Craig Steele: A Taste For The Theatrical

Holy SIP Protocols: Customised Batman VoIP Server

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:33:00 +0000

The printer room on Level 4 of the Computing Science building has just got a little closer to the Batcave...

Today, I claimed the machine which I was going to run my Honours project on. (I study Computing Science and my Honours project is about the development and structure of Voice over Internet Protocol systems).

As this old machine huffed and puffed through the boot up process, I couldn't resist a bit of customisation. Okay, so it's not quite my Batbook Air, but it's probably the only superhero themed project computer in the labs!

Computer Customisation: Modbook Pro is Tablet Mac

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:50:00 +0000

image from appleinsider.com

If you read this blog regularly, you'll know I'm a fan of computer customisation.

At this years Macworld, Axiotron have created a tablet computer using the 15" Apple Macbook Pro as a base: The Modbook Pro

According to the website "On the Modbook Pro’s flush-bezel mounted ForceGlass™ screen, you can draw or write using the digitizer pen and type text or keyboard shortcut commands – at the exact same time! Use your finger to zoom in and out with the on-screen software slider pad. Or pan and scan active content by moving your finger on the virtual touchpad"

They even give you the option of having a Windows partition - that way, they say, you can have the best tablet PC or Mac available.

The downsides? Okay, so it's $5000, but you can get a discount if you provide your own MBP for the customisation. And although they talk about detecting pen and touch simultaneously, I wonder how close we are getting to a true multi-touch tablet Macbook.

Overall, it looks great. I'd love to try it out!

What's your thoughts on the Modbook Pro?

REVIEW: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:20:00 +0000

photo from http://worldscollide.com

Sometimes Christmas isn't really Christmas without a fight. Even better if it involves performing a neck-snapping fatality on your Granny.

This Christmas I got myself Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe on the Xbox 360. Admittedly, I bought this purely for Batman's appearance in the game, and expected a pretty mediocre beat-em-up fueled only by the dual franchise incomes. What may surprise you, and it did me, is the game is actually quite good.

The worlds of the Detective Comics and Mortal Kombat are colliding and with them have spawned a new creature called Dark Khan. And with Dark Khan's presence comes "The Rage", a supernatural disease which causes the afflicted to take our their anger on the nearest friend or foe. Very soon characters from both Universes, The Rage running through them, are battling against each other.

The game features a great selection of characters from both franchises. Of course there is Batman, Superman, and Joker but even some lesser known characters such as Deathstroke make an appearance. On the MK side of things we have Sub Zero, Scorpion and femme fetal Sonia. I really had forgotten how much of the MK mythology I remember from my Sega Mega Drive days.

As you'd expect from Mortal Kombat (a series which helped to demonize video games in the eyes of the media) there is a the expected violence and gore. There's a whole bunch of new thumb-bashing 'fatalities' to learn (and 'brutalities' for the kill shy Superheroes) as well as a free falling battle mode.

The story mode is quite fun, especially when you play it from the point-of-view of both worlds. But there are a few frustrating things missing. In single player mode you can't customise your own "vs." match - you can only play through an arcade simulation or story mode where you have no control over your opponents identity. This is such a basic feature which is in every other game in the genre I've played. Get it sorted!

Overall, it's a good fun game, and while it's nothing ground-breaking, it was a lot more fun than I was expecting.

Wordle: Capture your blog in a single picture

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Wordle is an interesting little web-based toy that creates a "word cloud" from text you provide. Words that appear more often in the text appear larger in the finished cloud.

One of the most interesting ways to use this toy, is to provide a blog or feed as the form of input. For example, the following word cloud was created using the feed from this blog :

Picture from Wordle

As you can tell from the word cloud, I've been doing a lot of Batman related posts recently. For someone like me, who uses this blog for a variety of things, it's interesting to see some reoccurring themes.

A bleaker example of a word cloud can be seen from this word-cloud I created using the BBC Front-Page News feed:

It could be fun to use this with your twitter feeds, to find out what people are tweeting about. Or with Facebook status updates. You could output your music as text from iTunes and then create a word cloud to represent your musical taste.

Make your own word cloud using Wordle and link to it in the comments.

Poken: Crossing the Social Networking Divide

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:55:00 +0000

When it comes to social networking, I've tried most of the flavours. I started with a Myspace, moved onto a Bebo, before currently settling on my Facebook profile.

