An Engineer's Thoughts on Mac OS X Tiger

An Engineer's Thoughts on Mac OS X Tiger - OSNews.com. An interesting article which has some good points about Mac-hype. Probably my favourite bit

"Or maybe I'd actually say that the PC world is unique in that it is able to maintain such a level of compatibility that no sharp transition is needed. The latest Windows is still able to run many 10-year-old applications. Most recent PCs can still run 10-year old DOS 6.22. By comparison compatibility in the Mac world is a total disaster."

Something they never mention in those Switch adverts is it...

You be the judge...

Serenity

Serenity - one to check on a regular basis?

Nick should buy one of these

I wonder if those guns fire...

More here.

bo logh

bo logh - sadly Google doesn't seem to be able to translate Klingon...

What some people get up to with a scanner

More here.

WooHoo

Dishing It Out, But Not Taking It

TCS: Tech Central Station - Dishing It Out, But Not Taking It - the more you hear about these so-called "documentaries", the more you wonder whether they're being in any way honest in their attempts for a cheap shot.

Evil Dead 1 & 2 - The Musical

Evil Dead 1 & 2 - The Musical - now this is scary.

Tasty Indeed

Woo Freakin' Hoo!

Described as "Christopher Walken's Coolest Role"

Unfortunate Coincidence

New Music

The best thing about digital music on the internet is that you manage to discover new artists which you otherwise would have missed out on completely. This happened when I discovered Flogging Molly, and it's happened again with an American singer called Nellie McKay and her album Get Away From Me.

She's a 19 year-old London-born, New York raised singer. Probably the best description is modern cabaret. Her songs are smart, funny, sarcastic and among other things reference Monty Python. Sort of like (S)Nora Jones... but good.

And you know what, if trolls like Jack Valenti had his way, I'd have never have found out about her.

This is the moron who during the early 1980's screamed from the tallest building that the VCR was going to destroy Hollywood. Twenty years later, Hollywood still has enough money lying about that they can still afford to make movies like White Chicks... Something tells me that ol' Jack doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to predicting the doom & gloom of industries. Anyway, back to Nellie...

Her type of music isn't the sort to get much exposure through the traditional sources like radio & television. She doesn't rap about bling-bling & 'Ho's enough for the Shitstereo mob, doesn't sing about freeing refugees or the evils of 'Dubya to satisfy the ABC mob, and has too much adult language for anyone else.

I went down to one of the larger music chains in Brisbane and asked about McKay's debut album. I was treated to a blank stare by the pseudo-skater-punk sales drone before being told she wasn't on the catalogue and was she anything like Jessica Simpson? Which of course she's identical to.... if the only categories you use to compare the two is: 1. They're both blonde. 2. They're both female. 3. They're both American. Wankers.

End result. I couldn't buy her album. I'm not going to pay Amazon.Com's grossly inflated shipping charges for one album I haven't heard enough of to decide if it's worth risking. And I can't walk into a major record store - you know - one of the ones that boast about their huge range - and buy the CD - because it isn't Top 40/mainstream bullshit.

So what choice do I have if I want to listen to her music ? Simple, screw you Jack, I'll search for it on the internet. Fortunately I came across a fan-site which was hosting a bootleg of a recent live performance by McKay. I snagged it, and you know what - it was bloody enjoyable music. So now I'm going to keep looking for her album. Why? Because I listened to it on the internet and liked it. Hear that Jack ya mug...

ADDENDUM: I wrote this post on Friday morning. Friday afternoon, I walked into Borders - a freaking bookstore, and find three copies of the album sitting on the shelves. This is after being told by that other mob of twits that it hadn't received a domestic release yet. You can't buy it at a supposed genuine music store, but can at a freaking bookstore. That just doesn't make sense.

Gimme!

I may just have to buy this. . .

Escher Web Sketch

Interesting

Post-It-Mania

Or how to redecorate your office.

