tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204387182024-03-06T23:18:01.778-05:00Collin's Technical BlogUp-to-date news on computer topics from programming to general knowledge.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-89046960043256047182006-12-31T19:50:00.000-05:002007-01-01T13:59:01.581-05:00New Blog LaunchedI have finished my new blog on <a href="http://rekahsoft.org/">http://rekahsoft.org</a> so this my official last post. My Blog's address is <a href="http://rekahsoft.org/?q=blog">http://rekahsoft.org/?q=blog</a> . You will be redirected there in aproximately 10 seconds. Just enough time to say your goodbyes :)Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-39807699275204906302006-12-25T16:00:00.000-05:002006-12-25T16:16:16.678-05:00Merry Chistmas and an Important AnouncementFirst off i would like to wish everybody a merry Christmas or a happy holiday to be more "politically correct". As for the new section i would like to report that i have bought webspace and a domain and have been working on getting everything ready. I have both drupal and wordpress set up but it is looking like i am going to use drupal although i would like to see much better blogging support. I have not officially switched yet but you can check it out at http://rekahsoft.org<br /><br />Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nite ;)Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-91342151537807186342006-12-13T13:49:00.000-05:002006-12-13T18:39:47.939-05:00JDK 6 releasedJDK 6 was released two days ago but i never had to time to blog about it. Unforchantly no deb is provided by sun and java-package 0.27 (the current stable release of java-package) does not support jdk 6. java-package is software that helps package java for debian based systems. I at first just did a "hack install" by extracting the .bin provided by Sun and then copying it to /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.6.0.00 and then making a symbolic link to it in the same directory named java-1.6.0-sun (Note: i was just following convention). Then i edited /etc/jvm and added /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.6.0-sun. Then i went and edited my netbeans.conf file (located at /opt/Sun/netbeans-5.5/etc) and changed the jdk home to jdk 6. I Started netbeans up and was impressed by the speed improvements but not with the interface. I was expecting GTK LAF right out of the box. But after a little searching i found how to get it working. Add <code>--laf com.sun.java.swing.plaf.gtk.GTKLookAndFeel</code> to you netbeans.conf startup arguments. I found that the tabs looked ugly so i found that <a href="http://www.jroller.com/page/ramlog/20060913">Ramon Ramos</a> had a nbm that fixed this. Get it <a href="http://people.freenet.de/ramon.ramos/nb/ramos-gtk.nbm">here</a>. Here is what netbeans looks like with GTK LAF the Human theme and the gtk nbm by Ramon:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkvFwJAxh-RvZ5CIS9XeVLtBMw5OZ9zZfSsGlwD43aANRd3LWDLN4AozP8Jtgu78iDvGoXafnx35VhrI5Dl1JNzWj47kKgX-M2pINnMYi6tCWLc0Qio3ze3QrFOF7B3YNNnIl/s1600-h/Screenshot.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkvFwJAxh-RvZ5CIS9XeVLtBMw5OZ9zZfSsGlwD43aANRd3LWDLN4AozP8Jtgu78iDvGoXafnx35VhrI5Dl1JNzWj47kKgX-M2pINnMYi6tCWLc0Qio3ze3QrFOF7B3YNNnIl/s320/Screenshot.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008098555428445762" border="0" /></a>As you can see the only UI errors are in the right corner of netbeans. Just a little problem which i'm sure will be fixed for Netbeans 6.0 (which is looking sooo awesome btw...i need to try the latest milestone out and when i do i will report back with screen shots and my analysis.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-2924565999293537702006-12-10T14:00:00.000-05:002006-12-10T15:35:54.720-05:00My DecisionI have decided that i would like to move my blog. I have not found web space yet but i am looking. So far the best i have found is at <a href="http://www.networksolutions.com">http://www.networksolutions.com</a>. I have also decided to use <a href="http://drupal.org/">drupal</a> for content management. Anyways that was just a quick update...i don't know how long it will take for me to get the blog up and running but it will happen probably in the next few weeks. I have not picked out a domain yet nor do i have web space so it may take a little. I will keep blogging here until the switch is made and the new blog is ready. When the time comes this blog will redirect you to my new blog or give you the option to be redirected. At that time you might want to update your bookmarks and/or RSS feed subscription.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-84682466144774347922006-12-08T16:38:00.000-05:002006-12-08T21:16:33.140-05:00Possably Switching BlogI have received a comment suggesting that i change my blog because of problems i have been running into like spam and the many bugs in blogger beta. I have not decided yet if i should do this but i am still thinking the idea over. If i decide to change my blog i will buy a domain, web space and use either wordpress or Roller. I really like the idea of having my own domain webspace because i then get more freedom to post files and like i have said i would like to start a podcast sometime soon. If anybody has any opinions of wordpress and/or Roller comment and let me know what you think. Also if you know of anywhere i can get good, affordable, reliable web hosting with a high bandwidth let me know; i also need to find a place to register a domain. Thanks.<br /><br />Edit: I would like to use opensource software and have found druple. It looks very powerful, reliable and worthy to do the job. If you have any experiance with it let me know what you think. I still have to find hosting.<br /><br />Note: I have not made my decision yet but i am looking into the cost and how it will be better then what i currently haveCollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-77316970692293718782006-12-01T19:07:00.000-05:002006-12-01T19:10:38.293-05:00Updated my BlogI have been waiting to update my blog to blogger beta and found out to do so i would have to delete my other blog (TTR Linux) which i gave up on because this is more visited. Today i deleted my other unactive blog and i was able to update to blogger beta. I am still looking around at new features but it is definitly an improvement.