Recent Posts

176

Living Room / Re: Do You Freelance?

« Last post by nudone on November 04, 2011, 07:11 AM »

Interesting but not too alarming. I'm never on site - I work from home. I pay my own NI so no problem there. I also do have the occasional small client work from other people - just nothing like the amount from the "main" client. So, I guess I'm safe.

I thought there could be cause for concern because my main work is obviously coming from one place; enough for me to ignore the other smaller jobs.

Thanks for the info, iphigenie.

177

Living Room / Re: NEW Cody wallpapers for Halloween

« Last post by nudone on November 04, 2011, 06:01 AM »

Sorry, JoTo, there aren't any christmas themed wallapapers. (Maybe there will be one day.)

As for wtfcody.com, that's gone for good. I plan to create a new site to replace it or, at the least, provide a gallery of images somewhere.

For a none seasonal wallpaper, the "island" image is the only one I can think of.

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=12429.0

I hope that helps.

178

Developer's Corner / Re: Auto generate 'spinner' code for your website

« Last post by nudone on November 03, 2011, 06:34 AM »

ooh, that's very nice.

179

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by nudone on November 02, 2011, 08:44 AM »

I didn't know that "lifetime" meant 7 years for a car... Sheesh...

-Renegade (November 02, 2011, 07:27 AM)

...and so, another example of 1984's Doublespeak taking over our language. Not only will the younger generation(s) expect built-in obsolescence to be the norm, they have an accompanying language to help them think appropriately about it all.

Free = not free.
Lifetime = when you've finally paid enough to own it.
Warranty = find terms to invalidate your guarantee.

And on, and on, and on...

(edit: is it Doublespeak? It's Newspeak and Doublethink in 1984.)

180

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by nudone on November 02, 2011, 06:19 AM »

Don't forget, we may be aware; that is, our generation (those that have been around more than a couple of decades) may be aware because we remember when a product was designed to outlast our own life.

There are going to be an ever increasing number of people that have only known products last a couple of years or so (of course, peer pressure will make them discard many working products because they are too uncool to own beyond 2 years).

This is the new norm. It will be perfectly intuitive to the new generation(s) that products fail after two years - how can they possibly work for any longer than that - it would be beyond science. And for any of those rare few that wish to experiment and see if their iProducts will run for longer than two years, then fashion will remind them that they are weird eco warriors hanging onto devices that only poor people have to put up with.

Looking back just 30 years makes me feel like we've jumped a century forward in time. I remember when a phone was a phone and a washing machine a washing machine. They were bought and expected to remain in your possession until they crumbled to dust. Now, I'm brainwashed like everyone else and believe these products need replacing to match the latest seasons "cool" colours.

edit:
You know what, we've basically all got a bit too much money - even now in these hard times. If things were genuinely tight we'd regard our possessions more valuable and expect them to last longer. We'd demand that they last longer.

We can afford all this crap. So we keep buying it. And love it when it breaks as we can go and buy the crap all over again - and complain and brag to our peers about the new crap we've just had to buy (because the previous crap really was crap).

181

Living Room / Re: RIP Sir Jimmy :(

« Last post by nudone on October 29, 2011, 06:21 PM »

How true it all is I don't know but he appears to have introduced discotheques to the UK. That is quite a major cultural landmark regardless of the other stuff he did.

182

Living Room / Re: Albany City & NY State Police refuse orders to arrest peaceful protestors

« Last post by nudone on October 27, 2011, 09:47 AM »

the polemic documentaries by Adam Curtis (available online) go a long way to explain where we are and how we got here. i'm sure there are more thorough explanations of modern history (and alternative explanations) but Curtis has a good way of getting the connections and detail across. they are the kind of documentaries that make you finally see the bigger picture and make you wonder why you didn't wake-up sooner to it all. (well, each one made me feel exhausted after having so much information pumped into my skull.)

so, after watching such things, yep, i have to say we really are a more enlightened form of slave.

it's taken a long time and a lot of calculation to get to this almost perfect state of manipulation. we really ought to feel like we have been molested or violated each and every day - and be outraged accordingly.

but, as ever, I shall now close my eyes and go back to sleep and pretend none of it really concerns me.

183

Living Room / Re: Do You Freelance?

« Last post by nudone on October 25, 2011, 02:16 AM »

I'm in the UK but we have similar rules here. I think I'm in a grey area - or my "main" client is. Maybe I'm deluding myself but I'm just taking the view that he knows the law. He's chosen to do things this way - and so it will be his problem if the taxman gets involved and gets upset.

If, indeed, it is me that the taxman will be upset with, then I shall begin panicking immediately.

184

Living Room / Re: Do You Freelance?

« Last post by nudone on October 24, 2011, 05:19 PM »

I call myself a freelancer but all work comes from one guy. Not very clever if he drops dead.