Hey, I'm an Oscar winner - what the f#ck am I doing wearing this stupid hat?

Today's Offering

US Navy to Deploy Rail Guns by 2011
The US Navy has apparently been busy. They have been focusing heavily on the next generation of weapons and propulsion systems, including Microwave, Laser, and Electromagnetic-Kinetic weapons, more commonly known as railguns. What specifically surprised me was the fact that the Navy plans to deploy these systems as early as 2011, on their DD(X) Frigates. The range of these rail guns is estimated to be over 250 miles.

Windows XP SP2 is big step forward in security--but it can break things
Learn about the plethora of security enhancements that Microsoft has included in Windows XP Service Pack 2, as well as how these security features could impair the functionality of some applications.

28 Days Laterer

CHUD - 28 Days Laterer - the question dear reader is why?

Stuff for today

B5 Creator Pitches Trek
"I got together [with Zabel] and wrote a treatment earlier this year that specified how to save [Star Trek] and develop a series that would restore the series in a big way," Straczynski wrote. "I actually think it could be a hell of a show. Whether that ever goes anywhere with Paramount, who knows?"
Straczynski added that Paramount called him last year to accept an executive producer position on the currrent Trek series, Enterprise, in its upcoming fourth season, but that he declined. "The series I mentioned has nothing to do with any current series," he added. "It's a new show."

Private rocket ship breaks space barrier
History-making pilot copes with serious control problem

The Complete Far Side
So very tempting

Why Murali's Not Touring

Ain't It Great

Isn't it wonderful how you can take a browser, one that was doomed, make its open source base into something great and thow it at the so called 'big one' and have the open source project just thump crap out of it?

Makes you want to get one of these:

Better Brainf*** link

The link I gave for Brainf*** is the last article doesn't describe all the operations correctly. This page does a better job of introducing the language.

On the stupidity that is Digital Rights Management

There are some extremely bright engineers working for movie studios. Some of them are employed by special effects houses making bigger and better movies for our big screens. Others are working on the next great animated feature. But the engineers I'm talking about are the ones being paid to treat the end user like a criminal.

Digital Rights Management is designed for one thing, and one thing only - stopping us from watching our movies (or listening to our music) when and where we want to. The Cory Doctorow link James posted explains the whole situation in horrible, gory (but interesting!) detail.

Anyway, Adam has been asking that I provide a link to the DeCSS gallery. The origins of this lie back in the days when the movie studies were trying to get people arrested for distributing 'non-licensed' DVD decryption software. The relevant US district court ruled that the computer source code was not to be classed as 'speech' and hence was not protected by free speech laws. So, computer geeks being the pedantic types that they are, the gallery was created to rub the courts' collective nose in the ridiculousness of that ruling.

Some personal favourites are the multi-stanza DeCSS haiku, the Computer Code Hoedown and the implementation in Brainf*ck (the programming language with only eight instructions: '>', '<', '+', '-', '.', ',', '[' & ']')

And, somewhat tangential, here's another interesting Doctorow piece on the nature of eBooks.

There was a link between Saddam and al-Qa'eda

Telegraph | Opinion | There was a link between Saddam and al-Qa'eda - haven't seen much mention of this little story going round. Media bias? Hah!

Cory Doctorow...

...is a smart guy.

He also writes good books.

Historical (In)Accuracies

This year, Hollywood is releasing yet another adaptation of the Aurthurian legend - this time imaginatively named King Arthur. Now this is a movie which I'm looking forward to. Not only does it feature Clive Owen (who should be the next James Bond) and Ioan Gruffudd (from the great Hornblower telemovies), it also has the fetching young Keira Knightley in a prominent role which, according to the trailers released seems to have her spend alot of time wearing leather straps and blue body paint and swinging quite a few swords. Such as this.

