Idiologic.com weblog

The Reluctance to Fail

2011-11-13T14:24:00Z

So many times yesterday (though it’s just a mere few hours ago), I tried to type a little something here on my weblog but I could never get the words out. I thought about ranting about how much I hate when people listen to music on public transportation without headphones (but how is that any different than listening to crappy music at a store you’re shopping at or on the radio with someone who has bad taste in music?). I decided not to just because my reasoning wasn’t well-thought through. But is my reasoning ever thought through? I didn’t think so.

Earlier today I was told by my ex that I should just call it quits on my course and do a trade instead such as being an electrician. So yes, what the hell happened there? I have been complaining a lot about my course being too hard and such but there have been a few health problems that are hindering my progress that I don’t really care to discuss right now. I think he had the impression that I am not passionate about what I do since I didn’t really do very well this semester. Granted it is my first semester and I totally downplayed the difficulty of my exams, I know that I can do better so I am preparing myself for the upcoming semester. I know what to expect.

Then it was after mentioning my age and my poor performance that he mentioned something about a project I am working on. It’s still under wraps and not related to podcasting, my website or such so I haven’t said much about it. I will say that it’s a gaming project that I said will be done around 2015. I have a working prototype but I’m not ready to share it with other people. He doesn’t know this because he doesn’t ask unless it’s to complain about something. I am working on something and I’m excited about it. Very excited. Until I learn more, I can’t do what I want (which is why it won’t be done for several more years… I also plan to submit it as a project of mine). I am looking forward to having something to announce but not yet.

My nephew is already alpha testing for me and he’s always looking for ‘updates’. He hasn’t really seen any since September so I need to get more together.

I don’t want to give up. I really don’t. I won’t, though he’s trying to talk me into it. I want to do this for myself and I will.

Updated Weblog Design and Other Recent Changes

2011-11-13T13:24:09Z

You might have noticed a few changes around Idiologic lately… some good and some not so good.

Updated Weblog Design: I have created/modified my weblog's main template to match closer with my podcast's virtual album cover's look.

New Commenting System: I am now testing a new commenting system that will replace the one that comes shipped with Movable Type to combat spam. All comments will be removed

New Main Site Design Coming: Because web browsers evolve so quickly, I am having a problem with my website being friendly with multiple devices and browsers. The problems that I have been seeing are disrupting the user experience on many browsers. I am going to try to try to fix this by UNITING the weblog's design with the main site's design. I didn't want to do this but I think it's best. I have never really liked using "cookie cutter" layouts but I believe this is the best way to make information available throughout my site.

Dropped Museo web font: My site will look a little differently compared to before. I have switched from using the Museo font (which I do like) to Ubuntu's font. I made this change across my full site as well as my weblog.

Removed Some Donation Options: I haven't received many donations as of lately and it may be that I kept adding options. The only option available now is to donate to my PayPay account.

What I'm working on now:

Implementation of Login Reward System (ready by end of year)
New, Unified Web Design (ready by end of year)
Gaming Project (done by the end of 2014)
Passing the next semester by getting a head start (ready by 2042)

If you are experiencing any problems (even now), please let me know.

Disastrous Exams Prove That I Need to Revise Goals

2011-11-10T15:01:02Z

Hello humans! Hope you all are alive and well (and not zombies). A few days ago, you saw me stressing out about exams. Well, they’ve come and gone and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. Not at all. In fact, I am extremely disappointed with my performance. I am hoping that this is going to be my worst semester. I really need to study harder next semester. Seriously.

Doing horribly on exams does nothing for me career-wise nor does it give me the OK to reward myself. I had hoped to go and buy Batman: Arkham City or something else that might be fun but well, no go. No such luck.

