http://www.jdilair.com/index.phpGarbage In / Garbage Outenjedimstr_@me.comCopyright 2009 JediMstr2009-04-10T01:15:46-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:25:08 -0400jedimstr_@me.comRickyCam2009-04-10T01:15:46-04:00http://www.jdilair.com/files/new_RickyCamWdgt2.php#unique-entry-id-2http://www.jdilair.com/files/new_RickyCamWdgt2.php#unique-entry-id-2

The RickyCam Dashboard Widget has been updated to use streaming Multi-Part JPEG video instead of the bulkier Java. The 2.0 version also has a back view with the streaming video schedule, a more refined look, and support for the new offline image. Download and try it out.

]]>jedimstr_@me.comRickyCamApple2009-04-06T15:20:03-04:00http://www.jdilair.com/files/rickycan_updates.php#unique-entry-id-1http://www.jdilair.com/files/rickycan_updates.php#unique-entry-id-1RickyCam:

Server-Push Update for the RickyCam
For every browser other than Internet Explorer, The RickyCam now makes use of server-push streaming video using the multipart/x-mixed-replace MIME type with JPEG.

In non-nerd speak, this means that you won't need the bulky Sun Java applet or Flash to watch the RickyCam as long as you're not using Internet Explorer (I wish Microsoft would just support this MIME type already... even IE8 lacks this feature). If you are using IE then you'll still need the Sun Java Applet to use the RickyCam.

iPhone and iPod Touch enabled RickyCam
The above mentioned change now allows the viewing of the RickyCam from an iPhone. Though you can watch Ricky getting into shenanigans on the regular RickyCam page now via the iPhone or iPodTouch, I also created a new iPhone/Touch specific RickyCam page. You can find it by surfing to my site on your device and clicking on the bar at the top (it says: "View the iPhone RickyCam"). By bookmarking that page on your Homescreen, you'll get a nice little Ricky Icon.

New Commenting System
I instituted a new commenting system based on JS-Kit (had to re-start my blog to implement) on my blogs and on the RickyCam. You'll also be able to enter comments on the iPhone RickyCam. The new comments allow you rich text editing and the ability to embed smileys, photos, and videos. No Goatse please.
]]>jedimstr_@me.comGadgetBooks2009-04-04T18:53:36-04:00http://www.jdilair.com/files/kindle2_HitchhikersGuide.php#unique-entry-id-0http://www.jdilair.com/files/kindle2_HitchhikersGuide.php#unique-entry-id-0So it’s been over a month since my last post and I’ve had time to become accustomed to my new Kindle 2. Per the title, the K2 definitely matches the description of the Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy in terms of form factor and content (if you use Wikipedia via the Kindle). I’ve already read quite a few books:

• UR - Stephen King
• The Shaolin Way - Steve DaMasco
• American Shaolin - Matthew Polly
• Stranger Things Happen - Kelly Link
• A Briefer History of Time - Leonard Mlodinow, Stephen Hawking
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
• At the Mountains of Madness - H.P. Lovecraft

My “To Read” list of books already downloaded to the Kindle and waiting for me are:

• Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel - Michio Kaku
• The Princess Bride - William Goldman
• Altered Carbon - Richard K. Morgan
• Anathem - Neal Stephenson
• Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson
• Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson

I’m still waiting for Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi Outcast to become available on the Kindle (it shows up, but it can’t be purchased yet).

In addition to the e-books, I also subscribe to the Amazon Daily blog and the MIT Technology Review magazine on my Kindle.

I’ve already used a fairly well known hack to make custom screensavers: I was getting tired of seeing some Author’s face every-time I put the Kindle into sleep-mode. My screensavers are now photos of my puppies Ricky and Lucy.

I also purchased an Oberon Design cover. Known for quality handcrafted Leather and Pewter goods including Journals, Oberon Design also creates one of the most sought after series of covers for the Kindle and Kindle 2. The particular cover I ordered was the Creekbed Maple in Sable. They have various styles of leather covers from Asian themed, to Celtic Themed, to ones reminiscent of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter (like my Creekbed Maple), and ones that evoke The Ninth Gate. You can see the collection the Oberon Design website [http://www.oberondesign.com/store/kindle.php].

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