Why are Internet/games places always full of noisy pricks? I'm sitting here waiting for my email to download, DarwinPorts to update, some torrents to download and I don't think it's too much to ask that I not have to listen to two intellectually challenged individuals not scream at each other (in spite of the fact that they are sitting right next to each other).
I hate gamers.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Wikiquote
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom - Wikiquote
It is a pity that Her Majesty is prevented by tradition from voicing her own political opinions. If only she were able to share her wisdom and experience (and, if the attributed quotes at Wikiquote are to be believed, a rather amusing sense of humour) with the commons (that's us) rather than just her Prime Ministers...
It is a pity that Her Majesty is prevented by tradition from voicing her own political opinions. If only she were able to share her wisdom and experience (and, if the attributed quotes at Wikiquote are to be believed, a rather amusing sense of humour) with the commons (that's us) rather than just her Prime Ministers...
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Why do Chokito bars taste like crap?
I've just had (or started) a Nestle Chokito. I'd forgotten just how revolting they are. What a waste of $1.90.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
A Distraction
People view you as a Loner Artist. Loner Aritist are exactly as their title says, loners and artist. Now you are not alone by choice but many people find you odd. This only bothers you when you're in a public place like a dance club or a crowded lunchroom so you tend to steer clear of those places. You might have a friend or two but they're either Loner Artists like you or Truly Dark. Fear not! So many artists are not appreciated in their own times!
What Do People Truly See You As? (lots of outcomes and stunning pictures) (brought to you by Quizilla)
Werewolf - Evil or Not?
What type of evil being are you inside?
brought to you by Quizilla
You're crying because you are lonely. Maybe you weren't always alone, but you've never felt so alone now. You 're afraid to stay so alone. You feel like no one cares what happens and that no one even realizes you exist.
Why are you crying? (beautiful pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Nihilist Bear
Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You're the dark school girl. Most people like to label you as gothic or punk but you don't car what people think. You've been hurt badly and are cold towards others and very mysterious. Someone is watching you from afar though and admires your calm and different outlook on life. Maybe someday you'll meet them. Then maybe, you can finally be happy.
What kind of school girl are you? (cute pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Alleged "Intelligent", Alleged "Design"
What jeezuz me off is the way that people are serious in considering "Intelligent Design". As many, many, many articles (by qualified commentators) have pointed out, "Intelligent Design" is not a scientific theory.
It is founded on arguments from ignorance, appeals to emotion, argument from consequences and a complete misunderstanding of the goals and methodology of science and reason. The fact of the matter is that there is no evidence to suggest any sort of "design" in the world. That creationists (sorry: "IDers") do not understand the theory of evolution; that they feel that there is "more" to life; that they don't like the alleged consequences of rationalism (which rationalists dispute) and that they don't understand the difference between a scientific theory and a speaking out of one's arse tells nothing of the validity of the scientific method or any of the theories it suggests.
Equal time only applies to equally valid alternatives. Science is not fair: the theories that adequately explain observed phenomena are valid and those that do not are invalid. It makes no more sense to teach ID in science classes than to teach poetry in those same classes.
It is founded on arguments from ignorance, appeals to emotion, argument from consequences and a complete misunderstanding of the goals and methodology of science and reason. The fact of the matter is that there is no evidence to suggest any sort of "design" in the world. That creationists (sorry: "IDers") do not understand the theory of evolution; that they feel that there is "more" to life; that they don't like the alleged consequences of rationalism (which rationalists dispute) and that they don't understand the difference between a scientific theory and a speaking out of one's arse tells nothing of the validity of the scientific method or any of the theories it suggests.
Equal time only applies to equally valid alternatives. Science is not fair: the theories that adequately explain observed phenomena are valid and those that do not are invalid. It makes no more sense to teach ID in science classes than to teach poetry in those same classes.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Stupid Military Aircraft
There is some stupid air show going on (part of the Salute to Veterans I think) here in Canberra. There have been helicopters flying around fairly persistently for the last couple of days, but they aren't too hard to ignore. Today, however, there have been fighter jets flying over the lake and making enough noise to disturb that part of the city situated around Lake Burley Griffin.
If they want to salute veterans, why can't they do so quietly and without burning huge amounts of fossil fuels?
If they want to salute veterans, why can't they do so quietly and without burning huge amounts of fossil fuels?
More Tai Chi
For my second week of Tai Chi lessons (there are two a week), I've managed to remember the first few steps of the short version of Tai Chi (I'm not sure which style we're learning, but it might be the Combined 48 Forms).
In addition to learning another step in the movement, we also learnt the fifth of the Eight Brocades which are exercises to strengthen the body and promote the development and circulation of Chi. The first fours aren't too bad, but the fifth (called "Shake the Head and Weave the Tail") wore me out. I'm still feeling it six hours later.
In addition to learning another step in the movement, we also learnt the fifth of the Eight Brocades which are exercises to strengthen the body and promote the development and circulation of Chi. The first fours aren't too bad, but the fifth (called "Shake the Head and Weave the Tail") wore me out. I'm still feeling it six hours later.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Tai Chi
I've just had my first Tai Chi lesson. Hopefully I'll manage to remember some of it next week.
Friday, August 05, 2005
The B&G Public Speaking Competition
I've just watched the annual Burton and Garran Hall public speaking competition. There were eight speakers who each had seven minutes to make their point, whatsoever it was, in-front of an audience of their peers and a panel of three judges. What follows is my recollection of the speakers most important (from my perspective) points.
The first speech (by the president of the residents association) advocated that hall residents be held accountable not to the laws of the land, but to a special code of our own. This lead him to propose that we would then need a group to police these laws, a group of Student Storm-troopers ("an SS", if you will). His last point was a suggestion that this "SS" would need a strong, reliable, dedicated person to set the laws and to lead their enforcement. He finished with a "Thank-you" (after a hastily stifled "Danke").
The second was a rather humorous speech about terrorism. It began with a brief discussion of some of the more inept members of the intelligence, security and governmental communities and moved on to a brief discussion of terrorism and security. While the speaker got in a few good points (and a laugh or two) the later part of the speech focussed on humorously portraying some prominent residents as "terrorists".
