Comments for Shane's blog http://blog.shamess.info My mind dump Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:36:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on RSS quilt type thing by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/07/04/rss-quilt-type-thing/#comment-99 Alex Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:36:38 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=730#comment-99 This is exactly what I need right now to stave off the boredom. :) This is exactly what I need right now to stave off the boredom. :)

]]> Comment on Start and home pages by RSS quilt type thing « Shane's blog http://blog.shamess.info/2009/05/10/start-and-home-pages/#comment-98 RSS quilt type thing « Shane's blog Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:24:20 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=642#comment-98 [...] feedme, rss, start page Ages ago I was trying to find a cool start page which I could set for my homepage; I’d grown bored of Reader because it stopped me going to [...] [...] feedme, rss, start page Ages ago I was trying to find a cool start page which I could set for my homepage; I’d grown bored of Reader because it stopped me going to [...]

]]> Comment on Super quick guide: Adding a button to the Firefox toolbar by Really quick run down of storing and retrieving data in Firefox « Shane's blog http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/23/adding-a-button-to-the-firefox-toolbar/#comment-69 Really quick run down of storing and retrieving data in Firefox « Shane's blog Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:46:56 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=551#comment-69 [...] firefox, firefox extension development, tutorial Last time I quickly ran through how to add a button to your Firefox bar by making your own extension, but all it did was open a cruddy, static alert [...] [...] firefox, firefox extension development, tutorial Last time I quickly ran through how to add a button to your Firefox bar by making your own extension, but all it did was open a cruddy, static alert [...]

]]> Comment on Chrome's border radius CSS feature by Rusco http://blog.shamess.info/2009/04/21/chromes-border-radius-css-feature/#comment-68 Rusco Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:11:11 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=622#comment-68 I just looked for this, since I didnt know that I have to repeat the border radius statment 4 times in webkit. thanks a lot. BR Rusco I just looked for this, since I didnt know that I have to repeat the border radius statment 4 times in webkit.
thanks a lot.
BR
Rusco

]]> Comment on Firefox 3.5b4: Storing data for offline use fuxxored. by Reuben Thomas http://blog.shamess.info/2009/05/05/firefox-3-5b4-storing-data-for-offline-use-fuxxored/#comment-67 Reuben Thomas Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:56:09 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=633#comment-67 "Why compete?" It's not really competing: Google Gears is just another implementation of HTML 5's web apps specification, though since it was released before HTML 5 was ready, it inevitably contains differences and extensions, so Google's own offline support, for the moment, relies on it. As things mature, this should change, and while I'd be surprised to see Gears disappear (it will probably continue to implement extensions, at least), it will, with a bit of luck, no longer be needed to make Google applications work offline; rather, any browser with HTML 5 offline support will work (Opera has supported it for a while, IE 8 does so, and Firefox 3.5 will, for example). Some features may still require Gears, and of course for a while at least Gears will still be useful for older browsers. “Why compete?”

It’s not really competing: Google Gears is just another implementation of HTML 5’s web apps specification, though since it was released before HTML 5 was ready, it inevitably contains differences and extensions, so Google’s own offline support, for the moment, relies on it.

As things mature, this should change, and while I’d be surprised to see Gears disappear (it will probably continue to implement extensions, at least), it will, with a bit of luck, no longer be needed to make Google applications work offline; rather, any browser with HTML 5 offline support will work (Opera has supported it for a while, IE 8 does so, and Firefox 3.5 will, for example). Some features may still require Gears, and of course for a while at least Gears will still be useful for older browsers.

]]> Comment on Orson Scott Card isn't so bad by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/05/05/orson-scott-card-isnt-so-bad/#comment-53 Alex Sun, 10 May 2009 21:02:12 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=637#comment-53 But that's *not* what's happening, and if that's what he's claiming then he's a liar. Churches that accept gays are already marrying gay couples, it's just that it's not recognised by the federal state. No church has ever been forced to marry anyone. It's legal to get divorced, but catholic churches aren't being forced to marry divorcees. There's no way that he believes that a church that doesn't accept gays will be forced to marry a gay couple, he's simply lying or being lied to for whatever political reasons he or someone else has. But that’s *not* what’s happening, and if that’s what he’s claiming then he’s a liar.
Churches that accept gays are already marrying gay couples, it’s just that it’s not recognised by the federal state.
No church has ever been forced to marry anyone. It’s legal to get divorced, but catholic churches aren’t being forced to marry divorcees.
There’s no way that he believes that a church that doesn’t accept gays will be forced to marry a gay couple, he’s simply lying or being lied to for whatever political reasons he or someone else has.

