RKNet Blog... Thing

I realize that everyone’s probably already sick to death of hearing about Chrome, but I thought I’d chime in anyway.

Here’s a memory usage shot of Chrome versus Opera.

Click the image to see the big picture

It’s not really a fair comparison, as the same things aren’t open, but I realized that with the way I have Opera configured, it couldn’t be a fair comparison anyway. I have around 50 RSS feeds, one mail account, and at least one IRC channel which all contribute to the overall memory load Opera exerts on my system. That said, this shot was taken with 3 actual web page tabs open in Opera, and 3 browser extra tabs open (IRC, details for one feed, and the transfers window), and only Gmail and the about:memory pages open in Chrome.

Opera in this instance is using less memory. (WHOOO VICTORY!) Hardly a scathing indictment of Chrome’s use of system resources, as if I had Gmail open in Opera the memory usage stats would undoubtedly be much in favor of Chrome. Which in my mind is simply a strong argument in support of the idea that browser speed is absolutely predicated by the way the browser is used. A new install of Firefox will always be faster than one with plugins added. A new install of Opera should be faster before all the extra features are configured. IE will be faster without toolbars. Etc, etc. The base speed tests and resource usage tests that browser superiority enthusiasts look to for support of their favorite browser (in theory) only indicates the speed or resource usage of the browser at its optimum settings, meaning regular users may never notice a difference between browser speeds or system burden.

The operating system certainly plays a factor as well. Having played with Opera on Ubuntu lately, I noticed that the Windows version of Opera (9.52/9.51) is more stable and less demanding than it is on Ubuntu (7.10, Gnome). If anyone has an advice on how to make Opera and Ubuntu (or more to the point, Flash, Opera and Ubuntu) play nicer together, I’m open to suggestion. I’m actually rather new to this “linux” thing.

Incidentally, I found out about the about:memory feature via Lifehacker. If you haven’t done it already, I strongly suggest using the about:internets (yes plural) feature. :D

Next week, as dictated by The Ad Contrarian, is SHUT THE FUCK UP WEEK. Or as he elects to (more diplomatically) call it “Worldwide No Blogging Week“. It’s intended to span August 25th through September 1st.

I for one, will be observing this. It just so happens that I’m taking this time off work as well, which means all the back end work I’ve intended to do on the site will become my top priority. Posting? Not so much. I can’t say for sure whether some of the other authors will elect to observe this textual moment of silence type event, but you won’t be hearing from me.

If you’re really upset at the prospect of a whole week’s silence, obviously you haven’t been here much, but in any case, you can keep an eye on my soup. I’ll be saving stuff to my soup all week for sure. This will provide you with many amusing images, video links, and brief textual anecdotes. YAY.If you have a soup or sign up for one, feel free to friend me. I’ll totally friend back, because the more the merrier.

Realistically, a week without blogging would be pretty refreshing, especially if everybody actually committed. Could you imagine? I can’t, actually. But the sentiment rings true.

So help me god if you kids don't stop fighting I'll turn this internet around right now.

Srsly though. Standby over the course of next week for serious site changes for RKNet. If you’d like to avoid visual crazytown, but still read stuff from the other authors, sign up for the Feed using the appropriate link at the top (or side if you’d like it in another language). KTHXBAI!

Ordinarily, when I do a mixwit tape, I don’t just run with one artist, but I was listening to some Jonathan Richman and I discovered that I just couldn’t help but share my love for this inventive storyteller, musician, and big-hearted guy.

He is probably best known for his work with his first band, The Modern Lovers. He formed this band in late 60s, early 70s near Boston, Massachusetts.

His style is heavily influenced by his love for the Velvet Underground (another favorite of mine), and their stripped down, all-out, intense music.

But enough preamble! The music is what matters.

1. New Kind of Neighborhood
• An entertaining story about encountering a, well, new kind of neighborhood. The kind where people are free and happy. Not in that “we’ve thrown off the government” protest way, but in the way that suggests really encountering a different, close-knit community. Richman’s approach to lyrics is insightful and touching on a level that should really appeal to all but the most hardened cynics.
2. I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar
• Caution: potential ear worm! I have had the hook from this song stuck in my head more than once. Another entertaining tale about a night out on the town, and how much more fun it is to be able to just get up and dance.
3. New England
• As a New England native, and being the kind of guy he is, my guess is he just couldn’t resist talking up the area he calls home. Particularly relevant to me, as I’ve lived in New England myself for over ten years now!
4. You’re Crazy for Taking the Bus
• Might be crazy, but again his poetic observation doesn’t fail to really capture the essence of the journey, and strike a chord with anyone who has had a similar experience.
5. I’m Straight
• Not a reference to sexual orientation, but an inference that he can provide more engaging company than the competition for the object of his affections.
6. Satisfied Mind
• The first of 3 covers tacked onto this unique sampler. It also happens to be a favorite song of mine.
7. Back in the USA
• According to the intro to this track, this is originally a Chuck Berry song. So classic, and I love the background vocal harmonies. Also, check out that guitar sound. WHEEEEEW. I simply haven’t the words for it.
8. 96 Tears
• Originally by ? and the Mysterians. I love the gritty, haughty nature of the song, and the Modern Lovers (and Richman) really give it the treatment it deserves. You can also feel some serious Velvet Underground live recording sensibilities oozing through this track.

