Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 15:09:49 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45846
I don't know about performance benefits or anything like that, but I intend to completely avoid Windows 8 because I hate the chunky touch UI. Keep that ugly shit on phones and tablets. I have a mouse.
Sure you can switch to the standard desktop but... you know. I don't need to do that on Windows 7.
Also, in terms of user friendliness, the first review I saw called it the first user-hostile OS. Yeah, fuck Windows Hate.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 14:11:12 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45869
Striker, I'm not saying it isn't there, I'm just saying it's necessary.
And I can't tell you how many times 'End Task' has given me the pop-up and still does nothing when you confirm it. And isn't that what the 'End Task' has been doing since XP? I'm pretty sure 7 at the very least does the exact same thing as what you've just said, analyses a program and attempts to shut it down properly, not always easy when it's a system process in the first place.
So long as each version of the OS is (structurally) based on the last version, you'll still come across old problems, albeit rarely. It's like a globe, you patch the bugs and holes and then later you put a whole new skin over it, sometimes replacing large portions of the original, but inside there is still part of the original. Much in the way the Source Engine still has defunct Quake code still in there, but this all scales to complexity, an Engine is in no way as complex as an OS.
My simple answer to the whole 7/8 debate: 8 is fine, but so is 7. In general, people dislike change, but sometimes change changes something that didn't need to be changed.
To be honest, with more support for Linux these days, I'm more tempted to move that way next time I upgrade my system. Microsoft is just flogging a dead horse and Mac is no better, I'd like to see how the other side of the coin goes.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 10:46:10 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45897
Depends on operating system. Windows 8 wont lock up unless something vital gets blocked/corrupted. It will try to terminate and analyze the application on its own way. If that fails the user can always finalize the process by pressing end task in the pop up window - Application not responding.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 10:43:32 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45868
'End Process' is a necessary button. My example:
I was troubleshooting a laptop at work not two weeks ago and explorer.exe would crash due to a corrupted CD when accessed. Using 'End Task' would put the laptop in a complete lock every time, requiring a full system reboot. By using the 'End Process' button, I forced explorer.exe to be stopped dead and was able to successfully save myself from yet another complete system restart by starting a new task and running explorer.exe.
Otherwise the rest of this conversation is meaningless to me because I'm using 7 and don't need to upgrade for any reason since I can keep using 7 for the next 2-6 years at least.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 09:27:09 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45896
Microsoft has everything it needs for tablet market, and by far it is the best operating system for tablet computers. And even though i understand that is your opinion, i still feel i should say that the Desktop is exactly the same as in every windows version
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 09:17:33 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45885
the desktop is basically not supported. Microsoft wants to get into the tablet market. Windows on desktop computer is now basically a giant touchscreen tablet
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 08:47:42 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45895
You can resize the buttons, i am using medium size for the buttons because i have no need for smaller ones. There is also wide and large.
Metro is much more functional with keyboard and mouse, where did you get the idea its much faster to use an screen that can accept only one command per cycle? And why do you even need to see the rest of the screen to start up an program? That is so minor compared to the rest that i simply can not understand. But every one has their preferance.
The thing i am trying to say is that its functionality is exactly the same as start that was present in all other windows versions. It is simply of new UI which is extremely easy to get used to and pleasant when you know what you want from your system, aka organized display of programs and functions.
In old start you had only a fixed amount of pinned buttons, program shortcuts, that you could have used. About 10 for my screen size. And the rest was navigated by going trough a large list of all kinds of shit with small text and unnecessary shortcuts in those folders. Where here you can easily see larger icons and grouped programs by simply moving your mouse:
And write to search function works flawlessly:
It is much better in my opinion to have separate system functions access and separate program Start access. Right clicking on the start menu icon you get access to all system settings and as well as shut down and other things such as instant shortcut to programs and features.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 04:20:09 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45880
Metro is more efficient for touch screen applications. It just shouldn't be used with a keyboard and mouse. Microsoft didn't give anyone the option because they wanted to sell more surface tablets.
And if they think they can or should do away with the keyboard and mouse control scheme, they have no business anywhere near the tech industry.
Most of the aesthetic stuff is just opinion, (I had to take a bit to get used to the Vista/7 UI before I was cool with it) but functionality is not. And when you design a UI with only one functionality in mind, it should NEVER be shoehorned into another like they did here.