Instead of bashing myself on why I did such a shitty job, I thought I’d take an opportunity to explain what I can do better next semester to stop this from happening:

Study: Yes, I should study. I was about to say “study more” but I think it’s better for me just to stay study because I didn’t do it enough. My course outlines say that I should devote 12 hours a week to each unit. A semester later, I understand why. These 12 hours can make or break you.
Attend lectures: I used every excuse in the book not to go to my lectures. Yes, lectures are posted online but I always said that I would just listen to them at home. After about 20 minutes I would stop and go to Facebook or Twitter. Or walk away. No more skipping lectures.
Attend labs: I used every excuse in the book not to go to my labs too. I didn’t care for them but when you’re doing something IT-related, whether you think you know it all or not, you really should go to your labs. Very important.
Attend tutorials: I didn’t really have any but if I do, I’ll definitely go. In fact, my next semester has them.
Acquaint myself with the software: I am a software kind of guy so how hard can it be? When it' comes to Maya, very hard, actually. VERY hard. Working on your assignment 3 days before it’s due when you weren’t going to your labs is NOT a good way to make a decent grade. I need to work harder at that.
Make more friends in my course: Networking is crucial in IT and it’s also crucial in your university life. So I should get to know people because these people can be a very valuable asset later when I am trying to put together games or software. Oh, how I see how important that is now. I need to stop being anti-social.
Eat better, live better: Something I’ve discovered that being a student doesn’t entitle you to eating nothing but junk or being unhealthy. I thought that I would take a break from the gym and take it easy. I think that if I did eat the right things and exercise regularly, I would feel much better. I ended up losing a ton of weight instead of gaining it and I got sick a lot. I must stay active.

So that’s a lot on my plate. The next semester starts in the early months next year. I am hoping to get my act together. I do feel bad right now but what is done is done and I can only improve from this point. I have every intention of doing that.

Final Exams Have Arrived

2011-11-08T00:06:05Z

The time has come. In a few short hours, I will be taking my first exam for my first semester of course. Am I confident? Nah. All I’m asking for is a pass if not better. I have screwed up my last assignment for that class and got 3 points out of a total 15 for my overall grade. Luckily my other assignments had really high marks. I had expected the lecturer/tutor/course coordinator (they’re all the same person) to send me an email threatening me but it hasn’t happened yet.

So what am I doing typing weblog entries and not studying? That’s simple. There is only so much studying a person can do before they haul off and tape strangers to walls, poles and to stopped buses. I can’t overdo it. At this point, if I try to absorb anymore information, I will fail this final.

I’m thinking about other things too… like this exam is 3 hours long and I’m supposed to go without my phone, music, games or anything for that long. I’m going to explode if I do that. For my last course, I would usually complete the exams in about 25% of the time given (and do pretty darn well). I plan to take my time this time around because as I’ve said before:

I HAVE TO GET THIS RIGHT!

You know, screw the thought that I am going to have to be phone-less for 3 hours (then come home and get ready for round 2 tomorrow). I have to do well. No more career changes. That’s my rule but I have to say that I am not 100% sure I’ll be developing games in the future. I am looking more like a database guy. For some reason I find it fun and at times interesting. I’m actually looking forward to coming back and studying for that final. I’m nowhere near perfect but it’s the challenge I am looking for!

So yes, over the next few days I’ll be doing my exams and I am really hoping to do “good enough” on them. I wish myself luck.

TIP #6: Home, Not Alone

2011-11-04T02:53:38Z

I talk about my new housemate (the good and bad), my old housemate and our chance meeting (which may be a repeat), and bugs and spiders during the spring/summer months in Australia.

Working hard studying for exams but feel free to ask me something for my next podcast episode: http://ask.idiologic.com. Who knows, I might have answers.

TIP #6: Home, Not Alone
9.4 MB / 19 min 35 sec
Download: [MP3] [OGG]

You might want to subscribe via iTunes. Or you can use any player you want by going here.

In need of more information visit my podcast's page.

Champion of Procrastination

2011-11-03T04:53:45Z

Continuing on my weblog assault, I thought I’d type a little something here for you guys and girls who read this. I am supposed to be studying. Yes, I have the trophy for Procrastination Championship.

Ah yes, it’s absolutely wonderful how I keep putting off this revision but what do you do when your studying has to be done on a computer? Why, you go to Facebook, Twitter and 100 other places besides where you need to be.

