Minh’s Notes

Google just released a free version of the 3D modeling application they bought last month, SketchUp. It looks like Google has the intention of really developing this software. Let me just take this opportunity to wax nostalgic and lament that Atmosphere didn’t strike nearly as much luck when Adobe bought it a few years ago, then later abandoned it. Google found a good idea and is going to popularize it, but Atmosphere was so much better of an idea, and it would’ve really jived with Google’s other services: it was SketchUp with a built-in Google Page Creator (the Builder), an immersive Google Talk (in-world chat), and a Google Video to boot (embedded videos and Flash animations). Plus, it had a grassroots-style community, one that I really miss.

At least I still have my copy of Atmosphere to tinker around with…

Entry №1014, posted by Minh Nguyễn at 10:04 PM | Edit | Permalink
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Brad’s newest post spurred me to list some of the links I’ve had in the queue for awhile, but have never gotten around to posting. Some of these are responses to Brad’s post, so you might want to head on over there first:

• Moon Children – An odd story behind this odd tool. Now all they need to launch is Google Sky, which’ll let you navigate the skies above you – constellations, galaxies, stars, and all.

• Beam It Right There, Scotty – If you already had qualms about Tasers, the military’s new toy puts it all in perspective. This AP article takes a look at technological barriers to deploying ray guns on the field.

• Pathname not found – the once-vibrant Adobe Atmosphere User-to-User Forums have gone to the big 404 in the sky. As my long-time readers may recall, Atmosphere was discontinued in December, and Adobe has gradually taken away its life support ever since.

• The Kelo Floodgates – In case you believed that Kelo v. New London would be used in good faith by local governments, this should shake that belief. Many segments of our population were vulnerable enough before the Supreme Court ruled that land doesn’t even have to be “blighted” to be taken by eminent domain.

• Under Construction – Think twice before creating a page like my ancient construction page.

  Thanks to Ken Walker for the scoop.

• Why PHP Sucks – Why I’ve never actually used my copy of PHP Advanced for the World Wide Web, Visual QuickPro Guide, as good a book as it is. I must’ve gotten spoiled by the interactive REPL environment in Python and Scheme.

• history flow – Via the Wikipedia Signpost, a neat IBM visualization software package that analyzes how Wikipedia articles evolve. The resulting images are interesting to gander at.

• Fairness worth protecting – PBS is my favorite TV network; unfortunately, it’s the victim of an oversimplified understanding of American politics. From the same Signpost story:

  [There is] a new emphasis to eradicate bias by Kenneth Tomlinson, the Bush administration’s pick for chairman of the private nonprofit corporation [Corporation for Public Broadcasting], which was created by the federal Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.

  Tomlinson also hired Fred Mann, a secret consultant, to study the “liberal bias” found on PBS and National Public Radio. Mann, a former Republican campaign consultant, reviewed a number of programs, including “Now with Bill Moyers” on PBS, and NPR shows hosted by Tavis Smiley and Diane Rehm.

  Guests were labeled with L for liberal or C for conservative; questions and comments about the Bush presidency were, according to Mann, “anti-administration.”

  It may be no secret that Bill Moyers is critical of the current administration, but to place such blanket statements on everyone who appears on the network, while current national politics remains quite complex, is to do a disservice to the multitudes of loyal public broadcasting viewers and listeners.

• TactaPad – This input device would beat a mouse or trackpad any day. The only concern I have about it is precision, but it’s so intuitive and natural that I can’t wait until they find a company willing to bring it to market.

  Thanks to Steven Garrity for the scoop.

• Optimus keyboard – Via tuaw.com, an innovative keyboard that looks cool; unfortunately, it looks as if it’s just a few meticulously-drawn images by a design company.

• Which evil nation state are you? – An interesting simile attached to a humorously long disclaimer.

  Thanks to Neil Turner for the scoop.

• Wikipedia’s Word on Folksonomy – Wikipedia may give you a lot of freedom, but it’s not an “exercise in anarchy.” Again via the Signpost, why this is a Good Thing™.

• Accessible Data Tables – Not your father’s HTML table: one that the blind can actually use.

  Thanks to Dave Shea for the scoop.

And now, back to my regularly scheduled procrastination.

Entry №817, posted by Minh Nguyễn at 6:18 PM | Edit | Permalink
Categories: Adobe Atmosphere, Computing, Humor, Loveland Schools Press, News, Politics, Programming, Summary, Wikipedia | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That title must’ve gotten your attention, for its sheer length. I’m not much of a moviegoer (alright, call me deprived), but I must say, this film was good and worth it.

In fact, it was so good that it got some songs stuck in my head. That’s a distinction reserved for only a few of the many, many movies released in my lifetime, such as Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Forrest Gump, and El Norte – yes, the one from Morality & Justice class; don’t ask me how.

Well, time to dust off Episode 4, as Peter mentioned.

If anyone has managed to keep their copy of Adobe Atmosphere (I applaud you), now’s the time to revisit Star Wars 3D, the result of months of hard work by the Atmosphere community. It’s a collection of oodles of realistic worlds and avatars themed to Star Wars and set in a movie theater. (You might want to get a high-speed connection first, though, because it’s real graphics-intensive.)

Entry №643, posted by Minh Nguyễn at 11:58 PM | Edit | Permalink
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