Sunny Man’s Blog

June 17th 2008

(0) Introducing Extraordinary Paraphernalia

Blogging, Internet, News

Head on over to Extraordinary Paraphernalia and subscribe to the RSS feed!

April 18th 2008

(1) The Perfect Website

Internet, Technology

Natural selection and web page design aren’t two phrases I would normally utter in the same sentence but now researchers are using evolutionary algorithms to come up with the perfect web page design. The Telegraph reports that an organisation called Creative Synthesis has designed evolutionary software that takes a Wordpress theme and changes it gradually based on how a user responds to it. Through tracking software, they recorded and analysed how users interacted with the design. Any parts of the design that were not considered interesting or did not receive attention were ‘bred’ out of the design.

Evolutionary algorithms have been used before to design aeroplane wings and also art but I think this is the first time they’ve been used to design the perfect web page design. Unlike these two uses though, it requires human interaction which is both a positive and a negative.

“The mutations will always occur and while they are responsive to human attention, they are not bound by them. It is possible to develop unique mutations that may actually influence human goals (rather than the other way around).”

It would be interesting to see this technique used on sites with different functions: social networking sites, news sites etc.

Cow’s Blog | New Scientist

February 27th 2008

(1) Wubi - Ubuntu on Windows

Internet, Linux

The last few years has seen the unprecedented intrusion of Linux into the desktop computer operating system market. While Microsoft still continues to dominate the OS market with it’s many incantations of Windows, Linux (along with Apple’s Mac OS X) has walked into Microsoft’s house without even wiping its feet. Perhaps the most publicised or most widely known flavour of Linux is Ubuntu and its many forks. This is probably the distribution that has made the most waves in the houses of the average Joe around the world. One of the major aspects of any Linux operating system is the perceived complexity of installation and general use. Ubuntu and many other flavours are challenging this view and with the adoption by Dell of Ubuntu, are challenging Microsoft’s dominance over the market. One piece of software which hopes to step up to the challenge and convert the faithful Windows users to Ubuntu is Wubi.

Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer currently in beta that takes the risk out of installing Ubuntu alongside an existing Windows partition. It runs Ubuntu from within Windows from a disk image. Its aim is to get the Windows user aquainted with Linux and Ubuntu. Anything that prevents me from wiping my hard drive or braking partitions gets a thumbs up from me. But, does it do what it says on the box?

Installation

On running the Wubi executable, you’re presented with one screen where you choose which drive to install your choice of Ubuntu or one of it’s forks. One click and it does it magic. It downloads the required disk image and then works even more magic. Afterwards you’re required to restart. If the post finishes here, it means I broke it.

Using Ubuntu

Unfortunately, on reboot and selecting Ubuntu from the menu resulted in several freezes when trying to active the swap partition so I didn’t actually manage to get into Ubuntu. I was surprised however that the experience provides the experience of Ubuntu but without the risk of installing it as an inexperienced user. As it is in beta I am not surprised that my experience failed however I have high hopes for the software and its part in the spreading of Ubuntu, and Linux in general, into homes around the world.

Conclusion

Wubi allows the quick and risk-free installation and uninstallation of Ubuntu and its many forks which makes it an ideal piece of software for those not experienced with partitioning and the like.

The ease of installation and uninstallation surprised me and even though I didn’t get to actually use the installed OS, it would appear that if the experience is just the same as installing Ubuntu manually, it could be an invaluable tool to convert people to the world of free software. Go and give Wubi a test drive today: download.

September 7th 2007

(2) Windows Live Suite

Blogging, Internet, Life, Technology

Sunny Man’s Blog has undergone a lot of changes over the past year in the hope to better the design, improve the quality of the writing and to spread the word. I’m not about to let all that work, which gained this blog access to the prestigious 9rules blogging community, brought steadily increasing numbers of visitors and allowed me to express my (sometimes not so) professional opinion on technology matters, go to waste. Over the past couple months, you were left starving for an update and I’m deeply sorry I didn’t provide you with anything to read and disagree with. I had other matters at hand such as work, exams and a room-load of reports to write (10,000+ words so far!) as well as new responsibilities. Don’t despair, my fair and (hopefully) beautiful readers, I am back and ready to provide you with my insights and to, as ever, ask for your opinions and not receive any - you can’t say I don’t try to include you in the discussion! Let’s get it off to a slightly exciting start…

Microsoft recently released a group of their newest applications under the Windows Live brand name, aimed at the general computer user and recreational blogger. This suite includes Microsoft’s successor to Outlook Express, a new version of the popular Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger if you’re not keeping up with the trends), Windows Live OneCare Family Safety and a host of other tools Microsoft seems to think we need/want. I have had some experience with some of the products before, most in beta form, and just wanted to share my voice.

Mail

During my extremely short use of Vista, I used the Windows Live Desktop mail application that was included with it at the time. My experience was less than pleasing and an installation of Thunderbird promptly followed. The new application gives the user the Vista inspired interface (if you’re on XP) and a much needed clean and polish of the user interface that Outlook so desperately needed. I don’t think this application is meant to replace Outlook Express as Windows Live Mail doesn’t provide all the features that some individuals and businesses would require.

Messenger

The next upgrade to the popular Windows Live/MSN Messenger, version 8.5 or version 2008 depending on where you look, is part of the Windows Live family and an option in the pack. This new version seems to improve the speed of the application as I’ve had no conversation freezes or lockups since upgrading to the newest version. Also provided in version 8.5 is an improvement a change to the interface to bring it into line with the rest of the Windows Live theme. It is a nice improvement, I have to admit but only a minor one. Maybe the design team should take some notes from the Yahoo! Messenger team.

Writer

Microsoft’s attempt to make blogging easier has definitely improved since its initial public release - and I’m not just talking about the snazzy splash screen in the newest version. In earlier versions, Windows Live Writer didn’t exactly agree with Wordpress in a number of areas. Whether this was because of Wordpress or Writer, who knows, but I’ll bet it was Writer who was at fault.

Final Thoughts

There are other products in the Windows Live suite of application but I wont go into them right now; you can check them out for yourselves if you’re curious enough. This re-brand is just Microsoft’s attempt to push their products into the faces of ordinary PC users and given them software that in some cases just isn’t needed by the most inexperienced users.

There are some applications that are essential to most Windows users though. The update to Messenger is recommended for users who want a more stable chat program and for home users who don’t know better, Windows Live Mail is a nice replacement for Outlook Express though I continue to suggest you come out of the stone age and use Mozilla Thunderbird!

Go and download the applications - but watch out for the pre-ticked boxes that install the Live toolbar and set your homepage to something evil - and give is your comments on them! That’s an order.