For the past few weeks I have been thinking seriously about heading back to uni to complete my honours degree.

Currently some of the team in Computer Science at Massey have been playing with JOGL.

I had a look at it the other day but didn’t get very far. Well tonight I decided to really get my hands dirty.

And it rocks! Im currently seeing if I can convert my traffic simulator to JOGL.

Will keep this blog posted on updates.

Here is a challenge for you: http://www.hack-test.com

I am on level 11 and stuck. (A google search got me to level 12 but I still want to be able to solve level 11).

How high can you go?

The following two images have are screen shots from Mediaportal.

The first image is Freeview DVB-T TVNZ Sports Extra which is broadcast in standard def.

The second image is Freeview DVB-T Tv One which is broadcast in HD Ready def.

The difference in the colours and the depth/quality of the picture is quite amazing.

No need for all the marketing hype this is the real user test showing the very clear difference.

Close Up/Side by Side view of score display in standard def and high def.

From Kiwiblog: http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/07/world_internet_project.html

Those who like facts and figures will have no end of them in the NZ report as part of the World Internet Project. It is probably the most comprehensive study of NZer’s use of the Internet. Some interesting stats:

• 79% of NZers use the Internet
• 15% of users are online for over 20 hours a week (half a fulltime job)
• 66% of users have broadband
• 71% of users say the Internet is an important source of information, compared to 52% for newspapers and television
• 10% of NZ Internet users have a blog (this is a very high figure internationally)
• 28% of users use Facebook or other social networking sites
• 25% of users have made friends with someone online and half of those have gone on to meet them in person
• 15% seek info about political parties or MPs online
• 43% support Government funding to enable wider Internet access while 34% oppose it
• Almost 80% of teenagers visit social networking sites, and 40% of those in their 30s do so.
• Over 30% of Asian users have a blog, compared to under 10% for Pakeha and around 3% for Maori
• Around 20% of those in their teen or 20s have a blog, and slightly more females than males
• The more you earn the less likely you are to blog

Two months ago I got a new computer running Windows Vista Home Premium.

Despite all the warnings about old programs not running, I had no issues with any application, except Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 which would just crash on loading.

When I first got the system I spent around half a day trying to work out how to get it work. But I was unsuccessful.

Yesterday I was loaned a copy of Dreamweaver 8 to use until I went back to full time study next year and get CS3. However Dreamweaver 8 had exactly the same loading issue as 2004.

Now I know that MX 2004 is not supported or expected to run in Vista but 8 is meant to.

So out comes the google searches. I eventually narrowed the problem. Software conflict.

Yep, all of you out there using an Acer Computer will probably have a program installed called eData Security. It will run by default at start up. I never use the program (it is designed for file encryption).

To get Dreamweaver to run just uninstall eData Security and voila Dreamweaver MX 2004 and 8 will run.

Why do people insist on using Windows Live Messenger and then when you talk to them they say they are busy. Well if you are busy then why are you on Messenger in the first place? Obvious you don’t want people to distract or talk to you so why then do you make the consciencous decision to log into a communication device? I just don’t get it.

Messenger should have three modes: Online, Online but away (aka brb/I’m making a milo), and appear offline (for people like me who use MSN at work or are genuinely working but keeping an eye out for discussions to be had).

Get rid of this online but busy stupidity.

I can’t believe it.

I was coding today and I actually found a useful use for Recursion.

Basically I was programming a dynamic grid and it was for once easier to use recursion then a double nested loop.

I am stunned myself. And this wasn’t Haskell either it was Java!

Wordpress version 2.5 is now running this blog. Let me know of any bugs.