This is a very interesting link:
Procrastineering - Project blog for Johnny Chung Lee
Video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0awjPUkBXOU
Second video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ
Basicly what this graduate student did was take a 50$ piece of hardware (The Wiimote) with about 20 to 50$ worth of Radio Shack equipment, and sometime, and made is own multi-touch screen interface.
The wiimote is actually an infrared camera with motion sensors and Bluetooth. To make a multi-touch interface, he simply linked the wiimote to a computer via bluetooth, and using the wiimote's camera tracked an infrared emitter as a mouse.
it's VERY impressive. It's one of those "I wish I tough about that"
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Quote of the day (2007-11-28)
Bumper sticker idea: “How many soldiers per gallon does your SUV get?”
My take on the situation: The US soldier are fighting for the wrong reasons, on the wrong front, while the Canadian troops are fighting a war that is not ours...
My take on the situation: The US soldier are fighting for the wrong reasons, on the wrong front, while the Canadian troops are fighting a war that is not ours...
Monday, November 19, 2007
New NSA-Approved Encryption Standard May Contain Backdoor
New NSA-Approved Encryption Standard May Contain Backdoor
It's neither malice not incompetence, it's both!
This is something I don't get: who, inside the government, wants to spy on people and why?
-It's not the politicians because it would have considerable negative impact if it were to be found out.
-It's probably not the lower guys in the police workers who work on this stuff day after day, because they know how trivial it is to replace the algorithm use with a strong one. (And it would have to be disclosed in court at some point, so it would be of use a couple of time, until either the bad guys found out or the public found out...)
-It has to be a higher up manager thinking it's a "great idea" and that it would "make work lots easier"...
Well, I got news for you: It boils down to the same argument behind Security-trough-obscurity and it's going to buy you a couple of years maximum (or like in this case, very bad publicity)
It's neither malice not incompetence, it's both!
This is something I don't get: who, inside the government, wants to spy on people and why?
-It's not the politicians because it would have considerable negative impact if it were to be found out.
-It's probably not the lower guys in the police workers who work on this stuff day after day, because they know how trivial it is to replace the algorithm use with a strong one. (And it would have to be disclosed in court at some point, so it would be of use a couple of time, until either the bad guys found out or the public found out...)
-It has to be a higher up manager thinking it's a "great idea" and that it would "make work lots easier"...
Well, I got news for you: It boils down to the same argument behind Security-trough-obscurity and it's going to buy you a couple of years maximum (or like in this case, very bad publicity)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Anti-Terrorism and the Death of the Chemistry Set
An insightful post on slashdot about fascism and totalitarian regimes:
Anti-Terrorism and the Death of the Chemistry Set
I fear the day when we won't be able to count votes in here... It's a good thing that voting machines are not yet approved around here...
Anti-Terrorism and the Death of the Chemistry Set
I fear the day when we won't be able to count votes in here... It's a good thing that voting machines are not yet approved around here...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
MIT Student Arrested For Wearing 'Tech Art' Shirt At Airport
This Comment from Slashdot tell the truth better than I could ever do:
MIT Student Arrested For Wearing 'Tech Art' Shirt At Airport
MIT Student Arrested For Wearing 'Tech Art' Shirt At Airport
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Franklin Virtue Chart
Benjamin Franklin had a simple method to try and be the best individual he could be.
He devised a list of 13 virtues and marked them in a smal list. he would then review each day his list, and mark the virtues he had missed with a black dot.
Franklin Virtue Chart | D*I*Y Planner
Benjamin never managed to be a perfect man, but even has he slowly stopped updating the list, he never forgot the virtues listed, and always remembered that even if he wasn't perfect, trying to keep up these 13 virtues was what made he a better man.
He devised a list of 13 virtues and marked them in a smal list. he would then review each day his list, and mark the virtues he had missed with a black dot.
- "TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
- "SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
- "ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
- "RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
- "FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
- "INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
- "SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
- "JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
- "MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
- "CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
- "TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
- "CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
- "HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."
Franklin Virtue Chart | D*I*Y Planner
Benjamin never managed to be a perfect man, but even has he slowly stopped updating the list, he never forgot the virtues listed, and always remembered that even if he wasn't perfect, trying to keep up these 13 virtues was what made he a better man.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Interesting Argument About Global Warming�Video
Interesting Argument About Global Warming�Video:
I won't add anything to it for now, because I'm overload with work, but I'm sure I can add to this argument... in a probabilistic way...
I won't add anything to it for now, because I'm overload with work, but I'm sure I can add to this argument... in a probabilistic way...
Friday, June 08, 2007
The Linux vs Windows Devices Showcase
I had fun comparing the The Linux Devices Showcase to the The Windows Devices Showcase. Both site are own by the same group, but not sponsored by the same peoples.
It is fun to compare the kind of really bizarre devices you get running linux compared to those running on windows.
The other category is pretty interesting:
On the Windows side, you have:
-An automated sewing machine
-A GPS-enabled diesel performance controller
-A workout bike
-A low payload industrial robot
-A humanoid robot
-A wearable technical assistance computer
On the linux side:
-A vehicule tracking device
-A glass cockpit
-Military robots...
-... or Military trucks
-A bus tracking system
-A cow milking system
-A system in an RJ-45 Connector
-An ice cream making machine
-A ship building robot
Of course, the thing I find really interesting (for the type of job I do) would be the Etherscope network analyser.. but at 5.500 US$, it's a bit pricey..
It is fun to compare the kind of really bizarre devices you get running linux compared to those running on windows.
