Archive for the 'computers' Tag

iPhone = Star Trek?

Just a quick post: I got an iPhone this week. Aside from my iPod, it’s my first Apple purchase… and it’s awfully slick. I’ll avoid hyperbole, and simply state that it actually exceeded my expectations, which was no small feat. I feel like I’m living the Star Trek dream: I have a hand-held device that can tell me where I am, what’s around me, retreive books and music from thin air, and I can talk to and get results (Google’s Voice Search is damn impressive: say “post offices in goleta california”, it’ll pop up the local offices, then hit “get directions” and get turn-by-turn GPS guided directions. Slick). I’ll probably blather on later about my favorite applications, or “apps”, at a later date. But for now: it’s nifty.

What computors are good for

I came across this paragraph in the reading for the quantum mechanics class I’m taking, and I think it needs to be shared with the world:

“A great deal of computation is required to perform a Hartree-Fock SCF calculation for a many electron atom. Hartree did several SCF calculations in the 1930s when electronic computors were not in existence. Fortunately Hartree’s father, a retired engineer enjoyed numerical calculation as a hobby and helped his son. Nowadays computers have replaced Hartree’s father.” Quantum Chemistry – Ira Levine

This makes me picture a little old man sitting in a room with all the world’s physicists and chemists sending him equations to solve.
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Software Secrets Part II: Linux version

It seems that a few fellow Linux users are back to watching this site, so I thought I’d once again share software I use and enjoy, especially little-known software. Only this time, it’ll be distinctly Linux (specifically Ubuntu) flavored software. If that’s your thing, read on! (continued)

Share Your Little Software Secrets

I primarily use Linux (specifically, Kubuntu Linux) as my main computing platform, so most of the software I could recommend might be of little use to the majority of readers (except for my advice: give Linux a try, without doing anything permanent to your computer, with a LiveCD. You might like it). That said, there are some cross-platform or Windows-only tools that I’ve grown to love, and I thought I’d share. I’d also like to hear your suggestions for little software programs or tricks that make your life easier. (continued)

System76 – A Class Act

Several years ago, I bought a Koala Mini from System76, a company that sells PCs running Ubuntu Linux. The system is hooked up to my TV, and functions admirably as my media center. However, a few months ago the cpu fan died, the system overheated, and it would continually overheat after about 5 minutes powered on. The system was far past warranty, and my specific model had been discontinued by the manufacturer, so I figured I was out of luck. I was wrong: System76 fixed my system free of charge– I didn’t pay for labor, shipping, or the new cpu fan. I certainly didn’t expect a free ride, but I was happy to see their dedication to excellence. So I just thought I’d post about it, for those who might be considering a pre-installed Linux system.

TF2: MMORPG without the hassles?

So, in a recent RPG.net post, someone was looking for a MMORPG that didn’t have the leveling grind and the obsession with new equipment. After some thought, I responded that my current gaming fixation, Team Fortress 2, might be exactly what he’s looking for. How is a first-person shooter a good substitute for a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game? Read on to find out. (continued)

Game Crazy

Maybe it’s the changing season, but lately I’ve been a little crazy about games; traditional or video, single or multiplayer, games have been on my mind and in my hands. The biggest time sinks? Portal, Team Fortress 2, Magic: the Gathering, Super Mario Galaxy, Changeling: the Lost, and Hex Hex.
Is anyone else feeling the gaming urge?

Code Sharing — Play a Random File on Linux

Some random geekery: I wrote this bash script a long time ago, but its served me well so I thought I’d post it on the vast Internet, in hope that maybe someone else may someday get use out of it. Google, don’t fail me now! Anyway, my linux bash script to randomly select a video file and play it follows below.
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Taking the Plunge

My hard drive crashed this weekend. Or, I should say, one of my hard drives crashed. You see, for several years now, I’ve been dual-booting Windows and Kubuntu Linux. My Windows drive was the one that crashed (I did recover the data, see after the cut), and… I’m thinking of not going back. Right now my system is booting only Linux, and it feels nice. Read on for crash experiences, my joy that my favorite windows programs run in Linux, and thoughts on computing.
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Wasting Time, Lesson Two

Did you know that some psychologists have started diagnosing a condition often referred to as “information addiction” or “Internet addiction” as a psychological disorder? I don’t think I’m there (no 40 hour long marathon online gaming sessions for me, thank you), but I DO read a lot online. Especially my two favorite news sites, SlashDot and Digg. (continued)