Subscribe to RSS feedCrayon Physics Deluxe now available for preorder!
Nov 28, 2008 20:44
Crayon Physics Deluxe is now available for
preorder!
If you haven’t seen this game yet, do yourself a favor and clicky on the linky. The basic idea is this: You have crayons. You can draw anything you want. What you draw comes to life, with real-world physics. You draw things to solve puzzles. You build machines.
You. Go! Buy! NOW!
If you haven’t seen this game yet, do yourself a favor and clicky on the linky. The basic idea is this: You have crayons. You can draw anything you want. What you draw comes to life, with real-world physics. You draw things to solve puzzles. You build machines.
You. Go! Buy! NOW!
|
The state of things
Nov 28, 2008 19:43
Here
I sit, full of Thanksgiving leftovers, watching the
drive light blink on the skeletal remains of a
resurrected server as I rescue 100GB or so of data
from one of the 13 bare hard drives sitting on the
floor. I’m making yet another attempt at data
consolidation, this time hoping to store everything
on about 2TB of disk attached to my stationary
MacBook.
If all goes well, all my data, archives, and media will reside on that machine, shared via AFP and SMB to the rest of my machines, including my newly-Boxee-enabled AppleTV. This will include my mp3 collection, which will be moving off my MacBook Pro permanently to free up much-needed space, as will all the media on it, my daily workhorse.
This was a compromise with myself, after I decided I didn’t want to spend 3x the cost of the raw storage on a fancy NAS when I’ve got a perfectly suitable computer that can do the same job. (Hell, I’ve got 5 perfectly suitable computers, but I don’t want to have another server farm in here!)
In other news, I decided to renew my Dreamhost hosting, after comparing prices and features with, among other things, MobileMe. My free demo with MobileMe expires in just over a week, and I will not be paying for it. I don’t use it, and since it only offers hosting for a single domain, it doesn’t meet my needs.
Similarly, I won’t be using Google Apps for Domains to host my domains, since they only allow static pages. But I will stick with them for email.
I need to take my Oppo 970HD
in for repair (they’re local, and have a low,
flat-rate fee for repairs), as it’s started
skipping on multiple DVDs. I’d love to ditch a
standalone DVD player altogether, since I can
use my XBox 360 or PS3 for both normal and
HD-DVD or Blu-Ray playback, but I own several
non-Region-1 DVDs, and would have no way to
play them (though I suppose I could replace
them with region 1 versions of the films,
since almost every one has since been released
in Region 1...they weren’t available at the
time, which is why I got them on Region 2 or
other regions).
I’m entertaining the idea of replacing my aging, but still perfectly good 720p Panasonic Plasma with a new Samsung
or
Sharp Aquos
1080p LCD, assuming the price falls to
something reasonable. Here, I define
“reasonable” as “around $500-600”. The prices
during Black Friday are close ($800,
typically), but I’m not going to bite yet.
I’ll wait to see what happens the week before
the Superbowl, which is traditionally the time
during which one may find the absolute best
HDTV deals.
I’m also entertaining the idea of selling my current MacBook Pro and getting one of the shiny new models.
This one is one of the first Core Duos, and
I’d very much like the newer, faster, sleeker
model. But if I do it -- and that’s a huge
“if” -- it’ll be in the 2nd half of 2009, and
it’ll require me to sell the current MacBook
Pro.
I toyed with the idea of replacing this MacBook Pro with one of the new Asus EEE,
Acer Aspire,
or similar netbooks, since I primarily use the
thing for web access, ssh and vpn to remote
systems, and the occasional media playback. I
may still do so, once the price:performance
ratio gets a bit better. I’m also hoping the
vertical resolution creeps up a bit, and I can
get my hands on several to see just how
enticing they are. This is still very much an
option.
If all goes well, all my data, archives, and media will reside on that machine, shared via AFP and SMB to the rest of my machines, including my newly-Boxee-enabled AppleTV. This will include my mp3 collection, which will be moving off my MacBook Pro permanently to free up much-needed space, as will all the media on it, my daily workhorse.
This was a compromise with myself, after I decided I didn’t want to spend 3x the cost of the raw storage on a fancy NAS when I’ve got a perfectly suitable computer that can do the same job. (Hell, I’ve got 5 perfectly suitable computers, but I don’t want to have another server farm in here!)