The third speaker took on the problem of global poverty. With a number of appalling statistics (that 70 children died of malnutrition during the speech, for example) and some good rhetoric, he made well the point that it is revolting that one in two people exist in abject poverty (surviving on less than $2 per day) when so much is spent on weapons. This speaker won second place and a prize of $100.
The fourth talk discussed Barbie and her recent break-up with Ken. Perhaps, the speaker posed, this is a sign that Mattel is attempting to make the world Barbie and her friends more resemble the one in which we live, to make their live more resemble the way we live ours. Or perhaps, she countered, it is an attempt in marketing driven by the fact that the boyfriend is no-longer popular with the target audience.
The fifth speaker told us about that cornerstone of modern technology (and comedic practice): the screw. This lively, entertaining talk took us back to the screw's invention in ancient Greece, through its use in war and peace to the development of the more modern varieties that surround us today. He ended with an exhortation that we all "keep screwing" and was awarded first place and the prize of $150.
The sixth contender returned to the discussion of global poverty. While his talk was amusing and he raised some valid points (contending that Bob Geldof is going the wrong way about ending poverty) I didn't pay much attention and so this brief mention will have to do.
The seventh brave soul to face us attempted to show that "the structure and the perception of time are invalid." A noble and learned topic but one which I am not sure can be covered in seven minutes. In her talk, the speaker appeared to conflate a number of concepts (time and our perception of it being the chief example) drawing on the weakness of one subjective definition of the present, proposing another point out that they are mutually exclusive (which is not, in my opinion, the case) and moving on from that "contradiction" to assert that time does not exist.
The eighth and final speaker (and the winner of $50 and third place) spoke to us of the game of murder (hunting your assigned target with a water-pistol whilst avoiding your own assassin) and the fear it caused, of spending hours lurking in wait only to find you she was waiting in the wrong building, of deciding that food and bathing were really that important -- "it's only five days." A very funny speech about fear and its role as both a motivator and an inhibitor of our actions.
The first speech (by the president of the residents association) advocated that hall residents be held accountable not to the laws of the land, but to a special code of our own. This lead him to propose that we would then need a group to police these laws, a group of Student Storm-troopers ("an SS", if you will). His last point was a suggestion that this "SS" would need a strong, reliable, dedicated person to set the laws and to lead their enforcement. He finished with a "Thank-you" (after a hastily stifled "Danke").
The second was a rather humorous speech about terrorism. It began with a brief discussion of some of the more inept members of the intelligence, security and governmental communities and moved on to a brief discussion of terrorism and security. While the speaker got in a few good points (and a laugh or two) the later part of the speech focussed on humorously portraying some prominent residents as "terrorists".
The third speaker took on the problem of global poverty. With a number of appalling statistics (that 70 children died of malnutrition during the speech, for example) and some good rhetoric, he made well the point that it is revolting that one in two people exist in abject poverty (surviving on less than $2 per day) when so much is spent on weapons. This speaker won second place and a prize of $100.
The fourth talk discussed Barbie and her recent break-up with Ken. Perhaps, the speaker posed, this is a sign that Mattel is attempting to make the world Barbie and her friends more resemble the one in which we live, to make their live more resemble the way we live ours. Or perhaps, she countered, it is an attempt in marketing driven by the fact that the boyfriend is no-longer popular with the target audience.
The fifth speaker told us about that cornerstone of modern technology (and comedic practice): the screw. This lively, entertaining talk took us back to the screw's invention in ancient Greece, through its use in war and peace to the development of the more modern varieties that surround us today. He ended with an exhortation that we all "keep screwing" and was awarded first place and the prize of $150.
The sixth contender returned to the discussion of global poverty. While his talk was amusing and he raised some valid points (contending that Bob Geldof is going the wrong way about ending poverty) I didn't pay much attention and so this brief mention will have to do.
The seventh brave soul to face us attempted to show that "the structure and the perception of time are invalid." A noble and learned topic but one which I am not sure can be covered in seven minutes. In her talk, the speaker appeared to conflate a number of concepts (time and our perception of it being the chief example) drawing on the weakness of one subjective definition of the present, proposing another point out that they are mutually exclusive (which is not, in my opinion, the case) and moving on from that "contradiction" to assert that time does not exist.
The eighth and final speaker (and the winner of $50 and third place) spoke to us of the game of murder (hunting your assigned target with a water-pistol whilst avoiding your own assassin) and the fear it caused, of spending hours lurking in wait only to find you she was waiting in the wrong building, of deciding that food and bathing were really that important -- "it's only five days." A very funny speech about fear and its role as both a motivator and an inhibitor of our actions.
Intelligent Design
Intelligent Design is dangerous. The thought that anyone, anywhere, could think of teaching this as fact (which, in the scientific sense, implies some form of verifiability) is truly mind blowing. Have we not yet moved on from being frightened by thunder and lightning?
RSChem is Burning Down, Burning Down, Burning Down...
RSChem is currently on fire. There haven't been any reported injuries, but they have evacuated that precinct of the campus.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Postcasts and Recharging
A while ago, Hack programme on JJJ did a story on iPods. According to one of the Apple service people they interviewed, the short battery life that lots and lots and lots of people experience with an iPod is due to excessive recharging.
Like most battery technologies, those used in the iPod will only last a certain number of recharge cycles. Once that number has passed, the battery life begins to decline. The obvious solution is the charge only when necessary. The obvious problem with this solution is that my iPod charges automatically when it's attached to my iBook.
My question then is, if we aren't supposed to charge unless necessary, and if the iPod charges when connected to a computer, then why does iTunes have support for podcasts?
Like most battery technologies, those used in the iPod will only last a certain number of recharge cycles. Once that number has passed, the battery life begins to decline. The obvious solution is the charge only when necessary. The obvious problem with this solution is that my iPod charges automatically when it's attached to my iBook.
My question then is, if we aren't supposed to charge unless necessary, and if the iPod charges when connected to a computer, then why does iTunes have support for podcasts?
Monday, August 01, 2005
A question for Jonny...
