Wikipedia Games

Dude,

Sometimes I play a game I made up that I thought was original, I call it degrees of Wikipedia. Turns out my idea is so unoriginal it already has a wikipedia page. I thought I'd share my experiences on playing some of the variations of this game.

Both of these versions you can only use links in the main body. I assume that meant table of contents too, it wasn't specific. It does not include category links, and obviously not the main menu on the left.

5 Clicks to Jesus
random page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphanius_sirhani
click 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_classification
click 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution
click 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion
click 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_of_Nazareth
1 under par, I believe they call that a birdie. I dunno, I didn't pass through the golf Wikipedia page.


Find Hitler!
random page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IL_Therapeutics
click 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Saskatchewan (there were only two options!)
click 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Historic_Site_of_Canada
click 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_Canada
click 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II
click 5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler

My version
In my version I choose two random pages and get from one to the other. The advantage is you can see the links on the target page. Sometimes it's a lot harder than others. The above two have the advantage that the target page is popular and has a lot of links to them. My rule is slightly different in that I allow for the use of any links (category included) except for the left hand menu. For particularly hard to find pages (like my target below) I'll use the "what links here" button.

random page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyday_Is_a_Winding_Road
click 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Singles_Chart
click 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States
click 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico
click 4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_New_Mexico
click 5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_New_Mexico_Arboretum
click 6: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotoneaster
target page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotoneaster_scandinavicus
6 clicks + 4 for two uses of "links to page" = 10 points

I vary on some of their rules too. I'm okay with using countries, but I generally stay away from dates (you can't use dates and countries in the first two variations). I also don't think the use of ctrl+f to be a cheat.

Far too interesting Wikipedia Pages (by category)

Warning: This post could lead to a serious waste of time (source).

Dude,

Just to kill your productivity today, over the past few weeks I've been bookmarking Wikipedia pages I have found far too interesting. This says something. I'm not sure if it says something about Wikipedia, my browsing habits, or if it explains how Google knows I'm a male in my 30's, but none the less I felt it was worth sharing with you... and I guess the world.

Also I organized them into arbitrary categories to kill my productivity for the day. We're even.

Criteria
Of course this all varies from user to user. My criteria for considering Wikipedia pages to be too interesting is if they meet one of the following:

Interesting
There are a number of things in the universe that are just plain interesting. These will prepare you for that cocktail party you've always been afraid of not having anything to talk about at.
Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Moon

Unknown Before
Something that was completely unknown before found on Wikipedia. Most links fall in this category because there is a lot I don't know. Bonus points if it is related to a topic I already know about.
Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation_(chess)

Basically Hidden
Something incredibly basic that has a surprising amount of interesting information. A little harder to find because you have to read (or at least scroll) most of the article.
Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid

Surprising List
A list that when you first see it you wonder why it exist in the first place, but as you read it you wonder why you’ve never heard of this list before.
Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_considered_the_worst

Life Rule: You are always moving

This life rule is more of a universal constant instead of the usual rule to live by. I picked it up from my uncle (link should tell you a little about him), and I am learning from experience in more than one area of my life.

You are always moving.

You are either moving forward, practicing learning, doing. Or you are moving backwards. You don't stay at the level of expertise you stopped at. You're moving ahead or falling behind. The old adage, "use it or loose it" is another way to put it. No matter how you look at it, if you want to be good at something... never stop doing it.

Life Rule: Embrace Change

This is one that has come up a lot recently. Recently as in TODAY!

Embrace Change

Do it or you'll die from high blood pressure. Because, guess what, there are a lot of things that are out of your control that effect you. Get over being force feed health care, the MS Office Ribbon Bar, the potential loss of the Windows Start button, and the fact you are going to end up paying too much for that smart phone you don't even want... and focus on the things you have control over in life. There are a lot of them, just look around.

Two Dudes Discuss: Cloud Storage

Raining on your storage parade.

Two dude's conversing mostly about cloud storage. Turned out to be an interesting conversation. The kind of conversation that started this blog in the first place. Only slight edits from the original text for readability.

