There's this video on youtube bitching about Asians in UCLA.
Parody
Now, the Parodies!
for more and my comment, see http://xahlee.org/funny/asians_in_ucla.html
2011-12-07
Alexandra Wallace Incident: Asians in UCLA
ASUS graphics card
read more at http://xahlee.org/mswin/PC_graphics_card.html
My Life is Reading Encyclopedias
newly generated: Links to Wikipedia from XahLee.org.
6304 links to Wikipedia articles. About 1/4 of my wake time in my life is spent reading encyclopedias. See also:
Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700
This is top-of-the-line model. Features:
- Wireless! with charger.
- 13 programable buttons!
- Scroll wheel can be set to notched or smooth.
- On-board memory. (5 profiles for storage of settings)
- Instant sensitivity (DPI) change.
- Penny sized USB plug.
This one is comparable to Microsoft SideWinder X8 mouse. I consider the G700 better, because: • 6 more programable buttons. • On-board memory. • Scroll wheel can be set to notched or smooth.
reviews of more Logitech gaming mouses at http://xahlee.org/kbd/logitech_gaming_mouse.html
singer in concert as hologram!
Here's her concert, in Tokyo, Japan.
read more, at http://xahlee.org/arts/Hatsune_Miku.html
2011-12-06
Emacs: Convert Image Files and Change Size in Dired
I want a command, so that i can convert all jpg files to png or any other format, for all marked files in dired. Also, same for scaling images.
Solution
(defun scale-image (fileList scalePercentage) "Create a scaled jpg version of images of marked files in dired. The new names have “-s” appended before the file name extension. Requires ImageMagick shell tool." (interactive (list (dired-get-marked-files) (read-from-minibuffer "scale percentage:"))) (require 'dired) (mapc (lambda (ξf) (let ( newName cmdStr ) (setq newName (concat (file-name-sans-extension ξf) "-s" ".jpg") ) (while (file-exists-p newName) (setq newName (concat (file-name-sans-extension newName) "-s" (file-name-extension newName t))) ) ;; relative paths used to get around Windows/Cygwin path remapping problem (setq cmdStr (concat "convert -scale " scalePercentage "% -quality 85% " (file-relative-name ξf) " " (file-relative-name newName)) ) (shell-command cmdStr) )) fileList ))
(defun 2jpg (fileList) "Create a jpg version of images of marked files in dired. Requires ImageMagick shell tool. " (interactive (list (dired-get-marked-files) )) (require 'dired) (mapc (lambda (ξf) (let ( newName cmdStr ) (setq newName (concat (file-name-sans-extension ξf) ".jpg") ) (while (file-exists-p newName) (setq newName (concat (file-name-sans-extension newName) "-2" (file-name-extension newName t))) ) ;; relative paths used to get around Windows/Cygwin path remapping problem (setq cmdStr (concat "convert " (file-relative-name ξf) " " (file-relative-name newName)) ) ;; (async-shell-command cmdStr) (shell-command cmdStr) )) fileList ))
For detail, see http://xahlee.org/emacs/emacs_dired_convert_images.html
Art: anime girl stepping out of screen!
The original source might be: Source www.pixiv.net.
Thanks to Gwern Branwen for help.
Microsoft Discontinued SideWinder Gaming Mouse X8
It looks like Microsoft has discontinued its SideWinder Gaming mouse X8. It's quite a pity. This mouse was just introduced in 2009, with several advanced technologies. • Charger with magnetic connector. • Wireless. • Blue laser tracking. • Tilt scroll wheel. • 4000 DPI. For review, see: Microsoft SideWinder Gaming Mouses Review.
According to online rumors, Microsoft discontinued it not because of poor sale, but rather, too much competition from many companies that are dedicated to gaming devices. It appears that Microsoft has discontinued the entire SideWinder brand. (i wasn't able to confirm this 100%) Some of the models such as SideWinder X8 mouse are no longer listed on Microsoft's site, but they still sell some other models of gaming keyboard and mouse.
2011-12-05
What's the Ugly Bump at the End of Computer USB Cables
In your computer mouse cable, or USB device or monitor cable, often there's one big ugly chunk of cylinder somewhere in the cable. What's that big ugly cylinder for?
Answer: It's a electronic component called Ferrite bead. It's used to suppress high frequency noise in electronic circuits. This is needed because cables that are not Shielded can also act as antenna and broadcasting device, creating inteference.
Why Apple's computer doesn't have such ugly bump? I guess because either Apple uses shielded cables, or the component is moved to inside the computer.
Thanks to Aaron Coakley for answer.
