February 2012
1 post
2 tags
ZenCoding
I wrote this talk for the Ruby Group tonight, but because of the horrible weather, only one other guy was able to show up. (Thanks Hector!) I’ll be doing the talk again in March, and hopefully the weather will be much better. In the meanwhile, I’m too excited about how the slideshow turned out, so I’m releasing it now. zencoding.herokuapp.com I built the site using ZenCoding...
January 2012
2 posts
1 tag
Innoblue Map
This is a quick experiment I put together to learn how to make force-directed graphs in D3.js. It uses Coffeescript, Haml, Sass, D3.js, and Ruby. You can find the source code here, or visit the graph in action here. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
Resolutions
I have three commitments this year; to my professional career, my home, and to me. - Career: Finally become a recognized expert in my field by A) either speaking at one conference about one of my open-source projects, or B) writing a book. - Home: Create a new home for my daughters and I. This includes getting my finances completely in order, finding a new apartment, and continuing to provide the...
December 2011
2 posts
1 tag
Can you learn to code in a day?
http://www.fastcompany.com/1801711/cand-you-learn-to-code-in-one-day-we-sent-… Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
1 tag
TRS-80 Joystick DIN Pinouts
We did a little bit of experimenting at the end of our monthly Ruby Meetup, and it led to us figuring out which pins corresponded to the axes and the single button on a TRS-80 Joystick. Completely random information, but if anyone out there in Googleland needs this information, I hope you’re able to find it here. 1 - Red - Power 2 - White - Button 3 - Black - Ground 4 - Green - Up/Down...
November 2011
1 post
1 tag
Development Setup
I think I’ve found a setup that’s both fun, and maximizes my own productivity. I’ve almost duplicated this setup on Ubuntu as well. The left side is Sublime Text Editor 2 (and yes, I still have to buy it. It’s totally worth the money.) On the right, I usually have tests running in the top right corner, but I’m just doing static web page design for my resume, so...
October 2011
1 post
1 tag
Electro-Swing
This is a new sub genre of music that I’ve been enjoying today, and I’ve been looking for more artists doing it. It’s a fusion of classic big band / swing music, and electro house. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
July 2011
0 posts
1 tag
Google's Redesign
I’m really enjoying Google’s gradual change into its new redesign. It’s becoming apparent that Google has a complete redesign waiting in the wings, and rather than unleashing it on everyone at once, it’s slowly changing individual elements so it’s not as jarring. It’s a very smart move on Google’s part. Posted via email from...
June 2011
3 posts
1 tag
Summer Solstice Festival
London and I visited the Summer Solstice Festival. We bid on a few of the Round Barn paintings, and brought home flowers for Mommy. (London requested the arrangement seen above.) Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
Sesame Street Aliens Discover Dubstep
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April 2011
1 post
Cleaning Up
I’m throwing out 80% of the kids’ toys today. The kids don’t pick them up, and Mommy and Daddy don’t have the time to do it themselves. There’s already a Barney-themed toy at the bottom of the trash bin, and every time I throw a toy in there, the trash bin sings to me, “Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere…” That’s pretty motivating. ...
March 2011
1 post
2 tags
Zen Driving
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January 2011
7 posts
Westafarians
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1 tag
Jon Stewart's Reaction to Arizona Tragedy
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c Arizona Shootings Reaction www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook I don’t know why it is that a comedian has the most level, understanding response to human tragedy. But I hope he never stops. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
Overheard on Twitter
So Palin & crew are feeling unjustly blamed for the actions of an extremist. Maybe they can ask Muslims for advice on how to deal with that. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
1 tag
Knowing the Name of Something, vs. Knowing...
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SpaceChem is Amazing!
I’m really impressed with this thing. It’s part programming simulator, part game, and part learning instrument (I hope!). Are there any chemists that can vouch for the scientific accuracy of this thing? If it’s accurate, then tt’s an great way to learn your elements and molecules. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
Ready for Tonight
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Happy New Year!
