A bit over a year ago I started this blog. I didn't know much about blogs and twitter and such at the time. After a year of blogging, I'm afraid I still don't. I think my main pain is that I still write these posts in the damn web UI. I'd much rather write in vim, but I haven't found the time yet to figure out the best way to do it.
During the past year I made many public promises to myself, on this blog and the others. I haven't really lived up to all of them. I have a consistent problem of trying to do too many things. Working full time and studying Japanese have taken up nearly all of my time.
While I didn't get down to writing a game in Python like I wanted to, I did manage to learn the language. Luckily, it was a perfect fit for many of the tasks I had to do at work, and it was a joy to learn it. I have my gripes with the language, but since I work in C++ most of the time, its a very welcome change. Needless to say, Python code is much more readable. C++0x has the auto keyword which will help, but a static language will never be able to match a dynamic one in this criteria.
I intend to continue studying Japanese, though maybe not in a university framework. I have to figure out if I want to start studying for a Master's in Physics or not. None of the courses I can take will be easy in conjunction with a full time job. I may end up preferring not to take any official obligation and spend time studying the things I like by myself.
We'll see how the next year will come along...
My little corner. Views on programming, design, Japanese, productivity and other errata.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
New Computer
I'm writing this on a new computer I got yesterday. It's called Fit PC2, and it's really really small, and pretty green as well.
Not as cool as a new mac, but nice none-the-less. It's ridiculous how small these things have gotten.
Not as cool as a new mac, but nice none-the-less. It's ridiculous how small these things have gotten.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Better World Books
For the last couple of months I've been ordering my books from BetterWorldBooks.com. It's an online book store with a soul. All the books I order are shiped in carbon free packages (if you exclude the air plane that delivers the package). In addition, the company diverts funds to help fund literacy around the world.
The nice part is that it isn't expensive either. Their prices usually compete with Amazon, especially considering that shipping is $3.97 around the world (free for the US). That alone would probably make it worthwhile for people outside of the states (yes, there are a couple of us out here).
They're also really nice. I occasionally get free treats, such a chocolate bars or tea. It's just fun. Alas, they give me nothing for writing this post :-).
The nice part is that it isn't expensive either. Their prices usually compete with Amazon, especially considering that shipping is $3.97 around the world (free for the US). That alone would probably make it worthwhile for people outside of the states (yes, there are a couple of us out here).
They're also really nice. I occasionally get free treats, such a chocolate bars or tea. It's just fun. Alas, they give me nothing for writing this post :-).
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Book updates
I've updates my current reading list page, and even added short reviews for books I finished reading. Right now this includes everything I read, including novels and history books. Most are computer related in some way, though.
The reading list is accessible from the menu to right, at the top.
The reading list is accessible from the menu to right, at the top.
First Donation
Today I donated money to an open-source project for the first time. And it felt good.
I've decided that paying for free open-source projects you use and find helpful is a good way to go. Money was more of a problem during my university days, and I think it's a nice model to use good software when you need it, and pay for it when you can.
If you're wondering, the project is Review Board, a code-review web 2.0 application. I've been playing with it at work for a couple of days, and it's really nice. A few glitches during the installation, but it's at the RC stage, which means that it's stable, but glitches are still expected. It also means it's a nice time to give the developers a kindly push in the right direction.
I've decided that paying for free open-source projects you use and find helpful is a good way to go. Money was more of a problem during my university days, and I think it's a nice model to use good software when you need it, and pay for it when you can.
If you're wondering, the project is Review Board, a code-review web 2.0 application. I've been playing with it at work for a couple of days, and it's really nice. A few glitches during the installation, but it's at the RC stage, which means that it's stable, but glitches are still expected. It also means it's a nice time to give the developers a kindly push in the right direction.
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