The other category is pretty interesting:
On the Windows side, you have:
-An automated sewing machine
-A GPS-enabled diesel performance controller
-A workout bike
-A low payload industrial robot
-A humanoid robot
-A wearable technical assistance computer
On the linux side:
-A vehicule tracking device
-A glass cockpit
-Military robots...
-... or Military trucks
-A bus tracking system
-A cow milking system
-A system in an RJ-45 Connector
-An ice cream making machine
-A ship building robot
Of course, the thing I find really interesting (for the type of job I do) would be the Etherscope network analyser.. but at 5.500 US$, it's a bit pricey..
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was fun to play. Especially on the Nintendo Wii.
It's a traditionnal Zelda game which you collect items in dungeons, but since it's playable on the wii, the Wiimote (and the 3d puzzles) gives a twist to the game. The controls on the Wii are easy to master. Only one move was hard for me to make, and the horse-riding was sometimes hard to do, but overall, it's easy to play with the auto-targeting.
Most of the puzzle are easy to solve with some thinking and most monsters could easily be defeated. Two exception to this rules: Bosses and Dark Knights.
Bosses are easy to defeat once you find their weak spot, but it can sometimes be tricky to find this weak spot. Dark knights are the other exception, as while you can easily kill one, they will block every attack, and find every opening to attack... They are especially troublesome in the Cave of Ordeals because they are never alone. I managed to get to the very last part of the Cave, only to die at the hand of 3 Dark knights.
So, a very good game with some frustrations, and little replay value. But a worthy investment for the initial 60 hours of fun it took me to finish the game.
It's a traditionnal Zelda game which you collect items in dungeons, but since it's playable on the wii, the Wiimote (and the 3d puzzles) gives a twist to the game. The controls on the Wii are easy to master. Only one move was hard for me to make, and the horse-riding was sometimes hard to do, but overall, it's easy to play with the auto-targeting.
Most of the puzzle are easy to solve with some thinking and most monsters could easily be defeated. Two exception to this rules: Bosses and Dark Knights.
Bosses are easy to defeat once you find their weak spot, but it can sometimes be tricky to find this weak spot. Dark knights are the other exception, as while you can easily kill one, they will block every attack, and find every opening to attack... They are especially troublesome in the Cave of Ordeals because they are never alone. I managed to get to the very last part of the Cave, only to die at the hand of 3 Dark knights.
So, a very good game with some frustrations, and little replay value. But a worthy investment for the initial 60 hours of fun it took me to finish the game.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Railroad Tycoon 3
Railroad Tycoon 3 Info
I love simulation games. The type that doesn't really have an ending, but there is still a challenge in doing it. That's why I like playing the railroad tycoon 2 (or RT2). It also was one of the rare game that got ported to Linux by the now dead Loki Games, but it had so drawbacks. Most notably, you couldn't built any type of industries. Thus if, for example, you would try to sell raw milk at city locations, past a certain date, it would just pile-up because the houses demanded pasteurized milk only, and if there is only one milk processor in the entire map, it become hard to ship everything there and then back to the various cities.
Well Railroad tycoon 3 changed that, you can still buy the industries, like in RT2, but you can also build your own. While you cannot build the basic-product producing ones, any transformation industry is available at prices comparable to buying an existing one. Goods also move on their own (to simulate boats along rivers and slower-moving horses) so you don't have to build a station right next to every resources in the map, and still be able to exchange every kind of good there is.
Even if the game was released in 2003,the graphics still looks good (although a little dated). This game also has high replay value in skirmish mode (multiplayer mode is also available, but I didn't try it) and it even has a sandbox-mode where you can simple lay out rails at your heart content and build a large model railroad.
I think I'm ready to try Sid Meier's Railroads now. It will probably make this game obsolete, the same why RT3 made RT2 a shelved game.
I love simulation games. The type that doesn't really have an ending, but there is still a challenge in doing it. That's why I like playing the railroad tycoon 2 (or RT2). It also was one of the rare game that got ported to Linux by the now dead Loki Games, but it had so drawbacks. Most notably, you couldn't built any type of industries. Thus if, for example, you would try to sell raw milk at city locations, past a certain date, it would just pile-up because the houses demanded pasteurized milk only, and if there is only one milk processor in the entire map, it become hard to ship everything there and then back to the various cities.
Well Railroad tycoon 3 changed that, you can still buy the industries, like in RT2, but you can also build your own. While you cannot build the basic-product producing ones, any transformation industry is available at prices comparable to buying an existing one. Goods also move on their own (to simulate boats along rivers and slower-moving horses) so you don't have to build a station right next to every resources in the map, and still be able to exchange every kind of good there is.
Even if the game was released in 2003,the graphics still looks good (although a little dated). This game also has high replay value in skirmish mode (multiplayer mode is also available, but I didn't try it) and it even has a sandbox-mode where you can simple lay out rails at your heart content and build a large model railroad.
I think I'm ready to try Sid Meier's Railroads now. It will probably make this game obsolete, the same why RT3 made RT2 a shelved game.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
last games
I just finished Railroad Tycoon 3, Zelda: Twilight Princess and I'm starting Supreme Commander...
I've enjoyed each of these games and I'll give my own impression in several posts...
Also, I've been very busy with work... and with my sister's marriage.
I've enjoyed each of these games and I'll give my own impression in several posts...
Also, I've been very busy with work... and with my sister's marriage.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
HD-DVD key fiasco is an example of 21st century digital revolt - Download Squad
HD-DVD key fiasco is an example of 21st century digital revolt - Download Squad
I especially like the Joe Rogan Quote: "Dude, you can't remove something from the Internet... It's like removing pee from a swimming poll"... So True...
I especially like the Joe Rogan Quote: "Dude, you can't remove something from the Internet... It's like removing pee from a swimming poll"... So True...