In other news, I decided to renew my Dreamhost hosting, after comparing prices and features with, among other things, MobileMe. My free demo with MobileMe expires in just over a week, and I will not be paying for it. I don’t use it, and since it only offers hosting for a single domain, it doesn’t meet my needs.
Similarly, I won’t be using Google Apps for Domains to host my domains, since they only allow static pages. But I will stick with them for email.
I need to take my Oppo 970HD
in for repair (they’re local, and have a low,
flat-rate fee for repairs), as it’s started
skipping on multiple DVDs. I’d love to ditch a
standalone DVD player altogether, since I can
use my XBox 360 or PS3 for both normal and
HD-DVD or Blu-Ray playback, but I own several
non-Region-1 DVDs, and would have no way to
play them (though I suppose I could replace
them with region 1 versions of the films,
since almost every one has since been released
in Region 1...they weren’t available at the
time, which is why I got them on Region 2 or
other regions).
I’m entertaining the idea of replacing my aging, but still perfectly good 720p Panasonic Plasma with a new Samsung
or
Sharp Aquos
1080p LCD, assuming the price falls to
something reasonable. Here, I define
“reasonable” as “around $500-600”. The prices
during Black Friday are close ($800,
typically), but I’m not going to bite yet.
I’ll wait to see what happens the week before
the Superbowl, which is traditionally the time
during which one may find the absolute best
HDTV deals.
I’m also entertaining the idea of selling my current MacBook Pro and getting one of the shiny new models
.
This one is one of the first Core Duos, and
I’d very much like the newer, faster, sleeker
model. But if I do it -- and that’s a huge
“if” -- it’ll be in the 2nd half of 2009, and
it’ll require me to sell the current MacBook
Pro.
I toyed with the idea of replacing this MacBook Pro with one of the new Asus EEE
,
Acer Aspire,
or similar netbooks, since I primarily use the
thing for web access, ssh and vpn to remote
systems, and the occasional media playback. I
may still do so, once the price:performance
ratio gets a bit better. I’m also hoping the
vertical resolution creeps up a bit, and I can
get my hands on several to see just how
enticing they are. This is still very much an
option.
What a long, strange trip it's been
Sep 22, 2008 22:30
It's
just two weeks shy of a year since I last updated
this website. I never meant to let it go this long
without an update, but life got in the way.
Since the last update, I've been in a motorcycle accident, bought a new motorcycle, had my gallbladder removed, met someone new, visited my Dad in Florida, visited PAX in Seattle. I've taken up weightlifting (specifically, strength training). I've lost almost 90 pounds. I've decreased by debt by almost $15,000. I've built a new gaming computer. I've been in and out of the market for a house, twice.
All in all, life is good. And I do intend to get back into the swing of keeping this site up to date.
Since the last update, I've been in a motorcycle accident, bought a new motorcycle, had my gallbladder removed, met someone new, visited my Dad in Florida, visited PAX in Seattle. I've taken up weightlifting (specifically, strength training). I've lost almost 90 pounds. I've decreased by debt by almost $15,000. I've built a new gaming computer. I've been in and out of the market for a house, twice.
All in all, life is good. And I do intend to get back into the swing of keeping this site up to date.
Could you love a brush?
Oct 14, 2007 08:21
Could
you find it in your heart to love a cleaning brush?
What about calling it Mom? No?
Well, don't tell these hedgehogs. These poor babies were orphaned, and have since formed a maternal bond with a cleaning brush at the facility where they were taken after they were rescued.
Not much hackish content here. Just CUTE BABY HEDGEHOGS! Everyone needs pictures of cute baby hedgehogs every now and again.
Well, don't tell these hedgehogs. These poor babies were orphaned, and have since formed a maternal bond with a cleaning brush at the facility where they were taken after they were rescued.
Not much hackish content here. Just CUTE BABY HEDGEHOGS! Everyone needs pictures of cute baby hedgehogs every now and again.
Secure public surfing with OS X
Oct 13, 2007 08:19
Hackzine
has a great article up describing
how to get online securely when using public
networks.
