Projects

I installed Windows7 on my HTPC a couple of days ago. My HTPC usually bears the brunt of test installs as it’s a reasonable spec box which isn’t really a problem if it’s out of action at all. (I use my desktop for work and stuff so it’s generally a no-no)

I’ve only really used the mediacentre in it, just like when i installed Vista on the same box. And so far, i’m impressed, i mean, its noticeably a beta (glitches, odd crashes etc) but the usability and design is far better than it’s ever been. The mediacentre actually feels like a rounded piece of software now.

As for install wise, from getting to the desktop to the first time to being able to watch live TV, HD MKVs and MP4 DivX’s, required no reboot – including installing all drivers and updates. Now that, is impressive.

So i was just watching QI (Season 6, Episode 7 (Fingers and Fumbs)) and one of a questions was “Does a duck’s quack echo?” After the sirens wailed and Stephen Fry revealed that it does echo, he mentioned that it was proved by a scientist at Salford University. That scientist is in fact Professor Trevor Cox – my Room Acoustics and DSP lecturer!

Howdy folks,

I’m going to try and blog more often to keep you up to date with whats going on and some more specific howto stuff too. I’ve been tweaking the site about, now that i’ts on a proper server with TSOHost (Marvellous people, I’m paying £3 a month for what has been excellent service so far).

I’ve removed some dead stuff which is no longer required – no more Intranet, Mongol-Rally, Crazy Dave and a few other bits and pieces that have just been lingering around for a long time. I also updated my software page, unfortunately I’ve discontinued the Visual Talkback system, if you are interested in such a system please let me know on dave@lewty.org.uk and i’ll see if i can resurrect it for you. I will also add more details of the CarPC software onto there in due course.

Computer Systems has been renamed to ‘Network’ as that’s more in-line with what it’s all about.

I’ve upgraded the Gallery to Gallery2 as it looks nicer and adds in lots of new features, including (when i get it working) lightbox based themes. However, any links to photos on the old gallery will no longer work so my apologies but such is the nature of progress.

The site is planned for more of an overhaul in the coming year as i want to try out some funky javascript/AJAX stuff using JQuery. Plus my profile/CV needs re-doing as it’s ending up like lots of lists, which, since there are so many areas i am competent+ in, need to be covered.

That’s about it for now, I’m keeping Flickr as it works easily with my N95 for uploading photos on the move. But i will move the current photos on there over to my proper gallery at some point.

Cheerio!