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Installing Cups on HP-UX
Important Note: Installing CUPS on HP-UX will overwrite important files. I was not aware that swremove did not restore the previous binaries. Make sure you make a backup of the lp basic back-end or are able to re-install the package from the install medium. I do not have access to an HP-UX machine and cannot help anyone with more than what is written here.
Guide to installing Cups on HP-UX
(copied here for future reference, and for anyone on the net who needs this information)
Taken from several sources on the net, with the official one being:
http://www.cups.org/doc-1.1/sam.html#BUILDING_INSTALLING
CUPS is supposed to be the "Common Unix printing system". It compiled on all the Unix platforms I ever worked on, although sometimes I thing it should be renamed CLiPS ("Common Linux printing system")
Important note: the guide does not include the Foomatic-rip filters and is therefore very limited in functionalities. To install the Foomatic filters once you have completed this guide see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foomatic and http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/Database/Foomatic
1)The Basics
We'll build from source, so you need to have the latest compiler and makefile Gnu tools. (at minimum GNU make is required) You can get those from:
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/make-3.81/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/gcc-4.1.2/
And the run-time dependencies (for GCC):
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/gettext-0.16.1/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Development/Libraries/libiconv-1.11/
You also need some libraries from for Jpeg, tiff, png and zlib support (theses are used at CUPS compile time)
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/jpeg-6b/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/tiff-3.8.2/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/libpng-1.2.16/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Misc/zlib-1.2.3/
once copied, install using (do this for each file):
swinstall -s /tmp/filename-version-0.1.depot \*
you might want to copy all the software into a depot, and install from there:
swcopy -s /tmp/filename-version-0.1.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
2)EPM
You'll want to make packages for the HP software depot(or maybe another package in case you to install it on something else). We'll use EPM, the package-builder from ESP, the company behind Cups.
EPM support the following packages type (from the makefile):
aix, bsd, deb, gui, inst tardist, pkg, native, osx, portable, rpm, swintall depot
And the website says it support the following OS:
AIX, Debian GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, HP-UX, IRIX, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Red Hat Linux, Slackware Linux, Solaris, and Tru64 UNIX.
http://www.easysw.com/epm/
Download the source from:
http://www.easysw.com/epm/software.php
and copy to /tmp
Extract using:
gunzip epm-4.0-source.tar.gz
tar -xvf epm-4.0-source.tar
Compile:
cd /tmp/epm-4.0
./compile
gmake swinstall depot
This will make a .depot file in the hpux-version directory. Install this software using
gunzip /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swinstall -s /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \*
Again, you might want to copy it first:
gunzip /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swcopy -s /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
3)CUPS
Get cups
http://www.easysw.com/cups/software.php
and copy to /tmp
Extract using:
gunzip cups-1.2.8.tar.gz
tar -xvf cups-1.2.8.tar
Compile
cd /tmp/cups-1.2.8
./configure
gmake depot
If it does find the Jpeg, Zlib, Tiff or Png Librairies, see:
http://www.cups.org/doc-1.1/sam.html#BUILDING_INSTALLING
Install
gunzip /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swinstall -s /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \*
or
gunzip /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swcopy -s /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
Congratulation, you have a basic (almost nothing included) working Cups!
4)Finishing touch
Configuration files are in:
/etc/cups
Logs are in
/var/log/cups
To add a printer:
lpadmin -p printer -E -v device -m ppd_file
To add a printer using the old system V interface files:
lpadmin -i/path_to_file/file
Guide to installing Cups on HP-UX
(copied here for future reference, and for anyone on the net who needs this information)
Taken from several sources on the net, with the official one being:
http://www.cups.org/doc-1.1/sam.html#BUILDING_INSTALLING
CUPS is supposed to be the "Common Unix printing system". It compiled on all the Unix platforms I ever worked on, although sometimes I thing it should be renamed CLiPS ("Common Linux printing system")
Important note: the guide does not include the Foomatic-rip filters and is therefore very limited in functionalities. To install the Foomatic filters once you have completed this guide see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foomatic and http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/Database/Foomatic
1)The Basics
We'll build from source, so you need to have the latest compiler and makefile Gnu tools. (at minimum GNU make is required) You can get those from:
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/make-3.81/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/gcc-4.1.2/
And the run-time dependencies (for GCC):
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Gnu/gettext-0.16.1/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Development/Libraries/libiconv-1.11/
You also need some libraries from for Jpeg, tiff, png and zlib support (theses are used at CUPS compile time)
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/jpeg-6b/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/tiff-3.8.2/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/X11/Graphics/libpng-1.2.16/
http://hpux.connect.org.uk/hppd/hpux/Misc/zlib-1.2.3/
once copied, install using (do this for each file):
swinstall -s /tmp/filename-version-0.1.depot \*
you might want to copy all the software into a depot, and install from there:
swcopy -s /tmp/filename-version-0.1.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
2)EPM
You'll want to make packages for the HP software depot(or maybe another package in case you to install it on something else). We'll use EPM, the package-builder from ESP, the company behind Cups.
