1st September 2006, 5:34 PM
Down and Out
I'm taking the blog down for a bit. I haven't updated in bloody ages, just been too busy. I'll try and have something up just after fresher's fortnight, assuming it goes ok.
This design was only ever a placeholder anyway, someone may remember my failed attempt to create a new design a few months back. The new one will be a little more minimalist, but with actually more graphics. I'm fed up of the stupid blog style, and intend to head down more of a "rant" road, with a stylistic change to reflect this. Also gonna have a more of a "project" focus, and something devoted to webcomics, seen as that's all I seem to do at the moment.
I also intend to finish off and make public my journal webapp. It served me so well over the past year, I thought someone else might find it useful. Needs a little polish first though. Maybe end of september/mid october.
Initially it'll be powered by the pile of crap known as Garbanzos, hopefully I\'ll time to write something that actually works, or at least find something that can do it for me.
Oh, oh! I'm getting a snake: a baby cornsnake. I've met it (hasn't been sexed yet), and it's had it\'s first feed, but I can't look after it on my own until 1)it's old enough and 2)I have somewhere to live.
Danbjorn out. See you in a few weeks.
UPDATE 18/04/07: Whoops, forget to update! I do have a new blog, but it doesn't work at the moment, so I\'m kind of in exile. My project blog does live, and is most often updated, but the best place to hear me talk is on Planet Termisoc. Peace out!
Posted by danbjorn in Garbanzos | Comments (0)
2nd June 2006, 10:23 PM
It wouldn't be me, now would it?
As I said pretty much everything I wanted to say in my wednesday post, this will be a short 'un. Basically, in true bizzaro style my this year has turned full circle: I'm back in an empty house. Back to having a fan blowing full blast at work. Back to weekly CSU meetings (don't ask).
But there's one crucial difference: this time last year I had the next twelve months planned out: working at the South Hams District Council. All was happy and bright; I would have money, and would be but a handful of months before I saw my friends again.
This time round, I have no plans for the next few weeks let alone the year: I don't know where I'm living over the summer, my final year project is a disaster before I've begun and I've got sod all cash. Top that off with the majority of my friends leaving - it's gonna be an empty Plymouth next year. Saying goodbye to everyone this time round was a bizzarely morose yet unemotional affair: partly because I know I'll see them again at graduation in a few weeks, but mostly because it simply hasn't sunk in yet. The same thing happened at the end of sixth form, and I'm still regretting not saying goodbye properly.
It's not all bad: Mike is staying in Plymouth for the year so he'll be about, and the termisoc lot are all still gonna be here, and neither Tamsyn nor Beaker are that far away. I'm sure it'll all be cool, just ... different.
Anyway. In lighter news, I have three more webcomics for your perusal. Blue and Blond [sic] is a "surfing webcomic". It's funny, and the art is different yet cool. Enjoyably light hearted.
Panda Express is lushly detailed cartoon with some fantastically written characters. Wetherby is one of my favourite ever characters in a comic!
Finally, Alpha Shade. My god this comic is beautiful. It's one of the few times I've seriously considered just buying the book simply because of the art. It's not a comedy, it's fantastic story set in a war torn alternate reality. It feels very young (although it's 160 comics strong), and you can tell there's so much more bursting to be told. And it has one of the best posters in their store. Check it out.
That's enough from me. My good friend and work colleague Henry is coming to stay for a few days next week, as he's been kicked out of two houses in succession. I'll get his opinions on my bizarre obsessions.
Posted by danbjorn in Personal, Webcomics | Comments (0)
31st May 2006, 6:44 PM
Toys from the great beyond
I had intended to a post about E3, and my latest opinions on the new consoles (specifically the Wii). However, I'm lazy, and it didn't happen.
Instead I'd like to quickly show you some tools that I now consider pretty priceless on my computer.
First up, we have Notepad++. For a while I was moaning that I couldn't find a decent editor. I'm fairly sure someone suggested it back then by I poo-pooed it. I consider it to be great, as it does everything I could ever want. It's only drawback is that it is windows only.
