RSS FeedPosted by d3vkit on 01/31/2010
Filed under article
Now most people will see the title of this article and think it's a lead-in, as in, "I'll tell you why!" But it's not. I honestly want to know: what makes people like 7 when they hated Vista.
Lemme get this straight first: I wasn't a huge fan of Vista when I first used it. It had some things I liked, some things I didn't, and nothing was revolutionary about it. It sorta felt like Microsoft said, "Well, it's been a good long while, better release SOMETHING". The something they released? Basically a prettier Windows XP.
Lemme get this straight first: I wasn't a huge fan of Vista when I first used it. It had some things I liked, some things I didn't, and nothing was revolutionary about it. It sorta felt like Microsoft said, "Well, it's been a good long while, better release SOMETHING". The something they released? Basically a prettier Windows XP.
Posted by d3vkit on 10/30/2009
Filed under review
When I first saw the trailer for Away We Go, I thought, "This movie's trying too hard.". It had John Krasinski, and the last movie I saw (well, advertised anyway) that had him was Leatherheads, which looked, well, not great. And although I love Krasinski on The Office, it was this that made me wonder - would I be able to see a difference? Would a movie with John Krasinski just be a movie with Jim using a different name? And now that he's famous, will it be a good movie regardless of cast, or one that is simply riding his coattails?
But on top of that, was Away any good? It looked like an indie film; it looked like it really wanted to look like one. Which is not a good thing, I thought - but then what does an indie film look like? Like a film that wants to be more mainstream but fails, instead looking malnourished, not getting it's fill of vitamin D-isaster or E-xplosive?
But on top of that, was Away any good? It looked like an indie film; it looked like it really wanted to look like one. Which is not a good thing, I thought - but then what does an indie film look like? Like a film that wants to be more mainstream but fails, instead looking malnourished, not getting it's fill of vitamin D-isaster or E-xplosive?
Posted by d3vkit on 07/29/2009
Filed under opinion
I've had a few people now tell me that indie rock doesn't exist. And that alternative rock doesn't exist. And that music genres don't exist, and that you can't label art. This is bullshit.
Of course you can label art - it's how one distinguishes between different types of art. It's categorizing, not passing judgment, which I think is where people get hung up. I have folders on my computer - television, music, games, etc. The files inside are no different for being labeled - just easier to find. The same with musical genres.
I don't believe you have to be an independent artist to be indie, although most indie artists start out this way, releasing home-made recordings, not tied to any mainstream label. But to define an artist based on their means of distribution or recording is asinine. If Green Day dropped from their label and went independent, I would still consider them pop-punk more than anything else.
But indie rock definitely has a different sound - not as heavy as the alternative rock of the 90's, but not as poppy as the pop music of, well, any era. I don't see what the issue with labeling music or art is, and I don't see why 'indie rock' can't exist, as some say. It does exist, and so does alternative, and emo (although probably not in the way people think). But I defend indie rock - it's real, and I listen to it.
Of course you can label art - it's how one distinguishes between different types of art. It's categorizing, not passing judgment, which I think is where people get hung up. I have folders on my computer - television, music, games, etc. The files inside are no different for being labeled - just easier to find. The same with musical genres.
I don't believe you have to be an independent artist to be indie, although most indie artists start out this way, releasing home-made recordings, not tied to any mainstream label. But to define an artist based on their means of distribution or recording is asinine. If Green Day dropped from their label and went independent, I would still consider them pop-punk more than anything else.
But indie rock definitely has a different sound - not as heavy as the alternative rock of the 90's, but not as poppy as the pop music of, well, any era. I don't see what the issue with labeling music or art is, and I don't see why 'indie rock' can't exist, as some say. It does exist, and so does alternative, and emo (although probably not in the way people think). But I defend indie rock - it's real, and I listen to it.
Posted by d3vkit on 07/22/2009
Filed under article
I've always used Windows. It came with every computer my family bought, and was all I have ever really known. We used macs in school, but in cases such as those you have so little control anyway, it makes no difference what you use. I had always known of Linux, the free operating system that network admins and Real Nerds™ used. But I was always afraid of trying to use it - I don't think I'd ever actually seen Linux in action, and I was under the impression that it would take a few years of training to come to grips with it. Well, I recently put together a media server, and decided I'd take the plunge with Ubuntu, and I'm here to say: we have nothing to fear but fear itself (and Microsoft).
Posted 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?