A thought just occurred to me. Has John Howard ever actually identified an election promise as "non-core"? Or is it something that we need to divine for ourselves?
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Shoes and Shoelaces
Why don't shoes have real eyes for the laces? Is there some aversion suffered by the makers and designers of modern footware, to holes that don't tear? Stupid bastards!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Buying Software
I just bought a copy of Photoshop Elements 3.0. As I've got a digital camera now, I thought that I'd better get something in which to edit the photographs I sure to take. It's been a very long time since I last used (perhaps "fumbled with" might be more accurate) Photoshop and I'm looking forward to learning it.
On the other hand, if the application itself is as dodgy as the installer, then this could be a painful experience.
On the other hand, if the application itself is as dodgy as the installer, then this could be a painful experience.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Apple - iTunes - Podcasting
Apple - iTunes - Podcasting
With the new iTunes update, I've been able to throw out one more of the third-party applications on my iBook: iPodder.
Pretty soon, I won't need any thing but the applications OS X ships with (plus LaTeX and iWork).
With the new iTunes update, I've been able to throw out one more of the third-party applications on my iBook: iPodder.
Pretty soon, I won't need any thing but the applications OS X ships with (plus LaTeX and iWork).
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Hmmmm
I'm currently sitting in an Internet cafe in Launceston, which hasn't changed in the nearly eight months I've been away. It'll be good to get back to Canberra though.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Stupid QANTAS
I've been flying with Virgin Blue since they started and if I had any lingering doubts about returning to QANTAS, this past weekend has resolved them. The only problem that flying with Virgin Blue causes is that they only fly into Launceston, a two hour drive from home. To make it easier, I decided to fly QANTAS into Devenport instead. I will not be making the same mistake again.
I caught a taxi to the airport at 12:10 and checked in to find that my flight had been cancelled, but I'd be able to get the next flight after that and still make my connection. This was fine with me, it just meant I'd be spending the hour wait at Canberra instead of Melbourne. We landed in Melbourne at 14:25 (the time my next flight was supposed to start boarding) and I rushed to the departures screen to determine which gate my next flight departed from, only to find that it too had been cancelled.
I eventually found a customer service desk with staff and discovered that, yet again, I'd have to catch a later flight. In an attempt, I suppose, to make up for some of the inconvenience they gave me a voucher to get a meal. Melbourne airport is a particularly boring place, though the numerous and frequent announcements about delayed, rescheduled, redirected, reassigned and cancelled flights did keep me (and the throngs of other affected passengers) somewhat entertained.
At the end of the day, QANTAS got me to Devenport more than three and a half hours later than my itinerary (booked not three days previous) stated, thereby inconveniencing myself and my family and resolving any doubt in my mind as to whether I'd be returning to QANTAS.
At the other end of the spectrum, the QANTAS ground and cabin crew were pleasant and helpful. It's a pity their logistics aren't as good as their service.
I caught a taxi to the airport at 12:10 and checked in to find that my flight had been cancelled, but I'd be able to get the next flight after that and still make my connection. This was fine with me, it just meant I'd be spending the hour wait at Canberra instead of Melbourne. We landed in Melbourne at 14:25 (the time my next flight was supposed to start boarding) and I rushed to the departures screen to determine which gate my next flight departed from, only to find that it too had been cancelled.
I eventually found a customer service desk with staff and discovered that, yet again, I'd have to catch a later flight. In an attempt, I suppose, to make up for some of the inconvenience they gave me a voucher to get a meal. Melbourne airport is a particularly boring place, though the numerous and frequent announcements about delayed, rescheduled, redirected, reassigned and cancelled flights did keep me (and the throngs of other affected passengers) somewhat entertained.
At the end of the day, QANTAS got me to Devenport more than three and a half hours later than my itinerary (booked not three days previous) stated, thereby inconveniencing myself and my family and resolving any doubt in my mind as to whether I'd be returning to QANTAS.
At the other end of the spectrum, the QANTAS ground and cabin crew were pleasant and helpful. It's a pity their logistics aren't as good as their service.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
I'm on my Way...
The mid-semester holiday starts, for me, when I submit my second report for Milestone Papers in Computing, that is, tomorrow morning. Rather than spend the next few weeks in cold, wet Canberra, I'm going to wet, cold Tasmania.
While I'm there, my Internet access will be rather limited and I hope, in-spite (or perhaps because of) this, to get a lot of work done on my honours project.
While I'm there, my Internet access will be rather limited and I hope, in-spite (or perhaps because of) this, to get a lot of work done on my honours project.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Stupid Blinking Lights
I have never liked strobing lights. From flashing on the TV screen, to lights at clubs, flashing lights make me uncomfortable. I doubt that it is photosensitive epilepsy.
Lately, I've been irritated by the banner adds for the US Green Card Lottery (or whatever it is called). For some reason, someone has decided that a large blinking red/yellow block would be the best way to advertise the Green Card Lottery (which, in my opinion, has to be the single stupidest way to manage an immigration system).
I'm not sure if it has effected any photosensitive epileptics, but it sure as hell shits me off something chronic!
Lately, I've been irritated by the banner adds for the US Green Card Lottery (or whatever it is called). For some reason, someone has decided that a large blinking red/yellow block would be the best way to advertise the Green Card Lottery (which, in my opinion, has to be the single stupidest way to manage an immigration system).
I'm not sure if it has effected any photosensitive epileptics, but it sure as hell shits me off something chronic!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Web 2.0
I've been playing with some of the tools that people are talking about when they mention the Web 2.0 or, at least, the current day ancestors of those future systems:
CafeSpot
del.icio.us
Tag Cloud
CiteULike
CafeSpot
del.icio.us
Tag Cloud
CiteULike
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Spam - The Other Pink Gelatinous Substance
I just received a spam (regarding lifestyle medication) with the following as its filter-avoidance random text...
I like the word 'indolence.' it makes my laziness seem classy.Perhaps spam is turning over a new leaf and attempting to contribute something back to the Internet, even if it is a few bad jokes that only a person such as myself would find amusing.
