The Blog of Andy 'Ando' Jones | Perth, Western Australia

My Computer

Posted by Andy - March 3rd, 2010

I’ve used the ‘My Computer’ title to remind me of my one and only illegitimate version of Windows (XP). For my 21st birthday, my parents bought me a P4 2.67GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 512MB RAM system, built by a dodgy computer shop on Grand Boulevarde in Joondalup. The business owner was a few ethical practices short of a reputable business, and handed me Windows XP on a burnt disc with a serial number scribbled on it in Artline texta, when I quizzed him about my OS software. The serial number worked for 4 years until MS flagged my OS as a pirated copy whilst performing some automated Windows updates. In case you’re wondering, the computer shop is no longer in operation. A workmate of mine at the time was helpful in providing me with a trusty old WGA patcher. After all these years, and the development of some moral standards, I thought I’d escape the world of magical number generators, hacking, cracking, patching, system restore points and disabling Windows updates.

The pricing incentive to purchase an OEM version of Windows 7 was just too hard to resist. Another incentive was my expiry of the Release Candidate I installed 6 months ago. I must hand it to Microsoft, Windows 7 is pretty good. However, I never did understand the resentment of Vista. Some people are scared of change, when in reality, the only thing in this world that’s constant is change. The purchase and installation of a 1TB HDD has allowed me to not only install Windows 7, but setup a Linux partition too. Enter Ubuntu; this thing is an absolute breeze to install and configure using Wubi, there’s no excuse to not run a Linux based OS on your computer (unless your constrained to a pissy little 80GB HDD). I have even skinned Ubuntu to look like Leopard OSX! Upon finishing the skinning, I realised that I was using Apple products before the majority of computer users knew what the hell a Mac was.

1987: I was brought up using Apple products, the first computer Dad ever carted home was a 512K ‘Fat Mac’ I played a monochrome version of Dark Castle on:

512K 'Fat Mac' Macintosh

1992: The second being the mighty Mac Classic THAT HAD AN 8MB HDD! I used to play monochrome MacCricket and King’s Bounty on this one, both games used to crash on the old 512K. In its later life, I hacked the hell out of this machine with custom sound themes and even installed a JPG viewer! The images took around 30 seconds to render and were displayed in monochrome of course.

Macintosh Classic

1997: The third actually had a colour screen that I could play Doom II, Rebel Assault II, discover the Internet and unearth Geri Halliwell nude pictures!!!

Macinstosh Performa 5600

In between these fantastic works of art and science, I subjected myself to an old Intellivision, a Commodore 64 with a dodgy SID chip (sold to my parents by my Uncle…), Nintendo gaming consoles, a borrowed 468 and a Pentium 1.

Acquainting myself with an iPhone was a step back in time for me, returning me to my roots of Mac use. I’m getting a bit too nostalgic here for my own good… I digress.

Ubuntu rocks! I have combined my favourite elements of Mac, PC and Linux operating systems in this Ubuntu installation.

Emulating the OSX dock with Avant Window Navigator.
Using GNOME-PANEL for ease of menu use at the top of the screen.
XFCE because its themes are the cleanest Linux themes I have seen, not to mention very lightweight.
XFCE because of its awesome transparency support and kick arse effects such as 3D windows, window decorations, fading windows, cube gears, Compiz I could go on and on!
I need to mention, all aspects are completely customisable via the terminal and once installed, have interfaces for you to click checkboxes and install themes, etc.

My only gripe in regards to my new machine is the fact that Windows 7 wont talk to my iPhone because of an Intel P55 chipset issue but apart from that, this new setup is awesome.

I was destined to work with computers… despite getting a D for computing in year 10

No Comments »

iPhone app

Posted by Andy - February 25th, 2010

Stoked! Just downloaded the Wordpress iPhone app. This blog might get some more use!!

No Comments »

Australia Day… Enjoy it for WHAT IT IS! 1

Posted by Andy - January 26th, 2010

First up I want to clarify that I am a proud Australian. This country has beautiful landmarks, is prosperous, vibrant and youthful. I am very fortunate to have been born and raised in Perth. I come from a loving family with the utmost respect and compassion for fellow human-beings. The values, morals and general attitudes my parents instilled in me as a child lay relatively dormant in my mid-to-late teenage years but have come to serve me well in my twenties. I am very privileged and owe it all to my parents and the country in which I have resided. There are many less fortunate people in this world… the earthquake affected Haitians instantly come to mind.