185

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: On Screen Button That Sends Keyboard Commands

« Last post by nudone on October 24, 2011, 05:15 PM »

Sounds good to me. Groups could be an interesting feature if you can move the buttons around as a group; could be a way to speed up the design of button layouts.

(I'm still waiting for the new pc to arrive.)

186

Living Room / Re: Anyone got an iPad and like it?

« Last post by nudone on October 13, 2011, 05:02 AM »

I hate all things Apple (as I hope you know) but I'm quick to contradict myself when it comes to the iPad. Yep, it's rubbish on so many levels but as an ebook/web-reader device it's better than a netbook simply because it's instant on and instant off. That's instant on and instant online.

So, to me, it really is like picking up an electronic book (one that has all the pages of the internet inside). The instant connection makes all the difference to an impatient sod like me. There's also the battery life. The iPad does last around 10 hours on a single charge. The Samsung netbook (that sits about 5 feet away from the iPad and is never turned on anymore) has never lasted longer than 2 hours on a single charge and that's with the screen brightness turned all the way down.

It's all about convenience. The iPad is the most convenient to use - unless you want to do work; if that's the case, go and sit in front of the PC and do it properly.

Now, would I buy an iPad over the new Android 3 tablets coming out - probably not. The iPad was the only choice at the time and I paid the minimum I could (on eBay for around £250 these days). I say "probably not" as there is still the problem of "apps". The iPad is nothing without the "apps". If Android has the same apps then there's no point in buying an iPad.

p.s.
I've recently had the misfortune to use an Android 2.3 tablet. If you try one of those out you'll think the iPad is some kind of super-computer.

187

Living Room / Re: Real life version of a Half Life 2 map

« Last post by nudone on October 13, 2011, 03:36 AM »

I'm a bit disappointed no one has done a sprint run around the path. That's what you'd be expected to do in Half-Life; leaping over the collapsed sections rather than tip-toeing over the steel rods - how hard can it be, I've done it loads of times in the game - and only fell to my death occasionally.

188

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: On Screen Button That Sends Keyboard Commands

« Last post by nudone on October 12, 2011, 01:42 AM »

Hmm, it would make button repositioning difficult wouldn't it. It seems that there isn't a perfect solution.

If you can ever manage it, it would be brilliant if you could do drag and drop button arrangements. Maybe that's another HTML, CSS plus JavaScript idea.

189

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: On Screen Button That Sends Keyboard Commands

« Last post by nudone on October 11, 2011, 04:49 PM »

Yes, the idea would to have a psd like that, maybe even with the text on a layer too.

Okay, another related idea and this might be a bit too radicle: could HTML and CSS be used to control the button layout and appearance? This is what win8 metro is using (isn't it), which would make even more sense with winbuttons if the layout was just an HTML page.

190

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: On Screen Button That Sends Keyboard Commands

« Last post by nudone on October 11, 2011, 03:51 PM »

Okay, as I mentioned I probably won't be trying any WinButton stuff until the new pc arrives (which I've now been informed won't even be posted until the 20th) but I have one suggestion to keep you busy; busy pondering if nothing more.

Is it possible to make the buttons transparent? The idea would be to create all the graphics for the buttons in one large single background image - all carefully arranged, of course, so that the positions matched the transparent buttons above. This just strikes me as the quickest way to develop a series of buttons that have icons on them, especially if there are forty or more buttons in the layout.

Maybe it's just something to consider if you do a rewrite of the program.

191

Living Room / Real life version of a Half Life 2 map

« Last post by nudone on October 11, 2011, 06:05 AM »

This is probably old news, not found it on DC anywhere, though, so here goes...

Ever wanted to walk around a real life version of Half Life 2, complete with ledges that will easily send you to your grave? Well, now you can. Simply visit the Caminito del Rey http://en.wikipedia....iki/Caminito_del_Rey and start having instant Half Life flashbacks.

Here's a youtube clip (one of many) which resembles the best complete "walkthrough" of the level.

For added authenticity, take your own headless, plucked, chickens and pretend they are Half Life Headcrabs.

(Looks like it's going to be a tourist destination eventually as there are plans to reopen the path - at the moment you have to abseil to it.)

192

Living Room / Re: Angry birds in the wild

« Last post by nudone on October 11, 2011, 01:37 AM »

Heheh, now if only they could be bred that way with genetic modification they'd make really fun pets.

(I've only just started playing Angry Birds, haven't had to use the Eagle yet and half-way through the game - probably my biggest achievement for the past couple of years or so.)

193

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: RealWorld Paint 2011.1 finally complete

« Last post by nudone on October 10, 2011, 03:33 AM »

Very impressive. If I didn't own Photoshop and needed an editor I think RW Paint would be my first choice to try.

I've not had chance to try it properly but after watching the video clips I can see you've introduced some nice improvements to what normally is on offer, e.g. I think the clone location indicator on the Clone Tool is very nice; providing good information without getting in the way.