Now this adaptation does a few things differently than the usual Arthurian legend. For a start it appears that Arthur actually has a sword named Excalibur, unlike one of Hollywood's last efforts - the Richard Gere wank-fest. Now it is a movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (I'm waiting to see how they fit a car chase in it), so it should prove pretty spectacular. By far the biggest difference between this version and previous Arthurian adaptations is the choice of setting Arthur and his knights as Roman soldiers stationed in Britain. As the official site says

"Clive Owen, is 'Artorius' or Arthur, the hero of Roman and British parentage eulogized in the ancient Celtic poem. Like his loyal Knights, he sees only chaos and devastation will follow Rome's final pullout of Britain. Although, as a dedicated Christian he is desperate to return to Rome to influence the budding religion, his first loyalty is to his pagan Knights. Arthur sees his duty is to free them from their servitude to Rome so they may return to their ancestral homeland in Sarmatia."

Sounds like it could be an interesting take on the story. As the site continues,

"Thrilling adventure, edge-of-your-seat action and historical grandeur come together in this unique look at the origins of one of the greatest legends ever told."

And here's some of your historical grandeur.

Now here's where I point out a problem with the movie. Despite what you think, this isn't just a chance to post a nice picture of good-looking gal. Look again. Notice anything... out of place.... not quite right... not really fitting in with the historical grandeur?

Here's another picture to clarify the problem.

Now call me silly (and plenty of people have). Call me pedantic (and you undoubtedly will after this). But I'm going to bet you good money that during the times when Rome was pulling out of Britain, the chances of young ladies sporting surgical steel piercings would be rather slim....

Now some would say I'm blowing things out of proportion here. Some might say that I'm attempting to justify the posting of gratuitous pictures. But I strongly believe that Hollywood is letting us down by allowing such historical inaccuracies to exist. For shame Hollywood...

Concrete Evidence That Astrology Is Bullshit

As if we needed any more...

My horoscope in the Courier-Mail had some (unsurprisingly) vague reference to the fact that luck would be with me today. Unfortunately, the one in the paper differs from the one on their website, so no linky.

Let's see...

I finally put my computer back together this morning. I go through the simple steps to set up the wireless network again, with Nick to help.

It doesn't work. I don't know why. I get the shits and turn the computer off, because I have to go to work.

At work, I'm put on the phones. To be honest, it's not a horrible shift, but I never like being stuck on the phones for an entire shift.

I come home, tired as hell, turn on my computer, figuring that even if I can't get online I can still play a game on it or something.

Unless, for example, it decides there's no keyboard plugged in, which is what it did. Then it will hang up on BIOS and completely fail to boot up.

I checked the back of the computer. The plug was in. In the correct socket. I rebooted.

Same thing.

Utterly poleaxed by this latest rebellion of my computer, I wander around for a bit, my jaw flapping, as I'm too tired to even get good and angry.

Finally, I admit defeat, and go flop onto my bed, figuring I should at least get some sleep.

And the fucker breaks.

Extensions

It's pretty amazing the type of stuff some people create for this browser. Leaves IE for dead.

[Listening to: Throw This Away - Nine Inch Nails - Fixed (4:14)]

Firefox 0.9

OK, I've now upgraded to the latest Firefox.

The Good:
- the new system for handling themes and extensions is very nice
- they got rid of that stupid random directory in your profile name
- the Noia theme is very pretty
- all the usual good stuff about Firefox

The Bad:
- the 'import' screen seems to only give you the ability to import from other browsers installed on your current machine (as opposed to, say, an Opera profile on an old machine)

The Ugly:
- they removed the Profile Manager from the start menu without bothering to mention this in the release notes (a serious PITA for me since I don't store my profile in the usual spot)
- after reverting back to Firefox 0.8 (while I was trying to figure out how to fix my profile for 0.9), Firefox 0.8 didn't work.

