Posts by Bear
Published by Bear
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
View My Newest Creation before reading.
It's the Web 2.0 and by now most of you have seen or heard of Wordclouds (aka Tag Clouds). I created the subject of this post to jump start my recent lack of extracurricular education. Though not technically a Tag Cloud -- it's horizontally aligned as opposed to a cloud-like grouping -- it fills much of the same mental desire.
It's ecstasy distilled to continuously refresh the page and see the array of colors and word formations. It would be doubly good if I could figure out a useful way to properly rotate the words so that they fit into a nice formation.
If you have a block of text you'd like to use as a seed, Wordle makes it so easy a caveman could do it. Take this post for instance.
Brought to you by The Lab.
Published by Bear
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Those of you I've talked to know that my Home Theater PC (HTPC) has been done for a while now. Problem is, I've been too lazy to post the pictures I'd taken online until now.
I uploaded them to a flickr set so everyone can head over there and check them out. I keep threatening to do an actual photo gallery system here but haven't found the time. In all honesty I have plenty of time but I use it working and playing World of Warcraft.
Molly and I are canceling our cable this week so in about... a year the computer should pay for itself. I'll take some pictures of my current entertainment system and post them up here soon.
Published by Bear
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Disclaimer: This post is directed at Kizi though you may also find it entertaining beyond your wildest dreams.
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You may have heard of this "joke" band from their self titled HBO series or the groups stand up specials. The thing that sets them apart from other parody groups is that the band members, Bret and Jemaine, can actually play. Not only are they talented musically, but the lyrical humor is both subtle and painfully evident. For example, this passage from the song, "Business Time":
"Oh, you don't know what you're doing to me.
I remove my jeans but trip over them cause I still got my shoes on. But I turn it into a sexy dance.
Next thing you know I'm down to just my socks and you know when I'm down to just my socks what time it is...it's time
for business. It's business time.
It's business.
It's business time.
You know when I'm down to just my socks it's time for business that's why they call it business socks."
Throw in songs like, "Busdriver Song," "Humans are Dead," and, "She's so Hot, Boom," and you've got yourself the start of an album. In addition to the musical humor, you get a sense that Bret and Jemaine are really enjoying themselves throughout. I personally enjoy listening to music more when I feel the artists are having fun making it.
Here's a link to a dating song parody, "If You're Into It." If you want to hear more send me a message and I'll see what I can do for you.
Published by Bear
Monday, August 18th, 2008
I was temporarily restricted from Battle.net this afternoon while playing Diablo 2. I had no idea why as I'd done nothing wrong. During my investigation I found an official Blizzard thread on the topic and checked some of the reasons.
For your convenience, I will touch on some of the more interesting points. The first punishable offense is
- "Scrolling through skill selection using the mouse wheel"
The only thing wrong with this rule is that it doesn't result in a permanent ban. Players committing such a heinous act as "scrolling through skills" should be immediately removed from the playing environment. It pains my heart to know that skill scrolling fiends are back on the block after such a cursory dismissal.
The next crime against humanity is
- "Repeated requests for a new screen to see what you wish to gamble for."
I mean, obviously you're not supposed to do this; that's why you get everything you're looking for on the first screen. This rule is practically written on the game box below the giant face of The Lord of Terror. Trying to see more than one list of items is just plain gluttonous. I, for one, know that Gheed would never wait twenty-eight screens to show me a pair of gauntlets.
The final unforgivable behavior is
- "Repeated use of a spell with no cast delay such as Amplify Damage or Glacial Spike."
Show me a monster that can survive more than one Glacial Spike (17-26 damage) and I'll show you Uber Diablo. Clearly, the game was designed so that casters would only need to execute a spell once (twice for you hedonists) in order to bring down any lumbering foe. Also, Ampify Damage last eight seconds and if you need any longer than that to bring down a boss you're just doing it wrong.
Just think about these rules next time you decide to log on to Battle.net and go wild. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to bring down Baal with an Ice Bolt.
Published by Bear
Sunday, June 15th, 2008
Today was a good day. This morning, around 9 o'clock, my dad and I set out for a river adventure. We had decided the night before that it might be fun to try a long ride in the kayaks (weather permitting). The forecast looked good so we packed lunches and set off to paddle around Grindstone island. This was to be an adventure in three legs.
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Leg 1 was fairly uneventful and fell between the hours of 9 and 10. We started off from the house and paddled straight across the channel to Picton island. Hugging the eastern shore, we made our way North and completed the first leg of our trip by stopping at Canoe Point for a banana. Hurray for potassium.
