The Gratefulfblog has advanced even deeper into the heart of the 21st century, which is probably in exact opposition to the heart of darkness! It is now linked to the ultra-modern ART of my friend Blake Hurt!
Follow the link to check it out!
2005-10-15
2005-10-03
And counting...
Just to keep everyone their toes, I've put a visit counter on the blog and another one on the home page.
Otherwise, there's nothing new under the sun.
Except that I'm helping a friend and artist to make his home page, too! As you'll be able to see, we've got a ways to go before it's perfect. Even so, I recommend taking a look at his works, particularly the 2005 works.
Even more grateful than ever, GF.
Otherwise, there's nothing new under the sun.
Except that I'm helping a friend and artist to make his home page, too! As you'll be able to see, we've got a ways to go before it's perfect. Even so, I recommend taking a look at his works, particularly the 2005 works.
Even more grateful than ever, GF.
2005-09-23
1st Free (as in Freedom of Speech) DVD
Last weekend I was able to use my accumulated knowledge of Free Software and the free software itself to produce a 30 minute DVD of my son's first basketball game of the season. I followed my own previously elaborated instructions (cf. http://gratefulfrog.net/). This worked perfectly, almost. Yes, folks, depite all the effort of documenting the procedure, there was one step that I hadn't fully documented: the usage of dvdstyler.
The result was that the DVD's title page spilled slightly over the TV screen. So, next time don't forget that the background image size must be equal to the TV image size. The picture should be resized before using it, with the GIMP for example. Ideally, a larger picture should be chosen and cropped. If a smaller picture is used, then the difference in aspect ratios of digital photo (4/3) and PAL-TV (5/4) will cause distortion.
Another minor error was that the sound recorded using the camcorder's spike mic was mono, left channel only. During the editing process, I should have copied the left channel to the right channel to have a result in mono both channels. Oh well, you live and learn.
Despite these slight defects, the result was Cinema quality - mostly due to the quality of the original footage shot by a pro who prefers to remain anonymous, even though we'd like to put a picture of her right here for all the world to see!
The result was that the DVD's title page spilled slightly over the TV screen. So, next time don't forget that the background image size must be equal to the TV image size. The picture should be resized before using it, with the GIMP for example. Ideally, a larger picture should be chosen and cropped. If a smaller picture is used, then the difference in aspect ratios of digital photo (4/3) and PAL-TV (5/4) will cause distortion.
Another minor error was that the sound recorded using the camcorder's spike mic was mono, left channel only. During the editing process, I should have copied the left channel to the right channel to have a result in mono both channels. Oh well, you live and learn.
Despite these slight defects, the result was Cinema quality - mostly due to the quality of the original footage shot by a pro who prefers to remain anonymous, even though we'd like to put a picture of her right here for all the world to see!
2005-09-11
Another day, another dive...
Well folks, after flooding at the house and loads of cleaning up all night long, today I voluntarily took to the water to dive! And it was a pleasant dive at that: 2 exercises completed, no incidents of any kind, and we even saw a sturgeon! But the best part was as always surviving...
Diving is so dangerous, I wonder why I do it...
In other news, the house has dried up, to a great extent at least, after last night's flash flood and newly discovered leaks. There seems to be no end to annoyance here at the ranch.
More news is coming, stay tuned.
Diving is so dangerous, I wonder why I do it...
In other news, the house has dried up, to a great extent at least, after last night's flash flood and newly discovered leaks. There seems to be no end to annoyance here at the ranch.
More news is coming, stay tuned.
2005-09-10
Ubuntu GnomeMeeting Eureka
Yep, more gratefulness and good news from the GF!
Today I did my first Video Conference on 100% Free software, free as in Freedom of Speech, that is. Not a bit of you know who involved! And of course, all running across the ADSL IP connection at no extra charge.
My configuration:
After that, it works perfectly.
To make a call, find the person you want to contact and get his/her 'callto', for example, I am 'callto:ils.seconix.com/gratefulfrog@gmail.com'.
Put that in the address bar and you're in business. Don't forget to check the 'view' menu for options allowing to see receiver and/or sender video feeds!
Isn't the 21st century a great time to be alive!
