A Tale of Four Screens

Thanks to a dual head video card, a random PCI video card, and a glorious piece of freeware called Synergy, I essentially have four monitors on my system (though one of them is my laptop acting as an extended desktop). I just thought I would announce that to make you all drool

It occurs to me that I should get a black keyboard sometime. It currently clashes.

State of the Blog Address

Greetings,

This is just a brief notice to inform the world that updates are likely to be sparse for the indefinite future as I endeavor to write my book. This is certainly a lofty goal for an unapologetic procrastinator such as me. Therefore, my writing juices will be diverted for awhile, but rest assured, you’ll all get to see the finished product.

Furthermore, time is likely to be scarce this summer as I work to obtain food money for next semester. But I do intend to update the look and feel of my blog in the near future. I’m currently designing a new template that should be ready in a few weeks (once I’m sure that I like it).

-Chad

Spore

Spore is a game that is emerging which has the potential to end my life… my social life at a bare minimum. Time will tell as to whether or not it actually causes my death via causing me to forget to eat. The detail that makes it so much more fascinating that anything that has preceded is that it is based on fully interactive content. Content that that is directly based on what you do. This idea is called procedural generation:

Procedural Generation - is a widely used term to indicate the possibility to create content on the fly, as opposed to creating it before distribution. Via Wikipedia

They use a particular algorithm to animate the motion of a creature based on the user defined skeleton. This results in a “god” type game on a completely different level than anything before.

At GDC-Europe Will Wright gave a demonstration of the game. It’s a long speech and available online, but it is entertaining, humorous, and informative. If you don’t want to spend an hour then here are the key segments you should look at and their associated ideas:
12:10-23:30 – Microbes, land animals, the creature editor, 3rd person eater
30:20 – 38:58 - the brain, RTS, social dynamics, civilization evolution
43:20 - 59:08- Planetary conquest, interstellar exploration, terraforming, SETI, Death Star, Galaxy Quest

If you’re too lazy for even that, here is a brief explanation-less look at it from E3.



It looks like it will be a great journey from Sim-Ant, to Sim-Ants, to Sim-Village, to Sim-City, to Civilization, to Sim-World, to Sim-Galaxy. The potential for this game is seemingly endless as it branches across genres, concepts, and aesthetic dynamics. As Will Wright says… the idea is have a game where you’re more like George Lucas than Luke Skywalker. That analogy terrifies me because I’d rather be the guy with a light saber than the one with a stick up my butt.

In any case, Spore looks like it will be truly fantastic. I say that for two particular reasons.

1. It will revolutionize the gaming community in a way that has never happened before
2. It looks to be entirely too much fun

Anyway, how can a game with black holes, creature editors, and microorganism pac-man be anything other than awesome?

Thanks to Mike M. for the tip.

Captains of Industry

O Captain! My Captain!
By Walt Whitman

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Via Bartleby

What happened to the great “Captains of Industry” from the days of yore? The poem may have been about Abraham Lincoln, but I wonder if the same is now true of the old Captains of Industry.

These men such as Andrew Carnegie were among the ruthless in history of capitalism. In the case of Carnegie, he used Pinkertons to break a strike, resulting in 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries. At the time the methods were immaterial, only the outcome mattered. His biographer Joseph Wall commented that “Maybe with the giving away of his money, he would justify what he had done to get that money.”

However, his philanthropy is legendary and was focused on social and educational development and advancement. This endeavor can be seen in the:
Carnegie Laboratory
Carnegie Hero Fund
Carnegie Institute of Technology – $2 million
Carnegie Institution in DC – $2 million
Carnegie Libraries

A common theme seems to be evident in his donations. The question as to whether or not they were monuments to his own ego or whether he really believed his Gospel of Wealth can best be answered by his death.

By the time of his death in 1919, Carnegie gave away over $350,695,653. When that amount is adjusted for inflation it is over $4.3 billion. He died with only $30 million left out of his fortune. That sum was donated to charities and other foundations immediately following his death. He truly lived his axiom that “a rich man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.” Andrew Carnegie died with the utmost honor.

