Web Hosting

I run a couple different websites off the same server and have had a few problems here and there, but lately I’ve been having nothing but problems. Recently we were moved to a new server. In that move one of my domains stopped functioning altogether and this domain started working intermittently, then all the sudden I was getting 403 Forbidden errors every time I tried to access a page. Twelve long hours later my websites are finally all in working order (for now).

Another website I run (which will remain unnamed) lost a good chuck of its MySQL database in the move. My host didn’t have a backup of everything (even though they were in the middle of a transfer between servers), thankfully I made a backup the day of the move.

So I’m shopping around for a new web hosts, any one have any recommendations?

The future is here…

It’s the weekend, and you know what that means? Super short posts that have links to random meaningless content! Yay!

That’s right folks… The future is here! Remember Microsoft Surface? Well the fellows over at Sarcastic Gamer have put together a beautifully crafted parody of the Microsoft Surface promo video.

Check it out after the jump.

Read more…

Walt Mossberg disses on Ubuntu

Walt Mossberg lays the smack down on Ubuntu.

I agree that Linux isn’t right for a lot of people, but some of his points are a bit off base. For instance his complaint about having to download codecs just to play an MP3 or a video, he states that these codecs are included in Windows and OS X, however, there are quite a few codecs for both operating systems that you have to manually download and install in order to play content encoded in that format. DivX and Xvid come to mind right off the bat, neither of those formats is supported natively in either Windows or OS X. Sure MP3 support is something you’d expect out of the box, but it’s not the end of the world.

Dear iPod

Dear iPod,

Why you got to be hatin’? Ours has been such a torrid affair, and while I understand that you make a living being all closed format and crap, I need more, seriously, I just want to rock my Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) encoded songs… maybe a little Ogg Vorbis on the side. Where’s the love, iPod? Where is the love?!

I hate to do this do you, but I have have to install a third party boot loader on you. I just can’t live like this anymore. You see, Rockbox lets me play all sorts of codecs, even that accursed WMA, which I stupidly encoded so much of my music in when I was younger. Plus, I can even play Doom! Now that’s what I’m talking about. It actually gives me control over how I listen to my music, and with countless plug-ins I can do anything from install a Game Boy emulator to play some Pong.

It’s over iPod. Your firmware is dead to me, Rockbox is the one for me now.
Read more…

Salt water, the new clean energy?

John Kanzius of Erie, Pennsylvania has quite by accident stumbled upon what very well may be the next generation of clean energy. While working towards his already lofty goal of trying to cure cancer using radio waves, John happened to create a method with which one could ignite and burn salt water.

Last week, a Penn State University chemist named Rustum Roy held a demonstration proving that the science is sound, noting that the water doesn’t burn, though the radio frequencies weaken the bonds holding together the salt, releasing hydrogen which is ignited when exposed to the RF field. Mr. Kanzius and Dr. Roy say the question now is the efficiency of the energy, and are presenting the technology to the US Department of Defense and Department of Energy to investigate how useful the technology will be.

Still don’t believe it? Check out the video after the jump.
Read more…

iPod touch

I have to complain, it’s in my nature.

While the iPod touch just saved me from having to buy an iPhone, it’s not quite all I had hoped. While sporting all sorts of fantastic features, one simple little thing is missing, where’s my bluetooth at?! Wireless headphones, wireless syncing with your Mac… tell me that’s not a brilliant idea? With the ability to buy music on the go, it would make a huge amount of sense to be able to walk into the same room as your Mac and automatically have it sync those new mobile purchases with your Mac.

Ahh well, it’s still bloody brilliant.

In Loving Memory

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at a coffee shop with my girlfriend, and as I prepared to leave I asked her to pass me my computer bag, somehow as she handed me the bag she knocked over her drink. I watched in horror as 16oz of iced death spilled all over my laptop, it let out its last dying breath in the form of a loud pop, followed closely by a soft hissing noise as the coffee seeped between the keys.

It only lasted a few short seconds, but they felt like an eternity as I stood by helplessly watching as its life was snuffed out right before my eyes.

After 14 hours of “drying” out the computer won’t turn on at all, I didn’t exactly figure it would considering the nature of the sounds that came out of it as it was dying. Somehow I doubt Apple will be all that understanding when they find out that the reason my Macbook Pro isn’t booting is because my girlfriend spilled coffee on it while it was running. Maybe after sitting for another day or two it will miraculously work.

Adding insult to injury, is the fact that I’ve had this computer for a grand total of three months. Oh, and I start school on Tuesday.

Linkage - An Open Letter to the ATM

I admit, I’m starting off on the wrong foot. My first post here should be some thing with some meaning, maybe even some real content… but alas, I have succumb to the irresistible wiles of random (read: pointless) links to other websites, oh but think of the time I’ve saved! Which can now be devoted to much more meaningful things, like watching iPhone auctions on eBay.

I was surfing around on the cre.ations.net website today and I ran across this rather funny letter written by jlcoke.

[ Read it here ]

I don’t really use ATM’s all that often, but I still found it humorous.