Fighting with computers

I've heard some news about troubles with VirtualBox when running on Snow Leopard. It was too late for me as I've just upgraded a couple of my systems. So I installed VirtualBox and I created a sample Ubuntu 9.04 system from scratch. Everything ran smoothly. Network and USB access worked as expected too. I have no idea if there is trouble running a VM you created before upgrading to Snow as I have none. I used to be a fan of VMware's free VMplayer. Unfortunately there seems there is not a free version OS X. VirtualBox appears to do a nice job too. There is a quirk though, USB devices need to be registered to be used by the VM before you turn it on.

While reviewing some of the answers to one of the questions of Code Jam Round 1C, I've learned about this cool software . It can be run using Java Web Start , so you don't even need to install it. What is it about? I reckon it will make some Math teachers very very happy. In short, it is a drawing tool for geometry-oriented drawings. It can export to SVG or EPS too. Mastering on the use of the program may take a while, but I see lots of potential on this tool.

I've failed to make it to round 2 of Code Jam 2009 last weekend. I failed on getting the first problem (All your bases) right and that ate most of my available time. I was able to get the third one (Bribe the prisoners) right (bruteforcing it, not very elegant). So I used some time to get the first problem right after the contest :-) By the way, I later learned that there was a hidden constraint, as output value could not be larger than 10^18. That meant that maximum base could be 16 (as 1023456789abcdefg is base-17 is larger than that, 49030176097150555672 in case you're wondering). Here you have a simple solution in Java . And, yes, you can use Long.toString(String,int) instead of BigInteger, though the latter will cover a wider range than the problem statement requirements.

A few days ago I've got a shiny new MacBook Pro. Instead of coming with Snow Leopard installed, I've got a rebate on the price for the cost of the update to SL. I've installed Snow Leopard now but the disc does not contain a version of X11. As GIMP and Inkscape software depend on that I'm searching for the r ight version to install . I could use some help if you already know where to pull it from. Update : I'm happily running the GIMP on Snow Leopard. Contrary to my claim above, X11 is included on Snow Leopard, you'll find it in the Applications part of the optional install package.

Yep, it does sound odd, so a bit of an explanation may be welcome: I've bought me an electronic book reader a while ago (a Papyre 6.1 from Grammata). It is the same device as the Hanlin v3, Bebook, LBook and many other brand names given by sellers on different countries. The reading experience has been quite good. Actually it's been better than I expected. However, every now and then, like Windows 98, the system would refuse to turn page and freeze. After a few seconds [I suspect] the built-in watchdog timer quicks in and reboots the system. Total time is less than 30 seconds but the worst part is that you've lost the book page you were in. After checking several forums where many users complain about the same thing but no real solution was offered, I learned that an "alternative" firmware was available for a wide range of devices, including mine. Even better, there was a live version you could try before flashing it on your device. Who could ask for more? This...

I've just passed the qualification round of Code Jam with the feeling that I'm getting dumber every year. I only passed the first problem (Alien) and I've got stuck on the second problem (Water Basins). Third one (Welcome string) looked like the Speed Limit problem on 2008, but I did not attempt to do it. A plausible excuse is that I did not have the time ... Yes, I like that: I was busy working so I did not have time to waste playing this Code Jam thing. BTW, It was me the guy who asked about the error message on the Q&A. The error message said my solution file did not start with the string "Case #1:" but that was not true. The correct error message should have been that my solution file did not start with the string "Case #1: ". The difference being the space after the colon. Update: Here you have the three problems solved in Java.

A the moment of writing this, Gmail is giving the usual Server Error message you get when things go wrong. I hope the problem will be fixed soon. I've learned that Twiter can be useful whenever this happens. You can check by yourself with this query . There is also a reporting tool from Google that can come in handy.