Today I did my first Video Conference on 100% Free software, free as in Freedom of Speech, that is. Not a bit of you know who involved! And of course, all running across the ADSL IP connection at no extra charge.
My configuration:
- Ubuntu Linux 5.04,
- GnomeMeeting,
- Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000 webcam.
After that, it works perfectly.
To make a call, find the person you want to contact and get his/her 'callto', for example, I am 'callto:ils.seconix.com/gratefulfrog@gmail.com'.
Put that in the address bar and you're in business. Don't forget to check the 'view' menu for options allowing to see receiver and/or sender video feeds!
Isn't the 21st century a great time to be alive!
2005-09-09
From the dark
We're not alone! Yes, despite overwhelming disdain from the local public, the truth is that when you share information over Internet, someone somewhere may actually use that information and the world can be a better place for it.
Naturally, this probably won't happen very often, but every time it *DOES* happen, that little bit of betterness created can go along way.
All that to say that after trying to help some of the local public into the 21st century, wasn't I pleasantly surprised to see that someone was actually interested in my common-lisp sudoku solver (look for sudoku.lisp here)!
So in one week I was able to show several people that the world has evolved since the days of Impressionism, and help a potential lisper find his way through the dark moments of lisp-newbiedom.
I think that's pretty good and am grateful to have had the chance to do both.
Naturally, this probably won't happen very often, but every time it *DOES* happen, that little bit of betterness created can go along way.
All that to say that after trying to help some of the local public into the 21st century, wasn't I pleasantly surprised to see that someone was actually interested in my common-lisp sudoku solver (look for sudoku.lisp here)!
So in one week I was able to show several people that the world has evolved since the days of Impressionism, and help a potential lisper find his way through the dark moments of lisp-newbiedom.
I think that's pretty good and am grateful to have had the chance to do both.
2005-09-07
Excitement, grateful too, for a frog
Today I had some excitement showing nice people at work some of the wonders of the 21st century, in particular, Internet wonders.
It makes me incredibly happy to bring enabling ideas and/or technology to people who can use it to improve their lives. Maybe I should think about doing that professionally? mmm. No response from the masses makes me wonder if I'm dreaming again, which everyone knows is bad for long term health....
In other news, I saw an interesting article about digital art on wired.
I'll keep y'all informed as to the profession "enabler".
See ya round'ere,
GF.
It makes me incredibly happy to bring enabling ideas and/or technology to people who can use it to improve their lives. Maybe I should think about doing that professionally? mmm. No response from the masses makes me wonder if I'm dreaming again, which everyone knows is bad for long term health....
In other news, I saw an interesting article about digital art on wired.
I'll keep y'all informed as to the profession "enabler".
See ya round'ere,
GF.
2005-09-06
2005-08-25
Some Exciting things with RSS
It seems like my organization could make good use of RSS, but it may be too advanced for them...
2005-08-23
Ubuntu Forever!
The Ubuntu team has once again come through big time! The Colony 3 version of Breezy (Ubuntu 5.10) contains the fix to one of my annoying little bugs concerning the front panel microphone not working.
It now works, and can be controlled by the 'alsamixer', as you'd expect!
Those guys at Ubuntu-dev are doing a real top-quality job. They are setting a high standard for software, free or not!
If you're reading this and still using another OS, why not try Ubuntu? The Ubuntu-Live CD's are an easy way to try it out without corrupting your working(?) system.
The support, i.e. instant bug-fixes, is reason enough to go for it!
Check them out: Ubuntu Linux
It now works, and can be controlled by the 'alsamixer', as you'd expect!
Those guys at Ubuntu-dev are doing a real top-quality job. They are setting a high standard for software, free or not!
If you're reading this and still using another OS, why not try Ubuntu? The Ubuntu-Live CD's are an easy way to try it out without corrupting your working(?) system.
The support, i.e. instant bug-fixes, is reason enough to go for it!
Check them out: Ubuntu Linux
2005-08-22
Bob Moog
It is with great sadness that I report that Dr. Bob Moog has died.
See the message at his company's site.
My condolences to all.
See the message at his company's site.
My condolences to all.
Syndication!
Yes, today the Gratefulfrog is syndicated! What's that you wonder? Well, if you've got an RSS/Atom reader plugin for your browser, then you can simply click the 'Site Feed' link, bookmark it, and you can automatically follow the updates to this Blog.