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1164934419342182182006-11-30T19:50:00.000-05:002006-11-30T19:53:39.343-05:00My Blog has be recieving SPAM commentsLately my blog has been receiving SPAM comments so i have had to turn on word verification. If it happens to be a bot doing the SPAMing then it will stop it otherwise i will have to turn on comment moderation :( I do not want it to come to this but it might if SPAM comments keep on being posted. So if anybody is doing this please stop, and if a bot is then it isn't going to work anymore :)Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1164589982389255472006-11-26T19:35:00.000-05:002006-11-26T20:13:02.486-05:00My Grade 12 Computer EngineeringA little while ago i said i was going to let readers know what i am up to in my grade 12 Computer Engineering class (Note that i am in Grade 11 but have skipped a year in Computer Engineering and in computer science but unfortunately the class was canceled because of the lack of student interest). This year in computer engineering i am making a robot that works in a real world simulation modeled like a house fire. A candle in a a maze simulates the fire and the objective of the robot is to extinguish the flame. So far i have been learning C++ and am planning to transition to C so i can code the PIC chip we are using (PIC 16F877). I am using SDCC (Small Device C Compiler) to compile (it is of course Open-source). So far we have completed out main board, have a body complete, schematic design done (maybe a little tweaking yet) and i have a more to learn when it comes to programming (SDCC, C). I am managing a group with two other members. We hope to go to a competition later on in the year if we get the robot done in time. Anyways i have more homework to attend to. Thanks for reading.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1164429949638235892006-11-24T23:20:00.000-05:002006-11-24T23:45:49.766-05:00Learning - another entry on endless informationI have blogged a couple times on the idea of "endless information" although i have specifically looked at computer topics. Today in my grade 11 university physics class my interest was sparked when we where looking at motion. I was thinking away and then the idea of time travel came to my mind. I knew that Einstein has a theory on the topic so i asked my teacher about Einstein's theory of time travel. He explained to me and i was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I started with google and wikipedia and have found some very interesting, very very abstract theories and ideas (i provide the links at the end of this entry). I am very interested so i am going to look into it more. Specifically i like to see how the future might be when it comes to computers and technology. I was thinking out of the box and thaught of some things i would like to see in the far future; they include:<br /><ul><li>Life synthesis on other planets</li><li>Teleportation</li><li>Computers that can be controlled with the mind</li><li>Robotics that can make decisions as if it had a human mind</li><li>Holographic computer monitors</li><li>Time travel</li><li>Perpetual motion<br /></li></ul>At the end of the list readers must be thinking i am crazy; like i said i was just thinking out of the box although i think that every one of the items on the list is attainable. We will see what the future brings.<br /><br />For your reading pleasure:<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Travel">Time Travel</a> --> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity">Special Relativity</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity">General Relativity</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_paradox">Grandfather paradox</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleportation">Teleportation</a> --> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement">Quantum Entanglement</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_measurement">Quantum Measurement</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_teleportation">Quantum Teleportation</a>, Quantum feedbackCollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1163648866378309602006-11-15T21:28:00.000-05:002006-11-15T22:47:46.536-05:00Feisty Fawn Spec and What is to Come 2006I have been looking over the <a href="https://features.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/feisty">Feisty Fawn Spec</a> (the next version of ubuntu due 04/2007). There are some pretty impressive goals which i can't wait to see implemented. Because i have a ATI video card i am especially interested in the ATI driver fglrx development and it <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/08/02/32OPcurve_1.html">possibly being open sourced</a> along with the hope of it supporting texture-from-pixmap and the composite extension. The open source driver supports AIGLX but it really slow and only gives 3D acceleration for some cards. Check out the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AcceleratedX">Accelerated X</a> spec and the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BinaryDriverEducation">Binary Driver Education Spec</a>. I some what disagree with having binary drivers from ATI and nvidia enabled by default but the choice is given...i would really like to see the ATI driver open sourced so development will be quicker and updates on time along with support for AIGLX. I also like what i see in the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BulletProofX">Bullet Proof X Spec</a>. It looks like a lot of work is going to be done with the UI of Ubuntu. Check out the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CompositeByDefault">Composite By Default Spec</a>, and the specs i mentioned above having to do with <a href="https://features.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/accelerated-x">Accelerated X Spec</a> and <a href="https://features.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/binary-driver-education">Binary Driver Education Spec</a>. As for the Composite by Default spec i hope Beryl is chosen over compiz because i prefer it...although both are good. So for your reading pleasure, i picked out my favorite specs:<br /><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UsplashFsckProgress">USplash Fsck Progress<br /></a><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EasyCodecInstallation">Easy Codec Installation</a><br /><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BinaryDriverEducation">Binary Driver Education</a><br /><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CompositeByDefault">Composite by Default</a><br /><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BulletProofX">Bullet Proof X</a><br /><a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/AcceleratedX">Accelerated X</a><br /><br />Also if anybody didn't notice Java was open sourced under the GPL v.2 :) Specifically the JDK including J2ME (CLDC, CDC) and J2EE.<br /><br />Anyways it is getting late and i have to go to bed...keeping busy with school.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1162785250698822762006-11-05T22:34:00.000-05:002006-11-06T00:36:56.653-05:00Netbeans and C/C++I have been learning about C/C++ and (of course) downloaded NetBeans 5.5 and all of its packs the day they were released...one of the first things i looked at was the C/C++ support...i absolutely love use NetBeans as an IDE because of its amazing functionality and other features i have mentioned before; but most of the feature i talked about were java specific. Now that i am learning and needing C/C++ i went looking for a C/C++ IDE. I tried a couple linux specific ones but at the release of NetBeans 5.5 C/C++ pack i came back and gave it a try...i loved it!! Although there are some things i would like to see added like support for:<br />autoconf and automake<br />scons<br />doxygen<br />linux project support (templates for gnome, KDE, and other)<br />gtk+ and gtkmm project support<br />two way UML modelling<br /><br />Sure there are things that NetBeans 5.5 C/C++ pack needs but it is well on its way to becoming the best C/C++ IDE. Where will NetBeans Stop?Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1162349132082885062006-10-31T21:38:00.000-05:002006-10-31T21:45:32.096-05:00Netbeans 5.5 is out!!In the last week i have made a clean install of Ubuntu edgy and was waiting out for the new NetBeans 5.5....It was just released today and boy am i excited :) The netbeans.org website was tottaly redesigned; it is very pretty now. I will post some screen shots and my thaughts soon. Check out the <a href="http://www.netbeans.org">NetBeans site</a> and download NetBeans 5.5 and it's packs!!Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1161809051254317582006-10-25T15:32:00.000-05:002006-10-25T15:44:11.286-05:00Edgy is Due tomorrow :) and NetBeans 5.5 is on it's wayI haven't bloged for what feels like a very long time...i was hoping i could update my blog to Blogger beta but unforchantly i do not have the option yet. Just today i completed the main board for my grade 12 computer engineering project. I will explain more about my projects and others in my next post (i promise). Also Ubuntu Edgy Eft is being released tomorrow and i am all set to make a clean install...i currently have been using edgy RC but also did testing on edgy beta. Netbeans 5.5 will be coming out shortly which is also i going to be nice...i would recommend anybody to watch Roumen Strobl's demos "Why NetBeans" (<a href="http://www.netbeans.org/download/flash/why-netbeans-part1/player.html">Part 1</a>) (<a href="http://www.netbeans.org/download/flash/why-netbeans-part2/player.html">Part 2</a>)...looks very impressive :) Hopefully JDK 6 (formaly known as Mustang) will be release at about the same time as NetBeans 5.5...we will see :)Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1159747473226013642006-10-01T18:54:00.000-05:002006-10-01T19:04:33.240-05:00Finally!!After about 6 months of not being able to have DRI (AKA 3D Acceleration) i have got it working in Edgy Beta 1 using fglrx 8.29.6. I am now very excited to finally have XGL on my laptop. I have also installed Beryl which is the compiz fork (it is very impressive especially seeing as it is still alpha). I am also pretty excited to try out my Doom 3 and Doom 3 Reurection of evil in linux. I also just recently bought Half-Life 2 Episode 1 and have yet to play it (because i am windows free :). I do not play games very often but have been missing it...(i have had Doom 3 for almost a year and have not played it for over 4 months...when i last played it i just got to Hell. Anyways this month is a big month for quite a few things: Ubuntu Edgy Eft comes out, JDK Mustang (i know Sun is not going with code names but i still like to name its 'former' code name), NetBeans 5.5, NetBeans Mobility Pack 5.5, Enterprise pack (i am very excited about this pack...i have been hoping for this for a while), Netbeans C/C++ pack (which needs better linux support btw, [i will write a blog about it when the 5.5 version comes out]). I have tried out all the software i have listed above from alpha to now and have seen many awesome changes! Well that is my little bit for the day...all i have to say i check out the compiz fork Beryl and check out NetBeans and its packs along with Ubuntu Edgy Eft (currently beta 1).Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1159587409707638752006-09-29T22:19:00.000-05:002006-09-29T22:36:49.720-05:00Edgy Beta 1 thaughtsYesterday, right when Ubuntu 6.10 edgy eft beta 1 was release (at aproximatly 5 PM) and i downloaded it with high hopes that bug 53910 was fixed because this bug made edgy not boot into the live cd (from knot 3 back). I was happy to see that the bug was fixed and that edgy boot quite quickly into the live cd. The live cd was also very snappy. I first installed it to my portable hd...when i rebooted it worked fine and booted from grub right to edgy beta 1...i was apsolutly amazed because my laptop does not support booting from usb devices...then i decided i would install it on a partition on my laptop. So i dual booted Ubuntu 6.06 dapper and edgy beta 1...edgy looks very pretty but i did not try to install fglrx, xgl and beryl...i will when i have more time to fiddle around with it...one of the first things i did after i installed edgy on my laptop was try to get wireless working...as i have mentioned before i have a problematic wireless card (the broadcom 4318). I have to use ndiswrapper because bcm43xx-fwcutter does not work with my specific card. ndiswrapper is broken in edgy so i was having trouble getting my wireless card working...it is definitly poassable to get working but is problematic. Edgy is not going to be as stable as Dapper but it will be a nice OS over all...it needs some time and some much needed bug fixes....i really want to see DRI out of the box for all GPU's and xgl and beryl right out of the box...maybe edgy+1 or edgy+2. Only time will tell.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1159318655994012312006-09-26T19:40:00.000-05:002006-09-26T19:59:59.106-05:00"Un-invention" : imagineFor english i had to write a small essay on what i would "un-invent" if i had a chance and why. And because i picked a topic that is tech related and that some might find interesting i decided i would share it with you...btw i am sorry i am not blogging more regularily but i have been very busy. I will soon let you readers know what i am doing that is interesting in school. Anyways here is my little essay (note this is not tottaly polished; comments are apreciated).<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Un-invention</span></span><br /><br /> If i were to un-invent somethings i would un-invent proprietary software vendors like Microsoft and Macintosh because they prevent innovation, spread of computer usage throughout the world, and many other things that Open Source can provide. Proprietary indicates that a party, or proprietor, exercises private ownership, control or use over an item of property, usually to the exclusion of other parties (Proprietary). In the case of software that means the source code. Source code is the computer code that makes up an application. The following statement, “Knowledge belongs to the world” (Anti Trust) raises a point about proprietary software versus open source software. Knowledge should not be kept from the world but distributed freely, proprietary software prevents this. Open Source has many positive effects. One is a very fast development cycle. Ubuntu an open source linux distro that is based on Debian linux has a development cycle of 6 months where as Windows has a development cycle that changes from 2 to 6 years!! The reason open source development is much quicker is because other developers can contribute patches and extra code. Because more than one team of developers are working on the code and that outside sources are contributing you get a more innovative product. Also because open source software is free it allows more people to have computer because they can afford a OS (Operating System) therefore spreading computer usage world wide. Over all if there was no such thing as proprietary software then our world would be a cheaper, faster, nicer computer world.