abRANDOM

I made a few tweaks to the sidebar of my blog. I'm bored, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

Posted by Justin at 9:40 PM 0 Comments

Tags: UI

abRANDOM episode 6 is up for download. You can listen to it in the flash player to the right of this post. You can also subscribe in iTunes. Or, if you prefer to download the episode, I've got you covered. I hope you enjoy this random episode with myself, Justin, and my good friend Bryan. Happy listening!

Posted by Justin at 3:52 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Podcast

Well, Apple announced that Mac OS 10.5 is delayed until October due to the shifting of resources to the iPhone development. Personally, I would rather have a new OS than a $600 phone with only 8GB of flash memory. And I can't even have the iPhone due to the fact that it is locked down to AT&T, and I have Verizon.

So, to me Apple is screwing their loyal fan base and putting a lot of risk on a phone that is an overpriced hunk of metal and plastic, though very cool, it is way to overpriced.

On the plus side, I now have more time to sell my MacBook.

Posted by Justin at 4:08 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Apple, iPhone, Leopard, OS X

The key difference between the two platforms seems to be in the lighting, amazing how much of a difference a little bit of dynamic lighting will affect the visual quality of a game.

This is a very interesting little comparison of the two consoles. Click Read More to see the article.



read more | digg story

Posted by Justin at 8:24 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Playstation 3, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Xbox 360

Over at the #awkwardtv IRC channel, poster "Beyond" just announced that he's gotten Gentoo installed and running on his Apple TV. He used the mach_linux_kernel maker from mactel_linux (aka Gimli's loader). The OS (2.6.20.6 with the AppleTV patch) seems to be up and working after a few initial problems (now solved) with repeating characters.

I personally think that is pretty cool. I sure wish I had $300 lying around for an AppleTV. Those things sure seem to be hacktastic!



read more | digg story

Posted by Justin at 7:38 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Apple, AppleTV, Hack, Linux

Have you ever wondered whether there was a command line way to check iTunes and determine which song is currently playing. With this short how to on TUAW you can create a simple script that will display in Terminal what song is currently playing in iTunes when you type ./nowplaying.



read more | digg story

Posted by Justin at 12:35 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Apple, Blogged from Digg, iTunes, Terminal

In case you don't speak French, that last part says 'is finished.'

I finished up that custom computer that I was building for my brothers friend, and he picked it up today. I just hope he doesn't screw it up. Oh well, that's why I Ghosted it before I gave it to him.

Posted by Justin at 6:36 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Custom Computer

Well, first off, long time no post.

I get to build a custom computer for one of my little brother's friends. It is going to be pretty sweet. Yesterday, we went and picked out all of the components from CompUSA. Here is a specs list even though it isn't built yet, I forgot to get an optical drive (silly me) and the case is damaged, so that needs to be exchanged. That's why I haven't built the computer yet. So, without further ado, here are the specs:

Case: Standard CompUSA case, not bad for $40

Mobo: MSI K8N Neo4-F $80

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4200 2.4Ghz per core $230

GPU: ATi Radeon X1300PRO 256mb RAM Crossfire ready $130

PSU: 500 Watt Antec EarthWatts $90

RAM: 2x 512mb PNY PC3200 $80 a piece

HDD: 300GB SATA Seagate $120

Monitor: AOC 19"LCD $199

Keyboard & Mouse: Micro innovations wireless desktop set $20

OS: Windows XP Pro Sp 2 CE $0 (let's just say I have a very nice friend;)

I know I could have gotten most of this stuff a lot cheaper, but they want it asap so they pay the price.

Posted by Justin at 8:32 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Custom Computer, Windows

Firefox 2.0.0.2 is now available, and so are optimized builds for the G4, G5, and Intel Macs. As usual there are two different versions available - one with “Firefoxy” form widgets applied, and one with the more OS X-looking aqua form widgets. The default user agent has also been tweaked to identify these builds correctly as Firefox.

So, if you want to get your hand on an optimized build, hop on over to BeatnikPad to download one.

Posted by Justin at 7:26 AM 0 Comments

Tags: Firefox, mac, OS X

I found this on digg today and I just couldn't resist posting it.

Different operating systems. Different styles. But what if the quirks and styles of the different operating systems were applied to AIRLINES? What if airlines ran things the way operating systems do? This humorous analogy, applying operating system philosophies as if they were airlines, is a long-standing much-circulated amusing story, and we'd credit the author if we knew who wrote it!

If Operating Systems Ran The Airlines...

UNIX Airways

Everyone brings one piece of the plane along when they come to the airport. They all go out on the runway and put the plane together piece by piece, arguing non-stop about what kind of plane they are supposed to be building.

Air DOS

Everybody pushes the airplane until it glides, then they jump on and let the plane coast until it hits the ground again. Then they push again, jump on again, and so on...

Mac Airlines

All the stewards, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look and act exactly the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are gently but firmly told that you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without your ever having to know, so just shut up.

Windows Air

The terminal is pretty and colourful, with friendly stewards, easy baggage check and boarding, and a smooth take-off. After about 10 minutes in the air, the plane explodes with no warning whatsoever.

Windows NT Air

Just like Windows Air, but costs more, uses much bigger planes, and takes out all the other aircraft within a 40-mile radius when it explodes.

Windows XP Air

You turn up at the airport,which is under contract to only allow XP Air planes. All the aircraft are identical, brightly coloured and three times as big as they need to be. The signs are huge and all point the same way. Whichever way you go, someone pops up dressed in a cloak and pointed hat insisting you follow him. Your luggage and clothes are taken off you and replaced with an XP Air suit and suitcase identical to everyone around you as this is included in the exorbitant ticket cost. The aircraft will not take off until you have signed a contract. The inflight entertainment promised turns out to be the same Mickey Mouse cartoon repeated over and over again. You have to phone your travel agent before you can have a meal or drink. You are searched regularly throughout the flight. If you go to the toilet twice or more you get charged for a new ticket. No matter what destination you booked you will always end up crash landing at Whistler in Canada.

Linux Air

Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. They charge a small fee to cover the cost of printing the ticket, but you can also download and print the ticket yourself.

When you board the plane, you are given a seat, four bolts, a wrench and a copy of the seat-HOWTO.html. Once settled, the fully adjustable seat is very comfortable, the plane leaves and arrives on time without a single problem, the in-flight meal is wonderful. You try to tell customers of the other airlines about the great trip, but all they can say is, "You had to do what with the seat?"

souce

Posted by Justin at 12:51 PM 0 Comments

Tags: Digg, Linux, mac, OS X, Unix, Windows