Some background, Michael is the Apple fan who has lent James his old iPad (no bloody 2, 3, or 4 -- points if you get the reference). James is not an Apple fan but willing to try new things for little to no cost.

Conversation after the jump.

How to interstitial suspend with a paper towel using nothing but your hands and water!

Hey dude I found this video that coincides with a an annoyance of mine. I'd say, on a least a semi-regular basis I find myself in a public restroom. When I do I make it a point to dry my hands with a single paper towel. It irks me when I see guys go up and grab one after another after another after another... well you get my point.

Apparently I am not the only one this bothers, but this guy puts a lot more thought into it that I ever did.

http://www.ted.com/talks/joe_smith_how_to_use_a_paper_towel.html

I shake like he demonstrates, but I find 6-7 good shakes sufficient. Maybe I have small hands. The bit about the folding is far more interesting to me than it should be (it's spelled "interstitial suspension" and good luck finding anything on it). You will also learn an interesting fact about the number twelve.

-Other Dude

Motivation

Dear Other Dude,

Every day, in every way, you get better and better.

Thanks,

Dude

And now for something completely different...

When I hear a guy refer to a woman in the context of a 10 point scale, I find it crude and appalling. It's wrong in the obvious objectifying ways, but also the scale is wrong. Most guys, especially those that would rate woman in such a way, don't understand that Beauty is Boolean.

What does that mean? Beauty is either there, or it isn't. It is true or it is false. It is a 1 or a 0!

Don't get me wrong, "beauty is still in the eye of the beholder." We're not here to test that axiom. Just the one that put's one beauty over another. Beauty is not something to be put in order. Perhaps it could be put into a category, but not in an order. A beautiful car is rather different than a beautiful flower. I might appreciate or even prefer one car or flower over another, but is one less beautiful? To be more specific, if I can appreciate the beauty of one... should I not appreciate the beauty of all.

1 year ago today the quality of the Internet diminished just a tad

Dude,

Happy anniversary.

Thanks,
Other Dude

P.S. I totally had to back date this post, but I was thinking about it on the day.

Life Rule: When in doubt, stick with what you know

I've had this one come up a few times recently.

When in doubt, stick with what you know


It became worthy enough to write down when I discovered this indecent, which of course has a corresponding XKCD. Seemed appropriated since the other dude just got back from California. I can only hope your return trip will be better than theirs.

Just saw Google's touching Dear Sophie commercial

Dude,

I just saw Google's "Dear Sophie" commercial and maybe there was some kind of emotion evoked deep inside. Judging by the Youtube comments, the emotion evoked in me was very different from other viewers.

Everyone else apparently cried, but I couldn't help but be appalled at the blatant violation of the Gmail terms of service.

It's not really that the TOS was violated. Clearly this happens every day, but I am disappointed that the "do no evil" company would use a TOS violation as an add campaign. I honestly don't even know how to interpret it. It brings up the deeply philosophical question, "does a company that vows to do no evil, commit evil if it is against themselves?" I don't know the answer. All I do know is I can't look at that toothless grin without stirring some latent childhood nostalgia.

Maybe it has nothing to do with TOS. Maybe the anger stems from some jealousy that I'll never be able to relive my child hood memories simply by logging on to my Gmail account. All I do know, is it upsets me when a television commercial makes me cry my eyes out like a little girl.

Thanks,
Other Dude

The Ergophobia Continues... (go ahead, look it up, I dare you)

Dear Dude,

So I was sitting here thinking about how you're my dude, and I'm your dude, but we haven't shared anything in a while. For the eavesdroppers I'll recap (the following should be read with the announcer voice from
Idiocracy);

Last time on 2dudes1blog -- James was trying to code some javascript, but he didn't know anything about it. Michael, his ever faithful cousin and sometimes sidekick, loaned him a plethora of books on the subject in question. To date, James has only read a single chapter in one of the books. Now the not so climatic continuation of this anti-drama will unfold before your eyes.

Thanks for the books, I'll get to those when I get a chance.

The end,
Other dude

Not really. Here are some links in a random order of things I think everyone should see.

