and out, and out until you cannot even see the 2 climbers on the mountain and you see this incredible mountain face.

-John

Click here to read the full article...

Here's another review from Seattle.

Here's the only opps so far in Seattle to see it.

Monday, January 26
Egyptian
1:45, 4:20, 7, 9:30

Tuesday, January 27
Egyptian
1:45, 4:20, 7, 9:30

Wednesday, January 28
Egyptian
1:45, 4:20, 7, 9:30

Thursday, January 29
Egyptian
1:45, 4:20, 7, 9:30

Mountaineering Legends Kick Off The Rainier Discovery Center

"It's 13,500 ft. and I'm beginning to lose it. My legs are heavy, my breathing beyond labored and all I can think about is how nice it would be to turn around and have hot chocolate at Camp Muir 10,000 ft. Then what little oxygen is operating my brain kicks in. You are only 1,000 ft. from the Summit! If you turn around now and have something left in you, you'll never live it down. I gather myself and say, Hell Yes! I do some radical moves to warm up my body. Then I focus on the basics....big pressure breathing from the diaphram, rest-stepping motion so that my legs get a short break after the 3" of ascent the just made for one step.

It's truly One Step In Front Of The Other. The journey of 14,410 vertical ft. truly begins, continues and ends with a single step. I finally get back into a rhythm. I'm feeling strong. I'm ready to go! I turn a blind corner and there it is...THE SUMMIT!"

Have you read "Into Thin Air"? Have you ever wondered what it is really like up there? Or are you a convert, bitten by the mountain bug, with your own personal experience of ascending a great mountain?

If you're the least bit curious, then on Feb. 6th, come join Eric Simonson (first to find Mallory's body on Everest), Ed Viesturs (1st 7 summits with NO oxygen), Jim Wickwire (1st American to summit K2), Tom Hornbein (doctor on 1st American Everest summit), Lou Whittaker (founder of Rainier Mountaineering Inc.) and Jim Whittaker (1st American on Everest summit) for a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME evening in Seattle's historic Smith Tower. These climbing legends will share incredible stories of why mountains are such a big part of their lives and how it has shaped who they have become. Never before has this much climbing power been under one roof!

The Rainier Discovery Center - "Mountaineer for a day, a steward for life"

This event is a benefit for The Rainier Discovery Center of which I'm the Vice President of. The Rainier Discovery Center will be the world's first experiential museum dedicated to high-alpine mountaineering. This cutting-edge center will be located in Ashford, WA where over 2 million visitors drive through on the way to 14, 410 ft. Mt. Rainier. Imagine...a wind room simulating 40 mph cross winds, a crevasse room, and indoor ice climbing, all from the safety of your indoor seat.

This unique center will give the 2 million/year glimpses of the experience that only 10,000/year get to experience on the higher aspects of Mt. Rainier.

This event is a major fund raiser, if you are interested in receiving an invite, please click below for more information, the email John Chen to receive your official invite. Seating is limited, serious interest only. Limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis. Reply today to sign up now!

Click here to view the Rainier Discovery Center Benefit Reception Invite.

PlayTime Inc. Joins the eBay Revolution, You Save Money!

After a front page article on Newsweek, my wife turning into a fan and my college roommate going to work for them, PlayTime Inc. has joined the eBay revolution! We have started our first auction for a team building event in Feb. If you wanted GeoTeaming but your corporate budget wouldn't allow it, now is the time to bid! Save up to 50% for a 40 person team building event in Feb. We will go anywhere, although there are additional charges for going out of town. You could save up to $2,500, what boss wouldn't want to hear that?

It's only available for the next 10 days and your event, once paid for, can be almost anytime in February.

If you want to learn more or bid to save, just click below to get your February GeoTeaming event for up to 50% off!

Click here to bid on your Feb. GeoTeaming event and save up to 50%!

Looking for Technical High-School Intern? Ask TAF TTIP!

I'm forwarding this from my good friend Sherry. I teach the Internship Academy. In addition, I'm an employer. Check out what my intern, Udie Chima, did for PlayTime Inc. with his incredible skills! (Windows Media 9.0 required). If you're looking for a high ROI intern, then check out TAF TTIP!

From: Sherry Williams [mailto:SherryW@techaccess.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 5:17 PM
To: Sherry Williams; Liz Peterson
Cc: TTIP Instructors
Subject: Technical Teens Internship Program (TTIP) Update/Employer Open House February 18, 2004, 5:00-6:30pm.
Importance: High

Dear TAF TTIP Employer,

Happy 2004! I hope you had an extraordinary and joyous holiday season! TAF is off to a wonderful start this year. Last year was a very tough year for TAF financially, and we're continuing to work hard to build the TAF Alliance Program. Without the support of our employers we wouldn't be here today.

Please join us for the first annual Employer Open House on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 5:00-6:30pm. This is an opportunity for employers to meet students and see the exciting work they're doing. This event will be held at the Tech Center, 801 23rd Ave. So. (corner of 23rd & Dearborn St.)