Tabletop wooden walker
Oct 12, 2007 08:15
Here's
a short YouTube clip of an
incredible handmade, wooden walking robot based
on a mechanism designed by artist Theo Jansen, who
who built a
very similar walker, but his was the size of a
cow!. More
about Theo Jansen and his work.
Guide to Pratchett's Discworld Books
Oct 11, 2007 08:08
I've
wanted something like this for a while now, even
though I own and have read most of Terry
Pratchett's Discworld novels. It's been said that
Pratchett's books are more valuable without a
signature, given how often he manages to go on tour
and do book-signings. However, whether you've got a
signed or unsigned copy, you may be wondering about
the major threads and themes that run throughout
his books, and in which order they should be read.
With 33 out now, it can get a little confusing.
These folks have put together a very nice visual guide to solve those problems.
These folks have put together a very nice visual guide to solve those problems.
How to flush your toilet with LEGOs
Oct 10, 2007 08:06
The
BattleBricks website has a great little page on
The
RoboFlush, an automatic toilet flusher someone
built using the LEGO MindStorms NXT kit.
Oppo 970HD: HD Upconversion via component cables
Oct 09, 2007 08:01
Got
an Oppo 970HD? Annoyed that it'll only upconvert
DVDs to HD over the HDMI port, when you've still
got a perfectly good component-only HD display?
Annoyed that the HDCP crippleware won't let you use
your non-HDCP-compatible, DVI-port-having LCD
display with the unit?
Well, there's no need to be annoyed any more. Just grab the ISO from this AVSForum thread, and burn a CD-R (this is important, because it won't work with a DVD-R) from it. Pop the burned disc into your 970HD, and follow these instructions.
The ISO contains a patched version of the newest 970HD firmware, which patches out the restrictions on upconversion, and disables HDCP.
Alternately, follow the instructions on this site, and apply the patch to the firmware yourself.
Well, there's no need to be annoyed any more. Just grab the ISO from this AVSForum thread, and burn a CD-R (this is important, because it won't work with a DVD-R) from it. Pop the burned disc into your 970HD, and follow these instructions.
The ISO contains a patched version of the newest 970HD firmware, which patches out the restrictions on upconversion, and disables HDCP.
Alternately, follow the instructions on this site, and apply the patch to the firmware yourself.
Automatic JTAG pinout discovery
Oct 08, 2007 07:58
One of the hardest
things about hardware hacking is tackling something
with a JTAG interface on it. Often, you're reduced
to laborious guesswork when trying to figure out
just what's going on with the device's JTAG port.
Guess no more! http://www.c3a.de/wiki/index.php/JTAG_Finder">There's now an open-source hardware/software project and wiki set up to automate JTAG pinout discovery. JTAG hackers, rejoice!
Guess no more! http://www.c3a.de/wiki/index.php/JTAG_Finder">There's now an open-source hardware/software project and wiki set up to automate JTAG pinout discovery. JTAG hackers, rejoice!
If you're a sysadmin, look away now!
Oct 07, 2007 07:55
How to afford a home
Oct 06, 2007 07:52
This
will not be an entry on how to rob a bank. Instead,
it'll just be a quick pointer to
this article at Business Week, which surveys the
most affordable places to live in every state.
Don't think you need this sort of thing? Then you must not live where I do.
Don't think you need this sort of thing? Then you must not live where I do.
Ham And Cheese Revisited: The Croque Monsieur
Oct 05, 2007 19:49
While
hard at work one day a few weeks ago, a co-worker
mentioned his love of the Croque Monsieur, and how
very much the sandwich he'd just had wasn't one.
I'd never heard of it before, so like any good
nerd, I
went and looked it up. It does indeed look
tantalizing.
I wanted one so much, in fact, that evening I tried to make one using turkey and shredded mexican cheese. I don't think it'd pass muster in Paris, but it still hit the spot. Yum!
I wanted one so much, in fact, that evening I tried to make one using turkey and shredded mexican cheese. I don't think it'd pass muster in Paris, but it still hit the spot. Yum!
OS X XRay
Oct 05, 2007 07:44
Some
of you may have heard of DTrace,
the rather nifty microscope-like
diagnostic/debugging tool from Sun that lets
you examine almost every aspect of the operating
system's functioning in real-time. It's extremely
useful for everyone from developers to sysadmins.
