If you run Windows XP on your machine, go to Windows Update and install Service Pack 1 NOW.
There are some pretty nasty bugs floating around, one of which was demonstrated on tonight’s TSS. It’ll allow people to delete arbitrary files from your computer when you click a link in a web page or HTML e-mail. Find out more about the flaw at one of these two sites:
I really like instant messaging, but it has its drawbacks. I don’t like it when people leave without any sort of acknowledgement that you’re still there. I admit that I’ve been guilty of this a little in the past, but I’m going to change.
In other news, has anyone else been really bored lately?
The song I have stuck in my head right now (actually, over the last week) is Keep Fishin’ by Weezer. The video is equally cool – it has the Muppets. You can see it at their site. They’ve always had a history of great videos (including the one for Buddy Holly). Today I bought their latest album, Maladroit, and most of the music is really good.
You can listen to a stream of it at MP3.com.
I’ve been feeling pretty philsophical lately. I’ve started to think about more general concepts instead of just working on web sites, reading message boards, and the other normal stuff I usually do. It’s almost like I’ve reached a new level since I’ve blabbed so much lately, but I like the kinds of things I’m thinking.
One of the major issues I’ve been debating in my head is if I want myself and society to stay or become attached to computers. I’ve actually been trying to cut down on the amount of time I spend in front of a computer each day (I haven’t been doing a very good job of it yet, but I’m still working on it). After being on the computer for a while, I start to get a little depressed and very introverted. I love being with other people in person; there’s something about the actual physical contact that just blows away instant messaging and e-mail. I’m also a lot more productive when I stay off the computer.
As far as society goes, I’m really not sure if having everyone computer-savvy (at my level, at least) is a great thing. I love knowing that people know to use these things – it really gives me chills when I hear about a story of someone e-mailing a long-lost relative or friend – but it’s pretty easy to get hooked. I really don’t want our culture to develop into one that’s reliant and glued to the screens of our computers. We all have to realize that computers aren’t meant to rule our lives, just simplify it in ways. As much as I love making a web site or IMing, I’ve found I like offline time even more. Sometime I’ll be able to find a balance for myself, but where’s the balance for society as a whole?
Ever wondered what my blog would have looked like if I had it on one of my earlier versions of my home page? I’m probably the only one out there that has.
Anyway, I’ve made up a couple skins that make the blog appear as if it were in the style of older versions of my page. I might add more depending on what I feel like and if anything interests me. Check out the two I have so far:
Some of the links and/or pictures might not work; I’m looking at it. It’s more of just an appearance thing for now.
I decided to make an Amazon.com wish list this afternoon. I’d been holding off since I don’t really like committing people to one place to buy stuff, but I thought I’d try it out anyway. I’ve used an online wish list for a while, but it was just in a hidden directory on my site. When I first made my Amazon one it gave me some recommendations (click for a bigger picture):
Sure, a Wacom tablet would be cool, and I like Photoshop Elements books. I’d even take a Lord of the Rings DVD. But I think I can do without Jewel Girl Teresa, thank you very much.
Chances are I won’t keep it updated, but I think I’ll go through ThinkGeek sometime soon and make one there. I might post a link once I’ve decided what I want to do.
I realized today that I’ll have lots of time on Fridays and weekends to get work done. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I think I’ll be getting a lot of non-homework stuff done.
This brings me back to my list of sites to make. I guess I have to learn PHP first, but after I do that, I’ve got to start going through my list. It has about 15 different sites ranging from services to just million-dollar ideas that have popped into my head. I could use $15 million by the end of the year, I’ll tell ya that much.
Look for a section called ‘projects’ on the right side of my blog for what I’m currently working on. I might even share prototypes… or something.
I’ve put my webcam on top of my oscillating fan. Now you’ll be able to see it going back and forth looking out my window. Sometimes you might even get lucky and get a shot of the window. It’ll go back and forth and back and forth and back and forth…
Can you tell I’ve just been playing around all day today since I didn’t have any classes?
I could like this no classes on Friday thing. Sure, classes on Tuesday and Thursday are kinda hard (four in a row), but it’s good to know I’ll have some time to relax – more than usual.
New Media and the Electronic Age – I think this will be a really good class for me. A little tough, I think, but that’s good for me. It’s great to be with other new media people again, and I think the projects and topics we cover in here (including more of the theory and history of new media) will be helpful. Will I finally learn the ‘meaning’ of new media? We shall see.
If you’re a vegetarian, you should probably just stay the f*** out of McDonald’s.
Darrell Hammond rules; he did some stand-up at MCA tonight. It was the first time I’ve been to a stand-up comedian. Being the loyal SNL viewer I am, I recognized a couple of routines he did from the show, but there was a lot of variety. He played around with some Jesse Jackson then did some Sean Connery upon request and, of course, Bill Clinton. We even got to hear a few details about the behind-the-scenes at SNL (like how the Connery impression started). John Fugelsang (the host of the next-gen America’s ‘Most Rehearsed’ Home Videos) also was there, and between the two there was a good two hours of comedy. I really liked it, and it really cheered me up after a hectic day.
Now I’m really, really tired from laughing that loud. I’m so glad I got to see one of the people who I’ve always respected and found funny on TV. It was great I could see him right here at UMaine.
2010, Justin Russell. All content (unless otherwise specified) licensed under CC BY-NC.