March 29th, 2003:
'If
you've looked at the dates on the software on this site, and you'll see
it's been a while since there has been much activity on "James' Web
Page". Well, here's the update that was the better part of 3 years in
the making. Not that the changes took all that long. I've had a lot
happen in the time between updates. So here's what's up, where I've
been, and why it's been so long between updates:
On The Technical Front. . .
I've learned to love the penguin. That's not half as awkward as it
sounds. I discovered Linux a long time ago. I was regularly dual
booting
Windows/Linux from about 1998 on. Some time after Y2K my Windows hard
disk died. Windows never came back, and I've never been happier with my
computer.
Now, that has
certain implications
for my degree of interest in a site dedicated to Windows software.
Basically, if I'm not using Windows, I'm not going pay for M$ developer
tools, and develop for their platform. As my tools become more dated my
ability to update or create Windows software slowly diminishes.
But all is
not lost. I've just
finished my 'final' Window's
program. Lunar
Phase. So, if you have a burning desire to always know the current
moon phase give it a try. Find the Easter Egg. Be cool. Otherwise, viva
Linux, and welcome to the brave GNU world.
On the
Personal Front. . .
Things have been hairy on the personal front. Let's see, 3 1/2
years in as few words as possible. . . 3 Apartments, 1 return home to
live with my parents (who also recently moved), and 1 mystery (much
appreciated) place of residence. All of these stops were pretty far
flung from each other, so I've seen a few KM.
I've been to
two post secondary
schools, with a year off in the middle. . .
I've been
through 4 minor car
accidents. 2 were officially "not my fault". 1 was not my fault, but it
was with an off duty cop, and you don't argue with the police. The
final one was a lesson on never pushing a vehicle down a gentile grade
in neutral, with the engine off, after a stall. Well, at least
not
with power steering. D'oh! I've figured out how much cars really cost.
I've decided I'm happier, safer, and richer on the subway.
Saw the end
of what was nearly a
six year relationship. Lived with the girl for 3 years. It had a nice
dramatic ending, involving the last term of my last year of university,
illness, two people who had grown apart, and more harshness than there
needed to be.
I've
graciously entered into long
term relationship # 2. She's moving in, in a month, for the summer. . .
A great lady. Here's to hoping it works, and that I've learned
something from the past. . . I feel vaguely optimistic. Life is good.'
April 7th, 2000:
'This humble freeware author just
got kicked in the teeth again. . . My former ISP was bought out by
another ISP, who had a 75 MB transfer limit on their web space, that
they neglected to inform me of. Since WDN and
my Mp3 Tag Editor
have a rather high number of downloads, in April, 2000, I was
confronted
with the bill from hell (can you say hundreds of dollars and more than
I pay for rent). Needles to say, this forced me to move my web site.
So, the author of this web site, and attached programs would like to
thank the good people at Neurotech for hosting his web site. If you
like the concept of free software and services, and would like to
support its providers, sign up for free e-mail at submail.net.'
November 19th, 1999:
'As of Friday, November 19th,
1999, WinDesktop
Notes 3 is here. It's a little leaner, more efficient, and has a
large number of new features. I've been coding away for over 8 months
and I think that it is a pretty good little program, and a world better
than version 2. Since WDN 3 is
done, I intend to take a little break from coding for a while. I'll
stay on top of the bug reports, but don't hold your breath for any
major changes. Some features that I wanted to put in the 3 release just
weren't ready yet, so you should expect a 3.x release some time in the
fall of 2000. My apologies to anybody who noticed that the release date
for this program kept getting pushed back. I wanted to avoid any really
buggy releases so I held on to it for a while. Sorry & Thanks!
December 4th, 1998:
'One
interesting story I have is about 3M. This
company holds the post-it trademark. They were a bit ticked (in a
lawyerly sort of way) about my use of the name "PC Post It Notes" for
my
software. I didn't really think that I had violated any international
copyright laws because their trade mark is Post-it, and "post hyphen
it"
appeared no where in my program, or on this web site. Nor did I claim
to
be in any way a representative of 3M. If
Linux/Unix can have "xWindows" why can't I have "PC Post It Notes"?
Like
I'm trying to defraud 3M with my
freeware. In fact, I did everything in my power to make this site seem
as "Un-Corporate" as possible. Anyway, as of December 4th, 1998, "PC
Post It Notes" became "WinDesktop Notes",
and I have found that whenever you try to do something good, like make
a program at your own time and expense, someone is bound to give you a
firm kick in the teeth just because they can.'
Pictures,
Propaganda, & Sophistry:
A Pic of James, In 1997, "The Long
Hair's Last Stand"
Now Where Am I (Re: I Am. . .)
From?