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1158106459256156842006-09-12T19:14:00.000-05:002006-09-16T12:13:31.366-05:00Wow...i haven't blogged for a while!!Sorry i have not blogged for a while...i started school and have been focusing on getting top-grade marks. I will update this post a little later with info about my Computer Engineering classes and the project i am working on which is a FireFighter Bot.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1156308964945476302006-08-22T23:49:00.000-05:002006-08-22T23:56:04.960-05:00Looking forward - what linux needs to beat microsoftYesterday was a very sad day for me...i sometimes like to play some games (Doom 3, Halflife 2, etc...) and linux just can't do it as good as windows...so i installed windows so i could play games...i still use linux as my primary OS but have windows just so i can play games from time to time...i was thinking what could bring linux to the next level so it could beat microsoft and become the primary OS for most of the computing nation...I decided linux needed the following improvements (comments on ones you think i missed):<br />Easier for home use; more media options --> direct X 10 and under support, hardware exelerated drivers, faster 3d, the option of simplicity, games working out-of-the-box; perfect hardware support and auto config; always up-to-date; pretty (xgl/compiz option that comes as default). Well that's all that i have time for today...cheers.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1155882082151473282006-08-18T00:51:00.000-05:002006-08-18T01:23:08.680-05:00NetBeans 6.0 M2 - First lookToday NetBeans 6.0 M2 came out and i decided i would give it a try...i also downloaded the NetBeans Profiler 6.0 M2 and have it installed as well...i have included some screenshots and thaughts/sugestions:<br /><br />The installer for Netbeans 6.0 M2 and NetBeans Profiler 6.0 M2 look basicly the same as the installers from NetBeans 5.5 beta 1/2. Once installed this is NetBeans 6.0 M2 booting up:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/1600/Screenshot1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/320/Screenshot1.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As soon as i had NetBeans 6.0 M2 running i opened the update center to update everything and add extra functionality...There are no changes to the update center that i can see...one feature i would really like to see in NetBeans is better "module management"...at the moment i can turn modules on and off but i would like to see a blacklist feature in the update center...so you can blacklist modules you never want to install (so for me that would include the modules that disable the default cvs support)...Here is a screen shot of the update center of NetBeans 6.0 M2:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/1600/Screenshot2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/320/Screenshot2.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After i finished running the update center i had to restart the IDE...this is what it looked like:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/1600/Screenshot3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/320/Screenshot3.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Once the IDE is running again i looked around for some cool stuff...first i looked at full screen mode:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/1600/Screenshot4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/320/Screenshot4.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty cool but i wish it support the whole screen like in the windows verion...maybe when jdk 6 Mustang comes out with gtk+ support then it will be able to get rid of the gnome panels...Also i can't wait to see how NetBeans will look under linux (gtk+) with Mustang...it will be awesome...because right now i can't say it is the pretties thing i have ever seen (although the interface is very intuitive and there is nothing netbeans could have really done about the way it looks....there are ways to buitify NetBeans (Substance) i would prefer native look and feel). Note: nothing against the UI team at NetBeans...the UI is great, very intuitive and user friendly and will be capped off on linux when Mustang comes out with gtk+ support to make it "sexy" on linux. Here is a screen shot of Full screen mode in Ubuntu 6.06 dapper:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/1600/Screenshot4.0.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5415/2047/320/Screenshot4.0.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>In a couple of days after using it for a little while i will report back with more things i like/dislike/like to see improved with screenshots.Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1155532423535480152006-08-14T00:06:00.000-05:002006-08-14T00:13:43.553-05:00Things i want to see in future releases of NetbeansI have been learning C/C++ and gtk+ and gtkmm (the C++ bindings to gtk+). So i was thinking what i would like to see from my favourite IDE, NetBeans and i thaught tha having a cross platform gui builder for C/C++ apps using gtk+/gtkmm would be cool...gtk+ and gtkmm are cross platform so all NetBeans would have to do is create a killer gui builder like Matisse...I am very excited to try out the new Matisse in NetBeans 5.5 and NetBeans 6.0. I also recently dound out from Roumen Strobl that Jdk Mustang supports gtk++...this make me very happy because i am a linux user (i have not had windows on my laptop for about 3 months :) and i am very happy with ubuntu :)). Anyway sorry if my thaughts are a little scrambled but it is late over here in Canada. Cheers.<br /><br />This is what i have set as my nickname for MSN/Yahoo/ICQ/etc.. enjoy :)<br />Have you had enough with windows? Yeah you have...becuase there is somthing much better...it's called linux ;) Get it today...it is free!!Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1155411075135251922006-08-12T14:22:00.000-05:002006-08-13T00:56:04.553-05:00Endless InformationI am setting some goals for myself for this year and in the future...Here is a list of all the things i would like to acomplish this school year (September to June).<br />1. Work hard at school and stay on the honor role all year<br />2. Do the best i can do (give a full effort)<br /><br />Programming objectives (over the next couple of years)<br />1. Make sure i know all of J2SE like the back of my hand and make sure i know all the new Mustang API's<br />2. Learn J2ME and all of its API's<br />3. Learn J2EE and all the fun stuff that comes along with it.<br />4. Learn C<br />5. Learn C++<br />6. Learn the linux C API's (gtk)<br />7. Learn the linux C++ API's (gtkmm)<br />8. Learn C# and Mono<br />9. Learn some scripting languages like js, perl, groovy, beanshell, etc...