a-Musings

a-Musings 2.0 (Blog redesign)

2008-10-02T18:17:00.000-06:00

Welcome to a-Musings 2.0! In case you haven't noticed, a-Musings has been completely redesigned using the ogleicious "Blogy Styleicious" template, which has a 2-column design. I have used this design to separate blog navigation tool-widgets (such as the blog archive, searchbox, etc.) from my frivolous widgets. Also, some slow, useless widgets have been removed from a-Musings and some new, nice widgets have arrived, such as "Recent Posts". Also, I have introduced ClickComments to a-Musings. That's the new icon-filled box at the top of every post I have. Use this self-explanatory box to tell me, in a nutshell, what you thought of my post. If you have more to say, post a comment! I hope you like this redesign. Tell me what you think in the comments...

Happy 1st birthday, a-Musings!

2008-08-25T00:00:00.002-06:00

Ahh, this blog is 31,536,000 seconds old! Thank you, readers, for reading this blog and helping to make it good. Keep reading the blog, and don't forget to grab a slice of the birthday cake and give the blog a present*!

*- Giving the blog a present means posting a comment about a-Musings in this post's comments section.

Image from: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/boo_licious/misc3/BlogBirthdayCake2.jpg

My Firefox themes!

2008-07-09T19:03:00.008-06:00

I have created a Firefox theme for Firefox 3! JetFox Aqua, my first theme, is here. More coming soon...

PGR4 screenshots, with a CAPTION CONTEST!

2008-07-09T18:47:00.010-06:00

It's time again for some video-game screenshots, this time from Project Gotham Racing 4. The caption contest is on the last image.

The splendor of Tokyo can be seen here.

Truly a cut above... :)

A drift on the snow-laden Nurburgring...

Loneliness...

CAPTION CONTEST!

Guess what this is and post your answer in the comments. Winner gets the awesome prize of NOTHING!!

Open-source = free?

2008-06-20T20:48:00.004-06:00

Is open-source synonymous with "free"? Technically, yes-Any user prepared to compile some source code can get the software for free! By the definition, yes-

"Free Redistribution: the software can be freely given away or sold. (This was intended to expand sharing and use of the software on a legal basis.)."

However, a Mozilla Firefox (open-source web browser) developer has been stirring up some controversy by offering high quality free, not-completely-skinned themes on Mozilla Add-ons, while selling "premium", fully-skinned themes for $0.99 on their website. In the comments page of many of these "intentionally crippled" themes, fellow Firefoxers have complained. One unhappy observer has even gone so far as to buy the "premium" version of a theme and to distribute it freely on a download site!

The reason so many power Firefox users are unhappy is not only because they believe open-source = free, it is also because some of these disgruntled commentors helped work on earlier versions of the theme now selling, and only the seller-developer is getting the profits. (Hopefully this isn't getting too confusing, I don't want to name any names...)

Finally, it's time for my viewpoint. I think that this seller-developer has a right to sell their "premium" themes (think of the hard work they have put in!), but the other developers who helped should also get a share of the profits. Alternately, this seller-developer could instead ask for donations, which some other Firefox developers do. Also, technically, Firefox may be open-source, but the themes and extensions technically aren't!

Do you think open-source = free? Sound off in the comments! No flamewars, please :).

Image from: http://www.openlina.com/eulercode/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/opensource_logo.gif

Firefox 3-w00t!

2008-06-18T18:59:00.000-06:00

Sorry for not posting in a while! I was really busy. Anyway, Mozilla Firefox 3 debuted yesterday with a Guinness World Record-earning unique download number of 8,249, 082! Firefox 3's new features:

increased speed
more native, smooth looking interface
redesigns of critical components such as add-on and download managers
enhancements such as "bookmark" buttons on the URL bar, most visited bookmarks, and others.

