Airman crafts digital artwork for computer log-in scripts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Phillips
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Staff Sgt. Chris Borslien does not consider himself much of an artist; however, his customers might disagree with him.

Instead of using brushes and paint, the network control center technician creates digital art with alphanumeric characters known as American standard code for information interchange, which computer users here see every time they log on to the network.

“I think people enjoy seeing a different image rather than staring at a blank screen,” said Sergeant Borslien, of the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron.

His two latest creations are a flag, which he created at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and an eagle. The mini artwork serves more than just an aesthetic function.

The design is just a perk for customers, while the startup script, also called logon script, runs in the background. The script replaced the three pop up screens customers used to click on to access their computer profiles here.

In general, startup scripts keep the computer safe from viruses and hackers by checking to see if each computer has the most current security patches loaded.

Startup scripts also serve several functions which are mostly seamless to users. However, one function that is apparent to the user is the artwork which is a way for technicians to spice up boring, but necessary, warnings like, “Back up all critical data files daily,” “Report suspicious activity,” and “Maintain vigilance for unknown authorized persons.” Sergeant Borslien said he hopes the extra attention the picture creates just might hit home the message to a few more users.

“When I first logged in and saw it, I paid attention to what kind of characters are used,” said Senior Airman Ivy Lasyone, of the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron deployed from the Louisiana Air National Guard. “I’ve seen things similar to this on the internet, but the eagle (Sergeant Borslien created) was very intricate. I like to see what kind of characters it’s made of.”

Although the screen art looks fairly simple when compared to an oil painting, each digital masterpiece takes more than eight hours to create, mainly to add color to the images.

It is a hobby Sergeant Borslien chips away at for an hour or two, when he can find the time and is not installing patches to protect network computers or upgrading the servers.

His latest project, which is due to debut in early August, is the Air Force symbol.

A modest guy of few words, he said creating the artwork is just something he does when work slows down and he wants to keep busy. But, his superiors know better.

“He’s always busy finding more ways to change things to improve service to our customers and availability to network resources,” said Capt. Greg Whitaker, the squadron’s information systems flight commander who deployed from Scott AFB, Ill. “I think the pictures Chris adds to the startup scripts are just his way of adding a personal touch to the network. A guarantee he’s doing everything he can to make sure it’s ready for all those who need it.”

For Airman Lasyone, who logs onto the network to do her job and to keep in touch with loved ones, looking at the digital images are a diversion for a few seconds, while the script ensures her computer and the information in it is safe from viruses.

“I like looking at it,” she said. “I can tell someone went through the extra time to do something positive.”