<br />10. Learn Python<br />11. Keep up to date on all of the langauges and thier API's<br /><br />It is quite the list but i think it is possable to do...it is a lot of learning but it will be fun :)Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1155111745440262012006-08-09T03:12:00.000-05:002006-08-09T03:22:25.470-05:00Ignorance KillsI was googling around looking for something interesting and come across an article called "Is You Son a Computer Hacker?" by Reginald Gibbons. I thaught i would look interesting so i went and started reading... after a couple minuites i was very, very upset because the article was total BS!! After a little bit of thinking i thaught it might be a joke but i found that it was not...i was frustrated by his ignorance in writting about something he had apsolutly no clue about. I will give you an overview of the article with my thaughts on each part.<br /><br />How to determine if your kid is a Hacker Acording to Reginald Gibbons<br /><br />1. Has your son asked you to change ISPs?<br />Gibbons: "If your child is becoming a hacker, one of his first steps will be to request a change to a more hacker friendly provider."<br /><br />Me: This is tottal BS...changing to a different ISP is not a sign of becoming a hacker...especialy if you are switching from slow AOL...<br /><br />2. Are you finding programs on your computer that you don't remember installing?<br />Gibbons: "Your son will probably try to install some hacker software." ... "Popular hacker software includes 'Comet Cursor', 'Bonzi Buddy' and 'Flash'."<br /><br />Me: [[Comet Cursor: A program which allows websites to change your mouse cursor when you are on their website to get the full effect of the webpage]]. It is by no means a hacker program AT ALL. You would have to be a complete idiot to think so!! [[Bonzi Buddy: A web enhancing program packaged with various other programs]]...this is just a little app that is packed with spyware/malware/adware that helps you browse the internet...hackers have apsolutly no uses for this program...what are they going to do with it? ask the monkey what to do next? At the end of Gibbons list is 'Flash'...when i say this is was just shocked that somebody could be soo ignorant...Flash has no uses for hackers at all!! All it does is enhance the experiance of internet users.<br /><br />3. Has your child asked for new hardware?<br />Gibbons: "Computer hackers are often limited by conventional computer hardware. They may request 'faster' video cards, and larger hard drives, or even more memory. " ... "If your son has requested a new 'processor' from a company called 'AMD', this is genuine cause for alarm. AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips. They use child labor extensively in their third world sweatshops, and they deliberately disable the security features that American processor makers, such as Intel, use to prevent hacking. AMD chips are never sold in stores, and you will most likely be told that you have to order them from internet sites. Do not buy this chip! This is one request that you must refuse your son, if you are to have any hope of raising him well."<br /><br />Me: First off as a geek i love getting new hardware...not because i am a hacker and am "limited by conventional harware" but because i enjoy getting the best performance from my machine. Gibbons mentions that hackers may request hardware like a faster videocard, a larger harddrive or more memory...A hacker would not prosper by having a faster videocard..it would not effect him at all...most hacking is done through a console unlike most hacker movie show (eg. Swordfish and the hacking GUI). Then he comes to saying that "AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips." This is the one of the stupidest thing i think i have ever heard... [[AMD is the second largest microprocessor producer in the world]] and just because they leave thier processors more open so they can be overclocked easier does not mean they are more hacker friendly. [[Most computers you buy retail now have AMD chips in them, because they are less expensive, and much quicker, thus enhancing the computing experience]].<br /><br />4. Does your child read hacking manuals?<br />Gibbons: "There are, unfortunately, many hacking manuals available in bookshops today. A few titles to be on the lookout for are: 'Snow Crash' and 'Cryptonomicon' by Neal Stephenson; 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson; 'Programming with Perl' by Timothy O'Reilly; 'Geeks' by Jon Katz; 'The Hacker Crackdown' by Bruce Sterling; 'Microserfs' by Douglas Coupland; 'Hackers' by Steven Levy; and 'The Cathedral and the Bazaar' by Eric S. Raymond." ... "If you find any of these hacking manuals in your child's possession, confiscate them immediately."<br /><br />Me: Sure there are many hacker books on the market...it is an interesting topic. [[Oh man...Programming With Perl? Your son would not like to become a hacker, but rather a coder for a large computer software company or internet company. Thanks, dad, for crushing his dreams of one day becoming a multimillionaire.]]<br /><br />5. How much time does your child spend using the computer each day?<br />Gibbons: "If your son spends more than thirty minutes each day on the computer, he may be using it to DOS other peoples sites." ... "This can take up to eight hours."<br /><br />Me: Most teens don't spend thier time on the computer using Dos to gain control of other peoples computer...they spend their time playing games and don't harm anything. By the way Dos'ing is more commonly known as 'flooding'. [[DOS'ing usually doesn't take 8 hours, although I can see that on AOL...It'd take 8 hours just to send out that many signals to one system, and more than likely it wouldn't be effective. ]]<br /><br />6. Does your son use Quake?<br />Gibbons: "Quake is an online virtual reality used by hackers. t is a popular meeting place and training ground, where they discuss hacking and train in the use of various firearms. Many hackers develop anti-social tendencies due to the use of this virtual world, and it may cause erratic behaviour at home and at school."<br /><br />Me: Quake is a GAME not a virtual reality used by hackers to train. Train in the use of variouse firearms? It is just a game...a first person shooter...the guns are not real!!<br /><br />7. Is your son becoming argumentative and surly in his social behaviour?<br />Gibbons: "As a child enters the electronic world of hacking, he may become disaffected with the real world. He may lose the ability to control his actions, or judge the rightness or wrongness of a course of behaviour. This will manifest itself soonest in the way he treats others. Those whom he disagrees with will be met with scorn, bitterness, and even foul language. He may utter threats of violence of a real or electronic nature."<br /><br />Me: Just because a child is interested in computers doesn't mean he will become disconnected with the "real world". Hackers are people too, and they function like all other people...just becuase they are hackers doesn't mean they fit the hacker stereo type... Also note that adolence could be effecting thier behavior.<br /><br />8. Is your son obsessed with "Lunix"?