]]> Comment on Orson Scott Card isn't so bad by Shane http://blog.shamess.info/2009/05/05/orson-scott-card-isnt-so-bad/#comment-50 Shane Sun, 10 May 2009 19:31:18 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=637#comment-50 What you're saying is exactly true. Card's just upset about gays getting married in churches, and that the government is forcing religions to carry out those ceremonies in the name of equality despite them being totally unorthodox. What you’re saying is exactly true. Card’s just upset about gays getting married in churches, and that the government is forcing religions to carry out those ceremonies in the name of equality despite them being totally unorthodox.

]]> Comment on Orson Scott Card isn't so bad by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/05/05/orson-scott-card-isnt-so-bad/#comment-51 Alex Wed, 06 May 2009 19:01:42 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=637#comment-51 The only thing I have to somewhat disagree with is that marriage is a Christian thing. It's not particularly Christian, and in its current form, not particularly old. Marriage ceremonies have changed over the years and are different in different countries or parts of countries. Most importantly, allowing gay marriage would in no way impose upon any Christian or other faith as no church ever has or ever will be forced to marry people that they don't want to marry. It would merely allow a church that recognises a gay couple to marry them in the same way as any other couple. Ideally, in my opinion, marriage would be a purely religious ceremony and have no effect on how the state views a couple. That should be reserved for a civil union, which should be equal for gay and straight couples. If you want the benefits and responsibilities of a legal partnership get a civil union. If you need some kind of religious ceremony, get married in a church as well. The only thing I have to somewhat disagree with is that marriage is a Christian thing. It’s not particularly Christian, and in its current form, not particularly old. Marriage ceremonies have changed over the years and are different in different countries or parts of countries.
Most importantly, allowing gay marriage would in no way impose upon any Christian or other faith as no church ever has or ever will be forced to marry people that they don’t want to marry. It would merely allow a church that recognises a gay couple to marry them in the same way as any other couple.
Ideally, in my opinion, marriage would be a purely religious ceremony and have no effect on how the state views a couple. That should be reserved for a civil union, which should be equal for gay and straight couples.
If you want the benefits and responsibilities of a legal partnership get a civil union. If you need some kind of religious ceremony, get married in a church as well.

]]> Comment on Foiled by Microsoft by Shane http://blog.shamess.info/2009/04/05/foiled-by-microsoft/#comment-46 Shane Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:42:11 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=597#comment-46 Nice, thank you. :) Nice, thank you. :)

]]> Comment on Foiled by Microsoft by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/04/05/foiled-by-microsoft/#comment-45 Alex Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:29:59 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=597#comment-45 What about http://www.xml.lt/Blog/2007/12/14/Reading+Excel+files+with+PHP Only works with Office 2003 and older though. What about http://www.xml.lt/Blog/2007/12/14/Reading+Excel+files+with+PHP
Only works with Office 2003 and older though.

]]> Comment on Geeking it up together by nikki http://blog.shamess.info/2009/04/06/geeking-it-up-together/#comment-49 nikki Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:35:52 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=605#comment-49 See you there! I'm dabbling with <a href="http://www.npugh.co.uk/blog/hacking_at_the_interstice/" rel="nofollow">combining Jelly and Hackspace</a>, the date for the next one of these isn't confirmed yet, but I'm sure I'll be running one again soon! The arduino (http://arduino.cc/) and the bread boards people have been talking about on the hack space group pages are kind of 2 separate but related bits of kit. Something like this is probably a good place to start http://tinkerit.myshopify.com/products/beginners-kit, when it comes back into stock. (I'm waiting too!) See you there!

I’m dabbling with combining Jelly and Hackspace, the date for the next one of these isn’t confirmed yet, but I’m sure I’ll be running one again soon!

