So, I’m plugging along in my StudioScheduler app, coming up with concepts and figuring out techniques I’ll need to use to bring the whole thing together. Right now, I’m trying to figure out the most important aspect of the user interface–the grid. What I’m going for is a time-grid, something like what iCal displays on the weekly view. When you click in a certain region, it changes color for that half-hour on that day, and sends a message to the app. I’m thinking an NSMatrix with a bunch of NSButtons is the way to go, but I really want it to look like that grid and not a bunch of buttons. I’m guessing I’m going to have to use some kind of custom view to achieve that. Also, I’d like it to stretch/compress when the window is resized, like iCal’s does. Ooh, which gives me an idea for an awesome new feature–the ability to export completed schedules as an iCal calendar. Rock. Oh well, back to the book.

Well, I realized that by having 1.5GB of RAM in my computer, I’m not taking advantage of the dual-channel capabilities, therefore cutting my potential memory bandwidth in half (yikes!). So, I’m selling the 512MB stick that came with the computer. It works in any Intel-based Mac (MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini [yes, even the desktops!]). Cheapest price on Ramseeker is $45 or so, I’m asking $40 considering how new it is. If you or somebody else you know is interested, have them contanct me please.

//edit: Sold.

It’s been an interesting week.

• 35 hours at work. I took vacation relief shifts after the pick was over to bump my status hours so I could get some more vacation for the summer, thinking they would never get used like usual. WRONG. 2 weeks in a row I’ve worked 20 hour weekends.
• 4.0. YAY! And hey, I don’t even have to go back to school this summer! *grumble*
• I read through Stephan Kochan’s Programming in C as I prepare to really take the Cocoa plunge this summer. My plan is to create an easy-to-use application to aid music instructors in figuring out a working schedule between them, students, and accompanists. For the first version, I just want to get it to avoid conflicts; hopefully afterwards I can implement some prioritization. I’d also like to implement a feature allowing students to visit a website and enter their schedule, and then have an XML data file e-mailed to the teacher that s/he can import into the program, to avoid having to enter it by hand. Surprisingly, the toughest part so far has been trying to decide how to lay out the user interface; Core Data makes things THAT easy.
• So, I don’t think I’ve chronicled on here the journey that the HTPC box has taken recently. I got sick and tired of trying to get ATI Multimedia Center to work right, so I decided to give MythTV a try. I caved and bought a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR card since it looked like it might still be forever and a day until my ATI All-in-Wonder was supported. I tried it with about 4 different distros, and finally settled on Fedora, as it seemed to work the best. Got it all fixed up, and bought a universal learning remote, so now the computer, receiver, and TV run off one remote. MythTV beats the pants off of anything else I’ve ever seen in the HTPC arena. The frosting on the cake? I found a universal binary of the Myth frontend last night and decided to put it on my MacBook Pro for giggles. Less than half an hour later I was watching the Edmonton-San Jose playoff game from the comfort of bed. All I can say is, wow. Tossing around the idea of getting a mini just to run the frontend, and sticking that ugly big box in a closet or something.
• John/Gaila/Colin/Whoever else is around–how does a game and movie night sound soon? We could head out and take advantage of the deserted MU Rec Room for some bowling and/or pool, and then head back to one of our places for a movie or something?

Music 360: A
C I 333: A
Music 419A: A
Music 161: A

Result: My first 4.0 semester in college.

The new superintendent for Ames Schools was introduced today. She is a former music teacher.

Having somebody who understands the value of art in schools running your district? Priceless.

Wrong.

Pol S 215 was cancelled this summer, due to low enrollment. Pol S 215, WHICH I NEED TO GRADUATE.

*expletive*

Now I have to find some time to take it during the school year next year. No easy feat.

On the plus side, my C I 333 final tonight took a grand total of, count ‘em, ELEVEN minutes. In fact, at this time, more than 90 minutes after I’ve finished the test, we are still within the allotted test-taking time.

In the past week…

…I failed to get cast in the opera.
…Detroit got knocked out of the playoffs.
…Dallas got knocked out of the playoffs.
…Iowa got knocked out of THEIR playoffs.

Oi. And now I need to sleep.