Posted April 29th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Life, University
The results for the first assignment for my “The Internet: A Socio-technological introduction” class came back early last night. I haven’t slept yet. The results were a positive 13 out of 20 which is a relief. I thought I would do worse, and was only expecting, rather hoping, for a pass. 13 times 5, or divided by two makes my percentage a lovely 65% which according to the Unit Outline document is a lovely Credit. The news that this meant I had received a Credit makes me happier with my result although I wouldn’t have said no to a distinction which ideally is my aim, but circumstances and my current ability didn’t allow for it, sadly. Feedback was positive but as expected I have to focus more on the social aspects in the future. On the plus side, Professor E. Tay liked the title of my essay. 
Yesterday, I walked all the way to K-mart to purchase Stargate: The Ark of Truth. The journey took about 2 hours total. I went all the way to the back of the store looking for the DVD, it was located right at the entrance in the end. I had walked all the way to the back of the store for nothing. The journey had me worn out half way there, I think that was the result of an empty stomach. I had woken up late, and neglected lunch. The journey was worth it however, and I now hold in my hand my first ever purchased DVD!
The movie was good. I wasn’t disappointed although what I had read on the GateWorld forums didn’t happen unfortunately. The increased budget shows, and you can tell they are using much more expensive lens, and more elaborate sets. Fans of the series will love the movie, although people new to the franchise may have a difficult time following what is going on if they don’t watch the prelude.
I came to the realization earlier that I my assignments are due much earlier then I thought. I had miss judged time, and as such have to study more then I had anticipated. Merely minutes ago I completed the first draft of the HTML Code for my “Internet Design: Introduction” assignment which I think is pretty good. I’m yet to attempt styling what I had said in my design brief though. I’ll do that tomorrow or the next day. Hopefully my vision will look alright once its transfered to the screen. Either way, tweaks will be needed.
For one of the “The Internet: Communications” tasks, I have to follow a newsgroup for a few days. I decided on “alt.linux” which is interesting. Some of the newsgroups available I’ve noticed are not at all in good taste. 
I finished watching the Death Note anime about an hour ago. The outcome is sad, as expected but I’m disappointed with it. Its the opposite of what I wanted to happen but it was inevitable that things would be this way. Justice always eventually triumphs, even if the definition is blurred.
Now I think its time to go sleep, Good Night!
Posted April 26th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Life
A few days ago I yet again reinstalled Windows XP as the stripped down version I had used was lacking support for Japanese character display which is integral as I view a number of Japanese sites often, and even though for the most part I don’t understand, it sure beats looking at a bunch of question marks, and empty boxes.
At the moment, I’m working on Internet: Communications tasks, and I’ve set myself the following fluid schedule for the next few days.
Saturday and Sunday: The Internet: Communications
Monday and Tuesday: Internet Design: Introduction
Wednesday and Thursday: The Internet: A Socio-technological introduction
If all goes well, I’ll be able to complete NET11 and NED11 early leaving me time to focus just on The Internet: A Socio-technological introduction which as it stands is my weakest subject. Speaking of The Internet: A Socio-technological introduction, the results for my first assignment are due back today. I know I didn’t do great on either of my first two assignments, so I’m not looking forward to my results. Needless to say, I’ll update with the results when they are available along with my feelings of either relief or disappointment.
I was supposed to hang out on Thursday with Rose but that fell through unfortunately which sucks because I was really looking forward to it. After that we almost went to the cinema, but I was out of the room messing with the stereo setup in the lounge room when Rose sent her I.M. about it. =/
I really want to see Stargate - Ark of Truth but my mother has lost her keys, and as such can’t drive me down to K-mart to purchase the DVD. I loaded up Pokemon Diamond before, and I’m enjoying it somewhat. I’ve caught 3 Pokemon so far which is literally the number of random encounter Pokemon I’ve encountered that are unique. They’re at a fairly low level at the moment. I’m yet to enter a Gym or even arrive at a town with a gym, and I started with a Piplup.
I’m hungry at the moment.
Posted April 23rd, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Life
On Monday morning, my computer arrived! Its running nicely although the DVD drive rattled earlier. The front sound ports don’t seem to exist but I’m not fussed over such a minor thing. It would cost more to use the warranty then doing it myself, and I couldn’t care less. My headset reaches the back anyways. The complete specifications are as:
Dual Boot Windows XP Pro SP2, and Ubuntu Linux 7.10
Roomy Black Tower Case with front USB, and “for show” headphone out, mic in ports.