Gossip is sometimes referred to as halitosis of the mind
What's another word for Thesaurus?
Money is good for bribing yourself through the inconveniences of life.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Well that was interesting...
I've just been poking at my iPod mini's innards (in the software sense) and had a bit of a scare. It started when my quitting iTunes somehow managed to knacker something or other causing iTunes to crash on start-up, without fail. After a few attempts to fix it (including nuking my playlists, damn it!), I unplugged my iPod, and iTunes started working again.
Mystified, I started poking around in the iPod volume on the shell and, let me tell you, it is a lot more interesting from the command line. In Finder, all you can see are the Calendars, Contacts and Notes folders. From the command line, you get all sorts of junk ('Desktop DB' and 'Desktop DF', the spotlight index, .Trashes, etc) including a folder called iPod_Control. In iPod_Control, there is all sorts of interesting stuff including the music files themselves (in 'iPod_Control/Music/') and some miscellaneous data (in 'iPod_Control/iTunes/').
Nuking 'iPod_Control/iTunes/' had the effect of fixing my problem, with the side effect of making iTunes (and perhaps the iPod, I didn't check) unaware of the music on my iPod. I won't have time for a while, but I'm going to have to poke around in there some more...
Mystified, I started poking around in the iPod volume on the shell and, let me tell you, it is a lot more interesting from the command line. In Finder, all you can see are the Calendars, Contacts and Notes folders. From the command line, you get all sorts of junk ('Desktop DB' and 'Desktop DF', the spotlight index, .Trashes, etc) including a folder called iPod_Control. In iPod_Control, there is all sorts of interesting stuff including the music files themselves (in 'iPod_Control/Music/') and some miscellaneous data (in 'iPod_Control/iTunes/').
Nuking 'iPod_Control/iTunes/' had the effect of fixing my problem, with the side effect of making iTunes (and perhaps the iPod, I didn't check) unaware of the music on my iPod. I won't have time for a while, but I'm going to have to poke around in there some more...
Work for Idle Hands
After a meeting with my supervisor, I've decided that this week is the last straw - if I can't manage to get a handle on my pile of assignments this week, then I obviously don't want to be here right now. I had a bit of a go at some of it last night and seemed to get on all right.
If I can finish my report on neural networks by tonight, read the Google papers (the original paper and that on map-reduce) and get a good way through the first algorithms assignment tomorrow, I think I'll get there.
If I can finish my report on neural networks by tonight, read the Google papers (the original paper and that on map-reduce) and get a good way through the first algorithms assignment tomorrow, I think I'll get there.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Procrastination...
I can't help but wonder if my current bout of procrastination is self sabotage. Perhaps, deep down, I don't want to be a computer scientist?
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Speaking
It's 2152 on Saturday, and I've just spoken my fourth word for the weekend (In case anyone cares, the were two 'hello's, a 'thanks' and a 'cheers'). One day, I'm going to see just how long I can go without speaking (to another person, as I can't help but speak to myself).
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Mac OS X Tiger
Apple - Mac OS X
I've just installed Tiger on my iBook and, I must say, some of the new features are great. The RSS support in Safari is very nice (now I don't need a separate news aggregator), Dashboard is quite nice and Spotlight has already been useful. I'm not sure I like all of the changes to Mail (when you "wrap" to the next most recent message when paging through them with spacebar, it remembers the old position in the next message instead of going to the top), but I think I can get used to them.
All in all, I feel that it was well worth the investment, and I've only been playing with it for an hour or two. I'll get some more fiddling done when Monolingual finishes removing all the useless translation data from the newly installed stuff. With Panther, I saved about 750MB by removing all the languages I don't need (i.e. all of them but the various English variants), with Tiger it was just over 1GB.
(On the down side, it looks like I'm going to have to get some more RAM. Dashboard, spotlight and everything else can't be cheap to keep in memory.)
I've just installed Tiger on my iBook and, I must say, some of the new features are great. The RSS support in Safari is very nice (now I don't need a separate news aggregator), Dashboard is quite nice and Spotlight has already been useful. I'm not sure I like all of the changes to Mail (when you "wrap" to the next most recent message when paging through them with spacebar, it remembers the old position in the next message instead of going to the top), but I think I can get used to them.
All in all, I feel that it was well worth the investment, and I've only been playing with it for an hour or two. I'll get some more fiddling done when Monolingual finishes removing all the useless translation data from the newly installed stuff. With Panther, I saved about 750MB by removing all the languages I don't need (i.e. all of them but the various English variants), with Tiger it was just over 1GB.
(On the down side, it looks like I'm going to have to get some more RAM. Dashboard, spotlight and everything else can't be cheap to keep in memory.)
Problems, problems, problems...
I had a meeting with my supervisor today and thought that I'd better raise some of the issues I've been having. Basically, what it all boils down to is motivation, or rather a lack there of. If one took all of the time I've spent working on my honours project, my coursework and attending lectures, labs and tutorials over the last 2 months or so, it would not amount to a full week.
After a long talk with my supervisor, we've come up with a plan to, hopefully, get me back on track. I've unsubscribed from the mailing lists and turned off my email notifications on the sites that have been distracting me lately, we're considering a new project (one that I started hacking on during the mid-semester break to avoid working on my official project) and I'm going to see the honours convenor about an extension on the big assignment due this Friday that I haven't started yet.
It would be better not to be in this position at all, but I am and I feel a lot better about it now that I've spoken to someone, and have a plan of attack.
Thanks R! (Who doesn't read this, as far as I'm aware.)
After a long talk with my supervisor, we've come up with a plan to, hopefully, get me back on track. I've unsubscribed from the mailing lists and turned off my email notifications on the sites that have been distracting me lately, we're considering a new project (one that I started hacking on during the mid-semester break to avoid working on my official project) and I'm going to see the honours convenor about an extension on the big assignment due this Friday that I haven't started yet.
It would be better not to be in this position at all, but I am and I feel a lot better about it now that I've spoken to someone, and have a plan of attack.
Thanks R! (Who doesn't read this, as far as I'm aware.)