The arduino (http://arduino.cc/) and the bread boards people have been talking about on the hack space group pages are kind of 2 separate but related bits of kit. Something like this is probably a good place to start http://tinkerit.myshopify.com/products/beginners-kit, when it comes back into stock. (I’m waiting too!)

]]> Comment on Read it, disregard it, drive into walls. by m82a1 http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/12/read-it-disregard-it-drive-into-walls/#comment-40 m82a1 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:46:42 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=533#comment-40 hi there, just finished some missed diggnation episodes, and i got to the point where i read this BS about alex wanting to leave the show...? wtf? i came across your blog, and i have to agree with everything you said. if alex leaves, well pretty much diggnation leaves. good post :) hi there, just finished some missed diggnation episodes, and i got to the point where i read this BS about alex wanting to leave the show…? wtf? i came across your blog, and i have to agree with everything you said. if alex leaves, well pretty much diggnation leaves. good post :)

]]> Comment on How to make sure you don't fuck up by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/22/how-to-make-sure-you-dont-fuck-up/#comment-56 Alex Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:00:51 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=548#comment-56 I'd add "Make one change at a time, see if it does what you think it's going to do". Especially when it's something simple that you've done plenty of times before. It's too easy to screw up on step four of a list of small changes and then spend ages trying to work out where you went wrong. I’d add “Make one change at a time, see if it does what you think it’s going to do”. Especially when it’s something simple that you’ve done plenty of times before. It’s too easy to screw up on step four of a list of small changes and then spend ages trying to work out where you went wrong.

]]> Comment on Debian experience so far by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/08/debian-experience-so-far/#comment-36 Alex Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:04:13 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=485#comment-36 You really should give Ubuntu a try. I love Debian to bits, but even when I used Debian all the time, I prefered it for servers and something else for a desktop. The latest Ubuntu 9.4 will be out in April, maybe wait until then rather than installing 8.10 now. I'm rather liking 8.10 myself, very easy installation everything is setup. Even the proprietary nvidia drivers are available (and iirc offered to you after the first boot) after ticking a box and rebooting. You really should give Ubuntu a try. I love Debian to bits, but even when I used Debian all the time, I prefered it for servers and something else for a desktop.

The latest Ubuntu 9.4 will be out in April, maybe wait until then rather than installing 8.10 now.

I’m rather liking 8.10 myself, very easy installation everything is setup. Even the proprietary nvidia drivers are available (and iirc offered to you after the first boot) after ticking a box and rebooting.

]]> Comment on Why Watchmen should never have been a film by DJ http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/09/watchmen-should-never-have-been-a-film/#comment-38 DJ Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:18:17 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=490#comment-38 I wasn't looking forward to the film of this being made with the recent spate of comic-film adaptations and your review definitely makes me less excited about seeing it. Having read the original novel I never expected the film to live up to it and now I fear watching it even more (If I can afford to that is) I'll try and bring the book for you to read when I next go home. -Dan xxxx I wasn’t looking forward to the film of this being made with the recent spate of comic-film adaptations and your review definitely makes me less excited about seeing it. Having read the original novel I never expected the film to live up to it and now I fear watching it even more (If I can afford to that is) I’ll try and bring the book for you to read when I next go home.
-Dan
xxxx

]]> Comment on Compatibility checklist by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/03/linux-compatibility-checklist/#comment-30 Alex Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:56:37 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=473#comment-30 By the way, you could try using "virtualbox" if you really need something that only runs on windows, fantastically good virtual PC software, and free. I've used it a lot and it really is fast. http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads By the way, you could try using “virtualbox” if you really need something that only runs on windows, fantastically good virtual PC software, and free. I’ve used it a lot and it really is fast.