<br />Gibbons: "BSD, Lunix, Debian and Mandrake are all versions of an illegal hacker operation system, invented by a Soviet computer hacker named Linyos Torovoltos, before the Russians lost the Cold War. It is based on a program called 'xenix', which was written by Microsoft for the US government. These programs are used by hackers to break into other people's computer systems to steal credit card numbers. They may also be used to break into people's stereos to steal their music, using the "mp3" program. Torovoltos is a notorious hacker, responsible for writing many hacker programs, such as "telnet", which is used by hackers to connect to machines on the internet without using a telephone.<br /><br />Your son may try to install 'lunix' on your hard drive. If he is careful, you may not notice its presence, however, lunix is a capricious beast, and if handled incorrectly, your son may damage your computer, and even break it completely by deleting Windows, at which point you will have to have your computer repaired by a professional."<br /><br />Me: When i read this section i was enraged...Lunix is a usinx based operating system for the commador 64...if your kid is still using one of those you should consider upgrading. First off linux is not an illegal operating system!! Lunix is different from every other example Gibbons gave... the rest use the linux kernel where Lunix has it's own. The linux kernel developed by Linyos Torovoltos is not based on xenix but is inspired by Minix. I have no clue where Gibbons comes up with his facts but i have yet to find one that is true. I have no clue what gibbons was doing when he wrote this article but this section is TOTTAL BS and makes no sence what so ever. [[Break into their stereos? In case you didn't notice when you were setting up your system, you didn't hook your stereo up to your computer...or wait, did you? God knows what happened when you set that thing up. MP3 files are compressed CD Audio files, and are used widely in the daily range of activities. And what's this bullsh*t about not noticing if Linux is installed? IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEM THAT REPLACES WINDOWS!!! It's impossible not to notice it. It'd be clear as day when your dumb ass couldn't figure out why the f*ck your system had completely changed. And Linux is very easily removed by inserting your Compaq Recovery CD. And just for your info, when you send your computer back to the manufacturer, they're going to just restore it using the recovery CD, and laugh all day because of how idiotic you are.]]<br /><br />9. Has your son radically changed his appearance?<br />Gibbons: "If your son has undergone a sudden change in his style of dress, you may have a hacker on your hands. Hackers tend to dress in bright, day-glo colors. They may wear baggy pants, bright colored shirts and spiky hair dyed in bright colors to match their clothes. They may take to carrying "glow-sticks" and some wear pacifiers around their necks. (I have no idea why they do this) There are many such hackers in schools today, and your son may have started to associate with them. If you notice that your son's group of friends includes people dressed like this, it is time to think about a severe curfew, to protect him from dangerous influences."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Linus_Torvalds.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Linus_Torvalds.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Me: In the section above Gibbons mentions that the creator of the linux kernel, Linyos Torovoltos is a computer hacker...to the left is a picture of him. Does he meet the description of a hacker acording to Gibbons? No because hes is NOT a hacker. [[I believer you're referring to the ever-growing group of stylists known as "ravers". They go to parties known as raves, and usually are on some form of sedative or the like. Special-K, i.e. Ketamine is highly popular, because it is easy to find and cheap to purchase. It is cat tranquilizer in small doses, and horse tranquilizer in large doses. Nextly, E, or extasy, is the next most popular drug. It is ingested in the form of a pill, and cause people to "roll" at raves, because of the intense lightshows. If your son was wearing raver clothing, more than likely you shouldn't worry about him being a hacker, but rather being under the influence of some drug or another. Nice detective work, Sherlock.]]<br /><br />10. Is your son struggling academically?<br />Gibbons: "<br /><br />If your son is failing courses in school, or performing poorly on sports teams, he may be involved in a hacking group, such as the infamous "Otaku" hacker association. Excessive time spent on the computer, communicating with his fellow hackers may cause temporary damage to the eyes and brain, from the electromagnetic radiation. This will cause his marks to slip dramatically, particularly in difficult subjects such as Math, and Chemistry. In extreme cases, over-exposure to computer radiation can cause schizophrenia, meningitis and other psychological diseases. Also, the reduction in exercise may cause him to lose muscle mass, and even to start gaining weight. For the sake of your child's mental and physical health, you must put a stop to his hacking, and limit his computer time drastically.<br />I encourage all parents to read through this guide carefully. Your child's future may depend upon it. Hacking is an illegal and dangerous activity, that may land your child in prison, and tear your family apart. It cannot be taken too seriously."<br /><br />Me: Computers help chiI was googling around looking for something interesting and come across an article called "Is You Son a Computer Hacker?" by Reginald Gibbons. I thaught i would look interesting so i went and started reading... after a couple minuites i was very, very upset because the article was total BS!! After a little bit of thinking i thaught it might be a joke but i found that it was not...i was frustrated by his ignorance in writting about something he had apsolutly no clue about. I will give you an overview of the article with my thaughts on each part.<br /><br />How to determine if your kid is a Hacker Acording to Reginald Gibbons<br /><br />1. Has your son asked you to change ISPs?<br />Gibbons: "If your child is becoming a hacker, one of his first steps will be to request a change to a more hacker friendly provider."<br /><br />Me: This is tottal BS...changing to a different ISP is not a sign of becoming a hacker...especialy if you are switching from slow AOL...<br /><br />2. Are you finding programs on your computer that you don't remember installing?<br />Gibbons: "Your son will probably try to install some hacker software." ... "Popular hacker software includes 'Comet Cursor', 'Bonzi Buddy' and 'Flash'."<br /><br />Me: . It is by no means a hacker program AT ALL. You would have to be a complete idiot to think so!! ...this is just a little app that is packed with spyware/malware/adware that helps you browse the internet...hackers have apsolutly no uses for this program...what are they going to do with it? ask the monkey what to do next? At the end of Gibbons list is 'Flash'...when i say this is was just shocked that somebody could be soo ignorant...Flash has no uses for hackers at all!! All it does is enhance the experiance of internet users.