Wikipedia on Combinatory Logic
reading Combinatory logic. Quite lousy a article.
When a subject matter is esoteric, such as this, especially programing related article, typically the Wikipedia article is a hodgepodge of terms and concepts. It's like, one student added one sentence here, another student adds another term there. Nobody really understands the subject as a whole, and have zero understanding of the field's context, development, and place in ontology, but they just add and edit stuff piecemeal.
Usually, you can't say one specific sentence or place is wrong, but the whole thing together is incoherent incomprehensible crap. Though, it does get better over the years.
Updated: SOPA: Stop or Start Online Piracy Act?.
What's the Difference Between Hacker and Tech Geeker?
Hackers: Dead Links and Human Compassion?
Oldie but goodie: Unix Pestilence: Quotations.
Today's HAL's birthday. Run this perl code to have Mac sing Daisy Bell. Daisy Bell in “2001: A Space Odyssey”
For Hackers: Computing History, Software and Language Design
For you programers, i highly recommend this series of videos:
- Crockford on JavaScript: A Public Lecture Series at Yahoo! By Douglas Crockford. @ Source yuiblog.com
Especially if you think you are a “Hacker”.
There's 8 videos, total time is several hours. The first 3 or so is actually about computing history, software design, language design. The last few are more technical about javascript and web tech.
This is very popular. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen already. At least the first 3 vids.
Xah Lee Introduces Stanford University Courses
Unicode Semantics: Turn A Gundam
Updated: Keyboard Ghosting ＆ N-key Rollover: How Many Keys Your Keyboard Can Take?
More Keyboard Geeking
New page Truly Ergonomic keyboard (review).
Plus several updates on
Improving writing, added photo, cleaned dead links, etc.
If you like the reviews, tell your friends, tweet, blog about it, buy it from amazon links on my site. Thanks.
Much updated: Guide to Computer Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms.
Death of Steve Jobs; Apple and Google Screenshots
Updated: Perl Books Survey 2002.
“Truly Ergonomic Keyboard” has Docked!
Big news. The years-in-coming “Truly Ergonomic Keyboard” has arrived. This just might prove to be the ultimate emacs keyboard.
If you haven't heard about this keyboard before, see my arm-chair philosophy here: Ergonomic Keyboards Gallery. If you wonder why this keyboard is a big deal, see Keyboard Hardware Design Flaws. Otherwise, go here to see keyboard lovers's on-hand discussion about it at: geekhack.org.
Thanks to @dotemacs for the tip.
updated: Keyboard Hardware Design Flaws.
Updated. Added a YouTube video and official site: The μTRON Keyboard.
The Unix Pestilence: Stop Mac OS X DS Store and Unix .svn Source Control files
Windows: How to Remove “Win 7 Antivirus 2012”
More update. Added more photos. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (review)
Xah's Blogs Reminder
CoffeeScript or Dart, Javascript Replacement?
Web Browser Tab Management: One Hundred Tabs Open in Browser?
How to Choose a Keyboard with Good Function Keys
See explanation at Computer Keyboard: What Are F1 … F12 Keys Used For? Increase Productivity Using Function Keys
Python vs Lisp: comp.lang newsgroup spittle
On 2011-12-04, Eduardo Costa asked in comp.lang.lisp:
I pose the questions below out of sheer curiosity, not to cause outbursts of indignation. That said, here are my questions.
… I noticed that many LISP programmers and universities are switching to Python, even to teach AI. For instance, Norvig and the people at MIT replaced Scheme with Python. My own experience with Python was dismaying. The language is much slower than SBCL. There is no tail call optimization. No macros. Then, my first question is ... Why Python?
…
Xah Lee wrote:
… python has more readible syntax, more modern computer language concepts, and more robust libraries. These qualities in turn made it popular.
Tim Bradshaw wrote:
Yet you still post here [comp.lang.lisp]: why?
i don't like python, and i prefer emacs lisp. The primary reason is that python is not functional, especially with python 3. The python community is full of fanatics with their drivels. In that respect, it's not unlike Common Lisp community and Scheme lisp community.
See also:
- Python Documentation Problems
- Computer Language Design: What's List Comprehension and Why is It Harmful?
- Lambda in Python 3000
- What Languages to Hate
- Xah on Programing Languages
Xah
Hatsune Miku: Computer Generated Virtual Doll Singing in Real Life
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.
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.
Mac vs PC
See also:
Past Articles by Date
2011-11 ◆ 2011-09 ◆ 2011-07 ◆ 2011-06 ◆ 2011-04 ◆ 2011-01 ◆ 2010-11 ◆ 2010-09 ◆ 2010-05 ◆ 2010-01 ◆