Other

How needlessly complicated can you make one thing?

From Wikipedia: "An esoteric programming language (sometimes shortened to esolang) is a programming language designed as a test of the boundaries of computer programming language design, as a proof of concept, or as a joke. There is usually no intention of the language being adopted for mainstream programming, although some esoteric features such as visuospatial syntax have inspired practical applications in the arts. Such languages are often popular among hackers and hobbyists. This use of esoteric is meant to distinguish these languages from more popular programming languages."

It basically is just saying that we sometime do stupid crap, "just 'cause." This is one of those times. If you ever read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, you'll get this.

Understanging who you are is an integral part of understaning where you have been and where you are likely to go. How much do you really understand who you are? After some recent events, I decided that I really need to take a look at who I really am.

We tech geeks start early. I programmed my first VCR at five years old. Many of my buddies dang near wrote their first C program before leaving the womb. I just referred to people I've never met as buddies.

I'm one of the tech types that never really spent much time socializing. My parents divorced when I was about 10 if I can recall correctly. What did this do to me? I could lie and say not much.

I only get to do this one time so I'm definitely going to make a big deal out of it.

I'm engaged!

I went out for a walk with Kim. It started getting cold so we sat together under the gazebo where we first kissed. We talked and held each other for a while. When it got too cold we started to head back. I said "Hey, Kimi?" and she turned around and asked me what's up. I was already getting down on one knee. She dropped what she was holding when she realized there was a ring in the box. I asked her if she'd marry me and she said yes. (You probably guessed that last part already.)

I've been starting to use LinkedIn. I've seen great potential in it for career networking.

Admittedly I saw the "Groups" available and my first instinct was "oh... is this going to be another Facebook with a little Launchpad in it?" I quickly realized that this isn't the case at all. It turns out that the groups are what drives the networking process and the applications available are just to add to your profile.

How much do you know about the Ubuntu release cycles?

First off, the version numbers are simple, year.month. Ubuntu 9.04 is scheduled for release 04/23/09. Therefor, the version becomes 9.04.

Secondly, the Ubuntu has an $adjective $animal naming scheme. The third public release is the first that began at the beginning of the alphabet. They have been moving up one letter in the alpabet since then. My personal for for 10.04 is Leaping Lynx.

Topal is the "glue" between Alpine and GnuPG. Hurray - somebody did it.

How do we use this... It's not the simplest thing in the world - but hey, what is?

I have Phil Brooke to thank for this working on my system.

Step 1. We need to install components that are required to build.
Obviously you should have Alpine and GnuPG.

sudo aptitude install build-essential gnat libreadline-dev

Step 2. We need to get the source code.
Go out to http://homepage.ntlworld.com/phil.brooke/topal/
Look at the Directories and go to the newest one.
Go down to "Files available are"