Five Apps You Should Have

Here's where I'm gonna be a pompous bastard and tell you which apps you should get like I know everything about computing and such.

1.  MATLAB - Absolutely the best data processing suite I have used.  Excel is okay for some things, but MATLAB (though it has an ugly UI) is way more powerful.  It's expensive (student version = $119), which sucks, but it's multiplatform (Windows, Mac, Linux) all on one license.  It won't replace 

Mathematica (although it can handle all of the symbolic stuff) but combined with Simulink (included) for systems simulation, it can't be beat.

 

 2.  VLC - The one and only media player you need.  It'll handle just about anything you can throw at it format-wise (.avi, .mpeg, .flv, video_ts, etc. etc.).  It's multiplatform, and best of all, free.  I recommend you download it to watch all those pr0ns lectures.  http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

3.  GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program gives Photoshop a serious run for the money.  It's FREE.  So comparing the price of Photoshop to FREE is a 

pretty good deal.  For people who (like me) need a serious image manipulation photo but only occasionally, GIMP is perfect.  It's multiplatform (Mac, Linux, Windows) and open-source.  http://www.gimp.org/

4.  Handbrake - Another multiplatform app.  This one rips DVDs to MPEG4 files.  But only DVDs that you own.  Of course.  So that you 

can have a backup.  http://handbrake.fr/

5.  iSync - Mac OS X only.  Sorry.  But nonetheless, a pretty sweet app.  It syncs your phone via Bluetooth, which, primarily, backs up your contacts to your computer.   And email addresses to your phone (if you so desire).  With this one in your pocket, you'll never have to make an "I lost all my numbers and I'm a d-bag so I'm making a Facebook Group" Facebook group to get your friends phone numbers.  As a side note, I refuse to join a group like that.

So there you have it.  Five apps that I think are pretty cool.

What's in your bag?

 

So, here's my entry in the classic "what do you carry with you on a daily basis photo-meme."  From top to bottom, right to left:

-Dakine Messenger Bag (for days when I'm in uniform and can't wear a backpack)

-North Face Yavapai Backpack w/ Marine Corps Marathon patch(for days when I'm not in uniform)

-Redwells w/ File folders for papers

-TI89 Titanium for calculatin'

-Oakley Minute sunglasses

-13.3" Macbook (New in Nov '07...my new baby)

-Cover aka hat...always carrying/wearing in uniform

-Rite in the Rain Notebook/Calendar

-Keys for car, lab, apartment

-Pilot G2 07 pens, highlighter and wood pencil (I hate mechanical pencils)

  -Gerber Harsey Air Ranger Knife

-Motorola Razr V3m

-Buzzcard (Campus ID, parking lot card, keycard for labs, etc)

So there you have it.  I travel fairly light (or try to) and dislike bright colors, apparently.  Post your response...What do you carry on a daily basis?  What's in your bag?

In the beginning...

...there was not yet much written.  That may or may not change.

I figured it was time to move on from the highschoolemolivejournal.  Gain some credibility (hah!).  All that.  I suppose I'll try to fill this with stuff that you may desire to read or may prove useful to you or something (again, hah!).

Probable topics include the music, technology, the Marine Corps, engineering, and whatever else I choose to discuss.

Current music addictions include The Decemberists and The now-defunct Paisley Dragons.