Ben’s Blog

(Occasionally) Intellectual Scribblings
June 18, 2008

Goings On

Author: Ben Ward - Categories: activites, computer, development, dnd, gadgets, geek

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.

December 25, 2007

iPod Touch!

Author: Ben Ward - Categories: gadgets - Tags: ,

I finally have it! I’ve just opened it, and am thinking WOW! In fact, I’m typing this on it! More later…

*edit - I’ve had to disable comments on this post due to the ridiculous amount of spam comments I’ve been getting.

September 8, 2007

At last!

Author: Ben Ward - Categories: gadgets - Tags:

It feels like someone has turned the light on! The iPod touch has arrived! And trust me, it’s about as high as you can get on the list of ‘Things that I must get as soon as possible’. It is basically an iPhone without the phone, which was always the dodgy bit (ATT…). It has twice the capactity, and half the price. Admittedly, it has less applications built in. However, to quote from Apple, “It uses the same damn binaries”. If you want to know more, then gizmodo have a nice bit on it here.
That means that I could install any of the myriads of iPhone apps on a touch! This will remove any thing that the iPhone had over the touch, as I wouldn’t need the phone bit.

Also, I discovered a nice little iPhone app called iPhone SIM Free. This can unlock your iPhone, and make it useable with ANY SIM card. It’s completely legal as well. Tough luck, ATT…