EPM support the following packages type (from the makefile):
aix, bsd, deb, gui, inst tardist, pkg, native, osx, portable, rpm, swintall depot
And the website says it support the following OS:
AIX, Debian GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, HP-UX, IRIX, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Red Hat Linux, Slackware Linux, Solaris, and Tru64 UNIX.
http://www.easysw.com/epm/
Download the source from:
http://www.easysw.com/epm/software.php
and copy to /tmp
Extract using:
gunzip epm-4.0-source.tar.gz
tar -xvf epm-4.0-source.tar
Compile:
cd /tmp/epm-4.0
./compile
gmake swinstall depot
This will make a .depot file in the hpux-version directory. Install this software using
gunzip /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swinstall -s /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \*
Again, you might want to copy it first:
gunzip /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swcopy -s /tmp/epm-4.0/hpux-11.11-hppa/epm-4.0-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
3)CUPS
Get cups
http://www.easysw.com/cups/software.php
and copy to /tmp
Extract using:
gunzip cups-1.2.8.tar.gz
tar -xvf cups-1.2.8.tar
Compile
cd /tmp/cups-1.2.8
./configure
gmake depot
If it does find the Jpeg, Zlib, Tiff or Png Librairies, see:
http://www.cups.org/doc-1.1/sam.html#BUILDING_INSTALLING
Install
gunzip /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swinstall -s /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \*
or
gunzip /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot.gz
swcopy -s /tmp/cups-1.2.8/dist/cups-1.2.8-hpux-11.11-hppa.depot \* @ hostA:/tmp/sw
swinstall -s hostA:/tmp/sw
Congratulation, you have a basic (almost nothing included) working Cups!
4)Finishing touch
Configuration files are in:
/etc/cups
Logs are in
/var/log/cups
To add a printer:
lpadmin -p printer -E -v device -m ppd_file
To add a printer using the old system V interface files:
lpadmin -i/path_to_file/file
Monday, April 23, 2007
VT, My toughts
I was listening to Twit 95. I stopped the playback after they stopped talking about the Virgina Tech school shooting, because I feel I have to get this opinion written first.
This is a horrible tragedy. A useless lost of life and something that should not be. We all know that, and we all agree.
But the similarities mostly ends there. And no one can agree on what should be done.
I especially blame the "traditional" media on doing the wrong thing.
They are all focused on the killer, the circumstances behind the killing, the dead, and the police response...
Sorry, as much respect I have for the dead, I think they should focus their attention on what is important now that it's over:
The living. And the heroes.
The teacher who try to save his student deserve more respect than he is getting right now. He gave his life, so his students could say "I am alive... thank to him"
I know there are others, but we don't hear about them.
And please, help the students. They are going trough a hard time right now.
Some will simply get over it easily.
Some won't be able to get near the school.
Some will have nightmares for months.
Some will commit suicide.
You will probably never hear from them, but they will have to carry the burden of for the rest of their lives.
I live in Montreal. I was 9 when, in 1989, someone decide that 14 women didn't deserve to live.
And it's been seventeen years since the Polytechnique shooting, and the first thing the local journalist did when VT happened was to go down and ask the student what they thought of the shooting.
Simple math will tell you that the oldest student was probably 4 or 5 in 1989. They don't remember a thing, and they simply said: "It's horrible. Now excuse me, I got finals in 2 days, I have to work"
And I think it's good that it has come to this.
And to the students of Virginia Tech:
Please go on with your lives. DO NOT GIVE UP. DO NOT LOSE HOPE. You have been caught in a what should have not be. Please, do not let the sacrifices be in vain. You can all do it. Cry all the tears in your body if you have to, but please, do not let the killer get what he wanted.
Be firm
Be strong
Surprise us all...
This is a horrible tragedy. A useless lost of life and something that should not be. We all know that, and we all agree.
But the similarities mostly ends there. And no one can agree on what should be done.
I especially blame the "traditional" media on doing the wrong thing.
They are all focused on the killer, the circumstances behind the killing, the dead, and the police response...
Sorry, as much respect I have for the dead, I think they should focus their attention on what is important now that it's over:
The living. And the heroes.
The teacher who try to save his student deserve more respect than he is getting right now. He gave his life, so his students could say "I am alive... thank to him"
I know there are others, but we don't hear about them.
And please, help the students. They are going trough a hard time right now.
Some will simply get over it easily.
Some won't be able to get near the school.
Some will have nightmares for months.
Some will commit suicide.
You will probably never hear from them, but they will have to carry the burden of for the rest of their lives.
I live in Montreal. I was 9 when, in 1989, someone decide that 14 women didn't deserve to live.
And it's been seventeen years since the Polytechnique shooting, and the first thing the local journalist did when VT happened was to go down and ask the student what they thought of the shooting.
Simple math will tell you that the oldest student was probably 4 or 5 in 1989. They don't remember a thing, and they simply said: "It's horrible. Now excuse me, I got finals in 2 days, I have to work"
And I think it's good that it has come to this.
And to the students of Virginia Tech:
Please go on with your lives. DO NOT GIVE UP. DO NOT LOSE HOPE. You have been caught in a what should have not be. Please, do not let the sacrifices be in vain. You can all do it. Cry all the tears in your body if you have to, but please, do not let the killer get what he wanted.
Be firm
Be strong
Surprise us all...
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Online dating, the weird and useless bunch
Well, it's been a bit more than a month since my last 'thoughts' on the concept of dating...
There's a smell of spring in the air, and I'm seeing more people taking a practical approach to the "I'm still single" paradigm.
They tried online dating.
While I haven't seen the results yet, I decided to investigate the idea myself, and do a bit of scouting of the various website first.
Well... let's just say it's a bit overwhelming... I'm up to 26 links now, and still counting...
I won't list all the sites here (they are on del.icio.us anyway: http://del.icio.us/ve2dmn/dating ), but I did notice a couple of interesting site that are out of the ordinary:
Flirting in Traffic is the most bizarre one. You make an account, and they give you an ID tag to put on your car. Anyone who finds you interesting can note the ID and try to contact you online. It's kind of a reverse online dating thing...
PodDater is another strange one. You make a video of yourself, and than people can download the video to their IPods (or any other movie-capable portable media player), like a TV dating service. You can subscribe to it, like a podcast.
