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Okay, time to up the Nerd factor

As my laptop is still a bit on the hot side (though taking it apart and putting it back together again did help somewhat), it's time to dismantle the thing, add a new thermal compound between the processor and the heatsink and hope for the best. So if you don't see any updates over an abnormally long period, I screwed up. Though I'm quite positive; the instructions start with: 'Don't put it in your mouth'. Although it does classify me as hardware: 'Instructions to clean it off yourself, your CPU, and other hardware'. At least I've had a dummy run, so I know where the screws go...

Tapping along with the flow

Times have been busy, with the first presentation of what I've been up to on my internship being the main culprit. That, and the fact that I shouldn't try to leave the lab early, as this doesn't seem to work - it only leads to me leaving later. So after letting some more people in the lab find out that I can nearly be concidered bilingual, everything is back to 'normal' again (including the noise of my laptop - I'll disect and rebuild it some time soon, changing the cooling paste on the way).
As a result of all the required running about, there isn't much to tell. One interesting things is a site where you can tap along with a song to identify it. Seems to actually kind of work, try it. Ow, and there is also a newer version of openttd.
In weird science, there are reports that the authenticity of Jackson Pollock paintings may be proven by fractal analysis of the works (nature). Well, given Jackson Pollock's style, I wouldn't be surprised to find more things in his paintings: chemical formulas for cures to cancer, alien comminucations and tomato soup. Also: Scientists still seeking cure for obesity, here at the Onion.

Reason #2593 to switch to Linux

Those anoying web adds (the ones that the Firefox adblock extension doesn't catch because you haven't updated the filter) that look like a window, but aren't, look stupid and are dead wrong, as they refer to stuff that your system doesn know about.
What I personally like most is seeing that things can be done differently, whilst some concepts stay the same. The upcoming new windows version promises to be quite impressive, with a lot of eye-candy as well (hence boosting the system requirements sky-high). It'll even enable the use of small screens on the outside of your laptop, making it like a flip-phone (see your agenda on the outside, no need to waste power on booting) - which undoubtedly will make the hardware popular and give vendors something to sell. Yet, it gets released slightly slower than the speed at which your computer becomes obsolete. Linux is somewhat more dynamic. It comes in more flavours, releases aren't that spectacular, yet happen far more frequently. It can also adapt to low end as well as high end computers. And leaves room for choice, lots of choice. As example - if you want a graphical environment you need an X-server, of which there are two main implementations, on top of that there is a window manager (wide variety) or a desktop suite (includes things like a file manager, application launcher etc) of which GNOME and KDE are the most common. Within those, the appearance of all the items is again very customisable. Lots of things to play with. If you want to play with linux a little bit yourself - the most accessable distribution, Ubuntu offers live CDs (from which you can boot your computer into linux without changing or having to install anything, just remove the CD and reboot to go back to your old system).
Anyway, I'll stop ranting. I got the new kernel working and with it the touchpad, so on it goes!

So where is now exactly?

That's it, I'm lost. I think I've lost all timeframe reference and feel like my mind is in 6 different times at the same time. Apart from that, I feel (relatively) sane and my health is (relatively) good. This week has already seen a few healthy discussions that fall under the category 'what the **** am I doing here? again?' that actually do help. A little. In perpetuating my lack of direction. I feel like I'm being set up though, time to first see how devious my supervisors are (in other words: are they purpously trying to influence my opinion on matters in a way that they hope I don't notice). I'll keep you updated.
Anyway: smaller updates:
Lab: Dropping falcon tubes is a bad idea when contents is frozen. Solved issue by breaking off the bottom of the tube (which had nearly broken off) and ejecting contents into new tube. Otherwise, things are their usual self.
Computer: Some kernel issues, pulled out an old kernel image and all of a sudden everything works fine, including things that didn't when that one was active. Switched to binaries for some of the larger programmes. Now using Linux as primary OS, though more work is required (mainly getting the touchpad to work, but also increasing space). Other computer is working media jukebox. Abonding TV-card efforts, as disc is full and no driver has been tested for the card.
Room: Still improving small things. Tidied last boxes, waiting for remaining panel to complete long-term storage unit. Need to tidy desk... Need to invite people round as soon as I have time.

Anyway... forum abuse, anyone?