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  • Blog + Wiki = ?

    The folks over at Everything Sysadmin have started a wiki to go with the book (along with their blog). They’re also talking about integrating wiki and blog, something that I think could be a really cool thing. I’ve thought about trying to find easy ways to do that myself (especially when I’m posting about some nifty OS X tip).

  • Microsoft Calls the Kettle Black

    When Microsoft opened up the MSN Music Store the other day, there was a comment about Apple and how their system is “closed”. This was given as a reason that MSN is better.

    “iTunes has done a great job of helping to elevate the [digital music] market,” said Christine Andrews, lead product manager of MSN. “We’re different because Apple is a closed system. If you want Apple, you have to use the iPod. A lot of people want choice and we offer that.” [macnn.com]

    So let’s see. My choice is use iTMS and an iPod, or buy a whole second computer in order to use the MSN Music Store. Let’s be honest, they’re both closed in different ways. IMHO MSN’s is more closed because I can’t even use it on my computer. Though I wouldn’t hate Apple if they opened up access to their DRM a little bit. Given their market share I think they can afford to let people use a few other players. There is still a market for flash players that aren’t that expensive.

  • Someone Fired For Running SETI@Home… Again

    Once again, someone has been fired for running SETI@Home.

    Man Said He Used Computer During Off Hours

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The search for extraterrestrial life has ended at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

    The department on Thursday fired a computer programmer who admitted to using a state-owned computer server to process data for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project, run by the University of California at Berkeley.

    Charles E. Smith, 63, told administrators he didn’t think loading the SETI software on the server was much of a problem because he ran the program only on weekends and on weekdays between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the server wasn’t being used, according to a disciplinary report.

    Department director Tom Hayes disagreed.

    “I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn’t find it in the mirror in the morning,” Hayes said. “I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building.” [newsnet5.com] [via AP]

    I’m not sure if I posted about this kind of thing the last time it happened, but without knowing more background I’m not sure how to react. At most places I’ve worked there has been an official policy that you aren’t supposed to install unauthorized software. This was mostly to try and stop people from installing every little thing they download from the net, and to be able to scold them when something they’ve downloaded broke their computer. In the case of something like this though, I almost have to wonder if the application was actually cutting into computer resources. But, the article doesn’t give us any information about that (though I’d be curious to know more). The other issue is that I think the department director’s comments are a bit unprofessional and unnecessarily insulting.

    Hmm, maybe I should give SETI@Home a download and start it running on one of the machines I have floating around.

  • I Just Hope There Are No Spiders In This One

    Irrational Games has started talking up Bioshock, the spiritual successor to System Shock 2. Gamespot has a preview of the game and I just may have to see how cheaply I can throw together a PC to be able to play this one when it comes out. System Shock 2 is still one of my favorite computer games ever. It was one of the creepiest games I’ve ever played.

    bioshock pics
    Irrational Games originally conceived of its cult-classic hybrid game System Shock 2 as a “spiritual successor” to the original game. And Irrational’s next game will, in turn, be a “spiritual successor” to System Shock 2. We’re pleased to bring you the first official details on BioShock, a new game that will attempt to further the open-ended, emergent gameplay of the previous games by offering even more choices for players to creatively interact with the world around them and to solve the challenges that face them.

    While System Shock 2 represented what Irrational general manager Ken Levine describes as “a convergence of technology and commercialism” (that game took place on a corporate-sponsored starship), BioShock will instead represent “a convergence of technology and biological life,” or more specifically, genetics. It’s important to note: BioShock is not a sequel to any of the System Shock games, nor does it have any official relation to those games. But like the previous games, this one will offer a horror-themed gameplay experience in which what you observe, and what happens to you, will be tempered by your own choices. “[At Irrational], we think emergence is the future,” says Levine. [gamespot.com]

    Btw, a request to the Mac gaming world. Please get in contact with these folks and do a Mac port of both System Shock 2 and Bioshock. Even though System Shock 2 is a few years old at this point, it’s still such a kickass game that really does deserve a Mac port.

  • Fairy Tales – Redone

    Sequential Tart has a nice article with pointers to various retellings of fairy tales. I was happy to see it included one of my favorites, which is Sheri S. Tepper’s Beauty. And now I’ve got a few more books to add to my book list.

  • Yay! More Looney Tunes!

    Looney Tunes: Golden Collection: Volume 2
    I was just looking at Amazon.com and noticed they had a little ad up for the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 2. I loved the first collection, it was a great start to them releasing many old old cartoons that I hadn’t seen in their entirely in ages. This one looks to continue the trend with a lot of early material. And even better, it comes out on my birthday next month (November 2nd)! I’ve added it to my wish list, anyone wanna pick it up for me?

  • Anime Meets the Count of Monte Cristo

    Gankutsuou1
     
    gankutsuou2.jpg

    Wow. I just watched the trailer for a new anime series titled Gankutsuou. It looks like it will be an anime version of The Count of Monte Cristo. Of all the promos I’ve seen for the current season in Japan, this is the most stunning (and it’s being produced by Gonzo, who have been doing great work lately). I hope it’s as good as the animation looks. The story has been a favorite of mine since I read a version of it back in French in High School, I can’t wait.

    gankutsuou3.jpg
     
    gankutsuou4.jpg

  • Podcasting Idea

    One of the things I’ve been watching lately is the growth of Podcasting. The idea is that various audio broadcasts online would be available for download, with RSS feeds being used to announce when new broadcasts are available. Adam Curry is the one who really gave this a kick-start with his Daily Source Code.

    The other part of this is the iPod. There are a number of programs out there for watching the RSS feeds for these broadcasts. When a new show is posted, they automaticly download it and put it into a playlist in iTunes so that you can sync it to your iPod. It’s all pretty slick.

    My idea is kind of an expansion of an idea I’ve been playing with for a bit: Audiobooks. I could record an chapter at a time, and as I finish post it so that people can download. In the end I’d love to expand this to having a resource for various kinds of storytelling. Maybe do a book reading with a few people, each taking various parts. Or provide a directory for other people doing the same thing. As usual, the big issue is resources. I’ll think about this a bit more after I get a bit more sleep.

  • Paper CD Cases

    This is quite cool. I wish they had one that was blank with spaces to fill in stuff.

    Make a paper CD case

    Make a paper CD case
    This site will create a PDF file which can be printed and folded to create a paper CD case. There’s an advanced form that allows you to add more tracks, and even graphics, and even let you add your creation to their cover database. Neat.
    [Incoming Signals] [via lonita.links.log]

  • Cats Regarding Cats Regarding Cats in an Electronic Melieu

    From my friend Greg: The Infinite Cat Project. Pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats, looking at pictures of cats (help me! I’m stuck!)…