On the same idea as PodDater, VerbDate is a dating site made to connect 2 people via voice chat, you can have a sort of phone date.
Than, there's Engage.com , where people vote for who should meet whom. Kind of an interesting concept.
Then there's the free sites:
OkCupid seems to be a very popular one. You can take a test that will then evaluate who you will possibly be most compatible with, based on common answers...
PlentyOfFish is another big free one. Seems basic, but has been going on for a couple of years now...
These are all probably just fine, but none of these would actually work around here, because of how English-centric they are. No French equivalent means it automatically disqualify more than half of the local resident...
Because, in the end, If there isn't a critical mass, it will simply fail...
There's a smell of spring in the air, and I'm seeing more people taking a practical approach to the "I'm still single" paradigm.
They tried online dating.
While I haven't seen the results yet, I decided to investigate the idea myself, and do a bit of scouting of the various website first.
Well... let's just say it's a bit overwhelming... I'm up to 26 links now, and still counting...
I won't list all the sites here (they are on del.icio.us anyway: http://del.icio.us/ve2dmn/dating ), but I did notice a couple of interesting site that are out of the ordinary:
Flirting in Traffic is the most bizarre one. You make an account, and they give you an ID tag to put on your car. Anyone who finds you interesting can note the ID and try to contact you online. It's kind of a reverse online dating thing...
PodDater is another strange one. You make a video of yourself, and than people can download the video to their IPods (or any other movie-capable portable media player), like a TV dating service. You can subscribe to it, like a podcast.
On the same idea as PodDater, VerbDate is a dating site made to connect 2 people via voice chat, you can have a sort of phone date.
Than, there's Engage.com , where people vote for who should meet whom. Kind of an interesting concept.
Then there's the free sites:
OkCupid seems to be a very popular one. You can take a test that will then evaluate who you will possibly be most compatible with, based on common answers...
PlentyOfFish is another big free one. Seems basic, but has been going on for a couple of years now...
These are all probably just fine, but none of these would actually work around here, because of how English-centric they are. No French equivalent means it automatically disqualify more than half of the local resident...
Because, in the end, If there isn't a critical mass, it will simply fail...
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Cellphone
So I lost my phone (A 2 1/2 year old Nokia 6820) , and I was looking for "something else" to replace it...
I'm saying "something else" but I'm not sure what type of device I'm going to buy. I'm still waiting for the magical device that will do everything my old Palm, my Mp3 player and a phone does and still have the same form factor, but this type of device have yet to materialize...
Still, there are some interesting devices out there, and so, after a bit of searching, I found three intertesting phones: 2 development platform, and 3 consumer devices.
First up, the Greenphone
The Greenphone is Trolltech's development platform for Qtopia.
It's a phone with a software stack based on a Linux kernel and the Qtopia developpement platform. It's a device targeted at software developers, and enthusiasts (which I am, kind of).
On the hardware side, it's a cross between a medium range phone with a camera and a touch screen PDA. Interesting specs includes:
Next up The Openmoko Based Neo1973
Again this one too is a development platform.
While it's a bit less cool looking, and doesn't have a camera, at 350$US it's half the price of the Greenphone. However, I'm still not sold on such a device because of the amount of work I would have to put up an Mp3 player inside. It's a great future phone platform, and I will definitely keep a eye on this one also.
The next phones I looked at is the Treo 650 and 680.
I prefer the 650 as a form factor, but the 680 has much better hardware:
The 650 has:
Both phone also have only a 0.3 megapixel camera, which is kind of low quality compared to other offerings
On the plus side, Both phones have a qwerty keyboard as well as a full SD slot.
The price for the 680 is around 500$CAN without a contract, and 300$CAN with a 2 year contract. Not sure if I'm going to get this one...
The last phone I looked at was the Nokia E61.
This is the closest phone I could find to a Palm phone without running Windows Mobile. It runs on Symbian OS and uses S60 for the smartphone capabilities.
Features:
The only real downside is the price: 600$CAN, and can only be bought as an unlocked phone.
For now it's a toss between the Nokia E61 and the Treo680.
I'm saying "something else" but I'm not sure what type of device I'm going to buy. I'm still waiting for the magical device that will do everything my old Palm, my Mp3 player and a phone does and still have the same form factor, but this type of device have yet to materialize...
Still, there are some interesting devices out there, and so, after a bit of searching, I found three intertesting phones: 2 development platform, and 3 consumer devices.
First up, the Greenphone
The Greenphone is Trolltech's development platform for Qtopia.
It's a phone with a software stack based on a Linux kernel and the Qtopia developpement platform. It's a device targeted at software developers, and enthusiasts (which I am, kind of).
On the hardware side, it's a cross between a medium range phone with a camera and a touch screen PDA. Interesting specs includes:
- Touch-screen
- 64Meg RAM (+128Meg Flash)
- MicroSD card slot
- GSM Tri-Band
- Bluetooth
- Standard Mini-usb connector
- 1.3Megapixel Camera
- Based on Linux 2.6 + Qtopia
Next up The Openmoko Based Neo1973
Again this one too is a development platform.
- Touch-screen
- 128Meg RAM (+64Meg Flash)
- MicroSD card slot
- GSM Tri-Band
- Bluetooth
- Standard Mini-usb connector
- Based on Linux + GTK
While it's a bit less cool looking, and doesn't have a camera, at 350$US it's half the price of the Greenphone. However, I'm still not sold on such a device because of the amount of work I would have to put up an Mp3 player inside. It's a great future phone platform, and I will definitely keep a eye on this one also.
The next phones I looked at is the Treo 650 and 680.
