A Bell Is A Cup Until It Is Struck
Where have I been for all these months?
The short answer is simply that I’ve been relaxing. After years of working full-time, teaching part-time, attending school full-time, and handling my little side projects (like web sites and LAN parties), I decided a few months off was in order. I meant to tell you all before, but complete exhaustion beat me to it. By the time I woke up, I was too busy taking it easy to type up a little of intent to all of you.
Well, actually, I still am, but I figure I’d throw you a bone while I had a little time to do so. I know, you’re all just so tickled by that, aren’t you?
To make up for many lost months worth of content, I’ll give you a bunch of short & sweet links to some cool things.
I’ve found perhaps the world’s most discreet WAP; the Windy31. These connect to a system via USB, and can act as either a wireless card or an access point, depending on which mode you set it in. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while, for penetration testing purposes. Could be all sorts of fun – let your imagination run free with the possibilities! And in case you’re wondering, it is b/g.
Courtesy of Bass, I was recently introducted to Driverpacks. These are a huge collection of files you can embed with a Windows installation disc that cover just about every conceivable driver around. Very useful stuff for those of you who do frequent Windows reformats/reinstalls.
I’ve found a place locally that does laser etching, which is surprising given that such services are usually only available in bigger cities. They are called LaserItAll, and I can personally vouch for the quality and friendliness of the people there. It’s really great that we have such a place here in town – keep them in business, check them out!
At The Next HOPE, which took place this past weekend, I was introduced to a fascinating little game called Digital: A Love Story, made by the wonderful Christine Love. The plot, set in the 80′s, revolves around using an Amiga-like system to dial into BBSes, where you soon get wrapped up in a mystery/romance. Highly recommended.
It’s amazing what kind of software we’re building right into browser windows these days. The features and functionality of SumoPaint blow my mind.
Speaking of fascinating browser-based technology, I’ve resumed playing Space Merchant for the first time in about a decade. It’s a free game that I guess falls into the MMO category, though it came out long before such things became popular. There is a complex but sensible set of rules which dictate how you trade goods, build experience, gain money, and even climb into ships to fight other players; the end result is an addictive numbers-based real-time multi-player strategy game.
The code hasn’t changed much since I last played it, and neither have the looks (which entail fairly minimal graphical representations); this has definitely taken its toll on the player base, since youngsters are always demanding something visual to shut their imagination off with. But there is still a small and loyal fanbase that play regularly, and it’s been fun joining in the fray. If anyone decides to join, let me know and I’ll gladly get you set up with some good tips.
In a similar vein, I’ve rediscovered NationStates, which is not quite a game, but still fun. You create a nation, and are then presented with various issues and positions regarding those issues, which you then adopt. Each decision you make has an impact (sometimes unexpected) on your nation’s population, some of which are fairly amusing. It is a good balance of intrigue and humor, and I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for casual mental stimulation. You can see my nation here.
Now, feast on these morsels, and I’ll be back in the Fall to resume regular posting. Really. I promise.