Monday, April 25, 2005
Coming Back
I got back to Canberra this morning, after 10 days in Tasmania. Now that I'm back, I can't remember having actually done anything during the time. Sure, I read (logic papers mainly), wrote (notes on said papers and Z specification for an assignment), saw (a younger sibling's primary school sports carnival), and did (helped take some stuff to the rubbish dump) some stuff, but not 10 days worth of stuff. On the other hand, it was good to catch up with my family and my friends in Launceston.
Why does Canberra's airport shuttle bus not run on weekends and public holidays? If Launceston airport has enough traffic to make public holiday airport runs worth the operators while, I don't see how Canberra cannot.
In a similar manner, I don't see why so much stuff is closed here in Canberra. I've just got back from town and everything (with the exception of a few cafes) is shut. Even the supermarket. Strange city...
Why does Canberra's airport shuttle bus not run on weekends and public holidays? If Launceston airport has enough traffic to make public holiday airport runs worth the operators while, I don't see how Canberra cannot.
In a similar manner, I don't see why so much stuff is closed here in Canberra. I've just got back from town and everything (with the exception of a few cafes) is shut. Even the supermarket. Strange city...
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Cultural Pollution
I've been reading quite a bit of fan fiction recently and it has caused me to ponder cultural pollution. A lot of the stories I have read recently have been for fandoms with a non-American background. In spite of stories being set in the UK and with a cast of characters from the UK, many of these stories are littered with Americanisms, some of which indicate an alarming lack of knowledge about the rest of the world.
I have encountered time and again such terms as 'college' for a university, 'freshmen' for students (of some variety), 'sidewalks' for footpaths, 'trash cans' for rubbish bins, 'cable' for pay television, etc. The ways in which American usage has diverged from the rest of the English speaking world (i.e. the Commonwealth) never ceases to amaze me. That I encounter so many stories in which allegedly British (or Australian, New Zealander, etc) characters utilise the language in ways that I'm not sure they would even understand makes me wonder just how one sided the "pollution" is. Just how much the average American (or more correctly, the average American fan fiction writer) knows about the world outside the USA.
In some cases (such as 'cable', 'trash can' and 'sidewalk') the slips can be forgiven as the authors unfamiliarity with what amounts to foreign usage. In other cases though (especially 'freshmen', 'seniors', etc and 'college') such terms are not just "out of character", they can be plain wrong. In one story, a character described a class at Oxford as being "college freshmen" in spite of the facts that the character probably wouldn't know what 'freshmen' meant in any more than the most general sense and that using the word 'college' in reference to a collegiate university is not only contrary to usage, but so ambiguous as to be wrong.
Is such ignorance endemic to the US? Is the flow of culture so one sided that they do not realise that we speak differently? Perhaps they simply do not care? What ever the case, I find myself agreeing with Jacques Chirac and those like him: measures must be taken to protect other cultures from being overwhelmed. We must not allow our differences in usage, the peculiarities that help to give character to our language, be subsumed by the behemoth that is American English. Our idiosyncrasies, our peculiarities, our divergences are part of what make us who we are, as communities. The world, I feel, would be a sadder place without that variety.
On the other hand, you probably don't agree with me.
:-)
I have encountered time and again such terms as 'college' for a university, 'freshmen' for students (of some variety), 'sidewalks' for footpaths, 'trash cans' for rubbish bins, 'cable' for pay television, etc. The ways in which American usage has diverged from the rest of the English speaking world (i.e. the Commonwealth) never ceases to amaze me. That I encounter so many stories in which allegedly British (or Australian, New Zealander, etc) characters utilise the language in ways that I'm not sure they would even understand makes me wonder just how one sided the "pollution" is. Just how much the average American (or more correctly, the average American fan fiction writer) knows about the world outside the USA.
In some cases (such as 'cable', 'trash can' and 'sidewalk') the slips can be forgiven as the authors unfamiliarity with what amounts to foreign usage. In other cases though (especially 'freshmen', 'seniors', etc and 'college') such terms are not just "out of character", they can be plain wrong. In one story, a character described a class at Oxford as being "college freshmen" in spite of the facts that the character probably wouldn't know what 'freshmen' meant in any more than the most general sense and that using the word 'college' in reference to a collegiate university is not only contrary to usage, but so ambiguous as to be wrong.
Is such ignorance endemic to the US? Is the flow of culture so one sided that they do not realise that we speak differently? Perhaps they simply do not care? What ever the case, I find myself agreeing with Jacques Chirac and those like him: measures must be taken to protect other cultures from being overwhelmed. We must not allow our differences in usage, the peculiarities that help to give character to our language, be subsumed by the behemoth that is American English. Our idiosyncrasies, our peculiarities, our divergences are part of what make us who we are, as communities. The world, I feel, would be a sadder place without that variety.
On the other hand, you probably don't agree with me.
:-)
Friday, April 08, 2005
Stupid Apple!
As much as I love my iBook, want a iMac and find my iPod handy, I hate Apple. I recently bought a remote control for my iPod. You know, the one that goes in between the ear-phones and the iPod. The one with the clip to conveniently attach it to your clothing so that you can get to it.
As it is designed to be used in a manner that makes it susceptible to the buttons being knocked, the Apple engineers put a hold switch on it, so that you can disable the buttons while not in use. After less than a week of use, the hold switch fell of my iPod remote control. While it was locked. Needless to say, I was a little surprised.
Naively, I took my remote to the Apple store at which I purchased it. After a bit of a wait (they were busy) one of the staff told me that I had to phone Apple and gave me the number. When I phoned Apple, the telephone operator told me (after a while on hold) that I needed to fill in a form on the Apple web site and then take it and the item to be returned to Australia Post (what I do with it then was left as an exercise for the reader). As annoying as this is, I can accept that Apple is a big company and, as such, they need procedures like these to get anything done.
What really shits me off, is that I can't submit the form on the Apple web site because it requires credit card information. I don't have a credit card, I don't want a credit card and if I did have a credit card, I most certainly wouldn't give it to a company in these circumstances.