2011-12-04
Differences Between Crocodile and Alligator
Excerpt from Crocodilia:
While alligators (and caimans) are often confused with crocodiles, they belong to two quite separate taxonomic families.
The most obvious external differences are visible in the head — alligators and caimans have wider and shorter heads, and a more U-shaped than V-shaped snout. The alligator's upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw, and the teeth in the lower jaw fit into small depressions in the upper jaw. The upper and lower jaws of the crocodiles are the same width, and teeth in the lower jaw fall along the edge or outside the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. When the crocodile's mouth is closed, the large fourth tooth in the lower jaw fits into a constriction in the upper jaw. For hard-to-distinguish specimens, the protruding tooth is the most reliable feature to define a species. However, in captivity, alligators and caimans may show jaw deformities which result in lower teeth protruding.
Alligators lack the jagged fringe which appears on the hind legs and feet of the crocodile and have the toes of the hind feet webbed, not more than halfway to the tips. Alligators strongly prefer freshwater, while crocodiles can better tolerate seawater due to specialized glands for filtering out salt. However, both can survive in either.
Both species of alligator also tend to be darker in color than crocodiles — often nearly black — but color is very dependent on water quality. Algae-laden waters produce greener skin, while tannic acid from overhanging trees can produce often darker skin.
When cleaning alligator pools, some zookeepers can tread on alligators without eliciting a response, though crocodiles almost invariably react aggressively and are for the most part more aggressive in their natural habitat.
Perm URL with updates: http://xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/crocodile_vs_alligator.html
Internet Self-Portraits by Gender
See also: Postures of Female and Male.
2011-12-02
Xah's Edu Corner: American History 101: Civil War, KKK, and Emancipation:
In 1861, president Lincoln declared in his inauguration speech: “We must hang together or hang individually”. This statement angered the United Federation states, especially the Ku Klux Klan corporation, who has lobbied against The Bill of Rights for years. A bloody Civil War ensued. Other great powers at the time, Germany, United Empire, Japan, took a opportunistic watch-and-see stance.
In 1865, the Northern states demonstrated the power of Atomic Bomb from its Manhattan Project of New York, but the test target is strategically set in a remote location in California that's ostentatiously neither Northern or Southern territory. This action spoke louder than words. The Americans since understood Lincoln's declaration, and the civil war comes to an end. The Ku Klux Klan eventually got disbanded by Martin Lurther King.
A Disney Future
read more at http://xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/copyright_duration.html
On Copyright and its Duration
read more at: http://xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/copyright_duration.html
what's the diff between england, ireland, scotland, britain??
From: The difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England (and a whole lot more) (2011-01-30) By C G P Grey. @ Source blog.cgpgrey.com
2011-12-01
Attention Deficit Disorder song
This is how I show my love I made it in my mind because Blame it on my A.D.D. baby This is how an angel dies Blame it on my own sick pride Blame it on my A.D.D. baby Sail Maybe I should cry for help Maybe I should kill myself Blame it on my A.D.D. baby Maybe I'm a different breed Maybe I'm not listening Blame it on my A.D.D. baby Sail Sail with me into the dark Sail
The song is about attention deficit disorder. Above is a video parody.
For the official music video, and other detail, see: http://xahlee.org/music/sail_awolnation.html
chick porn at its best
from New Cover Goodness! #Vampire + Castle + Rope = Woot! (2011-12-01) By Laura Kaye. @ Source laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com
Here's the blurb:
Kael the Fair, one of seven reigning vampire warrior kings, loathes the Night of the Proffering — the night he must feed from a human female virgin to maintain his immortality and his humanity. By feeding directly from the veins of the Proffered as he takes her virginity, Kael could determine whether the mating bond exists between them — but war and a previous loss lead the king to refuse to take a mate. Groomed for the Proffering, twenty-year-old Shayla McKinnon risks her promising academic career to make two other dreams come true — vengeance for her sister's murder at the hands of the evil Soul Eaters and the impossible goal of capturing the Warrior King's heart. In the feeding chamber this night, a battle of wills ensues, one played out through a game of domination and submission that might prove dangerous to both of their hearts.
Xah's analysis:
- It's not just a powerful man, but the most powerful — a King!
- It's not just powerful, but a young, virile, hunk — a warrior king!
- It's not just a warrior king, but posseses magical powers — vampire warrior king.
- He is not some creepy lonewolf, but a respected, elite, leader — one of seven — and reigning.
This man, feeds AND copulates virgins. He had plenty, but is still looking for that One. Comes the heroine: a 21 years old girl. She, a loving yet able woman, wants this man not just for justice of her sister, but also wants to win his heart!
read more at: http://xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/bodice-ripper.html
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