I am going to end up doing horribly if I don’t do something about it. At least I’m getting some done today but the bad thing is that I am reviewing for my 3D math class and seeing all this code. I was told that it wasn’t a coding class yet I have to keep pulling lines of code out from my brain. Not good at all.

Maybe it’s that I just don’t really care as much as I thought I do. I’m not bored with my studying, but I am just in a mind frame of “Why bother?”. Then I remember, I am paying $1000 per class. So, yes, it’s a total waste of money if I don’t do it. I am dreading next semester because my workload is heavier meaning that I have less time to study. I have also elected to do one course by distance education but usually that doesn’t work out very well.

*SIGH*

Well, hopefully I can get my act together and get it all figured out. I’m mostly disappointed with my performance this semester. I have not even learned much which is not good at all. I did in my database class but I am going to bomb that too. I know it all sounds negative, but it’s sad when it’s true!

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, I have my exams. 5 days of studying isn’t enough but I don’t have the “oomph” to do it. I’m going to try, but my trying may not be enough. I have a feeling that I will be getting talked to by the course coordinator soon which is not good at all.

What can I do to fix this problem? Probably stop writing weblogs, checking Facebook and just stop thinking “tomorrow is a better day”. Sure it’s better as far as being lazy, but every day I don’t review, the worse I’m going to do.

Off I go to accomplish this again…

To be a good citizen…

2011-11-01T01:46:07Z

It’s my study week and what am I NOT doing? That’s right, studying. Today is a state holiday (if not national holiday) so I am taking it a bit easier. Sitting back and relaxing is so much better than studying for hours, right? Yes, that is right! I have some serious studying to do so hopefully I won’t do horribly on my exams next week.

I woke up this morning with a horrible stomach ache. I am overthinking way too much lately. Most of my stress right now has to do with the fact that I am not studying. Yes, the smallest things tend to bother me. You probably know that by now if you were reading up on me over the past few months. I have so many problems relieving my stress and I know what you’re thinking… isn’t sex a great reliever? Not for me. It never has been so I am just keeping myself amused in other ways.

So yes, November is here and that means that there is a month until my favorite month of the year… usually. I really hate being in the heat in December. That’s something I will just have to live with this year. I’m not willing to spend more money than I really have to travel too far away. I also shouldn’t go too far away so that I can get my citizenship papers in. I’m still unsure how I feel about that. It might seem like no big deal but do I really want the pressure of dual citizenship? I want to have the opportunity to come and go however I want. Sure I can do that as a permanent resident but do I really want to be forced to meet the 2 years that I need to be here in a 5 year period? Am I planning to get Australian citizenship then haul off to the USA? I don’t think so—to both questions.

I have spent a good 6-7 years in this country (doesn’t time fly?). So, why not make the plunge? A lot of people ask me whether I’m going to lose my USA citizenship and then add (before I can answer) that USA citizenship is better to have. I think I need to have a sense of belonging here because even now I feel as if I don’t truly belong in Australia. I still feel like a foreigner sometimes but then there are also the times where I fit right in. Australian culture has rubbed off on me and I think that’s a great thing. The spellings, as you’ve seen above, don’t really change with me though unless spell correct auto-corrects it. Yes, there’s a red line under “favorite” but everybody knows what I mean.

So what’s next? I have about 17 pages of forms to fill out and more pictures to take. Then it’s off to submit this thing and that’s all there is to it. It’s just a hard thing for me to decide fully to do – I told myself that I would do it. I do know that I will end up staying in this country if I can manage it.

Plus I really want the plant they give you for being a citizen. That so makes it worth it.

Why So Uptight about Halloween?

2011-10-30T00:06:25Z

Ah, it’s raining here. That’s a good thing because the flowers outside really needed it and I’m too lazy to go out with a water hose and water them. Don’t you love when nature does things for you? I do.