Bottom line for me, there should have been a separate build of Win 8 for traditional control schemes, which very much still have a place in the modern world, functionality should not have been removed or hidden, and the fact that Microsoft doesn't understand these things severely undermines their credibility, past successes be damned.
Also, fun fact: The school laptop I'm writing this on was shipped with Windows 8 pre-installed. They had the good sense to install 7 overtop it.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-08 03:27:50 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45867
I thought touch interfaces were horribly ineffecient. The ONLY reason that that Metro thingy needs the whole screen is so that buttons can be the size of buicks so they can be, well, touched. Even in your demonstratory screenshot, probably over half the screen is just whitespace.
The Start menu I have now takes up roughly an eighth of the screen, and amazingly, I can still navigate with it, search on it, change options through it and get to all my commonly used programs on it.
EDIT: Oh, not to mention see the rest of the screen.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 22:23:04 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45894
It needs to end the task following system logic of process handling. If you want brute force process control get apps like Process Hacker.
Metro start allows the same functionality as start in windows 7. Press start > write app name > app appears in menu on the right, as well with suggestions.
It is equally functional and at the same time more neater and tidier. Plus you have the regular access to all installed programs by using down function.
Learning to operate an system with keyboard shortcuts will significantly increase your productivity.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 22:09:07 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45850
You really need to learn to read, Stojke. 'End Task' is not the same as 'End Process' and implying that a 'start menu' that is so obtrusive it actually acts as a fullscreen app with a mess of icons is somehow better than something used for quick access to your system is bonkers.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 21:48:05 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45893
What you described definitely is not how windows 8.1 is.
You have an desktop and windows UI just like in all previous versions, where Start has been replaced by an more functional and more use friendly metro start menu. The only thing different in UI from windows 7 is the position of certain system access buttons and the way to access the shut down menu (as well as already mentioned start menu being replaced by metro).
Why did you even install windows 8.1 if you cant get used to such minor changes?
Also Dimbark don't talk shit if you didn't try it. From my point of view, as an person that uses his computer with knowledge of every system aspect windows 8.1 is neater and more organized, as well as having an better core system.
Bitching because of small things is acting like an old grampa who cant get used to having a new remote.
As for end task, either you're not using windows 8.1 or idk, youre blind.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 21:14:50 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45886
I was actually considering getting Windows 8.1 after hearing about being able to return to the Windows 7 layout and better performance. I'm planning on getting a laptop soon, but pretty much all of the OSes sold on them is Windows 8.
Microsoft is acting like George Lucas; they seemed to have complicated and ruined what was good, and are trying to extinctify Windows 7.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 07:27:04 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45872
My brother once installed Windows 8. His experiences were much the same as yours. He had reinstalled Windows 7 by the end of the week, sans all of his files because he didn't realise that he had to back them up before changing the OS.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 05:33:05 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45849
Edited the original post to make the "My Windows 8.1 adventure:" bold for those who cannot read.
"Why would you install an regular start menu when Metro is a shit ton better?" Because it's unobtrusive, works well and more than anything it's what I'm used to. I want to be able to access my computer's contents from the desktop. I don't want to switch to a fullscreen UI just to do that.
"Give it some time to configure it, i first thought it was shit until i realized it is much much better than an normal pop up start." I am using a desktop. The Metro UI was designed for touch interfaces. What you are describing is known as Stockholm Syndrome.
"The shut down and computer/network info buttons are on the pop up menu accessed by pointing to the top right or bottom right corner of the screen. You can also shut down with ALT F4." Ok.
"To end an process press DELETE like in every windows before." Didn't know that. What is gained by removing the on-screen button for this?
"Plus Windows 8.1 task manager has more information, such as resource monitor with graphs, and better program overview. As well as startup control." Yes. All very good. Works nicely in desktop mode, as well.
I'm not saying don't have the Metro system. I'm just saying don't have the Metro system at the expense of the desktop system.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-07 05:27:40 UTC
in journal: #8300Comment #45892
What you described sounds like Windows 8, not Windows 8.1. Why in the name of all thats good did you not install Windows 8.1?
Why would you install an regular start menu when Metro is a shit ton better? Give it some time to configure it, i first thought it was shit until i realized it is much much better than an normal pop up start. The shut down and computer/network info buttons are on the pop up menu accessed by pointing to the top right or bottom right corner of the screen. You can also shut down with ALT F4. To end an process press DELETE like in every windows before. Plus Windows 8.1 task manager has more information, such as resource monitor with graphs, and better program overview. As well as startup control.