Next, Novell's NetDrive. An ancient tool, but I have only just discovered it. It is priceless if you need to work on files that aren't on your local machine. It is fantastic. Again, windows only, but you vfs on Linux.
Process Explorer is a tool that everyone should have on their windows pc. It is the window on the inside of your computer. I insist that it's on every computer that I manage. The rest of the site is very interesting as well. I just wish there was an equivalent for linux, 'cause top pisses me off no end, and the default system monitor that comes with gnome/ubuntu is terrible.
If you've ever tried to code in Javascript, you'll know that it can be an absolute bitch. In an attempt to upgrade my journal code I've been writing a lot of javascript and I have found three invaluable tools. FireBug is the best javscript debugger I've ever seen, and is great at aiding you in developing webpages. It's even better than Venkman. Prototype is a must for all modern javascript developers: it makes javascript easy to code, easy to read and most importantly cross browser. It's also the basis for script.aculo.us, which is a very cool library for making nifty websites. Lastly, JSON is a data transfer format that makes AJAX so easy it's unbeliveable. In fact, the whole site is world's worth of knowledge. Check it out.
At work we use LANDesk remote management systems to keep all our computers in check. We have many many computers and the ability to remotely control another computer or server. I'd long wished for a similar tool to use at home: it's the most frustrating thing in the world to listen to your father/mother/friend/etc try and explain a computer problem down the phone and then you try to explain how to fix it. However, my wish has been granted in the form of LogMeIn.com. This service is just astonishing: I've remote controlled my brother's computer in cardiff from here in plymouth, at a fairly good speed. I regularly use it to connect to my home computer when I'm at work, as it works fine across proxies and firewalls. They offer a range of services, mostly aimed at businesses but the most basic service is absolutely free, and it is the perfect stress free way of fixing problems remotely. If you regularly get calls from people who consider you tech support, I recommend you give it a try!
I know that some of those little gems have been around a long time, and I'm a fair way behind the rush, but I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about these kick ass tools. Note that I've made no consideration for operating system or "free software": these are just tools that help me get my work done quickly and practically. For me that's the only requirement.
BTW, the film I was talking about in my last post was "Wild Things". It's terrible, don't waste your time.
Oh, if Mike or anyone is reading this before tonight, I've got a little surprise for you. Enjoy the ball!
Posted by danbjorn in Computing, Personal | Comments (0)
24th May 2006, 9:10 PM
I haven't enough time as it is...
Oh for the love of god. I love my movies, I really do, and although I'm not exactly a top of the range movie critic I know what I like. I also love Monty Python. I know not everyone does but I still consider The Life of Brian to be a pretty damn funny movie.
I work with a girl named Shirley. She's been mentioned in this blog before. Nice girl. As she had never even heard of Monty Python I sought to enlighten her by lending her the classic. Oddly enough, she didn't enjoy it. Ah well, they can't all be saved I thought.
And then she proved to be not just an innocent sinner, but a full on devil worshipper. She lent me one of her favourite movies, one I'd never seen. I put off watching it several times (as mentioned before I've going through an anime phase) but tonight, being too tired to do anything else I decided to watch it. Let me put it this way: this is the mini-review I texted her part way through:
"I've never seen a more american, self-obsessed, jocky, pointless porno movie in all my life. Like the OC without the comedy or likeable characters. Fantastically boring and without style or intelligence. A pointless movie about pointless people leading pointless lives. What am I watching? It's a riddle, see!"
So, ladies and gentleman, what movie am I watching?
Two notes: Firstly, comments are back on. Not fixed, but I want to hear your opinions. Secondly, I like the OC, in a vague kind of way. The world needs more Seth Cohens.
Posted by danbjorn in Garbanzos, Work, Movies | Comments (0)
12th May 2006, 11:10 PM
Shower Shenanigans
Firstly, I have grown to hate ie. Passionate hate. Have a look at these screen shots (fairly big, be warned):
Goddamn you Bill! Parse my damn code properly. I've now got to go through and work out which bit of my css (or potentially xhtml) is offending IE so. This is what happens when you blindly stagger on with an idea without building it with retard browsers in mind to begin with.