The second leg proved equally as calm as the first. We came around the North-East point of Grindstone and made our way West through crystal clear water. We'd started to develop a steady rhythm in our strokes that made miles pass without notice. We ended the second leg by beaching the kayaks at Potter's Beach to enjoy our sandwiches in the sand.
I wish I could say the the rest of the trip was just as pleasant and peaceful but I'd be lying through my teeth. After we left the beach, the wind had decided to ride in from the West. To clarify, the westernmost edge of the St. Lawrence is bordered by Lake Ontario which is very large and provides many miles of open water for wind to build up speed. We did not anticipated the difficulty of our next challenge.
The last leg was one hell of a paddle. We turned the South-West corner and met rolling white caps in the channel. Since we weren't going exactly with or against the waves, the boats kept turning off course. The two boats have a skeg and rudder but we were afraid to deploy them should the waves grab hold of either and tip us over. We put the meat to the paddle (as they say) as we navigated our way down river to Bluff island. We got to Bluff well after noon and the midday boat traffic was in full swing. Now, in addition to maneuvering the waves, we were constantly reminded of the speedboats, cruisers, and barges flying past our bows. Upon reaching Bluff, we rested for a moment, turned the corner, and started the last section home.
Minutes after 3 o'clock we reached the dock for a total time of just over 6 hours. The round-trip distance was estimated at approximately 14 miles. We cracked open a couple beers at the water and rested for a few moments before heading back up to the house. The next feat of strength (and arguably the toughest) was entertaining extended family for a father's day dinner.
Today was a good day.
Published by Bear
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
Some of you guys know Molly and I went to Tennessee a little while ago but I never posted any pictures. If you're the depraved type who likes to live vicariously through other people's enjoyment you might take a look (Flickr).
I would display them on this site using my custom image gallery code but Flickr is just so handy. The free photo sharing service doesn't allow porn (or does it?) but it is very intuitive and works well enough. Plus, I wouldn't want everyone feeling left out since I haven't implemented an easy way for people-who-didn't-build-the-site to do it.
As a reminder to anyone who is interested or simply forgot, I'm coming back to Tallahassee from June 23rd to the 30th.
Published by Bear
Thursday, March 20th, 2008
There are officially five, yes five, days remaining before the first chance of "correct taste" for our latest homebrew beer. Maida has insisted on opening a bottle after one week of waiting (tomorrow) and I can only pray that we are not disappointed.
We have followed every direction as precisely as possible and yet I have a growing suspicion that something will go (has already gone) terribly wrong. With our anal-ity for directions in mind, I can only assume that any misfortune is a direct result of God personally damning us both.
I will comment/repost when the abomination has had time to fully mature. Please put us in your prayers.
On side note, I saw There Will Be Blood for the first time last night. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all day and I don't expect tomorrow or the next to be any different.
Edit 3/23/08 - Jon just told me that an inside source informed him that Porters and Stouts need to sit in the bottle for around 2 months. So... T-Minus 1 month and 21 days?
Published by Bear
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Scott Bakula, man or myth?
Scott inherited the genetic gift of quantum leaping at an early age. You may know him from his feature role in a documentary series where he spent one leap day every four years in someone else's life. Since he only exists for one 1/4 days a year, scientists put his birth date somewhere between the Mesozoic era and the Age of Enlightenment. The latter is currently held in higher regard as it is believed that the birth of Bakula was directly responsible for the subsequent period of intellectualism.
It is said that he achieved omnipotence through a telepathic bond with his cell phone Ziggy. Few have survived direct encounters with Sam but many claim to have "felt" his presence in common household objects.
No one knows what happened to the hunk and part time actor, but many believe that he comes out every leap day to feed on the employed. Others speculate that he last left Earth on a rocket ship, shot off as if from an archer, into the cosmos.
Bakula is the tinkle in your eye and the pie in the sky. Next time you see a shooting star, just remember that it's Scott sending you a special message from space.
When everyone else has abandoned you in life, he will be there. Just remember, when you get down on your knees to count your blessings, be sure to Count Bakula.
Published by Bear
Monday, February 25th, 2008
Earlier this month, a Virginia Tech student created a floor lamp that generated light through the power of gravity. The student produced the concept for the lamp, named "Gravia," for a competition led by the Greener Gadgets Conference. Somehow, he only took second place. This is probably due to the fact that his lamp is currently theoretical and works based on the assumption of what future LED innovation will bring.
The inventor estimates that the current design would produce the equivalent of a 40 watt bulb and stay on for four hours at a time. Oh yeah, and the lamp is powered by a two ton falling weight (that you lift). The upside is that the hardware of the lamp is projected to last 200 years if used 24 hours a day every day.