Install windows 8.1, why why why did you install 8???
Don't disable metro for some third party bug script. Upgrade to windows 8.1 and you will see it is much different.
This comment was made on an article that has been deleted.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-05 12:23:12 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67516
Wow grim, what an excellent post Thanks for that! I would absolutely love to learn how to do that. But I probably need more schooling. Sigh. If i won the lotto, I would go back to school to learn how to do all this.
Funny that; I would spend my money on all the education I would ever want. One can dream.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-05 10:17:09 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61128
Depends on what you define as general, say if you want to record voice and environment sounds you will need different mic's. For voice its best to get a cardiod pattern mic such as the AT2020. Though for that kind of a budget this: http://bluemic.com/yetipro/ has all the features you will ever need. Just pick up a shockmount for it.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-05 02:53:50 UTC
in journal: #8298Comment #65873
I've watched up to the end of season 3, and I have to wait until the end of exams to let myself watch any further. Avoiding spoilers has been problematic.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 22:21:43 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67513
At the lowest level, OpenGL and DirectX are triangle/line rasterizers. They paint triangles/lines onto the screen.
A vertex shader is used to transform your world geometry into 2D screen-space. You should look into homogeneous matrix transformations to understand how rotation, scaling, translation, and perspective transformations can be conveniently packed into a single matrix transformation. You use these transformations to position your cube in the world where you want it. Then you transform that world matrix by a view matrix, which moves the entire world in front of the camera. It's interesting to note that when matrix transformations are used, moving the entire world around the camera is the same amount of work as moving point in the first place. Then you transform the positions by a perspective transformation matrix. A perspective transformation projects 3D points into 2D screen clip-space.
After each of the vertices are transformed into screen clip-space they are rasterized. Points define triangles, but these are just points. A rasterizer takes the points and "fills in between the lines" to form a collection of pixels that form the rendered primitive. These pixels get sent down into a pixel shader, which decides the final color of the pixel as it is written to the screen. Texturing and lighting computations are performed in a pixel shader.
Aside from the rasterizing, DirectX / OpenGL provide tons of abstractions that make rendering tasks more efficient. These abstractions are mostly about controlling GPU memory.
That's a mini-description of the rendering pipeline that OGL/DX use.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 17:58:43 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61127
Ha, good answer!
If it comes to it, I just bought a Panasonic DMW-MS2E for my new camera and it's a pretty god-damn-great shotgun. It's fairly basic, but I doubt you'd find a cheaper mic at this level of quality. I'd normally avoid going against the big names in mics for a shotgun (Sennheiser and Rode being the big players), but when the Senn. 416 (which is what I trained on at college) is up to £900, I really couldn't justify the expense.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 17:02:01 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61126
Still cannot recommend this setup more and it's well within your budget. I've used it for everything from high-end BBC broadcast work to teamspeak with Urby.
It's not designed for field-work, so don't expect to use it as an alternative to a shotgun mic or anything, although I'm fairly sure that's not what you're in the market for.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 15:21:05 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61131
Ghosty, microphones can cost 10 000$ and more.
250$ is more than enough for an good quality home microphone. I think you can get a great one from 100$.
I know some one on TWHL knows about current popular models, but i forgot who it was. You could also ask Archie who probably knows about that a lot as well (since he works as a camera man).
Basically you would judge a microphone by the characteristics that would suit you (Direction, sensitivity, audio range, type, etc).
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 14:22:18 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61133
I just use the headphone mic from my beats ._. I have an headset from my iPhone which I use as a mic, USING an AUDIO splitter.. Don't know if you have one, but mine came with a pair of Aerial 7 Shade headphones ^^
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 13:39:25 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67518
With OpenGL and DirectX, almost all rendering these days is done in shader land. In reality this means you pump a whole load of data over to the GPU that defines your vertices, texture coordinates, normals, and whatever other information you need. Then you also send along some shader code written in GLSL/HLSL which tells the GPU how to handle that big blob of data.
For a good start on how to use OpenGL, check out this tutorial: http://www.arcsynthesis.org/gltut/ I don't know DirectX so I don't have any good resources for it on hand, but I know that there are plenty out there.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 13:37:37 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67522
You should look into VGA programming as well. Where the real magic happens. Display control on hardware level. What does an instruction do when its called and how does hardware react, what happens with the hardware it self when it gets an instruction, how does it react electrically... A lot of interesting shit.