Yet, are there any libraries named in honor of Lee Raymond’s contributions? No, despite this Exxon Mobil CEO garnering $144,573 for each day of the 13 years he worked for the company. This totaled over $686 million between 1993 and December 2005 when he retired. His legacy is practically nonexistent. He will only be remembered as being President of Exxon in 1989 when the Exxon Valdez spilled 30 million gallons of crude oil off the coast of Alaska.

Stories such as this are rampant. At least twice a week there is a story in the Wall St Journal of another executive receiving a multimillion dollar package. Yes, in terms of social Darwinism, they have earned it. In the Bible, Paul gives the church at Thessalonica the rule that:

"Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat” - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

One’s social fate is one’s responsibility and no one else’s. This is true regardless of belief or creed. However, there are greater social responsibilities to consider. The whole will always be greater than the sum of its parts and thus it is in the interest of all to support one another.

However, this does not mean throwing money at an issue is a good solution. The world should follow Carnegie’s model by donating funds to schools, libraries, and other institutions of education. Instead, the US Welfare system has been giving men a fish since 1935 (get a T-shirt about that here). It is a principle that is lost on much of the world, that “learning to fish” is learning to be a useful, productive member of society.

The direction of benevolence has changed. At the same time, business practices have changed as well. Today, corporations go a long way to avoid overt ruthlessness, and yet they do not believe in the Gospel of Wealth. While there are no more strikes to be broken by men with guns, there are no longer Captains of Industry actively seeking social and educational advancement.

The era of great men such as Andrew Carnegie is long since past. However, there is still one beacon of hope: Bill Gates. He does have philanthropist tendencies. The following section can be found in his online biography:

He and his wife, Melinda, have endowed a foundation with more than $28.8 billion (as of January 2005) … The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed more than $3.6 billion to organizations working in global health; more than $2 billion to improve learning opportunities, including the Gates Library Initiative to bring computers, Internet Access and training to public libraries in low-income communities in the United States and Canada; more than $477 million to community projects in the Pacific Northwest; and more than $488 million to special projects and annual giving campaigns.

So perhaps there is hope for the flowers after all. I certainly hope that greed can one day be set aside and that those with the means to do so will make the world a better place via education. To quote the Spiderman movie: “with great power, comes great responsibility.”

This article in the USA Today set me off and prompted me to write this blog.

Sources:
Wikipedia - Andrew Carnegie
Market Watch - Lee Raymond's Salary
Microsoft - Bill Gate's Bio

College Supply List

College is a course in Lifehacking. These are some of the items that I found that made life easier and more convenient. Go prepared; campus bookstores have a long standing tradition of trading in arms, legs, and firstborns for the most basic supplies.

Kitchen:
Large Pyrex Measuring Cup - This is the absolute best container for microwaving sustenance and small kittens.
Price: $5.99 at Wal-Mart

Microwaveable Paper Bowls - If you're too lazy to worry about washing your dishes these are a great alternative. They're not quite as sturdy or large as the Pyrex, but you CAN throw them away.
Price: $3.50 for 25

Brita Water Filter – If you are picky about your water supply, pick up one of these (not too big, or it won’t fit in a refrigerator). They provide clean, fresh tasting water.
Price: $25


Consumables:
Food - Stock up on Easy Mac, Instant Oatmeal, and Popcorn before departing for college, they're great snacks/meals and don't expire anytime in the near future.
Price: $20-50 per semester depending on consumption.

Energy Drinks - You will pull at least one all nighter. Some form of "sleep in a can" is essentially to compensate for a prolonged lack of the real thing. Red Bull works best for me.
Price: $31.24 for a case of 24 at Sam's Club

Medicine - Get a large variety of drugs for varying symptoms. Include expectorants (cough syrup), decongestants (cold, sinus, allergies), anti-inflammatory (Advil Liqui-Gels are great), and some form of Ibuprofen. You will get sick and or injured at some point in the year.
Price: $20-30


Office Supplies:
3 Hole Paper Punch - Get one with a lever so you can do 10-20 pages at a time. This is invaluable when filing your papers in 3-ring binders.
Price: $10-15

Fiskars Compact Paper Trimmer – This is an extremely useful paper cutter. It saves space and is much more precise than normal “chop-style” ones. It is especially wonderful for cutting out photos.
Price: $10.99

Note: Have an abundant supply of pens, pencils, paper and other obligatory supplies. Again, remember that campus bookstores trade primarily in arms, legs, and firstborns. It is better to have too many then have to buy stuff there.

