I've been a little behind on this...been busy getting things installed, one program at a time. I took out both of my old drives, the original 20 gig that came with the Gateway, and my 120 gig master. I put in a 300 gig SATA, then installed Vista HP-32. Waiting for the external enclosure to arrive, so I can transfer some files and apps from the 120.
It certainly wasn't a smooth and headache-free experience so far. My mobo apparently sucks rocks...or at least parts of it, as I had a hell of a time getting the new drive installed. Installing the new SATA in conjunction with the new OS probably wasn't *the* smartest thing I've done in a long time, but oh well. So it's done, and this next phase is long and grueling...almost like beta testing. Through this, though, I'm finding some good apps and some pretty crappy ones. I'm just glad that I can finally say I am Symantec-Free. No more AV bloat-ware...no more bringing my poor system to its knees. It feels lighter and happier (same goes with my laptop).
Unfortunately, for every smart move I make, I invariably make another move or decision that sets me back a little. I've used Nero (5 and 6) with XP for a few years, and actually like it a lot. It's easy to use, and is NOT bloatware. I especially like the backup utility...to the point where I actually was backing up my data on a semi-regular basis. Okay, so Nero 5 or 6 does not support Vista, which bites, as I really didn't want to have to upgrade. Nero 7 was "made for Vista", in fact it is certified, so it can't be that bad can it? Ugh. I installed it using Custom install, explicitly directing it to only install 5 of the dozen "modules", and definitely NOT install any toolbars, be it Google, Ask.com, or whatever. Anyway, couple days later BitDefender finds a baddy in Nero's directory, something from ask.com. I hope that is a one-time thing.
So, not all of my XP programs will be reinstalled, but I'm finding that a lot of the old ones actually do install and work just fine. I had a small problem with Apophysis when first installed. It would not run most of the included scripts. I finally uninstalled it, then reinstalled it, but to a different directory. I have been reading that some programs have problems running from the Program Files directory in Vista...so I installed it in my user directory. Cool, now it works, and so do the scripts and the hack versions (JF's and Zeuk's). Hopefully, I'll have a few new ones to post here....soon.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Coincidence
Last night, while at work, bits and pieces of a very old song kept going through my head. I have no idea how it started, and I didn't even know the name of the song or who the singer was. It was a tune I remember hearing when I was very little, something my dad used to play on his reel-to-reel stereo. Funny thing, I don't remember the whole song, just a few lines and melodies from it. It brings back good memories from way back.
What little I knew of the lyrics, I decided to try to Google. After about three tries, I came up with the proper title and several names of artists. By chance, Diann had XM radio playing on the 60s station. I asked if she knew of the song. Yes! Search results yielded quite a number of artists that sang the tune, and I have no idea which one my dad used to listen to. However, one of the artists, Hank Snow, an old country singer, might be the one. My dad liked to listen to the older country western music, such as Hank Williams Sr.
The odd thing...while I was checking the results, and looking for any samples to listen to, I started to hear the tune again...only not running through my head, but on the radio! It was not a vocal version, but an instrumental, but there was no doubt that was the same tune! Wow, I think dad had something to do with this. Anyway, the song "White Silver Sands" was originally sung by someone named Don Rondo (never heard of him either). Diann seems to thing there was another version done by Pat Boone. Don't know if I'll ever get to actually hear it again...for now, I'll just settle with my version. :)
What little I knew of the lyrics, I decided to try to Google. After about three tries, I came up with the proper title and several names of artists. By chance, Diann had XM radio playing on the 60s station. I asked if she knew of the song. Yes! Search results yielded quite a number of artists that sang the tune, and I have no idea which one my dad used to listen to. However, one of the artists, Hank Snow, an old country singer, might be the one. My dad liked to listen to the older country western music, such as Hank Williams Sr.
The odd thing...while I was checking the results, and looking for any samples to listen to, I started to hear the tune again...only not running through my head, but on the radio! It was not a vocal version, but an instrumental, but there was no doubt that was the same tune! Wow, I think dad had something to do with this. Anyway, the song "White Silver Sands" was originally sung by someone named Don Rondo (never heard of him either). Diann seems to thing there was another version done by Pat Boone. Don't know if I'll ever get to actually hear it again...for now, I'll just settle with my version. :)
Monday, March 19, 2007
Scripting
Scripts are fun to use, as long as it's done in moderation. I have yet to learn to create scripts. For now, I rely on those that have grasped the fundamentals of script-writing. I just got this one from Liz's site (thank you!) and I'm liking it already. :)
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Gimp
The Gimp has a plug-in that generates flame fractals. This plug-in was written by Scott Draves, although I don't think it's been updated in a long time. The flame "editor" is somewhat limited, but it's best to use Apophysis to import the Gimp flame, and make edits there.
err...let's try this again
Nothing like experimenting with a new blog...then forgetting about it. I suppose I wasn't in the right mindset when I started this...but, now that I've rescued this from the depths of Blogger, I'll try to be better. I promise. I hope.