I am currently enjoying the new features immensely! I also love the minute UI details (the fade/brighten effects when buttons are rolled over and the sleek redesigns. In addition, most of my favorite add-ons are now compatible with Firefox 3 (Adblock Plus, Greasemonkey, AIOS, others.). However, not many heavily-skinned (incorporating UI elements, statusbar skinning, etc.) themes are not compatible with Firefox 3. However, one of my favorite themes, Abstract Classic, has been updated, but without UI elements and other features (for those you have to buy the "premium" version.). All of these problems will be fixed by the sands of time, though. To end, here is a poem about Firefox 3 (don't laugh!!):

Firefox, oh Firefox.
Since 2004 you have been a thing of yore
Using you is not a chore
Unlike Internet Explorer, which is quite frankly a bore (sorry, Microsoft!)
Now in 2008 our thirst for new Firefox was a-sate
As Firefox 3 awakened, followers' heartbeats quickened-
And the fox was unleashed!
Caught 8,249,082 times in 24 hours, it solders on through the Internet even now-how?
Why?
Because, my dear reader, Firefox is loved by most, especially people who roast wild Internet Explorers!

Was my poem decent? Did you discover any hidden meanings? What do you think of Firefox 3? Sound off in the comments!

Alter LegoKingdom Egos...

2008-05-02T14:36:00.005-06:00

Often many of you wish you could just start over your life, such as when you discovered your messy friend breakups were being publicized to all of your Facebook subscribers! Here is a platinum opportunity to do just that; create your own page at MyLegoKingdom!

My real-life friend Caleb created this wiki, to house the amazing story of his Lego kingdom, created with a cornucopia of different Lego sets, retail and custom. You are free to add your own page here, as long as it is realistic, adheres to the story, and ISN'T SPAM!!! Please follow the standards set by these pages. If you happen to vandalize the wiki, Caleb will hunt you down (in World of Warcraft) and you will be sorry...

SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION:
Here is MY PAGE!!!!!

Forza 2 Photos-batch 2 + caption contest!

2008-03-22T20:20:00.000-06:00

Here are more of my Forza 2 photos... The caption contest is for the bottom photo. All cars are from the March Car Pack DLC.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia art...

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 art...

BMW M3 art...

Audi S5 art...

Create your own caption for this picture! Winner gets any Forza 2 photo on my blog, full-size... Post your captions in the comments!

Forza 2 Photos-batch 1

2008-03-21T18:58:00.007-06:00

Hello, a-Musings readers, and here are 3 Forza Motorsport 2 photos from my Xbox 360. I got these photos here by uploading them in-game, then logging in using my gamertag @ forzamotorsport.net . Note that only the five most recently uploaded photos are stored by Forza's servers. Enough talk, picture time!
Speeders beware...

Poor Gallardo Superleggera!

Fun with a Gallardo Superleggera...

More photo batches coming soon...

It's Alive- X360s can blog!!

2008-03-08T15:39:00.006-07:00

It seems that everything is going sentient in a way, from the programmed intelligence of an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner to your own Xbox 360! That's right, your Xbox 360 can blog!

To make your 360's voice heard, first you have to create a gamer profile on Xbox Live, if you haven't done so already. Then, you should visit www.360voice.com and register for a basic (just enter your Xbox Live gamertag and go, free!) or premium (extra features, but personal details required, still free) account, and you're off to the races!

Your Xbox 360 not only reports on your games played, and achievements unlocked, but it also adds interesting personal statements of its own...

My X360 Elite maintains its blog here:
http://www.360voice.com/tag/HDElite

If you own an Xbox 360, mosey over to this site and get your game console a blog! Sound off about this interesting venture in the comments.

Nissan: Stock is best; tuned is beastly, and all in the instructions!

2008-03-03T17:41:00.010-07:00

In the Nissan GT-R's owner's manual, this illustration shows what Nissan thinks of tuners modifying its GT-R...

You all have probably seen that Toyota Corolla that has a gigantic wing on its back and a roof/hood scoop, or that Cadillac Escalade with overchromed wheels that spin of their own accord, or even that Kia Sentra with a Ferrari emblem, right?! These three cars have been modified rather tastelessly to, in the eyes of their owners, "look hot".