I think that these services are now an invaluable tool for sharing my life with other people. I can talk about what I'm up to, share photos, and chat with friends. Using things like my twitter and Facebook updates, I try to give people online an insight into some areas off my off-line life. But there is still a separation, there is a line between the online social networking accounts and 'real life' social networking. I was very excited to read about a company who are crossing that divide, and combining real life interactions with online social networks.

Poken (currently in beta) is a company selling small key chain mascots called Pokens. Your personal Poken character is programmed with your online social-networking information (e.g. email address, instant messenger ID, Facebook accounts, and more to come). When you meet someone else, to exchange this information with them you high-five the Pokens like you see in the picture above. The action of high-fiving the Pokens allows the details to be exchanged between them. Now, when the Poken is plugged back into your computer (thru' USB) it automatically links your accounts.

I suppose it's a bit geeky, but it's a slick way to exchange details - no need for business cards, or scribbling down on napkins. It also sort of confirms that your going to be connected, it's become part of an automatic process rather than a business card that someone may get around to reading again.

They are currently only selling Pokens in packs of 12 - so if they are 11 people out there who are also interested, leave me a comment and we can get something sorted! It would work out about £8 each.

What do you think about this? Is this a step too far? Or should we be embracing the crossover of real-life and online social networking?

REVIEW: Batman RIP Conclusion

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:51:00 +0000

(This post contains *spoilers* for the Batman RIP story arc. So, if you're still reading it - don't read this!)

Last week I finished reading the Batman RIP arc which I have been following since May. (You can read my other RIP related post here).
In this conclusion, Batman escapes after being buried alive by members of a secret worldwide crime syndicate known only as the Black Glove. Despite the Black Glove using both physical and psychological torture to try and defeat him, he overcomes their trap and heads back to their new headquarters at Arkam Asylum to deliver some long needed ass-kicking. As a beaten and mentally tired Batman confronts the leader of the Black Glove, a man masquerading as Bruce Wayne's father, a final fistfight in a helicopters results in the inevitable fireball and the death of Bruce Wayne as Batman....apparently.

I say apparently as the ending is ambiguous. A huge explosion and no sign of a body is more than a little frustrating way to end this arc which promised so much, and has so far only delivered another "comic book death".

To say the RIP storyline has been confusing at times would be an understatement. Batman, in his infinite knowledge of the criminal mind, decides that as well as having to prepare for every physical attack he could receive to his body, decides to prepare his mind for an attack by creating a "backup personality" that could be activated to save himself - think "system restore" for the mind. This was realised as the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, a yellow and purple suited Batman from another planet! You'll really have to read it for it to make sense.

Overall it has been enjoyable, with interesting plot twists and turns, and artwork that moves the story at a film-like pace, making you read each issue cover-to-cover. Moreover, Grant Morrison's portrayal of the Joker is worth the price of admission alone.

Despite it's highlights, I still feel slightly cheated. While heroes die, legends live forever - and the panels suggest that the legend of Batman will fall to Dick Grayson to dawn the cowl. But to find out the fate of Bruce Wayne, I'll have to follow another DC series (Final Crisis) which will truly determine what will happen to the Batman character.

But as everyone knows, in the world of comics books - no-one ever really dies (with the exception of Uncle Ben and Thomas and Martha Wayne), and I think this 'death' of Bruce Wayne is only symbolism of a new era for Batman.

Final Fortnight Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:48:00 +0000

Me looking a bit stressed

As week 9 of this term closes, I enter the final fortnight of the lecturing term - and the chaos associated with it begins.

The final two weeks are paper-jam packed with assignment deadlines, report hand-ins and general "get-this-done-by-this-day-and-attach-a-pink-plagiarism-cover-sheet" malarkey. This reoccurring festival is observed by Computing Scientists in various forms: from overnight vigils in the Boyd Orr computing lab, to fasting over lunch (in order to get those final lines of code written), and the custom of decking anyone who is wasting printer time with LOLcats when you are trying to re-print the class diagrams you spent all night wrestling from the clutches of Umbrello.

As you can probably tell, this is the least enjoyable fortnight of the term. So if you see me about, please do take the time to give me a cuddle - I'll really appreciate it.

