digital.goth.geek

More NLP goodness

Blu_Matt — Thu, 25 May 2006 07:28:43 +0000

MacZOT.com Fans want Pzizz because ‘According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation and its effect on work performance may be costing U.S. employers some $18 billion each year in lost productivity. Another study pushes this cost to over $100 billion.’ - link to full article

Sounds like a fantastic bit of software. I could do with a good snooze!

Oh, and don’t forget to get over to MacZOT and get your el cheapo Mac software. :-)

Nerd factor 8 Mr Sulu

Blu_Matt — Wed, 17 May 2006 12:16:25 +0000

Can I tell you about god?

Blu_Matt — Tue, 16 May 2006 19:28:52 +0000

So there I was, minding my own business on my way home, when who should step into my path but an overfed evangelist.

God botherer:

Excuse me, can I tell you about god?

Me:

No. I like my intelligence and don’t have time for weak-willed superstitions.

God botherer:

…

I wander off.

For some strange reason I have a desire to go into the local church on Sunday and start shouting out some of the really silly bits from their Bible just to rub them up the wrong way and get on their nerves.

How to change a lightbulb in Ruby

Blu_Matt — Mon, 15 May 2006 18:22:01 +0000

if !light
  # Try and switch the light on.
  light_switch.flick
end
 
# Still no light?
if !light
 
  # Is there an old lightbuld in the socket?
  if old_lightbulb.installed?
    old_lightbulb.remove.discard! :bin
  end
 
  # Try and find a new lightbulb.
  new_lightbulb = Lightbulb.find_by_torchlight,
    :locations => [:kitchen, :bathroom, :under_stairs]
 
  if new_lightbulb
 
    begin
      new_lightbulb.install
    rescue BurntFingers
      swear :lots
      # Switch the light OFF
      light_switch.flick
      retry
    end
 
    # Switch the light on.
    light_switch.flick
 
  else
    raise NoNewLightBulbsInTheHouseError.new "Go to the shops."
  end
 
end

Download this code: lightbulb.rb

Ruby for Rails book

Blu_Matt — Mon, 15 May 2006 09:31:55 +0000

I bought David Black’s Ruby for Rails this weekend. The dead tree version hasn’t arrived yet, but I’ve got the PDF (I need both - it’s not a case of ‘want’! ;-)) I’ve only read the first few chapters, but it’s appears to be pretty much as expected. The format (at least of the PDF) isn’t as easy to read (either typographically or editorially) as the equivalent of Agile Web Development with Rails but I’ll persevere with it.

At least I’m getting some use of that cash that I added to my Paypal account.

Scottish Ruby User Group

Blu_Matt — Mon, 15 May 2006 08:13:50 +0000

Cool. An informal Scottish Ruby user group are meeting in Edinburgh on Thursday 25th May (2006) at The Regent on Montrose Terrace (not Montrose Street).

Location via Google Maps.

I just hope that some punter’s dog doesn’t try to savage me this time. I wan’t even thinking about trying the karaoke!

Edit: Oh, and there’s a mailing list too.

Edit: I also put the wrong date. D’oh!

API references

Blu_Matt — Thu, 11 May 2006 16:09:08 +0000

GotAPI is a bloody handy reference for a load of stuff, including HTML, RoR, CSS, Java and a bunch of other stuff.

Why I love the laws of the USA

Blu_Matt — Wed, 10 May 2006 00:16:31 +0000

It’s better to punch Madonna in the face than copy her CDs.

(Just in case you were wondering, I was being ironic.)

See through toaster

Blu_Matt — Wed, 10 May 2006 00:07:07 +0000

As a concept, this transparent toaster idea is so cool (as in spiffing, not as in not warm).

Found via iBloggedThis.

From the mouths of New Labour backbenchers

Blu_Matt — Tue, 09 May 2006 07:20:42 +0000

From some Labour MP being interviewed on Sky News (yes, I know…):

I think that a period of silence from the Deputy Prime Minister would be a appropriate.

Translation:

Oi, Two Shags, shut the fuck up you gobby muppet.