My Top News

Update - September 1st

It's been quite a while since the last update. I haven't been on the computer much lately, mostly been busy with work and just haven't had the interest in website stuff unfortunately.

Really the only significant news I've had is being promoted to Assistant Manager this past Friday. It doesn't take effect until I go to training class which will be early October or at the latest, early Novemer. It means a 50 cent/hour raise, better insurance and of course job related things like learning how to open the store (including count the money and all that stuff) and not really sure what else - well of course simply getting managerial experience and a nice title.

That's about it. I'm going to try and get back into the web stuff again. Until next time.

Game Media Added

I haven't been on the internet too much lately - I'm off thursday, last time off was the previous tuesday, so I've been pretty busy with work. I did get the chance lately though to get the Mafia 2 Demo and updated my media gallery here. The following you will see numerous media items including MLB 2k10 and the Mafia 2 Demo pictures (and soon, short video clips).

Mafia II

[ Media Gallery ]

Update - July 27th

Haven't posted in a little while - mostly because of problems from a hacking a while back. Apparently a keylogger was placed on my computer back in March of this year exposing all my passwords. I found out about a month ago of my 2 lowest passwords, but until a few of my accounts were taken over (which I found was for good intentions), I realized all of mine were.

This meant changing passwords on everything, I'm still thinking of sites that I need to change the password at. It's been a pretty big pain and a very big worry - a password I've used for many years (or versions of it) that I felt very secure. Luckily I've created 3 new, more complex passwords, written down and so far it appears my current computer is safe and there is no keylogger - but I'm still on the outlook.

The only other thing is that AdaptCMS has progressed more - 2.0.1 released and work on 2.0.2 Beta should start very soon. The 2nd beta release was more bug related, I'm hoping 2.0.2 Beta to have numerous new features.

Stay tuned.

Birthday

Figured I'd post before I forget. Today was my birthday and aside from working 11:50-3:40 PM/AM (3:50 hours altogether), was a good day. Didn't really have anything planned so for the most part relaxed but did have Outback for dinner and (ironically) UDF for dessert.

Also got to go to Caribou - if it hadn't been so hot I would of done something outside but I can't stand this weather.

I'll post more soon.

Websites and Programming

For a good length of time now, despite my best efforts to ignore it, my interest in programming and websites have diminished. I still program and am active, though seem to much more often go in phases where I don't want to code. And website related I have no "active sites" - I thought getting down to the few ones would get my interest back, so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed updating 8 sites or however many I had.

It just kind of hit me tonight. Instead I choose to play a computer game, watch tv or what I always hate - mindleslly surfing the web. (and mostly refreshing forums for new posts after a minute or two) I should say, my interest is still there, but my motivation isn't. And even if my interest is there, it's definitely not as much as it used to be. It actually was a worry of mine when I started out, especially with PHP, I though I might end up getting burned out.

Although I'm not sure really what to do. My plan has been to launch the adaptcms 2.0 beta and the new adaptcms.com website (done, albeit 6 months later than expected) and then re-launch Insane Visions along with adaptcms 2.0. But if I can't keep iv updated, the $100 sunk in a new design will basically be going to waste. Unfortunately too I've kind of been shrinking my online presense - I spend the same amount of time as always (a LOT), but fewer sites and doing less. (hardly post in forums or talk to people on messengers)

The internet is still very important to me and it's something that I will always be interested in but it's almost as if a shift is happening, but I'm not sure what. If I simply work on a script and a website with the occasional blog - that would be ideal for me, it wouldn't be a ton of work (and thats the idea - adaptcms/adaptbb.com would grab news from iv, which is the main site, adaptsoftware would do the same and this blog). But trying to motivate myself to post a blog every few days and even just post something on IV once a week (probably 10 minutes for a blog, 20 minutes for IV), but even that I don't do lately.

Have to think of what else to try. I've tried doing different kinds of stuff web wise but it hasn't helped. Hopefully I can get the interest back soon.

Update - June 19th

Realized there had been no blog post here for nearly a month - need to do better with that. Though not a ton new, as usual. I did get a new keyboard (review soon) and new shoes on Friday and am finishing a 6-day work week Sunday.

