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Rhindle the Dragon

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Blog Entries posted by Rhindle the Dragon

  1. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT
    VOL. III, ISSUE I
     
    I wanted to use this entry to state my opinion on The Last Jedi and the recent backlash. I want it to be known that:
     
    1. I am a huge Star Wars fan
    2. I, too, dislike what Disney is doing to Star Wars
    3. But I LIKED The Force Awakens
    4. And I LIKE the prequels
    5. And I LIKED this movie.
     
    People should stop romanticizing Star Wars so much that nothing new is allowed to be tried. Star Wars has never been a masterpiece (except for maybe Empire Strikes Back) and should not be held to such high standards. It has always had glaring flaws in either writing, directing, or acting, but we love it just the same. Why? Because it's space samurai fighting with laser swords! It's awesome!
     
    I believe that people will grow to like this movie. The Last Jedi has not killed Star Wars -- if anything, The Phantom Menace did that. Episode VIII was competently directed, visually beautiful, and emotionally resonant, even if it had some questionable writing and awkward scenes. There were many good moments, like the flashbacks with Luke and Ben Solo, and the quiet parts where the director let John Williams' brilliant score shine through.
     
    I hate what Disney is doing to Star Wars in that the movies (and other media) are starting to feel more like an industry than an art. That's OK -- Disney is under investigation for monopoly and things might get better in the future. At least, I hope they will.
     
    Whatever your opinion is, just remember to take it easy, and have a happy new year.
  2. Rhindle the Dragon

    Crappy Poetry

    By Rhindle the Dragon,

    I didn't have anything special planned for today's entry, but recently I'd been thinking about some of the more cringeworthy poems I've written over the years. What? Of course I'm going to post them here for all the world to see! It's an exercise in confidence. What are people gonna do, cyberbully me for being a crappy poet? Ha! what a joke.
     
    The following two poems both hail from late 2014. They're pretty bad. Please don't laugh.
     
     
     
     

    A MINECRAFT POEM







    Spawned



    The sun shines from the east



    Beneath you



    Upon the sleeping earth



    Though you wear no shoes



    Your feet feel as such



    Because they are calloused



    From ages atop this dry soil







    For years, you toiled



    You created; you destroyed



    Yet there still lies uncharted territory



    Beyond the horizon



    And across the sea







    Your destination is upon you



    And as the thick blackness floods your lungs



    You fire at the sky



    Determined to find the End



    For your own glory



    And satisfaction







    But though you had slain her



    She is not truly gone



    Her seed you bear



    As a reminder and a hope



    That one day



    The fiery square will set



    And you



    With her offspring by your side



    Will carry on



    Until there is nothing



    Left



    To explore


     




     
    Meh. The next one is even worse.





    ODE TO A GARTER SNAKE







    Be still, my friend, though thy movements are graceful,



    Consequences come from the things unseen.



    Keep a watchful eye, lest they be detected



    In the midst of thy sagebrush serene.







    Close thy mouth and hide thy teeth;



    Keep away from thine enemies.



    But O, my true friend, once they are gone,



    Forgive them for their monstrosities.







    The hatred of mankind cannot be contained,



    But alas, I have my duty.



    Without thee I go, but in my heart,



    I still proclaim thy beauty.






    *SIGH* Just... ugh. Please don't write like this, folks.
     
    I'll close out the night with a haiku. I don't know when this is from, or if it is even my own work.
    Frankly though, I doubt the author would care.
     

    Hippopotamus



    This is a haiku I wrote



    Refrigerator


     
  3. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT



    VOL. II, ISSUE IV






    Good evening. I am... Dracula. Ah ah ah.
    For me, this Monday was truly imperial. I was stuck at a certain part of my CS210 lexer assignment, and showed it to my instructor, saying "I feel like if I just get past this problem, I could finish this in two hours." He said he severely doubted my ability to do that.
    Guess what? I got past the problem and finished the assignment in two hours. And I even did it in less than 300 lines! In fact, I'm so freaking proud of this that I'll share it with the community.
     
