There’s plenty of GTA IV reviews out there,some with spoilers (!) and some without - obviously the latter are preferable. Therefore this is not an in-depth review, just how I came to own it and my experience so far.
Archive for April, 2008
Grand Theft Auto IV - Micro Review
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008I am whoever I say I am
Friday, April 4th, 2008In contrast to Martin and Daniel, I really don’t care how you refer to me. My parents called me David, most people call me Dave, in my teenage years a few friends only referred to me as Murph or Murphy, particular ex-colleagues persist in using my childhood nickname of Smurf, and the vast majority of people I interact with primarily through IRC know me as Schwuk. Various other nicknames have also been used and discarded throughout my life. Schwuk, Smurf and the rest are as much as part of my identity as my given names, so I have no problem with others using them in real life.
One of the refreshing things about coming to Canonical from a more traditional company was the widespread use of IRC and the opportunity for my personal and professional identities to merge.
Then again, maybe I’m just strange. 
Stuck on you
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008It was remiss of me not to mention it at the time, but during that traditional British pastime known as Easter Weekend I left the comfort of Cumbria and ventured south. After a completely uneventful journey (although there was KFC of the boneless variety) I found myself in the company of Alan Pope, Dave Walker, Ciemon Dunville, a significantly svelter (than the last time I saw him) Tony Whitmore, Laura Cowen, a bunch of audio equipment, several EeePCs, an Openmoko Neo 1793, and cake (no lie).
Such a gathering could only mean one thing…
No, not that!
It was the recording of the second episode of the official (because we said so) Ubuntu UK Podcast which, thanks to certain stars and planets being aligned (and the fact I was in the area anyway), I was able to take part in.
This was my third attempt at participating in a podcast - the first two involved (separately) a phone and attending the Linux User and Developer Exposition - and was very enjoyable. It took me bit to get used talking into the microphone and not at whoever I was talking/replying to, but I got there. I’ve met all except Ciemon numerous times in the past, so it really was more like getting together with friends than recording a show. Considering this is only their second episode, it all felt very professional.
I’d love to take part in more episodes, but geography is against that, so I’ll continue to be involved in planning, promotion and the site of course.
We’ve added a Twitter account for the show where we’ll announce items of pertinence. If you’re a Twitterer make sure you follow us.
Anyway, go listen, (hopefully) enjoy and more importantly let us know what you thought.
Keypad Restored
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008After upgrading to Hardy I noticed that my numeric keypad was no longer working. Not a huge inconvenience, but when you’ve got one you like to be able to use it don’t you?
This morning - after trying to use it again - I decided to have another go at fixing it. A quick Google provided me with the solution:
Go into the Keyboard Preferences (System >Preferences > Keyboard) Switch to the Mouse Keys tab Uncheck the box for Allow to control the pointer using the keyboard
Grammar excepted, a logical procedure but why (oh why) is it enabled by default?
