Javascript: Virtual Unix

Check out this really neat implementation of a *nix console done entirely in javascript. The quality of web design work showing up on the interweb, is getting really impressive. I am also rather happy to see this resurgence of javascript. I get the feeling that the popularity of Firefox
may be leading the new javascript/XUL/Ajax front.

Click here to check this out.

Python: Simple Socket Test

I have found that there is not a lot of documentation out there that shows you a simple way to instantiate a socket connection. Here is a simple code snippet, that shows you how to make a connection using the socket module. This would be useful for checking whether a host is listening on a particular port. This is not a full sockets implementation(no send, or recieve), but simply tests if a TCP socket is open.

import socket

#Simply change the host and port values
host = '127.0.0.1'
port = '80'

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
try:
  s.connect((host, port))
  s.shutdown(2)
  print "Success connecting to "
  print host + " on port: " + str(port)
except:
  print "Cannot connect to " 
  print host + " on port: " + str(port)

FYI- You can test for a UDP port by changing "socket.SOCK_STREAM" to "socket.SOCK_DGRAM" .

Check out the documentation for the socket module here.

Xbox360: Nvidia Will Make Games Work

It was just recently announced that MS has licensed Nvidia technology, so they can emulate Xbox games on the 360.
It sounds like any backwards compatibility will be through emulation.
The plan, is to use the Nvidia technology to emulate the original Xbox video card on the new ATI card in the 360. They will then ship the 360 with patches for the most popular games, pre-installed on the hard drive.
I don't know how this is really going to work. As a distribution model, it makes sense that they would release new patches over Xbox Live. But some research out there has indicated that only 10% of Xbox owners, use the Live option. This could really break the initial sales on this console to the general public. Although there will be a certain kind of person who will get it regardless(myself included), I think the perception that they have poor or minimal backwards compatibility will hurt sales to the average gamer.
Unless they can really leverage the new "Gold","Silver"... packages for Xbox Live, they may have some trouble getting game support out the door to the consumer. I hope it works, but I have my doubts.

Click Here for the article from gamesindustry.biz

Linux: PS3 Will have Linux HDD

The new PS3 is going to have a hard drive with Linux pre-installed. This will have to be purchased seperately, but still sounds like a pretty neat thing. This means that with an attached hard drive, you could use the PS3 as an all around networked media player, file server, or desktop PC. The interview touts the interesting things that can be done with Cell processor, and hints at the hacking possibilities that will be available. I for one, am pretty excited to see the potential of this device once it comes out. Sony is now touting the PS3 as a "supercomputer", as opposed to the MS/Nintendo track of calling it a "toy". Interesting stuff---


Add-on PlayStation 3 HDD will run Linux - News at GameSpot

Streaming: StreamPlug Brings MP4 to the Browser

Stumbled across this over the weekend and found it pretty useful, if not downright fun. With my luck this technology is 5 years old, and I am a late comer.
Either way, StreamPlug is a browser plugin for IE, Firefox,Mozilla,Netscape- that enables viewing of streaming Divx, Xvid, 3ivx, Sigma, Ogg Vorbis,etc., right in your browser.
This thing works on Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP and GASP!!! ----LINUX
Some of the interesting nuts and bolts:

1. 16/9, 4/3 , square and customizable resolution settings.
2. Supports .ogg and .ogm files.
3. Save Stream support--If video hoster allows it.
4. Add your own subtitles to a streaming movie

Not only that, but they have links to movies you can watch now, right from their page.
These include George A. Romero's original "Night of the Living Dead". My favourite, original Max Fleischer Superman cartoons . I just love these. Not to mention a number of other movies, that I believe are all free, due to being released into the public domain, and available via the Creative Commons license.
All I can say, is that I saw really good quality on a normal broadband connection, and had no problems with it.
FYI--if you are plugin-phobic, you can always snoop the source on the page, for the link to a movie, and then just plug that into VLC, or Mplayer.



STREAMPLUG by CEDELIA : FULL streaming solution MPEG4 and Ogg : DIVX, XVID, 3ivx, Sigma RMP4, VORBIS, FLAC, THEORA

IPod: Winamp Plugin Replaces ITunes

A new plug-in for Winamp has just been announced, that can alleviate your need for ITunes. The plug-in ml_Ipod offers up some pretty neat features.
If you were previously managing your music collection in Winamp, you can go back. This plugin will break you from the pain of associating your IPod with only one instance of ITunes(Ipod database).
You will also be able copy songs from your Ipod to your hard drive. You can also configure the plugin to handle the DRM on songs purchased from ITMS using software from the Hymn Project.

This may be my new favorite piece of software; it could have helped save part of my vacation 2 months ago.
The Story:
I had a music collection at home, that was synched with my Ipod, that contained the playlists for my Griffin ITrip. I thought it would be nice to bring it along and be able to share the music with my friends, from any radio that happened to be around. Thinking that a trip to Mexico wouldn't be complete without a little Bob Marley, I realized that I had no Bob Marley at home, but I had a lot at work. So, not thinking, pre-vacation , I sync my Ipod at work, not realizing that all of my music was there, but not my ITrip playlists. Long story short, I got to Mexico, and bragged about how smart I was to bring music that we could all listen to. Suffice it to say, there was no music on that ITrip to Mexico.
If only this plugin was available 10 weeks ago.
Okay it was available--just not on my radar--damn--that makes me feel even stupider!

Check out the plugin : ml_Ipod



Wired News: IPod Plug-In Sets Music Free

BitTorrent: New Search Engine

The BitTorrent news out there is starting to get hot and heavy. Looks like the original BitTorrent has a new revenue stream to support development,etc.
The new Ad-supported search engine is actually going to be able to read and index the trackers on the web, based on your search terms. The new Ask Jeeves partnered engine will then rank the search results based on torrent activity and popularity. Read on for more of the nitty gritty.


Wired News: Next for BitTorrent: Search