RSS FeedPosted by d3vkit on 06/23/2009
Filed under review
I've been using photoshop for a few years now, and I really love it. I find it easy to use, and it's the defacto web design software available. But some years ago I heard about the Gimp, which is a completely free, open source graphic design package which, while it doesn't claim to be a photoshop clone, a cheap replacement for everyone's favorite photo editing software is what it's most often used for, and what I use it for whenever I decide I'd like to try something a little more on the OSS side.
Well, there are a number of differences between PS and Gimp, mostly in it's presentation within Windows. GIMPshop, a derivative of Gimp, sets to change that. Does it succeed? Find out my thoughts below.
Well, there are a number of differences between PS and Gimp, mostly in it's presentation within Windows. GIMPshop, a derivative of Gimp, sets to change that. Does it succeed? Find out my thoughts below.
Posted by d3vkit on 05/28/2009
Filed under article
Now, I know most people are thinking, "How to spot a scam? On Craigslist? This isn't 1995, you know. I'm hep to the whole, Nigerian Prince thing. I barely sent him any money last time!"
I thought myself pretty good at spotting scams, and really, haven't been taken in by anyone, but in my quest for a new job I've found that there is a lot of freaking crap on craigslist. I believe a real job can be found there (my last job was found there as well as a a few interviews recently), but in my desperation I've started replying to ads that look almost legit; they aren't "OMG TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE", and seem like, well, it could be a real posting. Most aren't. I don't think it's too big of a deal - my resume is out there on a few job boards, what more are they getting from me? But it gets annoying. So here are a few techniques I've been using to detect the scams.
I thought myself pretty good at spotting scams, and really, haven't been taken in by anyone, but in my quest for a new job I've found that there is a lot of freaking crap on craigslist. I believe a real job can be found there (my last job was found there as well as a a few interviews recently), but in my desperation I've started replying to ads that look almost legit; they aren't "OMG TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE", and seem like, well, it could be a real posting. Most aren't. I don't think it's too big of a deal - my resume is out there on a few job boards, what more are they getting from me? But it gets annoying. So here are a few techniques I've been using to detect the scams.
Posted by d3vkit on 05/26/2009
Filed under article
I've been messing around with soft modding my Wii for a few months now. Wii hacking has really gotten great this year. You can play homebrew games, or 'backups' or games you own, along with Virtual Console and WiiWare titles you for some reason bought and then backed-up. I love the homebrew community; it's always 'against pirating' but makes pirating so very accessible. But, it is legal to backup a movie, cd, or game you own and use it, so there's not much to be done.
Anyway, I love my Wii now. I've owned one since just after launch, and while there are some great games on the system, we're in it's third year and it's the same old song and dance: Great first party titles released sporadically.
Anyway, I love my Wii now. I've owned one since just after launch, and while there are some great games on the system, we're in it's third year and it's the same old song and dance: Great first party titles released sporadically.
Posted by d3vkit on 05/26/2009
Filed under article
It seems like I never buy the things I need (i rather, really really want) when I have the chance. Being out of work makes it oh-so-apparent that I just never spent my money very wisely. That's not to say I don't enjoy what I've bought, or that what I bought wasn't worth what I paid; most of it I do enjoy and is very much worth the purchase (and those that know me well, know that I probably got these things for very cheap or sometimes free).
But, now that I'm out of work I find myself once again saying, nearly every day, "I'll buy this when I get a job", or, "That's at the top of my list of things to buy". So, I thought I'd compile a short list here, mostly so I don't forget what I need to buy when I actually can.
But, now that I'm out of work I find myself once again saying, nearly every day, "I'll buy this when I get a job", or, "That's at the top of my list of things to buy". So, I thought I'd compile a short list here, mostly so I don't forget what I need to buy when I actually can.
Posted by d3vkit on 03/24/2009
Filed under article
So, things have gotten a little better. Of course they aren't great, but I'm working on that.
The lame part time job I had at a call-center was shut down last week, which was great because I didn't have to quit and I wasn't fired. It MIGHT be back April 06, but I in the meantime had a job interview with United Health Care (actually, two interviews), and I think I got the job. It's full time, has benifits, good pay, holidays and weekends off. Too bad the work will suck (more working in a call center - but not selling things, which is nice!).
I think my toe has healed. It still sort of hurts but not nearly as bad. Yep, that's about it for toe-talk...
Other exciting things, lets see... I spent a ton of money on movies (again). Went over my limit (personal spending limit on HD movies - less than $10) for some but I think it was worth it. I'll post a full list after the break.
Also, I updated my RSS feed so it actually WORKS - somehow I had not noticed that when you clicked on a feed, it didn't bring up the page.
I am at the moment trying to learn C# so I can learn the XNA Framework and make a video game or two. The language itself isn't too bad; since I know some PHP and Javascript, it's pretty easy to pick up things like arrays and if thens. What IS hard is OOP (Object Oriented Programming): I've never been able to understand it well for some reason. I am trying harder this time though and can definitely see where it'll be beneficial for game design.
Well, that's it.
The lame part time job I had at a call-center was shut down last week, which was great because I didn't have to quit and I wasn't fired. It MIGHT be back April 06, but I in the meantime had a job interview with United Health Care (actually, two interviews), and I think I got the job. It's full time, has benifits, good pay, holidays and weekends off. Too bad the work will suck (more working in a call center - but not selling things, which is nice!).
I think my toe has healed. It still sort of hurts but not nearly as bad. Yep, that's about it for toe-talk...
Other exciting things, lets see... I spent a ton of money on movies (again). Went over my limit (personal spending limit on HD movies - less than $10) for some but I think it was worth it. I'll post a full list after the break.
