I’m blogging for Geeksquad.com now, which is pretty sweet. I guess I’m an “official” blogger now or something. Whatever that means. I’m not particularly looking forward to negative feedback from the public, but it goes with the territory. I’ve been blogging now in one way or another for around 8+ years now. It’s kind of weird to think about it, time goes by so fast.

I’ve taken the Linux plunge. That is to say, I’m trying it out as my main desktop now. I’ve used it fairly extensively for server work, mostly web-based stuff, some enterprise. I’ve been a firm believer for quite some time that Linux was not ready for the desktop. That’s not to say I didn’t think it couldn’t be used for the desktop, just that an average user wouldn’t feel comfortable picking it up. It’s pretty close now. There’s so much choice in what you can do, which is phenomenal, but that’s a double-edged sword. I’m trying out Linux Mint, which is a derivative of Ubuntu, which is in turn a derivative of a distribution that I’m fairly familiar with, Debian. I’m enjoying it immensely. I’m hitting a few snags with Wine, but I’ve gotten around most of them. So I’ve conquered Windows (and it’s many ugly relatives), and Mac OS X… now on to something bigger and better.

I think I’m going to start some graphic design again. It’s hard to explain, but I get an itch… somewhere in my brain, something that needs fulfilling, and art is the only thing that does it. So yeah, I’m gonna re-awaken the Beast.

My manager and DCI investigated to see what the company could do for her, but as she has not been employed for a year or more, she does not qualify for bereavement time/pay or assistance from the company through the Dick Schulz fund.

This is one of the reasons that I work for the Geek Squad, we’re a family. So we’re pulling together outside of work (this cannot be organized or affiliated with GS or BBY), and we’re going to help. We’re going to scrape together whatever money or assistance that we can to help her. If you would like to help in any way, shape or form, please contact me at mattgolsen@blackheva.com

I’ve been working on a real project these past couple of weeks. I’ve read and learned more about CANBUS and ODBII than any sane person should. I’m pretty sure I won’t have any trouble interfacing it with OS X, dropping the serial data into QC, and building a HUD around it. I’m pretty stoked about it. There is a slight issue of interface control, but we’ll see what we can do about that. I’ve got to prototype a javascript patch that will hopefully double the physical controls that I’m using by detecting a short press, or long press. I’m not sure if I’m technically allowed to post development screen shots, but I will if I’m able. I’d like to turn this into something good. The ’94 Camry will be the first test subject once I get it fleshed out a bit more, and pick up the appropriate USB adapter for ODBII.

Other than that, things have been pretty quiet. I’ve been having some trouble sleeping at night due to ye olde gallstones. People keep telling me to get it remove but… I dunno. /shrug.

I’d like to buy a new Mac soon, but I just don’t see it in the cards. I was hoping to pick one up from auction, but people don’t seem to understand that the point is to keep the price low. So they bid 10 or 15 times when something is first posted, driving the price up.

Work is going well, trying to drive innovation and productivity. I never thought I’d be where I am today, but I’m happy with it.

Welp, off to bed, and hopefully laundry tomorrow.

This brings me round about to Hype Machine. Hype Machine has been my dirty secret for a pretty long time, it’s fairly popular now I think, but I’ve been using since right after it’s launch in December of ’06 for finding new and remixed stuff. I highly recommend it.

So I’m working on this project for our PR company, to automatically read email to you in your car. I’m using Quartz Composer to build the interface, and a little bit of programming in Xcode. It’s shaping up nicely. I got the first proof of concept done in about 5 hours using QC, with some help from the super nice guys at Kineme.net. They develop some pretty awesome patches, filling in parts where QC is lacking. Anyways, I’ll post some development screenshots soon, but unfortunately I don’t think I can post the source. /shrug

I’ll post more details soon.

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[audio:paulnewman-plastic.mp3]

I don’t care if it rains and freezes
‘Long as I got my plastic Jesus
Sittin’ on the dashboard of my car.
Comes in colors pink and pleasant
Glows in the dark ’cause it’s iridescent
Carry it with you if you travel far.

So get yourself a sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestones sittin’ on a
pedestal, of abalone shell.
Going eighty I ain’t scary
’cause I got the Virgin Mary
Assuring me that I won’t go to hell.

Definitely one of my new favorite movies, this had some how escaped my notice for the past 29 years. Mind the audio, it’s a little loud.

I’m attempting to drink some hot cocoa due to the cold weather outside. I forgot how much of a pain it is. It’s either too hot, scalding yor tongue, or it’s too cold and grainy. Ahh if only this was the extent of my life’s difficulties.

[audio:Ballad_Of_The_Beaconsfield_Miners.mp3]

Here’s a song off of the new Foo Fighter’s album, written for a couple of miners that when trapped in a cave-in were asked what they wanted to tide them over until they could be rescued. Their answer? An iPod loaded with Foo Fighters songs. So Dave Grohl wrote them this song, and sent them tickets to his show, and dedicated it to them. That’s such a cool gesture, very heartfelt. So enjoy the songs, and think of those guys rocking out to Foo Fighter’s while being trapped miles underground.

[audio:16_Jeff_Buckley_Hallelujah.mp3]

I’ve also got some Neutral Milk Hotel, who if you haven’t heard them are quite relaxing. This particular song has a very pretty theramin in the background, and some great vocals. Unfortunately they are on hiatus and haven’t released any new material recently.

[audio:03_In_the_Aeroplane_Over_the_Sea.mp3]