About Me
I'm a thirty something engineer with an interest in Computing (particularly Linux), Psychology and Mathematics. Married with three kids, I've been studying with the Open University since 2008, I'm focussing on BSc (Honours) Computing and IT (B62).
An enthusiastic but amateur runner.
Yeah and a total geek.
Author Archives: Dougie
A quick thank you
I needed wxMaxima but the version in the repositories is a little older (one major revision). Compiling from source is straightforward but a recent discussion I had with students showed they shied away from it. So I figured I’d try … Continue reading
Posted in Ubuntu
Tagged CAS, Mathematics, Maxima, Packaging, Planet Ubuntu, Thanks, Ubuntu
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Normal service will continue…
For seven months in 2011 I had a regular treat – a volume of “Judge Dredd: Complete Case Files”. From January through July, I was re-reading my favourite childhood comic – Apocalypse Wars, Block Mania, Judge Child Quest and the fantastic … Continue reading
Small steps
Back in October I started to develop some serious shin pain and began the Army’s rehabilitation process. A better process than people give credit for – put in effort, take it seriously and it has results. It just takes time. Today … Continue reading
Posted in Open University, Personal, Running
Tagged MS221, MT264, Open University, Running, TT284
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Invisible posts and the same complaints
I’m sure my posts on TT284-12B are invisible. Someone asks a question, I post an answer then three others post the same answer shortly before the asker thanks them. Sounds petty, I know, but I’m genuinely wondering if my posts are … Continue reading
Screen-grab Kindle
Kindle 3 -↑+Alt+G (Shift, Alt and G together). That is all.
Tomighty
If you’re a fan of the Pomodoro technique – there’s a fantastic little timer applet for the notification area called Tomighty.
Posted in Computing, Misc, Open University
Tagged Java, Linux, Open Source, Open University, Study, Windows
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If
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and … Continue reading
Keeping resolutions
Have I? Yes and no.
Resolution
Another year draws to a close and I thought I might post some resolutions – perhaps making them public will help me meet them. The Happiness Project suggests that its a good idea to realise the difference between resolutions and goals.
Posted in Open University, Personal, Running
Tagged Open University, Personal, Resolutions
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Forget everything you knew about coding (or perhaps remember, depending on your age)
This Christmas I’m going to embrace the past. COmmon Business Oriented Language (COBOL) 85 standard was the first language I was taught. Napier University was a feeder into the banking and insurance industries in Edinburgh at the time and they … Continue reading