While I love Apple's computers and find my iPod and Airport Express base station handy, I can't help but be appalled at:
As it is designed to be used in a manner that makes it susceptible to the buttons being knocked, the Apple engineers put a hold switch on it, so that you can disable the buttons while not in use. After less than a week of use, the hold switch fell of my iPod remote control. While it was locked. Needless to say, I was a little surprised.
Naively, I took my remote to the Apple store at which I purchased it. After a bit of a wait (they were busy) one of the staff told me that I had to phone Apple and gave me the number. When I phoned Apple, the telephone operator told me (after a while on hold) that I needed to fill in a form on the Apple web site and then take it and the item to be returned to Australia Post (what I do with it then was left as an exercise for the reader). As annoying as this is, I can accept that Apple is a big company and, as such, they need procedures like these to get anything done.
What really shits me off, is that I can't submit the form on the Apple web site because it requires credit card information. I don't have a credit card, I don't want a credit card and if I did have a credit card, I most certainly wouldn't give it to a company in these circumstances.
While I love Apple's computers and find my iPod and Airport Express base station handy, I can't help but be appalled at:
- the fact that a remote control, a device designed to be carried around, broke after less than a week; and
- that I need to enter my credit card details to return an item that, as I see it, was not fit for the purpose for which it was sold.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Stanford: Stop Hiring Me (Aaron Swartz: The Weblog)
Stanford: Stop Hiring Me (Aaron Swartz: The Weblog)
Holy crap! I wish people would throw jobs like that at me. On the other hand, if they did, I'd probably be even further behind on my course work and research.
Holy crap! I wish people would throw jobs like that at me. On the other hand, if they did, I'd probably be even further behind on my course work and research.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Past the First Post
Well, I'm past the first post (even if I'm not the first past it): my project description and literature review has been submitted to the Honours convenor. If anyone is interested in reading about counter-model construction in the context of modal tableau systems, leave a comment and I'll post a PDF of it.
The next milestone in the Honours program is the introductory seminar I'll have to give on the 29th (IIRC). I'm going to have to start thinking about that soon.
In the coursework stakes, we've got our first assignment for COMP4100 (Software Quality Management) which is proving some theorems in HOL. It's in pairs, so I'll be doing it with the other Honours student Raj is supervising. I've also got a stack of reading to do to catch up with COMP4710 (AI) and COMP4100 (SQM) and I've got to at least look at the available papers for COMP4200 (Milestone Papers in Computing) before I choose one.
I'm going to be very busy for the rest of this year, I think. If the rest is as fun as this last week has been, I'm going to have a good year.
The next milestone in the Honours program is the introductory seminar I'll have to give on the 29th (IIRC). I'm going to have to start thinking about that soon.
In the coursework stakes, we've got our first assignment for COMP4100 (Software Quality Management) which is proving some theorems in HOL. It's in pairs, so I'll be doing it with the other Honours student Raj is supervising. I've also got a stack of reading to do to catch up with COMP4710 (AI) and COMP4100 (SQM) and I've got to at least look at the available papers for COMP4200 (Milestone Papers in Computing) before I choose one.
I'm going to be very busy for the rest of this year, I think. If the rest is as fun as this last week has been, I'm going to have a good year.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Nostalgia (A Sneak Preview)
For some reason, I got the urge to look up some of the people I went to high school with. So far, I haven't been able find a trace of any of them. It's a bit strange when you think about it: some of them have extremely distinctive names and Google doesn't know them. I went back to Bunbury for a few weeks a couple of years ago and caught up with some old friends there, but I only managed to meet a couple of people from my grade at school (and those by chance).
I was surprised by the number of my friends that didn't go to university after high school and I can't help but wonder what my class mates (especially the interesting ones I didn't know very well) are up to now...
If anyone who went to Bunbury Senior High School in the graduating class of 2001 reads this, drop me a comment.
I was surprised by the number of my friends that didn't go to university after high school and I can't help but wonder what my class mates (especially the interesting ones I didn't know very well) are up to now...
If anyone who went to Bunbury Senior High School in the graduating class of 2001 reads this, drop me a comment.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
The Bank, Redux
Today, the ATM ate my card. I'm not sure why the banks expire bank cards, but I'm sure that there is a good reason. I just wish that they would wait until the new card is activated until they do so. Now I am without a bank card until next week some time, when the new new one arrives. (The old new one appears to have disappeared somewhere on the path from the bank to me via my old residence in Tasmania and my families home.)
On the plus side, the person I spoke to was more than happy to tell me that although the Commonwealth Bank doesn't offer a debit card one can use on the Visa/Mastercard networks, St. George do. It was nice to get helpful advice for a change. I've heard good things about St. George a number of times now. Perhaps I'll look at switching...
On the plus side, the person I spoke to was more than happy to tell me that although the Commonwealth Bank doesn't offer a debit card one can use on the Visa/Mastercard networks, St. George do. It was nice to get helpful advice for a change. I've heard good things about St. George a number of times now. Perhaps I'll look at switching...
Music and the Purchase Thereof
Less Than Jake: B is for B-Sides
4 Strings: Believe
I posted my brother his birthday present the other day (only a week late) which was good to get out of the way. Since I was skipping my first tutorial for the year, I thought I'd better do something useful done, hence the posting.
I'd asked him what he wanted and his reply was something along the lines of "I dunno" followed, after some prompting, by "a Less than Jake CD, but not the one with the cardboard cover". Armed with that information, I got him B is for B-Sides, the limited edition version that comes with a t-shirt.
I, personally don't have much time for punk, or ska, or whatever genre they classify themselves as, but it is his present I suppose.
On the more self-fulfilling side, I also got myself 4 Strings' Believe. For some reason, I've been leaning more toward dance music for the last month or so. It is quite strange as I usually prefer classical music (especially anything involving lots of strings) and metal. I'd really like to know why I've started liking, or at least tolerating, music with a more mainstream bent lately, but I don't imaging it'll last too long. I do need to get some more classical CD's though.
4 Strings: Believe
I posted my brother his birthday present the other day (only a week late) which was good to get out of the way. Since I was skipping my first tutorial for the year, I thought I'd better do something useful done, hence the posting.