I prefer the 650 as a form factor, but the 680 has much better hardware:
The 650 has:
- 32Meg flash (23 acceissble)
- SD / MMC slot
- PalmOS 5
- Touch-Screen
- 0.3 megapixel camera
- Bluetooth
- 64 MB onboard NAND (+32 MB SDRAM split )
- touch-screen display
- SD / MMC Slot
- PalmOS 5.9
- 0.3 megapixel camera
- Bluetooth
Both phone also have only a 0.3 megapixel camera, which is kind of low quality compared to other offerings
On the plus side, Both phones have a qwerty keyboard as well as a full SD slot.
The price for the 680 is around 500$CAN without a contract, and 300$CAN with a 2 year contract. Not sure if I'm going to get this one...
The last phone I looked at was the Nokia E61.
This is the closest phone I could find to a Palm phone without running Windows Mobile. It runs on Symbian OS and uses S60 for the smartphone capabilities.
Features:
- Touch-screen
- 64Meg RAM
- MiniSD card slot
- GSM Tri-Band
- Bluetooth
- Standard Mini-usb connector
- Symbian OS 9.1
- WiFi
- SIP client
The only real downside is the price: 600$CAN, and can only be bought as an unlocked phone.
For now it's a toss between the Nokia E61 and the Treo680.
Monday, March 19, 2007
War on Terror, the board game TM - a satirical board game from TerrorBull Games
War on Terror, the board game TM - a satirical board game from TerrorBull Games
Do the war on terror thing at home!! Be the corporate-sponsored corrupted leaders or the religious-fantic terrorist.The objective of the game is total dominiation... er.... liberation... :)
Do the war on terror thing at home!! Be the corporate-sponsored corrupted leaders or the religious-fantic terrorist.The objective of the game is total dominiation... er.... liberation... :)
Friday, March 16, 2007
Crypto-Gram: March 15, 2007
Crypto-Gram: March 15, 2007
I hate to say this, but Schneier is right in his latest newsletter... a piece called "CYA Security"... CYA for Cover Your Ass...
A worthy read... and a depressing one if you ask me...
I hate to say this, but Schneier is right in his latest newsletter... a piece called "CYA Security"... CYA for Cover Your Ass...
A worthy read... and a depressing one if you ask me...
Thursday, March 01, 2007
What Could Possibly Be Worse Than Failure?
The daily WTF "changed" name recently (or rather defined the WTF part) and the owner has posted an explanation for the new name:
What Could Possibly Be Worse Than Failure?
It is an interesting question and I think it represent the current state of much of the public sector in Quebec. In his explanation, Alex Papadimoulis (the author) explains that keeping the bad working system is actually worse than simply scrapping it and starting over. Even worse, the final perception of such an endeavor to the designed is "It works!", thus the lessons that should have been learned from the failure aren't... And thus the problem is repeated over and over again... It is the logic behind things like voting machines problems in the US: no matter how bad it is, as long as it does the minimum at the lowest price, it will be bought.
Of course, the real problem is that it will only be dealt with after it's too late...
What Could Possibly Be Worse Than Failure?
It is an interesting question and I think it represent the current state of much of the public sector in Quebec. In his explanation, Alex Papadimoulis (the author) explains that keeping the bad working system is actually worse than simply scrapping it and starting over. Even worse, the final perception of such an endeavor to the designed is "It works!", thus the lessons that should have been learned from the failure aren't... And thus the problem is repeated over and over again... It is the logic behind things like voting machines problems in the US: no matter how bad it is, as long as it does the minimum at the lowest price, it will be bought.
Of course, the real problem is that it will only be dealt with after it's too late...
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Problem with music by Steve Albini
The Problem with music by Steve Albini
It's an old story but it's worth reading... kinda of like this one:
Courtney Love does the math
It's an old story but it's worth reading... kinda of like this one:
Courtney Love does the math
Monday, February 26, 2007
Ideas behind educated dating problems
In my last post, I talked about how most of my well-educated friends are all single... I have my own little theory on the idea... Of course, this is my own interpretation, based on personal experience and it might not apply to everyone, but it's still a pretty good explanation for my own social group.
So, the idea behind dating is to meet people, see if they share a or several common interest and try to see if this relationship would work. It's not really hard to do, but there seems to be some limiting factors in those I see in college. Sometimes seems like an almost impossible task.... Why? Well, first let's break up the meeting concept a bit. It boils down to a couple of things things:
So, the idea behind dating is to meet people, see if they share a or several common interest and try to see if this relationship would work. It's not really hard to do, but there seems to be some limiting factors in those I see in college. Sometimes seems like an almost impossible task.... Why? Well, first let's break up the meeting concept a bit. It boils down to a couple of things things:
- A place
- A social context
- Shared or mutual interest
- Spare time
- Motivation
- It's hard to find spare time (Time)
- It's harder to find someone who share your field of interest (interest)
- Don't feel at ease in the 'Traditional' meeting places, like bars (Place)
- Lack of some social skills (social context)
- Seeing how poorly you fare, you bury yourself in your work/study (Motivation)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Depressing Febuary 14...
In the last message I talked about how I had more intimate reasons to hate valentine's day, well the answer is simple: I've always winded-up single (and alone) on that day.
There is nothing more frustrating to a single guy that a days reserved for couples. It's sort of like everywhere you look there is a reminder that you suck terribly at finding or keeping a mate. It is as if everyone else could be happy except you.
It's very depressing and hard on the self-esteem.
But I am not the only single guy. There is a clear trend among all of my friends : the more educated the person is, the less likely he is in a relationship. All those with university degrees or higher are still single, while those who don't have a college degree are almost all in a stable relationship. It is as if getting accepted in any college puts off everything for 3-4 years, and when you come out of it, you realize what your opportunities where back then... and that you simply missed out...