<br /><br />3. Has your child asked for new hardware?<br />Gibbons: "Computer hackers are often limited by conventional computer hardware. They may request 'faster' video cards, and larger hard drives, or even more memory. " ... "If your son has requested a new 'processor' from a company called 'AMD', this is genuine cause for alarm. AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips. They use child labor extensively in their third world sweatshops, and they deliberately disable the security features that American processor makers, such as Intel, use to prevent hacking. AMD chips are never sold in stores, and you will most likely be told that you have to order them from internet sites. Do not buy this chip! This is one request that you must refuse your son, if you are to have any hope of raising him well."<br /><br />Me: First off as a geek i love getting new hardware...not because i am a hacker and am "limited by conventional harware" but because i enjoy getting the best performance from my machine. Gibbons mentions that hackers may request hardware like a faster videocard, a larger harddrive or more memory...A hacker would not prosper by having a faster videocard..it would not effect him at all...most hacking is done through a console unlike most hacker movie show (eg. Swordfish and the hacking GUI). Then he comes to saying that "AMD is a third-world based company who make inferior, "knock-off" copies of American processor chips." This is the one of the stupidest thing i think i have ever heard... and just because they leave thier processors more open so they can be overclocked esiar does not mean they are more hacker friendly.<br /><br />4. Does your child read hacking manuals?<br />Gibbons: "There are, unfortunately, many hacking manuals available in bookshops today. A few titles to be on the lookout for are: 'Snow Crash' and 'Cryptonomicon' by Neal Stephenson; 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson; 'Programming with Perl' by Timothy O'Reilly; 'Geeks' by Jon Katz; 'The Hacker Crackdown' by Bruce Sterling; 'Microserfs' by Douglas Coupland; 'Hackers' by Steven Levy; and 'The Cathedral and the Bazaar' by Eric S. Raymond." ... "If you find any of these hacking manuals in your child's possession, confiscate them immediately."<br /><br />Me: Sure there are many hacker books on the market...it is an interesting topic.<br /><br />5. How much time does your child spend using the computer each day?<br />Gibbons: "If your son spends more than thirty minutes each day on the computer, he may be using it to DOS other peoples sites." ... "This can take up to eight hours."<br /><br />Me: Most teens don't spend thier time on the computer using Dos to gain control of other peoples computer...they spend their time playing games and don't harm anything. By the way Dos'ing is more commonly known as 'flooding'.<br /><br />6. Does your son use Quake?<br />Gibbons: "Quake is an online virtual reality used by hackers. t is a popular meeting place and training ground, where they discuss hacking and train in the use of various firearms. Many hackers develop anti-social tendencies due to the use of this virtual world, and it may cause erratic behaviour at home and at school."<br /><br />Me: Quake is a GAME not a virtual reality used by hackers to train. Train in the use of variouse firearms? It is just a game...a first person shooter...the guns are not real!!<br /><br />7. Is your son becoming argumentative and surly in his social behaviour?<br />Gibbons: "As a child enters the electronic world of hacking, he may become disaffected with the real world. He may lose the ability to control his actions, or judge the rightness or wrongness of a course of behaviour. This will manifest itself soonest in the way he treats others. Those whom he disagrees with will be met with scorn, bitterness, and even foul language. He may utter threats of violence of a real or electronic nature."<br /><br />Me: Just because a child is interested in computers doesn't mean he will become disconnected with the "real world". Hackers are people too, and they function like all other people...just becuase they are hackers doesn't mean they fit the hacker stereo type... Also note that adolence could be effecting thier behavior.<br /><br />8. Is your son obsessed with "Lunix"?<br />Gibbons: "BSD, Lunix, Debian and Mandrake are all versions of an illegal hacker operation system, invented by a Soviet computer hacker named Linyos Torovoltos, before the Russians lost the Cold War. It is based on a program called 'xenix', which was written by Microsoft for the US government. These programs are used by hackers to break into other people's computer systems to steal credit card numbers. They may also be used to break into people's stereos to steal their music, using the "mp3" program. Torovoltos is a notorious hacker, responsible for writing many hacker programs, such as "telnet", which is used by hackers to connect to machines on the internet without using a telephone.<br /><br />Your son may try to install 'lunix' on your hard drive. If he is careful, you may not notice its presence, however, lunix is a capricious beast, and if handled incorrectly, your son may damage your computer, and even break it completely by deleting Windows, at which point you will have to have your computer repaired by a professional."<br /><br />Me: When i read this section i was enraged...Lunix is a usinx based operating system for the commador 64...if your kid is still using one of those you should consider upgrading. First off linux is not an illegal operating system!! Lunix is different from every other example Gibbons gave... the rest use the linux kernel where Lunix has it's own. The linux kernel developed by Linyos Torovoltos is not based on xenix but is inspired by Minix. I have no clue where Gibbons comes up with his facts but i have yet to find one that is true. I have no clue what gibbons was doing when he wrote this article but this section is TOTTAL BS and makes no sence what so ever.<br /><br />9. Has your son radically changed his appearance?<br />Gibbons: "If your son has undergone a sudden change in his style of dress, you may have a hacker on your hands. Hackers tend to dress in bright, day-glo colors. They may wear baggy pants, bright colored shirts and spiky hair dyed in bright colors to match their clothes. They may take to carrying "glow-sticks" and some wear pacifiers around their necks. (I have no idea why they do this) There are many such hackers in schools today, and your son may have started to associate with them. If you notice that your son's group of friends includes people dressed like this, it is time to think about a severe curfew, to protect him from dangerous influences."<br /><br />Me: In the section above Gibbons mentions that the creator of the linux kernel, Linyos Torovoltos is a computer hacker...to the left is a picture of him. Does he meet the description of a hacker acording to Gibbons? No because hes is NOT a hacker.<br /><br />10. Is your son struggling academically?