Ok, here’s another of my stupid life experiments.  I was charged with finding the best way to do webcasts at work, and so I’m trying out Mogulus.  So far, it’s easy to use.  Well, here’s the “Channel” below.  Enjoy!

But, this video just rocks!  Unfortunately, I can’t embed it into my website because YouTube/Radiohead doesn’t allow it with this video.  You can find the video here.  http://code.google.com/creative/radiohead/

Correction:  Here’s the video!

I like the song.  It’s rather haunting and very poetic.  But I’m really fascinated by how they made it:  using short and long range lasers.  No other form of light or traditional video cameras were used!  A computer reads in the data from the lasers (in this case, distance data) and translates it into a 3D form:  aka data visualization.  What’s even cooler,  Google and Radiohead have a basic application that lets you play with the 3D visualization while the song is playing!  http://code.google.com/creative/radiohead/viewer.html I really recommend it to everyone (well, those who have high speed internet)!!

I was browsing Newegg the other day, and as usual, I looked over the daily specials.  Unlike most times I go to Newegg, this weekend, as with other businesses, the Independance Day Weekend Sale was in full force.  I’ve been wanting to create a fast local network with some nice wall brackets/plugs.  Currently, I already have a decent wireless/wired network, but it’s very sloppy and slow (wires are strewn on the floor, and even traipse several stories down stairs).  Lo and behold, Newegg had a sweet deal on an 8 port gigabit, D-Link switch ($41!).  So my plan is to find some network cable, wall brackets, and some network tools and build a sweet network!  I’m planning on two ports upstairs, two downstairs, and two in the basement.  The last two ports will go to the wireless router and a Network Attached Storage.  A what?  It’s a standalone device that soley serves as a place for Doug and I to backup our files and keep media files that every computer on the network can access.  A fast network is absolutely necessary for this!  The big problem will be laying the network cable.  I have several options available me:  keep stringing the cable along the floor hoping no one trips over it, I can have it go outside then back into the rooms I want to wire, or go up into the attic then down into the walls.  I think the last one is the most viable and will look professional becase the cables will be out of sight.  However, this is the attic we’re talking about, and I’ll have to start this project early in the morning when it’s relatively cool.  Well, I’ll update everyone when I start working on this!

I just want to lament the fact that Bill Moyers doesn’t get more widely distributed.  It seems that not having a profit-driven agenda (like CNN, FOX, and MSNBC) means your message is less important.  Disinterested examinations of a topic have little validity in the mainstream media:  when in fact, the opposite should be true.  I just watched Bill Moyer’s report and interview with Jermiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former pastor, and it was as evenhanded as possible.  He had a civil discussion with Wright, and wanted to understand him and his views.  If this had happened on one of the cable news stations or major networks, they would have been focused solely on “gotcha” questions and not delved into any substance.  Our news media is in a sad state.

This also leads me (well, actually it doesn’t) to a short review of the lastest version of Ubuntu Linux Hardy Heron (apparently Ubuntu likes to give thier operating system versions animal names).  Ubuntu is one of many flavors of Linux, an open source, free operating system.  The problem with Linux in general is that it’s hard to use:  only hardcore geeks need apply.  The latest version of Ubuntu has lowered the bar significantly in terms of ease of use.  To use isntall it and use the preloaded programs (like Firefox, OpenOffice, etc), you just need to be comfortable using a computer, but if you want to install new programs, there might still be some snags.  One might need to delve into the command line, fix some permissions, or search for hard to find drivers.   But, overall, it’s a solid, stable platform that made a nice leap forward in ease of use!