For the Dorm:
Long Wooden or Metal Stick - This can be lodged or balanced in a number of ways using the basic principles of levers to hang shirts for open air drying (they dry wrinkle free this way, especially if you point a fan at them). A set of crutches also works extremely well (because of the holes for size adjustment).
Price: $0-10

3M Self Adhesive Hooks - These throwaway hooks are great for adding places to your dorm for hanging up hoodies, coats, whatever.
Price: $1.50 – 2.99 per pack

Room Darkening Material - This material functions as a makeshift set of curtains, and they actually block light. You can also transform a lower bunk into a fortress of solitude and darkness with this material.
Price: $6/yd at Joann Fabric

Power Strips - Dorms do not have enough plugs. It's a law. No matter how non-technical you are plan on picking up 3 or 4 power strips and at least one surge protector for your electronics. Also obtain enough extension cords to be able to put them exactly where they are needed.
Prices: $5 each for power strips,
$15-50 each for surge protectors,
$3-10 each for extension cords

Large Laundry Bag – This is a given, but get a free standing bag with handles. If possible, obtain one with a shoulder strap. Laundry is one of those inescapable evils, so you might as well do it efficiently. Ikea has a great one.
Price: $5-15


Multipurpose:
Duck Tape - It has a light side and a dark side and holds my dorm and the universe together
Price: $3 per roll

Knife - Some sort of cutting tool other than scissors is extremely useful in a variety of circumstances. Leatherman Multitools like the Wave (my weapon of choice) are particularly handy, but an Exacto-knife will generally suffice.
Price: varies depending on what you get $2-70

Backpack - Yes, this is a given, but the key is picking one of the hiking variety with an internal frame. It's much better for your body and is a lot more comfortable when dragging 15 lbs of textbooks. The chances are you're going to do a lot of walking, especially your first year. Also, having a surplus of pockets allows you to compartmentalize your necessities.
Price: $40-70


Technology - Not Necessarily Essential/Affordable, But Bloody Useful
Tablet PC - You need a laptop anyway, so why not go for the best note taking device on the planet. You can draw diagrams in your typed notes or just take hand written notes in digital form.
Price: $1500-2500

Cellphone – An absolute must for ordering pizza, talking to friends and parents, and figuring out where your friends are. Note: Please don't use ringtones. Nobody else needs to know or cares when you get a call or SMS.
Price: $35/mo - Get a Family Share Plan with some friends and you can save $10-20 a month.

TI-89 Graphing Calculator - This is the best graphing calculator ever. It can do everything from derivatives and integrals to 3D and Parametric Graphing. As secondary features, it also can add, subtract, etc. It is a higher level device and will require you learning how to use it efficiently. Avoid the Titanium edition if possible, the form factor is terrible.
Price: $150

Ipod or other Mp3 Player - Provides a bubble of sanity while studying and sleeping. My vote goes to the Nano (at least until it's replaced by something smaller).
Price: $50 - 300+

Wireless Router – If your campus does not provide wireless, create your own bubble of connectedness. These are great both to carry around (if you get a compact one) or to permanently setup in your dorm.
Price: $30-50

Laptop Accessories
USB Hub - 2-3 usb ports are not sufficient if your laptop is your primary computer.
Price: $10 - if you spend more than $20, you are getting screwed. Order this online.

