Testing GoAnimate

Tried to make a quick video on GoAnimate. I find it cool that even though I only typed in the dialogue, the character voices were able to say the sentences quite satisfactorily. Check out my Ninja Training Dojo Battle Video!

Go Animate Test Video by nathanweisz on GoAnimate

Video Maker - Powered by GoAnimate.

Generic.lhk Hides USB Files

AVG Antivirus detected the Generic.lhk worm when I scanned my friend's USB files. There was only one file shown in windows explorer, and it was a shortcut with a size of a few kilobytes. But when I right-click on the drive, the pie shows that about 20% of the drive space was still being taken up by files. The files were still there. There was hope of recovering them. So I let AVG remove the threat and then I moved on to the next step.

I usually use the DOS command, attrib -r -a -s -h to be able to see the missing files. Sadly, virus and malware makers-methods are getting more and more sophisticated and this approach no longer seemed to work in this particular case.

After doing a search on Google, some sites recommend using WinRAR to recover the files. But WinRAR is not completely free. So I opted using 7-zip instead, which was completely free at the time I downloaded it. I opened the program, then looked for the USB drive with the problem. There were only 3 files initially, the shortcut, and two additional files which showed up after running the attrib command. After checking these three files, 7-zip found the files in the shortcut. I extracted these files to my hard drive, formatted the USB, then copied the files back to the USB. I also rerun the AVG scan on the USB drive, just to be on the safe side.

Virus and malware makers will continue making our lives more and more difficult. Time spent fixing the problem could have been spent on something more worthwhile. I just hope I can keep up with finding solutions to more sophisticated attacks.

Command & Conquer: Tiberium Alliances World

The Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances world is huge. It is a circle with a radius of 800 locations. That's roughly 2 million possible places to put your first base in (given that the server will have a maximum of 50,000 players). But of course, not all that area is free space. In fact, as you approach the center of the world, space becomes more and more packed with bases of the enemy AI - dubbed the Forgotten.

Unlike Ikariam, which is a game that has no distinct goal, except to remain as one of the top players in the rankings, there is a goal in Tiberium Alliances, and that is to attack, and presumably conquer the Forgotten Fortress which is located at the center of the world. The base levels surrounding that fortress are between levels 44 and 46. So that base is probably at level 50. To put that in perspective, you start the game at level 1. The best player (since he is ranked 1) in the server I'm playing in is currently at level 20 and he is in the region of the world were base levels are between 23 and 26. He currently has the most number of bases for an individual player, numbered at four. Assuming he has been playing since the server started, and assuming that has been on March 2012, when this game was officially released, this game has a long ways to go before the end.

I don't know what will happen when the Forgotten Fortress is finally controlled by an alliance. But one thing is certain, it will be a tough challenge if alliances focus on defeating one another - a zero sum game - when they could all focus on defeating the Forgotten Fortress. Clearly, a single player who is un-alligned will be heavily burdened to defeat the AI Fortress on his own. There are eight shield control hubs about 20 locations away from the fortress on all eight regions (N, E, S, W and those in-between). Four of these have to be disabled before you can even attack the main fortress. And bases upon bases of the enemy is all around - ranging from camps to outposts.

Alliances are also limited in the number of player slots, maxing out at 50 each. So even if all players would want to band together, getting to the center would probably take several years. This is a time-span that a casual gamer might not readily commit to.

I would want to see that day, when the main Forgotten Fortress finally falls. Hopefully, I would be part of one of the alliances responsible for AI's downfall. It would be a glorious day, and perhaps, also sad, since it signifies the end of the CCTA journey. But you at least in this game, you have a solid goal to aim for.

Command & Conquer: Tiberium Alliances

For those of you who are into RTS (real-time simulation) games on the PC like Starcraft, Dune, or Generals, or if you like browser games like Travian and Ikariam, then Command and Conquer: Tiberium Alliances (henceforth CC:TA) might just be the game for you.

The game combines the familiar elements of an RTS - resource gathering, structure and army building and upgrading, and scientific research with the best elements of a browser based game - no installation, auto-saved game state, and accessibility wherever there is an internet connection.

Below is a screenshot of what your base might look like after a few days of development.