Secondly, weirdness. I was thinking in the shower today. I normally do this, although I maintain I'm not crazy. I enjoy showering, not because of cleanliness but because it's one of those few times in the day when you can take a few minutes without distraction or pressure beyond making sure I get the right shampoo bottle. I was thinking today about how hard it actually is to get the right shampoo bottle, and realised that on balance there are many people don't realise how hard it is to get the right shampoo bottle without glasses. I depend on my glasses utterly: I can't see my feet (beyond pink blobs) without them, and I really don't like not being able to see. It's a basic human dependancy that's cruelly ripped away whenever you go to bed or have a shower. Or some twit nicks them in the pub.
In the shower, it's like I'm in a white cocoon and it's damn hard to distinguish the floor from the wall or shower curtain (beyond, you know, gravity) so picking out shower gel relies on it being in the same damn place everyday. I do not appreciate it being moved. (Same goes for glasses overnight by the way: if I knock my glasses onto the floor or something while I'm asleep I am totally fucked). This whole situation is further compounded by living with 5 girls: the bath looks an alchemist's lab, with more bottles filled with odd-coloured liquid marked 'Do not ingest' than Dr. Frankenstein's pad. I half expect to find something alive in one of them everytime I go in. There's implements too: my razor remains safely in the cupboard above the sink, but the bath is dotted with knives of doom picked out in garish pink and blue. It's downright dangerous. Anyway. Rant over. On to other things.
Thirdly, my latest obsession: anime. To many this will not be a surprise: I am as impressionable as warm wax, I know this, and surrounding myself in the internet everyday was obviously going to have an effect. So, I've been browsing the three-foot section of anime DVDs in HMV recently. I've no idea how long it's been there, but when they're pushing Akira downstairs in HMV you know there's been a subtle mind shift in the DVD buying public. Now, I know fuck all about anime beyond that I enjoy it. I've seen some of the classic movies, and even went with Termisoc to see the cinema release of Ghost in the Shell but I realised I don't actually own any of them. And I've never really explored the more episodic incarnations of the genre. So a few weeks ago I sauntered into town bearing some remaining birthday money and came back bearing the first volume of Robotech: The Macross Saga.
I chose this, despite it's apparent childish image, for one reason: Giant Robots (that and monkeys will nearly always secure a purchase for me. Occasionally ninjas as well). I'd also heard many good things about it, and I wanted to see if it lived to it's blurb: "The exciting space opera that launched anime in the west" (for those in the know this is the Harmony Gold version for US audiences, not the original). I loved every minute of it, and found it surprisingly engrossing. The animation is great, as is the story and characters. My only complaints: the voice acting can be a bit, well, 'off', and they insist on playing the same damn song over and over again throughout the series. Anyway, now I know all three volumes, and have my eyes on the rest of the Robotech DVDs. I've also picked up Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis and Akira, both great movies.
And I want more! I want both Ghost in Shell movies, I want to work my way through Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, I want Karas: The Prophecy (and The Revelation when it's released) and I want to watch all of Haibane Renmei (that anime piro is always going on about and influenced his 'Circuity' omake). And that's just the stuff I've heard of. C'mon internet, teach me about cool anime!
That's enough for today: two rants plus a jab at IE. Isn't this fun?
Posted by danbjorn in Personal | Comments (1)
28th April 2006, 6:15 PM
Extracting the Urine
Busy week! Was on a Time Management course at work today: learned loads about various techniques and what it is about me that makes me bad at managing time. Oh, and Southern Mantis. Long story short, I'll get loads of stuff done on tues, one way or another.
Instead of doing what I've supposed to be doing, I've been playing a lot of Puzzle Pirates. I normally am not into MMORPGs, being that I have few if any social skills, but this is quite fun. Basically tasks on ships take the form of puzzles, and you all have to work hard on your puzzle to keep the ship sailing in a straight line, loading the guns or quite simply stop sinking. It's a good laugh.
