Entries from October 2009 ↓

Yesterday I had a debilitating fit of procrastination, and ‘Burnt Cog‘ – a simple flash-based media viewer is the end-result (as well as an update to my home page, something I like to try to get in once every seven years or so).

If you like the image/movie effect on the front page of ideacog.net and have a little tech-savvy, feel free to download the source:

Download Burnt Cog (zip, 1.3mb, GPL/MIT license)

Here’s what a movie looks like, here’s what an image looks like.

From the README file:

Burnt Cog is a simple flash-based image or movie displayer based on a folder of media. After you install it,  put images/flv files into a folder. They will be randomly displayed with a title-overlay and a nice burn-in effect. It also (optionally) auto-generates a light-weight navigation of the items in the folder.

I wanted a tool that was extremely simple to add content to. In this case – I just drop new flv, jpg or png files into a folder. The filename will be converted to the caption and they’ll immediately enter the rotation.

There are probably a ton of other great tools like this, but I’m afraid I’m stubbornly DIY. If it helps someone else, great!

Cheers,

Ben

A few years back, these same people came out with a flash game called Samorost. The world they built was just gorgeous and detailed and interesting, and at the time I don’t think I’d seen anything like it, especially not made with flash. Their new game looks to easily top that. Check out Machinarium – you can demo the first few levels.

I’m just going to throw this out to the cosmos:

I have an event up at the Hugo House in Seattle in late November, and I want the Internet there on stage with me. It’ll play a key part in a devilish plan I’m brewing up.

I’ve talked to H.H. and it’s unlikely they can supply it. My next best bet, I believe (suggestions welcome!) is to get a 3G USB or ExpressCard for my Macbook Pro.

Do you have one I could borrow? Do you know where I could borrow or rent one?

I’d be happy to trade for something I have ( a signed book? money? a few chickens?).

If you have another suggestion, or know something about the Hugo House Theater that I don’t, I’d love to hear it.

Thanks!

Ryan Boudinot is on tour for his new book, Misconception. Ryan and I went to Evergreen together way-back when, he’s a terrific writer and his book of short stories ‘The Littlest Hitler‘ was fantastic.

Get yourself to Powell’s books on Burnside tonight at 7:30pm to see him in action.

Couch was selected for another round at Indiebound, this time for Fall ‘09/Winter ‘10 Reading Group List. It’s at the top under Outstanding Debuts:

“Simply one of the best, most enjoyable, and most original books I’ve read in a very, very long time. This novel about a fantastic orange couch is a lyrical story of a heroic quest undertaken by flawed but intrinsically good people. Humorous and glorious, celebratory of the sacred thing that lies inside each (OK, most) of us — I’m recommending Couch to everyone!”

– Beth Simpson, Cornerstone Books, Salem, MA

How fun – thanks Beth! Here’s Couch on Indiebound, which will let you pick up the book at your local bookstore.

These are search suggestions in Safari, powered by Google suggest. They make great (and depressing) found poetry.

My new favorite nearly-syllabic-correct haiku:

where is the love
where is the swine flu
where is the undertaker

Bored? What, you finished with all those degrees already?

(ouch, though the last question seems to be well-enough answered by the preceding 9 questions)

Things you cannot escape from: Death, taxes and… iphones!

I love that “How can I keep from singing lyrics” is one of the top suggestions. As I’ve always suspected, music is a virus.

And as far as: How can I get taller?

Good luck with that, people.

Had Twitter not popularized stalking, ’who should I follow’ would be pretty creepy. Actually, scratch that, it still is.

Who should I follow
Who should I marry
Who should be invited to the rehearsal dinner

….seems like maybe someone is getting a bit ahead of himself, here.

Who is my god?

I’ve alarmed the cat by several dramatic readings of this in my quiet office now.

will I ever marry lyfe jennings and get pregnant, and will it be love? Here’s a quiz!