It's not really true but it give a good idea what the real reason is. It revolves around the inner workings of dating. I've been reading a tech-based humorous book about dating (link) and it just confirmed my own personal theory I had as to what the initial phase of dating is, and how it plays out badly to those that have already graduated from college (or those well-educated).
I think I'll keep the little theory for tomorrow. For now, I'll just say this: it's hard to meet people when you work all the time, and it's even harder to find someone with mutual interests...
There is nothing more frustrating to a single guy that a days reserved for couples. It's sort of like everywhere you look there is a reminder that you suck terribly at finding or keeping a mate. It is as if everyone else could be happy except you.
It's very depressing and hard on the self-esteem.
But I am not the only single guy. There is a clear trend among all of my friends : the more educated the person is, the less likely he is in a relationship. All those with university degrees or higher are still single, while those who don't have a college degree are almost all in a stable relationship. It is as if getting accepted in any college puts off everything for 3-4 years, and when you come out of it, you realize what your opportunities where back then... and that you simply missed out...
It's not really true but it give a good idea what the real reason is. It revolves around the inner workings of dating. I've been reading a tech-based humorous book about dating (link) and it just confirmed my own personal theory I had as to what the initial phase of dating is, and how it plays out badly to those that have already graduated from college (or those well-educated).
I think I'll keep the little theory for tomorrow. For now, I'll just say this: it's hard to meet people when you work all the time, and it's even harder to find someone with mutual interests...
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Feb 14
Tomorrow (or right now elsewhere on the planet) is February 14. Valentine's Day.
While I like the ideas behind this holiday, I hate almost everything in it. It has basically become a commercial reasoning pushing people to buy stuff. If you don't you look like you don't really love your significant other, or that you are too cheap to do anything. (I've got deeper more intimate reason to hate this day but I'll keep that is for another day.)
The best gift you can give on this day is the one that doesn't cost any money, it's what's missing in most couple.:
Time and Attention.
Show you care. Any material gift will probably buy you time or a little peace of mind, but it's only short lived. Quality time together can hardly be bought but the memories can last a lifetime...
While I like the ideas behind this holiday, I hate almost everything in it. It has basically become a commercial reasoning pushing people to buy stuff. If you don't you look like you don't really love your significant other, or that you are too cheap to do anything. (I've got deeper more intimate reason to hate this day but I'll keep that is for another day.)
The best gift you can give on this day is the one that doesn't cost any money, it's what's missing in most couple.:
Time and Attention.
Show you care. Any material gift will probably buy you time or a little peace of mind, but it's only short lived. Quality time together can hardly be bought but the memories can last a lifetime...
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Apple - Thoughts on Music
I never thought that an accurate portrait of the DRM problem would come from the one who has a lot to lose from it, Steve Jobs from Apple:
Apple - Thoughts on Music
Apple - Thoughts on Music
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wired News: Lessons From the Facebook Riots
I use google service a lot, but what about the information I put in on a daily basis? I trust google, but it could turn out to be a big mistake in the long run: they now own everything that I have put on their servers.
Facebook user learned that the hard way earlier last year:
Wired News: Lessons From the Facebook Riots
What information do YOU have out there? how is it treated?
The credits card companies are more interested in your habits than your interest. Taken individually, those purchases giving little information. But if you take every purchases made from one card company, it is worth a fortune in statistical information.
The same logic is true for the debit card. Banks makes a lot of money from transaction feeds but the information from all theses transactions are worth their own weight in gold. Thus your information is worth money, and it give incentives to theses entities (any companies) to sell your information.
Once it's sold, who knows what will happen to it?
Anyway, I'm not an expert in privacy (far from it) but I like to remind people, not to fear, but to be concern about what trail you leave behind you...
Facebook user learned that the hard way earlier last year:
Wired News: Lessons From the Facebook Riots
What information do YOU have out there? how is it treated?
The credits card companies are more interested in your habits than your interest. Taken individually, those purchases giving little information. But if you take every purchases made from one card company, it is worth a fortune in statistical information.
The same logic is true for the debit card. Banks makes a lot of money from transaction feeds but the information from all theses transactions are worth their own weight in gold. Thus your information is worth money, and it give incentives to theses entities (any companies) to sell your information.
Once it's sold, who knows what will happen to it?
Anyway, I'm not an expert in privacy (far from it) but I like to remind people, not to fear, but to be concern about what trail you leave behind you...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
A small set-back in the router project
Well, it seems after carefully considering my options for m0n0wall, it seems the best solutions is:
A linksys wrt54gl + Openwrt
Well, it is the economic one, but it is not very flexible, as the hardware of the Linksys is very limited. Still I'm impressed by the compabilities of OpenWRT. And it is only a quarter of the cost of building a full-fledge, or an embedded PC for the job. But I feel the Lynksys solution will be limiting....
So I continued my search, and I was kind of overwhelmed by what I found out... I had prepared a small table comparing the PCengine WRAP architecture with the Soekris hardware, but then someone told me about Mini-ITX form factor motherboards. (And I found out about the new Nano-ITX ).... After more research, I even found more Single board computer manufacturers, like Commell , MIS, Microsys, Versalogic, Evalue-tech, ...
It's like a whole world that existed right before my eye and I never saw it. Truly fascinating. There is even sites and stores dedicated to making Car PC. A pc for your car!
It seems I'll need more time to evaluate the possibles solutions to my simple 'making-a-home-router' project.
