So I got a job offer from Xandros today! So far I have looked it over and am awaiting the paper copy they should be sending out tomorrow. It looks good so far. I am still waiting to hear back from a couple other companies where I have applied, but if I don;t hear anything from them in the next couple days, I will likely accept the offer from Xandros. This relieves a lot of stress and worry I have had over the last couple months.

Hooray!

So at AECL we use MKS Source Integrity for source control of our projects. At least in the branch I am in we do. It is a system that uses the RCS format as a backend data store, similar to CVS and Perforce among others. I just started to use it today and as of yet do not have write access to the repository. However, I already know I will not like it. MKS has a concept where you can check out a sandbox of the project. Ther are several types of sandboxes, a Normal Sandbox which is a copy of the Head of the repository. Then there is a Variant Sandbox which is a copy that creates a branch. Finally there is a final kind of sandbox which is used to generate a build environment, but only from a tagged project revision. So, after you create this sandbox to work in, you have a copy of the files, but you have not actually checked them out yet. Instead, you have to check out individual files to actually work on, which places a repository lock on that file. So while you have a file checked out, no one else can work on it. What a pile of crap source control system...

So I was playing with Excel at work today, experimenting with copying sheets from one workbook to another, and the following dialog box popped up.
How crappy is that?

Hmm, it appears that the gpg plugin I have for Outlook at work corrupted the image. I'll have to get it again and fix it tomorrow.

So today was the first day of work at AECL for me. It was interesting for the most part. After I got throught the first checkin and sign on procedures at least. I managed to go through 3 ID cards today. The first was a generic visitor card which lasted at most one hour. Then it was replaced with a photo card which allowed me on site, but not to the section of the complex I needed to be in, at least without an escort. So then after I did a little training course on a computer, I went back and got another new photo card which allowed me to enter the section I need.

Security is pretty tight at the Chalk River Labs. I have a photo ID card to get in. And every day I have to pick up a docimeter badge, which measures radiation exposure I accumulate. In a little while, that badge will be replaced with another that also has my photo on it. In order to get into the section of the complex I am in, I have to pass though a building which has a bunch of equipment I have to go through. The first one is something that sprays air and does some beeping. I think it checks for radiation contamination and cleans off other stuff. Then I have to pass a ID check by the security guard and pass through a metal detector. Finally, I have to flash my pass at some detector, and have a HAND PRINT SCANNER verify my identity before the doors will let me go through!! I think that is very cool. Of course this is all after I get to the site.

In order to get into the complex, I have to drive (get a ride) to the site, and go through a gatehouse where the security guards check everyone's access pass. Then I have to drive about 6KM along a windy road before I can see the next building. Actually in that section there are several other side roads that go to other storage buildings and some other facilities.