diff --git a/_posts b/_posts deleted file mode 120000 index 27ef4a5..0000000 --- a/_posts +++ /dev/null @@ -1 +0,0 @@ -/Users/danbarber/Dropbox/Text Docs/danbarber.me/posts \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/2004-05-24-a-fresh-start.markdown b/_posts/2004-05-24-a-fresh-start.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..29a3669 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-05-24-a-fresh-start.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "A Fresh Start" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +You may have noticed that all of a sudden all the content has dissapeared from this site. 'Why?' you ask? Well, I figured that I'm a bit fed up of writing about my day to day personal life and I'm sure it can't be that interesting to read either! + +With that in mind, I intend to start producing useful and worthwhile content -- starting with an article on how I achieved the stylesheet switcher, particularly how I approached the problem of styling the pop up content windows. + +Suggestions and comments are all appreciated (except the spammers, they can kiss my...). diff --git a/_posts/2004-05-26-work-in-progress.markdown b/_posts/2004-05-26-work-in-progress.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a93a544 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-05-26-work-in-progress.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Work in Progress" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +ClockRocket is a bit work in progress at the moment. So while I am currently in the middle of writing my site skinning tutorial I found that my site needs a bit of work in that department anyway! + +Hell I could probably do with bringing the site code more up to date, as it's currently based on MovableType 2 templates which aren't very semantically correct. + +Watch this space! diff --git a/_posts/2004-05-29-style-sheet-switcher.markdown b/_posts/2004-05-29-style-sheet-switcher.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..820d6c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-05-29-style-sheet-switcher.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,78 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Style Sheet Switcher" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +We all know that the idea behind XHTML and CSS is to seperate content from style, and when this is done properly it allows us to change the design of an entire site simply by changing the CSS stylesheet. So why not have multiple stylesheets for your website and allow the user to change them? + +What follows is a step by step guide to exactly how I achieved the stylesheet switcher on ClockRocket. + + + +

Preparations

+ +For this to work properly all elements relating to the 'design' of the page must be contained in the CSS. I won't go into any details about that here, but there are plenty of articles on the web about image replacement techniques. On such article can be found at Stopdesign; 'Using Background-Image to Replace Text'. + +

The Switcher Code

+ +The first thing we will do is write some code that picks up a GET variable (which we will call 'style') and set a cookie for our dynamic stylesheet to pick up. We will put this code into an empty file and call it 'setstyle.php'. + +
<?php
+    if ($_GET['style']) {
+        setcookie("style", "$style", time() + 315360000, "/");
+    }
+?>
+ +The 'style' variable will equal the name of the CSS file we want to change to, without the .css extension, eg. if your stylesheet is called 'default.css', then 'style' will equal 'default'. + +We need to reference this file in our index page now. Your index page must have a .php extension for this to work. Add the following line to the top of your index page. + +
<?php include("<$MTBlogSitePath$>setstyle.php");?>
+ +

The Stylesheet

+ +We are going to create the master stylesheet now. This will be the file referenced by the HTML and will be written in PHP. Basically we are taking advantage of the fact that PHP can return data for any filetype. + +Here is the code. Put this in a new file and call it 'site-styles.php'. + +
<?php
+    if (!$_COOKIE['style']) {
+        /* here we check to see if the cookie exists
+        and if it doesn't, set a default stylesheet */
+        $style = "default";
+    }
+    /* output the correct HTTP header for the stylesheet */
+    header("Content-Type: text/css");
+    /* output the stylesheet itself */
+    include("$style.css");
+?>
+ +This file needs to be referenced in your code in the place where you would normally reference the normal stylesheet. So change the appropriate line in your HTML to refer to 'site-styles.php'. + +
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles-site.php" type="text/css" />
+ +

Allowing the user to change the Stylesheet

+ +As of now, you should be able to change stylesheets by adding '?style=[style]' to your index URL in the browser window. But that's not very convenient or intuative for the user! So the last step is to create a way of letting the user change the stylesheet. + +We can do this a couple of ways. I chose to use a form with a combo box and submit button to list the stylesheets, but you can just as well use a list of links, each linking to the URL required for each stylesheet. Example code for each technique follows. + +

The Form Method

+ +
<form method="get" action="index.php">
+    Style:<br /><select name="style">
+        <option value="default"<?php if ($style == "default") { echo " selected=\"selected\""; } ?>>Default Stylesheet</option>
+        <option value="another"<?php if ($style == "another") { echo " selected=\"selected\""; } ?>>Another Style</option>
+        <option value="different"<?php if ($style == "different") { echo " selected=\"selected\""; } ?>>Different Style</option>
+    </select> <input type="submit" class="button" value="Go" />
+</form>
+ +

The Links Method

+ +
<a href="index.php?style=default">Default Stylesheet</a><br />
+<a href="index.php?style=another">Another Stylesheet</a><br />
+<a href="index.php?style=different">Different Stylesheet</a><br />
+ +And that should be that! Comments are appreciated. diff --git a/_posts/2004-06-03-internet-explorer-and-pngs.markdown b/_posts/2004-06-03-internet-explorer-and-pngs.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0929e96 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-06-03-internet-explorer-and-pngs.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Internet Explorer and PNG's" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +It's the bain of every Web Developers life. The one thing that would make all our lives just that little bit nicer. Proper support for PNG's in all common web browsers. + + + +I'd kind of gotten over the fact that Internet Explorer doesn't, and probably never will, support alpha transparent PNG files. I guess it's because Microsoft don't see the need for them on their site. + +What has been bugging me is the fact that PNG images always seemed to display slightly too dark in IE. Very irritating if you have an image that needs to match a colour specified in your CSS file. + +So I decided last night to try and find out why this happens, and it turns out the Internet Explorer doesn't handle the gAMA chunk correctly, and the solution to this is to use pngcrush to remove the gAMA chunk and the cHRM chunk and put in a sRGB chunk. + +It's all a bit technical but, rest assured, the command below will correct your PNG files so they display at the correct brightness in Internet Explorer. + +
# pngcrush -srgb 1 -rem gama -rem chrm [infile].png [outfile].png
+ +At some point in the near future i'll write a bash script or something to automate fixing directories of files as it's a bit of a pain to do one file at a time. diff --git a/_posts/2004-06-08-get-this-number-on-the-tps.markdown b/_posts/2004-06-08-get-this-number-on-the-tps.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..606c65c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-06-08-get-this-number-on-the-tps.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Get this number on the TPS!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Pre-recorded messages that phone you up suck. The ones that ring you back and carry on playing when you hang up make me want to kill things. diff --git a/_posts/2004-06-09-amds-new-value-chip.markdown b/_posts/2004-06-09-amds-new-value-chip.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2c49d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-06-09-amds-new-value-chip.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "AMD's new value chip" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +So it would appear that AMD have revealed the new name for it's new value market processor. + +It now sounds like a brand of tampon as opposed to a brand of condom. + +If it's as good as the Duron was, despite the name, then it should be a good chip. diff --git a/_posts/2004-06-23-i-have-geekmail.markdown b/_posts/2004-06-23-i-have-geekmail.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e9900a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-06-23-i-have-geekmail.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "I have G(eek)mail!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +I have now got myself a Gmail account! Woo! + +First impressions are good. As far as web applications go this is a good one. And the appeal of 1gig of space is quite high. It actually threads conversations automatically, which is a great feature I think. + +I will come back with a more detailed look later. diff --git a/_posts/2004-07-07-computer-randomly-plays-classical-music.markdown b/_posts/2004-07-07-computer-randomly-plays-classical-music.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6f8ebb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-07-07-computer-randomly-plays-classical-music.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Computer Randomly Plays Classical Music" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Found this on Gentoo Forums. I know it's probably old but i'd never seen it before. + +Made me chuckle! diff --git a/_posts/2004-07-15-dooooooooooom.markdown b/_posts/2004-07-15-dooooooooooom.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..517a723 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-07-15-dooooooooooom.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,15 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "DoooooooooooM!!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +

It would appear that Doom 3 has gone gold! The official word from Todd Hollenshead is that it will arrive here in the UK on August 6th.

+ +

IT'S DONE!!!!!!!

+ +

Yes, this is the official word that DOOM 3 has been code released and has been approved for manufacturing! It won't be long now until the anticipation ends and the PH34R begins ;-) We literally just hung up with Activision and have confirmed that our latest release candidate has been mutually approved and is finally GOLD. Thanks to everyone for their patience (yeah right! =) and for everyone at id, Activision and our numerous partners for helping us create what I believe is absolutely the best game we have ever made.

+
+ +

Finally, after all this waiting, prepare to have the crap scared out of you.

diff --git a/_posts/2004-07-16-computer-for-sale.markdown b/_posts/2004-07-16-computer-for-sale.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3c2b4e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-07-16-computer-for-sale.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Computer for sale" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +I have a computer to sell if anybody is interested. Specs are as follows: + +800mhz Pentium 3 on a Compaq branded (IIRC) Asus motherboard +256mb PC100 RAM +30gig Harddisk +Radeon 64mb DDR VIVO Graphics card +SoundBlaster Live 5.1 +Pioneer DVD Drive +Microsoft Keyboard and Mouse + +I'm looking for about diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-06-doom-3-hardware-guide.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-06-doom-3-hardware-guide.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fca2dc --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-06-doom-3-hardware-guide.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Doom 3 Hardware guide" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +

I came across this article on Hard[OCP] last night. It should give people a good idea of whether their machine will handle Doom 3 before they buy it. I was quite surprised myself at how well it ran on my lowely Radeon 9600! It would appear also that the game still looks curiously stunning at 800x600, with much better framerates than 1024x768.

+ +

Hard[OCP] agree:

+ +

What we noticed immediately is that DOOM 3 looks incredible even at 640x480! And as we increased the resolution, the game began to look more and more like a pre-rendered movie. Visually, DOOM 3 is unlike any other game we have ever seen on the PC. We initially began playing DOOM 3 on the minimum spec system, which consisted of a GeForce4 MX-440 64MB video card at the Low Quality setting and 640x480 resolution. We were literally drawn into the game, and became fully immersed in it at these settings. As we used increasingly faster video cards and were able to raise the resolution, we discovered something interesting that we had never seen before in a game: antialiasing was not necessary.

+ +

diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-12-doom-3-tweaking.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-12-doom-3-tweaking.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce27108 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-12-doom-3-tweaking.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Doom 3 Tweaking" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +An excellent guide to tweaking the hell out of Doom 3 has appeared at Tweakguides.com. diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-13-lemmings-anybody.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-13-lemmings-anybody.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc85b4a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-13-lemmings-anybody.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Lemmings anybody?" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Wow, somebody has re-written Lemmings in DHTML! It plays exactly like the original too. diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-16-idont-want-an-ipod.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-16-idont-want-an-ipod.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..430c7ce --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-16-idont-want-an-ipod.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "iDon't want an iPod" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +

Ok, so I'd be the first to admit that Apples iPod and iPod Mini are two sexy looking bits of kit, but I'd never buy one. In response to Cheah Chu Yeow's post pointing to 'Five reasons not to buy an iPod', here are my reasons. Ironically none of them are the same as any of the five given in the article (well, maybe one!).

+ + + +
    +

  1. It won't play any of my music.

    I made a conscious choice quite a while ago to encode all of my music in Ogg Vorbis format, which has some advantages over MP3. Better quality at the same bitrates, sample granularity for perfect gapless playback, and open source so I know I can always play my music on any platform (at least that's the idea). The iPod will not play this format, rendering it pretty useless to me. And yes, I've seen the iPod Linux project!

    2. + +

  2. It doesn't do gapless.

    Bit of a show-stopper for me this one. I listen to quite a lot of prog stuff, Dream Theater, Marillion etc... so a player that inserts a gap between every track would just annoy the hell out of me.

    3. + +

  3. It's pretty expensive.

    This one isn't such a big deal any more, the iPod isn't really that much more expensive than most others, although it is still one of the highest price units on the market. The iPod Mini in particular is a bit pricey. Why spend diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-17-ipod-vs-cassette-tapes.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-17-ipod-vs-cassette-tapes.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0dcab1c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-17-ipod-vs-cassette-tapes.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "iPod vs. Cassette Tapes" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +An interesting and amusing comparison between the iPod and The Cassette Tape (found on Hydrogen Audio). diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-25-gmail-notifier.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-25-gmail-notifier.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..047e1b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-25-gmail-notifier.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Gmail Notifier" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Google have released their official Gmail Notifier. Sits unobtrusively in the systray and checks your gmail every few minutes. + +From Redemption in a Blog - The Official Gmail Notifier diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-26-gmail-invites.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-26-gmail-invites.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9542590 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-26-gmail-invites.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "GMail Invites" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +I have a few GMail invites to give away to worthy people. Leave a comment with your email address and why you think you should get one. diff --git a/_posts/2004-08-30-mucho-demand.markdown b/_posts/2004-08-30-mucho-demand.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c591b13 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-08-30-mucho-demand.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Mucho Demand!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Well I had more comments for an entry offering Gmail invites than any other entry. Guess that proves they're still in demand! Unfortunately I didn't get very many good reasons, so I've closed commenting on that entry now. I have also run out of invites to send out so sorry to those that didn't get one. diff --git a/_posts/2004-09-08-its-been-a-while.markdown b/_posts/2004-09-08-its-been-a-while.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a805c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-09-08-its-been-a-while.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "It's been a while..." +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Ok, I know there has been very little in the way of updates here lately. That's mainly because my personal life has kinda gotten in the way of everything else lately (and no, details are not forthcoming here I'm afraid). + +In other news, I'm now giving serious thought to moving this site over to Wordpress. Partly because of the new MovableType licensing, and partly because it's PHP based, rather than Perl. And having played with it a bit, I certainly am quite taken with it. diff --git a/_posts/2004-11-09-get-the-firefox.markdown b/_posts/2004-11-09-get-the-firefox.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c352da --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-11-09-get-the-firefox.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Get the Firefox!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Get Firefox! + +My first post in about two months, and it's to mark the release of Firefox 1.0! diff --git a/_posts/2004-11-16-the-return-of-gordan-freeman.markdown b/_posts/2004-11-16-the-return-of-gordan-freeman.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..13aa8ae --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-11-16-the-return-of-gordan-freeman.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The return of Gordan Freeman..." +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +hl2.png + +It's Half-Life 2 day! Woooo! And as a testament to how damn good it is, I can say the I've been playing it for about 4.5 hours already. + +Edit: Well, today I ended up playing for 6 hours, which is far longer than I usually play games for. I might submit a mini review later... diff --git a/_posts/2004-11-17-beat-that-promotions.markdown b/_posts/2004-11-17-beat-that-promotions.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94db3c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2004-11-17-beat-that-promotions.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Beat That Promotions" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +beat-that.pngI've just finished and put live the Beat That Promotions website. I put it together in my spare time for the drum centre round the corner. It's built entirely in semantic XHTML and CSS so if you're interested go have a look. +
    diff --git a/_posts/2005-01-20-long-time-no-post.markdown b/_posts/2005-01-20-long-time-no-post.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a11df73 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-01-20-long-time-no-post.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Long Time No Post!" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Well... so far it's been an uneventful 2005 technically. So far this week I've re-built both my home workstation and my home server (wanted a smaller case for my workstation and the bigger case for my server) and Cypher (the server) is now running dual Athlon MP 1.2Ghz chips on a Tyan Tiger MP. The dual Celeron 400's on the BP6 were good, but getting a little long in the tooth now. + +The other thing is, I could do with finding some new hosting. Not that I'm unhappy with my current arrangement, it's just that I need to be able to host more than one site so I can move the ones hosted from home. So... any suggestions for good hosts in the UK would be much appreciated! I can't use a US one (such as Site5.com) as I have no way of paying for it (they all need Mastercard or Visa y'see). + +The last thing to mention is that I'm probably going to re-launch the site with a new design and a new backend (Wordpress in case you hadn't guessed) so that will be soon! I will endeavour to keep it much more up to date. diff --git a/_posts/2005-01-21-the-flip-side-of-comment-spam.markdown b/_posts/2005-01-21-the-flip-side-of-comment-spam.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b7f918 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-01-21-the-flip-side-of-comment-spam.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The Flip Side of Comment Spam" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +I had a rather worried sounding message from the friend who's server hosts this site. He said a script that was part of my site (mt-comments.cgi) was almost bringing the server to its knees fairly regularly. + +So it seems that even with mt-blacklist making it pointless, the mt-comments.cgi script was receiving enough hits to actually slow the whole server down considerably, and it's ironic to think that it was probably a result of mt-blacklist scanning each comment! + +Anyway, I've had to disable that file completely now to ease the load on the server, so as a result I've had to turn commenting off completely. Bummer. Which means in this case, the comment spammers have beaten me. diff --git a/_posts/2005-01-25-jazz.markdown b/_posts/2005-01-25-jazz.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c1f2a8c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-01-25-jazz.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,39 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Jazz" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +Yogi Berra explains jazz via Rex Allen + +