Halloween is coming on Monday and in Australia, it’s not such a big thing like it is in the United States. On some levels, that makes me sad but then again, from when I first came here in 2001, things are getting more festive every year that passes. I love it. I’ve been invited to go to a party or two but I decided not to go because of the whole money issue thing I have going on. Oh and that $17 I was telling you about? I checked last night and it’s actually $13. Not fun at all. But this post isn’t about my money woes…

Even in the USA, there are people who are anti-Halloween. I never really understood why people get so uptight about holidays that are supposed to be fun, especially for kids.

Some of my fondest memories were going to my grandparent's’ neighborhood and trick-or-treating and getting a HUGE jackpot of candy. They live in a good neighborhood where people made money, had nice houses and cars and I guess everybody knew that’s where the candy mother lode was. Never did I associate “evil” with Halloween. Yes, some of the costumes were pretty damn scary but that’s all they were: costumes. It was about having a lot of fun.

My costumes were never really that scary. I remember even going out one year as a compulsive gambler. Uh huh, I’m sure the people who were giving me candy were like “This person really didn’t even try.” I didn’t try. I like to think that it was a spur of the moment thing. It was! Still it was fun and though me being a compulsive gambler was weird, I hardly consider it “evil”.

Some people ::cough:: southern Baptists ::cough:: have nothing better to do than going around nit-picking things and finding the “evil” out of them. They are some of the most uptight, cranky people in the world and when you hear about the religious crazies, that’s usually what they follow. Sad, really. I can’t say ALL of them are buzz kills, but from what I’ve experienced living in the Southern USA, yeah, they put a lot of kill in the buzz.

Need some proof of uptightedness about Halloween? Just Google it and you’ll come up with this lovely post: Should Christians Participate in Halloween?

Seriously, I am all for religious freedom but when it comes to lumping everybody together and saying, hey, you’re evil for doing this – that’s when it draws the line. I don’t need preached to why my decisions are “horrible” because some overzealous person thinks so. That’s why I don’t follow any religion and that’s why I make a decision not to belittle any group (except for those who take it a little too far like, yes, look above). I do have a problem with people who take it a little too far.

So get out your pumpkins, have your parties, carve your pumpkins, kiss a zombie or do whatever it is that you do this year and enjoy this fun time of the year. If you feel the need to just sit back, read a Bible so it just all goes away, then do that. Going around telling people that they’re heathens is a waste of your energy and time, especially someone like me who loves that day and knows what it’s about: FUN.

Happy Halloween everybody. :)

Things I Think I Need… but Don’t Need

2011-10-28T12:35:46Z

November is almost here and it’s almost time for me to hammer out a list of stuff that I’d like for my birthday and Christmas. Before I do that though, I thought I’d share a short list of stuff that I think I need but have no use for. I think everybody has a list of such things unless you’re normal and not materialistic like I am.

First up, we have the Nespresso Latissima.

Ah, it’s a beaut, right? Some of the best espresso I have ever had came from the demo machine at the store. Sadly, I can probably count the number of times I’ve had espresso on one hand. I could always start drinking it, right? Am I so sophisticated and upper class that I need a $1,000 machine (the one I want is that expensive) to make my coffee? Not really. I’m afraid that if I did get one, it would sit on the countertop and collect dust, grease and other odds and ends. Do I still want one? You betcha. My sister has one of the Keurig ones. Much more economical and from what I’ve tasted, it’s pretty darn good. Why do I crave this DeLonghi Nestle-branded monster , then? Not sure… still can’t pinpoint why.

Next up is the Nintendo 3DS.

I have a always been a loyal customer of Nintendo and when I saw and played with the Nintendo 3DSI knew that I wanted one. The key word: wanted. I know I didn’t really need it because the Nintendo DSi and Wii I already had hardly got any love from me recently. Would I really enjoy playing remade games on something that I would probably play once every two weeks? The answer is no. Is it something that I want? Yes. I want one of these things even if its main use is to sit next to my bed at night gathering dust. I must say, however, if Animal Crossing comes out soon, I might give in. :)

Surprised I don’t have this? It’s the iPad 2.