Obviously, due to the technical limitations, we aren't going to see this in Walmart any time soon. However, the foudation has been laid for an intriguing technology based on an unlimited source of energy.
Plus... it looks fuckin cool right? I want one but I'm not sure it offsets the forklift needed to start it.
Published by Bear
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
The war is over; we can all go home.
An already troubled Toshiba announced today that it will officially abandon the manufacturing and marketing of it's HD DVD format. This comes as no surprise to informed buyers as the data medium had been lagging behind Sony's Blu-Ray format for some time.
Major turning points in the format war included the adoption of Blu-Ray by Blockbuster (June 2007) and Netflix (February 2008). The industry giants brought an installed user base that overwhelmed the already struggling competition. In the end, it was too much for Toshiba to resist.
Away from the movie industry, the demise of HD DVD raises questions regarding video game consoles. Most of us are aware that Microsoft's Xbox 360 currently uses HD DVD while Sony's PS3 uses their in house Blu-Ray format. Now that Sony has won, it will be interesting to see what affect this has on the ongoing console war. Sony still has a sizable distance to close in their library of games, but it's built in Blu-Ray player is looking more and more like a good investment.
Since Microsoft doesn't actually use HD DVD for games, we will wait and see if they can eat crow and include a dongle for Blu-Ray support. One can only imagine the difficulties they'd face if games suddenly become so large as to require data storage greater than that of a single DVD. Either way, continued support and use of the HD DVD format by Microsoft would seem to hurt 360 owners*, IMHO.
*If nothing else, it would cost 360 owners more since you have to purchase the external HD DVD drive for $129.99
| Posted in: Games
Published by Bear
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
I write this post both as a site update and as a celebration of Poppy's first post. This is a wonderful day for those of you that have long lamented the lack of monkey media. We are sure to be in for a treat.
As for the site, I have finally completed the transition from the previous design. I'll continue to expand the available sections of bigevilrobot including (but not limited to) interesting links, photos, and tunes. There have been some murmurings about the plainness or "over minimalism" of the design so I'll also be tweaking things as we go along. Hopefully we'll be getting some good concept art from Maida that we can display somewhere.
As Chris requested three and one-third minutes ago, I have upgraded the threat level of the "Author a Post" page to orange. You can expect to enjoy better image uploading, text styling, and all around quality of life. Most of you should recognize the toolbar buttons due to their similarity with MS Office. If anyone is having trouble I will post a small tutorial explaining how to perform simple tasks.
Due to backend changes, I will need everyone to logout once before you use any of the comment or posting features. If you don't, you won't be able to use anything.
I would like to thank Mark James for his free web icons over at famfamfam.com. They serve as a nice accompanyment to the different sections of the site.
| Posted in: Work
Published by Bear
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
I've shown this around in the past but I recently dredged it up for a few front and backend improvements. I came up with this baby back when I started learning a bit of Javascript. Play around with it and tell me if you think we should incorporate it into this site.
Some features to play with: (1) navigate through the images by using the left and right arrow keys, (2) going left on the first image takes you to the last and going right on the last image takes you to the first, (3) clicking the large image will take you to the original image file for downloading or bookmarking, and (4) in order to leave the gallery you simply slick the back button once. Suck it down Facebook.
Trial run the Image Gallery.
If you have any constructive suggestions, leave them in the comments.
Update: I made the gallery cross browser compatible.
Published by Bear
Friday, February 1st, 2008
Earlier this month, social networking giant, MySpace, deleted the 35,000 member, "Atheist and Agnostic Group," for the second time since November 2007. What's especially interesting about this group is that it was the largest collection of Atheists and Agnostics in the world. It even has its own Wikipedia page. The group was awarded the "Excellence in Humanist Communication Award" in 2007 from Harvard University.
MySpace admits that the group was not in violation of the Terms of Service but that other users found Atheism, in general, to be offensive. Unfortunately, the minor trim ended up being more of a clear cutting. One affected user writes:
“My personal profile was deleted as well, and despite weeks of emails to customer service, plus a petition signed by 500 group members, MySpace won’t budge."
It remains to be seen whether the group will reorganize for a third time. Either way, it's a shame that a mainstream media outlet like News Corp would display such intolerance of the millions of godless Americans.
Original article: MySpace: No place for Atheists?
Published by Bear
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Restless creator here. I've been fiddling around with some style ideas for the site. I know, I know, I haven't even finished coding the real sections of the site yet and I'm already redesigning it. It's an addiction.
I just love the process of seeing something develop from nothing. Every element can be aligned and shaped in countless permutations. Of the new mockups, the one I'm leaning towards is Version 4. It's fairly similar to how the current design is laid out in terms of the header, content area, sidebar, etc.