I my self have been experimenting with MS DOS graphical programming and have gotten my hands onto some interesting literature. But i haven't attempted making any programs just yet due to not completely understanding all major functions of C language that i am currently learning on my own. I am currently at pointers. I am learning C on an IBM 380ED.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 13:31:38 UTC
in journal: #8297Comment #61129
Hopefully not. $250 is my definite max budget though, and that's if I stretch my food budget a bit thin. I don't really know enough about commercial mics to get a baseline cost, though.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 12:56:30 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67525
Penguinboy, I should have mentioned that I LOVE abstraction after having the general understanding. And like you said, there is so much to learn so eventually I'm going to have to just take it for granted if I'm going to have any sort of productivity.
Xylem, I have just recently got the goldsource SDK running and able to compile. So far I have only tinkered with it by making Barneys shoot gibs and making it so pressing 'E' teleports the player about 30 feet in the air, complete with green fade and soundfx (Simple and cheesy, but its a start). The sourcecode was intimidating at first but I feel like I'm picking up on it pretty fast.
So what does OpenGL and Direct3D do for you at the lowest level? Do you specify vertices and makes faces or something like that?
The_(c)Striker, yes, there is a library called TVout, and it only requires one wire and 2 resistors to get it up and running. Good library for simple games like pong or tetris.
Commented 10 years ago2013-12-04 09:01:17 UTC
in journal: #8296Comment #67519
Clever interpretation of the 3D rendering using those projections, although I understand what you are talking about, I can't figure out the math part. The Arduino thing is interesting, you say only a library is needed and you can output from the digital/analog pins directly into the TV? I have an Arduino Uno myself.
Sure you can switch to the standard desktop but... you know. I don't need to do that on Windows 7.
Also, in terms of user friendliness, the first review I saw called it the first user-hostile OS. Yeah, fuck Windows Hate.
And I can't tell you how many times 'End Task' has given me the pop-up and still does nothing when you confirm it. And isn't that what the 'End Task' has been doing since XP? I'm pretty sure 7 at the very least does the exact same thing as what you've just said, analyses a program and attempts to shut it down properly, not always easy when it's a system process in the first place.
So long as each version of the OS is (structurally) based on the last version, you'll still come across old problems, albeit rarely. It's like a globe, you patch the bugs and holes and then later you put a whole new skin over it, sometimes replacing large portions of the original, but inside there is still part of the original. Much in the way the Source Engine still has defunct Quake code still in there, but this all scales to complexity, an Engine is in no way as complex as an OS.
My simple answer to the whole 7/8 debate: 8 is fine, but so is 7. In general, people dislike change, but sometimes change changes something that didn't need to be changed.
To be honest, with more support for Linux these days, I'm more tempted to move that way next time I upgrade my system. Microsoft is just flogging a dead horse and Mac is no better, I'd like to see how the other side of the coin goes.
"The good ol' "End Process" from the task manager can be accessed via the "Details" tab. That's basically the old task manager.".
/mod pls delete my accidental double post
"The good ol' "End Process" from the task manager can be accessed via the "Details" tab. That's basically the old task manager.".
It will try to terminate and analyze the application on its own way. If that fails the user can always finalize the process by pressing end task in the pop up window - Application not responding.
I was troubleshooting a laptop at work not two weeks ago and explorer.exe would crash due to a corrupted CD when accessed. Using 'End Task' would put the laptop in a complete lock every time, requiring a full system reboot. By using the 'End Process' button, I forced explorer.exe to be stopped dead and was able to successfully save myself from yet another complete system restart by starting a new task and running explorer.exe.
Otherwise the rest of this conversation is meaningless to me because I'm using 7 and don't need to upgrade for any reason since I can keep using 7 for the next 2-6 years at least.
And even though i understand that is your opinion, i still feel i should say that the Desktop is exactly the same as in every windows version
Metro is much more functional with keyboard and mouse, where did you get the idea its much faster to use an screen that can accept only one command per cycle?
And why do you even need to see the rest of the screen to start up an program?
That is so minor compared to the rest that i simply can not understand. But every one has their preferance.
The thing i am trying to say is that its functionality is exactly the same as start that was present in all other windows versions. It is simply of new UI which is extremely easy to get used to and pleasant when you know what you want from your system, aka organized display of programs and functions.
