Study Starcraft At UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley makes me proud very frequently. They're apparently the first university to offer a course in playing a video game. They now have a Decal course on Starcraft!

This is not the same as a core curriculum class, but you actually do earn units for taking it. =)

QWERTY Urban Legend

It's practically common knowledge nowadays that the QWERTY keyboard layout that the majority of us use is pretty awkward and not nearly optimal for typing speed. The only reason it has succeeded is a combination of early luck and entrenchment.

Have you personally researched the basis for this "common knowledge?"

I stumbled across this excellent article discussing both the impact and basis for this myth. It's a really great reminder that just because something is "common knowledge" doesn't mean it's true.

9 Years

As of today, it's been 9 years since my sister was killed in a car accident. I'm not exactly sure what has changed in me since then, but I feel like I have gotten more used to the idea. It's like getting used to losing a limb or something, I would imagine: There's still something big missing that you're almost always aware of, but you've found ways to continue living.

AnnaTheRed's Bento Factory

AnnaTheRed's bento factory is amazing. I've seen other sites showing some of the bento artwork other folks have made, but this one is my favorite because she often makes video game references.

The amount of labor involved in making them boggles my mind. It makes me realize how lazy I am when I cook. =(

Interesting Interview With An Adware Programmer

Yes, we all hate the adware that makes it onto Windows computers. Honestly it isn't really a big problem if you don't use Internet Explorer, but I have empathy for those who suffer from adware.

Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of the people who make this adware that everybody hates? Here's an interview with a very talented programmer who developed adware for a while. His thoughts on the subject an explanation of some of the general techniques he used are very interesting to read.

An Atheist Meets God

Cute little animation depicting an atheist meeting god. It raises a lot of really good points, of course, too:

Irritation

Nothing pisses me off more than people making all sorts of assumptions about me.

Yes, I do play World of Warcraft.

No, that does not mean I spend my time raiding.
No, that does not mean I neglect real life responsibilities for it.
No, that does not mean I lack social skills.
No, that does not mean I play it to excess.

Most people simply do not understand that a game can be taken as a hobby like any other. Everybody has hobbies, whether it is watching TV or going out to parties. Don't judge me because I have a different hobby than yours.

I only play World of Warcraft for the friends I have in the game and for the challenge that Player Versus Player (PVP) combat entails. I play it the same way I used to play real time strategy games, fighting games, or first person shooters. I enjoy competition in games.

I really wish people would mind their own business. PVP in World of Warcraft right now is ridiculously imbalanced so it's barely even playable. When I opt not to spend time with particular people, it's not because I would rather play World of Warcraft, it's usually because I'd rather not spend time with that particular person. I would rather stay home and read a book than spend time with most people.

This rant has been brought to you by my roommate inviting over a friend and asking if I wanted to go with them to eat. I declined because it's the middle of the afternoon and I don't particularly like eating at peculiar hours. Automatically, my roommate's friend asks "is he raiding?"

I don't know what my roommate tells him about my life, but that comment irritated me. If I had any interest in making friends with this jackass, that interest disappeared right then.