Distractions

Yes, this is one of those “I’m-sorry-I-haven’t-been-posting” posts. I know it’s only been a week, but careful observation reveals that it has been a month and a half since I posted something long, pre-planned, and carefully executed.

Here’s what’s been going on:

• Calculus test. These things require time.
• Full Circle Magazine article. I’ve submitted an article to FCM about Python. I haven’t heard whether it has been accepted or rejected yet.
• I’ve been working on a terminal-based Java implementation of chess. I got a version that very prettily displays the board, and lets you move your (not someone else’s) piece to another square, but it had a few major problems…like the pieces could move anywhere. Now I’m reimplementing it  with much better code (it’ll be fully object-oriented, but that’s a lot of hassle. Especially in Java).
• I’ve started working on an HTML/CSS/JavaScript web page. I think it’s a sweet idea, but in the same way that real code* just kind of makes sense when I look at it, HTML and CSS do not.
• I’ve realized that the ratio of Windows usage over Windows bashing to Mac usage over Mac bashing in this blog is badly askew. So I’m in the market for a secondhand Mac laptop. A (rather rich) friend of mine cracked the screen of his MacBook Air tripping over his dog (pause for laughter)(pause for sorrow) so he’s getting a new one via warranty. He said he’d sell me the old one (it’s still quite usable) if he can keep it, but he said Apple might take it back. I have another friend who’s willing to sell me his iBook (300-something MB RAM, 550mHz PowerPC), but I can’t decide if I can afford it. Maybe he wants ads on this blog?

*I’m going to get in trouble for saying that. Too bad.