Scraping websites with Python
How to extract data from sites without an API with just a few lines of Python and no regular expressions.
The BBC needs to learn how to Google
Somebody at the BBC has no idea about their gaming history. Worse still, they seem completely unable to do any proper research on the game in question.
Ubuntu 10.04 is good, not perfect
Recently released, Ubuntu Lucid Lynx makes a lot of core improvements but in my eyes, falls further back in some aspects. This isn’t another review, it’s a list of what-and-why I hate parts of my favourite operating system along with some suggestions on how to make 10.10 better for everybody.
Dear ALSA, renew your domain!
Linux isn’t invulnerable. Don’t say it is.
Every month or so, I find some blog or forum post telling the world that because Linux is so hardcore, there’s very little chance of it getting any malware. As you can probably tell from the title, I disagree and want these people to recognise why their arrogance is dangerous.
Everything is new again
It’s been 19 months since my last regular post here. I have a few excuses but I’ve come to realise that I really enjoyed writing… so I’m back. This post is a quick catch-up on what’s been happening with the site and me, and what you can expect from both of us in the future.
Debranding and Unlocking a Samsung M8800 Pixon
Locked, branded phones are a complete pain in the behind. Period. They shouldn’t sell them but they do. Luckily for you, me and everybody else, you can usually step around these issues. Here’s how I unlocked and debranded a fairly new Orange-locked Samsung Pixon
Facebook worm
Facebook isn’t all bad but here’s a message that just got sent to my wall for me and all my friends to download. If they’re not careful, Facebook could be going the way of email.
My issues with Linux et al
Like a warm ocean current, the tides of contempt are slowly eroding my enjoyment of Ubuntu. I’ve been using it full time for eleven months now but I feel I have to write down my grievances before I find myself jumping ship.
Product placement gone wild
Films and TV need money to cover their extravagant budgets but is product placement the right way to cover those funds?
So you’re thinking of writing a comment…
Then please read this before you do. English is a seriously complex language, something too many of us take for granted. While modern browsers can help us with our spelling, they do little for grammar. Read this post to boost your grammatical karma and avoid my wrath.
Pimp’d my graphics card
There’s something about shiny PC hardware I can’t resist. In my opinion, the shinier and harder to install it is, the better. Today saw the arrival of a Thermalright HR-03 Plus for my 8800GTS.
Does Linux really want Windows users?
Linux is often criticised for its over-enthusiastic community trying to convert everybody and their grandma. Today I saw another post asking why we should care if more people use it. In short: yes but I’ve got plenty of reasons to back this up…
10 Reasons Why Linux Ubuntu is Better than Windows
Rather than listing 10 genuine reasons, I’m taking these points from a fanboy. I use Linux as my desktop operating system but these reasons are amazingly flawed.
Diagnosis? Dying HD?
Possibly the worst noise that you can expect to hear as a user of a computer: a HD in the process of kicking the bucket. Listen to this…