I will try to share some tips I've learned as I progress in the game. As of now, as a beginner in the game, one thing I've noticed is that a building's location can be optimized. You will become more familiar with this as you use the move button (the button that looks like a cross on the right side of the screen). When you move a structure, you will notice sometimes that arrows appear either flowing out or flowing into the structure. The more arrows flowing in, the better. This increases the output of that structure - whether it be Tiberium minerals, crystals, energy or credit (the monetary unit in the game).

So, make sure you optimize the structure's placement with respect to your mineral fields and to other structures.

Structure placement is also key in successfully preventing your base from being wiped out in a single attack. I haven't been attacked yet since I am under "newbie" protection. But from the attacks I've made against the game's artificial intelligence, the more structures you place along the path towards the command center, the more targets have to be wasted by the opponent's armies. And more targets means they run out of ammo if they ever reach your command center.

That's it for today. Stay tuned for more tips in the future!!!

Rocketeer Guitar Tabs

Saw this cool rendition of Rocketeer by Jayesslee. The song is originally by Far East Movement and Bruno Mars. Below is the video of Jayesslee playing the song in Malaysia.

So I thought I'd try coming up with the chords for their version. I hope you enjoy it. I used the barre version for most chords.

Addendum: Saw this even fuller sounding version by Rachel Lampa. I'm not sure who influenced who, but the performances have similarities. You decide which one is better for you.

INTRO:

         C#maj7        Bbm
Here we go, come with me
         G#                   Fm - Ebm7
There's a world out there that we should see
         C#maj7        Bbm
Take my hand, close your eyes
         C (or G#)                  C7
With you right here, I'm a rocketeer


CHORUS:

    C#maj7        Bbm
Let's fly
    G#
Up, up here we go
    Fm - Ebm7
Up, up here we go

   C#maj7        Bbm
Let's fly
   C (or G#)
Up, up here we go, go
   C7
Where we stop nobody knows, knows

(Just repeat for succeeding verses and chorus)

Person of Interest

If Batman were made into a realistic TV series, "Person of Interest" would be its title. The show is about John Reese (Jim Caviezel) who is a former military then CIA operative who is given a second chance, a purpose, so to speak by reclusive billionaire Finch (Michael Emerson), a brilliant programmer who created the AI (artificial intelligence) that gives them the social security number of the person/s they are supposed to rescue or stop during a TV episode. The AI was created after the twin towers fell in 2001 in order to prevent violent acts of terror, by predicting when it would happen, but instead, the AI "finds" individuals who may or may not be connected with a future crime. If Bruce Wayne were split into two people, one with the smarts, the other with the brawn, Finch and John would be those people.

Batgirl and Robin are also present in the show in terms of Carter (Taraji P. Henson), and Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman), both New York Police Department detectives. Carter is also ex-military and represents the 'good cop'. Fusco used to be on the mob's payroll but Reese has given him a chance to redeem himself by working for their team instead, so Fusco is sort of like a double agent. He used to be a 'bad cop', but actually wants to change his ways for his kids future.

And if Superman had Krypto, John and Finch also have a trained attack dog which they adopted from some bad guys.

And contrary to the approach Arrow has of having recurring 'villians' in their show, Person of Interest has staple villians similar to the Joker, the Riddler, Catwoman, and the Penguin. Here are just some.

• Elias - for me, he would probably be the Joker in the show. He used to be a school teacher before inheriting the role of Mob boss from his father, who used to run things. Reese saved his life once, and because of that, although Reese foils his plans sometimes, he never orders Reese to get killed. Reese even asks for favors from him sometimes, when they are against the same foe, or when Elias' interests would be served by lending a helping hand.
• Root - this is the female computer whiz counterpart of Finch. She is after control of the AI, for what reasons, well, the show hasn't revealed yet, but based on her rap sheet, you know she is bad news. 
• John's mentor - also ex-CIA, she has been the recent focus of the show, strapping bombs on Reese and another CIA member, and introducing a computer virus into the Internet and government networks. The recent last episode shows camera scenes that reveal a car explosion. But she has survived a missile explosion before, so I wouldn't be surprised if she surfaces in the future.
• HR (human resources, I think) - this is another organized crime group with policemen and government employees in their pockets. It is sort of a competing crime organization with that of Elias. Fusco is keeping an eye on this group for John and Finch.
• Some U.S. Senator - he has ordered the execution of individuals connected with the government program that backed the creation of the AI. He may also be after the control of the AI.

