Looking for something different? Listen to this…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
I was browsing Uncrate today, and was very pleased to see that one of my favourite bands had released a new album. In celebration, I'm going to point you to not only this band, but one of my favourite (newly discovered) electronica outfits as well.
First off, the Cold War Kids have a new album out. I'ts called Loyalty to Loyalty, and if you've ever had the pleasure of listening to Robbers & Cowards, you're in for a treat. Do give them a listen. It's something totally different from your run-of-the-mill indie band.
A while ago there was this video on Gizmodo of some or other 3D concept-iphone-application, and it has quite an awesome backtrack. After a bit of digging I discovered The Knife. I really don't know how to describe their music. It sounds like a mashup of Bjork, Gary Numan and Tone with a bit of extra oomph...only not. I've only managed to get a hold of one of their albums, Silent Shout, and I've listened to it quite a few times. I've yet to grow tired of it. Each time something new pops up and surprises me.
Damnit, I have to make time to start composing and producing again.
Car audio and the iPod Touch
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
Let's try this again. I wrote a whole post last night, and misclicked, losing the whole thing.
Anyway, I've been looking for a way to seamlessly integrate my iPod and car radio for a while now. You would think that an FM transmitter like the iTrip would do the job just fine, but you'd be wrong. I had the problem of the darn thing simply switching off if it detected a stronger broadcast on the same frequency. Very irritating.
Then I started shopping around for a head unit that would allow me to directly connect the iPod. I was overeager and purchased a 2007 Pioneer head unit from Hi-Fi Corp. What I didn't know was that back in '07 it was still a novelty to be able to connect your iPod to your head unit, and an extra cable was needed (at about R750, if you could even find it in SA). In my defense, the salesman did assure me that the cable was included. Luckily I got my refund from a bitter, lambasted salesman.
Then I found something much more promising. The Pioneer DEH-600UB. which I went ahead an ordered from Autostyle online.
They're selling it for R2200 (only R200 more than the crappy model HiFi Corp is selling) and offer free shipping as well. I had it installed shortly after I received it (damn idiots didn't connect the dimming control, which dims the screen when the headlights are switched on - small thing, still irritating) and I've been using it for about two weeks.
My verdict? Awesome head unit. Direct iPod control? Check. Displays song info? Check. Doesn't need a proprietary cable? Check! It has a regular USB port. It also has some other cool features, like being able to navigate your iPod music library exactly as you would on the iPod itself. Oh, and the OEL screen is gorgeous. It even sounds better than my previous head unit after tweaking a few settings. So yes, it works perfectly with the iPod Touch. Apparently it even works perfectly with the iPhone 3G.
In short, if you're looking for a super-effective 3rd party solution to integrate your iPod Touch with your car audio, you can't go wrong with this unit.
Tip: If you're using your stock standard speakers like I am, getting balanced sound from compressed formats can be tricky. Here's what I did. Set the Bass to 1 or 2, depending on your preference, but no higher. Set the Sound Retriever to 1, and the Loud option to High. Then just tweak the equalizer to your taste. This should give you an even spread of lows, mids and highs.
What lies ahead…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
These past couple of weeks have, for me, been extremely busy, eventful and exciting at the same time. kast is finally done (I'm giving the presentation tomorrow). My academic career is slowly, but surely, reaching its end after six years.
A series of very fortunate events have assured me of a job next year (this year, actually). Seeing as all that needs to be done is for me to put pen to paper and sign the contract, I guess I can come out and tell everyone about my future. Not in detail, though. ;P The gist of it is that I'll be involved with some cutting edge stuff concerning the consumption of controlled vocabularies for a large multi-national. It will involve aspects of Analysis and Design, Project Management, UX, Support, Training, Testing, Development, Knowledge Management, Documentation writing and bits and bobs of other things that interest me immensely. This is my perfect job, and the experience I'll be gaining is going to be invaluable.
My plans to continue my studies will have to wait, as this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So, finally I'm joining the corporate world. I will miss the easy going days of being student, to be sure, but this job will mean more to me in the long run. I can always do my master's some time in the future.
Three or four assignments, a test or two, and my mini-thesis are all that's left. Two and a half months. Here's to the home stretch...
The state of kast.
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
My university development project, kast, is at the halfway mark. We've gotten an extension up until the 15th to finish it, along with all the documentation. It should have been done by now, but getting an extension tends to make one fill up the extra time with other things1.
