Ask Justin Frankel

justin = { main feed , music , code , askjf , pubkey };

Ask Justin Frankel
No reasonable question unanswered since 2009!

Suggested topics: programming, music, sleep, coffee, etc.

Note: please do not ask questions about REAPER features, bugs or scheduling, use the forums instead.

[newer questions]

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[older questions]

Question: Becoming a better programmer: books, or practice? I sometimes suspect I'm using books as an "easier" distraction...
Asked by Eric (96.126.104.x) on August 16 2012, 12:12pm
Reply on August 17 2012, 2:55pm:

Probably both? Comment...

Question: How does the "About Winamp" graphic effect work algorithmically?
Asked by Will (70.173.150.x) on August 15 2012, 5:55am
Reply on August 17 2012, 2:57pm (edited at August 17 2012, 2:58pm):

I'd imagine it is a standard texture mapping blit but with a transform function (with a parameter that changes over time) of the source coordinates. What that transform function is, I forget... It could also be linearly interpolated for speed, too. Comment...

Question: Fixed sleeping schedule or irregular all-night coding sessions?
Asked by Murgh (85.126.173.x) on August 15 2012, 1:00am
Reply on August 17 2012, 2:56pm:

Fixed sleeping schedule for sure. I used to do the latter, but it is not good for long term well being. Comment...

Question: usesthis.com/ It seems all elite people use Mac now. Do you?
Asked by Will (70.173.150.x) on August 12 2012, 6:03am
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:45pm:

I prefer not using OSX, but often end up to out of need (supporting it as a platform, etc). I do however like the recent MBA hardware, it's nice and solid feeling, but the missing keys on the keyboard prevent me from using it every day. Comment...

Question: I heard you are a big fan of Usain Bolt. Is it true?
Asked by Mommy (99.173.159.x) on August 10 2012, 6:51pm
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:45pm:

Not particularly, I just found out who he is. Comment...

Question: What was your first computer? Did you ever use AOL?
Asked by travis (70.178.38.x) on August 10 2012, 5:35am
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:46pm:

I got to use my older brothers' Atari 800XL. I never used AOL until I worked for them, but I saw it on others computers (running its own licensed GUI, even), and ridiculed them. Comment...

Question: travis...hmmm...not the one I was thinking of... I was remembering one from a scifi collection from the late 50's or early 60's
Asked by bear (97.123.88.x) on August 7 2012, 3:37am
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:46pm:

blerp. Comment...

Question: For Justin and Bear: The Phantom of Liberty www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Mptgi23YE
Asked by travis (70.178.38.x) on August 7 2012, 3:19am
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:49pm:

BRILLIANT! Comment...

Question: Can you think of a better way of doing server side commits: plus.google.com/u/0/10441071197087...
Asked by James Swift (85.211.207.x) on August 6 2012, 1:45pm
Reply on August 7 2012, 6:39pm:

I would never push to the server, just ssh in and pull. Generally the only modified files on the server don't collide with any other changes... Comment...

Question: re: your story. It has been done. I forget the science fiction author
Asked by bear (97.123.88.x) on August 5 2012, 9:46pm
Reply on August 7 2012, 6:39pm:

Ok Comment...

Question: why was my previous question unanswered. Kindly answer it
Asked by Desert Rain (122.176.246.x) on August 5 2012, 1:22pm
Reply on August 5 2012, 3:00pm:

I will, thinking still, as I know there is something... Comment...

Question: Is brevity a virtue? Holy shit! www.ubuntuvibes.com/2012/08/john-carmack-linux-is-still-not-viab...
Asked by Will (70.173.150.x) on August 5 2012, 1:17am
Reply on August 12 2012, 6:50pm:

Hah that's a long video. Brevity can be nice, but sometimes being thorough is important? Comment...

Question: In this hypothetical book, would servers come around to wipe customers butts?
Asked by travis (70.178.38.x) on August 4 2012, 11:01pm
Reply on August 5 2012, 3:01pm (edited at August 5 2012, 3:02pm):

Hah seems reasonable enough! I can envision a guy worried about his date tonight, quietly eating lots of fiber in the supply closet at work. Comment...

Question: Have you ever totaled a geo in the desert? :)
Asked by paulpv (24.19.191.x) on August 4 2012, 7:45am
Reply on August 4 2012, 5:17pm:

No, but I have driven a Geo in the desert. I think it continued to be usable as a car for a couple more years after that, too. Comment...

Question: When you use git to push to the reaper site, what happens to modifications server-side when you do checkout -f?
Asked by James Swift (92.8.231.x) on August 3 2012, 6:58pm
Reply on August 3 2012, 8:07pm:

Well, ideally there wouldn't be any modifications, but if there were, you'd either commit and merge, or just merge (provided those files were not modified upstream -- i.e. if they are log files etc). Comment...