    Here you go:
    /*-------------------------------------------------------------- Lexer Assignment CS 210 Rhindle the Dragon 2-27-2017 to 3-6-2017 Deep as a river, wide as the sea Changin' the ways of a captain and me--------------------------------------------------------------*/#include <stdio.h>#include <string.h>#include "keys.h"#define MAXSIZE 1048576#define WORKSIZE 256int iskeyword(char []);int isoperator(char []);int main(int argc, char *argv[]){ if (argc == 1) { printf("\nYou MUST specify the name of a file to read.\n\n"); return 0; } FILE *fp = fopen(argv[1], "r"); if (!fp) { printf("\nError opening file!\n\n"); return 1; } char a, master[MAXSIZE], working[WORKSIZE]; int i, j; /* This loop feeds the entire file into an array. */ for (i = 0; (a = fgetc(fp)) != EOF; i++) master[i] = a; fclose(fp); printf("\n"); /* The parsing portion begins here. */ for (i = 0; master[i] != '\0'; i++) { /* This section skips white space. */ if (master[i] == ' ' || master[i] == '\n' || master[i] == '\t') continue; /* This section checks for comments. */ else if (master[i] == '/' && master[i + 1] == '*') { printf("%c", master[i]); while (1) { if (master[i + 2] == '*' && master[i + 3] == '/') break; i++; printf("%c", master[i]); } printf("%c%c%c (comment)\n", master[i + 1], master[i + 2], master[i + 3]); i += 4; } /* This section checks for string literals. */ else if (master[i] == '\"') { j = 0; working[j] = master[i]; i++; j++; while (master[i] != '\"') { working[j] = master[i]; i++; j++; } working[j] = master[i]; working[j + 1] = '\0'; printf("%s (string)\n", working); } /* This section checks for character literals. */ else if (master[i] == '\'') { for (j = 0; j < 3; j++) { working[j] = master[i]; i++; } working[j] = '\0'; i--; printf("%s (character literal)\n", working); } /* This section checks for numeric literals. */ else if (master[i] > 0x2F && master[i] < 0x3A) { j = 0; while ((master[i] > 0x2F && master[i] < 0x3A) || (master[i] > 0x40 && master[i] < 0x47) || (master[i] > 0x60 && master[i] < 0x67) || master[i] == 0x23 || master[i] == 0x2E || master[i] == 0x5F) { working[j] = master[i]; i++; j++; } i--; working[j] = '\0'; printf("%s (numeric literal)\n", working); } /* This section checks for identifiers and possible keywords. */ else if ((master[i] > 0x60 && master[i] < 0x7B) || (master[i] > 0x40 && master[i] < 0x5B)) { j = 0; while ((master[i] > 0x60 && master[i] < 0x7B) || (master[i] > 0x40 && master[i] < 0x5B) || (master[i] > 0x2F && master[i] < 0x3A) || (master[i] == 0x5F)) { working[j] = master[i]; /* Feed lexeme into array */ i++; j++; } i--; working[j] = '\0'; if (iskeyword(working) == 0) /* Check if keyword */ printf("%s (keyword)\n", working); else printf("%s (identifier)\n", working); } /* This section checks for operators. */ else if ((master[i] > 0x27 && master[i] < 0x30) || (master[i] > 0x39 && master[i] < 0x3F) || master[i] == 0x21 || master[i] == 0x26 || master[i] == 0x5B || master[i] == 0x5D || master[i] == 0x7C) { j = 0; working[j] = master[i]; i++; j++; if (master[i] == '=' || master[i] == '.' || master[i] == '<' || master[i] == '>' || master[i] == '*') { working[j] = master[i]; j++; } else i--; working[j] = '\0'; if (isoperator(working) == 0) printf("%s (operator)\n", working); else { printf("ILLEGAL OPERATOR\n"); return 0; } } /* This is the default condition. */ else { printf("UNK\n"); return 0; } } printf("\n"); return 0;}int iskeyword(char working[]){ int k; int flag1 = 0; for (k = 0; k < MONKEY; k++) { if (strcmp(keys[k], working) == 0) { flag1 = 1; break; } } if (flag1 == 1) return 0; else return 1;}int isoperator(char working[]){ int k; int flag1 = 0; for (k = 0; k < BROADWAY; k++) { if (strcmp(opers[k], working) == 0) { flag1 = 1; break; } } if (flag1 == 1) return 0; else return 1;}
    And here's the header:
    /*++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lexeme List Header Rhindle the Dragon 2-27-2017 to 3-6-2017++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*/#define MONKEY 34#define BROADWAY 27const char *keys[MONKEY] ={ "accessor", "and", "array", "begin", "bool", "case", "else", "elsif", "end", "exit", "function", "if", "in", "integer", "interface", "is", "loop", "module", "mutator", "natural", "null", "of", "or", "others", "out", "positive", "procedure", "return", "struct", "subtype", "then", "type", "when", "while"};const char *opers[BROADWAY] ={ ".", "<", ">", "(", ")", "+", "-", "*", "/", "|", "&", ";", ",", ":", "[", "]", "=", ":=", "..", "<<", ">>", "<>", "<=", ">=", "**", "!=", "=>"};
    Featured Photograph: 1882 Elgin pocket watch I bought with the refund money.
  4. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT



    VOL. II, ISSUE II






    Hello all. *SIGH...* Welcome to Imperial Mondays.
     
    I did have some "robust content" to share today, but my plans ended in disaster. You know how life goes. But I do have another picture I'd like to add to my gallery. This is part of my collection of software for the IBM PC. It all works, and is all complete. I love looking at the little pamphlets in the boxes. "Offer good until June 1990". Yeah.
    I really wish they didn't stick the price tag on Mavis's forehead, though. Oh well. Take care and tempt not the fates.
    Featured Photograph: Impressive female wolf spider I found in the autumn of 2015.
  5. Rhindle the Dragon
    I've moved back into my college apartment. It's pretty nice; I'm proud of how I've kept the living room clean.
    After days of fiddling with the configuration of my 1987 Epson Apex, I was able to get both the mouse and joystick to work. Then I installed Windows 1.01. It's a blast.
    Also that old map of imperial Germany I ordered came in the mail. It'll go on the wall right next to the Zenith K731.
     
    Attached, you'll find pictures of these things. I now have a better camera as well.
    I don't have much else to say, so cheerio and good night.
  6. Rhindle the Dragon
    Yesterday my heavy sixer stopped working. I opened it up, thinking it was a connection problem, but reconnecting the ribbon cable did nothing.
    I read in a forum post that voltage regulators, when they fail, tend to take a few ICs with them. I replaced the RIOT, and it worked for 30 seconds before dying again.
    So... Now I have 2 fried RIOT chips (pictured) and a failed voltage regulator. Apparently this is a common problem with the old steel-cage heat sinks, and makes sense because I recently composite-modded the console, putting stress on the VR. I wonder why the online instructions didn't recommend installing a more effective heat-sink?
     
    "We are not liable for any damage done to you or your Atari." Guess that's why.
     
    So if anyone has any suggestions on how to replace the voltage regulator in this particular case, let me know. I'm going back up north, so I won't be able to fix this problem until spring break. Time to focus on the NES I guess.
  7. Rhindle the Dragon
    Yesterday I received the bundle of 2600 games I had ordered. Pictured here is a few notable additions, as well as my entire library sans the duplicates. As you can probably infer, I'm fond of the text labels. I sat down and played through Superman last night, and I'm glad it was in the lot because it's pretty decent.
     
    My dad gave me a call a few hours ago and said he wants to have Baxter (our 20-year-old grey tabby) put down. He says that the cat is meowing constantly and driving him insane. It's really a shame because Baxter is healthy in every other way; he just doesn't know what he wants. Maybe he's going senile.
    I'm surprised he's lived this long; for most of his life he was an outdoor cat. He was still jumping the fence a year ago.
     
    He's possibly older than me, and we've had him since I was an infant, so this is more serious than losing a rat or even Charlotte the secondhand tarantula (13 years, wowza!). I'll ask my dad if he could wait until the snow melts so we can bury Baxter in the yard, but he's not known for putting up with annoyances for long. Guess we'll have to just wait and see.
     
    The last few weeks of this year went sour in a hurry, and I feel detached as pieces of my old life continually pass away. I hope you all find where you belong in this difficult time.
    Here's to a better 2017.
     
    Featured Photograph: Baxter on March 24, 2016
  8. Rhindle the Dragon
    Wow, I seem to have tried too hard on Wednesday's entry. Oops!
     