I wanted to count down to the New Year accurately, and I knew that the satellite feed of Times Square was likely 10-20 seconds behind. Being a resourceful hacker, I programmed my own countdown timer in the few minutes before the ball dropped. And then I realized I forgot to ensure that my computer was atomically correct. Bah humbug. Happy New Year, everyone! Posted via email from...
December 2010
1 post
Steam Account is Back Online
I haven’t touched my steam account in a few months. I came to find out an hour ago that it had been hijacked by someone in Yugoslavia, who kindly replaced my profile image with a drawing of Osama Bin Laden. He didn’t even have the courtesy to buy games for my account! That felt really violating. I hope no one else has to go through with fixing that; I had several hundred dollars in...
September 2010
5 posts
2 tags
My Current Terminal
I’ve been using other people’s terminal themes since I started using ZSH, but I’ve always wanted more relevant info for me in my terminal. So I took a few hours to come up with my own. I’m calling it judy_256. I’ll hopefully be adding it to my fork of Oh-My-Zsh when I clean up the codebase a bit, turn the colors into a more coherent palette, and make sure I account...
2 tags
Fan Email
Writing fan mail used to be a huge measure of dedication. You took out a chunk of your day to handwrite or type a letter on a sheet of paper, fold it, stick in an envelope, figure out the address of the artist you admire, stick on a postage stamp (or buy more stamps at the post office if you ran out), and send it. If the artist received it, they would have to take time out of their day to...
Promote Good Javascript Documentation!
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The Infamous Coin
Maddy got a nickel lodged in her throat on September 19th. 15 hours and an overnight trip to Danville later, they got it unstuck. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
1 tag
Quote of the Day
The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct. Marcus Tullius Cicero Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
August 2010
3 posts
1 tag
The Blu-tack Mod
I just performed the “blu-tack mod” on my new headphones (Sennheiser HD-280s), upon the recommendation of a friend who owns the same pair of headphones. I could find and link to a tutorial (or even write one up), but it’s very simple to do: remove the foam earcups, unscrew the fronts from the backs, and apply an even layer of Blu-Tack to the inside cup of each can. Results? The...
Learning about Type
FontShop.com has a new education page, with several great resources on learning about typography. I’m only a few pages into the first free document, but it’s enlightening so far. Link. Posted via email from JUDY | Comment »
1 tag
I Feel Better
She said, ‘How did we get ourselves so lost?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know, but we will not be leaving tonight. (When you hold me, I feel better.) And maybe if we’d never come this way, then we would live and prosper… but I doubt it. We are a violent race, and we deserve what we get. (When you hold me, I feel better.) ’ I only want one life, together in our...
July 2010
4 posts
Watermelon Cone
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A Deconstruction of TiK ToK
This is one of the better articles I’ve read this year. http://martinseay.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/%E2%80%9Cain%E2%80%99t-got-a-care-… I love this article partly because it provides a detailed insight into the mindset of many Americans living in 2010. It’s a long article, but it’s brief enough to make easily understandable. It’s also quite philosophical, and while...
I'm excited for autumn.
I doubt there are many people who are as eager for fall as I am. But it’s not hard to explain. Summer is the season of high temperatures, and I can’t stand the heat. I hate stepping out of the shower on a supposedly “cool” morning, and sweating so much five minutes later that I need another shower. I’m not a fan of shorts or baring my legs; I would wear jeans and a...
1 tag
Eggplant Parmigiana
See and download the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from Judy | Comment »
May 2010
6 posts
Ross Graduated!
Posted via web from Judy | Comment »
1 tag
Mobile gem documentation
Programming on the move without internet access, but need gem documentation? ‘gem server’ is a command that comes with RubyGems, and starts a Webbrick instance with easy access to all of your gem rdocs. It’s really handy. Thanks Scott! Posted via email from West Arete Tip of the Day | Comment »
Steam for Mac is out! Time to figure out, once and...
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Well, this is embarrassing.
http://deadspin.com/5535220/fake-yo+yo-trickster-fools-every-tv-station-every… Posted via email from Judy | Comment »
Facebook has gone rogue.