My heart swells with pride each day of the year. Whether it be the success of an Australian SME, the toils of a fledgeling sportsman, or the determination and grit of a music group, I love seeing Australians succeed. This brings me to the topic of this blog post, why do we need one day of the year to celebrate? I love my wife and tell her every day. I think it’s fucking stupid that Valentine’s Day has to bring this out in other people. Is it an inferiority complex that makes a husband bring a bunch of flowers home to his wife on Valentines Day or the commercialisation of the event?

I’m stating the bloody obvious here, but I certainly cannot speak on behalf of Australia’s indigenous community. I have no idea how it feels to be an Aboriginal on Australia Day. However, I remember an Australian nation and its people that were proud and self-assured. As an intelligent, albeit slightly precocious 11 year old in the 90s, I remember an Australian nation that didn’t feel the need to prove anything to the rest of the world. We were Australian. Privileged. Proud. Prosperous. We didn’t feel the need to be loud and obnoxious about it. Oh how the times have changed…

All the aggressive patriotism, extravert behaviour, chest puffing and dick swinging that Australia Day now brings has SWEET FUCK ALL to do with national pride. The last decade saw the rise of this “Fuck Off, We’re Full” / “Australian Way of Life, Fit in or Fuck Off” / “Love it, or Leave it” mentality, which comes blurting out in all its racist and elitist glory on Australia Day. However, it’s only a minority of Australians promoting this mindset. This minority ruins Australia for the rest of us. I’m going to generalise here, this minority are Australiana-clad, drunk, obnoxious, racist buffoons with their peroxided rats tails and cartons of Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s congregating on the South Perth foreshore starting fights with those who contend or oppose.

I ask myself, “What has caused this?”

Coming back to the inferiority complex of the husband on Valentine’s Day; is it an inherent Australian inferiority complex that makes Australians feel the need to attach flags to their cars? Is it an inferiority complex that makes us feel the need to be loud, drunk and obnoxious on Australia Day? Is it an inferiority complex that spawned the most annoying, mind numbing chant ever created: “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi”?

Or is the issue deeper? Such as a desire to separate our nation from its head of state? A desire to rid the nation of the “convict stain”? A desire to smite the “cultural cringe” Australia’s most successful business, sporting and musical identities escape by relocating overseas? The inferiority complex outlined above breeds every single one of these arguments, you cannot deny that no matter how hard you argue.

I love Australia and would never hold a fellow Australian back from succeeding overseas. The resentment towards Kylie Minogue and the like shits me – they still call Australia home! FFS!

I love Australia and feel that loud, obnoxious, aggressive patriots ruin this beautiful country. Whether your surname is Jones, Briggs, Marshall or Chan, Fiorenza or Doodkorte, we’re all Australian, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

The loud, obnoxious, aggressive patriots need to become aware and comfortable of the fact that Australia is a quiet achieving nation. We’re smaller than the UK, the USA and China to name a few, that’s the bottom line.

Have pride in your nation, and be true to it. Happy Australia Day, and enjoy it for what it is.

Under the Southern Cross I Stand
A sprig of wattle in my hand,
A native of my native land,
Australia you little beauty!

1 Comment »

hahaha

Posted by Andy - September 4th, 2009

http://www.bogias.com/

No Comments »

Another Home and Away Season…

Posted by Andy - August 31st, 2009

… and another Fantasy triumph – oh yeah!

footytips.com.au Fantasy Footy triumph

See you next year, bitches!

No Comments »

OH DEAR :( 2

Posted by Andy - June 13th, 2009

My poor neglected blog!!! Now that I have upgraded you to the latest version of WP, I promise I’ll use you more often!

2 Comments »

The Filth Go DOWN… AGAIN!

Posted by Andy - June 15th, 2008

How sweet it is to be back in the 8… and even sweeter to beat Collingscum twice in a season.

You can blame those umpires all you want Micky Malthouse, but it wont change the result.

I sure as hell wont be getting ahead of myself, but the Blues have an awesome opportunity to win 5 games in a row.

We beat those arrogant Port Adelaide pricks by 2 goals, and beat the Filth today by 5 goals.

With Essendon, Richmond and St Kilda in the pipeline, Carlton have a genuine chance to win 5 games in a row, and even possibly finsh in 8th or 7th place at season’s end…

The last 7 rounds are going to be quite a test, but ultimately, June is a month in footy that brings out the best and worst in teams.

It’s time to strike while the iron is hot.

Oh and by the way, EAT IT EDDIE!