Take a look and let me know in the comments anything you particularly like/dislike. The site is currently just a mockup and the only pages you can visit are the main weblog and the admin page. You can also click on the sticky for a hidden reveal.
Published by Bear
Monday, January 14th, 2008
Late Breaking News: Marion Tinsley, aged 68 years, dies visiting his sister in
Humble, Texas. Tinsley, regarded as the best Checkers player ever, lost only nine times after winning his first World Checkers Championship in 1955. To be clear, nine times means nine games, not tournaments. Several of these losses came at the end of his career when Chinook, Deep Blue's Checkers counterpart, burst onto the scene with the promise of superiority. In the first ever Man-Machine World Championship, Tinsley defeated Chinook four games to two, with thirty-three draws.
In 1994, Tinsley was diagnosed with cancer. During his last tournament, he forfeited the championship title to Chinook after only six draws due to health concerns. Normally I wouldn't need any other reason to write about a master of board games, but, as it turns out, Marion Tinsley was also a professor of mathematics at Florida State University.
"Checkers can get quite a hold on you, Its beauty is just overwhelming -- the mathematics, the elegance, the precision. It's capable of wrapping you all up." -- Marion Tinsley
External Links
- Marion Tinsley, 68, Unmatched As Checkers Champion, Is Dead (NY Times)
- Marion Tinsley: Human Perfection at Checkers? (PDF)
Published by Bear
Friday, January 11th, 2008
This last New Years was an exciting adventure down at Papa Jason's new property in Rosemary Beach. The house was a gorgeous, five bedroom palace with all but direct access to the sandy shores.
There were plenty of photo opportunities along the way and I did my best to capture the essence of each moment. I've compiled some of the better ones in a ZIP file for everyone that would like to relive the precious moments.
Download: New Years '07
Published by Bear
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
Halo 3 is a great game. It took elements of both prequels and combined them into a solid package. Of course, it's not without its frustrations. In reality, few games have caused me as much bodily harm. Not directly of course, but I have nearly shattered several bones pounding fists, elbows, and the occasional skull into the concrete walls of my apartment. That being said, this map pack adds on to an already impressive title. The 800 point ($10) download consists of three new levels which are Rat's Nest, Standoff, and Foundry respectively. Each one is significantly different from any of the existing maps and adds new gameplay elements to the regular game types. Also, unlike Halo 2, the maps have been instantly thrown into the Matchmaking playlists. There's even a special category called "Heroic DLC" where you can play 6v6 games taking place solely on the three new levels.
Foundry
Foundry is basically a storage warehouse that shares the same textures as The Pit. It's fairly basic level with some interesting elevation changes. The cool thing about this map is that you can remove almost every item in the forge to get an empty room. It doesn't make for very interesting combat but it essentially allows you to create any level you want. They've also added some new items to the forge menu so that you can actually make stairs, walways, and fences instead of just traffic cones and plasma pistols.
Rat's Nest
Rat's Nest is an underground map with an elliptical track around the outside. The track is wide enough for one or more of the many vehicles in the map to terrorize anyone foolish enough to wander off. There's also plenty of close quarters combat in the infield for the shotgun/sword/hammer/mauler lovers. Some of my favorite moments in Halo 3 have been cruising around the outside ring of the map mowing down enemies in a Warthog (with or without a gunner).
Standoff
IGN referred to Standoff as a smaller version of Blood Gulch. I don't agree, but it is a fantastic map for CTF games. There are several hills and underground corridors to make for plenty of interesting elevation and line-of-sight changes. Another interesting element is the amount of entrances to the base/flag. I didn't count them all but I'd have to guess at lease four. It makes defending the game assets that much more difficult. Each of the maps seems to contribute to Halo 3 multiplayer. They are sure to evolve in the minds of players as everyone has more chances to get pissed off and frustrated, but, for now, they are a welcome refresh of the standard Halo 3 experience. Check out halowiki.net and IGN for more information.
P.S. Garvey, go buy a goddamn XBOX 360.
| Posted in: Games
Published by Bear
Monday, December 10th, 2007
His fans and friends also knew Adams as an environmental activist, a self-described "radical atheist", and a lover of fast cars, cameras, the Macintosh computer, and other "techno gizmos." Acclaimed biologist Richard Dawkins dedicated his book The God Delusion to Douglas Adams and in it describes how Adams came to understand evolution, consequently "converting" to atheism. Douglas was a keen technologist, writing about such inventions as e-mail and Usenet before they became widely popular, or even widely known.