    I know it's a little late, but I had the luxury of seeing Rogue One again on Thursday, and I'm glad I did.
    When I saw it on opening night, the CGI Tarkin was super jarring. I wasn't expecting him to have such a big role, and I guess my mind was subconsciously nitpicking his face for flaws.
    The second time I saw the movie, though, I made it a point to look at Tarkin as just another person, comparing him to the other actors. As a result I was surprised at how impressive the motion-capture was. Now I can see why there are some people who didn't know Peter Cushing has been dead for 20 years and thought he was real.
     
    As for the rest of the movie, I think Cinemassacre's review sums it up quite well. I hate to cite a source, but I was going to say the same thing anyway.
    I didn't like it as much as The Force Awakens because I thought it wasn't well-rounded. Episode VII was good all the way through, whereas Rogue One's first two thirds were incredibly boring (even more so the second time through, by the way), and the finale was epic. Yes, I loved Darth Vader, and was squirming in my seat as he slaughtered those rebels in the dark hallway. What can I say?
    I'd say it's worth the price of admission just for the raw emotion and pure awesomeness of the ending, much like most reviewers.
     
    So happy new year from your favorite castle boss.
  9. Rhindle the Dragon
    I guess I'm starting a bi-weekly blog, since I have nothing else to do on this site until I decide to pursue my homebrew ideas for real.
    Therefore, this blog will cover a variety of topics until then. Hopefully it won't be completely ignored.
    Best wishes, and have a Merry Christmas 2016.
  10. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT
    VOL. III, ISSUE III

    When a coworker approached me about two and a half months ago asking if I would compose the music for his video game, I was skeptical. After all, I had never seen a serious development project. Upon looking into it, however, I discovered that his ideas are full of potential and his drive to get things done is exceptional. In other words, I fully believe in his project, and am helping to the best of my ability.

    Since I am (or was, sorry...) active in the AtariAge community, I thought that an announcement here might help the game gather some traction. I know you all appreciate the essentials of good game design, and some of you are even programmers yourselves. I can attest that my coworker is a competent programmer and a lot of work has already been done on the project, technical and otherwise.

    Although the scandal involving the Ataribox crowdfunding campaign had soured me to the idea somewhat, I believe this is an entirely different situation. We already have material -- whether we're going to reveal it, though, is up to the community and the amount of support we receive. I hold a deep respect for the moderators and users of AtariAge, and I trust that this can be a success for all of us.

    I am posting a link to the GoFundMe page for our game, "They Keep Coming". Please visit and consider making a donation, and also feel free to comment and ask questions. I will be sure to provide updates on this blog when it is pertinent.
    Thank you.

    https://www.gofundme.com/They-keep-coming
  11. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT
    VOL. III, ISSUE II
     
    So I guess I will not be writing a Gradius novelization. Oh well.
    I hope a poem will do for you guys.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    TO THE UNKNOWN RAIL SHOOTER
     
    When threatened thus, consider all that’s made
    In vague prevention, pining for the sky:
    They say you’re saving lives with hardened blade,
    But who could manufacture such a lie?
     
    Alight with wings built on the backs of slaves…
    To say it often makes the meaning die.
    What else can we accomplish fighting waves,
    Relentless surf behind to take their place?
     
    For fluid forms receive malignant graves –
    An ending wrought upon themselves in space,
    Where tribulation keeps in view its tail
    But never dares to show its solemn face.
     
    So presentation henceforth shall prevail.
    Until they’re dead, just shoot; you’re on a rail.
  12. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT



    VOL. II, ISSUE VI






    Gudday ond welkom ta Imperiyal Mundays. Dis ebenin, I be prezentin a pome I writ, call'd "Skyentist". Enjoi.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    SKYENTIST







    It’s 12 PM



    And her students ask



    “Does a bigger force exist?”



    “The book doesn’t say,”



    She says with a sigh.



    “Ask the Skyentist.”







    The children go home



    And say to this force



    “Who rules the universe?”



    “The book wouldn’t say,”



    Its echo replies.



    “Ask your teacher first.”






    Feetur'd Fotograf: Flags in Berlin.
  13. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT



    VOL. II, ISSUE V






    Hello all. Welcome to Imperial Mondays *Lite*. What? I'm busy this week! Don't expect much.
    I'll just be adding another photo to the gallery. So take care and tempt not the fates.
     
    Featured Photograph: Crazy discrete math homework.
  14. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT



    VOL. II, ISSUE III






    Good afternoon and welcome to Imperial Mondays.
     
