vevmedia.net/blog » Personal

Pretty shitty city

vevmesteren — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:08:08 +0000

I just stumbled across this online documentary. It seems that a lot of things can be said about Swansea. The rule-britannia documentary is well worth checking out. I am still wrestling with the idea if I should go to Swansea or not.

Swansea Love Story @ vbs.tv

I am also sharing my first introduction to Swansea:

Now go watch the documentary Swansea Love Story

documentary pod’s

vevmesteren — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:39:03 +0000

Every now and then I mention a documentary podcast that I just listened to. Most of the times they will be something I heard on the BBC Documentary Archive Podcast by far the best podcast to subscribe to. Anyone with a player, add it to your list.

Sometimes on news, sometimes on Technology and the sometimes like one I embedded here (or like the last one released “Spanning the World”), a slice of life. Do check out the Virtual Revolution series as well.

Thank’s to the BBC for sharing…

a declaration of a independence : bright idea indeed

vevmesteren — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:03:02 +0000

Googling for John Perry’s online manifesto brought up this article and interview with Jaron Lanier. Well worth reading and listening into.

As for the declaration of independence itself, here you go:

Governments of the Industrial World, you weary giants of flesh and steel, I come from Cyberspace, the new home of Mind. On behalf of the future, I ask you of the past to leave us alone. You are not welcome among us. You have no sovereignty where we gather.

– John Perry Barlow, “A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace”

…taken from wikipedia

where did I hear of it, you ask? Why, in a bbc documentary of course…

Students? Really, Google?

vevmesteren — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:04:14 +0000

Just stumbled across this article, claiming that US officials and/or Google are closing in on the hacker(s) responsible for hacking their service. The news being that it probably was a student from a university. I just find that to be such an easy answer (like the “mentally deranged” person that attacks a public figure – there is always someone behind that person that is the instigator). Having run several large online contests, in 100 % of the cases, where people have attempted to break into my servers, the attempts came from University servers. And I am certain this is not because of impoverished students trying just about anything to get a little more material goods in their life, but rather, a proof of the inherit insecurity of these huge public networks, and students not having been thought the importance of securing their own usernames and passwords. Also, the hack happened because of a loophole in IE, and what better place to propagate a trojan horse like this then on a university campus network.
Anyways, maybe it’s just me…but I just never believe lone-gunmen stories, and in addition to that, the fact that he published bits of his own code on a traceable forum?

Come on, give us a bit of credit…

VIA

The Lo-Fi Manifesto

vevmesteren — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:25:27 +0000

1. Software is a poor organizing principle for digital production.
2. Digital literacy should reach beyond the limitations of software.
3. Discourse should not be trapped by production technologies.
4. Accommodate and forgive the end user, not the producer.
5. If a hi-fi element is necessary, keep it dynamic and unobtrusive.
6. Insist on open standards and formats, and software that supports them.

VIA

Apple vs Google, Apple vs Adobe, Apple vs Microsoft, Apple vs Who else?

vevmesteren — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:13:23 +0000

The launch of the iPad (a name I still find rather unfortunate) kicked of a flurry of hoorays and boos from all over the web. It has really been quite funny to follow. I do have to admit I too have my problems with the iPad (or rather the iPodTouch which I own) in the sense that you HAVE to go through iTunes to manage your content. There are, off course, a multitude of 3rd party tools (or Linux hacks) that you can use, but the one and only painless way seems to be iTunes. Something that makes managing content on this device a pain, especially for someone like myself, who likes his Linux-Box.

The same goes for developers for whom the only way to distribute their content legally is the AppStore.

But it is not Apple’s refusal to embrace the open source universe and the hordes of developers who apparently stand at the ready, but rather the so called battle of the titans that the iPad’s release supposedly kicks of.
Let me admit at this point that I am really looking forward to my first meeting with this newest Apple-Gadget.

Apple has always wanted to depict themselves as the outsider, or the troublemaker, the different thinkers (call it what you want)…they have always been that annoying kid on the block that nag others for this and that (The year-old get a mac ads). But for the first time (that I can remember) a launch of a new product does not seem to have the unison wow-effect. This really gives me hope.

The iPad provides the ultimate browsing experience? (get used to the blue lego’s)

Adobe on their side, made the first step towards this handheld market, when they announced that Flash CS5 you can now compile your FLA directly to the iPod (and with that, I would assume, the iPad).

For years now, it has been clear that the web, as such, will move out of the browsers, and on to platforms. Why is it then then that people like Lee Brimlow (who calls himself a Platform Evangelist) are screaming so loud. A few years ago Adobe launched Air, allowing Flash developers to deploy their Flash creations in a whole new way. Yes there are now browsers that do not display Flash, but honestly, what would a full fledged Flash/Video website like Tackfilm look and feel like on an iPad. I have problems believing that the either a pod or a pad would be able to make this the memorable experience it could be. In any case, I think this is a question of choosing ones battlegrounds. I think Apple should definetely look into making the Flash player an option, but it not being there by default really does not bother me that much. Give people the choice of what they want to do with their new gadget. But then again has choice ever been in the interest of closed source system or platform suppliers.

The iPad And Chrome OS Netbooks Are On A Collision Course

What I really found interesting in this Techchrunch article was that they where seeing this as a start of an attack of Apple vs Google (and their highly anticipated Netbook) with Microsoft suffering in the middle. The question is, is Microsoft really suffering? If this really is a Mac vs Google issue, doesn’t this mean that Apple has lost focus. Have they become too confident by opening a war on a second front? A two front war is rarely won by those that start it. Is Apple really ignoring the most basic advice of Sun Tzu, who said “Never ever divide your army into two and never fight on two fronts at the same time”. I guess only time will show how this will turn out.

There is not really any point to my post, it is more of a message in a bottle really. Now I’ll throw it out into the sea, see if it’ll land on somebodies shore.

Advanced Python or Understanding Python

vevmesteren — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:48:44 +0000

stumbled across this wonderfully nerdy talk on Python. The intriguing part is the fact that this is a googler talking to googlers. As I have gone through and experimented my RoR book, and a friend mentioned Python the other day, it reignited my interest.

So I am thinking I should get myself some Python literature. If you have any recommendations as to books and what resources to use, please do tell.
I will install a Django on my server as soon as I get the time and get going….

10 Ideas for the new decade

vevmesteren — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:35:55 +0000

Digital Visions

Diplomacy

vevmesteren — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:56:47 +0000

Well it looks like I will FINALLY get to play a game of Diplomacy again shortly, it is unfortunate that I am not able to play it more often. Disregarding the fact that finding 6 eager friends that are willing to set aside an entire day (and then some) to play a full game. But it is really worth it, so if anyone is willing, please do get in touch. As I am always on the lookout for people to to play a little (long) game.

The Gameshelf: “Diplomacy” from Jason McIntosh on Vimeo.

Change, for each of us

vevmesteren — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:24:22 +0000

I really like the message of 6Changes . It is s new project by Leo Babauta, I stumbled across him on Twitter and have gotten lost on his site many o’ time since.

excerpt from 6Changes.com

What I love about the New Year is the hope that we all seem to have, every year, at this fresh start.

We believe we can change our lives.

Unfortunately, that enthusiasm and hope often fades within weeks, and our efforts at self improvement come to a whimpering end. That’s not great, but it’s also not inevitable.

Should you be looking for a book, that combines Zen and Computer, look no further, my favorite present ever received and given Zen Computer