Scuzzmonkey.com

I think I found my next project...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:38:22 -0700

you know what? Fuck cars, this is going to be so much more fun - let alone cheaper and easier.

This guy has built a 24 - TWENTY FOUR - Core Linux Cluster to dramatically decrease rendering times. At the bottom of the page he mentions;

I'll do a better page as soon... or I build the Red Helmer II Would be fun to use the AMD 16 core Bulldozer cpu x 6 = 96 core in a box ))

I was thinking, there are 2 ways I can go about this, either, build a very low-power cluster that has the highest speed:power ration possible, or jam 128 cores into this mother fucker, just for the sake of it. In all honesty, the former sounds a better - not to mention cheaper - idea, but that would be regulated to about 12-18 cores, depending on how it is put together. Most likely dual-cores on dual-CPU boards, with 2GB/core. If configured correctly, it should be able to be done through one boot drive, and the other boards booting using network (PXE/NFS). Not sure what I would use it for though - probably add it to my BOINC account.

Time to start working out how this monster would be put together. Will mention it again once I get somewhere with it.

Scuzzmonkey.

RIP Dennis- Walking in the Shadows for Piano

nospam@example.com (Shadow Adler) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:33:10 -0700

In June this year, a good man was taken from this earthly mantle by cancer. His death was unexpected, and he was only 19 years of age.

I wrote this piece about an hour after his death, originally for string quartet. The piano arrangement took slightly longer to do, and was a trifle more complicated than I had imagined it would be to play.

I hope it is fitting.

Dennis Savage, rest well.

In closing...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:20:00 -0700

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ct027/

Come on Britain, fail harder!

Scuzzmonkey.

Failed Again

nospam@example.com (Mataspore) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -0700

I have to re-sit an exam from uni in 3 days, I have to make a desperate attempt to clean up the house tomorrow before my parents return and then I have to go get some more frozen rats for houdini.

I do not have the time to keep up with the posts here, even this one is backdated by an hour. Even though I would dearly love to give something or someone a sound thrashing it simply is not going to happen for the next half of the week. On the other hand I do have some pictures from my pig-farm work experience, and they shall be uploaded...probably not for quite a while yet. Since I'm not sure where the necessary cable is to be found...

Ah well...I'll think of a subject in a little bit.

Ya know...yesterday I made a phone call, and told the one who answered that I was going insane. This was not entirely true. It was more a bizarre upcropping of sanity disrupting the intricate patterns that normally make up my everyday thoughts. I basically had a "normal" experience (as opposed to a "paranormal" one)...and frankly it was the most horrifying moment of my life.
THIS is how you people live your lives? So sure of what you want? So wreathed in wants and hates? So...so...urgh it's too horrible to talk about.

Made the mistake of telling Shadow about it, he promptly started gloating.

But fear not, all those horribly warm feelings have already been disposed off, crushed, compacted into tiny cubes, frozen, defrosted, minced, processed, compacted into even smaller cubes and then fired into the sun. I'm still not...quite myself, but nor am I someone else if that makes any kind of sense at all.

I know that the past few posts from me have been sub-par at best, and I know that I havn't been updating to anything like a regular schedule...basically this is an apology to anyone who deserves one and a hate-filled bile scream at anyone who hasn't updated for a while to stop munching at that bag of crisps and/or cookies and do a damn entry.

And yes, that's it. Again.

The next one from me will be a long one.

I make the important kind of promise that it will be so. (And you can't break that sort of promise, it isn't allowed).

Mataspore

I may be forced to buy an XBox 360

nospam@example.com (Shadow Adler) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:49:07 -0700

And why, of all people, vehemently opposed to getting back into the console realms as I am, would I be tempted to buy one of Satan's finest?

Because there is a new Star Wars game on its way. And it looks fucking awesome. And I just swore when writing an article. Wow. I must be serious.

Now, everyone has been going on about the force unleashed for some time now, but I maintained a healthy scepticism, since there have been so many new products for the Star Wars Universe, and the majority have left me feeling that George is milking a very ponderous cow. Notably, I will not be going to see the new film in cinemas, I may catch a rental DVD at some point.

However- when something really big that is going to blow my mind away hits me full force (aha) in the face as it did this morning, I just can't help but think I have to get it. This was previously exampled by the Pokemon games, which I bought up until Gold version where the saminess got dull, though Mataspore will tell you that from time to time we will still break out the gameboys, the N64, and go for a rumble. Or, if we are feeling mellow, play Pokemon snap, which despite one of the worst game ideas of all time actually proved to be one of the best games made imho. Go figure.