• A blog, arguably more interesting than ours.
• Yet another thing I invented after it's been around for years.
• Something cool I'm going to find a reason to use some day.
• This link could save your life.
• and this link could end it if you don't know how to swim without the use of heavy machinery.
• Also, I made two posts in the same day.

For real this time,
Other dude

Dude,

There aren't many video games that excite me these days. At least not without some nostalgic references to games I grew up on, but I have to share this one with you. I got Just Cause 2 as a freebie from something I bought and finally entered the code into Steam for the lols. There have been a number of games the only reason I'd ever play was because they were free, and almost every one only gets about 20 minutes of play time before I forget about it (looking at you STALKER with all the periods).

Just Cause 2 was entertaining enough to get me through the first few levels, skipping all the cut scenes because they are a little long and pointless. I was even able to overlook the cheesy main character's overly macho all black outfit. Once I got into the main game, I was impressed with it's open ended play style. I have no idea what the story is or what I am supposed to do, but just roaming around stealing cars and jets and just generally blowing things up and causing "chaos" has kept me up until 1am for the first time in a long time. I think it helped that I didn't take the game seriously when I started playing and had no expectations.

It's on Steam for $20, but there is a free demo. I recommend checking it out when you are in the mood for mindless entertainment of the explosive kind.

Thanks,
Dude

We did Something Right

A Google search for "tron trench coat" puts our blog post as the first result.

At first I thought it was Google working it's cookie magic on me, but I'm starting to think it's legit.

What little I've learned so far

Dear Other Half of 2 Dudes 1 Blog,

I am writing to inform you that I'm making a blog post.

More seriously, I am writing to save you time. Your time is valuable to me. Like gold; it mysteriously appreciates.

Based on a conversation we had earlier today, I thought I'd take the time to share with you what I have found to be a useful setup when making websites by hand.

FileZilla
When I first started, I did everything through our hosting service's WebFTP (for the nosy, yes we share a web hosting service). That was fine until I started working with PHP and many files. I had to step up my game. Also, don't be a fool like I was and just let it save your log on credentials. Save time, be happy, live longer.

Useful things I like about FileZilla
- synchronized browsing
- set files to open in notepad++ - go to Edit > Settings > File editing > Filetype associations paste something close to this (your setup might need minor changes--I have faith you can make it work):

php "C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
html "C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
txt "C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
css "C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"

Things I wish it could do
- useful file compare - you can compare by size or time, both of which will be slightly different between your local copy and server copy.
- Automatic upload of Changed files - When you open a file through FileZilla and save your changes in Notepad++, FileZilla is smart enough to say "Hey dude your file changed, do you want to upload the new version?" This is cool, until you are making a lot of minor changes to a file to see the differences. You'll have to hit save, alt-tab to FileZilla, click okay, alt-tab again to your browser, hit F5.

Notepad++
I know you already know the wonders of Notepad++, but for our eavesdroppers I'm going to include it in this letter.

One thing I do like about Notepad++ is it's ability to change the Language (of the code not to Russian). I've started the bad practice of using PHP files as style sheets, and it's nice to be able to tell Notepad++ I want to see it as a CSS instead of what it is.

Websites
http://htmledit.squarefree.com/ - I like to use this if I'm trying to make a site look right. I'll copy and paste the css inside some <style> tags, and paste the code at the bottom. Once I get what I want out of it, paste it back into Notepad++.

http://jsfiddle.net/ - Just discovered this one the other day. It's a lot like the first one, but lets you do more. You'll see.

http://www.w3schools.com/ - Almost every Google search result of "html + something I want to use" begins w3schools.com. I follow that link because they are most likely the have what I am looking for.

Browsers
They don't display the same (despite the plethora of standards available). I blame Lamecrosoft, but it doesn't matter. It is something that has to be dealt with even though we know who to point fingers at.