Ah yes, Apple's iPad 2 . You’d think I’d own one of these things by now but I don’t. I’ve hardly used one, actually. I live just fine with my iPhone at the moment. Sure, I’d love to have one because I see everybody else with one but I figure with a laptop (which has more power and does a lot more), I am fine. Unlike the two items above, I’d use this but right now I have to say no because I just don’t see a huge compelling need for it. But… I want one. Bad. It’s a bad case of “you can’t get what you want because if you did buy it, you’d be financially screwed worse than you are now” and that sucks.

Last, for this short list is… yes, I’m serious: an LED sign.

Could you imagine all the things I could put on this baby and hang it outside my bedroom door? “Go Away.” “Do not enter or I’ll feed you to the pet monkey I have in a cage in here.” “Sale on ‘Not Giving a Damn’. Buy one get one free.” Oh the possibilities! I’ll probably never get one though. The scrolling LED sign would be pretty handy to let people know I’m busy and to get away whether it’s sleeping, scoring points with whoever is in my bed or attempting to study. I want one so bad and I’m telling you, I’ve BEEN wanting one of these since I was what, 7? You will be mine, oh yes.

----------

So yes, there you have it. A list of 4 things that I really want but don’t need. Sometimes you have to spoil yourself though, am I right? Maybe I’ll get all these things and maybe not. Who knows if it will ever happen?

The $17 Challenge: Can it last 2 weeks?

2011-10-27T15:19:38Z

I’m sitting here thinking what I’d like for my birthday and Christmas… because you know, it’s almost that time again! Problem is that I don’t feel like doing the linking and stuff – so I will do that another time—probably when I’m supposed to be studying for exams.

I am in bed just trying to relax a bit. Not going to sleep yet because I have a bit on my mind. Unfortunately, being a poor student (and I mean absolutely piss poor), I think a lot about money and my lack thereof. Funny, I have $17.00 to last me for 2 weeks. What is also funny is that $17.00 has to feed me, entertain me and transport me. You may (or may not) know that Melbourne isn’t the friendliest city as far as transportation costs go. It’s some of the most expensive in the world and probably THE most expensive in Australia. Sometimes I wonder whether just buying a car and driving is cheaper. Maybe other people have the same idea and that’s why there is such a traffic problem here. It’s a transportation nightmare no matter how you look at it.

I have also made some very poor decisions as far as eating goes and have been eating out a lot. It’s one of the bad things about living so close to fast food. There is a pizza place nearby so I can just grab a pizza and it’s a lot cheaper than going to McDonald’s and can last a lot longer. I actually planned to go to McDonald’s today but had my mobile phone bill to pay first. I thought I’d pay that first to see if I had any money left to get food. Smart idea, sure, but bad as far hunger goes.

Add to the pain that I have less than $2.00 on my travel card. Yeah, not good.

Why all the pain? I had to buy software for my PC. I had to buy Microsoft Office 2010 because I can’t stand the free alternatives and I just didn’t want to steal Office anyway. Office is really good software. It needed purchased. I bought the academic version for $99 and stupidly paid $15 more to have extra to have it shipped here. So I lost $114 just from that. Then I have other bills such as my gas bill coming in (it was very reasonable this time, around $65 for 2 months.).

Thinking about it, why is Office for Windows about the same price as Office for Mac, yet the Mac version contains considerably less?

I really hate that my weblogs are about money mostly but, well, that’s life. Life involves money.

That is also a reason why if you need anything (or want to give anything) from Amazon, you should use links on my website or get new hosting. Yeah, sad I know but any bit helps Christmas suck a bit less. We all know that’s the main reason I can’t go home this year.

(Oh, by the way, $17 can buy me about 11 5-packs of Indomie Mi Goreng Fried Noodles very tempting since I love those noodles.)

My Continuous Stress Levels

2011-10-25T12:47:03Z

I didn’t realize that it’s been a while since my last weblog entry so in case you were wondering where I’ve been, what I’ve been up to and other similar questions that can be answered with a simple “nothing” then, hey, I’ve got all the information you need right here!

