STG's

I've used my original Microsoft Natural Keyboard for 11 years. It still worked fine, although some letters were starting to wear out a bit. It did look old though. I eventually decided to get a new keyboard, and being ergonomic was a major factor. I can use a regular keyboard, but it feels too crowded. I also have one of the rounded MS keyboards, but while better than a regular keyboard, it's still not as good. I literally been looking around for years. Ergonomic keyboards are impossible to find in Brazil, unless you want the really cheap kind - one I bought (Teclado Ergonomico Leadership) had noticeably worse keys in 6 months of use! It used a ABNT layout too, which I really hate. So eventually I decided to buy a Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000. Well, I actually decided I wanted it - I couldn't figure out how to buy one - Amazon won't ship it to Brazil, and I couldn't find anyone else that would... Luckily I mentioned that to a friend which immediately suggest...

Since I posted a comment to another blog, I might as well blog myself :-) Lately I've taken an interest in MMOs, and have been playing Guild Wars and Tabula Rasa. I also tried a few freebies like Dungeon Keepers, Exteel and others, but they were not worth the time. Guild Wars is quite beautiful, doesn't have much lag (being in Brazil, how it reacts to lag is a major issue) and have a number of convenient features - such as traveling instantaneously and bots available for quest. Plus, it's a one time payment. I seem to always be needing more space though. I like the sci-fi theme of Tabula Rasa a lot more. However, the lag here is horrible, even when the server and areas are supposed to be low on users. It's almost like it has no predictive capabilities on the client and is only updating the screen after checking with the server. I've checked the FPS info and it's not it - even when it's at 60FPS or more it's still very choppy. Also, it has a per-month f...

I've recently read Continuous Integration: Improving Software Quality and Reducing Risk . It covers nicely the what, how and why of Continuous Integration (CI) - the practice of setting a build system such as Cruise Control, with a full build - and usually tests - whenever something on the project source code changes. The most important reason is that your project is always ready to go, and with good tests, you can quickly get feedback on anything that breaks them right after you add the problem. Of course, I'd say CI is much more important to web apps/services and teams than sole software developers such as me . I do use a build system, Visual Build . I only run a full build with it on shipping a new version, however. I have it set up to build the EXE, run a few tests (WAY too few...), protect it, generate the web pages and RSS feed, build the install, and send all that... It was a major effort to set it up, but it did change my checklist from about 30 items to just a few tha...

I've always liked e-books with eReader's DRM - it's based on Name+Credit Card Number, and thus device independent. As long as you keep a list with your previous CC numbers you used for buying e-books, you should be fine. I've had a bit of a problem figuring out how they used my name *exactly* - sometimes it's all in caps, sometimes without middle initials, etc. However, since I bought a Nokia N95 a couple of weeks ago, I was bit disappointed to find out that their Symbian version won't work for it, and that they don't have any versions for Symbian S60 3rd edition. Mobipocket does work, and although the screen *is* a bit small, it's pretty neat for reading while waiting for anything, since unlike my Palm I carry it everywhere I go. As is usually the case, the eReader DRM e-books only work with eReader. Today I wrote to eReader support, and within a couple of hour they answered - which I found quite surprising (even as I myself sometimes answer support e...

I've recently started using Mozy.com for on-line backups - it's pretty neat. The background operation allows it to have very current and very granular backups. I don't really trust their encryption though, so I'm using my normal backup program to a folder, with incremental backup on and fully encrypted and synchronizing THAT folder. It works, although it is very inefficient compared to normal operation, of course... For less important stuff I use the built-in (LOCAL!) encryption. The price seems pretty good if you use the free or personal version, too.

I've been playing it since yesterday - bought from Steam, as usual. I had heard a lot of positive comments, and since playing, I have to agree with them! It's pretty awesome. I miss not having real vehicles sections (at least so far), instead of the "on rails" sequences where you just aim, but these sequences and the plane and chopper carnage where pretty great.

Vernor Vinge is a great author. I've loved all of his books I read, and Rainbows End is no exception. Even better, it's free on the web, posted by himself. It's in HTML format but it's trivial to convert with Mobipocket Creator if you'd prefer to read it on a Palm or another device that supports Mobipocket.