Hairless Chimpanzee

Picture might give some people nightmares…

Tweenbot: Cute lost robot

I’m catching up on some RSS subscriptions when I read this article about Tweenbot. It’s about a cute robot left alone in the streets of New York to navigate from opposite ends of the park. Knowing only how to move forward it relies on passersby to aim him in the right direction. It is a wonderful project as it shows a lot about how humans behave in their environment. Just look at those nice people in the video.

For a better version of the video and also learn more about the project please visit the Tweenbot site.

Right now I only wish I can create a similar cute bot myself.  Any friends who wanna help me? Or just point me to the right direction?

Caught off-gaurd

Time for some creative literary exercise.

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Walking into empty doors is not surprising. Finding a jewel in one of the doors is what is interesting. You pick it up and scrutinize it for a while. Admiring the intricacies it offers. Getting enchanted with its brilliance. Holding it delicately against your excited hands. Feeling time and space momentarily cease to exist

But then such beauty cannot be kept hidden for long. The jewel shines so bright, others start inquiring of the mystery concealed behind the door. They walk unwelcome inside invading your reverie. Pulling you away from the magic, snapping you painfully back to reality. Resistance is only futile.

The inquisitive hands pass around the jewel. You can only watch as the luster slowly dims. After the last faint twinkle they have lost interest. Discarding carelessly the once brilliant jewel, they left abruptly.

It happened so fast, you choked for words of defiance and misery. But it has passed. They are gone. You have your treasure back and lesson learned. There shall be no repeat.

Remove green lines in VLC

I am catching up on Naruto Shippuden episodes when I immediately noticed that VLC, the best open source media player IMHO,  is showing green lines on the top portion of the screen. I thought I was was just using an out-dated version of VLC, maybe the fansubs are using newer kinds of codecs. But even when I downloaded the latest version it was still there!

After tinkering with the configurations here is how to adjust the settings and finally get rid of the annoying green lines.

Tools menu –> Preferences –> Video –> Choose OpenGL under Output options –> Restart VLC

Now, I can enjoy watching Naruto Shippuden again.

Quest for Compiz-Fusion

For two days, I have been trying to make Compiz-Fusion work on an old AMD computer and today I admit defeat. Not because I got tired, but mainly due to the message finally telling me my hardware is simply not up for it.  It is not the Duron 1300Mhz processor at fault, because I saw those cool desktop effects run on a 450Mhz (just forgot if it was a PII or PIII). It was still called Compiz/XGL then.

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Physical Touch.

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Complete set of results

Quality Time:		10
Physical Touch:		9
Words of Affirmation:		6
Acts of Service:		3
Receiving Gifts:		2

—

Information
Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don’t understand our partner’s requirements, or even our own. We all have a “love tank” that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Internet Explorer is unsafe

The major press outlets are abuzz this morning with news of a major new security flaw that affects all versions of Internet Explorer from IE5 to the latest beta of IE8. The attack has serious and far-reaching ramifications — and they’re not just theoretical attacks. In fact, the flaw is already in wide use as a tool to steal online game passwords, with some 10,000 websites infected with the code needed to take advantage of the hole in IE.

Internet Explorer might be a built-in functionality in Microsoft but that is no reason to say that it is Stable and Secure. There are alternatives that offer these 2 S’s and you can have them for free. You have Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Safari.   In addition to more security and peace of mind, a switch to another application provides you with better performing browser. I for one, highly recommend Firefox, because of the varied range of customizations (add-ons) that can be use for free. There is also Opera which provides built-in features like a download manager and page refresher. While Google’s Chrome currently boasts of better resource use, which is very useful for those people who are voracious tab users. I can’t say anything much for Safari though except that it would be great news for Mac lovers since they now have the option to use it on their PC too. Don’t limit yourself. Give these alternatives a try.

Solution to frequent wireless disconnections on Belkin router

Model:

Belkin Wireless G Router (F5D7230-4) , solution applicable also to other wireless models

Issue:

Frequent wireless disconnections.  In my case, normally between a time span of 20-30 minutes before disconnection.

Solution:

[source -  http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F5D7230-4&aid=2437&scid=221]

To address this issue, follow the steps below:
Note : The steps below are applicable only for Belkin routers.

1. Open an Internet Explorer window on your computer and type in http://192.168.2.1 in the address bar. This will take you to the Belkin router’s web based configuration page. If you are not able to open the page click here.
2. You will get a login page. Leave the password blank. Click Submit .
3. On the left side of the page, click Channel and SSID below Wireless .
4. The wireless channel on the Belkin router is set to Auto by defualt. Change the wireless to a static channel. Click Apply Changes .
5. Click Logout in the top right hand corner.

Note: The wireless card in the computer will automatically detect the change in channel number on the router and will update the channel on the card.

Cause

You are not able to connect wirelessly mainly due to environmental interference. When the wireless channel is set to auto, the router will cycle to though channels when it detects significant interference. When the router changes channel the wireless connection will reset itself and disconnect all wireless clients connected to the router.

Summary

Wireless signals are prone to interference from cordless phones and electrical appliances (e.g., vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens). This is the reason wireless connections can drop. This article explains how to overcome frequent wireless disconnections by changing the channel number (frequency) on the Belkin router.

Windows updates are stupid

I made two security updates for Windows XP and it made the computer worst! I only get a black screen for my effort to make the pc more ’secure’. It’s not possible to even do system restore because safe mode is also affected. Now I have to reformat and install applications again! And this is just one of those numerous instances I get a surprise headache for doing an update. I don’t really know why I still bother. I keep thinking they would change. They don’t.

I hate Microsoft. I hate Windows.

Two cents on Turmoil

Overwhelming sense of numbing to say the least which normally may take to a state of no redemption. Along the way cursing heavens and self for the rushing stupidity that had engulfed the senses. Next would have been nothing less than a good retaliation at whatever caused it just so to feel some sort of momentarily relief. Hating everything in the way knowing that there is nothing else above the world other than what is current and within reach. The sky may change to day and night yet it is not exactly the welcome change longed for.  What is there left to change anyway? What little remnants is there to cling to?  Dare to believe there is none? More likely removed of worth and tangibility yet still existing. Only one thing to say. “It’ll pass”.