XMind - Mind mapping and brainstorming tool

It's hard to come by a free tool that allows you to minimalistically visualize your ideas. Spider web or mind-map diagrams are great ways to chart central ideas and subsequent supporting or off shoots.

XMind is an open source program that enables elaborate mind mapping with great click creation of items and realignment of tasks and options with ease. It allows you to export the charts to a variety of formats, including but not limited to PDFs and image files.

There is a professional version with an yearly subscription, but unless you work in a heavy requirements surround with the needed capability of project management, collaboration or presentation requirements then the free version suffices.

I find it not only a great way to outline ideas and projects, but also a handy to do list as every idea I have is listed and clearly prepped with subtopics. Visit the site to download the installation file.

Game On: an exhibition of the history of gaming

Fan of gaming? Grew up in the hay day of 8 bit gaming and before? Well then this is for you. 'Game On' is a history of the origins of gaming and follows it since the very first times humans sequestered electrons for entertainment through the decades leading to the recent past.

Unlike most exhibitions though, this one is very hands on. Almost every device on exhibit is ready to be played. A few of the exhibits piqued my interest. Gradius was one; it was something I played as a kid on an early MSX computer. The version I played was ported to the PS2, with outstanding improvements.

Each ticket allows an hour of perusing through the gallery, which starts from the progenitors of gaming tech such as the very first lab machines commandeered for game development, magnavox odyssey - first proper games console, the latest generation consoles, and everything inbetween.

My personal favourites were the section on classic handheld devices and coming face to face with consoles, the very earliest of personal computers and not to mention classic games all from my childhood.

A few issues detract from this otherwise wonderful trip down memory lane. The layout is somewhat organic and doesn't present a chronological flow from the very beginning to the latest. There isn't even a tenuous guide to say the very least. A dozen or so magazine covers on entering the exhibit is intriguing, but not enough to warrant people staying on and admiring their content, given the limited time frame of the ticket. A single wall would've done the job better than plastering them through a hallway.

In terms of being a comprehensive look on gaming history, it falls short of not including the current latest technologies and not to mention where future trends, software, hardware and will head. 

For some of its short comings, the Game On exhibiton is great experience not to be missed. I for one wouldn't mind going there a second, third or even tenth time. 


Game On is being held at the Ambassador Theater on Parnell Street, Dublin. Hurry the exhibition is slated to close at the end of January 2011.

Free Java Ebook

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch. Why they say that I do not know, maybe the virtue of hard work and all that jazz. But maybe they have yet to realize that the monetary system is just a human facade, but I digress.

To counter a proverb, it is often suited to use another proverb - The best things life are free. Nobody likes to get bogged down in validated debates, what are we scientists? Before you answer that, I'll just showcase the book and be on my merry way.

This free ebook offers a window on object oriented programming and showcases paradigms relevant to almost any programming language. Although, in this edition, JAVA is used as an example language. The book is meant for people with an idea of JAVA programming, to reinforce key topics inherent in most object oriented languages to programming development methodologies
Go on, enjoy your free lunch before I get jolly and expressive. 'Object Oriented Programming using JAVA' by Simon Kendal.

Developping Andriod Apps using eclipse

                                       Image via Wikipedia

It's been a year since I've used any IDE, just recently, I came across a great article on smashing magazine about developing android apps using eclipse. Eclipse is an open source, free IDE for Java programmers.

The article explains how to get both Eclipse, the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) and installing them. The only hitch was that I had when using the instructions was right before the heading, 

'Targeting Android Platforms'

The image beforehand indicates the SDK packages for the different types of Android devices. You won't see that until you complete the steps after the heading in question. I've only managed to get uptil this point as my computer was wrought with malcontent and i had to reinstall everything.

The article pointed here is very detailed and will guide most readers through the first baby steps in developing an Android app. Happy developing.