[Listening to: X-N-Pop - Cruel Sea - (2:40)]

The Angry Economist

A very interesting blog I've been reading. (You should like this guy, James)

[Listening to: Get Thee To A Nunnery - TISM - (2:40)]

lol

Useless internerd crap

It's always great to see the useless crap that the internet manages to put out. That this for example. Thank goodness there are people out there investigating such controversial issues such Ms Theron's Tantastic Conspiracy...

Mobile Pone Virii

EPOC.Cabir First Worm for Mobile Phones
EPOC.Cabir is a proof-of-concept worm that replicates on Nokia Series 60 phones. This worm repeatedly sends itself to the first Bluetooth-enabled device that it can find, regardless of the type of device. For example, even a Bluetooth-enabled printer will be attacked if it is within range.
Info from Symantec.
Article from News.com.au

Virus writers should be put to the sword.

As if one needed further proof that the French are wankers

From an article about the recent D-Day commemorations

The title of the debate, suggested by questions from the students, was "The Battle of Normandy, Invasion or Liberation?" It was the first troubling sign of the deterioration of the knowledge and understanding of the past.

Sometimes you're really got to wonder why we bothered liberating the French if they're still so stupid that they can't tell the difference even today.

Seagate Increases PC Hard Drive Capacities to 400GB

Seagate Technology (NYSE:STX) announced today it has greatly expanded its line of personal computing hard drives, unveiling new internal and external hard drives with 400GB capacities

This is what Student Union fees pay for...

UQ Union Online - Health. An excerpt,

The feminist reclamation of c*nt does more than disable the sting from this male insult; it also reverts to its usage in ancient matriarchal societies as a term of respect for women of high status.

And people wonder why I hate unions. What a load of utter bullshit.

I Think This Movie Could Be Good

I'm Not Going To Use A Lame Quote From That Over-rated Crap American Shit-com To Describe How Much I Want To See This

"Who Do You Want to Execute Today?"

As the lights fell, a video screen lowered above the stage. It was time for the main event. The crowd cheered as footage of Doom's familiar corridors began to roll. But it was not the Doom soldier chasing the demons, it was... Bill Gates. Microsoft's fearless leader was superimposed running inside the game in a long black trench coat and brandishing a shotgun. Gates stopped running and addressed the crowd about the wonders of Windows 95 as a gaming platform, a platform that could deliver cutting-edge multimedia experiences like Doom. But no sooner had be begun than an imp monster from the game jumped out and, through a voice-over, asked Gates for an autograph. Gates responded by raising his shotgun and blowing the beast into gory chunks. "Don't interrupt me while I'm speaking," he said, then finished his speech. At the end, the screen went black with blood, only to be replaced by the familiar Microsoft logo and the phrase "Who Do You Want to Execute Today?"

This is it, Alex thought, I'm going to be fired. He went to retrieve the video, but it was gone. He could keep his job, he learned; Microsoft was keeping the tape.

Excerpt from Masters of Doom - a great read if you can find it.

Prisoners fair game

Kev Gillett: Prisoners fair game - an interesting read from someone who actually served in the armed forces.

The Super Size Me Con

TCS: Tech Central Station - The Super Size Me Con: The Truth About The Film Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock - I'm sure you've all heard about this film. It seems like all prominent documentaries of recent years (Michael "gimme" Moore "money" anyone?), the facts may not be of concern when telling a fun story.

ebay Insanity

supposed extraterrestrial artefact
supposed extraterrestrial artefact
100% symmetric
100% perfectly shaped/smooth surface
100% regular texture
size: height approx.=28mm/width approx.=28mm (but it is not a ball)
a relative heavyweight/solid
gathers momentum (for example: own rotation) under certain circumstances
additional information:
the artefact will burst into flames if put in a microwave but it won't be destroyed for example - you can try many things - you just won't destroy it!
only a personal hand over of the artefact will be accepted - no shipments!

Odd how it is 100% symetric and it is not a ball. and that you must pick it up in person...from Vienna!

