How many people are you, today?

Do we assume different identities or modes of thought when talking to others? Such as changing the pattern of speech to enable others to understand an unfamiliar concept. Almost every conversation I have when talking to others about computers I tend to use a less technical terms. This can also be carried over into behaviour sets as well.

For example, I have many different names that my friends and relatives know me by. There's Simon the ordinary typical part-time worker and student, best known to family members; mild-mannered and unassuming for the most part. Then you have dok. Computer programmer and white-hat hacker with a particular skill in fixing computers. Likes rock music and watching anime. Finally you have Alex, the writer and dreamer.

Depending on the given situation, you may encounter all three or more likely the public persona (Simon). It can be quite surprising when friends meet the character of dok when they are more accustomed to Simon. The last persona, that of Alex (i.e. me, right now), serves as an outlet for creative thought and explorer of more ephemeral concepts.

Reading "A Scanner, Darkly" by Phillip K Dick has proved a useful insight into the concept of separate identities in a person. The lead character of Bob Arctor is an undercover narcotics agent who has to investigate himself as part of the operation. He begins to question his actions as Arctor and those by Fred, his agent persona. I recommend it as worth reading along with "Do androids dream of electric sheep" by the same author. Given the ever-increasing stress of real life, is it any wonder that people develop more than one complete personality to cope? Just how much of a jump is it from having multiple persona's to multiple personality disorder? Only time will tell.

So, how many people are you today?

until next time,
Alex.

The not-so-ancient ritual of the mating dance

Once more I braved that most odious of potential nights out - the night club. I have no personal vendetta against them; they're just not the best place to find your potential partner.

In the unlikely event that you do meet someone and make it back to your / their house, the morning after scenario could either be extremely awkward ("...... uh.... who are you?") or vaguely tolerable ("....i had a really good time last night...."). Not exactly the best way of starting a relationship is it? Of course, this is assuming that the potential clubber is looking for something more than a one night stand.

To me, there has to be a better way of meeting someone. Workplace romances can lead to vast amounts of trouble should the relationship turn sour. The old staple of the local pub appeals, although the amount of alcohol consumed should be considered.

With all of the above, it should also be considered that the person your attempting to talk to (assuming you've worked up the courage to do so) may well be in a relationship with someone else or not interested in your particular gender.

At this point I should mention the number of successful relationships I've had is currently zero and is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. This is not for the want of trying, though my social skills concerning the opposite sex are not the best in the world. It would be much easier if I could talk to girls. Even better if they happen to share at least one of my interests (Anime, music, films...etc).

As it was once said; hope springs eternal.

regards,
Alex.

Another day, another war

No, I'm not talking about the fighting going in the Middle East. Today ATi has announced another round of graphics cards to tempt gamers.

To me, this is fairly important; I'm a self-confessed game addict and I have i love / hate relationship with graphics producers. As I play games fairly regularly, being able to run the latest games tends to be more important than having all the eye-candy active. Although, having said that, it is nice to play games at a good resolution with all the graphics options turned on.

It often comes down to a single question: NVidia or ATi?

Depending on whether you want multiple GPU support will determine which of the above you select. I'm an NVidia man myself and the concept of SLi appears to be a good idea. However, if the game you are attempting to run does not have an SLi profile, it tends to perform worse than using a comparable Crossfire setup.

Who will win? Various pundits have already spent months agonising over this and vented their spleens in various publications about it. With any luck the better technology will win, though the Beta Max / VHS story is worth remembering at this point.

regards,
Alex.

To downgrade or why Sony should stop playing with the firmware.

Yes, I own a Sony PSP. Yes I wanted to play game 'back-ups' and other really cool stuff. However, did I also want to potentially own a fantastically expensive piece of useless plastic?

To cut it short, I attempted and more importantly succeeded. Thanks to MPH for his efforts in creating the downgrader. I can run homebrew (user-created) software once again! Apart from the heart-stopping moment of it failing at 99% and upon rebooting a message that the settings are corrupt. Take a deep breath and relax. That is normal behaviour and once you re-enter your settings such as location, time and date, etc. everything is happy in 1.50 land. From 2.00 back down to 1.5 in a few minutes. The loss? The web browser. I'm so upset over this..... or not. Still really want a web browser? There is a homebrew created one by 2ch that works just as well. A few less music file formats? Oh no! I'll never be able to play my collection of mp3s again. Oh wait...

Unfortunately, game producers are requiring the latest firmware updates from Sony. It is not exactly hard to understand why; Sony says jump and they ask "how high?" Understandable, if they don't follow what Sony say they can be sued or restricted from creating PSP products.

As it stands Sony are still updating the firmware with little to show for increases in functionality. They are merely making it more difficult to run homebrewprograms. I don't care if it stops piracy, but stifling the creation of content is a really bad idea. How many game programmers started out in their own bedrooms with little more than a PC?

Way to go Sony, you clearly encourage new talent in the games industry.

PSPUpdates (link)

regards
Alex.

One of few, one of the Many

One of the few; a modern gentleman who cares more for having a good time than about the cost. One of the many; a student, a diabetic and now a blogger.

Welcome to my blog, a small snippet of my life delivered to your screen for free. Moving through this world is not the easiest thing to accomplish. Every day I see things that question my faith in humanity. Every day I see things that renew my faith in humanity. Call me sentimental if you wish; that's your choice.

A gentleman. Wikipedia has one of the better definitions of what a gentleman has come to symbolise in modern times. If I can make life just a little more pleasent for one person, even if it's only for a short while, then that day could be called a good day.

My life is what I make it, not what others choose it to be for me.

Alex.