brainExplosion - Thoughts from the more explosive side of life...

Mixcraft 6

Posted by: Matthew on Saturday, January 28, 2012 | Comments

Looks like Mixcraft 6 is just around the corner. I will be starting a full series of how to make dubstep in Mixcraft 6 when it is released!

Install ASP.NET Session State SQL DB

Posted by: Matthew on Saturday, December 10, 2011 | Comments

I just needed to install the Session State SQL database; had to hit a few different websites to figure out this simple processes.

Start CMS

Navigate to your 'windows/Microsoft.NET/framework/[framework version]' folder

Type in: spnet_regsql.exe -S instancename -E -ssadd (replace instancename with the name of your database instance)

Press Enter

And your done, smile enjoy :D

Optus Galaxy Tab APN Settings

Posted by: Matthew on Wednesday, December 07, 2011 | Comments

I recently decided that it was taking Optus way to long to release the Gingerbread update they promised earlier in the year, so I rooted my Galaxy Tab and installed the most recent Overcome 4.0.0 rom which includes Gingerbread and a bunch of other updates.

When I finished the format I realised that I had forgotten to write down my APN settings, rendering my 3G internet access dead. Today I finally figured out the settings using some threads over at Whirlpool & Ausdroid.

To access your APN settings:

Settings ->
Wireless & Networks ->
Mobile Networks ->
Access Point Names ->
Select the Optus APN

After you bring up the APN settings, change everything so it looks like this:

Name: Optus Yes Internet
APN: connectCap
Proxy:
Port:
Username:
Password:
Server:
MMSC:
MMS Proxy:
MMS Port:
MMS Protocol (Android 2.1+): WAP 2.0
MCC: 505
MNC: 02
Auth Type: PAP
APN Type: internet

Once this is finished reboot your device and you should have access to your Optus 3G broadband. I am on an Optus Business Plan, so these may not work if you're just using an Optus SIM on a non-Optus Tab.

The Big Nerd Ranch Guide, Xcode 4.2 and MainWindow.xib

Posted by: Matthew on Monday, November 21, 2011 | Comments

I've just started learning about how to code iPhone & iPad applications. I was going to go down the MonoTouch route but decided I'd like to learn another programming language so I'm going down the Objective-C path.

I bought The Big Nerd Ranch Guide from Amazon a few weeks back and only in the last few days have I had enough time to begin going through it. My MacBook has the latest version of Xcode(4.2) on it which seems to have a few issues & differences from the older version of Xcode (4.1) which the book is based on.

The big issue is that now the Empty Window Template that Xcode generates no longer includes the MainWindow.xib file, this makes it impossible to start working through the book, there are a few ways to fix this:

Download the modified template file from The Big Nerd Ranch forum

Follow this tutorials and create your own MainWindow.xib file

Nice and easy, you can now start working your way through the book. I will continue documenting my progress through the book and into the world of iOS programming.

Skyrim, oh Skyrim

Posted by: Matthew on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 | Comments

So juggling business, girlfriend, gaming and sport is never an easy task, then along comes a game like Skyrim where if you're not too careful you end up pissing everyone off.

13 hours in and I don't think I've even scratched the surface of what Skyrim has to offer. I ended up playing the last Elder Scrolls game Oblivion for around the 40 hour mark, I got a little bored 1/2 through; especial with the repetitive nature of closing the gates to Oblivion so I ended up powering my way to the finish

The word around town is that Skyrim has over 300 hours worth of content, 300 fucking hours?!?!?! There are MMORPG's out there with less content & you have to pay a monthly fee for those. I think I will be playing this game for a very very very very very long time! Here's my mini in-progress review:

Skyrim - Pros

The world looks amazing, so much detail

Lots and lots to do & you find quests everywhere (overhearing conversations, in books, randomly exploring)

Dragons! Unlimited Dragons!

Dual wield spells

Interesting and surprising long dungeons

Skyrim - Cons

World map looks cool, but it's difficult to figure out if you're on the right path to get somewhere.

Lots of loading in and out of building

Combat feels a little strange (It's never really felt right in these games tho)

Earth From Space - Time Lapse

Posted by: Matthew on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 | Comments

This is amazingly beautiful... great tune as well !

Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 3

Posted by: Matthew on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 | Comments

So today I bought Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3*.

Most exciting single player experience I've had in a long long long time!

So far for me personally it is the best game so far this year, and I haven't even started playing online yet! The campaign is very short but it moves along at such a frantic pace that when you reach the end it is quite satisfying.

The campaign wraps up a story that started 2 games back with the original Modern Warfare. Now initially I found it pretty hard to recall what actually happened in those first two games but after a few missions most of it came back to me.

If you a fan of action movies; especially ones with a military twist then you will LOVE the hell out of this game, great graphics, explosive and crazy game play, lots of different locations & scenarios that will keep you interested and entertained for the entire trip!

Rating 5/5

* Xbox 360 Version

** I updated my big ass gaming todo list.

Major interface updates, and keeping clients happy

Posted by: Matthew on Thursday, October 27, 2011 | Comments

Over the last few days I have launched the latest version of my companies website & content management system Content+. The new version brings with it a total overhaul of the look and feel and some minor functionality improvments.

So far it has been recieved pretty well, anytime you overhaul a user interface you have to keep in mind that there are users who enjoy the old way of working and making changes (no matter how fantastic they may seem) can really throw them off their game. Luckily for them this time I decided to make the changes to the UI 95% cosmetic, keeping the simple and straight forward workflow that has existed for the past year.

My question to you is: How have you gone about UI change? How hard do you work to make sure that change does not impact long time users used to how they currently work?