Ask the Oracle or Be the Oracle!
ASK ME ANYTHING. OR TELL ME YOUR BEST STORY. Here is your chance as an O'Reilly reader to prove that you actually exist, and are not merely a programatically generated increase in the site hits that I am supposedly getting. And here is my chance to be sure that my blog is addressing your needs and various perverse curiosities.
Suggested Topic: Where the Metal Hits the Meat
I am particularly eager to address issues in which technology affects our quality of life.
I am considered an expert at audio on computers. I'm not as technical as some, but through my Project BBQ conference (10th year coming up!) many of the best technicians in this topic have honored me with their friendship, so I can refer tough questions to them.
I am also an author and crackpot philosopher, with an emphasis on using the nightmarish true tales from the game industry as parables.
Let's all learn from your torture!
Hit the Fat Man...let's see what you've got.
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I'm supper hungry and i don't know what to eat. If i don't think of something soon my girl friend might just chew off my leg!! I need help bad!!
Reguards
hungry hungry rob and ashley.
Whither General MIDI?
Here ya go, I think I got the first part of your answer.
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/7597
--fat
Quality of Life and a music question...
I have created what I think is a suitable and happy reply to your request, SMR. See:
http://admin.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/7596
Quality of Life and a music question...
Good for you, respecting the IP and all that.
M was way cool, especially for its time. I may be able to get some dialog going. You can save me some work if you happen to know who currently owns the rights to the code.
Whither General MIDI?
A good question. I got some news on this yesterday. Let me see if it is under NDA, and if not, I'll blurt.
Quality of Life and a music question...
Many moons ago, there was a great software company called Intelligent Music who made a great piece if software called "M". which was later distributed by Voyetra. Do you know it? Do you have any industry pull to get the code open-sourced? I actually have a copy of the source, however I can't (won't) do anything with it, because while the author gave me a copy, he didn't have the authority to open up the license. It was GREAT. I MISS IT.
Whither General MIDI?
Or is that wither, General MIDI? At one point, you led a crusade (http://www.fatman.com/fatlabs.htm) to improve General MIDI synthesizers. Are they now as good as they’re going to get? How are composers of interactive music using GM now? Or MIDI in general?
metal? meat?
Thank you for asking this very important question, Merlyn. I was studying that topic this morning. I sincerely think that this is the best answer I can give, and I think it could be very helpful:
"The root of affliction is ignorance, which gives rise to craving and craving in
turn brings out attachment."
--http://www.nantien.org.au/htmls/about_4truths.htm
Now don't be offended by the word "ignorance," Merl, which I know is a risky word to use when talking to an engineer or a wizard, and clearly you are both. It just means, in this context, that, like most smart people on the planet, especially engineers, our giant brains makes it hard for us to remain focused on what is essential.
So, when faced with the rich and special opportunity to be an Oracle, or to ask the Oracle anything in the universe, our brain chooses instead to cause us to think of burgers.
It's a very common problem, maybe the most essential problem of Humanity.
--------disclaimer--------
If my answer does not strike my publishers as relevant to engineering, I must respectfully submit that I answered the question well, and that our first job as bloggers is to be considerate of the needs of the users.
--------end disclaimer-----
Anyway, piece of cake.
Next question?
(And let it not be "Why am I craving for cake all of a sudden?" because that's just silly.)
metal? meat?
Why am I craving for hamburgers all of a sudden?