In old start you had only a fixed amount of pinned buttons, program shortcuts, that you could have used. About 10 for my screen size. And the rest was navigated by going trough a large list of all kinds of shit with small text and unnecessary shortcuts in those folders. Where here you can easily see larger icons and grouped programs by simply moving your mouse:
Right clicking on the start menu icon you get access to all system settings and as well as shut down and other things such as instant shortcut to programs and features.
It just shouldn't be used with a keyboard and mouse. Microsoft didn't give anyone the option because they wanted to sell more surface tablets.
And if they think they can or should do away with the keyboard and mouse control scheme, they have no business anywhere near the tech industry.
Most of the aesthetic stuff is just opinion, (I had to take a bit to get used to the Vista/7 UI before I was cool with it) but functionality is not. And when you design a UI with only one functionality in mind, it should NEVER be shoehorned into another like they did here.
Bottom line for me, there should have been a separate build of Win 8 for traditional control schemes, which very much still have a place in the modern world, functionality should not have been removed or hidden, and the fact that Microsoft doesn't understand these things severely undermines their credibility, past successes be damned.
Also, fun fact: The school laptop I'm writing this on was shipped with Windows 8 pre-installed. They had the good sense to install 7 overtop it.
The Start menu I have now takes up roughly an eighth of the screen, and amazingly, I can still navigate with it, search on it, change options through it and get to all my commonly used programs on it.
EDIT: Oh, not to mention see the rest of the screen.
Metro start allows the same functionality as start in windows 7. Press start > write app name > app appears in menu on the right, as well with suggestions.
It is equally functional and at the same time more neater and tidier. Plus you have the regular access to all installed programs by using down function.
Learning to operate an system with keyboard shortcuts will significantly increase your productivity.
'End Task' is not the same as 'End Process' and implying that a 'start menu' that is so obtrusive it actually acts as a fullscreen app with a mess of icons is somehow better than something used for quick access to your system is bonkers.
You have an desktop and windows UI just like in all previous versions, where Start has been replaced by an more functional and more use friendly metro start menu.
The only thing different in UI from windows 7 is the position of certain system access buttons and the way to access the shut down menu (as well as already mentioned start menu being replaced by metro).
Why did you even install windows 8.1 if you cant get used to such minor changes?
Also Dimbark don't talk shit if you didn't try it. From my point of view, as an person that uses his computer with knowledge of every system aspect windows 8.1 is neater and more organized, as well as having an better core system.
Bitching because of small things is acting like an old grampa who cant get used to having a new remote.
As for end task, either you're not using windows 8.1 or idk, youre blind.
Microsoft is acting like George Lucas; they seemed to have complicated and ruined what was good, and are trying to extinctify Windows 7.
"Why would you install an regular start menu when Metro is a shit ton better?" Because it's unobtrusive, works well and more than anything it's what I'm used to. I want to be able to access my computer's contents from the desktop. I don't want to switch to a fullscreen UI just to do that.
"Give it some time to configure it, i first thought it was shit until i realized it is much much better than an normal pop up start." I am using a desktop. The Metro UI was designed for touch interfaces. What you are describing is known as Stockholm Syndrome.
"The shut down and computer/network info buttons are on the pop up menu accessed by pointing to the top right or bottom right corner of the screen.
You can also shut down with ALT F4." Ok.
"To end an process press DELETE like in every windows before." Didn't know that. What is gained by removing the on-screen button for this?
"Plus Windows 8.1 task manager has more information, such as resource monitor with graphs, and better program overview. As well as startup control." Yes. All very good. Works nicely in desktop mode, as well.
I'm not saying don't have the Metro system. I'm just saying don't have the Metro system at the expense of the desktop system.
Why in the name of all thats good did you not install Windows 8.1?
Why would you install an regular start menu when Metro is a shit ton better?
Give it some time to configure it, i first thought it was shit until i realized it is much much better than an normal pop up start. The shut down and computer/network info buttons are on the pop up menu accessed by pointing to the top right or bottom right corner of the screen.
You can also shut down with ALT F4.
To end an process press DELETE like in every windows before.
Plus Windows 8.1 task manager has more information, such as resource monitor with graphs, and better program overview. As well as startup control.
Install windows 8.1, why why why did you install 8???