Curvy Corners - You may have noticed in my webdesign I'm a big fan of border-radius. Who's not? Really? Because if you're not you're wrong. This script allows border-radius to work on browsers that don't support CSS3.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://yoursite.com/where/you/stash/scripts/curvycorners.js"></script>

JQuery - While I'm on the scripts and making browsers work subject, let me include this one. I'm not smart enough yet to know all about it, but I know it's a good thing.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.6.4/jquery.min.js"></script>

F12 - While you are viewing your masterpiece through Chrome or IE (can't speak for others), hit this button to make magic happen. It will show you a number of things. So far I've found it most useful for tweaking margin and padding settings, but I am sure it can do more.

That just about covers what I've learned about setting up to make websites the hard way. Hopefully it gives you a little bit of a jump start, you will surpass me, and write me a letter that kindly explains how I'm doing it wrong. It will be great. We'll share the things we learn and be better for it. Might even help out some of these lazy eavesdroppers.

Thanks,
Other Half of 2 Dudes 1 Blog

Life Rules: Manage your tank

Manage your tank.


This life rule I came up with the other day while getting gas. It started out as "Fill up your tanks", but as I extrapolated the hidden meaning in the wisdom I made up at Bucee's, I realized this was too specific.

Image courtesy of a clever guy with a dollar.

When applied to your gas tank, yes, it should be filled. When you refer to your stomach, fill it for sure. But what about tanks that should be empty? Looking at you bladder! Then there are the tanks that have to be between certain levels like oil and coolant. Clearly this rule can apply to more than anatomy and automobiles, but at the gas station this is all I could think about.

Want me to bust out some economics that validate my rule (at least at the pump)? The gas you buy now, no matter what it cost, is cheaper today than at any point in the future because of inflation. Therefor, when you are at the tank fill it up all the way. No pansy $15 now and the rest on pay day.

Another Letter to my Buddy

I don't know what it is Micheal, but I haven't been able to psych myself up for the final dungeon of Zelda. I'm going to try this weekend.

I don't remember what song I shared with you in my last letter, but this is what I'm listening to right now. And I mean right now too. I've actually loved this song for a long time, just wanted to share. As much as I don't like music these days, Google Music and OCremix has inspired me to listen.

I originally came here to write a real post. Another rule of life actually. Then I started just writing and this is what came out. Let me go try again.

Sincerely,
James

Some things to share with Michael... but I guess both of our blog followers can see too

Dude,

So I've spent a ridiculous amount of time working on geekwagon.net. It has been my goal to code it 99% by hand. The only part I didn't do was the adsense script and the java that updates the date for the last update. Did that part make since? I'm on my 4th beer. I just spent my WHOLE evening making sure it works well at resolutions as low as 600x480. So if you just installed Windows 2000 and don't have any video drivers you can view my website without any problems (except IE5.5 will display all the borders with those nasty square corners... for now--I might have found a way to fix that but like I said I'm on my 4th beer.).

Picture courtesy of Google image
search and some random sucker.

I'm writing to tell you I've had this song going through my head for days.

Also, I finally broke even on bitcoins. Just in time too the price is dropping today like rappers drop hot items. To celebrate I've spent a bunch of time adding this page to geekwagon and I also added a bitcoin picture to this post. I hope it will be useful (the page not the picture) to some one some where in some world.

I still need to finish Zelda. I'll get to it.

Sincerely,
The other Dude 

My first impression of Office 365 (Microsoft's version of Google Docs for business)

After seeing the following video I had little choice but to go check out office365. While viewing the site a chat box popped up. A Microsoft representative wanted to take the time to talk to me personally. That conversation is posted below the video.

---

This chat can be recorded for quality & training purposes. Welcome to Microsoft. A representative will be with you shortly. Your estimated wait time is 0 minutes and 2 seconds. To help us serve you better, please provide your name and company name.
Hello, my name is Brady.


