About Me

23/m/va

My name is Rafael Rivera Jr. Born in Hawaii, I was raised by an ARMY family making me an official military brat. I have visited many places throughout the world and spent a large chunk of time on a military base in Heidelberg, Germany. No, I cannot speak German. Yes, the food is great. I call Virginia my current home.

During the day, I write some code for a company that provides managed and secure enterprise-class messaging solutions to the U.S. Government. Our team is small therefore I receive many perks such as the overloading of work, having to wear a hundred hats at once, and being able to take my shoes off at my desk.

During the night, I enjoy tearing Microsoft software apart (mainly Microsoft Windows) not only to make it function the way I want it to but to aid me in achieving my goal of landing a Microsoft job, with hopes of finally meeting Mark Russinovich.

I share my birthday with Microsoft Windows… some scream coincidence. Bollocks!

Hey, aren’t you that guy…

Maybe. I have no outstanding debts, sorry, but I am responsible for a number of technical memes such as patched Uxtheme libraries, which nullify the need for having your Microsoft Windows themes digitally signed, and the Alky for Applications project (previously VAIO), a custom implementation of Microsoft Windows Vista API on older platforms such as Microsoft Windows XP.

When Wagner Edstrom allows me, I travel to the usual conferences such as Microsoft WinHEC and PDC and meet up with VIPs such as Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley and crazy people like Maarten Sundman and Tom Warren.

What’s under the hood?

I’m currently enjoying Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate x64 on an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 (3ghz) processor installed into an ASUS Striker Extreme (nForce 680i) motherboard. Expensive extras include 2GB of memory, a SATA-based array of .5 terabytes of storage, and a NVIDIA Geforce 8800 GTS with after-market cooling. Ultimate Extras include… well nothing. They’re all lame.

With bated breath, I wait for Microsoft Windows Vista SP2.

Can I send you …?

I’m open-minded and considerate of other’s needs, especially when it comes to the off-loading new technology. Send an email to [myfirstname]@withinwindows.com for further discussion. Reply guaranteed. I must, however, stop accepting corrosive chemicals and explosive liquids not in 3 ounce (or less), clear plastic containers. Sorry, those are the rules.

I also utilize Windows Live Messenger for my instant gratification needs. I am more than happy to add anyone for chatting/cybering upon request, via electronic mail (see above).