GURPS Fourth Edition Basic Set & Basic Set Deluxe

GURPS Basic Set
GURPS Basic Set: Characters combines information from the Third Edition GURPS Basic Set and GURPS Compendium I, plus hundreds of new and updated rules.
GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns combines information from the Third Edition GURPS Basic Set and GURPS Compendium II

GURPS Basic Set Deluxe
We haven't set the print run yet; it will be based on pre-orders. We'll print enough to cover all pre-orders received by June 30 . . . plus a few hundred for GenCon. But when they're gone, they're gone. On June 30, we will close orders for the Deluxe Edition . . . if we have any left after GenCon, we'll open sales again.
Both books will be faux-leather bound with foil stamping. The two books will have full-color dust jackets, and will come in a deluxe slipcase.

Unfortunately I don't have US$125.

Tell 'im he's dreamin'

Looks like the creators of the OGG Vorbis codec think the Rio engineers might be slightly overestimating the grunt required to run their algorithm

Chornobyl "Ghost Town" story is a fabrication

Urban Exploration Resource: Forum - View Thread

Harry Potter Report

Harry Potter Report from the Daily Illuminator

OGG on iPod: Why the iPod May Not Have the Horsepower for OGG

OGG on iPod: Why the iPod May Not Have the Horsepower for OGG

Cthulhu fhtagn

Nobody can save you, we will all be eaten.

Non-Leathal Sniper Rifle

This is way cool. I want one....I am not sure what I would use it for...but I want one.



Hi-Res availalbe here

Drink drivers shit me.

The title may be a little mild, given that I've not actually had my life ruined by one of these dickheads. But after a very, very busy shift, it is altogether accurate.

Does anyone think drink-driving is a good idea?

Survey says: no. I doubt anyone would give a response better than neutral on this one.

Are people told daily about the dangers of drink-driving?

Survey says: yes. Repeatedly.

And yet, I took two separate calls last night about cars that had crashed on stretches of road that were deceptively straight, and the pissed-as-a-newt drivers had attempted to call a cab and get out of there.

How stupid can you get, people? Honestly? Did you honestly think that what you were doing was a good idea? What could have possibly possessed you? How could anyone able to speak be so gobsmackingly stupid as to drive a car while off their face?

We need to bring back pillories. Chain these idiots up and have members of the public they put at risk throw rotten fruit at them and call them names they richly deserve. Maybe even have people permanently disqualified from driving have 'Bloody Idiot' branded on their foreheads. Because it's not just themselves they're endangering, it's everyone with the misfortune to be anywhere near the vehicle, whether they want to be or not.

I can understand drink-driving where it's a matter of exceeding the limit slightly - it's possible to miscalculate the amount of alcohol and the amount of time needed to get rid of it. I'm not saying any special leniency should be shown to people over the limit, ever, but I don't have contempt for people who wind up inadvertently drink-driving like that.

But it's the people who are in no doubt aware of their intoxication who point large, heavy weapons at all and sundry just to prove some untrue point (e.g. "I'm not pissed") who need to have the message beat into them.

And you know what?

Even pillories and branding wouldn't stop it.

They're just too fucking stupid.

How in God's Name Can They Do This!!!!!!

Dark Horizons: Harry Gets "Dirty" All Over Again (June 3rd, 2004) - WB = evil bastards. There can be only one Harry Callahan.

This One's For Adam

A Collection Of End-World Scenarios

Exit Mundi is a collection of end-world scenarios...some plausable some not so plausable. Worth a look.

Make your own biodiesel

Anybody can make biodiesel. It's easy, you can make it in your kitchen -- and it's BETTER than the petro-diesel fuel the big oil companies sell you. Your diesel motor will run better and last longer on your home-made fuel, and it's much cleaner -- better for the environment and better for health. If you make it from used cooking oil it's not only cheap but you'll be recycling a troublesome waste product.
Would you like to know more?

Look Ma - A Seahorse