You: hello my name is James
Brady: Hi there!
You: I saw a video, don't know if you guys made it or not, but it was advertising office365. I went to check it out and I must say it is very missleading
You: we use google apps for $50/user/year less and there are no ads
Brady: Okay. I'll be happy to clear up any confusion if I can. What has prompted you to look into Office 365?
You: You: I saw a video, don't know if you guys made it or not, but it was advertising office365.
You: going over your features, the only thing I see that is interesting over Google Apps is the AD integration. But I'd have to pay more than double I am now.
You: is there any thing else you offer I'm not seeing yet?
Brady: I will be right with you.
You: I'll be right here
Brady: Okay. AD integration is included with any Office 365 Enterprise plan. Each plan includes Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Lync Online. Additional features are available in different plans.
Brady: Exchange Online will include 25GB of storage per user license, Forefront Online for anti-virus/spam protection, and ActiveSync for your mobile devices. SharePoint Online includes 10GB of storage, plus 500MB extra for each user license.
Brady: And Lync Online would provide you with instant messaging and web audio/video conferencing for up to 250 participants.
You: We are a company of 32 users (could go up to 35 in the near future). Currently we don't have a lot of office application needs, just a few users share spreadsheets.
You: which plan would you recommend?
Brady: Thank you for waiting. I'll be with you in just a moment.
Brady: The most basic plan that includes AD integration is E1. This plan is $10/user/month, it includes Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync. It would also include 24/7 phone and email support and can easily be expanded for any size business.
Brady: If you find that you need additional features in the future, you can also easily change an Enterprise plan to a different Enterprise plan.
You: That would be $3840 a year ($2240 more than I'm paying now) for almost the same service. I don't think I could justify something like that. Not to mention the cost of migration (speaking of which I could only find migration documents to move from internal Microsoft services not another cloud service).
You: Combine with the misleading video I don't think I can justify making a change. But thanks for your time.
Brady: Thanks for chatting and have a great day!

---

First Impressions

Basically I've been lied to, not all their plans have AD integration. Only their Enterprise Plans do. I'm sure that's what he meant by his statement, but I was looking at all plans. Unfortunately, their small business plans only support 25 people. Funny how the government (and Microsoft in many cases) considers anything less than 500 employees small business. For all those businesses that fall in the 25-75 employee range, you get to pay out the nose like a giant enterprise.

I am intrigued by the over all idea. I mean, most businesses run Microsoft products already because they are familiar for users and simple for administrators (yes pricey but you don't have to retrain people--maybe one day I'll make a post about how I failed to convert a small company to OpenOffice.org because too many people don't get the concept of hierarchical structures and file types). I guess it would really come down to the business itself. None of the businesses I currently work with would benefit enough to justify the cost. My recommendation for simple could services stays with Google Apps.

Second Quest Goes Better than Expected

After I made my level 4 video I realized I never found the treasure in the dungeon. So I went back, and eventually found the book. Then after hours and hours of looking for level 5, I gave in and looked it up on the Internet because I just don't have the same kind of time I had as a kid.

To my surprise, I needed the raft. But I didn't have the raft. I had gotten treasure from all of the previous levels, where do I find a raft now? Well, that kind of first quest thinking should have been left in the cave with the old guy telling me it was dangerous to go alone. Back in level 4 I found a raft (In some rooms I overlooked). A raft and a book in the same dungeon... after the level with no boss... Ganon's not making this round easy on me.

Subsequently, while I was searching for level 5 I got to know where everything else was. I even spent some time in level 6 and found the ladder. After a lot of time, a lot of effort, and thousands of save states, I completed level 5 and 6. On the other hand level 7 and 8 were cake. If you call rooms, so full of blue darknuts and ball shooting statues that the game slows down, cake. Little known fact: Nintendo came up with bullet time way before the Matrix. They just called it "to many enemies on the screen....time".

I also realize, without the aid of save states, this would take a ridiculous amount of time. Not to mention the Nintendo Power-esque tip I nabbed off the Internet about where to find level 5. It's no wonder so few people never finish the second quest [citation needed]. I know I have found parts of it to be annoying and drawn out for the sake of difficulty and I am at a great advantage over old school NES play.

Now I have the triforce (again), and am poised at Ganon's front door. I haven't jumped into level 9 yet because I want to have the time to give what it deserves. I do plan to record this one. I'm sure it will be a horrible watch. I am genuinely curious about it because I have no idea what is in store for me. Will it even be a skull? I'll find out soon enough.