I'd asked him what he wanted and his reply was something along the lines of "I dunno" followed, after some prompting, by "a Less than Jake CD, but not the one with the cardboard cover". Armed with that information, I got him B is for B-Sides, the limited edition version that comes with a t-shirt.
I, personally don't have much time for punk, or ska, or whatever genre they classify themselves as, but it is his present I suppose.
On the more self-fulfilling side, I also got myself 4 Strings' Believe. For some reason, I've been leaning more toward dance music for the last month or so. It is quite strange as I usually prefer classical music (especially anything involving lots of strings) and metal. I'd really like to know why I've started liking, or at least tolerating, music with a more mainstream bent lately, but I don't imaging it'll last too long. I do need to get some more classical CD's though.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Laundry: The Bane of Existence
I've come to a realisation: doing laundry is the bane of all that is good and right in the world. This epiphany came after spending quite a bit of time doing, or attempting to do, my laundry last weekend. I prefer to hang my clothes on a washing-line rather than tumble dry but, as I don't know everyone in that lives in the hall, I'd rather not expose my clothes to that risk (as my washing usually includes almost all of my clothes, few though they may be). As hanging them to dry in their own time is not an option with which I am comfortable, I am reduced to wasting energy by using a drying machine.
For some reason the dryers at B&G seem to hate me. On my first attempt to dry my clothes (on Saturday), the only drier free, wouldn't work. I don't know if this was because it knew the lint filter was missing (gone to I don't know where) or if it was suffering from some other mysterious malady, but it refused to work. After going away for a while, I returned to find two dryers empty and, splitting my load, claimed them for myself. Unfortunately, one of them had decided, for whatever reason, that it wasn't going to heat, and so I ended up with one load of dry clothes and another of damp, though will-aired, clothes.
Transferring them to the other dryer, I put them on over night, but the time I put the first load on wasn't enough, so they were STILL damp. At which point, I had my epiphany. Laundry is the bane of existence.
For some reason the dryers at B&G seem to hate me. On my first attempt to dry my clothes (on Saturday), the only drier free, wouldn't work. I don't know if this was because it knew the lint filter was missing (gone to I don't know where) or if it was suffering from some other mysterious malady, but it refused to work. After going away for a while, I returned to find two dryers empty and, splitting my load, claimed them for myself. Unfortunately, one of them had decided, for whatever reason, that it wasn't going to heat, and so I ended up with one load of dry clothes and another of damp, though will-aired, clothes.
Transferring them to the other dryer, I put them on over night, but the time I put the first load on wasn't enough, so they were STILL damp. At which point, I had my epiphany. Laundry is the bane of existence.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Now with 10% extra!
So my first week of classes as an Honours student is well underway and I can't help but feel that it was just a little anti-climactic. Classes, as far as I can tell, won't be too much better than they were doing a Bachelor degree. On the plus side, COMP4100 Managing Software Quality looks like it'll be interesting. The AI unit (COMP4710) looks like it will be interesting: my previous studies in AI had a more symbol processing oriented approach, whereas COMP4710 is going to be taking an agent-systems oriented approach.
The other courses I'll be doing include "Milestone Papers in Computing" (COMP4200) and "Advanced Algorithms" (COMP4700). I haven't had a lecture for either of these units as COMP4700 doesn't start until next week and I have a feeling that I missed the first lecture of COMP4200.
On top of that lot, I had to buy some clip-on sunglasses today because I went to the Union courtyard to grab some lunch and it was painful to have my eyes open due to the glare and general brightness. On the good side, I got two new books today (the texts for AI and Algorithms) which was good, even though they cost nearly $200, even with the Co-op members discount.
I've also started reading up on my Honours topic. I've written a little bit about it on my reading 'blog.
The other courses I'll be doing include "Milestone Papers in Computing" (COMP4200) and "Advanced Algorithms" (COMP4700). I haven't had a lecture for either of these units as COMP4700 doesn't start until next week and I have a feeling that I missed the first lecture of COMP4200.
On top of that lot, I had to buy some clip-on sunglasses today because I went to the Union courtyard to grab some lunch and it was painful to have my eyes open due to the glare and general brightness. On the good side, I got two new books today (the texts for AI and Algorithms) which was good, even though they cost nearly $200, even with the Co-op members discount.
I've also started reading up on my Honours topic. I've written a little bit about it on my reading 'blog.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Orientation and O-Week
The SRs and the B&G Members Association and Co seem to be gearing up for O-Week. As I write they are busy painting signs about the weeks events, decorating their floors and buildings, and what have you.
It's going to be strange. At UTas, O-Week was, for me at least, the first week. Nothing more, nothing less. Burgmann college (where I stayed over summer) is supposed to have a party (probably several) that usually gets noise complaints. To the police. From the other side of the lake.
I'll either love it, or hate it.
On the "here and now" side, I went and saw Weifa Liang (the Honours Convenor) today after getting enrolled, getting my logon and password (the reason for the lack of posts this last week) and all the rest of it. So now I have a desk at the DCS (in honours room, a.k.a. "The Zoo") and I had an email from Rajeev Gore (my supervisor) about getting some office space at the RSISE as well.
I'm not sure which I'll prefer: both Raj and Pietro (the PhD student whose software I'll be working with and modifying) are at the RSISE, but the environment there is professional. The "Zoo", I imagine, will be a little more relaxed. I'm not sure which will be the more productive environment, but I suspect having more contact with my supervisor will be of significant import, in that it'll encourage me to actually do work before my deadlines.
It's going to be strange. At UTas, O-Week was, for me at least, the first week. Nothing more, nothing less. Burgmann college (where I stayed over summer) is supposed to have a party (probably several) that usually gets noise complaints. To the police. From the other side of the lake.
I'll either love it, or hate it.
On the "here and now" side, I went and saw Weifa Liang (the Honours Convenor) today after getting enrolled, getting my logon and password (the reason for the lack of posts this last week) and all the rest of it. So now I have a desk at the DCS (in honours room, a.k.a. "The Zoo") and I had an email from Rajeev Gore (my supervisor) about getting some office space at the RSISE as well.
