No doubt you’ve seen the Windows Vista and Windows 7 backdrops. Chances are, you’ve also wanted a fast (and cheap) way of putting something together that looks pretty similar to the originals. Plus, it makes for a great way to break up a rather blank looking background!
As it turns out, there’s a really easy way to do it. Best of all? It’s cheap. Here’s a sample that I made using the GiMP–a free, open source image manipulation program–and it looks pretty sweet:
I’ve decided to toy around a bit with Inkscape and put together my own icon set. Take a look, if you’re interested! It only contains three icons right now but they might be useful for things like warning, info, and error dialog boxes.
I have some mostly techy links today.
Technology and Programming
There’s a fascinating discussion regarding different types of malloc()s–and how they all effectively promise the same thing!
Also in this same thread is Google’s very own TCMalloc.
Hacker News has a discussion on the “most easy to learn framework”. Be warned: Although there is some discussion about Python and Ruby frameworks, most of this is PHP-oriented. My memory compels me to recall a rather tongue-in-cheek post related to stupid PHP design practices, decisions, and general mediocrity in the language. There’s a reason I’ve started shifting away from PHP toward Python-based web application frameworks!
Microsoft has a new language in the works for parallel computing. It’s called Axum.
Simon Segal has issued a plea to all developers: Pleae don’t write unnecessarily long methods or functions. I know how he feels! I’m guilty of writing code like this, of course, but I find that my brain explodes if I have to content with stuff that is FAR TOO LONG to be useful. Please take his advice. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, click the link and read. Then weep.
Iqbal M. Khan has an interesting piece on why you should use an ORM.
Somewhat-but-not-completely-tech-oriented
The 75% answer: For when you just don’t know enough to know what to ask. This article makes for a humorous read and raises several good points, too!
Sociology
If you feel tempted to take what you can now don’t. Or why delaying gratification may be good for you.
