Asim Ali » Via n900

No Boom

Asim — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:52:39 +0000

I can’t take tablet “computing” seriously, as it is just basically glorified Mobile phones without the phone bit. But it is a tech growth area, the majority of my posts including this are done via my own tablet pc the nokia n900 (its actually a phone too). Regardless, there is now a huge market available for tablet pc and every phone manufacturer on the planet seems like they want a piece.

Something that flew under my radar was the RIM Playbook, RIM better known for the blackberry are now entering the tablet market with something that doesn’t do anything that’s over and above what is currently on the market. Joining a long list of tablet manufacturers, with another “me too” product.

Apple are market leaders for a reason, no doubt in small fact for the way they market themselves. Saviours of humanity is what I see them marketing themselves as, and it resonates with the marketplace. I had never in my life seen people line up outside shops to buy technology before, now its a regular occurrence when the latest apple product comes out. A fashion statement as well as saviour to humanity has given birth to an almost religious fever to Apple products and enthusiasm for the brand.

It will take a lot more to usurp Apple from their position than another run of the mill product where there is no boom for the buck.

On Projects

Asim — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:03:08 +0000

Given I had some downtime this week, I was looking to catch up on some of my personal projects. Of the dozen or so thing I started, the biggest and most challenging one is to make a computer game. Specifically I’ve wanted to put together a steampunk based MMORPG or Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game aka world of warcraft style game to the non gaming geeks.

I got arround to researching what game engines or Software Development Kits were available for MMO development and I came across this: Heroblade, quite possibly the answer to my dreams. Only downside is it costs $5000 for a licence. With heroblade I could easily design and build a visually stunning game over the course of a couple years.

Given I don’t have the $5000 or the time required spare I’m going to need to shorten my vision and do something a bit smaller in the short term. The whole idea behind my projects were so I could develop my skills by doing something proactive so a smaller project seems the best bet as I do have the bad habit of quitting halfway through a development if things aren’t working as they should.

Given I said all that, I should point out that i’m going to finish off older projects before starting the game, I’ve just gotten back to developing my physics engine I started 3 years ago and stopped working on 15 months ago.

On Maps

Asim — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:50:39 +0000

Remember maps? Those things printed on paper that depicted an area which could be read and interpreted. You may be more used to their digital cousins, Internet Route mapping and GPS units.

I may sound archaic but I miss using maps to find and plan my routes I used to at least get a sense of accomplishment whenever I made it somewhere safely. There was always an element of pride when figuring out problems for yourself now with GPS coming as standard, its like taking any self of accomplishment along with the need to think out of driving.

I am a hideous driver at the best of times I can barely drive, the dude who passed me was insane that day so you’d think I’d love GPS but I can’t even tie my shoelaces when someone is talking to me let alone listen to directions while driving.

My inability to drive aside, I do feel technology is being used to great lengths to remove our needs to think and fend for ourselves. We are blindly following routes as they are mapped out for us, I’m reminded of stories of people driving into rivers and people driving on train tracks because they listen to their GPS saying “Turn Left Now” and people blindly obeying.

Maybe one day a week I’ll attempt to live Amish style just to see if I can fend for myself. I’ll probably fail.

Splendificus and other made up words

Asim — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:05:04 +0000

For years I’ve always wanted to do that Malcolm X thing of copying out the dictionary and their meanings just to expand my vocabulary. Every time I start I end up wishing I could just copy and paste it instead and give up after the first page.

I just finished an app for the n900 to access the user created dictionary so I could get into there and delete a few of my stupid attempts at words. When I finally got in there; I actually seriously got shocked by the amount of made up words I use in text messages and emails.

Brodog, Bromeo, Brostafarion, Homedog, Hunkalicious, Ninja-ing, Splendificus, Ross-tafarian and the countless dozens of various variations on names.

I need to cut that stuff out and actually finally copy out the dictionary so I can actually use good words rather than making ones up.

App will be up on freemantle servers at the weekend if you’re on maemo, you should totally get it!

Holiday Irks

Asim — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:18:27 +0000

I do get easily irritated, its a damn irritation. If I have to fly anywhere by the time we land I’m the most irritable dude on the planet. That is all thanks to the fact that I’m afraid of flying. Flight simulator 98 + a flight where the wing caught fire = a nervous passenger. My hatred and fear of flying aside, one thing above all else irritated the hell out of me while I was in Egypt and in Italy earlier last year.

Hearing the word “facebook” being used in dozens of foreign languages. Everything from Spanish to Finnish to Dutch, I heard so many fellow tourists use the word. It was usually followed with variations on the word profile or update. You’re on holiday, who knows if you’ll ever see or experience what you are doing again? Yet all you are worried about is your damn facebook profile picture and/or status update.

Facebook is a great tool but its like we’re all becoming slaves to it.