Also, I updated my RSS feed so it actually WORKS - somehow I had not noticed that when you clicked on a feed, it didn't bring up the page.
I am at the moment trying to learn C# so I can learn the XNA Framework and make a video game or two. The language itself isn't too bad; since I know some PHP and Javascript, it's pretty easy to pick up things like arrays and if thens. What IS hard is OOP (Object Oriented Programming): I've never been able to understand it well for some reason. I am trying harder this time though and can definitely see where it'll be beneficial for game design.
Well, that's it.
Posted by d3vkit on 03/02/2009
Filed under opinion
So here I am, working but not working. I am sitting at my desk in this call center, waiting for a call, hoping one doesn't come, but at the same time so bored out of my mind I really wouldn't mind the interruption. I hate this. Why does life take these bad turns? I've never known it not to. Is it just me? Or is this life for everyone?
Posted by d3vkit on 02/24/2009
Filed under review
I used to IM a lot more than I do now. Something about it became difficult as I grew up. I don't spend as much time at the computer. I have other things going on in life, and it's just hard to spend a few hours chatting with my friends. Well, and I guess I just haven't set up Pidgin to open when Windows loads, and I usually forget to open it.
But lately I've been really wishing more of my friends were online during the day. At work, I get extremely bored - so bored, in fact, that I am sitting I writing a blog. But when I'm at work, I usually open up Meebo.com - an all-in-one IM website that's easy to use and really neat to look at. It has google talk, yahoo, aim, msn, and just about any other IM app supported, letting me see all of my contacts and talk to them whenever they are online, just like Pidgin - but unlike Pidgin, I can access it at work, the library, or anywhere with an internet connection but where I don't have my personal computer.
Now if only my friends were using it, I'd have someone to chat with.
But lately I've been really wishing more of my friends were online during the day. At work, I get extremely bored - so bored, in fact, that I am sitting I writing a blog. But when I'm at work, I usually open up Meebo.com - an all-in-one IM website that's easy to use and really neat to look at. It has google talk, yahoo, aim, msn, and just about any other IM app supported, letting me see all of my contacts and talk to them whenever they are online, just like Pidgin - but unlike Pidgin, I can access it at work, the library, or anywhere with an internet connection but where I don't have my personal computer.
Now if only my friends were using it, I'd have someone to chat with.
Posted by d3vkit on 02/20/2009
Filed under opinion
At my really annoying new job, I work in a call-center and talk on the phone. My boss has told me to slow down when I speak - well, and so have a lot of people actually, all my life. And I understand, I talk fast. But it's who I am and it's pretty annoying to have to change that. I'm sorry you can't keep up with me. You know what I'd like? If people would speak faster. Cut to the chase. I hate talking to people because they talk slowly, and drag everything out. Nothing else to really say about this I guess.
In other news I took a typing test yesterday and I type about 60 WPM (55 Corrected), which is a lot over what I expected. I don't type very properly, and just spend a lot of time on the computer. I guess it's paid off. Although I know it's nothing like the 80 and 120 I've heard about - but at least I have a goal. (Wow what a crappy goal...)
In other news I took a typing test yesterday and I type about 60 WPM (55 Corrected), which is a lot over what I expected. I don't type very properly, and just spend a lot of time on the computer. I guess it's paid off. Although I know it's nothing like the 80 and 120 I've heard about - but at least I have a goal. (Wow what a crappy goal...)
Posted by d3vkit on 02/13/2009
Filed under article
It is at this moment I see how the internet works.
Whenever I have a thought, or an idea, or a question, and I go to the internet for guidance, it is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I can probably find the answer or information I'm looking for. A curse because I have to sometimes look so damn hard.
And I don't look for much, really. But it's the people of the internet that really bother me.
Lately, I've been somewhat interested in pseudo-sciences such as homeopathy. Interested, as in, "prove it to me". It seems whenever I see a pro-pseudo-science article, it is on some website that is so obviously biased and slanted towards the subject that it loses all credibility from the get-go. And then upon reading, I see that it's mostly a lot of hyperbole, flowery language and not a lot of facts. You know, those annoying little things that make things believable. That allow claims to stand up to heavy scrutiny.
[Continued below]
Whenever I have a thought, or an idea, or a question, and I go to the internet for guidance, it is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I can probably find the answer or information I'm looking for. A curse because I have to sometimes look so damn hard.
And I don't look for much, really. But it's the people of the internet that really bother me.
Lately, I've been somewhat interested in pseudo-sciences such as homeopathy. Interested, as in, "prove it to me". It seems whenever I see a pro-pseudo-science article, it is on some website that is so obviously biased and slanted towards the subject that it loses all credibility from the get-go. And then upon reading, I see that it's mostly a lot of hyperbole, flowery language and not a lot of facts. You know, those annoying little things that make things believable. That allow claims to stand up to heavy scrutiny.
[Continued below]
Posted by d3vkit on 02/11/2009
Filed under article
When I read something I want it to make sense. I really don't think that's too much to ask. Depending on the medium, I give out more or less slack to the writer, but for the most part, if something doesn't make sense I don't read it. Wall-o-Text? Don't read it. No punctuation? Don't read it. Links to tons of other sites? Well I usually click one of those links and end up getting so distracted I don't read the article I began with... but that's more of a fault of my own.
My point is that writing needs to make sense: its main purpose is communication, whether that be for entertainment, information, or just plain discussion.
My point is that writing needs to make sense: its main purpose is communication, whether that be for entertainment, information, or just plain discussion.