Alas, I am getting sidetracked. Force unleashed. Focus... and... (wait for it). GO!

Now flashy graphics are almost prerequisite these days in a game, and you have seen my rants on this before, HOWEVER, this game, judging by the in-game graphics I have seen, could have sold me based on the fact you get to hurl stormtroopers around, blow stuff up with other stuff, a force controlled spinning lightsabre of death that has been missing since the Jedi Knight series, lightning spewing from every available appendage, and even in conjunction with the lightsabre, force pushes, blasts pulls, hitting stormtroopers with other stormtroopers, an AI behaviour the like of which I have never seen, and an almost completely distructible environment.

On top of which, it is all gloriously rendered in next generation glorious motion-captured 3D.

That is to say nothing of the characters, who are constructed according to a perversely inverted dark side fairy tale, which whilst it lamely mirrors and imitates the lightside story of Skywalker (note that the "protagonists" name in Unleashed is Starkiller, A name which was originally going to be used in the place of Skywalkers final name.) Looks fairly fun.

Now, I am a bit of a lightside fan, and was initially a bit annoyed that I don't get to play the "good" guy, but looking at the cutscenes where you fight dark Jedi and destroy entire Star Destroyers, I have my suspicions that lightside nuts like me aren't about to be abandoned as readily as everyone thinks.

That said, even if we are abandoned, MY GOD DOES THAT GUY'S FIREPOWER KICK ARSE!!!

So yes, I may be forced to buy an XBox. Just for this. Which may prove to be the most expensive game I buy. Ever.

Feel the Farce.

Oh for...

nospam@example.com (Mataspore) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:02:00 -0700

IS NOBODY ELSE ALIVE!!?!

I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT NOW!!

SOMEBODY GET THEIR FUCKING ARSE IN GEAR AND DO A BLOODY ENTRY!!!!

Happy funfun time

nospam@example.com (Mataspore) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Hello there, long time no see. Me laptop died, Scuzzy did the mojo thing and now it's working again (and yes I have absolutely no computer literacy whatsoever). Anyways, short post due to impending exhaustion-death via pig induced stress (fucker bit me).

I have just posted a somewhat inflammatory anti-religious statement upon facebook, I shall leave it to simmer for a couple of days and then post any decent (meaning funny) responses to it upon here.

You know, for giggles.

I feel like I want one of those...

Can't seem to laugh too well right now.

Some things are just beautiful.

Mataspore.

Well...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:15:07 -0700

this will be the last post from me for the next few days, as it's festival time!

Going to be getting on a train within the next few hours, to meet up with the Mrs, to be leaving for Leeds early tomorrow morning, meaning I shall have no access to any sort of computer.

Come on mother fuckers, I better not get back and see that this post is still at the top of the entries, you managed it for 2 weeks before, 4 days is gonna be a peice of piss.

I should be back on monday night, and depending on the want for articles, you may get a very late/early post from me sometime around midnight then, what it will be on...fuck knows, but probably festival antics - unless we get nuked or whatever.

Have fun you cunts, especially anyone reading this that is going to either Reading/Leeds.

Scuzzmonkey.

Kicking and Screaming...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:59:00 -0700

Looks like Mozilla have got sick and tired of IE fucking up the web.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080819-mozilla-drags-ie-into-the-future-with-canvas-element-plugin.html

Definitely something to watch out for.

Scuzzmonkey.

I don't think I've...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:02:00 -0700

posted this before, but if I have, it deserves a second outing.

Some people have far too much time on their hands.

Scuzzmonkey

I've tried to stay out of this as long as possible...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:35:52 -0700

mostly due to Mataspore's new classification of me to "Prophet of the End Times", but now it has gone further than just "a little scrap".

You all will have heard about the current conflict between Russia and Georgia, but when they signed a deal yesturday to cease fire, everyone (well, I say that) believed that this was a crisis averted. Of course, the obvious nature of what is really going on here - the US fighting a proxy-war against Russia within Georgia - and so we have got even closer to WW3 than we did even during the Cold War - seeing as people have actually died this time.

Not to mention of course the West's support of Georgia, even though they started it in the first place, and Russia simply moved in forces as a response. I can assure you that if it had been between anyone else, and Russia, the West would have supported the others, hell, even if it was Afghanistan.

Oh wait - that already happened.

Surely it can't get any worse?

OH YES IT CAN!

Russia is now threatening to nuke Poland if the proposed NATO "missile shield" is built. It is apparently being built to defend the continental US from a missile attack from "rogue nations" such as Iran. Lets have a quick look at the geography for a second.

