My dual 933MHz PIII that was state of the art three years ago has now become quite long in the tooth. Fortunately, Ari has graciously allowed me to use his old workstation (since he’ll probably be spending significantly more time with his new employer). This “hand-me-down” :) has a 2.4GHz P4, 512MB DDR (soon to be upgraded), lotsa disc space, a GeForce4 4600 with 128MB ram of its own and a beautiful 18″ Dell UltraSharp LCD screen.
Don’t allow software patents in Europe!
On Wednesday, August 27, I will take part in the online demonstration against software patents by replacing my web-site front-page with a protest page against software patents. The aggregator might also disappear for that day for the same reason. Please consider joining this on-line effort!
Java and Python programmer productivity comparison
This is an interesting comparison of potential programmer productivity (PPP!) with Python and Java.
Emergency post
Because my blog page had emptied itself due to a lack of posting (I think that it got severely depressed), I deemed it necessary to post something to remedy this situation. Because I’m profoundly busy with non-blog things, it’s going to have to be a screenshot. Click on this DSCAS3 logo: to see a screenshot of my super-duper, ultra-useful and quasi-sentient DSCAS3 software. Because I like to irk bigots of any kind, the screenshot is of the Windows version.
His name was Wilberforce Mosuli Manjathi
Die kind _Die kind is nie dood nie die kind lig sy vuiste teen sy moeder wat Afrika skreeu skreeu die geur van vryheid en heide in die lokasies van die omsingelde hart Die kind lig sy vuiste teen sy vader wat Afrika skreeu skreeu die geur van geregtigheid en bloed in die strate van sy gewapende trots Die kind is nie dood nie nóg by Langa nóg by Nyanga
More Human than Human
Unfortunately, even Google yields very little about the San Persistence Hunt. Kalahari Bushmen (the San) still practise this very ancient form of hunting where the hunter will run his, usually antelope, prey to exhaustion. David Attenborough documented this in one of his “The Life of Mammals” programs. (Thanks Martin!) From this programme synopsis: There are only four men on Earth who can run a kudu antelope to its death. They are Kalahari bushmen, and this persistence hunt is thought to link modern humans to the earliest form of human hunting.
The Poor Man’s Ergonomic Laptop Stand
It’s frikking finally done! After weeks of wondering what the easiest way would be to do this, a chance encounter with some MDF board and a nail-gun opened many doors for me. Read all about the new laptop stand by clicking here.
Two more reasons why Italians are the happiest people in the world
Bruschetta Chop up two or three ripe Roma tomatoes, the best you can find. Chop some red onions and fresh basil. Add it all to a bowl, add some of the best extra virgin olive oil you have and mix it all up with freshly ground black pepper. Get some ciabatta or similar (any nice potentially toasty base), rub with a bit of that extra virgin olive and oil and put it in the oven to toast litely (220 degrees celsius should be about fine).
I’ve made it on the Interweb
Fantastic! Note the very first links when you Google for rubber-hosed justice. I feel honoured and flattered, but not flatulent.