Strawberryland Forum

cpd2009 Wrote:

RAMChYLD Wrote:Again, it's not about media. It's about the apps I need. Also, I've used Android before. You can't install apps onto the SD Card if the developer of the app don't want you to. Even when rooting the device, doing so destabilizes the device. Again, my problem is not about media. It's about the apps I need. Some Android devices have ridiculously small amount of memory (I'm looking at you, HTC!).

Also, as mentioned, I need a Mac Mini to do dev work. Apple's policy is that you can only develop for iOS on a Mac.

Typical of Apple, restricting iOS dev kits to Macs only.

As Blake mentioned, some iOS developers are seemingly unaware of just how large the install base of Android is. If the app developers could cater to both iOS and Android, the developers could get more customers, and more consumers could break free of iOS's limitations and switch. However...

iOS and Android are two entirely different systems and require their own dev kits for each. I'm guessing some iOS developers do see how large Android has become, but either don't want to invest in a workforce to port iOS apps to Android or they don't want to deal with Java-based coding.

I can also attest that coding in Dalvik is a nightmare. Some of the commonly used Java classes is not available in Dalvik (I usually use GridLayout to draw my layout in Java. For some braindead reason said GridLayout isn't available in Dalvik). And then even after you designed your layout in an editor, you need to redeclare all the components in the Java class for them to be usable. And don't get me started on tabbed panes in Dalvik. Tabbed pane in Java = easy, tabbed pane in Dalvik = Pain in the ass.

For someone with over a decade in Java development and just a few months in Objective-C... Objective C is definitely easier to code for.

RAMChYLD Wrote:I can also attest that coding in Dalvik is a nightmare. Some of the commonly used Java classes is not available in Dalvik (I usually use GridLayout to draw my layout in Java. For some braindead reason said GridLayout isn't available in Dalvik). And then even after you designed your layout in an editor, you need to redeclare all the components in the Java class for them to be usable. And don't get me started on tabbed panes in Dalvik. Tabbed pane in Java = easy, tabbed pane in Dalvik = Pain in the ass.

For someone with over a decade in Java development and just a few months in Objective-C... Objective C is definitely easier to code for.

Interesting.

More interesting that the upcoming version of Android, "L", is replacing the Dalvik VM with the Android RunTime (ART). I don't think this will change how Android apps are developed; rather, it changes from a JIT compiler to an Ahead-of-Time compiler, which is supposed to improve app performance, among other things. It mostly affects the end user. More details here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://phandroid.com/2014/06/25/android-l-migrates-to-art-runtime-abandons-dalvik/">http://phandroid.com/2014/06/25/android ... ns-dalvik/</a><!-- m -->

This is about as far I can get with Edison's existing motherboard (the fastest CPU available is the 1100T, which is just about 100MHz faster than what I settled with but costs a multitude more, and 8GB of RAM, the maximum he can take due to a limitation in the BIOS placed by Asus is 16GB). But 8GB is technically plenty enough. The 650Ti Boosts are already pushing it but a necessary evil- the motherboard can't take full advantage of them because they're PCIe 3.0 x16 cards while the motherboard is only PCIe 2.0, but I needed these as a stopgap while waiting for the GTS450s to be RMAed (plus to support some newer games).

I have reached my final house upgrade in AC:CF, and I just have to pay off the 528,000 Bell cost. I'm also starting to find ways to beautify my town a bit, such as creating an area where flowers bloom. I may start removing some trees soon.

I'm also considering getting back into Angry Birds. I tried one of the latest updates, and outside of the ability of getting optional powerups, gameplay doesn't seem to have migrated to a true Pay2Play system. I shall see when I attempt a playthrough later this week sometime.

Oh... one more thing. Greta's "Nvidia Optimus" sticker finally fell off due to wear from using the keyboard. The actual Nvidia GPU sticker is not far behind.

Haven't heard from Prudie for a while. I hope her family is still doing fine.

Blackberry Bun Wrote:Haven't heard from Prudie for a while. I hope her family is still doing fine.

Have you tried sending her a message on Facebook? Maybe she'll see it and reply from there?

Meanwhile, I noticed that my computer's PSU 12 volt rail is now reading 12.03v in the BIOS. Probably as a side effect from having a marginally more powerful CPU in place. I reckon it will last one or two more years before replacement is necessary. If it falls below 12, then problems and freezes will start.

I have been actually getting around to playing Elsie's rather large collection of Virtual Console games. Highlights so far:

I finally beat the TG16 classic "Blazing Lazers" while just hanging by a thread. With all my powerups gone and just one life left, I persevered and beat the game.

Now, I'm alternating between two other shooters... "Final Soldier" and "Dragon Spirit". "Final Soldier" is similar to "Blazing Lazers", but the challenge comes only towards the final few levels. And with the final level, prepare for your eyes to hurt. The animated stage background really is something.... something they could have done away with.

I want to acquire a real TG16 console someday, but the VC will do for now.

I'm currently looking for a new wi-fi router. What brand do you recommend? TP-Link has been performing bad for me. I recently saw a D-Link in a store. Is that a good brand? Or maybe I should look for something else?

Blackberry Bun Wrote:I'm currently looking for a new wi-fi router. What brand do you recommend? TP-Link has been performing bad for me. I recently saw a D-Link in a store. Is that a good brand? Or maybe I should look for something else?

What are the issues with your current router? Is the brand TP-Link, and if so can you explain the specific issues you are having with that particular brand of router?

Lately the access point tends to "disappear" and I have to restart the router to make it appear again. Happens often, ranging from a few hours to a few minutes.

Also, high ping (2k+). I tried removing the router once and link the modem to my PC directly, and the high ping doesn't happen.