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

]]> Comment on Freudian slip by DJ http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/04/freudian-slip/#comment-35 DJ Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:16:18 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=482#comment-35 Warhammer 40k isn't that interesting to be honest. I used to play first orcs then Tao. Preferred just plain Warhammer but in my naivety and noobity I chose a race I really shouldn't have. Went for dwarves. :S Should have gone for dark elves, they had so much better and cooler stuff. xx Warhammer 40k isn’t that interesting to be honest. I used to play first orcs then Tao. Preferred just plain Warhammer but in my naivety and noobity I chose a race I really shouldn’t have. Went for dwarves. :S Should have gone for dark elves, they had so much better and cooler stuff. xx

]]> Comment on Compatibility checklist by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/03/linux-compatibility-checklist/#comment-27 Alex Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:53:16 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=473#comment-27 Just burnt the first cd, will install later. I remember having audio sync issues with flash my last time on debian Just burnt the first cd, will install later. I remember having audio sync issues with flash my last time on debian

]]> Comment on Compatibility checklist by Shane http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/03/linux-compatibility-checklist/#comment-29 Shane Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:11:15 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=473#comment-29 I'm feeling a little uncomfortable with it at the moment, but I guess I'm just getting used to it. Everything installed fine though. Nothing seems to be having problems. Except flash, but I think that's a plugin issue, not a Debian one. I’m feeling a little uncomfortable with it at the moment, but I guess I’m just getting used to it. Everything installed fine though. Nothing seems to be having problems. Except flash, but I think that’s a plugin issue, not a Debian one.

]]> Comment on Compatibility checklist by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/03/03/linux-compatibility-checklist/#comment-28 Alex Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:24:57 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=473#comment-28 I'm thinking of putting debian on my pc again too. Want to see what's new in version 5 so we can trouble shoot each other ^^ I’m thinking of putting debian on my pc again too. Want to see what’s new in version 5 so we can trouble shoot each other ^^

]]> Comment on Harvard's a pretty cool guy, he releases his content and don't afraid of anything. by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/02/17/harvards-a-cool-guy-he-releases-his-content-and-dont-afraid-of-anything/#comment-24 Alex Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:50:08 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=433#comment-24 Best link I've seen in ages. Thanks Shane :) I'll be watching these whenever I have time. Is it "normal" in the UK to have lectures like you described? I've always thought that they'd be more like the american ones with interaction, questions and clarifications. Not learning by rote. Best link I’ve seen in ages. Thanks Shane :)
I’ll be watching these whenever I have time.
Is it “normal” in the UK to have lectures like you described? I’ve always thought that they’d be more like the american ones with interaction, questions and clarifications. Not learning by rote.

]]> Comment on Probably a woman driver. A *french* woman driver at that. by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2009/02/16/probably-a-woman-driver-a-french-woman-driver-at-that/#comment-22 Alex Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:47:13 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=426#comment-22 It's standard practice in the military. *Someone* has to be blamed even in an incident like this where it's purely a million to one chance that both subs were in the same place at the same time. Of course neither crew could have done anything to avoid it, they're not *meant* to be able to see each other, but blame has to be laid. I wouldn't worry too much about people knowing where our subs hang out, it's more complicated than a bit of simple triangulation since we don't know how much slower they cruised due to damage. On top of that, the oceans are huge and since they're nuclear subs, they can patrol for months so we only really know "hey, they were in the X ocean". It’s standard practice in the military. *Someone* has to be blamed even in an incident like this where it’s purely a million to one chance that both subs were in the same place at the same time. Of course neither crew could have done anything to avoid it, they’re not *meant* to be able to see each other, but blame has to be laid.

I wouldn’t worry too much about people knowing where our subs hang out, it’s more complicated than a bit of simple triangulation since we don’t know how much slower they cruised due to damage. On top of that, the oceans are huge and since they’re nuclear subs, they can patrol for months so we only really know “hey, they were in the X ocean”.

]]> Comment on Self motivation is hard by Shamess http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/28/self-motivation-is-hard/#comment-21 Shamess Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:45:26 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=336#comment-21 There are other motivational methods, cheaper ones too. :) There are other motivational methods, cheaper ones too. :)

]]> Comment on Self motivation is hard by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/28/self-motivation-is-hard/#comment-20 Alex Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:18:34 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=336#comment-20 Don't ever forget the two factor theory. In my experience, too many managers forget about it, or are forced to abandon it, to save money in the short term. Which is another reason that you should become your own boss. Make sure to invent something really amazing. Web 3.1 amazing. Don’t ever forget the two factor theory. In my experience, too many managers forget about it, or are forced to abandon it, to save money in the short term. Which is another reason that you should become your own boss. Make sure to invent something really amazing. Web 3.1 amazing.

