Blog 9: Kinect-ed to Linux???

After first reading the requirements for this week’s blog, something started to bother me. Where had I seen the word “Kinect” before…I knew it was recent and sometime during the day today. Then it finally hit me: in the google ads in my gmail account! I raced to my inbox to search feverishly for this word that I thought I had seen. No dice. But, while I was looking, I remembered that the ad had been titled something like “Microsoft says, ‘that’s my kinect driver’” or something along those lines. Enter google. I searched for “Microsoft and kinect” to be led straight to an article on a very reliable and trusty source of information—Wikipedia. In that article there was but a blurb about some “open source driver” with a paragraph quickly covering something about a Linux driver that “allows the use of both the RGB camera and depth sensitivity functions of the device.” I still didn’t think I was getting the entire story. Right underneath the driver heading in the article, it stated: “See also: Free60”, with the “free60” hyperlinked. Intrigued, I clicked on it.

Apparently, Free60 took over for the “Xbox Linux Project” that was supposed to be researching a way to hack into the Xbox 360 and run Linux on the console. According to the article, someone figured this out. It turns out there are two Linux kernel patchsets currently available. This is quite the tangent, as this is not what I was originally searching for, although the trail is starting to get warmer…

Let’s get back to the basics and what we know for sure: the Kinect is a motion detecting device that attaches to the Xbox 360 to perform similar feats to those of the Wii game console, but is supposedly superior in performance. Now for the nitty gritty…

In an article published by the BBC on the 12^th of this month, the BBC reported that Microsoft’s Kinect controller had been hacked within days of its release on the consumer market. According to the BBC article, Microsoft did not agree with the Kinect being tampered with; they also reported that Adafruit started the wave of attempted and successful hackings. Apparently Adafruit offered $3000 in spite of Microsoft’s censuring the modification of its device. A man (hacker) named Hector Martin was able to hack the device almost as soon as it was released. He managed to get it working with his Linux computer. Compatability anyone? This article also noted that Microsoft said that the Kinect had not truly been hacked, that “What has happened is someone has created drivers that allow other devices to interface with the Kinect for Xbox 360" and that "The creation of these drivers, and the use of Kinect for Xbox 360 with other devices, is unsupported [by Microsoft].” They continued on, adding, "We strongly encourage customers to use Kinect for Xbox 360 with their Xbox 360 to get the best experience possible" [Quotes from “Kinect hacked days after release” article].

Enter Matt Cutts, a Google Engineer. In the article, “Google Engineer Wants You to Hack Microsoft’s Kinect,” there is an offer of $2000 to the person(s) who can make an open-sourced program for the Kinect. A second monetary prize of $1000 is also offered to anyone who can further develop Linux for the Kinect. Why would Matt Cutts, the Google Engineer, offer such a proposition? According to this article, a “holographic [user interface]...AR games; and even multi-device setups that allow for true 3D” are all possible outcomes of such a development. This means that the Kinect’s uses would be virtually endless...limited only by the imagination and creativity of non-Microsoft engineers and scientists, or every day Linux folk.

Ada boy, Adafruit!!! You have successfully claimed another victory for the open-source community!


What does this mean for the rest of us? The possibilities are endless! This could mean a whole wave of invention that propogates into every portion of our lives…this could start the new age of human and robot interaction like that level seen on The Jetsons or Futurama. Or, is this still too futuristic to believe...?

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"There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity." -- Douglas MacArthur

Another Movie Review: Up

Up, a cute movie about about the never ending spirit of adventure, and a fun plot that takes the imagination on a wild ride. For starters, the movie is fairly short, probably the perfect length to retain the interest of younger viewers. For the adults, however, this movie pulls at the memories of childhood and the dreams and ideas that we all had. The main character, a grumpy older gentleman, decides to "fly" his house to South America to visit that location that he and his late wife had planned to go many years earlier. In spite of his wife being deceased, he decides that he will fullfil their dream. He ties many balloons to the house and floats it away from its base. Unbeknownst to him, a young boyscout is traveling along with him. After discovering the stowaway, adventure ensues in South America (Paradise Falls), where the duo meet a rare, large bird that the boy names Kevin, and a talking dog (the dog talks through his robotic collar) named Dug (dogs dig...ha!). Dug is adorable, the kid (Russel) is annoying at times, but endearing at others, and the old man (Carl), although grouchy at first, turns out to have a heart of gold.

At some point in the middle of the film, there is a scene that tugs at the heart strings and brings you to the point of tears, but then the levity ensues quickly after. About 20 miniutes into the film, the boy gets to be annoying from how much he talks, as a matter of fact, I almost changed the channel; I'm glad I stuck it out though, because although none of the things that happen in this movie could EVER happen in real life, it took me back to when I was a child full of imagination, and it helped me relive those moments when I dreamed of flying away in a lawnchair tied to balloons...


[Images from http://inplacenews.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/man-flies-lawnchair-lifted-by-balloons-from-oregan-to-idaho/ and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049413/.]

Blog 8: The Great Internet Debate!

Net neutrality. Net neutrality is a tough topic in congress. It is a huge debate between limiting the internet and keeping it free. It maintains the free reign of access to all users that we are used to. If the internet is not kept “neutral,” it will soon become like satellite TV or cell phone companies. Satellite TV providers sign agreements with certain channels in terms of what they can and cannot provide to consumers. The same thing goes for cellular phone companies. Certain cell phones cannot be used on certain cellular networks, nor are they offered to consumers through competing networks. This is wrong because it limits consumer options through which provider they choose. If a consumer should decide that they really want to buy an EVO phone, they would be forced to go with Sprint. That said consumer would not be able to go with T-mobile, for example. The same thing could happen with the internet, and that is very wrong. The internet is the embodiment of free speech. It seems to be the last media format that has remained true to our first amendment rights. If net neutrality gets beat down in congress, our internet service could become the embodiment of what we suffer with cell phone companies—a complete ruling of the air by a select few big ticket labels.