My life isn't exciting or interesting enough to warrant filling these pages with readable material, at least nothing fit for the average joe's consumption. However, fractals have always been one of my favorite forms of expression. Each one is different, unique unto itself, like fragments of thoughts and ideas. Fractals appear in many forms in our daily lives, and in nature itself. They are classified by various types such as Mandelbrot, Julia, and Iterated Function System (IFS).
I find flames, and their creation, to be unpredictable, but in a pleasant way. Math has never been my forte, however working with the program Apophysis helps me to appreciate its capabilities. There seems to be an almost therapeutic value to flame creation...a Zen of mathematics, art, and nature. Anyone can do it, given the proper tools and an open mind. It is, after all, what you make of it.
My life isn't exciting or interesting enough to warrant filling these pages with readable material, at least nothing fit for the average joe's consumption. However, fractals have always been one of my favorite forms of expression. Each one is different, unique unto itself, like fragments of thoughts and ideas. Fractals appear in many forms in our daily lives, and in nature itself. They are classified by various types such as Mandelbrot, Julia, and Iterated Function System (IFS).
I find flames, and their creation, to be unpredictable, but in a pleasant way. Math has never been my forte, however working with the program Apophysis helps me to appreciate its capabilities. There seems to be an almost therapeutic value to flame creation...a Zen of mathematics, art, and nature. Anyone can do it, given the proper tools and an open mind. It is, after all, what you make of it.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Out With the Old
...and in with the new. As 2004 comes to a close, I've decided to give blogging a try. Just a web-based mental note...someplace to put mental sticky notes or reminders, or even track events. My mantra has always been "My life is not exciting enough to warrant a blog", so we shall see. Not necessarily something for public consumption ;oP but perhaps I could point this out to a few friends.
What a way to end the year, and start a new one...dealing with some sort of eye infection! Woke up with my right eyelid swollen and it's been irritating me the entire day. Of course, this all has to happen not only on a weekend, but a holiday weekend, no less! If it continues, I'll begrudgingly have to visit the local witch doctor. oh-joy.
Okay, things to do in the new year. For one, I will definitely need to clean out the 2nd bedroom..er uhm, I mean storage room. :o Need to just toss out the useless junk, and things that I absolutely do not need. This'll be a mammoth project in itself (must take a week of vacation). I wonder if I can rent a dumpster for a day or two? Doesn't matter, this podunk town doesn't believe in environmental awareness anyway. I'd like to get rid of that boat anchor of a computer...since no one in their right mind would want a 286, lol! That'll be another bridge to cross later.
I need to update my disaster of a web site. The reunion is a fading memory, and my cohorts will soon forget, if not already, our fun weekend in Albuquerque. I've already fixed the photos, just need to come up with some dialog to go with. Think I'll tackle that in the next day or so. :o) Just call me Ms. Procrastination.
What a way to end the year, and start a new one...dealing with some sort of eye infection! Woke up with my right eyelid swollen and it's been irritating me the entire day. Of course, this all has to happen not only on a weekend, but a holiday weekend, no less! If it continues, I'll begrudgingly have to visit the local witch doctor. oh-joy.
Okay, things to do in the new year. For one, I will definitely need to clean out the 2nd bedroom..er uhm, I mean storage room. :o Need to just toss out the useless junk, and things that I absolutely do not need. This'll be a mammoth project in itself (must take a week of vacation). I wonder if I can rent a dumpster for a day or two? Doesn't matter, this podunk town doesn't believe in environmental awareness anyway. I'd like to get rid of that boat anchor of a computer...since no one in their right mind would want a 286, lol! That'll be another bridge to cross later.
I need to update my disaster of a web site. The reunion is a fading memory, and my cohorts will soon forget, if not already, our fun weekend in Albuquerque. I've already fixed the photos, just need to come up with some dialog to go with. Think I'll tackle that in the next day or so. :o) Just call me Ms. Procrastination.