Caped Crusader Double Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:02:00 +0000

I've got my tickets for Glasgow IMAX's "Caped Crusader Double Bill":

"On the weekends of Friday 14 & Saturday 15 and Friday 21 & Saturday 22 of November, Scotland’s only IMAX will be screening a dynamic duo, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight back to back. Plus, our bar will be open from 6pm so come along early, have a cold beer and enjoy the views of the waterfront."

Although I went to see "Batman Begins' at the cinema a fair few times, this will be the first time I have to experience it in the IMAX format. Having seen "The Dark Knight" previously in the Glasgow IMAX, I have an idea of what to expect. The huge screen and sound system changes it from just being a great movie into an "experience". The sound blasts from the screen, I could actually feel the floor rumbling as the Batmobile roared through the streets, and a genuine sense of vertigo as Batman glided over the rooftops. And as the story unfolds on the giant canvas, you can't help but be drawn into it.

Are you also going to this double feature presentation? What are your experiences of seeing Batman in an IMAX? Or do you prefer a standard cinema screen?

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The Caped Crusader Double Bill will play at the Glasgow Science Center IMAX on 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd of November 2008. Tickets are £14.95. More information can be found here

Alien Wars Returns to Glasgow

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:53:00 +0000

“An Alien Spacecraft discovered in the basement of the Arches has been quarantined by the British Army who are now patrolling the site. We are all trying to work at the venue as normal during this time but it has been agreed with governmental authorities that we can invite members of the public to view this amazing discovery in small groups.”

This signals the long awaited return of Alien Wars to The Arches in Glasgow, a production which I first previewed back in this post in April 2007! It's been 8 years since my last close-encounter, and it looks like I won't have to wait much longer.

Do you remember the original run of Alien Wars?
Tell me about it in the comments.

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"Auditions for Alien Wars actors will take place at The Arches at 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow on Monday 3rd November 2008 from 7pm.
No experience required. Tall actors (6ft plus) especially welcome."

"ExplodingDog" Customized iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:09:00 +0000

Another blog post, another cool customization of an Apple product.

This time another friend, Laura, is displaying her customized iPhone:

" I chose this design 'cause I love Robots, end of!

Ha. I took the design from explodingdog.com and decided to create a iPhone skin with it using 'Unique Skins', seen as my existing case had completely snapped in two!

It's pretty cool also 'cause it covers the big scratch on the back of my iPhone that I got after I accidentally dropped it down a flight of stairs :-/ "

Thanks for sending in the photo Laura.

Do you have any customizations you want to share?
Get it emailed to me!

"The Shins" Customized MacBook

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:55:00 +0000

As the BatBook Air continues to impress, it has inspired some of my friends to pimp out their Mac with a vinyl cover.

Friend, Co-worker, and Bronze Level Swimming Certificate holder Shaun Sanderson explains what he's been doing to his MacBook:

"The design is thieved from the cover artwork for Wincing The Night Away, by one of my favouritest bands, The Shins. I absolutely love their albums artwork, and this one I think is my favourite.

Dell are actually selling laptops with some (admittedly quite cool) artwork they've had commissioned, and I was also very impressed with the BatBook Air and since my beloved MacBook has been getting a little battered this semester from being lugged into uni every day, and I wanted something a little unique for it.

To customise the design for my laptop, I took the high-resolution version of the original album cover from the press kit that SubPop records have online for The Shins, and instant alpha'd the various elements out of it, then shifted and rotated them onto a background in Pages to suit the shape of the MacBook screen. The design actually carries round onto the bottom case as well which is quite cool."

As you can see from the picture, this is another great looking customization! In a side note - I encourage you to use the phrase "instant alpha'ed" in your own conversations soon!

Both Shaun's ShinBook and my BatBook were customized using vinyl skins from Unique Skins. Maybe they should think about offering me commission ;-)

Do you have any customizations you want to share with me?
Get it emailed to me!

Viral Marketing Participants Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:55:00 +0000

I'm currently working on a little viral game project.

It's a very simple version of a "alternative reality game". An alternate reality game (ARG) is an interactive narrative that uses the real world as a platform, often involving multiple media and game elements, to tell a story that may be affected by participants' ideas or actions.

To take part you must live somewhere in or near to Glasgow, Scotland. You'll also need to have some form of digital camera or camera phone.

This project is still in the early stages of development, but I'm looking for a small group of participants who would be interested to try some initial ideas out.

If you are interested in taking part, please email me at viralbeta@igsteele.com

Nothing I can do...