Although that may appear silly, it's not. If you're looking for a syndication reader plugin for the Firefox browser, try sage. It's simple to use, but lacks some of the sophistication that may be available elsewhere.
Once you've got a reader installed, you can bookmark any page that offers RSS or Atom. Look at the lower right of the Firefox status bar and you'll see an orange button. Click it, and you can bookmark the link. Be sure to put it in the 'Sage Feeds' Folder.
You're in business.
Check out other interesting feeds:
In case you missed it, the 'RSS' button that follows will link you to Gratefulfrog's GratefulBlog Feed!
So lads, let's get on with it!
Although that may appear silly, it's not. If you're looking for a syndication reader plugin for the Firefox browser, try sage. It's simple to use, but lacks some of the sophistication that may be available elsewhere.
Once you've got a reader installed, you can bookmark any page that offers RSS or Atom. Look at the lower right of the Firefox status bar and you'll see an orange button. Click it, and you can bookmark the link. Be sure to put it in the 'Sage Feeds' Folder.
You're in business.
Check out other interesting feeds:
In case you missed it, the 'RSS' button that follows will link you to Gratefulfrog's GratefulBlog Feed!
So lads, let's get on with it!
2005-08-20
Et voilà l'été 2005...
Mountain Men
What's this?
Triple Mountain Foot Shot
Nice...
Peek-a-boo!
Cool...
Close Frog Shot
Deux
Je l'ai eu, aieeeee!
Father & Son in Sun, London
Oh!
Et basta!
2005-08-07
Summer
Well, summer holidays are over and we are back in the saddle... Next holiday is already planned!
Life is good.
Life is good.
2005-06-17
More of the same
Today, gratefulfrog and son saw some music videos and went shopping. Also, gf's gf arrived from London, which is like the big apple but different, let's call it the big pear, ok.
Gf's gf doesn't think much of this blog, alas, I'm destined to eternal misunderstanding...
I recently learned quite a few things which I may report at a later date.
That's all for now. Don't despair.
Gf's gf doesn't think much of this blog, alas, I'm destined to eternal misunderstanding...
I recently learned quite a few things which I may report at a later date.
That's all for now. Don't despair.
2005-06-16
sudoku generator, Azores & teeth
Well solving sudoku's is easy, generating them is another matter. Particularly if it's got to be elegant, and it does. The first version of the sudoku generator is nearly ready, just keep hanging and it'll appear here one of these days.
By the way DP just got some teeth pulled and is not suffering at all. In fact so not suffering is he that he has to play DOD all day long.
In other news, we're looking for info about diving in the Azores, if anyone's been there or has any ideas, please comment.
By the way DP just got some teeth pulled and is not suffering at all. In fact so not suffering is he that he has to play DOD all day long.
In other news, we're looking for info about diving in the Azores, if anyone's been there or has any ideas, please comment.
2005-06-13
Today GF's son DP has something to say!
He says that he has a video to show but no place to put it, alas. We're shopping for a place to put videos on the net, for cheap, very cheap, even for free may be too expensive...
More later from GF & DP.
More later from GF & DP.
2005-06-12
All in a day's blog
Well, that's it for today, and what a day it's been!
I created this blog.
I populated it with lost blogs from my old blog which didn't allow for enough sharing.
I went diving, too!
I created this blog.
I populated it with lost blogs from my old blog which didn't allow for enough sharing.
I went diving, too!
sudoku solver in Common Lisp
Hi Ubuntu!
Sorry to have been so slow in getting news out there, but I spend so much time tweakin' that I don't have much left for writing.
Anyway, here's the news from http://gratefulfrog.net
I've just posted a little common lisp program that will solve any sudoku puzzles that you may have on your mind. It is fully documented and will run on any Common Lisp envt.
Hope someone finds it interesting
Sorry to have been so slow in getting news out there, but I spend so much time tweakin' that I don't have much left for writing.
Anyway, here's the news from http://gratefulfrog.net
I've just posted a little common lisp program that will solve any sudoku puzzles that you may have on your mind. It is fully documented and will run on any Common Lisp envt.
Hope someone finds it interesting
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