DVD: The Forgotten (2004)

Watched the DVD, "The Forgotten"..not bad

So let me get this straight?

So let me get this straight Microsoft creates software that is 'easily' attacked. A teenager creates a piece of software to exploit these holes and now the teenager may go to prison and Microsoft may get a large part of the settlement?! Well that that's interesting. Create a system that's unstable, wait for someone to exploit it then demand they pay you. Wow. The wonderful world we live in.

Details...
http://software.silicon.com/malware/0,3800003100,39127362,00.htm

MAT xxx: Time in the Library

Spent a good part of the afternoon in the Library doing the MATxxx: Assignment 1. Certainly got a good start at it.

Welcome to hell or Learning Scheme

Well it's my first day looking at the Scheme programming language. My God, welcome to hell. Let's stick with C#!. More on my experiences with Scheme to be posted...

Why Programming Is Fun?

I was recently thinking why programming is fun for me. What is it that I like about this field. I think it comes down to these reasons: 1) Solving problems in an elegant way, 2) Diversity of the subject matter, 3) An ever changing field of information and 4) Controlling a machine. Let's examine these a bit furthur:

1) When programming you solving some sort of problem and though for the most part any problem can be solved when programming it's about solving it in a elegant way. On the surface one can compare lines of code and say well 100 lines is better then 1000 but it's not really about number of lines as it is the algorithm of the elegance to which you solve a problem. I don't care what programming language you used or how long it took you, but did you solve it in an elegant [aka: cool] way. When I discuss solutions with other people and you get to the 'key' item in a problem if the solution excites you that's what it's all about.

2) Diversity of the subject matter. When you are programming you a solving some sort of real world problem and that requires you to go out and learn something about a completely different subject matter. In the early years Computer Scientist called this, "Artificial Intelligence" or "Expert Systems". No matter how you categorize this it's about becoming an, 'expert' in a subject that you knew little if nothing about before. This requires all sorts of skills ranging from personal interaction, to the ability to extract pertainent information, to 'specing' etc. And in the end if done right you've now learned something about a new subject that you didn't know before. And can we a programmers say other people in other industries do the same - I don't think so. What a very fortunate thing!

3) The about of information in the 'computer' world is constantly changing. From programming langauges to the latest hardware changes things are constantly moving and there's no sight that's it's going to stop. If you can manage it, pick you 'interests', it's a fasinating world to be in. If you ever want to learn something just hit the 'Net and learn something about another subject. There's already a life time worth of information out there. It's great!

4) Controlling a machine. No matter what you are programming whether it's your typical PC or a PDA or home built robot it's ultimately about control. Making it do exactly what you want. When you've learned something about this new technology, put together an elegant solution and expanded on your knowledge it's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Somehow you feel a great sense of satification having control over something. This probably pulls on something innately human but that's a story for another time.

DVD: Thunderbirds

Watched the DVD, "Thunderbirds". I don't know how well this movie did at the theatre but I don't recall hearing it doing too well and I can see why. Probably because it's based on an old story that today's viewers don't care about. SideNote: Directed by Jonathan Frakes [aka: #1/Commander/Captain William T. Riker on StarTrek Next Generation].

DVD: Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid

Watched the DVD, "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid", no sorry not good, but as usual the 'extras' on the DVD were more interesting.

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2005

If you watch the 2005 CES KeyNote with Bill Gates, you'll see what I think truly represents what technology is like for people. If you notice throughout this show almost 90%+ of the demos fail to work and if 'they' can't get it to work, can you?!

Disappointed Once Again

Well today I spent putting together the custom frame for France. It took a good six+ hours but I knew it would. The montage photo of Petit-P turned out pretty well and required about 1000 photos, and could have used more.

After finishing the frame [staples] at the Grande-Mall, rushing in before 5:00pm I returned home with my Chinese food and ready to watch a DVD. ~@5:51pm Petit-P phoned and confirmed that the diner was still on. I asked what was for super and was shocked to hear that they were serving meat-pie. God I HATE meat-pie. I'm sure I've mentioned this before but they continue to serve this. Though her's is not as bad as everyone elses, still enough already! Then to top things off she gave me some sort of body cream. Given that she sells this stuff for a living I wasn't impressed last year when she did a similiar thing but to do it again. Come'on! How about cracking out $5, $10, or $20 and buying me something at the store or making something or doing anything that shows some effort. My GOD! Then to top it off this gift is supposedly from Petit-P and it's the second gift, the small jam, that I had tried two months before that France gave me. Come on. This is not a gift but something that you would give a person upon a visit not a gift for XMas. I don't want to seem ungratefull but let's make some effort here. I bought Petit-P a video card when I first arrived in this city [then dozens of cloths for his first bornday] and his mother a music CD [returned it 4+ times, after she complained about] and a gift certificate for her favourite store. Then for Petit-P's bornday a DVD, and this year a PS2 wireless controller. Then for Mother this year a custom frame and Petit-P the latest No #1 game for PC, "Half Life 2". This currently sells for $59->$69. You know all I wanted was something inexpenseive like the Depeche Mode CD or the "Family Guy" DVD or season 3 of the same. Come ON! SOME THOUGHT GEEEZ! Disappointed Once Again. :-(

ECY was in a car accident today. He didn't hit anything just forced off the road by a deer. $100 for towing.

Apple - iWork - Pages

Spoke a little too soon. Apple introduced a word processor today at MacWorld. Called, "Pages" it looks pretty cool.

What Apple should do

Apple Computer Inc. needs to have an Office compatiable application. Yes, I know Microsoft Office is available for the Mac and has been for years but Apple needs to either have their own or some third party needs to step up. Why you ask? Because if you've looked thru the transcripts of the recent Microsoft court cases you've noticed that Microsoft has held the future development of Office:Mac over Apple head. Apple needs to take from this a word of warning and get control of this. No matter what, people will need Office compatiability and the only way to ensure this now and in the future is for someone to step-up. Let's get a Word processor that people love and want to use.

Returning from Vacation

Left T.O. ~@3:00pm after visting with Rob and picking up ECY's Noel gift, a new CD Burner. I was a little disappointed that I left so late but I arrived ahead of schedule @~10:45pm.