Tech Smartly

For me, this was a very easy question. No.

The device is pretty neat, there’s no denying that. It’s unfortunate that apple has decided to completely lock down the iPhone into AT&T. In fact, this is what kept me from getting the first iPhone. That, and the fact that it’s usually better to wait for the second generation of new hardware. Apparently, Apple has wizened up, and you are now forced to sign the contract in the store. This makes things a bit more complicated then. With the first iPhone, you were allowed the possibility of enabling it through iTunes. Or, you could not activate it at all, and instead you could unlock it. Yet there is always the problem of being left with an iBrick. With the 3g iPhone, Apple has agreed to a wide array of different contract prices with countries in Europe. For example, in Belgium you get a completely unlocked iPhone, with which you can use with whatever carrier you like. The price is rather steep considering the exchange rates (it costs almost $1000 for the 16gb version!), so if you’re desperate and looking for an unlocked iPhone now, Europe is the way to go.  However, there are plans of selling unlocked iPhones by the end of the year in America. The price will be much higher without a contract, at $599/$699 depending on the model. It will be pay as you go, but I do not know if that means it will work with every carrier. I’ve been unable to find more information about pay as you go iPhones being sold in America, maybe my google fu isn’t up to scratch. Unfortunately for apple, I’m not buying their iPhone just yet, and most likely neither should you (although this could depend on the circumstances).

Python is a language that has risen in popularity these last few years. I have heard about it before, and just recently I decided I wanted to learn it. First of all, I know no other language other than visual basic. However, I don’t want to be forced to use a language that is locked into windows, although I know there are ways to get visual basic working using Mono. However it is not the disadvantages of visual basic that compel me to learn python, rather the advantages of python. I honestly don’t know enough about visual basic to say why it sucks, but the fact that it’s from Microsoft was reason enough for me look and see what better cross-platform alternatives there are. Python is also easy to use. It has an easy to read syntax, meaning that it is easy to maintain it. If you write something in python, you can come back to your code in six months and easily figure out what you’re trying to do. However, if you use a language like C++, it can be difficult to understand your own code at first. Of course, having a clean syntax also helps as you’re coding. It helps make everything clear, and instead of focusing on the language, you focus on the logic. Most important for me is that I can learn it without it being too complicated. It’s going to be a little side project of mine. I don’t want to waste a lot of time learning things in c/c++ that I could already be doing in python. Perhaps at a later point, I will learn c++. At this point in time, I would rather learn more about programming theory, such as objects and whatnot. Python makes it easy to learn all of this. If you also wish to learn about programming, I would imagine python to be a great starting point for everyone. There is a book about python that will be released on the 25 of September, called Beginning Python: from Novice to Professional, Second edition. I have read some of the author’s articles online, as well as the first chapter in his first book. It does not over complicate things with unnecessary terminology meant for professionals, but instead focuses on being clear to understand without overloading on complicated matters. I have read some of the his articles online and it it seems clear without taking things too fast. Thus, I will try to get my hands on a copy of the book when it releases. I will begin learning python in approximately a month and a half (no, not because I’m lazy).

This is a short introduction to Linux, because there just simply aren’t enough people who know about it

Linux is an operating system that originated from a man called Linus Torvald. He based Linux off of UNIX, the same operating system that OSX is based on, except it’s not as bad as OSX. It started in 1991. A commercial operating system called MINIX, based on UNIX, was being sold. Linus wanted to create a similar operating system, but one that was free. This led him to create the Linux kernel, together with everything from the GNU project. He released GNU/Linux on 17 December 1991. Oddly enough, Linus was working on Linux when he was in a university as well. However, he did not drop out. Now what about Linux would be so great as to merit such a long and boring intro? There are too many reasons, so I will just give a very brief summary.

It is the most secure OS on the market. It has almost no viruses. In fact, there probably is no need for an anti virus. Since people find problems, fix them, and submit the solution, exploits are quickly fixed. Don’t ever use an anti virus on Linux. It simply isn’t worth it. Even when Linux gets more popular, and more people (attempt to) create viruses, Trojans, or worms, there are more people that will also fix all of those exploits. This makes the developers have to do less work, and makes Linux more secure.