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:22:00 +0000

"Once upon a time there was code in my life, now there's only code in the dark..."
It had to happen. Almost finished Week 3 now of Computing Science level 4, and became acquainted with an old friend I haven't used since May. And haven't properly used since March.

Didn't actually make anything though, just wanted to remind myself of the joy's to come.

Bonus points to anyone who can guess the reference I was making?

Dedicated

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:56:00 +0000

Would you want a book about Voice over Internet Protocol dedicated to you?

REVIEW: Batman - The Long Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:31:00 +0000

This week I finished reading the Batman novel The Long Halloween.

Essentially it's a murder mystery involving a killer known as "Holiday" who is killing off relatives of mob families in Gotham - each on a significant public holiday. To solve the crimes, Batman, Commissioner Gordon have joined forces with the city's new District Attorney - Harvey Dent.

So, of course, one of the main arcs of the novel is the transformation of Dent into the psychopathic "Two-Face", but the murder story itself provided enough suspense that I 'forgot' that Harvey's downfall was inevitable - it did actually catch me off guard!

The novel was apparently used as a resource during the creation of the "The Dark Knight" and you can see the novels influences in the movie - with some frames appearing as exact shots in the film.

I always enjoy a story where you know the outcome at the beginning - it's the seeing the pieces of the jigsaw fit together that makes it so interesting.

And, as the pieces of Two Face fell in place, I couldn't help but read on.

Computing Science Level 4 Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:42:00 +0000

As I sit here, in the Computing Labs I have already begun to reflect on my course choices this term.

Since fourth year in high school, this is the first real chance I've had to truly "pick" my subjects. Obviously each year, we're given the usual spiel about how we have been empowered to choose which subjects we wish to continue with. But if you are studying computing science, those choices are somewhat restricted:

"You have the chance to really specialise in the areas of Computing Science you want to focus on....The only limitation is that you must pick 6 of these 8 subjects....Of course, if you are studying Computing Science or Software Engineering at Honors Level, you must choose these six."

But this year my choices have been completely my own. And I feel I have started to take advantage of that.
I've spent 3 years learning the technical details of Computing Science. Everything from low-level assembly code, right through many high level languages, web development, database management and networking solutions. This year, I feel I have chosen an interesting selection of courses which allow me to stand back a bit from the "techie" side of my studies and look at the bigger picture.

For example, one course (Enterprise Computing) is looking at how computing science can benefit, and is indeed an essential part, of modern business management. Another (Computing Science in the Classroom) will look at how we can teach the concepts of computer science in schools. This course will also allow me to go out into schools and try out some workshops and material of my own.

I hope these courses, and the others I choose, help to give me a better view of the "real world" of Computing Science.

Or maybe it's because I really don't want to be another code-monkey........

REVIEW: "Slick"

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:45:00 +0000

Robert Jack, Jordan Young, Cara Bissett, Angela Darcy (photo by Jethro Collins)

Is it wrong to love a production which features a nine-year-old boy (puppet) restoring an old woman's collapsed anus, complete with stomach churning sound effects?

The Vox Motus production, "Slick", is set in a world "somewhere between cartoons, puppet theatre and a magic show" and tells the story of a young boy, Malcolm, his cruel family and a twisted plot involving skateboards, crude oil and a penis pump. Yes, this is a production which takes puppet humour further than "Avenue Q" and "Team America: World Police" would dare!

Although the storyline would make the kids of South Park blush, it's the strong visual style which makes the show so appealing, and the energy and enthusiasm of the cast which creates a memorable experience. The comic book feel is further enhanced by a fantastic set, which the cast manipulate: sliding panels in and out to create new locations. The sound and lighting also deserve special mention, really allowing us to believe in the world that these outrageous characters inhabit.

It's the collaboration between the different artists which has really made this production stand out. It's great to see a Scottish theatre company creating a show in this way - and the finished product speaks for itself.

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The current run of "Slick" has now ended. The show toured Edinburgh, Inverness, Rutherglen, St Andrews, Kilmarnock, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Stirling. Visit the Vox Motus website here.
Image used with permission.

Jack returns in 24: Redemption

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:20:00 +0000

I'm starting to miss "24". So I'm really looking forward to this special "2 hour event" which will preceed the new series next year.

REVIEW: Batman RIP: Mid-Arch Review

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:13:00 +0000

My Batman RIP checklist in trusty hands

I'm currently about half way through the DC Comics Batman RIP Storyline.
Batman RIP is a basically the finale to Scottish writer Grant Morrison run on the Batman series.

