Journal entries - March 2009
The Heist
There we go, I’ve finally done it. The Heist of the year is over for me. It took time and dedication, logical thinking and puzzle-solving, but I managed. I am talking of course of MacHeist 3.
MacHeist is a web community of Mac users in which the Directorate (the big bosses) organise “Heists”, missions for the community members to solve in exchange for free software, and once the missions are over, a bundle of applications is revealed.
A few days ago, finally, the MacHeist 3 bundle was revealed, and I’ve shelled out 31 US dollars (thanks to my Heister discounts) for the nice applications that compose it.
It was loads of fun, and now it’s over. Well, almost: the Directorate should be revealing one or two other apps in the coming days, or something like it. We’ll see what happens next.
If you’re a Mac user, have the available funds and haven’t done so yet, go get your bundle now.
Proof of the advantages of MacHeist for users: in total, when all applications are unlocked, I’ll have obtained over 1500 USD-worth of applications during MacHeist 3, all for 31 USD. Awesome!
Still, I should add that I’m slightly disappointed in the bundle, which has many applications that I shall not be using all that often. Previous bundles, especially the MacHeist 2 one, seemed to be more interesting overall. However, this opinion may change in the coming days if the Directorate announces new applications to go with the bundle.
Arpia forums back online
Well, there we go. Finally, problems are resolved, and we’re on a new forum system.
So, why don’t you go check it out and talk about ARPIA2 or SFA?
I should add that, unfortunately, passwords from the previous board no longer work (well, the hashes do, but I won’t be distributing those 
). You will therefore have to request a new password.
Of course, if there are any problems, do let me know.
iTunesque: Aquaffic & iTunes 8.1
In iTunes 8.1, Apple has taken another step towards using PNGs as its main source of image support, and this new format serves as an excuse for the fact that this update for Aquaffic comes a few days after iTunes 8.1 became available for download.
Here is a small updater for these resources, also available from the iTunesque page.
French spelling buried by the Académie Française
Spelling is the most visual part of a language, because it is used to create visual representations of words. When at school, children learn to spell correctly, according to the language of a country or region. In Britain, children are taught British English (theoretically, anyway). In the United States, kids learn US English. In Belgium, they are taught either Dutch or Belgian French. And so on, and so forth.
However, this transmission of spelling knowledge from generation to generation does not prevent a language from evolving. As such, new words are added, and with time, certain spellings change as well. The difference between American and British English is a very good example, where history led to the creation of two different standardised (standardized in US English) spellings.
It is only when codified that spelling becomes nigh immutable. After that happens, change is met with virulent reactions.
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Arpia forum troubles
For those who visit the Arpia forum, it is currently down. The reason is that I have encountered substantial problems relating to the database and to the templates, and am therefore in the process of trying to re-install the whole thing.
I’m afraid all access to the forum will be cut until I can fix this.
SFA’ers and ARPIA2′ers, I would suggest finding temporary shelter back on the EV Nova boards. Or you can use this post or the ARPIA2 page to discuss your woes.
Obama, a universal metaphor?
There’s a nice expression in French: “à toutes les sauces”, which means that something has been or can be used for all purposes. Another expression is “à tort et à travers”, similar in its general idea, but with a stronger accent on the inappropriate character of certain uses.
Today, it seems that the example of the new President of the United States is being employed “à toutes les sauces”, sometimes even “à tort et à travers”: I have heard people mention him in religious, political, economic, legal and social contexts. Could it be that his person and message have become a universal metaphor?