Right now, it’s the end of the semester and exams are coming up. I would love to tell you that I have been studying but I haven’t. I should, yes, but I simply haven’t been able to since I am working on completing assignments like a good boy. The semester has turned out to be an emotional train wreck for me. I feel like I’m constantly sick. I’ve lost a lot of weight and well, I stay unhappy. Not good. Am I happy with what I study? I am okay with it but don’t know whether I will finish up my games development degree because it may not be my calling. I will stay in the technology field though which is a good thing so it’s not all time and money wasted. I’m planning my classes to be core requirements for the general program itself.

I have been dealing with the ex harassing me every few days (minutes, sometimes) about money that I owe him (so it’s expected harassment).

Things are just unbearable at times and add all the sickness I’ve been through and it’s been absolutely horrible. I know my kidneys are crying to be carved out but I’ll keep them there for as long as I possibly can.

I’m also having a hard time accepting that I won’t be going back to the USA at the end of the year. I’m terribly upset about that but I am going to try my hardest to make a trip June/July or November/December next year.

It’s money though. Money is what I need and money is what I don’t have at the moment.

Yes, I know. Lots of problems but I think the more important question is: what am I going to do about it?

School: Study harder next semester and learn better time management.
Health Problems: Eat healthier and hopefully go back to exercising regularly.
Money: Work more? Get a better job?

Sad thing is that it’s brutal to go to school and work at the same time. You have to have some sort of plan though and my plan is to improve my situation at least 33%.

Oh good thing though is that I have a housemate who I haven’t paid much attention to. I figure he’d enjoy the time to himself after living with a pack of people. So, I’m letting him soak it all in… then I’ll force him to cook Indian food for me!

The Idiologic Podcast? It’s still alive. Hanging on by a thread. Five episodes since July is NOT what I wanted to do but I think I warned you guys and gals that I am very terribly busy with school work. Plus, feedback has been pretty non-existent! (I am planning 4 more by the end of the year.)

Oh and did you read the Steve Jobs book yet? I haven’t but of course it’s hard to get me to read anything! Haha!

UPDATED: Went through my comments and about 900 of them were spam. If you sent me a legitimate comment and it wasn’t approved, I am very sorry for the long wait of it being approved. I’m also sorry if I went a little too delete-happy and deleted your comment if you sent me a nice one.

TIP #5: Recipe for Stress

2011-10-14T05:25:19Z

I talk about what's been going on since my last podcast, my school happenings and share a quick and easy recipe for guacamole that my sister taught me a few years ago. Very healthy. Very tasty too!

I will be working on assignments and exams for a while, so I am hoping to be back the 2nd week of November at the latest. I'm going to try to do another podcast episode by the end of the month so ask your questions here: http://ask.idiologic.com. You never know, I might have answers.

TIP #5: Recipe for Stress
9.4 MB / 19 min 16 sec
Download: [MP3] [OGG]

You might want to subscribe via iTunes. Or you can use any player you want by going here.

In need of more information visit my podcast's page.

Love as a Construct

2011-10-12T13:07:49Z

If you’re a huge video game music fan (like me), you might really like the Portal 2 soundtrack (which is available for free, legally). No gimmicks, no giving any information, you just go to the page and download.

Portal 2 has turned out to be one of my most favorite games ever. I played it and after about 15 minutes I did start asking myself “Am I really going to like this game?” After that I was blown away. I had to think to play this game. I had to sometimes really think about it (and sometimes, once or twice… I had to check YouTube for hints). It turned out to be really fun.

Yes, I am aware it has been out for a while. I wanted to play this game for a long time but I did and I finished it a few weeks ago. I immediately wanted more. Even though some of the main characters are robots, you start connecting with them immediately. You remember their names. That’s always great in video games. (Did you know that is what I am studying to do now and have built a prototype game already which you are not going to see for several more months?)

ANYWAY! One of my favorite songs on the soundtrack is called “Love as a construct” and I think it plays when you’re moving around a “companion cube”. (It’s a movable block thing from the first Portal—which I have NOT played… yet.) I will share it with you:

<\/param><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt="">

One of my favorite songs from the soundtrack

So if you are looking for volumes 1, 2 and 3, head over to the Portal 2 Music page (official site). Download and love!