These interesting cars, called rice burners, apparently made Nissan put the above picture in their ravishing, new GT-R's (next-gen Skyline GT-R) instruction manual! As you can see, the picture depicts an atrociously modified Nissan GT-R that has been X-ed out, with some Japanese on top. The Japanese translates to:

"Incorrect Modification"
"Illegal" (in Nissan's eyes) "Modification"

This is a humorous instruction manual illustration that has a good point! Finally, a reward for geeks like me who always read the instruction manual for our purchases before setting them up (as if reading the manual isn't reward enough, so you don't get stuck in the middle of setup!)!

Have a craving for other humorous Nissan GT-R instruction manual pictures? Visit this cool blog post!

Sound off about this amazing car's equally amazing instructional pictures in the comments to this post!

Picture from:
http://blogs.cobbtuning.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/r35_manual4.JPG [(C) Nissan 2008]

Automatonic ponderings...

2008-02-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ah, robots. Perhaps the most-loved computer product ever (if you don't count video games!). Many a moviegoer/reader has pondered the idea of robots developing intelligence and taking over the world , or being a friend and companion. However, robots will never reach this stage.

A realistic robot "friend" would be an animal kept as a pet; a being that you love that seems to love and recognize you. Examples of these "friends": Sony's AIBO, WowWee's numerous toy "robots" (not robots per se, since they have remote controls, but they can be programmed and they do have a "roam" mode), the amazing Pleo, and countless others.

Robots' practical purpose is to do menial tasks, tasks humans could be killed in, or tasks too precise for human limbs. These robots already manufacture economy cars (your Rolls will never be machine-made!), defuse bombs, vacuum your house, get you an ice-cold drink, etc.

Something that I have read in many places and agree with:

Japanese engineers, as a whole, are interested in practical robots (Honda ASIMO) and friend robots (Sony AIBO).
American engineers, as a whole, are interested only in practical robots (iRobot Roomba).

I would like to see a future where Fido/Tiger/insert pet name here could be a robot, instead to be a furry friend! Until then, I'll be fine with Pleo.

What are you're thoughts about automatons? Sound off in the comments to this post!

Picture of Sonny (I, Robot) from:
http://hoopla.nu/films/ir/ir_3.jpg

More XBOX 360capades...

2008-02-24T18:34:00.002-07:00

It's again time to sink deep into the world of my Xbox 360 (Sorry that 90% of my newer posts are about video games, I'm currently obsessed with my X360 Elite!!). My next post will not be about video games, I promise! If you haven't read my other post, "FLASH DRIVEy XBOX 360capades", please read it before you read this post. Anyway, let's proceed...

As you might have read in my "Spelling Joys" post, my parents have generously gifted me 2000 Microsoft Points to spend on my Xbox 360. I have not squandered my newfound video-game currency wealth; I still have 650 Points left after buying the following well-researched items:

400 points-Marble Blast Ultra-Xbox Live Arcade game-see leftmost image
400 points-UNO-Xbox Live Arcade game-see rightmost image
100 points-UNO PGR3 theme deck-game add-on.
400 points-Forza 2 December Car Pack-game add-on.
50 points- Forza 2 Peugeot 908 car-game add-on

Marble Blast Ultra is a game where you manipulate a marble through wild courses in a beautiful world, Astrolabe Arena, whilst picking up gems, struggling to make it to the finish before par time. UNO is Microsoft's version of the classic card game, customizable with theme decks, which skin the UNO cards, environment, and add a special card (i.e. the 35th Anniversary theme deck, pictured, includes a card where the next player must play a 3 or 5 of the current color.) The December Car Pack adds 11 cars to Forza 2, including the Audi R8/Le Mans Quattro, Ferrari FXX, and Jaguar XK Coupe.

Only time will tell how I will spend my remaining 650 Microsoft Points...

Pictures from:
http://www.ugo.com/images/galleries/marbleblastultra_games/marbleblastultra_1.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/UNO_xbla.jpg

Spelling joys...

2008-02-21T17:34:00.007-07:00

I came in 2nd in my school district's spelling bee and I am going to compete in my state's spelling bee!

I have studied incessantly for my school's and district's spelling bees, and I am going to keep that up.