Linux also turns out to be one of the most reliable operating systems around. There are some servers that have been up for more than 5 years, and have never been shut down due to crashes. Linux runs programs in a different way, where they aren’t tied to the system. The system is 1 layer, and applications are another. When the application crashes, or something goes wrong, it is much easier to get out of such a situation. I’ve had windows fail to load when a file became corrupt due to turning off the power when my games froze, or some other application. It is possible to recover from almost every situation without leaning over to touch that power button.

Different distributions are what make Linux so much better. Don’t like how red hat handles certain things? Then you might want to check out Slackware. Oh, it doesn’t have a good package management system? Maybe try Ubuntu, or Kubuntu, or maybe Fedora, or even Opensuse. You want something that feels more like windows? Trying to get someone to switch to Linux? Try Linespire, or Freespire! But maybe Mandriva suits your tastes more, especially since it has such an easy way of installing. Now what if you’re stuck with windows? Use DSL, a distribution of Linux that is only 49.5 mB. It is possible to run Linux inside of windows using only a pen drive.

Lastly, Linux is completely free. No money has to be exchanged. You don’t need to buy a separate copy for every computer. Even software can all be free. For Photoshop you have gimp. For Microsoft office there is OpenOffice. A lot of money could be saved if we didn’t spend so much on commercial products when there are just as good products that you can get for free. I never believed in the saying “you get what you pay for”.

Linux is used everywhere. It’s just too hard to pretend it doesn’t exist. Phones are using it. Big businesses, as well as small ones. Computer used for work, gaming, or surfing. More and more schools are using it. It’s not a fad, an inferior OS, or just a little piece of dirt on the sidelines. It’s something much better than windows. That resource hogging Aero that was in Vista was in Linux long before. In fact, Linux can do better things than Aero. In short, Linux is in general, a better operating system.

I’ve managed to make a second youtube poop of mine working, and I’ve also gotten the first one working. Here are both of my youtube poops. The second one is quite short, but that’s because I got rid of the boring parts:

First youtube poop

Second youtube poop

Hope you enjoy it…if you like that sort of thing. If you’re wondering when I’ll stop posting about youtube poops and stop being weird, don’t worry, there are normal articles in the pipe line. I am however a little busy, and have been for the past week.

I’ve been meaning to post this earlier, with a video of my first youtube poop that I made in adobe premier pro. I’ve been having problems exporting thought, so I decided to go ahead and publish this without my own video.

Now you may be wondering what I’m talking about right now. Actually, I don’t quite know myself exactly what makes a youtube poop (ytp) a youtube poop. What I do know, is that they can be quite funny for those who like that style of humor. What it is, is a remix of sorts, originally done to CD-i  videos. I think the best way to know what a youtube poop is, is to watch one yourself.

My favorite ytp’s are:

These are some of my favorite’s and I think they demonstrate what it is quite well. Not everyone likes youtube poops thought, however they’re now one of my favorite forms of entertainment. There are also different styles and things that you can do with ytp’s. There are more experimental forms, which can involve things like blowing your ears out with lots of distorted and crazy sound.

Youtube poop’s aren’t only limited to CD-i. The original ones are, but pretty much everything can be turned into a youtube poop. Along the more popular ones are the Super Mario Bros. show, which is more than 15 years old, as well as shows from Sonic the Hedgehog. My preference for youtube poops is anything funny, but I always like to watch poops of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I’ve seen some pretty funny poops based off that show.

Youtube poops are not for everyone. You may just dismiss it as some crazy thing that some people like to watch and like, similar like Hillary Clinton supporters(yes I did just go there). It’s one of the funnier things that I have seen, and it’s relatively unknown. If you wish to start watching poops, and need a foothold for where to start, I would recommend two of my favorite poopers.

Youtube user MTB710

Youtube user Krobo Productions

Happy watching, and hopefully I’ll be able to get my youtube poop encoded properly!