I got a Amazon Gift Card for xmas from a friend, 25$. I was unsure on what to buy, but then decided to buy some books. I purchased 6 used books (all from different Amazon partners). The shipping came to 25$, and the total was like 25$ so I really ended up paying 25$ for 6 books, not bad. Thing is, they all come on different days, so I have been getting a book every couple days now, which is cool. The first one I got, I am about half way through already 🙂
I had 130$ in gift cards at Best Buy, and it was burning a hold in my pocket. So today I decided to spend it. I purchased this Fast Track USB Recording device (100$), which has the ability to take 1/4 inch input, XLR Input, and then output to RCA or 1/8th inch, or just to the pc. It is a small package, and it says it comes with some basic recording software.
Currently I use Cakewalk Music Creator 2003 and it just isn’t working for me, so I have been eyeing up Sony ACID Music Studio (70$). I decided to purchase that, and with another certificate I had, I only paid 30$ total.
So I get home and get it all set up.
#1 – I cant get my acoustic/electric guitar to record in stereo (not a huge deal – but it sucks).
#2 – Fast Track USB Takes over my sound settings when it is plugged in so it is a debacle to try to configure things.
#3 – ACID Music Studio – on the back of the package one of the features is “Live Recording” – well once you install it, that is like not even apparent. I looked it the help and it is like “it is a small feature that has minimal ability to record”, etc – what BS!!
#4 – so I decide to install the Lite recorder that came with the USB Device. All in all this has the post potential but it is alot of bells and whistles to configure.
Bottom line – I have 70 dollar ACID software which is pretty much worthless, hopefully I can find a use for it. Hopefully also when I get some more patience I will figure out the USB recording device.
well, I guess I will have to dig into it, but my other pages on my site, when viewed the firefox, the white column doesnt extend down the whole page. Works fine in IE though. Dang!
 Update: I think I fixed it 😛
Well, I changed by blog over to WordPress instead of blogger. My hosting site has a thing where it sets it all up and everything, pretty cool. I just imported my blogger blog over to here, and update my blog url to blog.stevienova.com. I figure if it is good enough for Aaron and Scoble, it must be good enough for me 🙂
If you don’t mind other people knowing what you listen to, then check this out. http://www.last.fm – builds a music profile for you from things you listen to. Pretty cool, I just signed up. Once I get some more songs played I will probably add the little widget to my site 🙂
I think the .NET Framework is great. It is great for web and fat client apps, web services, etc. I think the mistake Microsoft made with it, is it isn’t required with the OS. Too many people don’t have it. It isn’t feasible to develop a fat client app with .NET and expect widespread installations. People that don’t have the framework will be put of by the whopping ~23MB size of the install. I think it is just goofy that Microsoft tries to push .NET down our throats (as developers) – everything is .NET this, .NET that – and it is good, it can do a lot. Thing is – if you want to get an application to the masses, you still have to fall back on C/C++ as it will 99.9% run natively.
Instead of making the .NET framework a optional update on Windows Update, I think that if it was a required update, it would make things a lot better in terms of developers wanting to target a larger audience. Microsoft says that Vista will have .NET Framework 2.0 – but it is too late. Too many people have XP (9X even!) that they will probably never switch to Vista.
I think managed code is good. I don’t think I should have to develop in unmanaged code because it is too much of a PITA to get the framework to end user machines.
🙂
Imagine – what a great song. Perfect lyrics, melody, rhythm. I recorded this back on 12/19/2005 – I didn’t post it up because I used it as part of a Christmas gift to people, with a few other songs. Thought it would be good to post up 🙂
Looks like you can get some microsoft “Themes” for free. Aquarium, Nature, Space, Da Vinci.
Even the english installer is in French, so if you can get your way through that you will have the themes. If you are the kind of person who likes themed cursors and icons and sounds, this is for you!
this is awesome. automate your grand piano to take soap messages and play the notes, and vice versa. totally cool.
MSDN TV Holiday Episode III (note: I couldn’t get this to work in firefox)
well, trying to make egg nog today (why not get drunk holiday style)…went to the gas station to get whipping cream as I thought it would be quick, #1 they are in pints so I had to do some quick math 🙂 and then I only had one quart and had to go back to get two, and the girl was like “wtf? – deja vu – what are you making, ice cream?” – no – egg nog!
Eggnog in Quantity
Adapted from “The Joy of Cooking”
serves approximately 20
12 eggs, separated
1 pound confectioner’s sugar
4-6 cups bourbon (or rum)
2 quarts whipping cream
pinch of salt
freshly grated nutmeg
1. Strain the egg yolks through a sieve and beat until light in color. Gradually add the sugar. While continuing to beat, slowly add 2 cups of the bourbon. Cover the mixture and let stand for 1 hour to dispel the “eggy” taste.
2. Add 2-4 more cups of liquor and the cream, beating well. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 3 hours.
3. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold them into the other ingredients. Grate nutmeg to taste into the eggnog and fold it in. Serve with an additional sprinkling of nutmeg over each serving.
Steve Novoselac's Blog 