I'm celebrating my birthday again today. Yay!
Finally, I thought I'd say something about the news released today about Nintendo's new console, named 'Wii'. Now, the internet has practically exploded over this naming, with plenty of opinion thrown about. You know it's fairly big when it's mentioned on Newsbeat during the Chris Moyles show.
OK, there's been some love for it, but predominantly it's been bad. And I'm afraid I agree.
I totally get what they're going for, and yes Tim, it's a lot of exposure. But I'm not sure it's good exposure. The name (which means 'togetherness' or something) is kind of along the lines of 'wiki' or 'ubuntu' in crazy foreign names for things, but this one has other connotations. I can see the headlines now.
Yes, it's a unique name. Yes, it's kind of cute. Yes, people are still going to buy it. But are they really gonna attract many new users? Nintendo have little to fear at the end of the day (they are incredibly rich, and would probably still sell millions if they publicly announced that everyone who bought one was a rapist) but they are losing ground to Sony and Microsoft.
Everyone who was going to buy one, or is a nintendo die-hard, will love the name and still buy one (hell, I'd still get one if I could afford it). Those who aren't a fan of Nintendo, or already are planning to get a different console, aren't going to buy a Wii. But those figure's weren't going to change anyway. The problem is everyone else. The average Joe. Especially the macho average Joe. I can't see the combination of the new one-handed control (which is admittedly pretty cool), the new name, and Nintendo's rapidly shrinking group developers to be much of an incentive to get one.
Long story short, I have no problems with the name. Sure it's weird, but hey. Weirder things have stuck. But it's not a particularly great name. For the westerm markets especially, 'Revolution' was already doing pretty well.
We'll have to see how this is going to pan out. I love Nintendo, but I'm a little worried about how this is going to end...
UPDATE: 21:20 This is completely off topic but I don't want to do a new post so soon after posting another. I'd though I'd mention that I intend to start doing the TermiBlog again. I've added a link on the menu here, and I'm going to note here whenever I update it. I'll give it an RSS feed soon as well.
Posted by danbjorn in Computing, Personal, Work | Comments (0)
23rd April 2006, 6:14 PM
I am a webcomics whore
Life has been crazy busy, and I'm just a local government employee: normal students are having a bitch of a time. The final years I know are going ever so slightly crazy...
Have zero films recently, and the ones I have I haven't reviewed. I did get the alien quadrilogy with some birthday money on the recommendation of Mike. Alien (not Aliens) is one of my all time favourite movies and I love the shiny green box so much...
As to the webcomics thing,I am refering to three more additions to my daily checklist: Penny Tribute (a dark manga comic), VG Cats (the classic gaming cartoon) and Alien Loves Predator (a funny if disturbing look at NY life). Normally I'm not into comics which are photos of plastic models talking to each other, but this comic of an Alien and a Predator sharing a flat in NY is just too funny to ignore. Go check it out.
Posted by danbjorn in Personal, Movies | Comments (0)
30th March 2006, 7:58 PM
The beloved / dreaded holiday
Yet again, it's been too long since I've posted. I seem to be constantly busy or occupied without actually achieving anything, which I promise you is going to bite me in the ass very soon
Tomorrow marks the last day of the term, and also the beginning of what is always an interesting time of the year: the easter hols. As a student, it is always an odd holiday. You spend every second of it in mad rush to do all the things you should have done during the term. Exams are coming soon, and some people still have coursework. No-one has any money and so everybody is in a mad rush to grab the few jobs about.
And through all this, you must either endure staying at home with the parents (or whatever), which is always a chore no matter how well you get on, or get to reside in this city which feels somehow strangely depleted yet at the same time is packed to the gills with tourists. Somehow this period must rest and rejuvenate us in preparation for a last ditch stab at the year, the last hurdle before the blissful freedom of summer: the exam period. Yet through it all we cannot help but be grateful for this break from normality and routine.
