Rosario and I are doing some house-cleaning and changing the site's look here and there. We're going for cleaner and less cluttered with "non puke-y" colors (as Rosario described them :)).
Pardon our dust while we get the look exactly how we want it. If you've got any feedback, please let us know. Hearing from you is like hearing from the President, except you don't have control over the country. (Some would argue that he doesn't either, but that's another post.)
While Kelly is looking over the new themes I sent him, I'd like to share with you all this great video that's been around for a while. Whenever I watch it, it reminds me of how beautiful life and living... just is. Warning: Emo. Well, not really.
I mean, we preach to you here about how to excel in college and your education and your career, but I'd like to take the time right now to let you all know: Sitting in class or in an office or at your computer, no matter how addicted you are, it isn't everything.
So I encourage you all to take the time today to answer these questions: What do I need? What do I want? What do I enjoy? And how can I get it?
I remember in my Cognitive Science class with Brian Scholl, he placed on Powerpoint the following quotation:
In any field, find the strangest and most fascinating thing and explore it.
I think it's been modified from the quotation by John Wheeler. In any case, it says a lot. It's so hard discovering what interests us. We all went through high school with pre-defined classes to take. Now that we're in college, it's hard to break out of that mold.
So for the new year, I encourage you all to break out. Find what you enjoy. Go for it.
Two nights ago, I became very frustrated with Windows XP on my Dell 700m laptop. Among the inferior UI (compared to OS X), innumerable security updates, and other problems associated with Windows being installed too long. So rather than formatting my hard drive and starting off again with a clean copy of Windows XP (a process that I would have to devote an entire day to), I decided to install Ubuntu, a distribution (or version) of Linux.
Switching to Linux as a student is not for everyone. In fact, it might not even be for me yet. A few types of students it may be good for:
The casual user without any proprietary hardware (iPods and such). You've got nothing to lose except an hour or two installing. There are open-source alternatives to word processing, presentation, music-playing, and video watching programs for Linux. They shouldn't be too tough to find.
The computer science student. Most (good) CS students don't have time to do "play video games" or "socialize." And besides, maintaining your own OS (more so than checking the box for a "necessary" Windows security update) builds character. Just like shoveling snow and paying your own tuition.
The slightly-technical, bored student. Everyone needs a hobby, why not make yours working on your knowledge of different Linux distributions? Who knows, you might meet your soulmate on a listserv. (Note: chances of finding spouse on a listserv are none. Not slim to none, just none.)
That's it for now, I'll write a few follow-up posts detailing how to install certain distributions of Linux, which programs you'll need, and also how my own serious venture into the world of Linux is going.
About a week ago, I wrote about a slick program named Task List in the article titled "Task List: Plan Your Procrastination, Schedule Your Slacking." In response to the post, one of my friends asked me to give some pointers on how I use the program. So, I fired it up and came up with a few tricks:
Move the TaskList.app onto a flash drive. I didn't think I was capable of such common sense. Since the program is a measly 5 MB, you won't take a performance hit for running this sucker off a thumb drive. If it's on a thumb drive and you need to update it at someplace other than your home computer, you are no longer out of luck. This is a great alternative for those of us not shelling out the $99 for an iDisk account. (Task List has built in .Mac compatibility.)
Don't delay putting your assignments into (onto?) Task List. Once it's written down, even if you are a procrastinating, it's on your mind. If it's on your mind, your subconscious is crunching away at the problem/assignment. Once you finally sit down to complete the work, most of it will just fall out onto the paper (if you're lucky).
Always keep Task List open. Homework is usually daunting, and minimizing a window doesn't make it go away. Task List is a tiny program that uses plenty of visual elements built into OS X. Even a computer with 256 MB of RAM, you won't notice the performance hit.
Hope this helped, let us know in the comments if you use any tips or tricks yourself.
I don't know for sure, Kelly, but I think the stress you're talking about is the feeling you get when your phone goes off, the professor notices and either gives you a dirty look or, even worse, actually says something directly at you. So, yeah, you could turn it off, or you could turn it on silent, or you could turn it to vibrate. But... Aren't we HackCollege? I'd like to introduce you all to the mosquito ringtone (what I personally recommend):
Teen Buzz (or Mosquito Ringtone) is a popular ringtone that was hijacked from a technology that was originally used to repel loitering teenagers from shops in the United Kingdom. Inventor Howard Stapleton developed the "Mosquito device" for Compound Security Systems. This device emits a modulated 17khz sound that proves to be a great annoyance to teenagers or anyone younger, but leaves most over twenty years of age unaffected. This is due to Presbycusis, a normal loss of acute hearing that occurs with advancing age. Teen Buzz was developed using the same technology, but as a constant 14.4khz high frequency ringtone. It is primarily used in the classroom, allowing students to be alerted of incoming text messages on their mobile phones without the knowledge of their teachers.
FreeMosquitoRingtones.org hosts several tones from several frequencies, so you can choose the highest one you can hear, download it, and then send it to your phone using mobile17. You'll hear it when you get a text or a call. Your professor won't. Stress... Gone!
So, you'll all have to let me know how it works. Unfortunately, like I said before, my phone still only supports polyphonic ringtones. Tear.
While it's not the most revolutionary thing in the world, I've started turning my phone off before I step into a class.
Since I don't text my friends while in class anyway, turning my phone off relieves a certain stress. I don't have to worry about it going off, whether I silenced it, etc.
And besides, it's always nice turning on your phone and getting several voice mails and text messages. Give it a shot.
I wrote a while ago on how to call someone anonymously for a little fun. But what if they don't accept phone calls from unknown numbers (like me)? Or screen their calls (like me)? Or are very conscious about their minutes (like me)? Here's an idea: Send anonymous, free text messages using AnonTxt.com!
I just tried sending a message to myself, and it came in, oh, half a second. This is great for non-US residents to text US residents for free, too. Enjoy.
Rosario here. And I'm back. Let me save you money on your cell phone bill.
Before Christmas, a friend of mine got one of those new Razr phones after switching to T-mobile (now we can talk for free!). Because my Nokia 6800 only has polyphonic ringtones, I was excited for her since the Razr has .mp3 ringtones (and bluetooth capability!). Now, instead of her paying $.99-$4.99 for every ringtone, I wanted to quickly find out how to make them (for free) and then send them to the phone (for free). And I've got results.
I remembered reading an article over at Lifehacker that demonstrated how to use the free software Audacity and lame_enc.dll to create your own 20-second ringtone from any .mp3 file you have on your computer. Sweet! This way, you get to choose. Want the melody? Or do you want that really emo line that always makes you cross your heart and hope to die?
Okay, kidding. About that last part.
But moving on. Now, for those of you who don't want to download software, Mobile17 will trim the .mp3 file for you and send it to your phone via the phone's email address (i.e. 1234567890@tmomail.net). Since it's free, there's a line, but, eh, it works.
Anyone not done shopping for the holidays? I'd love the Nokia E70...
Sunday, January 14, 2007 by 