Eclipse IDE for Java

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Eclipse is an open source, and freely available I might add, Java IDE. It is very reassuring to realize that most developers tend to use something that's free and readily available rather than overpriced commercial offerings. This translates to a springboard for people eager to learn programming languages. Starting out and gaining fluency in any programming language is challenging enough without artificial barriers.

Eclipse IDE's also feature other languages such as PHP and C++. For a list of available IDE's go [ here ]

Related articles

• Is it hard to become an Android developer...? (kreci.net)
• Eclipse Cheat Sheets Rock (architexa.com)
• java and C top programming language rank (jacobian.web.id)
• Google Open Sources Two Projects, Contributes to Eclipse Foundation (nytimes.com)
• Google Gives $5M Worth of Java GUI Tools to Eclipse (mashable.com)
• A New Kind of Java Tutorial is Almost Ready (java.sys-con.com)

Amazon Kindle 3 unpacking

Even though I had to wait a bit over two weeks ordering the Kindle from Amazon.com (US) since the UK site doesn't do Ireland, when it finally was shipped it reached me within 3 days. Here are pics of the unpacking:

Here's an earlier blogpost about the kindle and the covers I got for it.
Kindle cover [ 1 ] and [ 2 ]

Logitech Wireless Desktop Mk 250

Finally decided to buy a proper brand name device after two failed attempts with PCLINE's PCL-WOD1 and another brand whose name I can't recall. I got a very neat deal on Logitech's Wireless Desktop Mk 250.

The Mk 250 has a wireless keyboard and optical mouse tethered to your laptop or pc using a memory stick sized usb transceiver. It's not a nano sized dongle but unless if you are concerned about having constantly plugged in whilst on the move, it's not a big issue.

One of the best things about this device is that it is plug and play at its best. I was able to use the combo while I was reinstalling windows. That is something I couldn't do with previous wireless combos, because, usually, a device driver would be needed to be installed prior to usage.

This bargain deal also comes with free delivery if you live in the UK or, if outside the UK, combined with another qualifying order of over £25 translates to a free delivery. Great deal considering a similar device costs more than double the price here in Ireland.

Black EVA Travel Hard Case for Amazon Kindle 3

This was THE case I was dying to get for my new Kindle 3 (Wifi only and Wifi & 3G). It is compact, covers the device completely. An elastic Velcro harness makes sure the device stays put when opened. There is an inner sleeve on the opposing side of the cover as well. The Kindle fits snugly into the memory foam inner and even with my silicone sleeve cover, fits perfectly. The case is also splash proof, hard EVA covering which offers extra complete, all around protection compared to the slew of other covers out there.

In other covers, the ports and certain areas are exposed which would allow random debris to enter and accumulate whilst in transit in your backpack or other luggage. 

This item comes at a very remarkable price for the protection it offers at under £ 6. Be warned though, the low cost and high value makes this a rare item and I've had to wait around for it to become available when I bought mine. So if, hopefully when, it comes out make sure you grab yours.

Duronic 10.1 inch laptop sleeve

A great deal on a great sleeve for your net book. This neat little number is a zippered sleeve with two opposing pouches that could fit usb cabling, memory sticks or other small peripherals. 

A handy little item to take your net book with you on the go. Offers protection against bumps and scrapes whilst in your backpack or handbag. A great price of under £ 5, this is an item not to be missed.

Amazon Kindle 3 silicone soft case and screen protector

FoneM8's Silicone case and screen protector for the Kindle 3 is a bargain buy. It provides protection from bumps, debris, finger presents and miscellaneous damaging agents for a fraction of the price of other covers available. 

A few things to note though, the cover I purchased had reversed page turn buttons on the left side - forward and backward ever reversed causing me to think my kindle was malfunctioning for a little while. And the only other thing is near the 5 directional key, the right direction key press is harder with the cover as it blocks the finger from fully pressing down on it.

Overall this cover is a great solution to protecting your Kindle 3. It fits both the Wifi only and 3G models, and at such an incredible price not to be passed up.