Give me some time to procrastinate

2011-10-06T08:33:07Z

Ah yes, here I am again! Pretty damn good for me to be here for over 2 times in a week right? I am doing well. I guess. My sleep quality is extremely bad lately and I am feeling the effects of it today. I think I finally started getting sleep around 5 am this morning and needed to get up around 9 am to get to my lecture. Unfortunately, I ended up waking up around 10:15 am when I have an 11 am lecture. Yes, it bites. I really needed to go to that lecture…

I have not been to a lecture for that class in about 4 weeks. Should I go? Yes, I should since I’m paying about $1,000 per class. I do have a HD (that’s an A in the USA) in my data management class (which is pretty much Oracle databases). If I had to rate my knowledge with Oracle databases, I’d end up rating myself about a 6/10. It has been a bit easier than expected.

My 3D mathematics class, I have received a few HDs and a D (A’s and a B). One more assignment then it’s my exam!

You ask about the 3D modelling? Yeah, I failed that class out of laziness. Very sad.

I’m watching Cops here in Australia and it’s a mullet festival! Yay, mullets! It also makes me happy that I have never been arrested or anything like that – poor me gets all jittery when I get my fingerprints done for immigration!

It also makes me remember how policemen have some sort of power-hungry super-ego complex too. Some of the rudeness… you just shouldn’t have to deal with.

ANYWAY, I think my purpose of this weblog entry is to just waste time so I will go ahead and go.

New Technology = Happier Ben

2011-10-04T00:49:00Z

Technorati Tags: kindle,amazon,fire,amazon fire,hp,pc,apple,mac,windows,gifts

Here I am bringing you a new weblog from my new laptop. I decided it would be best for me to get a Windows-based laptop instead of a Mac one this time because I really wanted to get something that is Windows-dedicated. Why would I do something like that, you ask?

Good question. Whether I like it or not, most development for games is done on a PC. Sure, I could have continued to run Windows 7 on Monstro (my Mac Pro, for the clueless) but poor Monstro didn’t really go for that. It felt so wrong to me plus I’m not a fan of running operating systems on a virtual machine. I tend to compromise a lot of power by running it on my Mac. (It has 3 GB of memory.)

This little guy (who hasn’t been named yet) packs a healthy 8 GB of memory which should work out pretty well for the next few years while I do my coursework. That’s what it’s intended to be, a development machine.

Will I stop using Macs? No. I just don’t see the point of being some kind of Mac elitist that gets on my high horse with how Macs are at least 9 times more awesome than PCs. PCs do have their charm and I am over the “oooh”s and “aaah”s of Windows 7,

I think some people think I go from one extreme to the other with regards to technology and sometimes, I do. I won’t lie. Apple has disappointed me on too many levels with defective merchandise (the iMac being one of the biggest letdowns) and a cracked MacBook case. But at the end of the day I have to say that if I didn’t have an Apple to use, I’d feel quite lost.

The same goes for gaming consoles. Just because I picked up an XBox 360 doesn’t make me want to throw the PS3 in the garbage. Yes, my Wii did end up going away but that’s mostly because the novelty wore off and the games were no longer amusing me (though Metroid is an awesome series). My next phone may not be an iPhone either. What works for one person may not work for another.

I probably should get out of bed since I have a million things to do and there are tradesmen outside tearing down the half—built house in the back. Glad to see the thing go down… it was an eyesore!

Ah yes, sorry about the lack of podcasting lately. Hopefully I’ll have something for you on Friday. October is a BUSY month for me.

Curious to know what I got? I got the HP Dv6 6138tx.

Speaking of technology, have you had a chance to look at the new Amazon Kindles and the new Amazon tablet (aka the Amazon Fire)? I want one of those tablets, dang it!

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi ($199)*
Kindle Touch, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers ($149)*
Kindle Touch 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers ($99)*
Kindle, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers ($79)*
Amazon Gift Cards for ANYTHING (Out of experience these work really, really well for Christmas gifts)

The little * next to those prices? That means that those prices were current when I posted this thing. You can check to see if the prices have changed – you might be pleasantly surprised!