I'm not sure which I'll prefer: both Raj and Pietro (the PhD student whose software I'll be working with and modifying) are at the RSISE, but the environment there is professional. The "Zoo", I imagine, will be a little more relaxed. I'm not sure which will be the more productive environment, but I suspect having more contact with my supervisor will be of significant import, in that it'll encourage me to actually do work before my deadlines.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Viper Comics
Viper Comics: Dead@17: The Complete First Series
Aria Volume One
Remote Volume One
I've just been to the comic shop spending the money I should be saving for kitchenware and next weeks food (I'll have to cook my own meals after I move into B&G tomorrow). I got Dead@17: The Complete First Series, Aria Volume One and Remote Volume One.
I got Aria as the cover art reminded me a little of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (English Scanlation) as did the cover text. I've not read it yet, but a quick flick through has made me want to go back (though the shop'll be closed now) and buy the other two volumes although, now that I think about it, they only had the third on the shelf. If this book turns out to be anywhere near as good as YKK, I'll have to try an get some more of his work.
I haven't read Remote yet, but I chose it due primarily to the cover text and the colour section at the front (though a quick flick through the book cemented the decision). I usually like detective and police related anime and manga (series such as Spiral, Saint Tail and the various Patlabor films, books and series come to mind) so I don't think this is much of a gamble.
I have just finished reading Dead@17 and it has once again reminded me that the Japanese do not have a monopoly on great comics. I'm definitely going to be getting the rest of Dead@17 and sooner rather than later.
It looks like Impact are going to be getting hold of a large chunk of my disposable income in the immediate future.
Aria Volume One
Remote Volume One
I've just been to the comic shop spending the money I should be saving for kitchenware and next weeks food (I'll have to cook my own meals after I move into B&G tomorrow). I got Dead@17: The Complete First Series, Aria Volume One and Remote Volume One.
I got Aria as the cover art reminded me a little of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (English Scanlation) as did the cover text. I've not read it yet, but a quick flick through has made me want to go back (though the shop'll be closed now) and buy the other two volumes although, now that I think about it, they only had the third on the shelf. If this book turns out to be anywhere near as good as YKK, I'll have to try an get some more of his work.
I haven't read Remote yet, but I chose it due primarily to the cover text and the colour section at the front (though a quick flick through the book cemented the decision). I usually like detective and police related anime and manga (series such as Spiral, Saint Tail and the various Patlabor films, books and series come to mind) so I don't think this is much of a gamble.
I have just finished reading Dead@17 and it has once again reminded me that the Japanese do not have a monopoly on great comics. I'm definitely going to be getting the rest of Dead@17 and sooner rather than later.
It looks like Impact are going to be getting hold of a large chunk of my disposable income in the immediate future.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Public Speaking
I used to hate public speaking, now I just dislike it. I've had to give presentations on a number of occasions and, normally, my mind goes blank, I forget to so much as look at my notes and I manage to muddle through whatever I was supposed to say without screwing up too badly, but without the level of technical detail I should be able to impart.
This morning (11:00AM Canberra time) I gave my presentation about my summer research project and, as a result I can't help but feel I'm gradually getting over my hatred of public speaking. This is probably a good thing as I expect to have to give a number of presentations this year during Honours.
This morning (11:00AM Canberra time) I gave my presentation about my summer research project and, as a result I can't help but feel I'm gradually getting over my hatred of public speaking. This is probably a good thing as I expect to have to give a number of presentations this year during Honours.
Money: Who Needs It?
TROACSS: The Seikai Trilogy
TROACSS: More on the Seikai Trilogy
I saw a comic shop whilst in town today, and decided to pop in for a look. I left having spent nearly $60 on the Seikei Trilogy. I've written a little about it in the two posts above from my reading blog.
TROACSS: More on the Seikai Trilogy
I saw a comic shop whilst in town today, and decided to pop in for a look. I left having spent nearly $60 on the Seikei Trilogy. I've written a little about it in the two posts above from my reading blog.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
The Co-op Bookshop
The Co-op Bookshop
One of the things that surprised me upon arriving in Canberra (about eleven weeks ago now) is the Co-op. Here, it's open 9AM 'til 5PM, seven days a week. In Launceston, it doesn't open 'til 5PM every weekday, or at all on weekends. I think that they had a staffing problem this past year, but it is still telling. That the bookshop is open seven days, and carries more than just the set and recommended texts for the various courses, is threw me out.
I have a feeling I'll get used to it though: books, every day of the week.
One of the things that surprised me upon arriving in Canberra (about eleven weeks ago now) is the Co-op. Here, it's open 9AM 'til 5PM, seven days a week. In Launceston, it doesn't open 'til 5PM every weekday, or at all on weekends. I think that they had a staffing problem this past year, but it is still telling. That the bookshop is open seven days, and carries more than just the set and recommended texts for the various courses, is threw me out.
I have a feeling I'll get used to it though: books, every day of the week.
An Interesting Experience
It struck me today, that this year is going to be an interesting experience. This won't be the first time I've lived in a student residence, but it will be the first time I've lived in a residence populated with adults instead of college kids (in Tasmania, where I was last resident in student accomodation, "college" is the last two years of high school, not University). I'm still of two minds about it.
Rooms as B and G are supposed to be quite small, but it is self catered (which is always a plus in my book), on campus and cheap enough for me to afford. All in all, the only thing that might suck is the other residents and the facilities such as the shared toilets, showers and kitchens. On the plus side, if I didn't live in a Hall of College on campus, I would probably finish the year having met only the other Honours students and the lecturers at the Department of Computer Science.
All in all, I think this year is going to be an interesting experience. Only time will tell.
Rooms as B and G are supposed to be quite small, but it is self catered (which is always a plus in my book), on campus and cheap enough for me to afford. All in all, the only thing that might suck is the other residents and the facilities such as the shared toilets, showers and kitchens. On the plus side, if I didn't live in a Hall of College on campus, I would probably finish the year having met only the other Honours students and the lecturers at the Department of Computer Science.
All in all, I think this year is going to be an interesting experience. Only time will tell.
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