    +Interviewer: "What do expect is in store for the future of jazz guitar?" + +Yogi: "I'm thinkin' there'll be a group of guys who've never met talkin' about it all the time.." + +Interviewer: "Can you explain jazz?" + +Yogi: "I can't, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part. So if you play the wrong part, its right. If you play the right part, it might be right if you play it wrong enough. But if you play it too right, it's wrong." + +Interviewer: "I don't understand." + +Yogi: "Anyone who understands jazz knows that you can't understand it. It's too complicated. That's what's so simple about it." + +Interviewer: "Do you understand it?" + +Yogi: "No. That's why I can explain it. If I understood it, I wouldn't know anything about it." + +Interviewer: "Are there any great jazz players alive today?" + +Yogi: "No. All the great jazz players alive today are dead. Except for the ones that are still alive. But so many of them are dead, that the ones that are still alive are dying to be like the ones that are dead. Some would kill for it." + +Interviewer: "What is syncopation?" + +Yogi: "That's when the note that you should hear now happens either before or after you hear it. In jazz, you don't hear notes when they happen because that would be some other type of music. Other types of music can be jazz, but only if they're the same as something different from those other kinds." + +Interviewer: "Now I really don't understand." + +Yogi: "I haven't taught you enough for you to not understand jazz that well." + +
    diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-02-comment-spam.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-02-comment-spam.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8d60c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-02-comment-spam.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Comment Spam" +categories: [clockrocket] +published: true +--- + +I have had an interesting idea that might combat comment spam in an effective way. I'm going to have a play and see if it is actually feasible though, so watch this space. I could just be covering old ground. diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-05-hello-world.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-05-hello-world.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbda401 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-05-hello-world.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Hello world!" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +PixelHum, the new website from danbee. Risen from the ashes that was ClockRocket.net, PixelHum will document the hobbies and interests of a lone techie living in a big world. diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-07-server-problems-already.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-07-server-problems-already.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..645358a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-07-server-problems-already.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Server problems already?" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Well, I've only just got here and I've already been having problems with the site. The Apache service on the server I'm on kept dying and so the site was unavailable for quite some time. A quick check of the ASO forums revealed that it was a side effect of so many people moving in onto the newest server. + +I'm going to give ASO the benefit of the doubt for now and see how it pans out over the week. diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-09-google-maps.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-09-google-maps.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b5a4c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-09-google-maps.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Google Maps" +categories: [web-stuff] +published: true +--- + + + +Well, Google have done it again with another killer web app. Google Maps is really quite stunning in it's implementation. It's fast, and the map display is good quality. You can drag the map about just as you'd expect to be able to, and you can search for almost any company or organisation and it'll pick it out on the map for you. It doesn't use Flash or Java, in fact I haven't entirely worked out how it works yet. + +In short, Google Maps works entirely as you'd expect. Only trouble is, it currently only covers the United States. Come on Google, give us UK maps! + +Edit: Somebody has already dissected Google Maps. diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-10-the-helix-cellphone.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-10-the-helix-cellphone.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..23ec415 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-10-the-helix-cellphone.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The Helix cellphone" +categories: [gadgets] +published: true +--- + + + +From Engadget.com: + +
    The UK product design firm PDD is set to demonstrate the Helix, a concept cellphone, at 3GSM next week in Cannes. The screen on the phone swivels completely around, giving you full view of it whether it’s opened or closed...
    + +Read more... diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-15-site-upgrade.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-15-site-upgrade.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c576949 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-15-site-upgrade.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Site Upgrade" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Just a quicky to say that I've upgraded to Wordpress 1.5 "Strayhorn". So things were broken for a little while. All's well now though! diff --git a/_posts/2005-02-18-whats-the-rush.markdown b/_posts/2005-02-18-whats-the-rush.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..13d6e08 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-02-18-whats-the-rush.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,16 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "What's the Rush?" +categories: [life] +published: true +--- + +As Brooks says in The Shawshank Redemption: + +
    "The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry"
    + + + +It was while walking to the shop this lunch time that I came to the realisation that we all really are in a big damn hurry all the time. I myself was striding quickly in order that I had enough time to make my sandwich and get back to work. The amount I do in a week is really quite scary (besides going to work and sleeping), and I know I'm not the only one. What is it about our society these days that makes us fill all our available time, leaving none for the important things like just sitting, and contemplating life? I personally can't remember the last time I just had a moment to sit and look at the waves in the sea, or watch the sun go down, and I miss it. + +So, on this note, wouldn't it be a good idea for us all to make a concerted effort to make time for the contemplative mind? diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-07-did-i-forget.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-07-did-i-forget.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..574e115 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-07-did-i-forget.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Did I Forget?" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Well, I teased you all with some entries and then forgot to update for ages! Typical Danbee eh?!? Rest assured I have ideas and plans for stuff but unfortunately RL has kinda taken over a bit at the moment. Stuff like moving home has to take priority I'm afraid, so that's what I'm doing. diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-08-sony-ericsson-k750i.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-08-sony-ericsson-k750i.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd58501 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-08-sony-ericsson-k750i.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Sony Ericsson K750i" +categories: [gadgets] +published: true +--- + + + +I like my Sony Ericsson T630, but, as I'm due for an upgrade, I've been scouting round to see what I can get instead. + + + +After a brief flirt with the idea of an S700i, I noticed that Sony Ericsson have announced a new model that fits my ideals much better. I was never keen on the idea of having a phone with moving parts, especially ones that involve some kind of electrical connection. I remember too well the fiasco with the Nokia 7110 and it's wholly unreliable sliding mechanism. + + + +The K750i appears to be essentially a K700i with a better camera, and a memory stick slot. The ability to store a couple of albums worth of music on a memory stick seems like a great feature, and I can imagine using this phone to play music on the move. Also, the memory stick makes having a 2 megapixel camera on the phone a much more viable proposition. + +Of course, it helps that I like the styling as well! diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-13-ubuntu-linux.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-13-ubuntu-linux.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22716d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-13-ubuntu-linux.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Ubuntu Linux" +categories: [geek] +published: true +--- + + + +I've recently discovered and have been playing around with Ubuntu Linux, more specifically, Ubuntu 5.04 "Hoary Hedgehog". A Debian based distribution, Ubuntu aims to be an excellent desktop distribution and also, being based on Debian, is excellent for use as a server OS. + +First impressions are extremely favourable. In fact, I replaced an old Debian install on a server in the office with an install of Ubuntu! + +If I ever convert to Linux on the desktop, this will probably be the distro I go for. diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-19-google-maps-uk.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-19-google-maps-uk.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fa3cd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-19-google-maps-uk.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Google Maps, UK" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Google Maps has just launched in the UK, and very nice it is too. No more faffing with Streetmap or Multimap and it's stupidly tiny window. diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-22-the-media-box-will-live.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-22-the-media-box-will-live.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..23e929c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-22-the-media-box-will-live.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The Media Box will Live!" +categories: [geek, gadgets] +published: true +--- + +Yay! The parts have turned up for my media box. I'm building a machine to sit next to the TV and Hi-Fi, solely to store and play music and video. At some point I'll add a Digital TV card so the machine can do TiVo like duties for us. + + + +Anyway, here's what I ordered: + +The mainboard has everything I need on it, plus a couple of bonuses. A CompactFlash slot means I could get it booting off a memory card instead of harddisk, possibly speeding everything up and making it more of a 'switch on and off' device. A PC-Card slot means I can add a wireless card at some point (to avoid wires and keep the other half happy!). + +I intend to run the whole thing on GNU/Linux, probably Ubuntu given my recent good experience with it. I'll post more later, possibly with pictures! diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-26-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-26-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c45e494 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-26-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +The feature film version of Douglas Adams 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' is released this Friday. It's definately on my 'must-see' list. I'm a little worried though, as there's just so many ways it could suck. Having said that, so far the casting looks good; Stephen Fry sounds like an excellent choice for the book, and I'm sure Alan Rickman will play Marvin with just the right amount of disdain. + +I'll post a review when I've seen it. diff --git a/_posts/2005-04-28-media-box-hardware-build.markdown b/_posts/2005-04-28-media-box-hardware-build.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6181b3d --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-04-28-media-box-hardware-build.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,72 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Media Box hardware build" +categories: [geek, gadgets] +published: true +--- + +Well, the parts for my media box project arrived last week so I spent the weekend putting it together and configuring Ubuntu Linux to perform media box type duties. The Software side is far from complete, but the machine build went smoothly and is documented here. + + + +Here's all the components laid out on the table, ready: + +The components + +I listed the components on a previous post but I'll list them again here: + +So without further ado, let's get this machine together... + + + +First the harddisk will be installed, I didn't get enough pictures of this, but basically there is a tray in the bottom of the case that catches on one side and is secured with a couple of screws on the other. Space at the plug end is a little bit limited, especially considering the way the IDE cable is wired into the plug, but it went in fine with no real difficulty. + +Installing the Harddisk + +And from another angle: + +Installing the Harddisk (a different angle) + +This shot shows one of the fans nicely. It's not the quietest of fans, although there is very little motor noise therefore it's not particularly annoying. + + + +The next thing to go in is the Mainboard. That was easy enough, the four risers that the board requires are already installed in the case so all we need to do is fit the backplane and screw the board down: + +Mounting the Mainboard + +You can see some IDE cable origami going on already where I've connected up the harddisk. I actually managed to connect it to the secondary IDE channel, not that it mattered really and it made wiring up both drives a little easier. I've also connected the ATX power connector and the front panel connectors to the mainboard, although the case only has connectors for power LED, HDD LED and power switch. + +IDE cable origami 1 + + + +The last thing to go in is the DVD/CDRW drive. This screws into a frame that fits in the top part of the case. Two things I had to be careful of here; the screws that hold the drive in place are very small, and very easy to lose, as I almost discovered! Also, it's a bit tricky getting the drive properly lined up with the front of the case. + +Everything is in! + +You can see more IDE cable origami where I had to cunningly fold the DVD drive IDE cable to get it to fit, and to get the plug the correct way round for the drive. + +Overview... + +It's a bit packed in there! + +It's a bit packed in there! This shot shows you how I had to fold the IDE cable to fit. + + + +Now everything is in, I can put the lid on, and relax with a glass of red wine: + +DSCF2151 + +DSCF2152 + +DSCF2154 + +As you can see I wasted no time getting Ubuntu onto it! I'll post another article later detailing the software setup I use. diff --git a/_posts/2005-05-12-pocket-mpd-client.markdown b/_posts/2005-05-12-pocket-mpd-client.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbe86a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-05-12-pocket-mpd-client.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Pocket MPD Client" +categories: [neompc, geek, web-stuff] +published: true +--- + + + +I've been looking around for a suitable way to control MPD from either my desktop PC or my PDA (with wireless adapter). I couldn't find anything that really suited me; they were either too bloated with features, or too simplistic. So... like a good little hacker, I started writing my own. + +Update: First release is available. + +Update 2: NeoMPC now has it's own page. + + + +MPD (Music Player Daemon) is a great little app that runs in the background on your Linux box and plays music. You control it with a client of some sort; currently available are GTK and QT based clients for the desktop, web based clients written in PHP, and command line based clients, one of which uses ncurses. It supports many music file formats, as well as gapless playback (essential in my opinion) and crossfading. It's also very lightweight and doesn't use much resources. + +I'm using MPD-Class to actual control MPD, which means I don't have to get my PHP hands too dirty, and I'm using Smarty for the visual interface which, as an added bonus, means it should be easily skinnable. + +Here's a couple of shots of the interface as it currently stands. + +The playlist interface The control interface + +The playlist screen works in as much as it does show the playlist, but the buttons aren't functioning yet. The control screen pretty much works, although at the moment it reloads the page for every button press, which seems fine on the desktop, but Pocket Internet Explorer reloads all the images too (and not particularly quickly either), which looks rubbish. I'm thinking about possibly an AJAX solution but it depends on how much JavaScript Pocket IE supports. + +I'm tempted to start a project on SourceForge or something, but I need a good name first. Any suggestions? diff --git a/_posts/2005-05-26-windows-update-blues.markdown b/_posts/2005-05-26-windows-update-blues.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1f4ddd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-05-26-windows-update-blues.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Windows Update Blues" +categories: [news, geek] +published: true +--- + +Windows XP Service Pack 2 has a habit of rebooting the computer if Windows Update is scheduled to install updates automatically. This can result in lost data if you have unsaved work on your screen at the time. + +Tim Rain has written a good article explaining why this all happens, how Windows determines whether to restart, and how to prevent AU from automatically rebooting. + +Obviously, if Windows Update needs to reboot the computer then it should be rebooted as soon as possible, but this at least allows some control and prevents data loss. diff --git a/_posts/2005-05-29-neompc-02.markdown b/_posts/2005-05-29-neompc-02.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..526cfd1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-05-29-neompc-02.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC 0.2" +categories: [news, neompc] +published: true +--- + + + +NeoMPC 0.2 is now available for download. This is the first release of my MPD Client which is designed for a small screen device like a PDA or a mobile phone (although it's taylored specifically for a screen 240 pixels wide, I might change it in the future to be a little more flexible). + +Update: NeoMPC now has it's own page. + + +You'll need to be running Apache or Apache2 with PHP 4 (It's developed on PHP 4.3.10 but 4+ should be fine) on your MPD server. Running it should be as simple as extracting it to the apache directory (or other web server accessible directory) and navigating to it with your browser. + +Use this command to extract the archive. +
    # tar -xvjf neompc-0.2.tar.bz2
    diff --git a/_posts/2005-06-08-debian-sarge-31-released.markdown b/_posts/2005-06-08-debian-sarge-31-released.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16b8bc5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-06-08-debian-sarge-31-released.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Debian \"Sarge\" 3.1 released" +categories: [news, linux] +published: true +--- + + + +I'm a couple of days late with this but after almost 3 years of work Debian "Sarge" is now stable. That's one hell of a release cycle! + +Debian has been the standard distro on most of our servers since I started here, but the lag between stable releases has caused me to investigate other options in order to get recent packages, although I've been using "Sarge" packages for some time now. diff --git a/_posts/2005-06-11-switching.markdown b/_posts/2005-06-11-switching.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72e6538 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-06-11-switching.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "\"Switching\"" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +I've been tempted for a long time to "switch", and the reasons just become more and more compelling. The majority of blogs I read are written by Mac users, OS X just keeps getting better, and the line 'It just works' seems to be more applicable to Mac than Windows these days, which was brought home to me a little with my recent experiences with Bluetooth (expect a post about this). There's some exciting stuff happening and it seems to be Mac oriented right now. + +So, like Jonathan, I may well be buying one soon. Not a beast like the Dual G5 Powermac, but a nice portable 12" Powerbook. diff --git a/_posts/2005-06-14-tweaks.markdown b/_posts/2005-06-14-tweaks.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..459b1a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-06-14-tweaks.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Tweaks" +categories: [news, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +I've made a few minor changes to the logo, mainly just to clean it up and make it a little more unique. I've also got a nice blue and green version for a white background, which may get incorporated into a future design. + +In 3-4 days Apple Computer Inc should deliver a 12" Powerbook to my door. Yep, I've placed my order and I'm switching! Yay! + +Update: Well... it would appear that the bag I ordered with my Powerbook will take 5 days to ship, thus delaying the order. So it won't be here as quick as I thought it would be. :( diff --git a/_posts/2005-06-17-notes-from-a-switcher.markdown b/_posts/2005-06-17-notes-from-a-switcher.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f9db70 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-06-17-notes-from-a-switcher.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Notes from a Switcher" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +Well, I'm sitting here with my shiny new PowerBook on my lap, typing this entry. So far the experience has been good. The machine itself is a great example of minimalist design, and consequently it's sleek and very functional. + + + +The OS is quite fantastic. To someone coming from Windows it's a breath of fresh air. Windows fly around the screen in drop shadowed, translucent glory and the Dashboard and Exposé makes things woosh around the screen in a wonderful way. + +It's not without issues however. The keyboard layout is slightly different and the mouse only has one button, but that's something I'll get used to. The biggest problem so far is the mouse acceleration. I hate it. I want my mouse pointer to follow the mouse 1:1 all the time, only I can't seem to find a way to turn it off or even tune it. Maybe it's something I'll get used to, but to be honest I don't want to. It's the way I've used mice from the start and I don't really want to change now. + +So, If anybody knows of any way to turn off the mouse acceleration in OS X, please let me know. It'll be appreciated. It'll be appreciated more if it's free! diff --git a/_posts/2005-07-07-notes-from-a-switcher-part-2.markdown b/_posts/2005-07-07-notes-from-a-switcher-part-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac9d0c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-07-07-notes-from-a-switcher-part-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Notes from a Switcher, part 2" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +I've been using my Powerbook for about 3 weeks now, and I'm enjoying it immensely. The OS is slick and quite intuative, although coming from Windows I've had quite a lot to get used to! The overall experience has so far been very positive. + + + +I can't quite decide which browser to use; the choices being Safari, Firefox and Camino so far. Safari is nice from an OS integration point of view, and the RSS features work well. I've been used to Firefox on Windows and as such it feels very familiar on OS X but still well integrated. Camino lies somewhere in between, with the same wonderful rendering engine as Firefox and an excellent Cocoa interface it would seem the perfect choice, but I can't quite let go of Firefox! + +Networking just works. The Airport Extreme card just picked up my Netgear router and I was browsing the Net within minutes. I was able to set up WEP encryption with very little hassle, more than can be said for the Netgear Wireless card in my girlfriends laptop! + +There are two programs I miss so far though. On Windows I use Foobar2000 for music playback, and so far there is nothing comparable on OS X. I've been using iTunes (which is great for making AAC files to play on the mobile phone), but unfortunately lacks the ability to play most of my music collection, which is encoded in Ogg Vorbis. Cog fills the gap quite nicely at the moment although it's a little bit feature free right now it does play my music and does so gaplessly. + +The other program I'm having difficulty finding a replacement for is TextPad. I think text editors are very much a matter of personal taste and it may be that I just have to get used to something a bit different. diff --git a/_posts/2005-07-14-optimus-keyboard.markdown b/_posts/2005-07-14-optimus-keyboard.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9adf64 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-07-14-optimus-keyboard.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Optimus Keyboard" +categories: [news, geek, gadgets] +published: true +--- + + + +The Optimus Keyboard is a keyboard in which every key has it's own little LCD display, which means that each key can show exactly which function it will invoke when pressed. It can show any keyboard layout - such as qwerty or Dvorak, Russian or French - or it can show tool shortcuts for Photoshop or key layout for a game. It also has a group of ten configurable buttons to the left of the main keys. + +I think it's a fantastic idea and would probably buy one in an instant. + +(from Engadget) diff --git a/_posts/2005-07-29-notes-from-a-switcher-part-3.markdown b/_posts/2005-07-29-notes-from-a-switcher-part-3.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c15ddcb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-07-29-notes-from-a-switcher-part-3.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Notes from a Switcher, part 3" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +Just a few notes in this one today. I'm still enjoying the Mac OS experience, but I have a few gripes to make. Mainly things that I'd like to see added, features I've got used to on other systems. + + + +Quicktime 7 is great, streamed video's are sharp and play smoothly with little to no skipping and stuttering. Just one thing really; Why should I have to pay for Quicktime Pro to be able to play my video's fullscreen? I can understand why they might want you to pay for features like the ability to create, edit and convert video files (although doesn't iMovie do all that stuff too?). £20 is quite a lot of money to add a fullscreen feature, especially when I've paid over £1,000 for the machine itself. Would it really hurt to make Quicktime Pro free? Or at least make fullscreen a free feature. + +I've been playing my music in iTunes, ripping my CD's to AAC (which is great for listening on my mobile phone too) and keeping it all sorted and tagged. I just wish for a few extra features really. The ability to play Ogg Vorbis would be extremely nice (as most of my CD's are already ripped to this format), although I'm pretty sure I'll have to resign myself to using another player for that. Gapless is a no brainer really, live albums, concept albums, mix albums, in fact any album that has tracks that run together (Green Day - American Idiot for example) all need gapless playback for proper listening, and iTunes doesn't do it. Nor does the iPod. Big problem. CD's have been gapless since they were introduced in 1983, Minidisc is gapless, Philips audio cassette is gapless. Why can't anybody get this one right? And don't tell me I should rip the CD as one big MP3, that's not good enough. + +Last but not least, I would like to be able to sort my albums by year, not by name. So when I click on Led Zeppelin in my library browser, it would be nice to see the albums listed chronologically, Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II etc... + +I'll be keeping my eye on Dibrom's Euphonos player as a Foobar2000 like replacement for iTunes. And I'm using Ximema for fullscreen Quicktime playback. + +This has been a bit of a rant, thanks for listening. diff --git a/_posts/2005-08-19-notes-from-a-switcher-part-4.markdown b/_posts/2005-08-19-notes-from-a-switcher-part-4.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4def716 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-08-19-notes-from-a-switcher-part-4.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Notes from a Switcher, part 4" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +So far, the one thing that has been bugging the hell out of me with OS X is the mouse control panel. On Windows I used to just switch the acceleration off altogether, as I'm firmly in the camp that believes the mouse pointer should follow the mouse 1:1. In fact, I even had a registry hack that disabled mouse acceleration completely, even when the 'Enhance pointer precision' option was checked. While we're on that subject, who decided on the name of that option anyway?!? + + + +This post was inspired by Michael Heilemanns recent mouse related post, and I completely agree that the mouse control panel in OS X seems to lack a lot of the options it needs. I can understand that Apple probably want it to be simple, so why not include the more advanced controls; acceleration curve etc, behind a button marked 'Advanced'? + +Two solutions appear to be popular, but neither of them support my Apple Bluetooth mouse, and they both cost money. And it seems ridiculous that third parties have felt the need to write software that fixes something Apple should have fixed. + +So come on Apple, give me a decent mouse control panel which will allow me to turn the acceleration off! diff --git a/_posts/2005-10-06-what-no-stop.markdown b/_posts/2005-10-06-what-no-stop.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4cc13f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-10-06-what-no-stop.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "What, no 'Stop'?" +categories: [music, geek, gadgets] +published: true +--- + + + +There seems to be an increasing trend for media players (both hardware and software) to leave out the 'stop' button. They have a 'play/pause' button, 'next' and 'previous' track buttons, but no stop. iTunes, iPods, and my new iAudio5; none of them have a 'stop' button. I know the pause button does pretty much the same job, but it's still different. It's not quite as final 'stop' is it? It gives the impression that the music will start up again at some point in the future. What if I don't like what's playing? What if I just don't want to listen any more? + +So come on, stop leaving out the 'stop' button and put it back in it's rightful place. Next to 'play'. diff --git a/_posts/2005-11-10-windows-restart.markdown b/_posts/2005-11-10-windows-restart.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95dfea0 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-11-10-windows-restart.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,24 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Windows Restart" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + + + +Relating to my post in August and Michael's recent post, here is the registry fix in question. The fix prevents Windows Update from automatically restarting your machine if any users are logged in, thus preventing any data loss. + +
    + +
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
+
+[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
+
+[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
+"NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers"=dword:00000001
+
+
+
    + +Download: aunoreboot.reg diff --git a/_posts/2005-12-14-hello.markdown b/_posts/2005-12-14-hello.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..881234a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-12-14-hello.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Hello?" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +I'm not dead. Just not had a great deal to write about on here. There is another 'Notes from a Switcher' article in the works, but my plan is to take my time a bit more on this one. Expect to see it in the next few weeks. + +Note: I have noticed that my del.icio.us stuff has stopped working. I'll get round to fixing it at some point. (Edit: It seems to be working again now) diff --git a/_posts/2005-12-14-notes-from-a-switcher-part-5.markdown b/_posts/2005-12-14-notes-from-a-switcher-part-5.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ea87e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2005-12-14-notes-from-a-switcher-part-5.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Notes from a Switcher, part 5" +categories: [geek, apple] +published: true +--- + + + +Since buying my Powerbook 6 months ago, I can't help feeling that Apple products are currently a bit form over function. Don't get me wrong--I love my Powerbook, and the Mac OS is well designed, slick and easy to use--but it often seems as though features that might seem fundamental in other apps are just left out, perhaps because they want to sell you a 'Pro' version with that feature and many others (Quicktime is one good example) or just because said feature ruins the lines of the suit, as it were. + + + +iPhoto is one such application that appears to have features missing, mainly the ability to view photos full screen (without running a slideshow), and I've also noticed that the photo order within a slideshow reflects the order you have them displayed in thumbnail view so if, like me, you like to see the latest photos at the top, your slideshows will run in reverse chronological order, with no apparent way to change this. + +iTunes lacks the ability to play most of my music by default--although the XiphQT component is coming along nicely (missing some metadata stuff at the moment)--and doesn't do gapless playback, which means that mix albums and any other albums that have tracks running into each other end up with little gaps in the music. Quite annoying. There also doesn't seem to be any way of sorting albums in the browser by any other criteria than album name. I'd prefer to sort my albums chronologically. + +On the good news front, I've found a solution to the mouse acceleration problem in the form of SteerMouse. This handy little replacement mouse driver allows me to tune the acceleration or even turn it off, which is what I did. The bad news is that it costs $20, but I'll be paying that $20 without too much complaint because I can now use my Bluetooth mouse properly. Do you think I could send the bill on to Apple? diff --git a/_posts/2006-01-11-site-upgrade-2.markdown b/_posts/2006-01-11-site-upgrade-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..995064b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-01-11-site-upgrade-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Site Upgrade" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Just upgraded the site to Wordpress v2.0.  Everything seems to be in order so far... diff --git a/_posts/2006-02-01-real-life.markdown b/_posts/2006-02-01-real-life.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7fa1cc --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-02-01-real-life.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Real Life" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +I must apologise for the lack of updates here lately, life has kind of taking priority. We're looking for a house (in fact we've found one) and are currently in negotiations with the buyer. Normal service may resume at some point. diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-01-stop-using-linux.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-01-stop-using-linux.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5f400b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-01-stop-using-linux.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Stop using Linux!" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +

    'It's a computer program that was initially developed in Finland as a means of circumventing valuable copyrights and patents owned by an American company called SCO Group.' #

    +

    Update: Just so people are aware, I posted this because I found it funny, not because I agree with it. I'm European (well, British) myself! +

    diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-05-new-design.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-05-new-design.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6483d27 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-05-new-design.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "New Design" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +PixelHum now has a new look!  Although I'm unsure as to how long it'll stick about.  I'm not as keen on it as I was when I started work on it. diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-06-do-most-pci-wireless-nics-suck.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-06-do-most-pci-wireless-nics-suck.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8314f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-06-do-most-pci-wireless-nics-suck.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Do Most PCI Wireless NICs Suck?" +categories: [geek] +published: true +--- + +I decided a week ago, while in B&Q, to add a PCI Wireless network card to my main PC. I was originally planning to run cables from the corner of the lounge where the router is located, to the back bedroom where the computers are situated. + + The card I bought from B&Q was a TrendNet card. Fairly generic, based on a Ti TNET chipset. It took me about an hour to get it connected to my network (the same network that took me mere seconds to connect to from my Powerbook) and once it was connected, browsing the Internet became an almost nostalgic experience. Nostalgic because the last time I remember it being that slow was when I used a dial up modem! Even accessing the admin interface on the router was slow! + +So I decided to pack that one back in it's box and return it, and promptly ordered a Netgear WG311T from Amazon.co.uk. 'Can't go wrong with a Netgear' I thought. Oh, how wrong could I be... + +The card installed fine. Connecting to the network was a painless experience that took seconds, and all seemed well. Browsing was as quick as it should be so I leave the machine thinking everything's ok. + +So a few hours later I came back to the machine, and everything has stopped. The computer is locked up tighter than a Nuns arse. Not even numlock on the keyboard works. So I turned the machine off and went to bed, hoping it was a one off. Not so. The next day, after getting home from work, the machine locks up twice in ten minutes. Did a bit of research, and it turns out that this is a common problem with this card (Atheros chip based) when partnered with VIA motherboard chipsets.  So I chanced a call to Netgear technical support.  Well, that was a waste of time.  The bloke at the end of the phone was clearly not English, and simply took me through a script that had me move the card to a different PCI slot.  Anyway, it locked up again half an hour later and that card is now in a box waiting to be returned to Amazon. + +I've now got a Linksys card in there, which as far as I'm aware is based on a Broadcom chipset. No problems as yet, and I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed... diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-18-recursive-desktop.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-18-recursive-desktop.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c30da6 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-18-recursive-desktop.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Recursive Desktop!" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +Recursive Desktops! + +Boredom + Mac OS screen capture key = Recursive Desktop! diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-19-neompc-reprise.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-19-neompc-reprise.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..426db5c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-19-neompc-reprise.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC Reprise" +categories: [news, neompc, linux] +published: true +--- + +I'm in the process of getting my Media Box up and running again, the intention being to set it up as a music player with my iPaq as the remote. This means the the NeoMPC project is *not* dead! I'm going to make a page for it, so it has a permanent home here on PixelHum. diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-25-towel-day.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-25-towel-day.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..40ab833 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-25-towel-day.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Towel Day!" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +

    Towel Day

    +

    I can't believe this one passed me by! I didn't bring a towel... +

    diff --git a/_posts/2006-05-31-websites-as-graphs.markdown b/_posts/2006-05-31-websites-as-graphs.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d0a196 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-05-31-websites-as-graphs.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Websites as Graphs" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +Interesting applet that creates crazy looking graphs of websites, like the one below. + +HTML graph of Pixelhum + +[Via Ministry of Information] diff --git a/_posts/2006-06-22-blogging-from-textmate.markdown b/_posts/2006-06-22-blogging-from-textmate.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..69ba58f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-06-22-blogging-from-textmate.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Blogging from Textmate" +categories: [asides] +published: true +--- + +[Great screencast](http://macromates.com/blog/archives/2006/06/19/blogging-from-textmate/) by Allan Odgaard on the blogging bundle in Textmate. In fact I used it to post this! diff --git a/_posts/2006-07-10-the-media-box.markdown b/_posts/2006-07-10-the-media-box.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfc5033 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-07-10-the-media-box.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The Media Box" +categories: [news, neompc] +published: true +--- + +I've been trying unsuccessfully to get Apache installed on my media box, in order to continue development of NeoMPC. I'd been getting an error message telling me that the build environment had changed, and all attempts at getting it compiled were failing. + +Tonight I found the problem, in /etc/make.conf: + + CFLAGS="-O2 -march=i686 -msse -mmmx -mfpmath=sse -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer" + +You probably can't tell what's wrong with that line, even if you're a seasoned Gentoo Linux user. Here is the correct line: + + CFLAGS="-O2 -march=i686 -msse -mmmx -mfpmath=sse -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer" + +Spot the difference? Look carefully... + + + +There's *two* spaces between `-march=i686` and `-msse`, and again between `-mfpmath=sse` and `-pipe` and these cause the compile process to think that the build environment has changed somewhere down the line. Stupid bloody CFLAGS parser. + +For the record, here is the error that I was getting: + + configure: error: `CFLAGS' has changed since the previous run: + configure: former value: -O2 -march=i686 -msse -mmmx -mfpmath=sse -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer + configure: current value: -O2 -march=i686 -msse -mmmx -mfpmath=sse -pipe -fomit-frame-pointer + configure: error: changes in the environment can compromise the build + configure: error: run `make distclean' and/or `rm /var/tmp/portage/apache-2.0.58-r1/work/httpd-2.0.58/config.cache' and start over + configure failed for srclib/pcre + + +On a good note, I've spotted [NeoMPC being used in the field](http://rin3y.livejournal.com/135269.html)! diff --git a/_posts/2006-08-02-neompc-at-google-code.markdown b/_posts/2006-08-02-neompc-at-google-code.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3eb9142 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-08-02-neompc-at-google-code.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC at Google Code" +categories: [news, neompc] +published: true +--- + +I'm now hosting the code for NeoMPC at [Google Code](http://code.google.com/p/neompc/). Currently only the last release is there, but the issues raised in the original post comments will be fixed soon, I promise! diff --git a/_posts/2006-11-20-flickr-more-like-slowr.markdown b/_posts/2006-11-20-flickr-more-like-slowr.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9d37a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-11-20-flickr-more-like-slowr.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Flickr? More like Slowr..." +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Flickr is a great site. The idea behind it and the execution are wonderful. My only problem with it is the speed. Pages seem to take way, way too long to appear. It's near enough painful! diff --git a/_posts/2006-12-19-basics-of-linux-server-administration-part-1.markdown b/_posts/2006-12-19-basics-of-linux-server-administration-part-1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d757ba3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-12-19-basics-of-linux-server-administration-part-1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,98 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Basics of Linux Server Administration, Part 1" +categories: [geek, linux] +published: true +--- + + + +I have decided to start writing a small series of posts based on things I have learnt over the past few years. I run a small group of Linux servers -- mostly web application servers running PHP, MySQL and PostgreSQL -- with a variety of different distributions; some of them are running Gentoo Linux, a couple of others are running Debian or Ubuntu, and I've installed Fedora Core 6 on my home server, but the majority of what I've learnt (and will talk about here) is universal and will apply equally to all Linux distro's. + +In this article I'm going to cover disk space. + + + +The Problem +------------ + +In an ideal world disks would have an infinite amount of space, but unfortunately that's not the case. The consequences of running out of space on a server can be catastrophic, and will often bring a server to its knees very swiftly. Services often fail when they can’t write to their logs or create temporary files, so monitoring disk usage is a vital part of an administrators job. + +Keeping an Eye +-------------- + +We can monitor disk space on a Linux server with the `df` command. Here is an example of the output from one of my servers: + + piro danbee # df + Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on + /dev/hdc3 10238812 2596020 7122688 27% / + udev 241904 176 241728 1% /dev + /dev/hdc4 181436296 119808716 52411092 70% /home/media/data + shm 241904 0 241904 0% /dev/shm + +There are a number of options we can pass to `df` to make its output more readable. The `-h` option will tell `df` to show the sizes 'human readable': + + piro danbee # df -h + Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on + /dev/hdc3 9.8G 2.5G 6.8G 27% / + udev 237M 176K 237M 1% /dev + /dev/hdc4 174G 115G 50G 70% /home/media/data + shm 237M 0 237M 0% /dev/shm + +As you can see, that's much more readable. :) + +Long Term +--------- + +As a long term solution, wouldn't it be nice if the server kept a check on disk space and let you know when it was getting a bit low? The easiest way to deal with this is by setting up a script that checks the disk space on selected partitions regularly, and alerts us somehow when remaining disk space drops below a pre-defined level. + +The most obvious alert method would be email, so that's what we use here. The `mailx` command will let us easily send an email. If your distro hasn't already got it, you should be able to install it easily using your default package manager. + +Anyway, without further ado, here is the script: + + #!/bin/sh + + # Disk space checker script + # ------------------------- + + # Set warning and low limit to 1.5gb and 1gb + warninglimit = 1500000 + lowlimit = 1000000 + + # File systems to check + filesystems = "/home /var /" + + # Email address to send alerts to + alert_email = "fakeemail@fakedomain.com" + + # Loop through filesystems + for fs in $filesystems + do + # Get the remaining space on this filesystem + size=`df -k $fs|grep $fs|awk '{ print $3; }'` + + if [[ $size -le $lowlimit ]] + then + echo "URGENT: Low disk space for $fs ($size) on $HOSTNAME" > email_message.txt + mailx -s "URGENT: Low disk space for $fs ($size) on $HOSTNAME" $alert_email < email_message.txt + + break + fi + + if [[ $size -le $warninglimit ]] + then + echo "WARNING: Low disk space for $fs ($size) on $HOSTNAME" > email_message.txt + mailx -s "WARNING: Low disk space for $fs ($size) on $HOSTNAME" $alert_email < disc_space_warning.txt + fi + done + +Copy this to a file somewhere on your server (something like `/usr/scripts/check_disks.sh`), make it executable and symlink it from `/etc/cron.daily` or `/etc/cron.hourly`. + + # chmod +x /usr/scripts/check_disks.sh + # ln -s /usr/scripts/check_disks.sh /etc/cron.daily/check_disks + +Or, if you haven't got an `/etc/cron.daily` directory, add a line to your `crontab` file that reads something like the following. + + 00 01 * * * root /usr/scripts/check_disks.sh + +Doing it this way will also allow for more flexibility in when you want the script to check. diff --git a/_posts/2006-12-19-mandolux.markdown b/_posts/2006-12-19-mandolux.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..44c0042 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2006-12-19-mandolux.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Mandolux" +categories: [news, asides] +published: true +--- + +[Some fantastic and very tasteful desktop wallpapers](http://www.mandolux.com/). diff --git a/_posts/2007-03-21-musical-browsers.markdown b/_posts/2007-03-21-musical-browsers.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6148518 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-03-21-musical-browsers.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Musical Browsers" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +I've created a [new page on this site, to host all my music](/music/). Most of what's on there is the stuff I was composing many years ago, but gradually some new things should appear on there. Hopefully some of it will be quite good! + +I've also switched my default browser to [Opera](http://www.opera.com/). It feels way faster and leaner than Firefox, and so far doesn't seem to be having any trouble with my favourite sites... diff --git a/_posts/2007-03-28-plugin-of-the-week-chimera.markdown b/_posts/2007-03-28-plugin-of-the-week-chimera.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..833663d --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-03-28-plugin-of-the-week-chimera.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Plugin of the Week: Chimera" +categories: [music, plugin-of-the-week] +published: true +--- + +I've decided that since I seem to be spending rather a lot of time searching for good free VST's, I'd share the fruits of my search with the world. All the plugins I'll pick for this feature will be plugins that I actually use. + +First up is [Majken's Chimera synth][chimeralink]. + +[![Majken's Chimera][chimeraimage]][chimeralink] + +*"Chimera is a noise driven synth focusing on pads and haunting leads. Three noisegenerators are connected through pitchcontrolled resonant bandpass filters. The result is an angelic and smooth synth."* + +This synth is capable of some lovely organic, haunting sounds which are ideal for ambient atmospheric tracks. I've spent quite a bit of time just playing with sounds from my keyboard! + +[chimeralink]: http://www.majken.se/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=9 +[chimeraimage]: /images/chimera.png "Majken's Chimera" diff --git a/_posts/2007-04-10-plugin-of-the-week-rubytube.markdown b/_posts/2007-04-10-plugin-of-the-week-rubytube.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..215f07b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-04-10-plugin-of-the-week-rubytube.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Plugin of the Week: RubyTube" +categories: [music, plugin-of-the-week] +published: true +--- + +Next up on plugin of the week is [RubyTube][rubytubelink]. + +[![Silverspike's RubyTube][rubytubeimage]][rubytubelink] + +[rubytubelink]: http://www.silverspike.com/?Products:RubyTube +[rubytubeimage]: /wp-content/uploads/2007/04/rubytube.png "Silverspike's RubyTube" + +*"RubyTube is a real time, digital tube amp simulator. RubyTube simulates the saturation effect that can be found in audio equipment with vacuum tubes. This effect is usually hardly noticable but it is responsible for the classic tube sound. Sometimes its just a sparkle on the voice and a slight compression of drums and bass that makes the difference between a neutral recording and a warm and full sounding song."* + +RubyTube is a lovely subtle effect and is great for adding that analogue tube 'grit' to a track. I've found it especially effective on drum tracks, bass tracks and vocal tracks. diff --git a/_posts/2007-05-11-neompc-03.markdown b/_posts/2007-05-11-neompc-03.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ffe38f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-05-11-neompc-03.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC 0.3" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +After nearly 2 years, version 0.3 of NeoMPC is out! For downloads and what's new, see the NeoMPC page. + +This should mark the start of more regular development as well, and I've got some more features planned. diff --git a/_posts/2007-05-11-plugin-of-the-week-ssl-lmc-1.markdown b/_posts/2007-05-11-plugin-of-the-week-ssl-lmc-1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..452dd20 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-05-11-plugin-of-the-week-ssl-lmc-1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Plugin of the Week: SSL LMC-1" +categories: [music, plugin-of-the-week] +published: true +--- + +This month on plugin of the week is [Solid State Logic's LMC-1 Listen Mic Compressor][ssllmclink]. + +[![Solid State Logic's LMC-1][ssllmcimage]][ssllmclink] + +[ssllmclink]: http://www.solid-state-logic.com/resources/lmc1plugin.html +[ssllmcimage]: /wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lmc-1.jpg "Solid State Logic's LMC-1" + +*"The SSL Listen Mic Compressor was the secret weapon in many producers sonic arsenal of recording techniques. Originally designed to prevent overloading the return feed from a studio communications mic, its fixed attack and release curves were eminently suitable for use on ambient drums mics. Of course, we’d like to take all the credit for this great sound, but as usual, it was the creativity of SSL users that led to the idea."* + +Awesome plugin for getting that really compressed 80's drum sound. Or turn it right up to get huge crunched drums. diff --git a/_posts/2007-05-14-neompc-04.markdown b/_posts/2007-05-14-neompc-04.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4056288 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-05-14-neompc-04.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC 0.4" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +Hot on the heels of version 0.3 comes version 0.4! New things in this version include: + +* New metadata based browse mode (Artist -> Album -> Track). +* Menu now highlights the page you are on. +* Add and Play buttons now recurse the file tree (Be careful with this one if you've got a large library!). + +Get it from the NeoMPC page. diff --git a/_posts/2007-05-18-1337-spam.markdown b/_posts/2007-05-18-1337-spam.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f952c2a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-05-18-1337-spam.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "1,337 Spam" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +1,337 Spam diff --git a/_posts/2007-05-18-neompc-051.markdown b/_posts/2007-05-18-neompc-051.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8b21cb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-05-18-neompc-051.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "NeoMPC 0.5.1" +categories: [news, neompc] +published: true +--- + +Version 0.5.1 of my web based, small screen MPD client is now available for download from the NeoMPC page. + +New stuff: + +* Album cover display on the control page. +* Track progress bar and time display. (Requires Javascript) +* Control page has been shuffled about to make more sense. diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-22-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-1.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-22-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bedb27 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-22-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Diary of an Amateur mixer: Part 1" +categories: [music, milar, mixit-1] +published: true +--- + +So I entered the Womb forum [MiLaR](http://womb.mixerman.net/showthread.php?t=4047) event and have started mixing Aces High's track, 'Simple Little Bird'. + +I'm going to document my progress here. I'm using [Reaper](http://www.reaperaudio.com/), along with the built in plugs, and I'm limiting myself to free plugins, mostly because that's all I've got, but it also means anyone can download Reaper and the plugins and get the same mix I made (I'll post a full list of the plugins used somewhere near the end of the mix). + +I put a rough mix together last night, got everything organised, got the levels fairly balanced, EQ'd a couple of things (Kick drum, vocals), put some compression on the drum overheads, snare and kick, and also on some of the vocal tracks. I also set up some panning in places. + +The bass guitar is a little high in the mix right now, and the guitars are a bit lost due to the fact that they're centre panned. + +Anyway, you can hear what I've done so far. + + + + diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-24-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-2.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-24-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..19a8963 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-24-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Diary of an Amateur mixer: Part 2" +categories: [music, milar, mixit-1] +published: true +--- + +The mix is coming along nicely :). I've fixed the bass guitar level in the mix and also arranged the guitar parts in the stereo field and balanced them up somewhat. They're now sitting in the mix much better and not crowding the vocal. I've not felt the need to EQ any of the guitar parts yet as I think they sound great as they are! + +On the drum side, I've fiddled with the levels a little here and there, dropping the kick drum in the mix a little and dropping the level of the rim click too as I felt it was a bit overpowering. I also took a feed from the overhead bus and fed it into another track with the SSL Listen Mic compressor on it. Running the two tracks in parallel sounds pretty damn good to my amateur ears! + +Now, it may sound like I've replaced that sound that starts before the intro guitar, but it's actually just a phaser plugin and a massive reverb, all wet and no dry. It actually sounds much more like wind and to my mind suits the song better. + + + + + +For part 2 of my diary I thought it would be a good idea to give a run down of my setup. It's all under the fold though so if you're not interested don't click ;). Plugin list next time... + + + +I'm using a custom built PC (one of my many talents!) with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core CPU and 2gb RAM. This gives me plenty of headroom for plugins, which is nice :). + +That outputs to an M-Audio FastTrack Pro USB interface which is connected to Mackie HR624 monitors via balanced connections. I also have a pair of Sennheiser HD280 headphones which, apart from monitoring while recording, I also use to double check the low end (no treatment in my room yet, so I can't really trust the Mackies) and headphone compatibility. My DAW of choice is [Reaper](http://www.reaperaudio.com/). diff --git a/_posts/2007-08-29-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-3.markdown b/_posts/2007-08-29-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-3.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99720b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-08-29-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-3.