In the land of television, the FCC has taken to censoring anything it deems “inappropriate” for viewers by either not allowing it to air, or by “beeping” out foulness. This causes many programs to “watch” what they say before they can televise their media. But isn’t this literally infringing on our first amendment rights? In an even more extreme model, the internet could literally be blocked by internet service providers (ISP) in the same way the FCC blocks television in order to “force” internet users to use ISP specific sites—or sites that the third party has paid for to get internet preference over other parties. This would constitute a “blocking” of internet media or a debasing of internet service (performance). Is this wrong? Isn’t this considered discrimination???

According to Wikipedia, the FCC issued a Broadband Policy Statement that listed out the “four principles of open internet.” These principals listed out ways to keep the internet preserved and open for consumers. Google also listed out four conditions that would, in Google’s opinion, keep the internet open. However, the FCC only adopted two of the four policies. It is up to the FCC to keep the internet from being taken over by large companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast. Of note, Comcast (as well as the other big companies) would like to “take over” the internet and decide what content is seen, what speeds are delivered, and what search engines get blocked. Net neutrality is striving to protect us from this outcome. Why should these big companies dictate what we can or cannot use while online?

As long as net neutrality remains in place, we (consumers) will retain the freedom to use the internet freely, in any which way we choose. Our network speed will not deteriorate if we wander to a competitor’s website, our ability to access other search engines will not be blocked due to those competitor’s signing a contract with another service provider, and our ability to choose where we want to surf will remain intact and unbiased.

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While hunting around for information on this topic, I found three excellent short videos briefly describing net neutrality and why it is important. I figured I should share these with everybody reading.

The first one here is short and to the point. I took a particular liking to the way this one was created and expressed:

The second provides a slightly slanted viewpoint from the direction of those attempting to “save the internet,” but is likewise good at explaining the issue.

The third video here was funny and very short, making for an excellent short and to the point explanation of the tough issue:

The videos above were found on youtube.com and the images farther above were borrowed from their respective linked locations.

Due Date

When I was first told I had to start a blog, I immediately thought about writing movie reviews--here is my first:

I went to see Due Date starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifiankis last night at the drive in. I might add that this was the first time ever that I go to a drive in!

Anyhow, the movie is your typical comedy with strong leading actors. From the beginning, the character that Galifianakis plays is a giant annoyance, yet lovable at the same time. He does stupidly annoying things that would drive a person mad, yet at the same time, harbors an innocence that makes it hard to stay annoyed. As an audience member, you will find that you feel sorry for Robert Downey Jr. throughout the film due to Galifianakis' antics, yet at the same time, feel for Galifianakis because he has moments where it seems hard for him.

As far as acting goes, both actors do a great job portraying their characters. They do so well, that you will find yourself sucked into the movie and forget your surroundings! In my case, I forgot I was inside my truck the entire time!

All in all, I laughed loudly a few times, but through most of the film, I found myself mainly smiling more than anything. This film will not make you laugh as much as The Hangover, but it tries. Due Date will leave you with a smile on your face, that is a certainty.

I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars only because at certain times, I found myself truly angry at Galifianakis' character.

Blog 7: Job Heaven

A Career with Linux

From CA to ID, TN to FL, there are Linux jobs up the wazoo! But choosing which one is right for you is what it comes down to. The salary in this field is great, no matter which job title you choose. According to www.indeed.com, salary estimates range from $50,000 on the low end to $130,000 on the high. The good pay is just the icing on the cake. Location is everything when you go to work for someone, and doing a career in Linux gives you locations to choose from considered the “cream of the crop.” From San Francisco to San Diego, you could be working in highly cultural, to summer year round—nothing wrong with a job location like that. 

At Linux.com, they state that “Linux professionals are the fastest growing job category in the IT world.” Not bad for an entry level job outlook. Browsing through job options at www.jobs.linux.com, system administrator comes up at the top of the list. The best part is that some of the employers hiring for these careers are big name companies, such as World Market, based out of New York City and Panasonic, out of Cupertino, CA (home of Apple). 

Another search for “Linux” at www.careerbuilder.com, brought up job categories such as: information technology, engineering, management, design, consultation, professional services, skilled labor – trades, government, legal, etc. The list was very long. The list of employers was just as long as job category, and companies like Intel and IBM were searching for possible job candidates. 

It would seem that the job market is not bleak for those in the land of Linux. If I were to search for a Linux career though, I would do a search through www.usajobs.gov for “Linux” and find that all the jobs listed are government careers that have starting salaries well above those of a civilian outfit. For example, at the Smithsonian Institution in Cambridge, MA, they are hiring for an IT Specialist and the starting salary is at $55,279.00. The job title of IT Specialist comes up many times in the government’s database with locations in MA, NE, VA, IL, MS, UT, MD, TX, CO, MO, AZ, IA, and CA. The salary range is from $50,000 to $90,000, in general, and as a government employee, you would receive excellent benefits and paid vacations. This would not be a bad route to take for a job seeker interested in working in the Linux field while serving their country and receiving an outstanding benefits package. 

All in all, selecting a job in the Linux field is not a hard choice to make considering all of the options available to a Linux job seeker. The starting salary is higher than for most engineers, and the schooling isn’t near as rigorous. The locations available to work and live are very tasteful places to live and the companies hiring are top notch. The job outlook for Linux folk is far greater than any other job out there it would seem—especially in a job market as we are in. A Linux professional couldn’t be in a better field.

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“The only real security that a person can have in the world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.” – Henry Ford

[Linux Image Above Borrowed From  http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u69/Linux_Job.jpg]