Don't disable metro for some third party bug script. Upgrade to windows 8.1 and you will see it is much different.
Omg this map is hilarious.
The mapping is pretty awful but there is a lot of character with what little is there
I thought the headcrab was going to lead the way so I got lost in some nooks and crannies probably not meant to be seen.
I would absolutely love to learn how to do that.
But I probably need more schooling. Sigh. If i won the lotto, I would go back to school to learn how to do all this.
Funny that; I would spend my money on all the education I would ever want.
One can dream.
For voice its best to get a cardiod pattern mic such as the AT2020.
Though for that kind of a budget this: http://bluemic.com/yetipro/ has all the features you will ever need. Just pick up a shockmount for it.
Avoiding spoilers has been problematic.
Once my life slows down i want to watch that and sons of anarchy.
A vertex shader is used to transform your world geometry into 2D screen-space. You should look into homogeneous matrix transformations to understand how rotation, scaling, translation, and perspective transformations can be conveniently packed into a single matrix transformation. You use these transformations to position your cube in the world where you want it. Then you transform that world matrix by a view matrix, which moves the entire world in front of the camera. It's interesting to note that when matrix transformations are used, moving the entire world around the camera is the same amount of work as moving point in the first place. Then you transform the positions by a perspective transformation matrix. A perspective transformation projects 3D points into 2D screen clip-space.
After each of the vertices are transformed into screen clip-space they are rasterized. Points define triangles, but these are just points. A rasterizer takes the points and "fills in between the lines" to form a collection of pixels that form the rendered primitive. These pixels get sent down into a pixel shader, which decides the final color of the pixel as it is written to the screen. Texturing and lighting computations are performed in a pixel shader.
Aside from the rasterizing, DirectX / OpenGL provide tons of abstractions that make rendering tasks more efficient. These abstractions are mostly about controlling GPU memory.
That's a mini-description of the rendering pipeline that OGL/DX use.
If it comes to it, I just bought a Panasonic DMW-MS2E for my new camera and it's a pretty god-damn-great shotgun. It's fairly basic, but I doubt you'd find a cheaper mic at this level of quality. I'd normally avoid going against the big names in mics for a shotgun (Sennheiser and Rode being the big players), but when the Senn. 416 (which is what I trained on at college) is up to £900, I really couldn't justify the expense.
It's not designed for field-work, so don't expect to use it as an alternative to a shotgun mic or anything, although I'm fairly sure that's not what you're in the market for.
250$ is more than enough for an good quality home microphone. I think you can get a great one from 100$.
I know some one on TWHL knows about current popular models, but i forgot who it was. You could also ask Archie who probably knows about that a lot as well (since he works as a camera man).
Basically you would judge a microphone by the characteristics that would suit you (Direction, sensitivity, audio range, type, etc).
I have an headset from my iPhone which I use as a mic, USING an AUDIO splitter.. Don't know if you have one, but mine came with a pair of Aerial 7 Shade headphones ^^
For a good start on how to use OpenGL, check out this tutorial: http://www.arcsynthesis.org/gltut/
I don't know DirectX so I don't have any good resources for it on hand, but I know that there are plenty out there.
Display control on hardware level. What does an instruction do when its called and how does hardware react, what happens with the hardware it self when it gets an instruction, how does it react electrically...
A lot of interesting shit.
I my self have been experimenting with MS DOS graphical programming and have gotten my hands onto some interesting literature.
But i haven't attempted making any programs just yet due to not completely understanding all major functions of C language that i am currently learning on my own. I am currently at pointers.
I am learning C on an IBM 380ED.
Xylem, I have just recently got the goldsource SDK running and able to compile. So far I have only tinkered with it by making Barneys shoot gibs and making it so pressing 'E' teleports the player about 30 feet in the air, complete with green fade and soundfx (Simple and cheesy, but its a start). The sourcecode was intimidating at first but I feel like I'm picking up on it pretty fast.
So what does OpenGL and Direct3D do for you at the lowest level? Do you specify vertices and makes faces or something like that?
The_(c)Striker, yes, there is a library called TVout, and it only requires one wire and 2 resistors to get it up and running. Good library for simple games like pong or tetris.
I probably will never be able to wrap my head around 3D especially OGL and how it works.
The Arduino thing is interesting, you say only a library is needed and you can output from the digital/analog pins directly into the TV?
I have an Arduino Uno myself.