For myself and a couple of others, it is even weirder: many peoples birthday's fall during easter. I myself was born on easter sunday, which means I nearly always celebrate my birthday at home. This year however, it is going to be different: I'm a working lad now (at least in my actions), and I'm to remain in Plymouth over easter. However, I'm determined to celebrate my 21st in style nonetheless.
Anyway, to be honest I had pretty much forgotten about my birthday. There's always loads to do leading up to easter anyway, and my birthday always tends to leap out on me. So, I have a couple of interesting plans to make it a little bit special. I wish I could make it to Natalie's birthday party, as that would be classic, but it'll be on the isle of wight and I have neither the money nor the time to travel all that way.
I'll round this post off now, waffled way too much. So, a summary.
Good films I've watched: Inside Man (slick, perfect, yet somehow lacking) and V for Vendetta (beautiful and clever, agressive and intricate. Over the top yet also pulling punches)
Classic film I'd like to recommend: A Fish Called Wanda (a more british comedy you won't find, from the old crew. Funny as hell).
Music I've been listening to: Beating Heart Baby (track, by Head Automatica) and X&Y (album, by Coldplay)
Books: Wyrd Sisters (by Terry Pratchett) and Fermat's Last Theorem (by Simon Singh)
Cool webcomic: Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire
About that last one. It's not uncommon for me to become obsessed with a new web comic, being that I'm as impressionable as hot wax, but this one is great. Strongly story and character based, tragedy and horror coupled with a quirky sense of humour that is more "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again" than the Simpsons. Oh, and the author has a thing for alliteration. Weird, but somehow it works... Read it, it rocks.
Posted by danbjorn in Personal | Comments (1)
10th March 2006, 6:21 PM
All Hail the Great Machine
Google's taken it pretty hard over the six months, and it's definitely falling out of favour with many. Even me, registered google-humper, is wandering away (except from google earth, that rules). So when I heard that my favourite online word processor, Writely, has been bought out by what has become the ad giant (although I still think of it as a search engine...) I was actually a bit disappointed.
I've been a bit of an advocate of so-called "Web 2.0" technologies, despite the knowledge that the world isn't ready and it's all gonna come crashing down around us. There are many shocking examples of Web 2.0 technologies but Writely is one of the good ones. I'd reccommend you try it out but it's suddenly become a closed beta.
I hope that google don't cock it up (then again, look at google video...), and I'm glad for the Writely team. I mean, that's the point of startups, isn't it? Get bought out, make it big. But somehow, I'm worried that google will apply their unique brand of "that's so cool!" without actually thinking to a tool that I now consider completely indispensible. I hope they don't ruin it...
In other news, I'm shattered and am tired with my job. I've been watching far too much Scrubs, and have no money.
And Anne, if you're reading this, I haven't forgotten you. I'll try and get back to you this weekend. Much to say!
Posted by danbjorn in Computing, Personal | Comments (0)
28th February 2006, 7:21 PM
Tamsyn is Great
My good friend Tamsyn had a look at my site the other day and noticed that she hadn't been mentioned all that much. She then dug through all of the archives and found that she had barely been mentioned at all. For obvious reasons, I got an earful for this.
Now, I believe Tamsyn to be great. I'm not just saying this because she is hounding me about it, but because I do believe Tamsyn to be a great and good person. I know many great and good people, and Tamsyn is among them.
A few facts about Tamsyn (please god don't let me get these wrong...): She is doing Geography at the University of Plymouth, and when at home lives in Falmouth, Cornwall. She handed her dissertation in last week, and there was much celebration. Tamsyn enjoys TV shows such as The OC and Desperate Housewives, along with Soaps such as Neighbours and HollyOaks.
She has a moose with a pirate hat, and likes jacket potatoes.
Mike and I will be enternally grateful to her, as she generally will come along to whatever cinematic treat we have picked out this week, with some success. We are all grateful to her for being, well, her. Always having an opinion coupled with witty sarcasm means that you can always have a conversation with her, and she is always helpful and never demanding, and generally a joy to be around. I'll miss her next year.
Posted by danbjorn in Personal | Comments (2)