Ben’s Blog

I decided recently that I needed to really learn how to code in one operating system. Since Linux is pretty complicated with UIs hard to make, I decided to go for either .NET or Cocoa. Since I hate Mircosoft, I thought I’d go with Apple’s Cocoa, which I have used once before, and was very enjoyable. Also, this will let me write programs for my iphone when I get it *said with crossed fingers*. I’ve ordered a book on Cocoa, and a book on Objective-C. They are Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X, by Aaron Hilleglass (A professional cocoa teacher), and  Programming in Objective-C by Stephen Kochan.  They look very good.

Last night, I fixed Ubuntu. Gnome had killed itself the week before, but I really didn’t want to fix it because I  had no idea what the problem was. Turned out, the problem was minimal and a sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop fixed it.

Reading a Lifehacker post on Ubuntu, I read about a program for Linux called Gnome Do. It is a clone of Quicksilver, if anyone knows what that is. Basically, I can now press Super (windows key) and Space, and Gnome Do pops up. I can open firefox by typing fx <enter>. Or any other approximation of the name of the program. I can quickly find files, and even tweet, by typing ‘tweet’ <tab> ‘Tweet here’. It really is good, and should speed up my day to day using a bit. Also, I have found a program called mail-notifier which sends you a pop up when ever you get an email. It even works with Hosted Gmail, which is good.

Sean and I are still dreaming of iPhones, but it is getting closer =). Now I just need to secure a Paper round. Joe let me help on his once, and I am confident that I could do it by myself.

I was in Game on Good Friday, and saw a copy of Neverwinter Nights II on the shelf, and, on recommendation from Sean, I decided to buy it. It is a very good game. I have currently only played the single player game, but there is easily fifty hours of play in it. I am a twelfth level wizard, and can cast suitably entertaining spells.

On Easter Day I was at the Cathedral for eight long hours, singing services and eating Pizza, and when I returned both of my brothers had started campaigns on it, and were hooked. After much talking about DnD to them, we decided to buy the books. We got the 3.5 core rule books, Forgotten Realms and Complete Arcane. I am writing and adventure, and have almost finished it. I will upload it when I am done. Of course, these book weren’t cheap (About £85, but I have no desire to buy 4e when it comes out), so I have set back the computer stuff a bit. I also want a Binary Watch.

I’ve finally managed to get into a DnD group! sineWAVE has started a group for all the people that can’t get to the main one. I am going to be a Grey Elven Wizard with an intelligence of 18… I can manage to be a Geek even in the game!

You may have heard of DnD (Dungeons and Dragons). Well, I’ve written an RPG called FnM (Fields and Moose). It is an epic adventure to free the land of moose from Gollywogs. Xyzu immediately responded by writing an RPG called Xy Inter War. Don’t even try it, it is rubbish. FnM includes a map of about 15 - 20 areas (Depending on when I get bored), contains a levelling system, where you get experience from combat, and unlock new weapons and armour. You can move around freely, and choose where you go. This is much better than Xy Inter War, where events are forced up on you. Watch the front page for more!