There have been some interesting developments in the show that may point to Finch, being a bad guy. Viewers familiar with LOST know how duplicitous he can be. I hope the writers don't turn him into one, but it would play for an interesting finale if he was the main villain after all. Or another angle could be the AI, being the main villain in the end - after being hacked by Root, or perhaps the government, or "it" deciding on its own that humanity is the problem, and taking control of U.S. government launch codes to annihilate the entire world population.

But so far, the show's writers haven't gone that far. TV Audiences are done good by series like McGyver, the Pretender, and Burn Notice. Shows where the good guy helps out a different person every week. And Person of Interest has done well, being voted as the 2012 People's Choice Awards for Favorite New TV Drama. If you aren't a fan yet, you should be.

Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) Chords

Original song by Neyo. Great piano rendition via Glee. Hope I can do the guitar version justice. Enjoy!
- Nathan

Intro: (tabs are optional)

Bb - Dm - C

e|-1-0--------|
B|-----1------|
G|-------0-2--|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|

Bb - F (optional high) - C

e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|---0--------|
D|-3---3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|

Stanza Pattern:

Bb - Dm - C

Much as you blame yourself, you can't be blamed
Bb - F - C

For the way that you feel

Bb - Dm - C

Had no example of a love that was

Bb - F - C

Even remotely real

Bb - Dm - C

How can you understand something 

e|--6-5-------|
B|------6-----|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|


that you
Bb - F - C

Never had?
e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|-0-0--------|
D|-----3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|
Bb - Dm - C
If you let me I can help out with 
Bb - F - C
All of that

Chorus:
(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
And I will love you, 
e|--------------|
B|-3-3-1-----1--|
G|-------2h3----|
D|--------------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|
Until you learn
Bb - Dm - C
To love yourself





e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|-0-0--------|
D|-----3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|


(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
A heart of numbness
e|-----6-5----|
B|-1-1--------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|
Gets brought to life
Bb - Dm - C
I'll take you there





Instumental:

e|------8-10-10-13-12-|
B|-8-10---------------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|


e|-13-12--------------|
B|-------13-8-10------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|



e|-10-8---------------|
B|------8-------------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|


e|---------8----------|
B|-6-8-6-5------------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|
(similar to the previous pattern)

e|------8-10-10-13-12-|
B|-8-10---------------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|


e|-13-12--------------|
B|-------13-8-10------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|


e|-10-8---------------|
B|------8-------------|
G|--------------------|
D|--------------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|









Stanza 2 Pattern:
Bb - Dm - C
I can see the pain behind your eyes, it's
Bb - F - C
Been there for quite a while
Bb - Dm - C

I just want to be the one to remind you

Bb - F - C

What it is to smile


Bb - Dm - C
I would love to show you what love can 
Bb - F - C
Really do

Chorus:

(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
And I will love you, 
e|--------------|
B|-3-3-1-----1--|
G|-------2h3----|
D|--------------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|


Until you learn

Bb - Dm - C
To love yourself





e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|-0-0--------|
D|-----3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|


(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C

I know your trouble
e|-----6-5----|
B|-1-1--------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|
Don't be afraid
Bb - Dm - C
Oh I can help
(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
And I will love you, 
e|--------------|
B|-3-3-1-----1--|
G|-------2h3----|
D|--------------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|
Until you learn
Bb - Dm - C
To love yourself





e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|-0-0--------|
D|-----3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|


(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C

A heart of numbness

e|-----6-5----|
B|-1-1--------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|


Gets brought to life
Bb - Dm - C

I'll take you there










Instrumental 2:

(Play alternately)
Bb - Dm - C

Bb - F - C




Last Chorus:

(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
And I will love you, 
e|--------------|
B|-3-3-1-----1--|
G|-------2h3----|
D|--------------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|
Until you learn
Bb - Dm - C
To love yourself





e|------------|
B|---------1--|
G|-0-0--------|
D|-----3-2----|
A|------------|
E|------------|


(silent)
Let me love you
Bb - F - C
I know your trouble
e|-----6-5----|
B|-1-1--------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|------------|


Don't be afraid
Bb - Dm - C
Oh I can help