]]> Comment on Eight days of happiness meme by Shamess http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/18/eight-days-of-happiness-meme-2/#comment-17 Shamess Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:41:18 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=318#comment-17 I would have, but I don't have a room. My sister has taken it. xP I would have, but I don’t have a room. My sister has taken it. xP

]]> Comment on Eight days of happiness meme by Shamess http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/18/eight-days-of-happiness-meme/#comment-16 Shamess Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:41:18 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=318#comment-16 I would have, but I don't have a room. My sister has taken it. xP I would have, but I don’t have a room. My sister has taken it. xP

]]> Comment on Eight days of happiness meme by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/18/eight-days-of-happiness-meme-2/#comment-15 Alex Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:28:37 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=318#comment-15 You should have rented out your room to someone while you were gone! You should have rented out your room to someone while you were gone!

]]> Comment on Big Coins and an N64 by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/07/big-coins-and-an-n64/#comment-13 Alex Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:24:05 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=306#comment-13 I've tried to analyse this and failed. All I can think of is maybe you want to borrow my N64 to play Mario Kart? I’ve tried to analyse this and failed. All I can think of is maybe you want to borrow my N64 to play Mario Kart?

]]> Comment on Comp. Tech.: The Internet and Communication by Shamess http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/06/comp-tech-the-internet-and-communication/#comment-12 Shamess Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:15:37 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=303#comment-12 It's not that he's teaching wrong stuff, where he's not been corrected, I'm guessing. Or he's teaching it in a less complex way; after all we're only first years. It’s not that he’s teaching wrong stuff, where he’s not been corrected, I’m guessing. Or he’s teaching it in a less complex way; after all we’re only first years.

]]> Comment on Comp. Tech.: The Internet and Communication by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/06/comp-tech-the-internet-and-communication/#comment-9 Alex Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:09:23 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=303#comment-9 I'm getting less and less impressed with your professors :( I’m getting less and less impressed with your professors :(

]]> Comment on I'd RTFM if I could find it by Alex http://blog.shamess.info/2008/12/04/id-rtfm-if-i-could-find-it/#comment-8 Alex Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:03:21 +0000 http://blog.shamess.info/?p=284#comment-8 You'll want to use GPG if you're sending private stuff to someone, or having them send private stuff to you. If you're sending to someone, you need their public key and vice-versa. You can also use GPG to encrypt files locally. SSH-RSA is for when you want to use SSH but don't want to type in or remember a password. Instead of the password you use your private key, the server you log in on has your public key. Your public key, which replaces your password, will be on the machine that you're logging in *from*, or on say a usb key that you really shouldn't lose. You’ll want to use GPG if you’re sending private stuff to someone, or having them send private stuff to you. If you’re sending to someone, you need their public key and vice-versa. You can also use GPG to encrypt files locally.

SSH-RSA is for when you want to use SSH but don’t want to type in or remember a password. Instead of the password you use your private key, the server you log in on has your public key. Your public key, which replaces your password, will be on the machine that you’re logging in *from*, or on say a usb key that you really shouldn’t lose.

]]> Comment on Why noone gets any work done on these computers by shamess http://blog.shamess.info/2008/04/24/why-noone-gets-any-work-done-on-these-computers/#comment-7 shamess Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:39:01 +0000 http://mmm.debiantips.com/?p=54#comment-7 Oh, I didn't even think of that. I'll check next time I'm using them. Oh, I didn’t even think of that. I’ll check next time I’m using them.

]]> Comment on Why noone gets any work done on these computers by Ciaran http://blog.shamess.info/2008/04/24/why-noone-gets-any-work-done-on-these-computers/#comment-6 Ciaran Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:35:21 +0000 http://mmm.debiantips.com/?p=54#comment-6 Hi :) Randomly came across your blog from the xkcd blag. Is it that they've disabled the context menu entirely, or just right-click on the mouse? Because you might be able to get round it using the context menu key (if the keyboard has that) or Shift-F10 (if it doesn't). Hi :) Randomly came across your blog from the xkcd blag.

Is it that they’ve disabled the context menu entirely, or just right-click on the mouse? Because you might be able to get round it using the context menu key (if the keyboard has that) or Shift-F10 (if it doesn’t).

]]>