Now, call me stupid, but surely a base a bit further south, say maybe a Greek Island, would be a better place for this to defend against from attacks from the Middle East. But lets be seriously, Iran only have missile capable of firing 2000 kilometres or so - even if we allow for room of improvement in the 4 years since that source, and even say they can double it, they couldn't - quite - hit London.

The location of this barrier is obvious - to anyone with half a brain - is geared more towards Russia than the Middle East. However, another fact that people seem to forget is the fact that the Earth is a sphere - give or take, and if you can't go laterally, lets go longitudinally!

Over the top!

Or underneath, or to the left. The range of missiles these days is massive in the extreme, Britain missiles - the Trident 2 (which is currently planned to be shelved and replaced) - has a range of 9000 miles - almost 3 times further than Iran's "double" estimate I made earlier, and 6 times the source. What makes these "even better" is that they all can be launched from submarines that can - theoretically at least - be anywhere in the world, no where is safe. Add that to maximum speed, of other 18,000 mph, say the missile shield has a "protection arc" of 4000 kilometres, from detection to take down, you would have just over 15 minutes, and that is assuming the interceptor has enough speed to catch up.

This is purely a power play on the side of the American, and Russia responding. I do not agree with their methods - nuking a country is hardly an acceptable act regardless of pretence - but I can appreciate where they are coming from. Couple this with the problems in Georgia, I would be very, very surprised if this doesn't escalate another couple of stages before - hopefully - ending before any more people get killed.

However, there is something about this that is very, very, un-nerving. The next few weeks and months will be key, and we really need to watch out. I don't think this is even a question of "Will we follow the Yanks in if we go to War?" I honestly don't think we will have a choice, it will be NATO Vs Russia, and here comes World War 3. Just the fact that we don't currently have a military that is structured to deal with a major war - let alone 3. The same goes for America, and I can guarantee that they will put everything they can into it, but they have duties in Iraq and Afghanistan to adhere to, if they do of course, is anyone guess.

The only country that is currently "in a position" to do anything like this is Russia - and that is something that should worry a lot of people. Forget China, they are too tired into the West - and hate Russia too much - to fight for them.

It's gonna be a three-way-dance, I can just taste it in the air.

Ahhh, what a beautiful way to start the day.

Scuzzmonkey.

The beast is nearing completion.

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:45:48 -0700

Today marks the installation of my new graphics cards, which takes the beast one step closer to being finished - or rather, as close to completion as a computers can get, before it needs upgrading again. I say need...what I really mean is, something better comes out, that I want.

That being said, the graphics are/were the second oldest componant in the machine, behind the processor, and that is only because the CPU was installed about 5 minutes before it.

Luckily, I am now getting to a point where even a comp-whore of my standing can't see much place for improvement. Of course the CPU would be upgraded, but that would costs hundreds and hundreds for just a few extra megahurtz, and not even I can convince myself to spent such epic amounts on so little. All that I can see now is learning a lot about advanced cable managed to hide all the wires/cables, and water cooling, both will be some time yet - if ever.

As always, hit the jump for the pictures.

Click the thumbs for a larger version.

The only thing I'm worrying about is, what am I going to do after I finish this? Maybe it time to learn something about cars...

Scuzzmonkey.

I fucking hate Sainsburys...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:28:48 -0700

Today was pay day - it was meant to have been the happiest day in, well, ever. I was meant to have been paid just over £1000, which would mean I would pay off my overdraft, order my new graphics cards (yes, x2) and have more than enough money for the festival, and to see the Mrs up in Newcastle in September.

But no, the fuckers decided to tax me (even though I had filled out all the paper work over 6 weeks ago, it is only meant to take 2 weeks to get processed) almost £300 - when you include Nation Insurance - which leaves me enough money to pay off my over draft, and then buy the graphics cards...

And then be £2 BACK INTO my overdraft.

I really didn't want to have to go back to work after the fucking festival - but at the rate they are cocking up my pay - and the amount of money I'm going to waste on dodgy food and beer over the weekend - it is certain I'll have to go back for at least 2 weeks, probably 3 - which means the Mrs is not going to be best please when I arrive in Newcastle in an almost comatose state after being on a train for 6 hours after a 10 hour shift, and not sleeping on said train due to the shear amounts of changes such a trip takes.

FUCK YOU JUSTIN AND YOUR ENTIRE FUCKING COMPANY.

Hopefully the call to HMRC will get me my money back sooner than April.

Scuzzmonkey.

Damn facebook...

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:25:04 -0700

Scuzzmonkey.

And you paid them how much?

nospam@example.com (Scuzzmonkey) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:10:38 -0700

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7556955.stm

You'd never get those sort of problems over here....

Scuzzmonkey.