Mouse - Nubs and touchpadcs just suck for video games. If you have bluetooth on your laptop, spend the little bit extra on that type of mouse so you don't have to worry about having a cable or a dongle. If not, then I suggest the Logitech Media Mouse (you can control your music via buttons right on this mouse). A wireless mouse is preferable for the sake of convenience.
Price: $20-70

Headphone Splitter - Sometimes you're going to want to share some audio with a friend. For the sake of etiquette and the sanity of those around you, invest in a splitter. Nobody else wants to hear the Numa Numa song seven times in a row.
Price: $2-3

Car Power Inverter - At least 75W - Supplies power from the car for your laptop on those long car rides. Note: Do NOT use wall charging units other than the one for your laptop with this (e.g. the one for your cell phone). It will fry them.
Price: $15-40

Video Input - This isn't essential but if you don't have a television to bring to college this is a cheap and useful alternative. Also, if you find a functional cable jack your laptop lets you tune. Also, you can also plug an Xbox, N64, etc in for semi portable fun.
Price: $50


Via a very informal poll of my friends, it was agreed that the three best items to have at college are:
1) Laptop
2) Cellphone
3) Comfy Bed

C for Cookie

V for Vendetta was an excellent movie. It had all the elements of greatness including Hugo Weaving, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and explosions. Here is a trailer spoof of it featuring the characters of Sesame Street. Here is the original trailer for comparasion.

The movie also has one of the best speeches ever (similar to that of The Architect in Matrix 3). Which is found here:

Rant - Immigration

Personally, I find the whole immigration situation mind boggling. To me, a cynic, the issue seems quite clear cut. Here is what I think:

1. Deport everyone that entered the country illegally. Yes all 11.4 million of them. The key word is ILLEGALLY. I have no problem with those that enter the country legally, but swimming across the Rio Grande is not the right way to do it.
   
2. We need to build a giant electrified fence and or wall between the US and Mexico. Add a dash of snipers, a pinch of landmines, and a sprinkling of attack helicopters. Ok, I'm just kidding, but we do need to defend our borders.
   
3. The argument that illegal immigrants do the jobs that Americans will not do isn’t exactly true. They do the jobs that Americans do not want to do for the allotted wage. Enter Capitalism. The detail is that nobody wants to pay $5 for a random piece of fruit. Therefore we hire aliens to harvest our produce for us.
   
4. Could it be anymore ironic that the chosen method of protest is to not do anything? I mean the stereotypical “Lazy Mexican” image doesn’t need to be reinforced. That image is more than pervasive enough in today’s culture (go watch episode 614 of South Park, The Death Camp of Tolerance).
5. The way I look at it, this issue will be moot in the next 50 years. Just compare the birthrates, the Caucasian, non-Hispanic portion of America is growing old, dying, and not bothering to reproduce.
   
   “The proportion of Hispanic children has increased faster than that of any other racial and ethnic group, growing from 9 percent of the child population in 1980 to 19 percent in 2003.” – according to ChildStats.gov
   
   
6. Illegal immigration can be linked to problems in our society including increased health care costs and crime. Again, I’m not implying that all immigrants are criminals, just the ones that enter the country illegally.
7. Immigrants of today are not assimilating. America was once the “Great Melting Pot” of cultures with beliefs, characteristics, and traditions transcending normal ethnic lines. However, that day is long since gone. National identity is not the priority anymore, ethnic identity is. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is divisive.
8. We as Americans are all immigrants. That includes the Native Americans as well (they came over from Asia awhile ago). Really, if you want to get technical, everyone outside the Garden of Eden is an immigrant. It is a status, it does not change the person.
   
9. I am glad to see the marchers waving American flags, but they just as often brandish those of other countries along side it. The symbolism is painfully apparent: the two countries and two cultures together but still separate. Assimilation has to go both ways.

This was written in response to the BBC’s article about “The Great American Boycott of 2006” Link.

Be A "ware"

Adding the suffix "ware" to words seems like a great idea as of late, but it's getting old very quickly. Therefore, I have composed this poem to quickly explain which is which.

Donate for Careware if you're fair,
Wetware is in the mirror, if you stare.
But, this can be seen via software,

Hardware is the glowing square,
Controlled it is by firmware,
But, Middleware gets this from there to here.

Demoware is a short affair.
So use Shareware to compare.
But, Freeware is best I declare!

Dell provides the Bloatware,
That kind of Nagware makes me glare.
But, Sony sells you Crippleware.

Malware leads to despair.
Spyware lays your secrets bare,
And Adware pops up everywhere.

So be aware,
Even offer up a prayer,
This knowledge, I'm glad to share.