    Remember how last week I said my plans ended in disaster? Well, I bought a kerosene lamp on eBay and it also ended in disaster.
    I was looking for a certain kind; the type with a round wick and a shade, most commonly made under the name "Rayo". I bought one and when it arrived, the parts didn't fit together and it didn't seem to work like it was supposed to (the wick-raiser was missing, there were hacksaw marks, etc.) so I took it to an expert. Apparently I had spent $135 on a Frankenstein-abomination of a "lamp" that was parts from four different lamps put together. I could not see this from the pictures.
    I complained, of course, and received a prompt refund. Thank God the seller offers free returns. They may have tried to make a quick buck off of an unsuspecting sucker, but at least they have somewhat good business ethics.
     
    I used the money to buy a pocket watch which I hope I can use everyday (they said it keeps good time), so wish me luck that this situation doesn't end up like the last two. I've had enough disaster for a month. Did I mention how much I hate shopping online? ... No? ... I hate shopping online.
    And I'm sad that a lot of antique stores are going out of business because of online shopping. Yesterday I stopped at one and gave them business, for good measure, by buying a working, pre-1919 GE light bulb. I thought I'd present it to my mom as she worked for GE in the 80's. The featured photograph is of the bulb aglow, and also, attached is a picture of it turned off. Thought you people might be interested.
    I'll probably only turn it on one more time in my entire life. The fact that it works boosts its value by 500% - have you seen those eBay prices? Sheesh. And I paid less for it than the cost of the reproductions at Home Depot.
     
    So I guess that's it for this week. Be nice to reptiles for me - no running over snakes in the road, OK?
  15. Rhindle the Dragon
    MEMOIRS OF A NOVELTY ACCOUNT


    VOL. II, ISSUE I

     
    As you may know, my blog Memoirs of a Novelty Account has not seen an entry for almost a month, and I apologize. Posting twice a week was difficult, even on winter break, but now that I'm back in college, schoolwork has caught up to me. However, I do wish to remain active on this site, so I am restarting Memoirs and will post an entry every Monday as long as I am able. This new series with its reorganized schedule shall be known as "Imperial Mondays".
     
    Again, all photographs on this blog were taken by me unless otherwise noted.
    The "Imperial Mondays" banner is a compilation of images from the Wikimedia Commons.
     
    Let's move on to the topic of the day. As I write this, I am sitting in CS 270: System Software. I really should be paying attention.
    Lately I have been designing a new programming language, which is sort of a cross between BASIC and FORTRAN. I won't share its name or logo here, as I have not trademarked them yet. Building a programming language is an integral part of the computer science curriculum. The next step is designing an interpreter for it, then a compiler. Ultimately we will be working with operating system kernels and lower-level, nitty-gritty crap. I plan on pursuing a career in this low-level area, because believe it or not, it has become my favorite part of computer science. Go figure.
     
    I hope this new series will do well. Not posting as often should give me a chance to bring more robust content to the table.
    Here's to "Memoirs of a Novelty Account, vol. II: Imperial Mondays".
  16. Rhindle the Dragon
    I wanted to take today's entry to talk about the importance of speculation in our society.
    I'm not one to get overly upset about other people's opinions, but honestly, what's the point in believing in nothing? When did theorizing go out the window?
    Does extraterrestrial intelligence exist? It's possible. Does the afterlife exist? Again, it's possible.
    "Possible" and "Probable" are two very different things. Stuff exists that hasn't been discovered yet, and I think people need to get this into their heads. Dark matter and quarks didn't suddenly spring into existence once they were discovered; they were under our noses the entire time.
     
    My generation is too quick to dismiss things, but I happen to believe in a race of flying toasters living on the planet Kardraffta in the Andromeda galaxy.
    They go about their daily lives, maintaining their infrastructure and fostering open thought at a much higher rate than humans do. And that's not saying much.
     
    "Dad?"
    "Yes son?"
    "...Are we alone?"
    "I'm with you. And you always have your toast."
    "No... I mean in the universe."
    "Appliances somewhere other than Kardraffta? What a silly concept!"
     
    We should make it a point to think differently, beyond the Apple slogan. There's meaning in life, waiting patiently to be found.
    If you want to believe in the flying toasters, go right ahead. But please... believe in something.
     
     
    (All photographs on this blog were taken by me unless otherwise noted.)
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