Well, there have been various efforts to port DTrace to other platforms. Apple's got their own effort waiting in the wings as part of the new XCode developer package to ship with Leopard: XRay. XRay is a combination of DTrace and an extremely nice, polished GUI for it. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on Leopard, and this just makes me want it more.
To get some idea of the extreme flexibility of DTrace, have a look at this DTrace script, designed to diagnose timing issues with application/OS DNS queries. Keen!
Well, there have been various efforts to port DTrace to other platforms. Apple's got their own effort waiting in the wings as part of the new XCode developer package to ship with Leopard: XRay. XRay is a combination of DTrace and an extremely nice, polished GUI for it. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on Leopard, and this just makes me want it more.
To get some idea of the extreme flexibility of DTrace, have a look at this DTrace script, designed to diagnose timing issues with application/OS DNS queries. Keen!
DirecTV launches 31 new High-Definition channels
Oct 04, 2007 07:37
On the morning of October 3, DirecTV launched another 10 HD channels, including USA HD and SciFi HD! Woo!
How to gather intel during a job interview
Oct 03, 2007 07:33
We've
all been there: After days of prep, you're in the
hot seat, meeting person after person in what are
seemingly endless rounds of interviews, trying to
secure that shiny new job you've had your eye on.
You spend the day answering all sorts of questions,
helping the interviewers learn more about you.
What many people fail to realize is that the interview process is the perfect time to learn a great deal about your potential new employer, bosses, and co-workers. Rands has a great series of articles on the job acquisition process, and in this article, they describe how to find and use what they call "the button", the weak spot in your interviewer's armor through which you can extract extremely useful information about the person and the company. Worth a read!
What many people fail to realize is that the interview process is the perfect time to learn a great deal about your potential new employer, bosses, and co-workers. Rands has a great series of articles on the job acquisition process, and in this article, they describe how to find and use what they call "the button", the weak spot in your interviewer's armor through which you can extract extremely useful information about the person and the company. Worth a read!
Software versioning
Oct 02, 2007 07:31
Ever
wonder what all those numbers next to your favorite
piece of software's name mean? This
Wikipedia article on software versioning
explains exactly what each number means, and what
it means to you when you see one of them change.
Not everyone follows the standards described here, but most people who write software with some sort of versioning system use one of the schemes they detail.
Not everyone follows the standards described here, but most people who write software with some sort of versioning system use one of the schemes they detail.
Ethduino: An Ethernet-enabled Arduino board
Oct 01, 2007 07:28
The
folks over at TRAC have been
working on a project to add
Ethernet to an Arduino board. I really like the
Arduino platform, and these folks have put up a
detailed, step-by-step worklog on their efforts, so
you can follow along and make one yourself it you
wish.
Key bindings for Team Fortress 2
Sep 30, 2007 19:40
Some
of the more avid gamers in the audience may be
aware that Valve has been pre-selling The Orange Box, a
collection of 5 outstanding videogames for the
price of one. It includes Half-Life 2,
Half-Life 2: Episode 1, the upcoming Half-Life 2:
Episode 2, the much anticipated Portal, and perhaps
of greatest interest to some, Team Fortress 2,
which has been 9 years in the making.
It's a hotly-anticipated title for the first-person shooter set, and you can buy direct access to it via Valve's Steam Network.
If you do, you get to play in the Team Fortress 2 beta until the game's release on October 10. If you're like me, you hate mouse-based menu systems for changing weapons. I've been playing in the beta for a few weeks now, and there's a great post describing how to bind certain keys to various actions in TF2, including switching weapons.
It's a hotly-anticipated title for the first-person shooter set, and you can buy direct access to it via Valve's Steam Network.
If you do, you get to play in the Team Fortress 2 beta until the game's release on October 10. If you're like me, you hate mouse-based menu systems for changing weapons. I've been playing in the beta for a few weeks now, and there's a great post describing how to bind certain keys to various actions in TF2, including switching weapons.
BREAKING: Free Graphical iPhone SIM Unlock Software!
Sep 12, 2007 08:16
The
news just keeps getting better, doesn't it? There's
now a
point-and-click graphical SIM unlock tool
available for those unfamiliar with or
uncomfortable with the command line.
Rejoice!