So, to wrap up a review I started a long time ago.

So I took a good look at the files and I had an xvid at 704x400 (I cropped a little) and an ogg theora with 720x480 resolution. Generally speaking, the ogg theora had much better audio/video sync. Throughout the entire film, the audio was just as in sync as on the DVD. The xvid file lost sync little by little, but never to a ridiculous degree. (Although it has happened to me with other discs)

Compiz-Fusion, as you surely know is responsible for eye candy on GNU/Linux distros such as windows that turn into paper airplanes when the user minimizes it to turning the desktop into a spinning cube.  There’s something about the wobbly windows that provides some a sense of inertia that just makes things feel a little more dynamic on the desktop.  I can’t explain it, but some of the effects make the GUI slightly more useful.  However, Compiz-Fusion isn’t perfect.

“He says ‘hello’.  That’s what I look for in a stalker.”  - Lauren

“I think I was a little boy growing up”  - Lauren

“You had mad cow disease?” - T to Lauren

Blogged with Flock

After having tried drupal for a couple of years on an unrelated site, I came to see that it would be a great way to develop a new site for drop the bomb productions.  After about two days of converting the site over, you can now see the results.  I think it results in a cleaner, easier to navigate site and I think it’ll be easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for.

I’ve tried a bunch of times, but apparently something’s wrong with the Syllable VMWare files and LiveCD because I was unable to get either to run. They both appear to be missing a bunch of necessary files.

When most people think of the GPL, if they think of it at all, they tend to think of Linux and perhaps other operating systems.  However, there are many benefits to using the GPL for programs on a smaller level.   For example there is a Go Application in Facebook.  This programmer could have gone through the near impossible headache of creating an implementation of Go.

However, as Wikipedia mentions, it is very tough to create sofware to play go, “While the strongest computer chess software has defeated top players ( Deep Blue beat the world champion in 1997), the best Go programs only manage to reach an average amateur level.”  This has to do with the high complexity level of the game’s strategy.

KDE 4.0 was released today!  After seeing screenshots like the ones I want to share with you, I can’t wait to try it.  Too bad Fedora won’t be including it until Fedora 9 in April.

All of the following images were produced by/for KDE.org.  I’m just borrowing them for illustrative purposes.

First of all, here’s the default GUI:

Not too shabby.  Looks pretty similar to KDE3, but with a “Vista Black” thing going on.  But here’s where I really got excited:

(Note:  I did the Haiku Part of this review in June of 2007, and didn’t get around to posting it, so some of these issues may have been resolved by now)

Everyone knows Windows, Apple, GNU/Linux and the BSDs.  These computer operating systems have been around for 10-20 or so years and people know what they provide and how they function.  However, there are two other OSes that sound as though they come from English class:  Haiku and Syllable.

For years I had been saying that I would not buy an iPod product.  After all, they sell music in the iTunes music store with DRM on it.  All of my music on my Linux computer is in the OGG format and it can’t be played with iPods.  However, when it came time to buy an audio player I did a bit of research.  It had to be something I could buy at the local Best Buy because I had a coupon and gift card.  Of the players sold at Best Buy, the players which supported OGG were, ironically, not well supported on Linux.  In fact, the best supported and integrated player in Linux was the iPod.  That’s important to me since I use my Linux computer for serving my main audio needs.   All of my podcasts come in through Rhythmbox.  The second requirement I had is that it had to be of the same form factor as the 2nd Generation iPod Shuffle so that it could use it at the gym clipped onto my shirt or shorts and not weigh me down at all.  I used to work out with an iPaq in my pocket and it was not very comfortable at all.

Long time readers will know how much I love building computers.  And I have been given the chance to build another one!  This time it’s for Danielle’s aunt who saw the one I built for my father-in-law.  Her old computer is not fast enough for what she needs it to do so she asked me to design her a new one.  I decided to go with a nice, sleak Shuttle case since they don’t have tons of room in NYC for the uber-towers I typically use for myself.  Also, it’s pretty much 100% likely that she isn’t going to upgrade it - ever.