The Answer to my Problems?

September 27, 2008 at 11:12 pm · Filed under Techy

Sometime ago, I blogged about a little piece of software, CHDK, that would add more function to your Canon pointandshoot. I never got around to the project, because I didn’t have an SD card reader. I cant put the CHDK on the SD card.

Well, maybe, I can kill 2 birds with one stone.

I haven’t been playing my DS much either. I have a modchip device for my DS, which I bought in Korea. It worked for a time, but eventually “backup” games began to freeze during mid-game. It was annoying, because I got to the end of FF3, like the very end, and it would continuously glitch at one spot. It happened with Zelda, too. I’m not certain what is causing the freeze. I dont think it’s the games, and I blame the outdated modchip. So, I’m buying a new different card.

The new one uses SD memory to backup and store games. To put games on the SD card, you can hook it to the PC with a small USB reader, which comes with the modchip card. You see where I’m going here.

Maybe, I can get the DS to run backups again, without freezing, AND add the CHDK to my pointandshoot. Supposedly I can add some media functions to the DS, as well. I can’t wait!

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Under Nose, Under Radar

September 12, 2008 at 12:52 pm · Filed under Techy

Since I’ve been home, I’ve been on the hunt for my missing media and tea mug. I’ve been missing my media the most, because it was a box of DVDs and CDs. I’m talking live bootlegs, ripped DVDs, homebrew software, and just archives of stuff. It was tragic that I couldn’t find this box.

Did I leave it in Chicago? I dont think so.
Did the box bounce out of my roommate’s truck when I moved? Possibly, but not likely.
Where the hell is it?!

Today, I walked upstairs and stared hard at my Dell computer boxes. The big one is for the tower. Those two are the monitors. What’s that bottom one? I moved all the boxes. Sure enough, at the bottom of the stack, there it was, my missing media! It’s been sitting at the top of the stairs all this time. I walked by it maybe ten times a day.

Well, that’s uncovered. Now,… if I could only find that tea mug.

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Weekend Project: Camera Hack

May 7, 2008 at 7:17 pm · Filed under Photos, Techy

This will probably be my weekend project.

Camera Hacks: Turn Your PAS into a Super Camera

It wont become a DSLR, but it looks like it adds some useful functionality to the hohum “point and shoot”.

UPDATE: Well, it looks like my project will have to wait. I’m having some difficulty getting access to the root of my SD card. I’ll have to obtain a card reader or delve deeper into mounting the camera.

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p2526_AM22-43

May 2, 2008 at 10:40 pm · Filed under Techy

Lately, I’ve decided that my computer should be doing something.

When on the computer, I just surf the web, listen to music, and watch video. (That’s all I bought it for.) It’s not CPU intensive or working to it’s full capacity. Often, I allow the computer to run when I’m not using it directly. I bittorrent overnight, but still the computer isn’t really doing anything. I’m not using any CPU power or being productive. Until, now!

I decided to do some folding.

Folding@Home is a project from Stanford University that uses millions of networked PCs to form a supercomputer for protein folding simulations. The client software is loaded on a PC, it contacts the central servers, and receives “work units”. The client then runs on spare CPU time, and uploads finished work units to the server. ~Folding@Home

I first set it up using Windows. The client was hassle free, but then I watched my folding in progress. I realized that folding my protein would take hours (or days) to finish. I don’t like using Windows for that long. So, I had to research the Ubuntu alternative.

With Ubuntu, I dread installing anything that’s not in the Package Manager (automated installer). It’s a bit of a hassle to find an up to date tutorial, and I’m not a linux wizard. Luckily, installing the folding program didn’t take too long (~2 hours).

This is protein p2526_AM22-43. Thus far, it’s taken a day for my P4 3GHz Dual Core CPU to get half way through this beast. But, now, I can actually put my computer to work for something useful.

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Time to Give to those Who Need It

November 9, 2007 at 7:42 pm · Filed under Lifestyle, News Events, Techy

This year, I’ve decided that its time that I give back to the software, the websites, and the artists that are making a difference.

So, I’ve got $20 in my paypal account that I’m going to divide amongst four services, which I use most. No, $5 isn’t much, but “A journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single step.” And, this is a first for me.

• Wikipedia – Not a day goes by that I dont check facts or read articles on Wikipedia. The site doesn’t take ads or commercial sponsors. Therefore, they need donations. Supposedly, $40 will deliver 100 million page views. $5 should cover myself and a 1000 others.
• Ubuntu – 4 years ago, I learned that Ubuntu would ship CDs of their software to anyone FOR FREE! Of course, I was all over that. I tried the software, but never took it seriously. Now, I use it as my main operating system. They still give away their software and pledge to always do so.
• Saul Williams – I’ve never purchased digital music online. My major issue is with the quality. I dont want lossy mp3s. If I buy music online, it should be the same lossless quality which you get on a CD. Saul is selling his new album for $5 at his website, and you can receive it in a lossless format. Saul takes a vocal stance against the music industry and purchasing his album eliminates the middleman.
• Fourth? – Well, I haven’t picked a fourth yet. There are many worthy causes. I feel like I should make a contribution to the Pirate Party or I should give the money to the EFF, these groups fight “legally” for online rights. I could also give the money to a smaller Linux group or lone programmer. And, there is also NPR. I dont know yet.

Can you recommend anything else?

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