No Comments »

My Blue Heaven 1

Posted by Andy - May 3rd, 2008

My Blue Heaven - Carlton defeat West Coast by 37 points - Round 7, 2008

Now this is what I’m talking about

First we beat Wet Toast at Subiaco by 37 points, could the weekend get any better? Yes is the answer

Amy and I were lucky enough to attend the Carlton Football Club WA Supporters Breakfast the following morning after the match.

The breakfast provided us all with a general insight into how the club is progressing with some monumental steps forward in returning Carlton to the powerhouse of yesteryear. Not only that, we were treated to some sensational anecdotes and general Carlton banter… definitely Blue Heaven.

Pics below:

Carlton Football Club - WA Supporters Breakfast 03/05/2008

Tickets

Matt Clape

Matt Clape – an integral member of the almost invincible 1995 Premiership winning side.

Peter Busustow

Peter Bosustow – 1981, 1982 Premiership winning player. Goal and Mark of the year 1981. Also known for making peace between Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and Domenic Gatto (yeah, I’m an Underbelly tragic as well as a Carlton tragic).

David Ellard

David Ellard – Drafted from Swan Districts in the 2008 Rookie Draft (#34). Part of the victorious Carlton side in Episode VI – Return of the Juddi (Round 7, 2008).

Matt Lappin

Matty Lappin – cracked the 80kg mark after retirement from AFL footy in 2007, haha! Carlton appointed him as Development coach for season 2008, while he keeps kicking the pill for the Northern Bullants in the VFL.

Nick Stevens

Nick Stevens – Gun Carlton midfielder and Vice Captain. Instrumental in our victory vs West Coast.

Cam Cloke

Cam Cloke – Finding some terrific form in the 2008 season after 4 shoulder reconstructions in previous seasons. Solid contributions as a follower in tandem with Matty Kreuzer.

Carlton Football Club - WA Supporters Breakfast

Carlton Football Club – WA Supporters Breakfast (a small area of the audience.)

Carlton Signed Shirt

Got my old Carlton shirt signed by Nick Stevens and Cam Cloke.

The signed Nick Stevens Guernsey at the front of house ended up being auctioned off for well over $2500.

Overall, the WA Supporters Breakfast was very well presented and prepared. If you’re a Bluebagger living in Perth, like myself, head to the WABLUES site and come down to some of the functions – the more blue, the merrier

Could the weekend get any better? Oh hell yeah, Franklin, Williams and Roughead did a mighty fine job of bringing Collingwood down to size after their Anzac Day victory over Essendon. In my humble opinion, Hawthorn have what it takes to win a flag in 2008, and good luck to them.

If last night and today are anything to go by, tomorrow will be another corker.

GO BLUES!

1 Comment »

WTF?! 2

Posted by Andy - March 25th, 2008

I can’t believe we lost to Dickmond.

OMGWTFBBQLOL!

2 Comments »

Together We Rise

Posted by Andy - March 17th, 2008

Carlton Football Club - Together We Rise

Together We Rise – Carn the Blues!

It’s been another interesting summer. The acquisition of Judd thanks to Greg Swann, and Judd subsequently being appointed captain. I have utmost faith is his leadership capabilities, and even more so in his skills as a footballer.

Ratts has shown some promise with a new game plan, adding his first wins to his coaching record, I hold this man in high esteem, both as a leader, and as a tactician.

The list is another year older, this season will see Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy develop both mentally and physically into elite midfielders.

With some luck we will see the o’hAilpin Brothers run out together wearing the CFC monogram, doing both AFL fans and their Irish counterparts proud. The question is, will Shields follow in the footsteps of his Irish comrades? Maybe not until 2009…

Older team members in Carrazzo, Scotland, Simpson, Stevens, Waite, Houlihan, Thornton, Bentick and Bannister must be snapping at the bit to get themselves into the 8 this season, given the 7 year finals campaign drought.

Some new arrivals in Armfield, Pfeiffer and the acclaimed Kreuzer along with other club established youngsters in Hampson, Bower, Jamison, Austin, Jackson, Benjamin, Blackwell, Edwards, Anderson and Grigg will show the depth we have developed during the dark times of yesteryear.

The tables have turned and the bottom 4 is nothing more than a relic of the past. 2008 will see the start of the return of the league’s most powerful and successful club.

I can only hope that Brendan Fevola will respect himself this season, and show himself and all that he is one of, if not, the best Full Forward in the competition.

Onwards, and upwards.

We are the Navy Blues.

PS: Thanks Dick

No Comments »