October 23rd 2006
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Blogging, Programming
Just though that I’d make a note that the main Extraordinary Paraphernalia page has been updates with a new design and layout to advertise a new service. I don’t expect anyone to actually use it, but I’ve just done some editing of Wordpress MU to morph it into Sunny Man’s Community. Create an account, take a look even if you’re not going to use it in the future.
Oh, and I’ve won a 30GB Video iPod courtesy of Derby University. Check out their site and watch out for the television add that has been on your screen for a few weeks! Wow. Apparantly I’m going to be featured on their website and in their internal publication! Many thanks to them.
October 19th 2006
Internet, News, Programming
Unobtrusive JavaScript seems to be all the rage lately with the likes of moo.fx, reflection.js and now WebSnapr. I was pointed to this service via Digg.com and I really like it so I’d thought I would share it with you. WebSnapr, as you can tell by the name, sells itself as a “Web 2.0″ service and provides a service that generates thumbnails of websites for you in (near) real time. It’s already been implemented into a Wordpress theme by XSBlog, for which I’m thankful.
The Wordpress plugin takes provides two options: make all the links popup a thumbnail or use a CSS class to select which links you use the service with. And remember, this uses an external service to generate the thumbnails so if that has high traffic or goes offline, no images will load. At the moment the plugin features no check to see whether the service is working or not. The plugin works seamlessly and provides an options page in the administration area.
Although WebSnapr doesn’t employ a relatively new idea, it does implement it in a new way. Unlike the program I have on my server to generate a full-size image of an entire webpage, WebSnapr externally generates a small thumbnail of the website so users can see what the link looks like before they go to it. I like this idea not only because it looks really nice on any page layout, but because it’s unobtrusive and is easily implementable on almost any platform. Check it out and implement it!
September 1st 2006
Blogging, Misc., News, Programming, Technology
With the news that the Windows Vista RC1 build has been released to select testers I thought it time to update my blog and provide you with my Windows Vista pre-RC1 build thoughts.
Because a friend had my Beta 2 install disk, I decided to go ahead and download and burn the pre-RC1 build. After a few attempts to download the .iso, and even after resorting to Opera, I burned the disk and started the install into the partition I had made a week earlier for Vista. The install was far better both graphically and time wise because it installed in less than an hour and seemed a generally better experience. Once installed the first thing I made myself do was sort out the boot manager and change the default boot to my Windows XP partition. This was done by booting with the pre-RC1 install disk and opening up a command console and using the bcdedit.exe and /default {ntldr} arguments after it - simple, and saves a lot of hassle in the long run. Reboot into Vista.
As usual, I went to the nvidia website where I downloaded my display drivers for Vista. Although the drivers were built for use with the Beta 2 build, I decided to try anyway. While the drivers were downloading, I set a restore point - this came in very handy. I installed the drivers and rebooted. Vista hung after boot on a blank screen. Using the pre-RC1 install disk again, I restored Vista to the restore point before the drivers were installed and went searching for answers. My search yielded the news that nvidia hadn’t updated their drivers for use with any other build except Beta 2 - ATI is starting to look appealing as their drivers work with the pre-RC1 build. So, I’m stuck with no OpenGL support and limited graphics capability.
I noted several changes to the user interface of Vista pre-RC1, like with Windows Update and Welcome Center, and also noted that the window switcher thing (where you can scroll through open applications in a sort of 3D environment) has also changed - can anyone verify this? The Vista experience is very nice and although it’s just able to run with my limited amount of RAM (3/4 of a GB), non-overclockable Pentium 4 3.06GHz processor and dusty GeForce FX 5200, it’s fun to use and as I’ve said before, the native applications such as Windows Media Player 11 (oh, Beta 2 of this has also been released) and Internet Explorer (blimey, RC1 has been released!) are very nice, although Internet Explorer seems slightly laggy on things such as hover effects and scrolling - though this may just be my hardware.
So, with people like me able to get their hands on a copy of RC1 in a few weeks, there will be loads more reviews about it. You’ll most likely get sick to death reading about it, but with the Beta 2 and pre-RC1 builds expiring in June 2007, you’ve got a free operating system (and 6 months for someone to find a hack other than changing your clock back a few years to keep it).
Update: nvidia have updated their Windows Vista drivers to work with RC1 and they work better on the pre-RC1 build. Although, I’ve tried playing Flight Simulator X and it just gave me a blank screen.
August 1st 2006
Blogging, Gaming, Internet, Life, Misc., News, Programming, Technology
Excuses
Although I’ve neglected my blog in the past, this time I have a valid excuse. I’ve been working on a new project for the past two weeks and have got involved with it. I’ve bought the domain name, managed to aquire a free professional hosting package from the kind folks at expert-hosting, delved into the PayPal API (although I found that I really didn’t need to) and have managed to write some nice PHP without pestering Khlo for help. It should launch around the start of October, but I’ll update you in early September.
Customer Support
Recently my Logitech MX1000 mouse stopped working. To be more specific it stopped charging. This has meant that I’ve been stuck with a spare optical mouse I found in a draw but the other day I finally said bugger it, and contacted Logitech customer support. Within three days and through 3 people they’ve sent me a replacement free of charge. Should be here by Friday. Just thought I’d mention this with another story about a person who had trouble with Google Checkout and got sent a goody bag.
Holidays
So, this year, unlike previous years I’m not going anywhere during the summer. Whether this is good or bad, I’m not sure but it is a downer it’s so cold :P. Well, if you call 35oC cold :D. I’ve discovered a new device that lurked in the corner of my room: the wireless. Facinating object, is the radio. Because the FoxFM internet stream appeared to be out of service, I turned to the dusty device to satisfy my entertainment needs. I found that it satisfies that need, especially if you like listing to Orson twice every hour. Oh, and I’m still job hunting. I find it pretty rude when companies don’t contact you to tell you whether you have a job, or don’t. What am I meant to do?! Flip a damn coin!?
Microsoft, Nintendo Releases
With the news that Microsoft is to release a new ‘portable media experience slash mp3 player’ device before Christmas called ‘Zune’ (atleast in the United States anyway), I find myself thinking that with the departure of Bill Gates as a main figurehead of the company, is Microsoft moving away from software and deeper into the hardware market. They’ve also brought out two web cams. What next? Also, apparantly new details on the Wii have been ‘leaked’. I’m really looking forward to Nintendo’s next console and hope you are too. Nintendo are to reveal more details in September.
Stardust@Home
A new BOINC project, Stardust@Home, is starting today. At 11:00 CET (18:30 BST?) the registration process will be opened. I’ve been waiting for this for a while and it’s finally here! The Stardust spacecraft brought back particles from the tail of comet Wild 2 in January of this year. This new program wants volunteers to go through images of what was collected and spot particles within the ‘AeroGel’ that caught them. I hope to participate; check it out.
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