Sweet, I lost my 4.0
This might come as unnatural but I honestly feel great. Since I received an A- on my Computer Scientist and Society class this semester, my 4.0 track record is ruined. While I feel that Dr. Leiss' grading policy is a bit eccentric, I still respect the effort and vigor that he puts into his class.
What this leaves me now is a reminder that I have to try harder in everything that I do. As one says (and I summarizes): It is not possible to achieve perfection. But if you aim for it, you might reach exellence.
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Silent my new computer
One of the biggest grief that I have with my new computer is the fact that it is much louder than my own one. I traced the components down and figured out that the free-after-rebate Coolermaster PSU is the culprit. So right after I receive the full rebate for this product, I went out and try to mute it. Alas, the internet came to rescue. Somebody mentioned swapping out the fan of the PSU. I have never tried messing with the PSU before, but for the sake of learning, I gave it a go anyway.
I looked around for silent fan. At first I thought I would give a Vantec 120mm a go as I have read some good reviews about it. But then, since Directron carries a Scythe S-Flex 120mm 1200RPM for $12, I made the purchase and picked it up the same day. There are other version of this fan too that runs at 1600 RPM or 800 RPM. Reviews say that this fan is very quiet despite its rating is 20dBA. I would definitely recommend the 1200RPM version from my experience with it.
The disassembling process was quite straight forward but then I came across a minor problem. The fan inside the PSU is connected to a 2-pin socket while my fan is 3-pin. I was panic for a bit. Then I found this tutorial. Basically, I remove the plastic socket and then plug my 3-pin connector in so that red goes to red and black goes to black.
I booted up my computer again and voila it is whispering quiet. ^_^ I can finally sleep now.
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Matte screen rules
I have been complaining again and again about the glossy screen that I have on my laptop. I think it was the worst decision that I have made when I purchased it. Not only is this glossy screen useless in a well-litted environment like my lab and my library, it hurts my eyes by giving me reflection of light sources that I won't normally get from a matte screen. It is true that the color of a glossy screen is more saturated and thus gives a sense of better color to movies watched in dark lighting environment, such color is not a true representation of real color. That is, for photo processing or design related works, a matte screen is a very bad choice.
For a developer like me, I think matte screen is absolute needed. Most IDEs have buttons and status reports and all other kind of feedback that is placed all over the screens. The reflections on a glossy screen prevent me from seeing them all in a clear manner. IDEs generally have light background which is okay. However, nicer IDEs like Textmate and E have dark themes which improve viewability. However, these themes intensify the problem on my glossy monitor. Overall, I think that glossy screen is for playing. Like a post found in this thread, if you are seriously considering using your computer to do any work, get a matte screen.
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
My parents are visiting soon
My parents are coming to visit me for a month starting next Monday. I better finish cleaning up the apartment plus all the finals that I have. Since I will be on travel for a while. Expect some downtime in my blogging. However, when I am back, expect lots of pictures and release 1.0 of BibSync - a biobliography management tool. Wait and be surprised Endnote Web.
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Everybody and their brothers are coming up with free JS gallery scroll (rotation) scripts. More than a year ago, I came up with a basic image scrolling script for CBL website. UH NSMIT website was nice enough to took it and implemented it on their website too. Back then, there was no decent JS-only image scrolling script so mine was concocted with Mootols revision 83. Fast forward to today, I saw this rotation script on UH Student Handbook website. I thought: "Wow, that's neat". It turns out that the landscape for image rotation script has changed. Now, you can find many more JS scripts that make use of Mootools simplicity to do things like Fluid Anchors, Smooth Gallery.
What strikes me even more is the quality of Jon's code for his Smooth Gallery. The code was written in nice JSON and Javascript OO. I actually picked up quite a few tips and tricks from his code. It's a definitely good code if you want to take a look.
So what is left for me? I actually have just launched the new website of the lab which uses a newer version of my image rotation script. My script provides the ability to have a list of activators for the images so users can move quickly between images. I add tootips option to the link so users have a bit of clue what they are looking for. I am planning on incorporate this extra feature into Jon's script and ask him to release it along with his bundle.
(0) Trackbacks • Permalink