For placing 2nd in the District bee, my parents have gotten me 2000 Microsoft Points!

Enough of my raving, time for something more interesting...

Image from:
http://www.colinamiddle.org/Media2/spelling-bee-logo.gif

Electric cars are slow after all!

2008-02-13T18:30:00.006-07:00

Recently, while whirring around the worldwide roadways of PGR4 (Project Gotham Racing 4, a semi-realistic racing game for the Xbox 360 alone) with my Xbox 360, I unlocked the Tesla Roadster (by beating a Ferrari Testarossa in an Invitational event on electricity alone, ha!) I immediately went to PGR4's Michelin Test Track to assess this car's potential. The car's excellent handling and driftablility was hand in hand with...a 130 MPH top speed. I was surprised: how could a 196 MPH Lamborghini Gallardo and a 192 MPH Ferrari Testarossa be beaten by a 130 MPH Tesla Roadster? All three cars have exceptional handling as well.

I then found out that the Roadster was electronically limited to 130 MPH (in-game and in real life), most likely to keep the roads safer. The fact that the Roadster beats cars much faster than itself still remains a mystery; however the Roadster may be a giant killer...

Until a Tesla Roadster (or similarly powerful electric car) with no speed limiter is released, electric cars will still not be adopted by performance-minded drivers. I wonder how fast the Roadster would go with no speed limiter installed...

Picture from:
http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/pgr4_3.jpg

Programming dreams....

2008-02-12T17:57:00.004-07:00

pictured: Visual Tooltip freeware desktop enhancement.

I have always loved enhancing my Windows desktop, from changing settings and themes to using custom icons (get some great ones here!). Now that I have learned some basic programming (I made a factorializing Java app for my Science Fair), I would like to try my hand at making my own desktop enhancement app (with the help of my master-programmer father, of course!) Here are my ideas for this forthcoming program:

PROGRAM TYPE:

Desktop Enhancement
(beautifying the Windows Desktop and adding functionality)

PROGRAM NAME AND DESCRIPTION:

hyperTaskbar
This program will add the following two functionalities to the Windows Taskbar:

For Windows XP, this will add the "taskbar previews" feature featured in Vista's taskbar (see screenshot on top for a different app that provides this functionality on XP).
For all Windows OSes, hyperTaskbar will provide an enhanced Quick Launch Menu, providing:

skinnability
ability to move to places other than Windows taskbar
Web widgets (e-mail checker, RSS headline reader, etc.)

PROGRAM'S CRITICAL DETAILS:

Supports Windows XP and Vista
Built on Microsoft .NET Framework
Could integrate this into a suite of other desktop enhancement applications by me: hyperPolyGlot.

Note: hyperPolyGlot is just an ambitious idea by me to create the desktop enhancement killer app suite, composed of hyperTaskbar (taskbar enhancements), hyperNotify (a notification app), hyperIconToy (icon customization), and the hyperPolyGlot launcher. As of yet, I am still thinking about building hyperTaskbar (Even that may never come!)

Free and open-source.

Like my idea/s? Have any changes/suggestions before I start making hyperTaskbar? Sound off in the comments to this post!

FLASH DRIVEy XBOX 360capades

2008-02-08T17:05:00.003-07:00

Sorry about not posting in centuries (I was having too much fun with my SanDisk Cruzer Micro 2GB and my Xbox 360 Elite!)! Anyway, here's a little bit about my two digital holiday presents: one giving me my own personal 2GB, and one giving me vicarious driving enjoyment!

In November, I got my SanDisk Cruzer Micro 2GB flash drive for only $20 (a steal!), and since have loaded it with PortableApps, in addition to a modified copy of my Documents folder. However, I still can't get the PortableApps launcher to autorun once I insert the drive...