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Diary of an Amateur mixer: Part 3" +categories: [music, milar, mixit-1] +published: true +--- + +This mix is now starting to sound like a record to my ears! Tonight I concentrated on tying everything together better and using automation to add some dynamics to the mix. + +Somebody in the Mix thread pointed out that the top snare drum track was clipped. I hadn't actually noticed, but I did think it sounded a bit rough, so my first task was to fix that using my favourite audio editor. This produced a much better sounding snare track and I used PSP Springverb (a Computer Music freebie) to give it some life. While I was on drums I also muted the toms where they weren't being played. This cleaned up the drum track nicely. + +I created a set of buss tracks so I could group together instuments for automation (drums, drum overheads, guitars, bass, vocals and backing vocals). + +Then I listened to the track and added in the automation where I felt it was needed, using it to bring up the guitars during the choruses, and drop them out a little during the quieter parts of the track. I used it on the vocals to stop them getting lost with the guitars, and also to help parts of words from getting lost in the mix too. I brought the backing vocals up for the outro to really bring the track to a big close. + +You might also notice that this mix is quieter. I was running it quite hot before with the W1 limiter on the main buss, but I've dropped the level back so it's not hitting the ceiling anymore. I think it sounds better that way. + + + + + +And finally... under the fold you'll find a list of all the plugins I've used so far, not including any of Reapers built in ones. + + + +* SSL Listen Mic Compressor +* PSP SpringVerb (PSPaudioware.com) +* NyquistEq5 (Magnus) +* X-cita (elogoxa) +* W1 Limiter (George Yohng) +* Classic Chorus (Kjaerhus Audio) +* Classic Reverb (Kjaerhus Audio) +* RubyTube (Silverspike) +* Ambience (Magnus) +* SIR (Christian Knufinke) +* SupaPhaser (Bram) diff --git a/_posts/2007-09-04-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-4.markdown b/_posts/2007-09-04-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-4.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..955748a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-09-04-diary-of-an-amateur-mixer-part-4.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Diary of an Amateur mixer: Part 4" +categories: [news, music, milar, mixit-1] +published: true +--- + +This will be the last entry in the diary, as the mix is now done and submitted to the event. + +The mix was pretty much done, but there were a few things I wasn't really happy with. The snare drum sounded a little bit weedy, so I put Ferox on it and whacked the saturation all the way up to 80%. This gave it some grit and snap that it was lacking before and I was happy with the result. I also brought the wind sound up in the mix slightly, and also automated the second lot of wind up in the mix even more so you could just about hear it throughout the middle eight. I also added a stereo widener (Omnisone) to the drum buss and set it to about 150%. + +I placed a delay plugin on the distorted vocal that went through the middle eight to take it back in the mix a little as I felt it was a bit prominent. + +The automation was tweaked in places. I also added a very small amount of compression to the bass track to help it sit better with the automation. + +There was absolutely no 2-buss compression. Only thing on there was Ferox, set to about 20% saturation, just to give the mix a little bit of grit. + + + + + +Updated plugin list under the fold. + + + +* SSL Listen Mic Compressor +* PSP SpringVerb (PSPaudioware.com) +* NyquistEq5 (Magnus) +* X-cita (elogoxa) +* W1 Limiter (George Yohng) +* Classic Chorus (Kjaerhus Audio) +* Classic Delay (Kjaerhus Audio) +* Classic Reverb (Kjaerhus Audio) +* RubyTube (Silverspike) +* Ambience (Magnus) +* SIR (Christian Knufinke) +* SupaPhaser (Bram) +* Ferox (JB) +* Omnisone (JB) diff --git a/_posts/2007-12-23-return-of-the-amateur-mixer.markdown b/_posts/2007-12-23-return-of-the-amateur-mixer.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5a3814 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-12-23-return-of-the-amateur-mixer.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Return of the Amateur Mixer" +categories: [music, milar, mixit-2] +published: true +--- + +Well, another MiXiT event is upon us, and I thought it would be nice to blog my progress again. + +I downloaded the multitracks on Wednesday and after a bit of a FLAC farce I knocked up the first basic mix tonight. + +The song is quite an epic so I felt it needed a big sound. With this in mind I started in the usual place and set about fixing up the snare and bass. I created 2 reverb aux channels with a longish plate type reverb on the first and a convolution reverb with a church IR on the second. I EQ'd the kick drum a little, but it didn't need much as it was already sounding pretty good on it's own. The snare drum, however, required quite a bit of boost (about 10db) at around 2.6k upwards and I notched out around 6db at 520hz where there was some nasty ring. This was fed into a compressor with quite a high ratio (1:5.6) to really bring out the sustain. The snare was then sent to the first reverb to make it sound huge! + +After listening to the original reference mix a few times and in a few different places I had decided that the guitars weren't really filling in the mid range as much as they should (the track sounded rather sparse on my laptop speakers in particular). I decided to adapt the bass to this role by bussing it to a new track, high passing this around 600-700hz and running though an overdrive distortion plugin. This was then EQ'd to roll off the top a little and reduce some annoying frequencies around 2.8khz before compressing it with quite a high ratio and a low threshold to keep it really even. This gave the bass a nice crunchy top end to fill in just under the guitars. + +With the vocals I set the levels so the main vocal was prominent and I brought down the level of the double until I could no longer distiguish it easily. This kept the vocal nice and thick sounding. The vocal was gated, compressed with a ratio of about 1:3 and EQ'd a little to bring out the presence with a 2.2db boost at around 2.3khz and a 2db shelf boost at about 5khz. I then sent a bit of it to the first reverb and a bit to the second to give them some space. The shouty count in two thirds of the way through was moved to a seperate pair of tracks and reduced in level compared to the main vocal. This was then panned wide and sent to the second reverb to set it right back in the mix. + +I've not done much with the guitars yet. Just got some rough levels and panning and sent a little of them to reverb 2 for some space. + +At this point I decided to leave it for the night so I saved a new project file and printed a mix. + +I've waffled on quite a bit here, so I apologise if I bored anyone! diff --git a/_posts/2007-12-29-first-room-response-measurement.markdown b/_posts/2007-12-29-first-room-response-measurement.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d6ed44 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-12-29-first-room-response-measurement.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "First Room Response Measurement" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +And this is why I use headphones to judge low end. + +Room response measurement, 29th Dec 2007 + +There's a lovely 12dB peak at about 128hz and about 24dB difference between that and 90hz! Time to order the bass traps... diff --git a/_posts/2007-12-30-return-of-the-amateur-mixer-ii.markdown b/_posts/2007-12-30-return-of-the-amateur-mixer-ii.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c7c899 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2007-12-30-return-of-the-amateur-mixer-ii.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Return of the Amateur Mixer: II" +categories: [music, milar, mixit-2] +published: true +--- + +Well, I'm pretty confident that my mix is finished. Just need to burn it onto CD and listen to it in a few different places and then I can tweak accordingly. + +I did something completely new for me with this mix and that was to mix into a compressor (from about half-way through the mixing process anyway). I used the digitalfishphones endorphin compressor as it is specfically designed for main bus compression. I set it to about 5ms attack and a shade over 100ms release, with a compression setting of 80 on the lows and 50 on the highs. I also tweaked the low/high balance slightly by dropping the highs down by 0.6db. I love the transparency of this compressor and found it made the mix pretty epic sounding without too much trouble :) + +The guitars were last on the list and I wanted to try and get over my Panophobia (fear of panning stuff to extremes) so I panned Daz's guitars all the way left and panned Mike's guitars all the way right. And y'know what? I love the result! I did leave Daz 3 only about 40% panned and automated the panning on Mike 1 so the melody during the 2nd verse was actually panned to the left. This was to balance it out against Mike 2. I didn't do much EQ'ing of the guitars, just a little bit of cut here and there to clean them up. I did spend a while making sure I was happy with the levels through the song. I used a short tape delay effect on the single notes during the verses, because the notes themselves were getting lost. + +I spent a bit more time EQ'ing the vocal so that I was happy with it and also automated the level throughout the song to make sure it could be heard. I also used automation on the compressed drum overhead track to bring it up during the chorus bits and drop it down again during the verses. I also sent some of the vocal to a delay aux channel, set up with a short (1 1/4 note) delay, a bandpass EQ (about 300hz - 3.5khz) and a tape saturation plugin. + +I still wasn't completely happy with the bass. It needed to be filling more of the frequency range above it to compensate for the lack of low end in the guitars. So I bussed it to another track and used a pitchshifter to bring it up an octave. I mixed this quite low in the mix, you can hear it if you listen out for it but it's not obvious. It also helps to make the bass fill out the mix on smaller speakers. There is one place in the song where I automated it to make it much louder, and that was the crash about 3 minutes into the song, which I always felt was a little bit lack in power. + +And with that, in goes the fork... diff --git a/_posts/2008-02-27-platform-shift.markdown b/_posts/2008-02-27-platform-shift.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b1a08c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-02-27-platform-shift.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Platform Shift" +categories: [news] +published: true +--- + +I've just migrated the blog to Habari. That was painless... diff --git a/_posts/2008-04-18-perian.markdown b/_posts/2008-04-18-perian.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..91f1107 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-04-18-perian.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Perian" +categories: [news, quicktime, media, xvid, divx, matroska, h264] +published: true +--- + +[Perian](http://perian.org/#detail) is an open source Quicktime component that adds support for AVI, FLV, and MKV file formats, along with H.246 and XVid/DivX support among others. diff --git a/_posts/2008-05-06-improved-font-rendering-in-ubuntu.markdown b/_posts/2008-05-06-improved-font-rendering-in-ubuntu.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..045bd3a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-05-06-improved-font-rendering-in-ubuntu.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Improved Font Rendering in Ubuntu" +categories: [linux, ubuntu, fonts, firefox, autohint] +published: true +--- + +There's quite a few posts of this type around the web, I just thought I'd document what seems to work best for me. The main thing this fixes is font rendering in Firefox, now it looks just as nice as it does in Epiphany! + +Put the following in ~/.fonts.conf: + +``` xml + + + + + + none + + + + + true + + + + + hintmedium + + + + + true + + + + + true + + + +``` diff --git a/_posts/2008-05-09-chdk.markdown b/_posts/2008-05-09-chdk.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..023da8f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-05-09-chdk.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "CHDK" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +[CHDK](http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK) is a firmware add-on for Canon's Digital Ixus/Powershot range of compact cameras that enables a bunch of cool new features. RAW support, scripting, exposure bracketing and more. diff --git a/_posts/2008-06-24-scratching-the-itch.markdown b/_posts/2008-06-24-scratching-the-itch.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d550ed3 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-06-24-scratching-the-itch.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Scratching the Itch" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +[Very interesting article in the New Yorker about how we perceive](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/30/080630fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=all). Via [kottke.org](http://www.kottke.org/08/06/itching-and-perception). + +> The account of perception that’s starting to emerge is what we might call the “brain’s best guess” theory of perception: perception is the brain’s best guess about what is happening in the outside world. The mind integrates scattered, weak, rudimentary signals from a variety of sensory channels, information from past experiences, and hard-wired processes, and produces a sensory experience full of brain-provided color, sound, texture, and meaning. We see a friendly yellow Labrador bounding behind a picket fence not because that is the transmission we receive but because this is the perception our weaver-brain assembles as its best hypothesis of what is out there from the slivers of information we get. Perception is inference. diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-12-bricking-it.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-12-bricking-it.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..70a680d --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-12-bricking-it.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Bricking It" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +I've finally got IPv6 working on my home network. It took a fair bit of fiddling! I'm using a tunnel and subnet provided by [SixXS](http://www.sixxs.net/), which is run from a Linksys WRT54GS router running [OpenWRT](http://openwrt.org/). I've had the tunnel running for a while, but it was only today that I got the subnet and was able to setup radvd to broadcast it. It does seem that radvd doesn't like broadcasting /48 subnets though so I had to change it to a /64 to get it working. + +By the way, never ever *ever* try uninstalling libgcc from an [OpenWRT](http://openwrt.org/) based router. In a moment of space clearing madness I did (trying to make room for IPv6 tools), and luckily was able to fix it by relinking the /lib/libc.so.0 file back to the right place. + + # ln -s /lib/libc.so.0 /lib/libgcc_s.so.1 + +I really thought I'd bricked my router... diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-25-foxconn-anti-linux.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-25-foxconn-anti-linux.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e6f048 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-25-foxconn-anti-linux.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Foxconn anti-Linux?" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +While I don't agree with the way the guy handled this (telling them they suck and their products are 'filth' is *not* the way forward), the idea that a [motherboard manufacturer is deliberately screwing with Linux support](http://ubuntu-virginia.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=869249) is quite scary. + +Makes you wonder if someone is paying them... diff --git a/_posts/2008-07-28-habari-0-5.markdown b/_posts/2008-07-28-habari-0-5.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..040e3f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-07-28-habari-0-5.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Habari 0.5" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +Habari have released [version 0.5](http://habariproject.org/en/0-5-released) of their blogging platform, complete with new admin interface, 'Monolith', designed by [Michael Heilemann](http://binarybonsai.com). + +Guess I better upgrade... diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-02-shiney.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-02-shiney.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e11aca8 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-02-shiney.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Shiney!" +categories: [news, google, browser, web] +published: true +--- + +Just installed [Google Chrome](http://www.google.com/chrome). First impressions are good, it feels *very* quick. Gmail in particular is very responsive indeed. diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-15-hackintosh.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-15-hackintosh.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8611456 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-15-hackintosh.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Hackintosh" +categories: [mac-os, mac, hackintosh] +published: true +--- + +I'm now running my very own Hackintosh! It was a relatively easy install, with just a few tweaks required to get the graphics card working correctly. I had to come to terms with the fact that there were no working drivers for my onboard LAN adapter (nForce 570) and get a PCI Gigabit card. The Netgear GA311 is a good choice. diff --git a/_posts/2008-09-29-me-su-eyrum-vi-spilum-endalaust.markdown b/_posts/2008-09-29-me-su-eyrum-vi-spilum-endalaust.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d112a76 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2008-09-29-me-su-eyrum-vi-spilum-endalaust.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: ""Me\u00f0 Su\u00f0 \u00ed Eyrum Vi\u00f0 Spilum Endalaust"" +categories: [music, audio, sigur-ros] +published: true +--- + +It's very rare that find an album that I just can't stop listening to, but "Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust" (in english "With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly") by Sigur Rós is one such album. It's simply stunning! Haunting vocals and wonderful soundscapes are offset by quite edgy sounding drums. diff --git a/_posts/2009-05-14-awesome-ajax-regex-tool.markdown b/_posts/2009-05-14-awesome-ajax-regex-tool.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ec7e18 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-05-14-awesome-ajax-regex-tool.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Awesome Ajax Regex Tool" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +Regular expressions are one of those tools that's almost like magic. This makes working with them quite a pain in the arse. Thankfully, tools such as [Rex V](http://www.rexv.org/) make working with them much less painful. diff --git a/_posts/2009-07-05-ecodisc.markdown b/_posts/2009-07-05-ecodisc.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72c4790 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-07-05-ecodisc.