Apr 12

SDL Keymappings

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Hey All,

I’ve been trying to get the Tankstick working with GNGeo recently, and the issue that has been cropping up is that the Tankstick by default uses LeftCtrl, LeftAlt, and Space for the top row of buttons.  This would be fine if I could just specify that, but the GNGeo config file (gngeorc) needs the SDL key mapping, which isn’t really documented anywhere.

What I have found is that if I start X Windows, run xev, press the required button, take that output hexadecimal, then convert that to decimal, about 99% of the time it’s the valid SDL key mapping.

Just a heads up to anyone else with that kind of issue.

Apr 09

Broken glasses and a new use for Instamorph

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Hey all,

While getting dressed this morning one of the stems on my glasses snapped in half.  You’d think I would have a spare set somewhere, but nope.  No spare.  I am really happy this didn’t happen while on my honeymoon!  I could not find any tape, and I wasn’t sure what to do, when it hit me!  Instamorph!

I was able to see well enough to throw a tupperware container full of water into the microwave for two minutes, dump in some Instamorph, and then mold it around the two parts of the stem.  This is actually working really well until I can get new frames tomorrow.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

-Shea

Apr 05

Friday Post: 2600 The Hacker Quarterly

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Hey All,

I have been keeping this tightly guarded for about 6 months now and I am VERY EXCITED to announce that an article I wrote entitled “Hacking, Learning, and the Raspberry Pi” has been published by the 2600: The Hacker Quarterly.  The spring was released today and it is very exciting seeing my name in print.

To me, this achievement is akin to an academic researcher being published in a journal.

2600 is an amazing periodical with a long history, large following, and amazing reach.  From Wikipedia: “2600: The Hacker Quarterly is an American publication that specializes in publishing technical information on a variety of subjects including telephone switching systems, Internet protocols and services, as well as general news concerning the computer “underground” and left wing, and sometimes (but not recently), anarchist issues.”

I’ve been reading 2600 ever since I found it in a bookstore back in high school.  I never thought of the word hacker, or hacking, as anything bad.  It was to me just a kid being curious while using a computer.  2600 solidified that feeling for me and many people in the computer industry have felt the same way.  Most of the companies I have worked for even had a subscription because the information is just that valuable.

You can pick up a copy at your local bookstore, from the 2600 Online Store, Amazon Kindle, or Barnes & Noble Nook.

Thanks for helping make this possible!

-Shea

 

Mar 22

Friday Post: Getting Married!

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Hi all!

I am very proud to announce that I am getting married tomorrow. I am very excited to be spending the rest of my life with the person I love. This is a really exciting time in my life. I couldn’t be happier I have a wonderful bride, many projects, friends and family, health, and I’m happy.

Thank you all!

Shea