This story arc has been hyped as a major milestone in the history of the Caped Crusader and includes "possibly the most shocking Batman revelation in 70 years." And so far, the story has not disappointed - a new super league of villains, mind control, and strong hints suggest that Bruce Wayne may not be an orphan after all.

As Batman prepares to attend the 'Danse Macbre', I strongly doubt this will be the end of Batman. His fate will be "so much better than death" according to Morrison. And I'll continue to follow the story with baited breath...

Tide Mind Control

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Watch as I control the power of the sea, using my mind alone.

The Batbook Air

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Behold my latest customized computing toy.

Batbook Air

So, of course, it's an Apple Macbook Air, which I have 're-branded' into a Dark Knight inspired Batbook Air. The skin, which I designed and ordered online, is a type of adhesive vinyl and is easy to apply. The center is cut-away to reveal the Apple loog, and when it is turned on the Apple glows which makes it look as if the Batman logo is also glowing. If Bruce Wayne was going to use a portable machine, it would be the Batbook Air.

I am very pleased with the final result, and the Batbook Air always attracts fans whenever I bring it out the Batcave.

Organise Your Student Life with a Mac

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Being a student is hard enough. If you've already invested in a Mac for your studies (or plan) there are many powerful applications in Mac OS X Leopard that make it easier for you to organise your notes and keep your work structured and on schedule throughout your academic career. Here are some tips to use these applications to their full potential.

Organise your timetable

Most students, myself included, are used to carrying around a timetable in a beer-sodden scrap of paper which proceeds to simultaneously ferment and biodegrade in their bag. Ditch the damp paper and switch to iCal.

iCal tip: For each class you can set the alarm function to "Open file..." and then choose your notes for that class. This means that iCal will automatically open your notes for you each time the class is due to begin!

Organise your contacts

Use Address Book to manage your contacts, this will allow you easily access your contacts details from many different areas of your Mac.

Address Book tip: Third party applications can allow you to synchronize information to your address book from other sources. FacebookSync grabs details from your friends' facebook and AdiumSync allows you to capture information from your instant messenger contacts (MSN contacts, AIM, and more).

Manage your note taking

If you store your class notes on your Mac you can use the powerful search facilities of Spotlight to help you master revision. Just type the phrase you are looking to revise and you'll be brought straight to the notes you need.

Note Taking tip: Some people find the best way to learn notes is to listen to them. You can convert any text from your notes into an iTunes Audiobook by using a simple program - now you can have an audiobook version of all your notes!

Social Networking on a Mac

Half the fun (if not more) of being a student is socialising. Use your Mac to allow you to rise to the top of the social networking leagues. iChat and Messenger For Mac will limit some of your instant messaging circles, so get Adium and connect to multiple networks at the same time.

Social Networking tip: The Facebook Exporter for iPhoto plug-in allows you to easily upload photos to your Facebook straight from iPhoto. You can write captions and tag them before uploading.

What other tips do you have for using a Mac at University, College or school? Tell us in the comments.

Google Chrome comes out of nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Google is about to enter the browser market with a web-browser that is about to appear.

You can check out a screenshot preview here.

I'll need to get my hands on this for a test-drive soon

Safety In Numbers: Why you should be using a number in passwords

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:55:00 +0000

Every day I use passwords to access a host of important information: email passwords, bank account PIN, phone keylocks. And it's important that the passwords we use are of a high integrity, so we need to make sure we choose our passwords wisely.
But it's amazing to think that by even making a small change can make a big difference to your password's integrity.

Okay, lets assume right now you have a 6 character password, where each character is made up from one letter of the alphabet (the password is non-case sensitive). There are 26 possible characters for each position. Hence

26 x 26 x 26 x 26 x 26 x 26 = 308,915,776 possible passwords

Wow, so around 309 million possible phrases. Let's say you changed this password by adding in a number somewhere. So, now there are 7 characters, where each character is either a letter from the alphabet or a number between 0-9. There are 36 possible characters for each position.

36 x 36 x 36 x 36 x 36 x 36 x 36 = 78 364 164 096 possible passwords!

So, by simply adding in a number into a password it is now 250 times stronger.

I Have The Power

noreply@blogger.com (Craig) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:31:00 +0000