A linksys wrt54gl + Openwrt
Well, it is the economic one, but it is not very flexible, as the hardware of the Linksys is very limited. Still I'm impressed by the compabilities of OpenWRT. And it is only a quarter of the cost of building a full-fledge, or an embedded PC for the job. But I feel the Lynksys solution will be limiting....
So I continued my search, and I was kind of overwhelmed by what I found out... I had prepared a small table comparing the PCengine WRAP architecture with the Soekris hardware, but then someone told me about Mini-ITX form factor motherboards. (And I found out about the new Nano-ITX ).... After more research, I even found more Single board computer manufacturers, like Commell , MIS, Microsys, Versalogic, Evalue-tech, ...
It's like a whole world that existed right before my eye and I never saw it. Truly fascinating. There is even sites and stores dedicated to making Car PC. A pc for your car!
It seems I'll need more time to evaluate the possibles solutions to my simple 'making-a-home-router' project.
Monday, January 15, 2007
you *MIGHT* regret it... yeah right
I thought about explaining how one should stop worrying and start living, but this comic can says it better than I ever will...
Of course, it doesn't mean you should something stupid, it just means that worrying is waste of time, and a another stressing factor which we don't need. Worrying in itself does nothing. It solves nothing. It changes nothing. It just bring more stress.
The basic rule is simple: put things in perspective. Ask yourself: what CAN I do? What will it change? It is that bad?
Don't worry about getting sick: You WILL get sick at some point in the future. Do something positive to solve that: Wash your hands. Stay in shape. Eat right. It's not hard and it's not rocket science.
Don't worry about your future, plan for it. And if things don't go as planned, at least you are more prepared than someone who simply worried and do nothing.
There is a web site that explain several possible 'end of the world' scenario. You could start to worry right now about any these scenarios, but it won't change anything. If a comic is due to hit the earth in 5min, what can you do? It is really going to happen? Do you really have to worry about it? I know it's a far-fetched scenario, but some individuals worry about the silliest things, it's not funny anymore.
Worry about the things that matters, not about something that might be important. In other words: "it's not the end of the world is it? Why do you worry, then? Live!"
Of course, it doesn't mean you should something stupid, it just means that worrying is waste of time, and a another stressing factor which we don't need. Worrying in itself does nothing. It solves nothing. It changes nothing. It just bring more stress.
The basic rule is simple: put things in perspective. Ask yourself: what CAN I do? What will it change? It is that bad?
Don't worry about getting sick: You WILL get sick at some point in the future. Do something positive to solve that: Wash your hands. Stay in shape. Eat right. It's not hard and it's not rocket science.
Don't worry about your future, plan for it. And if things don't go as planned, at least you are more prepared than someone who simply worried and do nothing.
There is a web site that explain several possible 'end of the world' scenario. You could start to worry right now about any these scenarios, but it won't change anything. If a comic is due to hit the earth in 5min, what can you do? It is really going to happen? Do you really have to worry about it? I know it's a far-fetched scenario, but some individuals worry about the silliest things, it's not funny anymore.
Worry about the things that matters, not about something that might be important. In other words: "it's not the end of the world is it? Why do you worry, then? Live!"
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Monowall VS Pfsense
I did a little research on Monowall vs Pfsense features. I really need to choose between the two, because since Monowall only needs 64 MB of memory and Pfsense 128MB, it will be the deciding factor in my purchase. The cheaper board from PCengine tend to have less memory, while the pricier and more potent boards from Soekris Engineering can have up to 256MB of memory, and thus be more future, and feature ready.
Since Pfsense is based on Monowall, it has the same features, namely:
Going to do a cost-analyst for the hardware solutions and post my results later...
Since Pfsense is based on Monowall, it has the same features, namely:
- Everything a Linksys WRT54G can do...
- IPsec VPN tunnels
- wireless support (WEP, WPA in the near future)
- SNMP agent
- SVG-based traffic grapher
- serial console interface
- 802.1Q VLAN support (useful for a separate wireless network)
- and more features, that are less usefull for me...
- SSH support
- CARP!
- Traffic shapping
- pf (openbsd's packet filter)
- packages! (Even if they are not supported on embedded platform for now)
Going to do a cost-analyst for the hardware solutions and post my results later...
Friday, January 12, 2007
Next Project
So I built a MythTv box a couple. It was cool while it lasted (especially the emulator part), but it had a couple of problems:
I have thus decided to invest my time into a new project. I'm still undecided as to which exact project I will do... I have a couple of ideas:
- We don't watch that much TV to beign with, so the recording features, while impressive, were rarely used
- We mostly used the emulator part, and we don't need an entire Mythtv box to do that
- We now have a Wii, so the emulator saw less and less use with time (combined with the fact that the Wii has a virtual Console
- My roommates wanted to play Flight Simulator on the new 37' LCD we have as a TV, and that doesn't run on Linux
I have thus decided to invest my time into a new project. I'm still undecided as to which exact project I will do... I have a couple of ideas:
- I could update my old school project. It was basically a proof-of-concept application to control any machine without installing anything on the server itself. It used SSH to connect to remote server, and used the command-line to issue command. (could be simulated on Windows using Pstool)
- I also have another unfinished project about a simple security guide. Something my parents could read and understand what are the securities and privacy problems on the net, and plan accordingly. Of course, the problem is big and constantly moving, but the idea behind how and why, tend to stay the same. (The ideas behind virus and malware in general haven't changed in year. A security hole, whatever the type, still has the same kind of effect.)
- The third idea I have for a project is making my own router. I'm not talking about taking some old computer and installing linux, or modifying a Linksys router, I'm talking about buying hardware like the Soekris net4801 motherboard and installing pfSense or M0n0wall. Really nice idea because since it's a full-fledge computer, I could make it do more than just Routing and firewalling
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