New iPod … Kinda

I was listening to a FLOSS Weekly podcast yesterday, and the one I was listening to featured the program Rockbox. This program is one you install on your iPod to replace the one Apple ships installed. Not only can I now change how my iPod 30G video model looks, I also get tons of other features. Some of these new features includes games, the ability to play a wide range of file formats, themes and so much more!

The main reason I wanted to switch was I wanted ogg support. iPods do not support this open source file type at all. In fact, it’s hard to find a handheld media player that will. Another great feature since the last time I used Rockbox is they have an automated installer for Linux. This project has come such a long way! I used it when I first got my iPod and converted my Archos 5ooo mp3 player over. Their list of supported player is huge. Don’t worry about messing anything up either. Their installer lets you undo everything you do and their documentaion is outstanding.

So what are you waiting for? Get on over there and let your mp3 player be all it can be!

Long Overdue Update

Alright already! I know it’s been forever in a day since I’ve updated. I actually do have quite a bit to cover, so I’ll be splitting it up into separate posts.

On a less technical note I have started to learn a new game recommended by a friend. So what if this new game is almost 4,ooo years old. It’s still new to me. Go looks simple enough, but don’t let it fool you. It’s been said to be the ultimate game. Many of the rules and techniques are said to match up to real life philosophy. Even though I just heard of this very attractive game just this week, I found out that it’s following rivals and often surpasses that of chess.

Intriqued yet? Want to find out more? There are thousands of websites available to get everything from hints and lessons to national organizations. In the printed media format, I would reccommend Learn to Play Go by Good Move Press. Here’s an exerpt:

Imagine that God has a house. It’s rather large, and one of it’s remarkable aspects is that it contains the best examples of everything you can think of – the best chairs and tables, artworks, books, smells, all in perfectly proportioned rooms of an ideal size. If you were visiting for the evening, you might walk through the front doors and leave your coat in the front closet to your left. The closet has a top shelf, and if you looked closely, in the far corner tucked away you might find a Go set.

There are many websites you can play Go for free and a few good games you can download. I tried a few out on Ubuntu and found I like Quarry best of all. Unfortunatly, it’s not being maintained, but you can still download it from the Ubuntu repositroies. There is a slight issue with setting up the engine used to play against the computer but it’s easily fixed. Try it out and maybe we can arrange a game sometime.

Seeing the Vista

After seeing the need to purchase a new laptop, I stopped by Best Buy to pick up a relatively inexpensive one. My only criteria was that the video card not be Intel based. I found an HP laptop with ATI based video and all for a price of around $800. Thus began my brief experience with Windows Vista.
Without getting into all the horrendous details, let me just say that within 24 hours I was going through the process of acquiring and installing the latest copy of Ubuntu. Vista, although bright and shiny, I found to be slow, awkward and at times confusing to use. In the effort of Microsoft trying to make things simpler, they have stripped away and hidden a lot of functionality. Being a brand new laptop, I’m disappointed in lack of performance in Vista. Boot times and shutdown are somewhat painful, especially the latter. And what is with all the notifications asking me if I was sure I wanted to do something?? If I were an absolute beginner at computers, this would confuse the daylights out of me always having to second guess myself and what I was doing.
That being said, that’s my brief experience with the latest and greatest Windows has to offer. Now I’m settled back into my comfy Ubuntu and enjoying my new laptop.

Social Distortion

I’ve been checking into the options available for an alternative to MySpace for church. As of right now, the options are pretty slim. There are a few sites toting the title of being a Christian MySpace alternative, but they are lacking in options and customization features that would make it appeal to the younger crowd. There’s nothing that really jumps out that makes you want to rush and sign up.

So what’s wrong with MySpace? I’ve commented on this in the past, and for those of you who have spoken with me in the past know how I feel about the subject. A bit of background info here would help explain better. Having a background in website design, I’ve been taught certain principles and standards that normal designers try to adhere to. Some of them being form, function, usability, and some sort of order or semblance. All of which MySpace users throw out the window. It’s like building a house and using 20 different colors of paint and roof tiles. Putting doors where they are not supposed to be and so forth. It’s chaos. And slow, good grief some of the pages take FOREVER to load. It goes against every development ethic I have.

So the future looks bleak, right? In steps Orkut. Orkut is a new tool provided by Google. Yes, those same people who brought you Gmail, an online office suite, calendaring system, and a slew of other helpful gadgets. Google is really getting into the social networking software ring and not just one foot either. Google is set to change the whole face of how people interact online. It’s a good thing too. Along with their entry comes development and encouragement for community participation. Google wants not only to get involved, but to bring people together to encourage development of cross platform utilities.
Orkut is kind of plain right now, but the potential is definitely there. One of the most requested feature is the ability to customize colors and themes. I look for it to be very customizable, but allowing some sort of “normalcy” to prevail. Call it ordered clutter if you will. I can deal with a little clutter. Keep Orkut in your sights as 2008 approaches. I am expecting big waves to be made soon and Orkut in the center. Why? Facebook is a major competitor in this field. Who is a major backer of Facebook? Microsoft. For those of you who don’t know already, Google and Microsoft don’t play together all that well to begin with. So who’s also sided with Google? MySpace for crying out loud. Let’s just hope Orkut has a better influence on MySpace then the other way around.

Who wants Turkey?

OK, so I finally got the bulk of my Turkey trip photos up on Picasa.
Here’s the first batch.
Here’s the second.

I added comments where I thought they needed them. Well, what are you waiting for… go get ‘em.

Testing remote posting.

If you see this post, then I can send an email and post an entry to my blog from anywhere. That's awesome!

Yet another blog.

OK, so I gave in. Now I’ve got a free blog. Something I swore I’d never do. Oh well.
At least I still have my own website.
Nanny Nanny Boo Boo.
(That’s a phrase we just don’t use enough!)