Mostly I've been watching TV and released the AdaptCMS 2.0 Beta. What's become one of my favorite shows, Dexter, I watched all 4 seasons and can't wait for September to see Season 5. I'm trying out a few other shows - Breaking Bad, Six Feet Under. But also watching shows I liked that I haven't seen in a while like Arrested Development and Alias.

Although initial problems, the mini-pc I built, has turned out to be a great HTTPC - it runs cool and quiet for days+ on end, can run a few programs at once on Windows 7 and can easily play a 1080p TV show or movie without any issues. Can't ask anything more of a 2 GB, 1-core processor computer that didn't even cost $200.

Can't talk about it right now, but things are going down at work - luckily (I would hope) I am out of the line of fire, though everybody is having a "security interview" tuesday, unfortunately one of my days off - but it's only 15 minutes.

Anyways thats all for now, I'll update soon.

Update - May 5th

Realized it has been another length of time since my last blog - though gaming aside, I haven't been up to much other than working. Last week I did a lot of that (working), around 52 hours with a double shift and 6 days altogether. Wasn't expecting it, but the pay will be worth it.

The only thing I have done very recently was go shopping on Tuesday, getting a bunch of new stuff. A few new shirts, gardening stuff for my mom, a whole grill kit (cheap grill, lighter, charcoal, utensils) and a brand new desk for my room - or I should say a proper desk. :P (my previous "desk" was an antique and not really a normal desk, not much leg room)

Other than that not much else new. I'm hoping to finally get back to working on AdaptCMS consistently so I can get a beta out this month. Until next time.

Update - April 18th

Just realized it had been a little over a month since my last post - and I was doing so good keeping this updated! Not a ton has changed really since the last post though.

AdaptCMS

I had a private beta recently with it now in a decently stable status. Along with a full installer it also had an upgrade feature in place. Already major bugs have been fixed and the script is still making progress, albeit slowly.

Other Stuff

Just a tidbit, but I bought the Skullcandy Titan Earbuds to replace my ink'd ones. Along with a nicer look and supposedly better overall sound, it came with a really useful earbud case and volume control. Not too bad, probably worth the 30 bucks if sound quality is important to you.

I think that's really it. Glad to finally have the new AdaptCMS design into the 2.0 script and some major bugs fleshed out, but still have a lot left to do.

Until next time.

Update - February 14th

Figured I'd post on the eve of yet another snow storm hitting Cincinnati. We already have 3-6 inches (just a guess) on the ground now and are expecting 3-5 additional inches by Monday evening and possibly up to 8 inches by Tuesday. As well it looks like there will be small snow showers on Tuesday, Wednesday and possibly another snow storm on Saturday.

And yet I'm one of the few actually enjoying this. I love the snow and the cold (hate summer, dont like late spring) so this type of weather is something I wish I could experience year-long. Unfortunately, however, it is mid-February so the snow and the cold won't last much longer at all so I'll just be enjoying it while I can.

AdaptCMS 2.0

After some finished features done a few weeks ago, progress has slowed to a halt in the past few days or so. Media has become the first big feature to essentially be finished - frontend and backend. (with video support, but more bug testing necessary)

Stats also received some big changes, although progress halted because chart support was being found to be quite difficult to integrate in. (right now I'm seriously considering not putting charts in, it is after all the information that's important)

The start of the "frontend acp bar" was done, you simply edit a template and can have anything you want in it. (so all that needs to be done is a default template with options in it)

Next up will be finishing stats, additional work on the Share feature and possibly starting on the "Social" features of Adapt 2.0

Until next time.

Update - January 2nd

First just want to say congrats to Ohio State! Even though UC was blown out, I was happy to finally see OSU win a bowl game.

Last blog I was talking about Christmas and what to buy with my money and after some research I've gone with the Zune HD. Along with 2-day shipping and a gel skin it was $213 at amazon thanks to a sale, the Zune HD is normally $219 just by itself - so not bad.

Can't wait to get it, should be Tuesday as long as UPS is right - in the meantime I'll look up any apps or whatever I should get. I'll post a review once I get it.

In AdaptCMS news more and more progress has been made. (albeit slow) Most of the core admin is done, next I'll be getting some of the basics in the frontend done along with working on some of the share features. From there I'll start skinning the admin cp into templates along with the more advanced features.