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "EcoDisc" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +I just had the misfortune to put one of those new EcoDisc's in my Powerbooks optical drive before I saw the warning on the back. Damn did I feel suckered?! Luckily I think the publication in question intend to go back to normal DVD's in future! + +Anyway, after some fiddling I managed to get the disc out by carefully sliding a knife about an inch into the drive (avoiding the barrier in the middle of the slot) and then lifting it up as the drive tries to spit the disc out. diff --git a/_posts/2009-08-28-dear-firefox-guys-1.markdown b/_posts/2009-08-28-dear-firefox-guys-1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a41a3fa --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-08-28-dear-firefox-guys-1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Dear Firefox Guys..." +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +When are you planning to fix this? + +FirefoxPasswd-thumb.png + +For anybody that's interested this is what happens when Firefox tries to restore windows and tabs when using an authenticating proxy server. If I didn't have the master password set you'd simply see just as many proxy authentication dialogue boxes instead. + +*Edit*: I believe, as of Firefox 3.6.2, that this bug has been fixed. diff --git a/_posts/2009-09-11-vanadiumjs.markdown b/_posts/2009-09-11-vanadiumjs.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cc9639 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-09-11-vanadiumjs.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "VanadiumJS" +categories: [web, javascript, jquery] +published: true +--- + +[VanadiumJS](http://vanadiumjs.com/) is a rather nice, easy to use javascript validation library for HTML forms. Using it is as simple as including the .js file (and jQuery) and adding classes to your inputs. diff --git a/_posts/2009-09-20-record-companies-want-apple-to-pay-for-30-second-previews.markdown b/_posts/2009-09-20-record-companies-want-apple-to-pay-for-30-second-previews.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..212b1ec --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2009-09-20-record-companies-want-apple-to-pay-for-30-second-previews.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Record Companies want Apple to pay for 30 second previews" +categories: [] +published: true +--- + +[This is further proof](http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10355448-93.html) that the big record companies simply don't get it: + +> "(On iTunes), you can stream radio, and you can preview tracks, things that we should be getting paid performance income for." +> --David Renzer, CEO Universal Music Publishing Group diff --git a/_posts/2010-03-12-automatic-screen-for-ssh-login-1-1.markdown b/_posts/2010-03-12-automatic-screen-for-ssh-login-1-1.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57ca661 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-03-12-automatic-screen-for-ssh-login-1-1.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,35 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Automatic Screen for SSH Login" +categories: [geek, linux, bash] +published: true +--- + +Add the following to the end of your `~/.bashrc` file and you'll always be in a screen session when you SSH into your box. + +``` bash +#====================================================================== +# Auto-screen invocation. see: http://taint.org/wk/RemoteLoginAutoScreen +# if we're coming from a remote SSH connection, in an interactive session +# then automatically put us into a screen(1) session. Only try once +# -- if $STARTED_SCREEN is set, don't try it again, to avoid looping +# if screen fails for some reason. +if [ "$PS1" != "" -a "${STARTED_SCREEN:-x}" = x -a "${SSH_TTY:-x}" != x ] +then + STARTED_SCREEN=1 ; export STARTED_SCREEN + [ -d $HOME/lib/screen-logs ] || mkdir -p $HOME/lib/screen-logs + sleep 1 + screen -x && clear && exit 0 + if [ "$?" != "0" ]; then + screen && clear && exit 0 + fi + # normally, execution of this rc script ends here... + echo "Screen failed! continuing with normal bash startup" +fi +# [end of auto-screen snippet] +# ====================================================================== +``` + +Replace `screen` with `byobu` if you use that. + +Remember to use `^a-d` to disconnect from your SSH session. diff --git a/_posts/2010-04-21-move-to-linode.markdown b/_posts/2010-04-21-move-to-linode.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba20aeb --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-04-21-move-to-linode.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Move to Linode" +categories: [geek, linux, hosting, server] +published: true +--- + +I've just moved this website over to a Linode VPS. The experience so far has been brilliant. The Linode control panel is excellent and provides all the facilities you could possibly need. I'd decided to move from shared hosting as I felt I was beginning to outgrow it. I needed more flexibility and what better way to get that flexibility than with a virtual machine! diff --git a/_posts/2010-05-24-one-line-fix-for-terminalapp.markdown b/_posts/2010-05-24-one-line-fix-for-terminalapp.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e57d0b --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-05-24-one-line-fix-for-terminalapp.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "One Line Fix for Terminal.app" +categories: [linux, mac, terminal, screen] +published: true +--- + +Anybody that uses Terminal.app on Mac OS to regularly connect to Linux servers -- particularly those that use `screen` -- will be aware of the issues with backspace. The following terminal one liner seems to resolve the issues: + + $ defaults write com.apple.Terminal TermCapString xterm diff --git a/_posts/2010-06-06-postgresql-php-on-snow-leopard.markdown b/_posts/2010-06-06-postgresql-php-on-snow-leopard.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..171f042 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-06-06-postgresql-php-on-snow-leopard.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,97 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "PostgreSQL & PHP on Snow Leopard" +categories: [php, mac-os-x, postgresql] +published: true +--- + +I recently had to install PostgreSQL on Snow Leopard with PHP support for development. It took some fiddling and a re-install when I screwed up a dependency but I eventually managed to do it! I thought I'd document the process here for anybody else in the same boat. + + + +My first approach was to install PostgreSQL using the one click installer from EnterpriseDB and recompiling PHP from scratch, but I scrapped that in favour of installing it via Homebrew, and only compiling the necessary PHP extensions. + +### Homebrew & PostgreSQL + +[Homebrew](http://mxcl.github.com/homebrew/) is a rather natty new package manager for Mac OS X that takes a lot of the pain out of installing Unix software on the platform. + +Install it using the instructions here: [Homebrew Installation Instructions](http://wiki.github.com/mxcl/homebrew/installation). + +You will also need Xcode for this, as Homebrew compiles from source. Also, we're going to be doing some compiling of our own too. Grab [Xcode](http://developer.apple.com/tools/xcode/) and install it. + +The next step is to install PostgreSQL using Homebrew. Install it with the following command: + +``` bash +$ brew install postgresql +``` + +You will see some instructions pop up once PostgreSQL is compiled. The most important ones are the `initdb` command and the command to launch Postgres on login: + +``` bash +$ initdb /usr/local/var/postgres +$ launchctl lad -w /usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/8.4.4/org.postgresql.postgres.plist +``` + +### Compiling the PHP extensions + +There are two PHP extensions that allow PHP to access PostgreSQL. You may only need the standard PHP pgsql library, but the PDO driver is so easy to install you might as well add it anyway. + +Grab the source code for PHP. The version running on 10.6.3 is [PHP 5.3.1](http://php.net/get/php-5.3.1.tar.bz2/from/a/mirror) so I grabbed the bzipped tar of that. + +Move the source code somewhere suitable and extract it: + +``` bash +$ mkdir ~/Source +$ cd ~/Source +$ mv ../Downloads/php-5.3.1.tar.bz2 +$ tar -xjvf php-5.3.1.tar.bz2 +``` + +Now we need to find the pgsql extension and compile it: + +``` bash +$ cd php-5.3.1/ext/pgsql +$ phpize +$ ./configure --with-pgsql=/usr/local +$ make && sudo make install +``` + +Next we need to grab the PDO_pgsql extension using PECL and compile and install that: + +``` bash +$ cd ~/Source +$ sudo pecl download pdo_pgsql +$ tar -xzvf PDO_PGSQL-1.0.2.tgz +$ cd PDO_PGSQL-1.0.2 +$ phpize +$ ./configure --with-pdo-pgsql=/usr/local +$ make && sudo make install +``` + +Now those are installed we just need to add the extensions to the PHP configuration. Copy the default php.ini to a new file like so: + +``` bash +$ cd /private/etc +$ cp php.ini.default php.ini +``` + +Then add the following lines to the Dynamic Extensions section of your new php.ini file using your favourite editor (I like nano): + +``` ini +extension=pgsql.so +extension=pdo_pgsql.so +``` + +Lastly, restart Apache: + +``` bash +$ sudo apachectl restart +``` + +### References + +I used information in the following web pages in the preparation of the guide: + +[Gnegg - Snow Leopard and PHP](http://www.gnegg.ch/tag/snow-leopard) + +[StackOverflow - Installing PDO-drivers for PostgreSQL on Mac](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/61747) diff --git a/_posts/2010-06-30-iphone-4.markdown b/_posts/2010-06-30-iphone-4.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a96d43 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-06-30-iphone-4.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "iPhone 4" +categories: [apple, iphone-4, iphone] +published: true +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/iphone-4/IMG_0035.jpg %} +
    + +So on Thursday 24th June I decided to go and join the queue for the iPhone 4. Thankfully I was early enough and, after waiting for about 3 and a half hours they finally let me into the o2 shop to buy one. + + + +This being my first ever iPhone I didn't really know what to expect. I've played with earlier models that belong to friends but it's not quite the same when you can't fully explore it. All I knew was that I wanted one. + +It certainly hasn't disappointed. This is an amazing little device, worth every penny that I payed. The screen is a joy to behold and makes my MacBook screen look pixellated. Steve is right to say that you can't see the pixels from a normal viewing distance, and actually, even if you look carefully they're hard to discern. + +Resolution is nothing without contrast and the iPhone 4's screen has it in spades. I genuinely haven't seen a screen as good as this on any device. Even apps that don't have updated artwork look better than I remember seeing them on older devices. The high resolution has the side effect of almost eliminating any 'graininess' from the display. Everything looks sharp and colourful. It's pretty good in direct sunlight too, staying quite readable. + +The build quality of the phone is second to none. It just feels solid in your hand, with no flex or creaks like pretty much every other phone I've ever owned. The buttons are reassuringly solid to press and the little speaker and mic ports at the bottom look great. The only problem is that I'm genuinely scared of dropping it. The antenna problem that has the Internets alight is definitely there, although the extent that it's a problem very much depends on reception strength and hand cleanliness. I seem to have adapted the way I hold it a bit which has helped, although I have a bumper on the way which should alleviate the antenna issue and my fear of dropping it. + +Given that my old phone was a Sony Ericsson K750i it's probably understandable that the battery life comes as a bit of a shock to me. The K750i would still be happily ticking along after 5-6 days, but the most I can get out of the iPhone 4 is about 40 hours so far. Given that everything I've read suggests that this is an improvement over the 3GS I guess it's just something I need to get used to. + +The quality from the camera almost gives my 5 year old Canon compact a run for it's money. Pictures are detailed and the colour is very nice. It's certainly the best phone camera I've ever used. The HD video is an additional bonus and I expect I'll get some use out of that in time. The ability to edit video on the phone itself is quite something. + +The OS is very nice indeed. It certainly seems like Apple have really sweated all the details in how it works. There's so much in there that I'm not even going to attempt to cover any of it here. The only bugbear in my opinion is that the double tap for multitasking feels like the wrong choice. According to what I've read that used to be a shortcut to the camera (although it seems to be a shortcut to the iPod app when at the lock screen). I'd certainly like easier access to the camera when I'm out and about. Currently I have to slide, type my code, tap the Camera app. I loved the K750i for that; slide the lens cover, take picture! \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/2010-07-23-aerofs.markdown b/_posts/2010-07-23-aerofs.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec23fd2 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-07-23-aerofs.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,15 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "AeroFS" +categories: [files, cloud, dropbox] +published: true +--- + +[AeroFS](http://aerofs.posterous.com/) is a decentralised file syncing system, similar to Dropbox but without the online storage. Looks very interesting! + +> AeroFS is designed to let you go beyond simple file syncing and collaboration. You own devices with vast amounts of storage available (e.g. laptops, desktops), yet you are forced to rely on third party cloud technologies to sync and share files between them. Cloud-based syncing and sharing works well for small personal documents and limited media, but breaks down when we talk about use cases such as: +> +> * Businesses sharing and collaborating on sensitive contracts and documents, where control over your data is truly important +> * Sharing vast amounts of rich media (think hundreds of gigabytes), where cloud storage costs grow rapidly +> +> To address these issues, we've designed AeroFS to be completely decentralized. You can sync files between any two (or more!) devices with or without Internet access, over a LAN, and behind a firewall. Your files do not need to be uploaded to the cloud, so you will retain full control of your data. diff --git a/_posts/2010-07-23-iphone-4-revisited.markdown b/_posts/2010-07-23-iphone-4-revisited.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20ce58a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-07-23-iphone-4-revisited.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "iPhone 4 Revisited" +categories: [apple, iphone-4, iphone] +published: true +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/iphone-4-revisited/IMG_0052.jpg %} +
    + +Well, I've had the iPhone 4 for about 3 weeks now, so I can write a bit more about my first impressions with it. + + + +There's lots of nice little touches everywhere in the OS. I keep discovering little shortcuts and ways of doing things. Nothing seems to be too well hidden to find it yourself. For example, I like the way the calculator changes to the scientific layout when the iPhone is landscape oriented. It's all these little things that make using the device such a joy. + +### Niggles + +There are a few things that niggle me about the phone though. The first is that audio quality during calls doesn't seem to be on par with my old Sony Ericsson. In fact it sounds rather muffled in comparison, even through headphones. I don't know how dependant this is on the phone at the other end as the majority of calls I've taken on it so far are from my wife's K800i. Perhaps iPhone to iPhone calls (or iPhone to other phones) are much clearer? I'll report back when I've had more experience with it. + +Although I mentioned that everything is easy to find, one thing really wasn't. It took me some googling and experimenting before I figured out how to access street view from Maps! I can't help wonder if this would be more intuitive if it worked in a similar way to Google Maps on the desktop browser; drag the little man onto the road. + +The email application is very nice, and picked up the two accounts I have setup in Mail on my Mac. What is a bit perplexing is that there doesn't seem to be any way to have a different signature on each account. This is a standard feature in any desktop client (including Apple's Mail) so I don't see why they couldn't extend it to the iPhone. + +### Bumper Case + +I decided to buy one of Apple's bumper cases for the phone. All the third party ones -- not that there are many around yet -- seem to cover the whole phone, and I didn't want anything getting in the way of that gorgeous display. The case itself is great, it fits the phone well and looks like it should be there. It doesn't provide any direct protection for the glass front and back, but it provides adequate protection for the edges, which are *far* more likely to actually hit something. The glass feels so nice to touch that it would be a shame to cover it up. + +The original iPhone had a headphone jack that was recessed into the body, which meant that many headphones would not fit. This spawned a number of adapters from different manufacturers. It would seem that with the bumper case, Apple have replicated that same problem here, with a hole in the case that is not big enough to accept any of my existing headphones. I could have gotten an adapter, but I chose instead to try the [Apple in-ear headphones](http://www.apple.com/uk/ipod/in-ear-headphones/) as an upgrade to my trusty Sennheiser CX400's. Curiously, my wifes CX300's, which are about 2 years newer than my 400's, actually have a narrower jack plug body and as a result they actually fit! I will write more about the Apple in-ears in a future post. diff --git a/_posts/2010-07-26-apple-in-ear-headphones.markdown b/_posts/2010-07-26-apple-in-ear-headphones.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7835051 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2010-07-26-apple-in-ear-headphones.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Apple In-Ear Headphones" +categories: [apple, audio, iphone-4, iphone, headphones] +published: true +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/apple-in-ear-headphones/IMG_0053.jpg %} +