* Meet TAF Student Ambassadors
* Hear TTIP students share their TAF experience
* Student Presentations
* Tour facility
* Meet TAF staff

Please RSVP to Diamond Williams at diamondw@techaccess.org by February 13, 2004. Light refreshments will be served.

Technical Teens Internship Program Update
TTIP currently has 59 students this year. We just sent out student evaluations and the students are doing a wonderful job. We are currently recruiting for new students for summer of 2004. Applications can be downloaded through the TTIP section of the TAF website at

Soft Skills Training
Based on the feedback we received from employers, we have added new job preparedness trainings to help our students improve their soft skills. These workshops are now integrated in the program year, rather than an end of the year/stand alone class. In 2004 we will be conducting two sessions of our TAF Intern Academy in January rather than May in order to give our students time to more fully develop their resumes and job search skills. Students are already working hard on their resumes and e-folio's (electronic portfolios), which will allow employers to view student information over the Internet. In addition, we have moved up the timeline for mock interviews, which will begin in March (we are looking forward to our employers help again this year in conducting these wonderful learning opportunities). At the end the year, we will spend two full weeks doing additional training on Acing Your Internship.

If you're interested in volunteering to help with a workshop or would like to help with mock interviews, please contact Sherry Williams at sherryw@techaccess.org or 206-725-9095.

TAF Student Ambassadors
This year, we selected nine TTIP students as TAF Student Ambassadors. These students have strong leadership skills and are interested in helping to improve the organization. Their duties include:
* Sharing their experience as a TTIP participant at TAF events
* Helping to plan fundraising events with staff and parents
* Gathering feedback from peers on how to improve TTIP
* Continuing to develop in the area of personal effectiveness

The Ambassadors are very excited about this new leadership opportunity. So far they have attended the TAF Alliance Breakfast, spoken at volunteer orientation sessions, met with Tech Center visitors and helped raise $800 for the YWCA Adopt-a-Family Program! They will soon begin mentoring TechStart, 5-12 year old, students who are interested in joining TTIP.

Employer Information Available Online
We're currently working to add some new and helpful information to the TAF Alliance section of our website. There will now a section that is just for TTIP employers. This section will include the following:
* Password protection
* Detailed checklists with important dates for supervisors, mentors and human resources professionals
* Employer manual
* Link to Minor Work Permits (must be renewed every year)
* Link to student e-folio's, including student bios, resumes and coursework
* Sample intern job descriptions for all technical areas

The information on the TAF/Alliance section of the website will be available to view on February 9, 2004. If you have any suggestions ideas for other improvements to the TAF Alliance section of the website, please contact Sherry.

Seeking Employer Quotes
As we continue to improve the TAF website, we also hope to add new quotes from TTIP employers. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to email us a quote describing your experience working with a TTIP student and/or why your corporation supports the TAF Alliance. We will feature your quotes on our site and possibly in our e-newsletter. Our goal is to receive new quotes by February 13, 2004.

TAF Alliance Update
We hope that you are able to continue your participation with the TAF Alliance by hiring students for the summer of 2004. If your company was unable to join the TAF Alliance last year and is interested in joining at this time, Please contact Liz Peterson at lizp@techaccess.org 206-725-9095 ext. 19.

We are looking forward to continuing to work with you and sharing another successful exciting year together!

Best Regards,

Sherry and Liz

How Do I Subscribe To PlayTime Inc's Blog?

My good buddy and ex-college roommate, Jeff McManus, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Blogs at eBay" gave me this tip on how to get updates any time I update this or any other blog. In addition, it can open the whole world of newsfeeds to your life too.

Here's how this works. Most weblogs provide data-only access to content in an XML format called RSS (really simple syndication). So what you need is a piece of software that can read this RSS format. The RSS reader software will notify you when a given weblog has something new.

You have a couple of choices for RSS aggregators. SharpReader is the one I use. It's nice but a teensy bit more difficult to set up because it doesn't have an installer and requires the .NET framework. Shouldn't be a problem for you though. If you want to try it, step 1 is to get the .NET framework from Windows Update, then download SharpReader from here: http://www.sharpreader.net/. You might also want to try NewsGator (which integrates directly into Outlook) or FeedDemon (which is a commercial product).

I chose to try the newsgator product because I'm an Outlook addict. Note, almost all of them require a Microsoft .NET download which is 20+MB, not a feat to be done on a modem. I'll give a report with some tips once I figure this out...

-J.

THANK YOU for all the supporters who wrote in to our Fast Company Fast 50 Entry

A tremendous thank you to all of you who posted comments to our Fast Company Fast 50 entry! We were on the Most Popular list for over 3 weeks leading up to the final judging day in December.

As for an update, here's what the website says...

The winners of this year's challenge will be announced online on February 15, and in the March 2004 issue of Fast Company magazine. Stay tuned!

I'll send out an announcement on Feb 15th, especially if we won!!! Wish us luck!

Even if we don't win the award, the comments that our clients and fans wrote are awe inspiring, they made my day as the founder of this company. Take a look at what others are saying about PlayTime Inc's amazing life-changing work...

PlayTime Inc's Fast Company's Fast 50 Entry

Click here on Feb 15th to find out if we won!!!