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    30 agosto

    RE: What do you install after a Windows re-format?

    So wandering through Digg, I come across "What do you install after a Windows re-format?" and to be honest, his list of stuff is absolutely huge. I find it rather amusing that step 6 is "Uninstall un-needed programs"...
     
    My list is also not as short as it could be, but at least it's less than 46. And it changes slightly depending on the OS I just installed, so I've highlighted the differences.
     
    For XP... For Vista...
    1. Install XP (with SP2).
    2. Set up the Interwebs.
    3. Firmware / hardware drivers.
    4. Run Windows Update until there are no more updates. This will take forever due to the number of updates now required for XP.
    5. Install Windows Live Messenger.
    6. Install MS Office 2007.
    7. Install Flash Payer.
    8. Install Quicktime.
    9. Install WinRAR.
    10. Install Nero.
    11. Install DivX.
    12. Install Java (JRE).
    1. Install Vista Ultimate
    2. Set up the Interwebs
    3. Update firmware/hardware drivers.
    4. Run Windows Update until there are no more updates. Doesn't take as long as XP, but still...
    5. Install Windows Live Messenger.
    6. Install MS Office 2007
    7. Install Flash Player.
    8. Install Quicktime.
    9. Install WinRAR
    10. Install ImgBurn (burns CD images, I use Vista's tools for burning audio/data disks).
    11. Install DivX.
    12. Install Java (JRE).
    Everything else is installed as and when I need it, so at work (and maybe on my laptop) I'd then install Visual Studio, maybe the Java SDK and maybe the GWD Text Editor. At home, I'd probably install iTunes on the laptop for the iPod and maybe Photoshop CS2 on the PC. The annoying thing is that although the lists of programs I install are more or less the same, the amount of time needed to install XP on anything is huge, mainly due to the updates, but also to the XP installer itself. Vista's just so much quicker...
    10.45 | Aggiungi un commento | Leggi commenti - (3) | Collegamento permanente | Pubblica su blog | Computers and Internet
    20 agosto

    The Harry Potter Book Template.

     The following can be used as a template for you to create your own Harry Potter book. Just flesh out the details a bit.
      1. "Muggle world" opening.
      2. Incident in which Harry does something magical.
      3. Enter Wizard world.
      4. The "trio" (Harry, Hermione, Ron) discover/are told something that will undoubtedly become their quest for the rest of the book.
      5. Harry, Hermione and Ron have an argument.
      6. Harry, Hermione and Ron make up.
      7. Harry, Ron and Hermione are put in grave danger by Lord Voldermort (or his followers). They escape.
      8. The trio reason out what went wrong and attribute it to Snape somehow.
      9. Harry, Hermione and Ron have an argument.
      10. Harry, Hermione and Ron make up.
      11. Harry has misgivings about the task/Dumbledore's trust, but continues on anyway.
      12. The trio come up with a plan to retrieve magical object(s) to help them defeat all known evil.
      13. Harry, Hermione and Ron have an argument.
      14. Harry, Hermione and Ron make up.
      15. The trio (although mainly Harry) retrieve the magical object, but only after having fought through Traps/Death Eaters/Voldermort.
      16. Harry (greatly scarred and knackered from the previous chapter) shouts at Dumbledore.
      17. Dumbledore explains everything (NOTE: "everything" is subject to change by next book). Snape not to blame for any earlier incidents.
      18. Voldemort defeated/task accomplished, the trio go home.

    If this still doesn't equal 600 pages, through in some more stuff about the Malfoys, Quidditch, or random lessons at Hogwarts. 

    10.33 | Aggiungi un commento | Leggi commenti - (1) | Collegamento permanente | Pubblica su blog | Books
    08 agosto

    How to make tea...

    Apparently the International Standards Organisation (ISO) cover more than just your average standards. Available for a small price, ISO 3103 will let you know how to make tea.

    The method consists in extracting of soluble substances in dried tea leaf, containing in a porcelain or earthenware pot, by means of freshly boiling water, pouring of the liquor into a white porcelain or earthenware bowl, examination of the organoleptic properties of the infused leaf, and of the liquor with or without milk or both.

    Enjoy.

    22.07 | Aggiungi un commento | Leggi commenti - (1) | Collegamento permanente | Pubblica su blog | Food and drink
    01 agosto

    Microsoft Research

    On Monday I went to have a look around Microsoft Research in Cambridge and more specifically, the Socio-Digital Systems Group. Having signed a non-disclosure agreement, I'd best not mention too much, other than I saw and played with the following...

    I also got to play with the Microsoft Surface, the interface for which seems to be based on Media Center. The surface itself looks like it could do with being more scratch resistant as well...

    The last bit of technology I saw wasn't Microsoft's, but instead came from a company called Immersion - a touch screen with tactile feedback. You can use this screen as a normal touch screen to press buttons and what-not, but unlike a normal screen it gives tactile feedback to make it feel as though you've actually pressed a button. If it weren't well out of my price range I'd have bought one by now.

    Finally, I gave my small presentation on IMSS and the CALLAS project, although the small audience meant it turned into a much more comfortable 'discussion with slides', than a presentation. I think it went well and I gained a few ideas to follow up on, which is what I'll be doing for the rest of today. Best get on with it really...

    10.21 | Aggiungi un commento | Collegamento permanente | Pubblica su blog | Computers and Internet