New post on my Security Dawg web site about protecting web sites with a file hashing program I wrote.

Did a front brake rotor job on my car on Saturday.  Didn’t notice any leftover parts when I was done. The first test drive was OK, but heard some unusual noises from the front right this morning as I was leaving for work.

So I went back home, planning on changing my clothes to take it apart again. But Pam let me take her new ride instead. I’ll work on my car tonight; sounds like a bolt needs to be tightened. The lug nuts were tight, so perhaps one of the four brake pad mounting bolts is not tight enough.

Pam’s new ride is a 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited Edition. We’ve been looking for a replacement for her 1998 Camry, due to the need for extra cargo space and a trailer hitch for a trailer for the powered wheelchair that appears to be in her future. Went to the Hertz used car sale, and found this one at a good price (under blue book) with all the options we needed. It has just about every option you could get other than the back seat video display. Only 75K miles on it, and well-maintained.

We’ve had good luck with the Toyotas we have bought from Hertz before. No mechanical problems, no maintenance (other than the usual tires and oil changes and a battery or two). Two of the Camry’s have over 200K miles, and mine has 120K, and all are still running well. So we are pleased with the new Highlhander. It drives well, and according to the on-screen display gets about 25MPG combined city/highway. Comfortable ride and handling. We’ll be taking it on a weekend trip to California in a couple of weeks.

And Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter Christine!