I like what I'm doing with the whole thing, though. It's very user-orientated, and everything is within easy reach and easy to use. It may be a bit heavy on the AJAX, but in all the right places (or I think so, anyway). All that remains is item management and the voting system. If time allows I'll add a few niceties.
having a time
Posted by i am vaguely present | Filed under Members
So.
Saturday evening, August 30th I believe, I get happy news that finally my mother has gotten what she wants, a new house. Only moments after putting in her offer, it was accepted. It’s a small place in the country, exactly what she’s wanted for a while now.
But.
I have no intention of living an hour out of the city. So I have until possesion day to find a place to live, and a roomie (since on my income living alone isn’t an option)
So that leaves me with…
one month, Yes, possesion day is October 1st.
Needless to say I’m stressing and somewhat frantically searching for someone to room with me.
At present, I’m trying not to kill my annoying co-workers, who don’t seem to understand that when someone’s stressed:
YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!
Till later, this is Tabi saying: I hope I’m not the next busking hobo you walk past.
And good night. <3
My First Car!
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
So I got my car today. Very happy with it. If you didn't see my previous post on it, it's a 2006 Nissan Almera. Sure, it's not a cool car...not by a long shot, but it's practical. Stay tuned for pics. :)
As for my life...it's a very busy week. I've finished up yet another website. I've got kast to finish up as well (progress is good). There's also a presentation on some of Boisot's theory for Wednesday. I may also possibly have a job next year, and I've got a meeting to find out more about that on Wednesday as well.
Exciting times!
It’s getting to be that time again…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
The other day we had to drive to a very specific location. We had a map, but it was outdated. This resulted driving an extra few kilometers and wasting quite a lot of time.
Now, I'm getting my car in a day or two (or three), and I've decided to get myself a little something to go with it. A budget GPS unit. Now, after quite a bit of research, it seems that Garmin is the best bet in good old South Africa. So a Nuvi 200 it is!
I'm looking forward to having my own transport at last. With the GPS, I'll be set. Gadget-ridden car (there's the iPod Touch + iTrip as well) will be go!
In other news, my work on UniJunction is done. Phil's carrying on with it. There's another site I'm working on that'll use ed. And then there's kast. That, along with the usual varsity stuff makes me quite busy. I can't wait for the classes/tests to end so that I can start on my mini-thesis.
This time, there will be unboxing pics... :D
good morning starshine, the eath says hello
Posted by i am vaguely present | Filed under Members
After a wonderful week, in which I went to the beach 3 times, I’m ready to do some more pics! Just gotta get back into the groove, I’m still slacking a lil bit >D hehehe
FOCUS TABI FOCUS!
>D “hnrruuuuurg”
UG
ok well, I hope you all are doing alright, have a good one!
~tabi~~<3
>D drawing is fun
Posted by i am vaguely present | Filed under Members
>D drawing is fun
Time to get me some wheels…
Posted by Compl33t | Filed under Members
You would think that with the current economic situation in South Africa that the second-hand car market would be flooded with cheap, decent vehicles. You'd be wrong.
I've been looking for a car for a while now. My initial budget was R70000, but after it became clear that this was not enough, it's gone up to R80000. The problem is that, yes, the market is flooded, but it's flooded with the kind of car you wouldn't buy if you're looking for a good deal. If you want a Citi Golf, or a KIA, Bantam Bakkie,or something with 100000+ km on the odo, then you're in luck. I'm not. I want a solid, reliable car with inexpensive parts/services, less than 50000 km on the odo, with the model being no older than 2005, including all the creature comforts one would expect from a decent car. Fussy, aren't I?
I looked at the Ford Fiesta in particular. It's a good-looking, small, but decent car that would be perfect for someone like me. I couldn't find one in my price range with low enough mileage, so I kept on looking. Then I stumbled upon the Nissan Almera II. This wouldn't be my first choice. It's not the best-looking car out there. Don't get me wrong. It's not ugly...it's just not particularly sexy. However, it can't be argued that this is the most rational, practical buy out there at the moment.
So tomorrow I'll be test-driving a 2006 1.6 Nissan Almera II with less than 35000 km on the odo, with power-steering, electric windows, central locking, a CD shuttle, air conditioning, ABS brakes, dual airbags, immobilizer, alarm, etc (you get the idea). If I do like it (I can't see why I won't), this will probably be the car I'll end up buying. The price? R79900. What a bargain.
Stay tuned for my report/decision after the test drive tomorrow...