    + +One of my favourite albums is Marillion's "Misplaced Childhood". I wore out the cassette tape (remember them?) listening to it and I knew the album inside out. When I first listened to it on CD I noticed things I hadn't heard before, particularly the singers wail as the guitar solo started, so I had to go back and listen to the tape again to see if it was there which, of course, it was. + + + +Since upgrading from my trusty Sennheiser CX400's to the Apple In-Ear's I've heard things that I've never noticed before. The faint echo of Imogen Heap's voice in "Hide and Seek". The tail of the vocal delay in Def Leppard's "All I Want is Everything". It's weird, but in a good way. They're bringing out details that seemed buried before. + +### The Sound + +Once you get them seated in your ears -- this is a bit tricky at first -- they have a nicely neutral sound to them, with perhaps a touch of emphasis on the vocal range of frequencies. Compared to the Sennheisers they sound slightly bass shy, but it's actually all there and extends a little deeper. Everything I listened to sounded just as it should have. Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" sounded punchy and clear, with all the elements of the production clearly audible and crisp sounding. Hybrid's "Disappear Here" sounded epic, the vocals spine tingling. I do feel you have to drive them a little to get the best out of them though. + +Outside noise attenuation is excellent and, once the headphones are snuggly fitted in your ears, they cut down the sound of the outside world very well indeed. This makes them perfect for travellers. + +### Everything Else + +The headphones come in a small triangular case which serves as a very neat little storage solution, although it can be a little fiddly to wind them on. The cable is pretty much identical to the headphones that come with the iPod, with the addition of the little remote module on the right hand ear piece. The remote is very useful, providing play/pause, volume and track skip functions all with three buttons. The centre button handles play/pause and track skip (2 clicks for next, 3 for previous) and works with recent iPods, and the iPhone 3GS and 4. It works with earlier iPhones with the exception of the volume control. + +The headphones come with two additional sets of different sized silicone ear pieces, in a cute little pill shaped case, so they should fit most ears pretty easily. The mediums that come fitted work perfectly for me. They also come with a spare set of filters, which can be unscrewed from the headphones themselves for cleaning. They are tiny though so you'd have to be careful not to lose them! On the whole they seem very well thought out. + +Overall I'm very pleased with these headphones. Definitely recommended if you like your iPod/iPhone audio accurate and detailed. They are very reasonably priced for what you get. diff --git a/_posts/2011-04-05-using-git-for-deployment.markdown b/_posts/2011-04-05-using-git-for-deployment.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6593804 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2011-04-05-using-git-for-deployment.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,191 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Using Git for Deployment" +categories: [web, deployment, git] +published: true +--- + +I've been using Git for deployment now for some time, and I thought it might be helpful to others if I document how I did it. Partly this is because I can't find the original guide that I used, so if you recognise the method I use here and you did it first, let me know and I'll attribute you! + +**Update**: This is the original article: [http://joemaller.com/990/a-web-focused-git-workflow/](http://joemaller.com/990/a-web-focused-git-workflow/). Thanks to Tim for the link in his comment! + +For the purposes of this guide I'm going to assume that you have your website live already, and that it is not already in a Git repository. If your situation is different you will have to adapt the steps accordingly. + + + +### Setting up the server + +In order for this to work it will require two repositories on the server itself. The actual live production code will reside in it's own repo, and we will have a bare "hub" repository that will act as the master copy. Local changes will be pushed to the "hub" and will then be pulled into the live repo by a post-update hook. + +We'll start by initialising a repository in the live code directory on the server and committing the entire codebase. We'll call our site "myproject" and we'll assume it resides in `/var/www/myproject`. + +``` bash +$ cd /var/www/myproject +$ git init +Initialized empty Git repository in /var/www/myproject +$ git add . +$ git commit +``` + +The next step is to create a bare repository, also on the server, and push the live repo into it. I put these in `/var/git`, but you can put them where ever you like. You just need to make sure you can write to them. + +``` bash +$ mkdir -p /var/git/myproject.git +$ cd /var/git/myproject.git +$ git init --bare +$ cd /var/www/myproject +$ git push /var/git/myproject.git master +Counting objects: 143, done. +Delta compression using up to 4 threads. +Compressing objects: 100% (87/87), done. +Writing objects: 100% (143/143), 288.28 KiB, done. +Total 143 (delta 52), reused 129 (delta 47) +To /var/git/myproject.git +* [new branch] master -> master +``` + +#### Configuration and hooks + +We need to make sure that the "hub" repository is configured as a remote for the live repository. To do this we edit `/var/www/myproject/.git/config` and add the following lines to the end: + +```ini +[remote "hub"] + url = /var/git/myproject.git + fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/hub/* +``` + +Next we need to set up a couple of hooks. The first of these will make sure that any time anything is pushed to the hub repository it will be pulled into the live repo. This hook can also contain anything that needs to happen to deploy the new version (not necessarily relevant to PHP/HTML websites but is needed for Ruby on Rails and probably Django sites too). + +Git repository hooks are stored in the `.git/hooks` directory or `hooks` directory (in the case of a bare repo) within the repository, so we need to create the file `/var/git/myproject.git/hooks/post-update`: + +``` sh +#!/bin/sh + +echo +echo "**** Pulling changes into Live [Hub's post-update hook]" +echo + +cd /var/www/myproject || exit +unset GIT_DIR +git pull hub master + +exec git-update-server-info +``` + +We need to make sure this file is executable: + +``` bash +$ chmod +x /var/git/myproject.git/hooks/post-update +``` + +The second hook is not essential, but is just to make sure that any 'in place' changes we make to the web code is pushed to the hub when committed. This means we can safely make code changes directly on the server (not that I'd ever recommend this!). This one goes in the live repo so we need to create a file at `/var/www/myproject/.git/hooks/post-commit`: + +``` sh +#!/bin/sh + +echo +echo "**** pushing changes to Hub [Live's post-commit hook]" +echo + +git push hub +``` + +Again, ensure this file is executable. + +``` bash +$ chmod +x /var/www/myproject/.git/hooks/post-commit +``` + +This should be all the setup we need on the server. + +### Cloning and pushing live + +The next step is to pull down a working copy of the site to the development box (this could be your own desktop/laptop machine or it could be a dedicated development server). I put all my local development sites in `~/Sites`. + +``` bash +$ cd ~/Sites +$ git clone dan@server:/var/git/myproject.git myproject +``` + +That's pretty much it! Any changes committed to the master branch can now be pushed live with the following command: + +``` bash +$ git push origin master +``` + +### More examples + +My photography portfolio site is built in Rails and consequently needs a bit more than a straightforward pull to set the new version live. We need to run a couple of commands to make sure that any database migrations are added to the production database, and also to make sure any new or updated gems are installed. We also need to reload apache to ensure that Passenger reloads our app: + +```sh +#!/bin/sh + +echo +echo "**** Pulling changes into Live [Hub's post-update hook]" +echo + +cd /var/www/danbarberphoto || exit +unset GIT_DIR +git pull hub master +sudo bundle install +rake db:migrate RAILS_ENV="production" +sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 reload + +exec git-update-server-info +``` + +------------------------------------------ + +### Comments + +This was one of the few articles on my blog that attracted some useful comments, so I'm reproducing them here for posterity. + +#### [Tim](http://www.shiropetto.net/) —posted 26 June, 2011 + +I very much like this setup and have been using it in my production environment with the company I work for. + +I originally read a original article a year or so ago at + +Extended the post-hooks a little to update submodules and will be looking at tags for version releases. + +nicely put together! Cheers! + +#### Dan Barber —posted 27 June, 2011 + +Hi Tim, thanks for your comment. And thanks for the link, that’s the article I refer to at the top of my post. I’ll update my article to include it. + +I’d be interested to hear about how you use tags. + +#### Gerhard —posted 17 days ago + +Very nice indeed! + +I like some visibility to my deploys though (too many things can go wrong in bigger apps which include multiple services). Even if very opinionated, it works really well for our apps: https://github.com/gerhard/deliver . + +#### Graham —posted 16 days ago + +Why is this considered preferable to having a CI environment push the changes out to live? The CI environment can then only do so if the unit tests all pass - you do have unit tests, right? - and you get decent views of the history. You also have a fairly trivial way of pushing out to other machines hosting the site - so you can have the CI server installed in one internal machine pushing out automatically to multiple external machines as appropriate… + +#### Dan Barber —posted 16 days ago + +Graham, thanks for your comment. A CI environment is not appropriate for every project though. Static websites are one such example. + +#### Joe —posted 11 days ago + +Have you seen this article about using git to deploy websites? — http://toroid.org/ams/git-website-howto + +Not sure how much better or worse it is, but it is what I have been doing for about two years. The above solution does not require you to use an .htaccess file to hide the .git directory because it never makes it to the application root. + +#### JustSomeNoob —posted 11 days ago + +Forgive my cluelessness, but why can’t you simply push directly to repository that’s serving the code? What is the advantage of having the intermediary repository and the post-push hook? + +I’m sure that I must be missing something, but I guess what I really need is the use case for this setup (spelled out as if I’m 5). + +Thanks! + +#### danbee —posted 10 days ago + +Joe - I hadn’t seen that article, but on first glance it looks very similar to my approach. The main difference is that it does a checkout to the web directory rather than a pull. The advantage of having the application root a git repository is that it makes it possible to make code changes directly on the server and commit them to the repository, not that I’d recommend this! + +JustSomeNoob - That’s a good question that I really should have covered. Git does not allow you to push directly to a working repository, hence the need for the intermediate bare repo. It would be worth reading Joe Maller’s article (linked at the top of the post) as he explains things a bit better than I do! diff --git a/_posts/2011-10-06-steve-jobs.markdown b/_posts/2011-10-06-steve-jobs.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba76ea4 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2011-10-06-steve-jobs.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Steve Jobs, 1955-2011" +categories: [apple, visionaries, steve-jobs] +published: true +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/steve-jobs/steve-jobs.jpg %} +
    + +I never met Steve Jobs, but it still feels like someone I knew has died. An inspiration. + +Thanks Steve. diff --git a/_posts/2012-01-17-a-new-year-a-new-start.markdown b/_posts/2012-01-17-a-new-year-a-new-start.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b273a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-01-17-a-new-year-a-new-start.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "A New Year, A New Start" +date: 2012-01-17 20:09 +comments: true +categories: +published: true +--- +As it's a new year, I decided to start a fresh new blog that will hopefully get me inspired to start writing stuff again. diff --git a/_posts/2012-01-24-a-brief-incomplete-and-mostly-wrong-history-of-programming-languages.markdown b/_posts/2012-01-24-a-brief-incomplete-and-mostly-wrong-history-of-programming-languages.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0281c64 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-01-24-a-brief-incomplete-and-mostly-wrong-history-of-programming-languages.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "A Brief, Incomplete, and Mostly Wrong History of Programming Languages" +date: 2012-01-24 10:58 +comments: true +categories: programming, humour +published: true +external-url: http://james-iry.blogspot.com/2009/05/brief-incomplete-and-mostly-wrong.html +--- +James Iry: + +> 1995 - Yukihiro "Mad Matz" Matsumoto creates Ruby to avert some vaguely unspecified apocalypse that will leave Australia a desert run by mohawked warriors and Tina Turner. The language is later renamed Ruby on Rails by its real inventor, David Heinemeier Hansson. [The bit about Matsumoto inventing a language called Ruby never happened and better be removed in the next revision of this article - DHH]. diff --git a/_posts/2012-07-17-the-retina-macbook-pro-is-cheaper-than-the-regular-macbook-pro.markdown b/_posts/2012-07-17-the-retina-macbook-pro-is-cheaper-than-the-regular-macbook-pro.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7b8f6e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-07-17-the-retina-macbook-pro-is-cheaper-than-the-regular-macbook-pro.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "The Retina MacBook Pro is cheaper than the regular MacBook Pro" +date: 2012-07-17 17:30 +comments: true +published: true +categories: apple +--- +### Retina MacBook Pro + +* 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 +* 8GB 1600MHz memory +* 256GB flash storage +* NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory +* 2880x1800 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display +* Price - **$2,199.00** + +### Regular MacBook Pro + +* 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 +* 8GB 1600MHz memory +* 256GB Solid State Drive +* NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB of GDDR5 memory +* 1440x900 15-inch Glossy Widescreen Display +* Price - **$2,399.00** + +That's a $200 dollar difference, in favour of the Retina MacBook Pro! "But Apple charge a premium for their RAM and SSD!" you say. So let's find alternatives... + +* Base 15" MacBook Pro - **$1,799.00** +* 8GB 1600MHz memory from Crucial - **$55.99** +* 256GB 256GB Crucial m4 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s - **$213.43** +* Total - **$2068.42** + +So that is a bit cheaper, but it's only $130 less than a similarly specced Retina MacBook Pro. That $130 gets you four times as many pixels, twice as much video memory and a machine that's over a pound lighter. I think that's a pretty good deal. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/2012-08-21-slugtastic-v1.0.0.markdown b/_posts/2012-08-21-slugtastic-v1.0.0.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..becf73e --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-08-21-slugtastic-v1.0.0.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Slugtastic v1.0.0" +date: 2012-08-21 10:09 +comments: true +categories: rubygems gem rails coding +published: true +--- +I've just released my first proper Ruby gem. It's a simple permalink style slug generator for ActiveModel. Check it out at [Github](https://github.com/danbee/slugtastic) and use it in your Rails project by adding `gem "slugtastic"` to your Gemfile. + +Usage is very simple. Just add the following to your model: + +``` ruby +has_slug :slug, :from => :title +``` + +This will generate a slug string from the title attribute and store it in the slug attribute unless the slug already contains a string. The slug is generated pre-validation so you can still use `validates_presence_of :slug`. diff --git a/_posts/2012-08-30-gimp-is-now-a-self-contained-native-app-for-mac-os-x.markdown b/_posts/2012-08-30-gimp-is-now-a-self-contained-native-app-for-mac-os-x.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2bfeba --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-08-30-gimp-is-now-a-self-contained-native-app-for-mac-os-x.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "GIMP is Now a Self-Contained Native App for Mac OS X" +date: 2012-08-30 10:59 +comments: true +categories: gimp osx mac +published: true +external-url: http://www.petapixel.com/2012/08/29/gimp-is-now-a-self-contained-native-app-for-mac-os-x/ +--- +PetaPixel: + +> GIMP, the image editing program that’s a popular open-source alternative to Photoshop, is now easier than ever for Mac users to start using. Though it was completely free, installing it has long required that X11 also be installed — a major pain in the butt. That changes with the latest version of GIMP: the app is now a self-contained native app that’s a breeze to install. It’s as simple as dragging and dropping. diff --git a/_posts/2012-10-30-were-creating-a-culture-of-distraction.markdown b/_posts/2012-10-30-were-creating-a-culture-of-distraction.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6238065 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2012-10-30-were-creating-a-culture-of-distraction.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,16 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "We're Creating a Culture of Distraction" +date: 2012-10-30 18:08 +comments: true +categories: +published: true +external-url: http://joekraus.com/were-creating-a-culture-of-distraction +--- +Joe Kraus: + +> I want to ask people a simple question: are you happy with your relationship with your phone. Do you think it’s a healthy one? + +> I don’t think I have a healthy relationship with mine. I feel a constant need to pull it out – to check email, to text, to see if there is something interesting happening RIGHT NOW. It’s constantly pulling on my attention. + +Great article. I've begun to notice this with myself and my wife. Might have to implement the "no phone" Sunday. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/2013-03-17-moving-away-from-google.markdown b/_posts/2013-03-17-moving-away-from-google.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6fcac7a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-03-17-moving-away-from-google.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,18 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Moving Away from Google" +date: 2013-03-17 11:28 +comments: true +categories: +published: true +--- + +In light of Google's recent announcement that they will be [shuttering Reader (among other things)](http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-second-spring-of-cleaning.html) I've decided that it's time to move away from Gmail and reduce my reliance on any services provided by Google. + + + +In light of this the first step has been to start moving things over to my own domain, hosted currently on Google Apps for Domains. This gives me the portability I'll need to move to a different email provider. + +The next step will be to find a good hosted email service that I can pay for. [Fastmail](http://fastmail.fm) looks like the best option so far so I'll be evaluating that and others, although I'd prefer to host somewhere in the UK. + +One of the things that hosting my own domain makes possible is the use of site specific email addresses. For example, for Dropbox one might use dropbox@mydomain.com instead of the usual name@mydomain.com. This has the advantage of easy filtering, and also makes it possible to track down the source of spam emails and potential block them in the future. The only downside I've come across so far is sites that use Gravatar for avatar pictures. diff --git a/_posts/2013-04-28-design-eye-for-the-developer-guy.markdown b/_posts/2013-04-28-design-eye-for-the-developer-guy.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..41c3b48 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-04-28-design-eye-for-the-developer-guy.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Design Eye for the Developer Guy" +date: 2013-04-28 18:03 +comments: true +categories: +published: true +--- + +Here are the slides from my talk at [Digpen VI](http://www.digpen.com/VI/) in March. I'll get the audio up too as soon as I have it. + +