In late December, my generous parents gifted me an Xbox 360 Elite
! That's right, not just the hard drive-deprived Xbox 360 Arcade, nor the average Xbox 360 Pro, but the Xbox 360 Elite, loaded with 120GB of pure HDD space (sadly factory-clogged by Xbox Live Arcade game demos, getting you to feed Microsoft more money), a sleek black finish for controller and console, and HDMI output, delivering the delicious 1080p graphics of that custom ATI GPU in the best way possible. (Stuck in Acronym-Land? Sorry!) Anyway, I also got Burnout Revenge (stress relief + gorgeous cars, until they crash... + amazing real-world locations + free downloadable content, or DLC + $30 price + fun = !!!), in addition to the three bundled games: Marvel Ultimate Alliance (100% waste, I wish I could sell this game, but it came in the same case as Forza 2 :() , Forza Motorsport 2 (photorealistic graphics + amazing cars + astonishingly difficult, beautiful tracks + realistic physics + PHOTO MODE!!! + DLC = mixed bag), and Hexic HD (a full Xbox Live Arcade game on the HDD, the MSN game, now in HD on your X360). I have been having mondo fun with my X360 Elite, but I still wish Burnout Revenge would let you save more than 20 paltry Burnout Clips (I have 120 GB, people!), and that Burnout Revenge also had actual new cars up for download, instead of promotionally repainted versions of in-game cars.

Those are my two excellent holiday presents. Sound off about my gifts and gripes in the comments to this post!

UPDATE:
Here's my Xbox Live gamercard!

Images from:
http://thehardcoregamer.com/Portals/0/Blog/Files/1/272/img_xbox360_elite_product_shot.jpg
http://www.systemaxdev.com/productmedia/htmlimages/cten/Flash%20memory/131029-b.jpg

Cool YouTube videos...

2007-11-09T15:30:00.001-07:00

There is no better word to describe these YouTube videos than...cool!

Crazy driving in Need For Speed: Carbon! Please do not attempt in reality!

Insane driving in NFS Most Wanted... Please do not attempt in reality!

Wild crashes in Burnout Revenge. Please do not attempt in reality!

A strange occurence in Project Gotham Racing 4...

A purple haze of Camaros in TrackMania...

Yes, cars can dance!

Professional TrackManiac, closed course...

Perfection in TrackMania...along with a wonderful soundtrack!

8 Intel processor cores can beat 16 AMD processor cores!

Vista: a poem

2007-11-04T14:04:00.003-07:00

For some reason, I felt like composing a poem about Windows Vista. Here is my free verse poem. (Please don't laugh at me for composing a poem about an OS.)

Vista, Windows Vista.
Most loved and hated of all operating systems.
With a gorgeous UI
Do I praise Windows Vista.
An alluring logon screen
Carries passengers to their
Dream.
Wonderful sounds
Defy the bounds
Of acoustical greatness.
The mystical Start Orb
Transports users to their
Programs.
The title bars
Are as perfect as a
War-crafted blade.
The wonderful glow
Of the buttons
Charms far too many.
For behind the sparkling
Curtain,
Lies the sadness of all new
OS's.
Incompatibility,
Blue Screens of Death,
All could bring one to
Computing death.
So please wait
Until the gate
To Service Pack 1 opens.
For a truly perfect experience.

Like it? Found any hidden meanings? Speak through the comments to this post!

Pictures from:
http://slimspaceman.deviantart.com/art/Vista-Start-Orb-Color-Pack-28534344

Widgets!

2007-09-27T17:15:00.001-06:00

"Do you Widget?" If not, you've yet to discover the way to check the weather, news, and sports scores (Go Rockies!) without opening a single Web browser! If you wanted, you could also launch useful apps, calculate your heart away, see how hard your computer is working, time everything you do, change the volume, make notes, search everything from the Web to YouTube, and even have a spirited bout of Tetris!

Basically, widgets are nano-programs. Widgets are everywhere, from my blog to Netvibes (the best personalized home page creator yet!), to your Desktop (Windows, Mac, and even Linux!) This post talks about desktop widgets, not Web widgets like those on Netvibes or blogs.