I agree with this article. You don’t get to decide what’s private about your life anymore; Facebook does. I can’t wait for this movie to come out. Trailer follows: Posted via email from Judy | Comment »
LUVSTEP
Loving this mix. It’s a combination of dub/glitchstep with pop influences, and a good introduction to a genre that’s not easy for everyone to get into. Teaser Video: Posted via email from Judy | Comment »
April 2010
12 posts
1 tag
Kill an SSH session
If your SSH connection has ever died on you, you know that hitting the usual control characters don’t work, because they’re sent through the shell to the other side. Today, I learned how to kill it myself; the keyboard combination is:return ~ . And your SSH session will immediately close. Posted via email from West Arete Tip of the Day | Comment »
1 tag
Erase permanent marker from a whiteboard
Accidently use a permanent marker on your whiteboard? Write over the offending lines with a dry-erase marker, and wipe with the eraser. See and download the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from West Arete Tip of the Day | Comment »
Odd Fellows Lodge on Facebook
I decided to add our lodge as a page to Facebook, in order to help spread news about the various charity events we have and other functions. Here’s a spaghetti dinner going on this Saturday: http://www.facebook.com/pages/State-College-IOOF-Lodge-1032/112683562094055?ref=tsI’ve also created a group calendar here. Come if you can. They make WONDERFUL spaghetti at Windmere Hall. ...
Rework
I read this book over the weekend, and I was really happy with it. It reminded me of their first book “Getting Real”, but “Rework” is less programmer- and startup-oriented, and is more geared to an audience of managers. Each chapter is no more than 3 pages long, but there’s no filler whatsoever: only the essential information you need for each tip is written per...
Fettuccini alla Carbonara
My first time ever making carbonara. Turned out surprisingly well, given how often I mess up recipes that require that you DON’T scramble the eggs (also, see “Egg Nog”). Really good; I can’t wait for Crystal to try it. Posted via email from JUUUUUUUUUUUDY | Comment »
1 tag
Skip Voicemail Prompt
Cell phone companies make more money when you’re on the phone longer, which is why it’s in their best interest to present you with a really long voicemail prompt. You already know how to leave a voicemail!But most carriers have a key you can press to skip the prompt. It changes depending on the carrier, which is hard to tell when calling someone. Fortunately, you can hit this key...
Where Those French House Samples Come From
You might diss it, but I still like it. Posted via email from JUUUUUUUUUUUDY | Comment »
2 tags
git-upload-pack: command not found
I just tried to clone a git repository over the local network, and received this message: zsh:1: command not found: git-upload-pack fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly As I understand it (and I might be wrong), your path can change depending on where you’re logging in from. Run this command on the REMOTE machine: which git-upload-pack and find out where that command actually...
2 tags
git-upload-pack: command not found
I just tried to clone a git repository over the local network, and received this message: zsh:1: command not found: git-upload-pack fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly As I understand it (and I might be wrong), your path can change depending on where you’re logging in from. Run this command on the REMOTE machine: which git-upload-pack and find out where that command actually...
Do iPads Destroy the Innovative Spirit?
NO! A lot of hackers my age grew up messing around on Apple ][s or DOS boxes with QBasic. People slightly before my time might have done similar on Commodores, TRS80s or VX Spectrums. Those things don’t exist now, but there are more equivalents. Kids today know how to Google before they learn how to ride a bike. Some of them may have Googled how to ride a bike before they actually got one...
1 tag
Freezing Objects
You can make sure that any variable won’t change during runtime by running the “freeze” method on it. Ruby will raise an exception if you attempt to change it. This ISN’T foolproof. For example, it won’t freeze objects inside of a container (like an array or a hash). But it’s a handy tool nonetheless. Posted via email from West Arete Tip of the...
Investing is Weird
I just checked the performance of my brand new (one year old) IRA account to see how well my stock selections are going. It’s fascinating! (See VGSTX, VEIEX, and VBINX) I should talk to someone more knowledgeable than me about how well these things are actually doing; I’m comparing them to the S&P 500 (the majority of my account is in VFINX, which is directly tied to the 500). Some...