<br />Gibbons: "<br /><br />If your son is failing courses in school, or performing poorly on sports teams, he may be involved in a hacking group, such as the infamous "Otaku" hacker association. Excessive time spent on the computer, communicating with his fellow hackers may cause temporary damage to the eyes and brain, from the electromagnetic radiation. This will cause his marks to slip dramatically, particularly in difficult subjects such as Math, and Chemistry. In extreme cases, over-exposure to computer radiation can cause schizophrenia, meningitis and other psychological diseases. Also, the reduction in exercise may cause him to lose muscle mass, and even to start gaining weight. For the sake of your child's mental and physical health, you must put a stop to his hacking, and limit his computer time drastically.<br />I encourage all parents to read through this guide carefully. Your child's future may depend upon it. Hacking is an illegal and dangerous activity, that may land your child in prison, and tear your family apart. It cannot be taken too seriously."<br /><br />Me: Computers help childern learn...i am done commenting on Gibbons total disregard to the truth and the facts. [[Well since you bought a new computer, emissions standards have virtually eliminated all radiation by computers, disproving your brain and eye damage theory. Most hackers are very intelligent, and excel in such subjects as math and foreign languages. And for everyone's knowledge, meningitis is NOT A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISEASE!!! IT'S BACTERIAL!!!]]<br /><br />Note: text enclosed by [[]] is quoted from here<br /><br />Conclusion:<br />Answering Gibbons questions:<br /><br />1. Yes...i have changed my ISP a couple times [i wanted a faster conection].<br />2. I have flash on my linux laptop (the other programs do not work on linux i believe)<br />3. Yes i have asked for new hardware for variose computers in my house.<br />4. Yes i read hacking manuals because they are interesting (The unofficial guide to ethical hacking)<br />5. I spend many many hours a day on my computer. A lot more than 30 minuites a day...if i had the restriction i would die.<br />6. I have never played Quake but i have played quake 4 and 3...<br />7. No...just because i am a geek doesn't mean i do not have a life<br />8. Yes i love linux :)<br />9. Sometimes for fun :)<br />10. I only struggle accademicly when i don't work<br /><br />So...acording to Gibbons i am a hacker. (Note that Gibbons is using the term 'Hacker' in a foul way. As in breaking the law.) I am not denying that i am a hacker...i will leave it up to you to decide (see this [note the bottom text])<br />Note: the term hacker takes on many meanings. Some of which are:<br />1. One who is proficient at using or programming a computer; a computer buff.<br />2. One who uses programming skills to gain illegal access to a computer network or file<br />ldern learn...i am done commenting on Gibbons total disregard to the truth and the facts.<br /><br />Note: text enclosed by [[]] is quoted from here<br /><br />Conclusion:<br />Answering Gibbons questions:<br /><br />1. Yes...i have changed my ISP a couple times [i wanted a faster conection].<br />2. I have flash on my linux laptop (the other programs do not work on linux i believe)<br />3. Yes i have asked for new hardware for variose computers in my house.<br />4. Yes i read hacking manuals because they are interesting (The unofficial guide to ethical hacking)<br />5. I spend many many hours a day on my computer. A lot more than 30 minuites a day...if i had the restriction i would die.<br />6. I have never played Quake but i have played quake 4 and 3...<br />7. No...just because i am a geek doesn't mean i do not have a life<br />8. Yes i love linux :)<br />9. Sometimes for fun :)<br />10. I only struggle accademicly when i don't work<br /><br />So...acording to Gibbons i am a hacker. (Note that Gibbons is using the term 'Hacker' in a foul way. As in breaking the law.) I am not denying that i am a hacker...i will leave it up to you to decide (see this [note the bottom text])<br />Note: the term hacker takes on many meanings. Some of which are:<br />1. One who is proficient at using or programming a computer; a computer buff.<br />2. One who uses programming skills to gain illegal access to a computer network or fileCollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1154199425736624032006-07-29T13:48:00.000-05:002006-07-29T13:57:05.753-05:00Vacation / updateAs you have probably noticed i have not blogged for over a week now...that is because i am on vaction at a lake in the north of Ontario, Canada. I can't not do much becuase of my broken leg so i brought a couple of books (C++ Primer, Linux Application Development and Beginning Linux Development) so i have been doign quite a bit of reading. When i get home i get my server because i had to fix some computers before i could recieve it...My house is now all running linux (except one computer which is running windows XP because my mom won't let me switch it). Anyway...i am hoping to start that podcast soon and am looking for somebody to do it with so if you are interested then give me a shout at my email <rekahsoft>. Anyway enjoy your summer (my vaction ends next weekend).Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1153450463428192012006-07-20T21:49:00.000-05:002006-07-20T21:54:23.430-05:00Netbeans 5.5 beta 2I just downloaded Netbeans 5.5 beta 2 (althought it was released a while ago i have been out with my broken leg). I am excited to check the NetBeans Enterprise pack and the C/C++ pack (although the beta 2 has not been released for either). I will install it tomorrow and tell what i think (from what i have read it looks apsoluly phenomenal :) ). CheersCollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20438718.post-1151631025991600792006-07-20T20:28:00.000-05:002006-07-20T21:44:17.960-05:00The spirit of open source and communityHumanity to others. I am what i am because of what we are. These two statements are on the <a href="http://ubuntu.com">ubuntu homepage</a> and they really got me thinking. Community is one of the best things about opensource...sure the source is available (which is handy), the product is free (which is nice), there are quick updates and bug fixes, and the consumer recieves a very inovative product but whould all these things happen without a community? The source will always be available (or ir wouldn't be opensource) but without a community to download and test/look over what would be the point? Having the source open to the community speeds up the production time of the product and makes the product more invative because users can find errors in the product and notify the developers. One of the best things about community is that there are very helpful mailing lists and forums. For example the <a href="http://ubuntuforums.org/">ubuntu forums</a> and the <a href="http://www.netbeans.org/community/lists/">netbeans mailing lists</a>. You can get endless information from these sources; not to mention when a new thread is posted it is usually resonded to in minuites :)<br />REMEBER: community drives much of opensource and enhances products...so get involved!!Collinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226295076223753936noreply@blogger.com0