Top quote
Posted: 28 February 2006 Filed under: Critical Context, Ramblings | Tags: Critical Context, simontron, toy Leave a commentI was trying to explain my idea behind The Simontron to a friend of mine. Why I was doing it and a little bit about what hacking and circuit-bending is all about. He then started calling me a particular name and mis-quoting something from our childhoods. He said that in effect I was “making good use of the things that I found, things that the everyday folks leave behind”.
First person to leave a comment saying where the quote is from and what he accused me of bieng being wins a chunky kit kat.
Anyway, turns out that a brother of a colleague of his did electrical engineering at uni and might be able to help me. Well, for the price of a curry and a few beers it might very well be worth it.
Little Man Tate
Posted: 27 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: music Leave a commentI’ve just discovered Little Man Tate. Steve Lamacq has been playing them on 6 Music so thought I’d go and check them out. They’re from Sheffield and like the Artic Monkeys, they’ve gone down the route of putting stuff out on the net first so you can download some demos from their site. They’re brilliant, click the link below and get their stuff now.
It’s a funny old game
Posted: 26 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: football Leave a commentTom won 🙂 Argyle lost 🙁
Next Year
Posted: 25 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings Leave a commentWe had a big meeting yesterday to sort out what we want to do next year. Nearly everyone was there so it was good to catch up. I had pretty much already decieded decided what I wanted to do but still had a couple of doubts. One thing that I was certain on was getting a BSc, I fancy being a scientist and wearing a white lab coat with the top pocekt pocket full of pens.
So, what did I pick? I went for 4D, coz I’ve always been into film, and Sound. Now, I know what you’re thinking, considering how well the Simontron is going why the hell did I pick Sound? Well, it’s coz how well I’m doing with the Simontron that I picked it and anyway, it’ll also help with my idea for my project. And finally, I also picked Space. A couple of friends of mine have done it and said how good it was plus what Chris had to say about it really sold it to me.
Well, that’s my life sorted from September ’til next Easter. Time to get back to now and get me soldering iron out.
No buzz
Posted: 21 February 2006 Filed under: Critical Context Leave a commentI had a chat with Dan last week coz I wasted so much time trying to find how to make the Simon buzz that I was worried that I was falling begind behind. It’s a simple buzzer (apparently) so it will buzz just by running different strength currents thru’ it. Well, I’ve just spent the morning trying that and I only get something using my hacked together 9v probe which is pretty strange considering that the total voltage with the batteries that are supposed to be in it add up to 4.5v. I’m gonna have another trawl thru the net and my electronics kit and see if I can work out what is supposed to happen.
I really don’t want to detract from tuerning turning this into some sort of programmable sound machine. I’ve had loads of positive responses from people so I don’t think it’s such a dumb idea. And for those who do, tough – I ain’t listening 🙂
The crusade continues……
Bloody java!
Posted: 19 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: j2me, java Leave a commentI want to write a game for mobile phones using J2ME and I’m trying to get it to work in JDeveloper. I’ve followed all of the instructions, even got hold of a copy which is supposed to have it already bundled but still no good. Tried to install Sun’s wireless kit but apparently I haven’t got a valid JDK installed. Oh yeah, then how have I been doing stuff then? Explain that! Stoopid Java. But it looks as though Netbeans might save the day. I downloaded it and the mobility plugin and so far have I’ve been able to write stuff and test it in an emulator. Pity I’ve wasted the best part of my weekend over it when I really should have been working on Simontron. Still, at least Argyle won 3-1 – “oo-ar vincent pericard, oo-ar vincent pericard”
NOOOOOOOOOOO
Posted: 17 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: mac Leave a commentI guess it was only a matter of time until there was a virus “written” for OSX – www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/16/mac_os-x_virus. Now what am I gonna use in the MAC v PC debate.
GeoURL
Posted: 13 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: geourl Leave a commentI’ve recently come across GeoURL which is pretty damn cool. Using your longitude and latitude, it lists other sites that are in the same area as you. There’s instructions on how to do it so you’ll just have to follow them if you want to use it. You can see other sites near me by clicking the “meet the neighbours” link on the right. There aren’t many at the mo but of the ones that are there, you should checkout EmmyartUK. She’s got some brilliant pieces online. Black Magic in the Buy Today, Hang Tomorrow section is pretty cool.
More pots
Posted: 12 February 2006 Filed under: Critical Context Leave a commentDunno if I’m making any progress with this or not. I’ve found a pot which makes a crackling sound when I link it with one of the pots I found below. I’ve been at it for 3 hours and that’s as far as I’ve got…apart from a slight burning smell. Nothing has gone black so I’m erring on the side of caution and gonna stop.
It’s good to be a Janner
Posted: 11 February 2006 Filed under: Ramblings | Tags: plymouth Leave a commentThe Winter Olympics has started and Dan Wakeham is taking part in the snowboarding and another local boy Scott Dann has just become Commonwealth Middleweight champion.
Oh yeah, and Argyle drew with Sheffield United.