Monthly Archives: April 2000

The CDDB hash function has a high rate of collisions for single track CDs. Using the freedb.org database, the RH6.2 source cd comes up as In the corridor of uncertainty by Flacco and the Sandman. On the dia list, we have been discussing writing a new canvas for using in GTK/GNOME applications as a replacement of GnomeCanvas. It will take all the good points of the current Dia canvas (internal handling of multiple views, abstract rendering interface meaning only a single draw() routine is needed which can handle GDK, Libart, gnome-print, etc backends) with the benefits of the GnomeCanvas (based on GtkObject system, arbitrary transformations, etc). Depending on how things turn out, we may submit it for inclusion in GTK+. More info when we work out what we are going to do.

There is something weird about bug buddy or the gnome bug system. I am getting unrelated bugs from different people posted as followups for bug #3500. All the followups have been posted with bug-buddy 0.6 or 0.7. It is getting quite annoying (and yes I have reported the problen: #8144)Also got a message from someone wanting help installing libglade, because he can't install Unreal Tournament without it :) The GNOME mailing lists are really slow. There is almost three days between sending a message and it getting posted to the list. I checked in a correct distance function for the custom shape code. Now all the custom shapes in dia are actually shaped with respect to selection (before they were all rectangular as far as selection was concerned).

They have an ask slashdot story on slashdot at the moment that seems to be asking the question: There is some GPL'd code I really like and want to use in my proprietary application. I know that the GPL says that I should GPL my software if I want to use the code, but do I really have to? How about if I put it in a DLL? The comments range from incorrect opinions and suggestions about how to get round the GPL to sensible messages from people such as Bruce Perens. Slashdot is definitely not what it once was (both that a story like this would even be on the front page, and the comments people posted). I wonder how that peer press idea is comming along. It has the potential to provide a good news service and make sure crud like that doesn't get propagated.

Today is my 21st birthday. It looks like I am getting some Lego Mindstorms stuff, which should be interesting. The custom shape code in dia now has a proper distance algorithm. This should get of the bugs where sometimes clicking on one object causes another one close by (which happens to be implemented with a custom shape) to be selected.

Had my 21st birthday party yesterday (the actual birthday is tomorrow though). It was pretty good, although we ended up with the same amount of swan gold as we started with (you can't even give that stuff away). Maybe this was also because we had some good beer as well. Thanks to everyone who came, as I had a great time.