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800 Processor
Gigabyte GA-M61SME-S2 Motherboard
2GB DDR2 RAM
Nvidia Integrated Geforce 6100 nForce 405 Graphics
160GB Western Digital SATA 7200 rpm Hard Drive
Liteon DH-20A35 SATA DVD Writer
Performance is excellent. It was great with Vista but is even better with Windows XP. I changed back to XP as the load time to access a CD took too long. I’m enjoying its multitasking capabilities, and can surprisingly recognize the speed difference from my older PC which I felt was fairly speedy even with fairly low specifications. (as compared to the computers of today)
I was thinking of upgrading the graphics card but with what I do, I’m not sure it would be worth it.
Tomorrow I should be meeting a friend down the street which should be fun.
My internet connections been shaped as I’ve exceeded 12GB. I’ve also placed a filter on my other computer which is now located in the lounge room. I found pornography in my fathers history. I won’t stand for it!
Now I should get back to my exercise for NED11.
Posted April 16th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Life
Early Tuesday morning I committed to purchase a computer on the auction-site eBay.com. By Tuesday afternoon I had made the payment, and I woke up this morning to see that the seller had marked the item as “Payment Received.” I expect to receive the computer within the next week or so. The computer had great specifications for the price at AU$341. I purchased a $20 processor upgrade option, and after postage the resulting cost was $391. The specifications are as follows, I will post more comprehensive specifications once the computer arrives.
- AMD Socket AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4800 Dual-core Processor
- Gigabyte Motherboard
- 2GB Memory
- 160GB Hard Disk Drive
- DVD Writer
Overall I think I should be happy with the purchase, and am eagerly anticipating all the wonderful things I will be able to do with it.
I am a bit concerned though as this is the first time I’ve spent so much money in one hit, the seller is yet to reply to me e-mail which I sent yesterday which isn’t helping things. Hopefully this is just an oversight, and if come tomorrow, I still haven’t recieved a reply I’ll e-mail him again. The seller had good feedback, so I think things will end up being fine.
At the moment, I’m working on an assignment for Internet Design Introduction that is due on Friday. I’m slow getting through it, and I’m pretty sure I will have it ready by Friday morning. Fingers crossed.
Edit:
I sent my questions again through the internal eBay messaging system rather then by replying to the e-mail a second time.
I’ve just learned about the Power seller concept, and as it turns out, the person I’m in the process of purchasing the computer off is one, meaning I’m probably worrying over nothing.
Edit 2:
The seller has answered my questions, and the computer should arrive within 5 working days (3 after postage, he’s shipping within the next working day). So no later then Wednesday next week, perhaps earlier. I also was told the model of the motherboard, its a Gigabyte GA-M61SME-S2 which seems to be alright.
Posted April 10th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: Site
I’ve made a few new additions to this weblog. You can now find links to my Art, Web Page Designs, and Writing from the top navigation bar as well as a link to my Del.icio.us bookmarks where you can take a look at what I’ve been browsing. I made slight changes to the footer, and also added a page entitled “What I Use” which as the name suggests will list the various hardware, software, and tools I use on a regular basis.
I’ve been working to catch up with my University work spending the last day or two sketching out possible designs on paper, so that I can start detailing my design brief which is due on the 18th, which is next friday.
I have also reached up to episode 162 of Bleach which has been great so far, Nel is super-cute!
I’m rather pissed off that I can not find the bowl I use to cook my noodles meaning I’ve been unable to cook my lunch the last few days, and as such, given my lazyness, I have gone without.
Until next time…
~ Chris
Posted April 8th, 2008 by Chris Clarke
Filled under: University
I was without Internet for several weeks of March as my father got behind with the bill. This has caused a great setback with my University work, and as such I’m spending a lot of my time trying to catch up with the work I missed, especially focusing on the assignments which is causing me to neglect the general work.
I was up all Sunday night, and Monday morning working on an essay assignment that was due on Monday morning. I got it in with minutes to spare but the essay isnt great. I’m hoping I’ll scrape through with either a pass or credit though. I won’t hold my breath hoping for a distinction.
Next assignment is a rather large Design Document for Internet Design: Introduction, and I have 6 days to complete it. Perhaps 5 now I think about it. I think I will manage though. I must say I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do with it, but I will do my best.
My personal life has been fine but bleak. I managed to let my room get messy unfourtunately, so I’ll fix that soon.
In other news, I’m hungry, and I don’t think there is anything decent.
For those interested, about a month ago I put up an early version of some forum software I’m developing. What is present there now does not fully reflect what I’ve completed, but it would help if people would test it all the same. You can find it by clicking here. I don’t mind if you try to hack it, in fact I would encourage it. Just don’t go destroying the whole database, ok? If you want to demonstrate a database injection, please just keep it localised to the forums. Try inserting a topic on the Blog board or something.Then please post about it, and document it - so I can fix it. I won’t get upset.
I guess this is the end of today, so until next time!
~ Chris