Layer Styles are also a very powerful feature that puts RWP above lots of other editors. I like the simple tile creator too (as seen in another video clip).

I see that you've also got pen pressure capabities.

There's a lot going on here with just a "free" app. I hope the donation method provides enough reward for all your efforts.

194

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: On Screen Button That Sends Keyboard Commands

« Last post by nudone on October 08, 2011, 01:18 PM »

Very good. Will try as soon as my new pc arrives (hopefully it will work for more than a week unlike the one bought recently).

I'm finding that my entire pc is labouring now that I have several screens attached to it; I've only got 32 bit at the moment and it seems that having two graphics cards, three monitors plus the MIMO are reserving a very large chunk of ram. Almost anything I do forces the hard drives to start thrashing away with the cache.

195

Living Room / Re: Buying a fast new PC, anyone have a favorite US system builder?

« Last post by nudone on October 08, 2011, 03:50 AM »

Heheh, 40 and cran, both good suggestions. I didn't realise you could buy pink noise boxes -maybe there's a web streaming station that provides something similar. As for biggest fan, well, that's my mother - and also a source of the background noise I'm trying to drown out. 

196

Living Room / Re: work bathroom story

« Last post by nudone on October 08, 2011, 03:40 AM »

In that case I recommend you completely ignore them and their message. No point creating a scene nor a situation that could get out of hand. Not acknowledging their note will spoil their fun more than responding to it.

There is also the "correct" procedure of taking this to someone higher and making a complaint. This kind of thing isn't meant to be tolerated these days, is it?

197

Living Room / Re: work bathroom story

« Last post by nudone on October 07, 2011, 01:14 PM »

I got the exact opposite when reading it. I heard an arrogant, pompous (I'm behaving now ) blah blah blah. I didn't find it in the least bit funny.

It's interesting how we can get the exact opposite message from the same thing.

-Renegade (October 07, 2011, 12:25 PM)

It is difficult to know what the tone is meant to be, perhaps that ought to be Superboy's response "Please add emoticons to your statement next time as I really don't know whether to laugh or just take a sh*t in your sink. Have a nice day."

[My reading of the statement is probably influenced by the people I've worked with in the (distant) past renovating houses. Mainly the boss (an old school friend) often took great delight in trying to upset me with nasty comments - this was to "get us all through the day and have a bit of a crack". In an office environment you'd most likely call it "bullying". The thing is, although the comments were often carefully constructed to be as insulting as possible they were also quite funny - I never knew if he despised me (as that's what it sounded like) or he just had a very warped and malicious sense of humour (or a mental problem). I would attempt to upset him in equal measure but he seemed impervious to it. (We're still friends and he still has the same charming manner).]

198

Living Room / Re: work bathroom story

« Last post by nudone on October 07, 2011, 12:21 PM »

OK, here's the actual thing! (see attachment in previous post)

-superboyac (October 07, 2011, 10:41 AM)

That's pretty funny anyway.

I don't think I'd get too offended by it or take it too personal - it sounds kind of jokey to me. Can't be that serious when they are attempting humour with the kazoos and web-cam stuff. In fact, to me, they sound like they admire you - they are probably quite jealous of your more manly toilet smells. Maybe they are even a little intimidated so feel they've had to make a bit of a joke of it all - they don't know who you are, you could be the psychotic-sh*tter that will gladly punch their teeth out of their heads and into the nearest urinal.

199

Living Room / Re: Buying a fast new PC, anyone have a favorite US system builder?

« Last post by nudone on October 06, 2011, 06:12 PM »

Hmm, not sure what to expect about the fan noise. If it's really loud then I'll resort to my plan of putting the tower in the room next door (I've got the extra long cables ready). I recently decided that a bit of noise is good as it drowns out even more annoying noises around me that I can't do anything about.

I'm actually worried that if I put the tower in the adjacent room, it will be too quiet in the room I'm working so I'll then have create a constant background "ambient" noise. Something loud enough to drown out the external sounds but pleasant enough to have on all day - is there anything like that I wonder, music wouldn't be appropriate.

I'm hoping the store are going to put a big fan on the cpu so it will be bearable. I'm probably being a bit naive in that respect.

P.s. For some odd reason Intel SSDs never seem to be offered much over here (uk), I've heard they are good but they simply aren't an option for me.

200

Living Room / Re: Buying a fast new PC, anyone have a favorite US system builder?

« Last post by nudone on October 06, 2011, 05:15 PM »

I hit the buy button earlier today on a very similar build to what you are looking at. I've gone for the ocz ssd as the comparisons I read convinced me the compression it uses to gain speed isn't a trick. The store will be over clocking the chip to 4.5 though 4.7 was available with higher spec and price components.

Not sure if that helps.

Edit:
Case - get something with padded sides to help soften the noise, doesn't have to be expensive to have this feature.

Cooling - I've stuck with air, not heard much to make me want to mess around with anything else.