Enjoy!

Last night and well into today has been a flight of extreme fantasy, not all of which was enjoyable, but all of which has left me thinking. Unfortunately I’ve waited too long to write this all down, so some details will inevitably be lost in the rapid cognition thought-shuffling of daily life.

At some point, I woke up and said “Ok, that’s it, no more Howlings before bedtime.” The series of dreams felt like a test. Felt like a warning as well. A test of my mental strength and a warning not to meddle carelessly in affairs which are far larger and more powerful than I have previously taken them to be. It’s true, all throughout the documentary by Poke Runyon, discussing the methods by which they employed the Goetic techniques to summon, and to scry, I (drunkenly) scoffed at the notion of some of the scraping and bowing, and alternately at the idea of binding and domineering these unseen spiritual forces. (It should be noted that while the Goetia is amply available[pdf], I have yet to read the work itself.) While reading Howlings, likewise I took a skeptical attitude towards some of the methodology, considering it to be somewhat overcautious and paranoid. Some have argued that the Goetic (among other) spirits are sovereign beings, and some have argued that these works are exercises in confronting one’s own inner labyrinth. (Think highly aware self-hypnosis and play acting as a form of therapy or mental/spiritual growth, if you will.) Either way, those that have studied these things have preached caution, and some have issued threatening warnings regarding the dangers of treating these things lightly and carelessly.

I have always been a skeptic of sorts, and perhaps a bit overeager and zealous when it comes to the thought of finding proofs to these claims and methods. Last night’s dreams felt like a deeply detailed experience designed to caution me against doing or saying things which may ultimately land me into very hot water.

Yet I digress, these dream logs aren’t intended for me to get into the whys and the wherefores, but to chronicle the dreams themselves for future reference and entertaining reading.
Read the rest of this entry »

As you may have noticed, with the advent of automatic updates via Twitter and del.icio.us, yours truly has gotten rather lazy about posting things that you, gentle reader, would find interesting, delightful, or thought-provoking.

This upsets me possibly more than it upsets you, because after all no one likes to feel like they’re shirking their most important duties. The particularly astute may notice that I have taken the author count on the side bar from 4 down to 1.

I feel as though I will be much less inclined to badger my friends into producing material for this website if I do not count them as “authors”. In my mind, an author on this blog should be committed to posting something original at least once per week, if not more often. I barely make this quota myself at times, and would by no means wish to start imposing it on others. Therefore I have decided that they are welcome to contribute at any time, but will only have the burden of being considered an author should they desire it.

That said, I am looking for a few good creatures who can type, who would like to contribute or be a full-fledged author. It’s not a job, I cannot pay anyone for writing here, not even myself. It is purely voluntary. As you may have noticed there really isn’t much of a theme going here. Pretty much any subject goes. Those highly prone to inflammatory remarks, spamming, and being generally hateful need not apply. We here (and I guess at this point it’s the royal “we”) at RKNet are fans of chaos, but not of wantonly pissing off others for no particular reason. What say you, any takers?

On the recommendation of a friend, I watched this earlier and was left with many thoughts. Many questions. Anything that raises questions is of interest.

The following video is intended for audiences who are willing to ask questions. Questions about religion. Questions about authority. Questions about government. Questions about the world all live in. The author of this post takes no responsibility for the contents herein, and furthermore does not claim to believe in part or full the views expressed herein. However, the author does have strong interest in all the covered subjects. It is best you go into this blind. For if I were to explain the outline of this video to you, you would surely form prejudgement and that is not ideal at all. The author very much wishes to know your thoughts regarding this film, and have discussion about it. We here at RKNet are willing to entertain any and all view points. Moderation will be conducted by Giania. The other authors of RKNet will express their own views. Regardless of disagreement all (non-spam) comments will be allowed and encouraged. The point of asking questions is to get answers. Every person’s answer is important to us. Please help us explore these ideas by giving your feedback.

Caution, this film is 2 hours long. It is recommended that you visit the film’s site for source information and larger formats of the film.