HistoryShots

HistoryShots sells graphics of the sort E. T. would approve of. They are good examples of narrative graphics. I wish I could make my posters look like that.

NetworkX

NetworkX is a python package for "reation, manipulation, and study of the structure, dynamics, and functions of complex networks." It looks quite cool.

Big screens really are better

During his lecture, Edward Tufte discussed the merits of a large screen. His basic argument is that a greater percentage of your screen real estate is used for applications (i.e., useful information), and less for operating system bloat. This argument seems compelling in its simplicity. (This is another reason I prefer non-MS machines; Windows seems to waste quite a bit screen space, leaving only a sliver for useful information.) Following this advice, I recently purchased a 30" Apple Cinema display. Perhaps not surprisingly, I absolutely love it. However, it is more than just having a giant screen -- it helps me get my work done. Now here's the proof

On the bigger screen, people completed the tasks at least 10 percent more quickly - and some as much as 44 percent more quickly. They were also more likely to remember the seven-digit number, which showed that the multitasking was clearly less taxing on their brains.
(from Meet the Life Hackers)

Licensing

Many consider the GPL to be the gold standard of lisencing. However, in instances where public and private might meet, there might be some unforseen issues. John Hunter writes about the subtle differences in his Licensing Pitch . The advantages for programing languages and analysis tools to work with for-profit comanies is obvious -- look at MATLAB et al.

I encourage people to consider a BSD style license, particularly for things that might be of comercial use.

Subversion

After extolling the merits of monotone, I have had a change of heart. Given the enormous weight of CVS, it seems more logical to use the natural CVS successor. There is a binary for Mac OS X available, that seems to work just fine.

Python, NetCDF, and visualization

Here are some random links regarding python, NetCDF and visualization packages that are available.

Graphics (+ analysis):

• WP4a Graphic packages evaluation
  
• Scipy graphics
  
• Python visualization
  
• MayaVi
  

NetCDF:

• Java NetCDF
  
• Scientific python NetCDF interface
  
• Unidata's list of python NetCDF interfaces
  

Keyboards.

I have been interested in alternate keyboards ever since I ordered my FingerWorks TouchStream keyboard. Unfortunately, Fingerworks was bought out by another larger company (many suspect Apple), and their product line has been discontinued. Hopefully, whoever bought the technology will use it to create the same type of keyboards again.

One interesting keyboard I have found is the TypeMatrix EZ-Reach 2030. This is a standard keyboard, with some extra features that seem like it would be nice to use. Notice that the keys are not displaced, but all are in a vertical row (just like my TouchStream, which is easier to type on). Also, note the heavy use of modifier keys to gain access to other keyboard features.

Slightly less conventional is the iFrog bluetooth enabled keyboard. This is a one-handed keyboard, which would be ideal for putting information into small devices like PDAs and mobile phones. I think it could even be good for standard keyboard entry, but I'm not sure how it would be at code entry. Agan, this keyboard makes heavy use of modifier keys, so much that you need to use modifiers to get the othe other half of the letters.