I get my fill of widgets by using Google Desktop. This uber-desktop search engine comes with a sidebar, yours to fill with widgets. You can also drag widgets onto the Desktop. Other good widget engines: Yahoo! Widgets (Instead of a sidebar, you get to fill a HUD of widgets. However, these widgets have to appear in the HUD and on the desktop.), Dashboard (My favorite widget engine, where widgets display only on a HUD invoked by a hotkey. Unfortunately for me, Dashboard is a Mac-only program.). If you want more substantial widgets, that threaten to become full-fledged programs (or even replacements to Windows' shell!), try notorious Windows-customizer Stardock's DesktopX.

Try one of these widget engines, and sound off about them in the comments to this post. Good luck and happy widgeting!

Images from:
http://macapper.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/icon.png
http://www.macupdate.com/images/icons/10859.png
http://www.morrisonfilm.com/journalpics/dashboard-icon.jpg
http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs6/f/2005/076/1/b/DesktopX3d_01.png

2008/2009 sports cars to watch out for...

2007-09-20T16:50:00.002-06:00

Sorry for not posting earlier. Here's my top 6 future cars I am impatiently waiting for (listed in order of importance).

1. BMW M3
This speedster, now outfitted with a long-awaited V8, will retail for about $53,000. Sticker shock?
Drive the M3 virtually here.

2. Lexus IS-F
With 400+ horsepower emanating from its V8, the IS-F is the fastest Lexus ever! (It's also my favorite Lexus, second to the LS 600hL) With an aggressive body kit and sleek pearlescent blue-purple paint, this ferocious IS could be coming to my father as a courtesy rental car next time he brings his RX 300 for service...

3. Nissan GT-R
The new iteration of the famous Skyline, this car has been captured by many spy car photographers alongside a 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo, considered to be a benchmark car. This automobile already has been booked to appear in Need For Speed: ProStreet and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

4. Subaru Impreza WRX STI
This hotly expected version of the 2008 Impreza will only be available in the ugly hatchback style, though is is still aggressive to the power of 10. Bristling with spoilers and hood scoops, still only little is known about the new uber-Impreza.

5. Audi TT Coupe
The best-looking TT so far, this mini-rocket is quite luxurious, like any other Audi. Beneath the more-aggressive exterior lies a 250-hp V6.

EDIT:
After a comment about this post, I have decided to add another car to this uber-quintet of sports cars: the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

6. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The concept version of the next-gen Tiburon, this 300 hp speedster will provide thrills worthy of an Evo/STI with a price good enough to make generous parents buy their college-bound kid a Genesis Coupe, rather than the traditional used clunker.

Image from:
http://www.sempson.com/i/SportsCarRender.jpg

Ethanol-Not the solution!

2007-08-27T09:35:00.001-06:00

Sorry, a-Musings readers, for not posting on the last 2 days. I was wanting to play a few online games instead! Anyway, here's my first topic, ethanol.

Ethanol, the biofuel made from corn (in the US, in other countries they also use sugarcane) and petroleum, is better for our earth than gasoline/petrol. However, is it better than other alternatives? I think not! For starters, ethanol (or at least E85) still has gasoline in it. Also, ethanol made from corn is skyrocketing prices of nearly everything! (Corn syrup, very unhealthy, is found in almost every manufactured food product.) Here's a better use for ethanol: A stepping stone! While better alternative fuels are developed, such as electric (go Tesla Roadster!) or hydrogen, ethanol could be powering many engines.

Image from:
http://www.metromodemedia.com/images/Features/Issue%2018/corn-pump-350.jpg

Hello

2007-08-25T16:01:00.000-06:00

Hello, fellow Netizens! I'm a 10-year-old with my own blog. This blog won't be about things such as who are my friends, what I did in my summer vacation, etc. Instead, this blog will talk about everything from current events (NOT politics, though) to technology to exotic cars. Unlike my website (update frequency: none!), this blog will be updated every week. Please comment; whether rant or rave, each comment is guaranteed appreciation and a reply. My blog is best viewed through Mozilla Firefox 2, on a computer with the fonts Arial, Lucida Grande, Trebuchet, and Verdana installed. See my first real post tomorrow.

Coming soon..

2007-08-24T21:38:00.000-06:00

My blog-coming soon...