    \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/_posts/2013-11-09-an-update.markdown b/_posts/2013-11-09-an-update.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c33234c --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-11-09-an-update.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "An Update" +categories: life work +--- + +It's been quite a while now since I last posted, and much has happened over the last 12 months. We've moved to a new city and started new jobs. + + + +I've been working for a Ruby on Rails consultancy in London called [New Bamboo](http://www.new-bamboo.co.uk) for nearly 12 months now, and it's been excellent. The people I work with are awesome and I'm learning new things every day. I'm also finding opportunities to teach others which is great, and I fully intend to do more of it. + +Wifey finally moved up to London three weeks ago, and is now working for a communications consultancy in Westminster. + +Spending nearly 12 months apart has been difficult, and I can't recommend it. Unfortunately circumstances dictated that things couldn't happen any faster. + +Anyway, the plan is that this post will mark a new commitment to updating this blog on a regular basis. I've said that before but I mean it this time! I have a series of CSS articles in the works so expect something useful within the next few weeks. + +Now, I'm off to play some Tomb Raider. diff --git a/_posts/2013-11-19-flat-ui-and-forms.markdown b/_posts/2013-11-19-flat-ui-and-forms.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b304a8a --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2013-11-19-flat-ui-and-forms.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Flat UI and Forms" +comments: true +categories: +external-url: http://alistapart.com/article/flat-ui-and-forms +--- +Jessica Enders: + +> The problem is that most flat UIs are built with a focus on the provision of content, with transactional components (i.e., forms) receiving very little attention. What happens when flat and forms collide? User experiences can, and often do, suffer. diff --git a/_posts/2014-02-08-zx81.markdown b/_posts/2014-02-08-zx81.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80854bd --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-02-08-zx81.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "ZX81" +categories: +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/zx81/154120730_9cb06dbc98_o.jpg alt="Close up of Sinclair ZX81" %} +
    Photo by Barney Livingston / CC BY SA
    +
    + +With the 30th anniversary of the Mac just gone by I thought it would be nice (and a little self indulgant!) to write about some of the computers I've owned in the past. I use Mac's almost exclusively now but it wasn't always the case. + + + +About the same time as Steve Jobs was wowing the crowds with the launch of the first Mac I had one of these bad boys. The Sinclair ZX81 was the successor to the ZX80 and was designed first and foremost to be low cost (costing £69.95 fully assembled or £49.95 in kit form). It had just 1Kb of RAM, no sound capabilities and low resolution monochrome graphics. The machine could not run at full speed and also maintain the display so it would flicker every time you pressed a key or the machine did a calculation. You could switch it to 'SLOW' mode which would make the computer concentrate on maintaining the display at the expense of slowing the running program down. Despite all these limitations the ZX81 was very successful and sold over 1.5 million units. + +It was possible to plug in a RAM pack and expand the memory vastly to 16Kb. The RAM pack plugged into the back of the machine and was a frequent cause of crashes when it wobbled. Users would commonly stick the pack in place with Blu-Tack to try and prevent this. + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/zx81/3915673063_2b5d4015aa_o.jpg alt="Typical ZX81 setup" %} +
    Photo by +Mike Cattell / CC BY
    +
    + +The 1Kb of memory certainly made it challenging to write programs for, although some clever programmers were able to do some amazing things with it. One of the best examples of this is [1K ZX Chess](http://chessprogramming.wikispaces.com/1K+ZX+Chess), which fits a fairly complete chess engine into 672 bytes! + +By far the most memorable thing about the ZX81 was the keyboard. To keep the cost down it was fitted with a simple membrane keyboard. The keyboard was pretty terrible to use and spawned a number of addons to try and improve it. Some even involved putting the ZX81 into a whole new case! + +Despite all of its shortcomings, the ZX81 was an enjoyable computer to tinker with, and it started a life long love of computing for me. diff --git a/_posts/2014-04-29-zx-spectrum-plus-2.markdown b/_posts/2014-04-29-zx-spectrum-plus-2.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b4d36f --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2014-04-29-zx-spectrum-plus-2.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,64 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "ZX Spectrum +2" +date: 2014-04-29T08:28:00+01:00 +categories: +--- + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/zx-spectrum-plus-2/5364873704_0fe55f7e3e_o.jpg alt="ZX Spectrum" %} +
    Photo by Gonzalo Merat / CC BY NC ND
    +
    + +The second computer to ever enter my life was a Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2. This machine had colour, 3 channel sound and a built in tape deck. I was in love! + + + +The ZX Spectrum was the successor the popular ZX81 and was first released in 1982. The first model had 16Kb or 48Kb of RAM and a simple beeper for sound. It came with the rubber key membrane keyboard that made it famous. It was better than the keyboard on the ZX81 but still not great. + +The ZX Spectrum was so named because of it's ability to display colour. It had a palette of 8 colours. In order to reduce the amount of memory required for the screen buffer the colour resolution was limited to 2 colours per 8×8 pixel block. This led to the infamous 'colour clash' effect often seen in games. + +The ZX Spectrum + 128 was released in 1985 (1986 in the UK) and featured 128k of RAM and improved 3 channel sound courtesy of the [AY-3-8912](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AY-3-8912) chip. The extra memory was accessed by page switching 16kb chunks into the top of the Z80's 64Kb address space. The 128 had the same improved keyboard as the earlier 48k + model. + +The 128k + wasn't around long. Amstrad bought Sinclair -- including the rights to the ZX Spectrum -- in 1986. The ZX Spectrum +2 was the first model to come out of this deal and was based on the same mainboard as the 128k + but in a new case which featured a built in tape deck and an improved keyboard. This was the model I owned. + +This was the machine that really got me started with programming. It started with typing in BASIC program listings from magazines and figuring out how they worked. My dad and I would also type in line after line of machine code in hex dump format. This was remarkably prone to error and so the success rate was low! When it worked though the results could be pretty spectacular compared to what was possible with BASIC alone. + +
    + {% picture full-width blog/zx-spectrum-plus-2/IMG_1950.jpg alt="UDG on graph paper" %} +
    + +I learned binary on the Spectrum completely by accident. In order to create graphics for BASIC programs it was necessary to create UDG characters. These were defined as an 8x8 grid which was represented in memory by 8 bytes. You'd design your sprite on graph paper, then add up all the numbers to derive the byte that should represent each row. These were then poked into memory. It only occurred to me later that each row was a binary number! + +We had a variety of upgrades attached to this machine over the years. The first was the AMX Mouse which, along with [OCP Art Studio](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek.cgi?regexp=^OCP+Art+Studio%2c+The$&loadpics=1), enabled me to dabble with computer art. Later on we added an MGT +D disk interface, with a 3.5" disk drive. This meant I could load an entire 128k game in 10 seconds rather than waiting 5 minutes for the tape to load. This was a game changer! + +### Games + +It would be somewhat remiss of me to write an article about the ZX Spectrum without mentioning the games! The price and subsequent popularity of the Spectrum meant that a great many games were released for it. I have fond memories of playing the likes of Manic Miner, Head Over Heels, Rainbow Islands and Batman the Movie. + +
    + Spectrum games selection +
    Rainbow Islands, Head Over Heels, Batman the Movie, Fantasy World Dizzy
    +
    + +Some software houses that started with the Spectrum are still around today. The most notable example is [Codemasters](http://www.codemasters.com/uk/). Formed by David and Richard Darling in 1986, they quickly became famous for the "Simulator"[^simulator] series of games and the Dizzy series. + +### Music + +The original ZX Spectrum had nothing more than a simple 1-bit beeper for sound, but the 128k version with it's AY 3-channel sound chip could do much more. Musicians like [David Whittaker](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Whittaker_(video_game_composer)) and [Allister Brimble](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allister_Brimble) created some amazing tunes for games, and a few games even incorporated speech! + +The 128k had another musical trick up it's sleeve. The RS232 port could be used as a MIDI port with the right cable. This enabled the standard BASIC PLAY command to output MIDI signals to the connected instrument, and it was possible to control multiple instruments using the MIDI through facility --- provided the instruments implemented it. + +### Now + +The ZX Spectrum is still very much alive. It is still a very popular machine in the [demoscene](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demoscene) and there are even games and software [still being written](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/whatsnew.html) for it. Hardware projects such as the [divIDE](http://baze.au.com/divide/) have enabled the use of modern peripherals and emulators are available for practically every platform imaginable. + +Long live the ZX Spectrum! + +[^simulator]: Way before the current crop of simulator titles. + +*[BASIC]: Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code +*[UDG]: User Defined Graphic +*[MGT]: Miles Gordon Technology +*[OCP]: Oxford Computer Publishing +*[MIDI]: Musical Instrument Digital Interface