Coding the Liturgical Calendar

For a long time, I've wanted to integrate the Roman Breviary into a couple of projects (nothing public) but have never been able to find a suitable calendar, breviary or psalter implementation.  So I wrote one in python.  It requires the `dateutil` package, but other than that its standard python.  My principle use of this is going to be to create a JSON interface to get the current office, season, feast-day and reading from the 1962 Liturgical calendar.  I am working on a "modern" liturgical calendar, its just not my priority right now. 

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How to make your OpenBox awesome

As a long-time Linux geek, I've discovered that there are nice aspects of GNOME/KDE, and then there's all the horrifying bits.  After almost 20 years of desktop Linux use, I've concluded that "lighter is better."  I.e. there's no real benefit to having all the bells and whistles turned on.  That's what lead me to OpenBox.

Anyone who has run OpenBox is familiar with ~/.config/openbox/autostart.sh... or at least they should be.  In case you aren't, here's the crux of it -- the autostart.sh script runs when OB starts-up, and its the vehicle through which you can start all the bits and pieces of the desktop that you might need.  Here's my autostart.sh:

#
# Openbox config for the ultimate desktop 
# 

#### policykit manager
# allows us to manage networks and other things that require root priv.
(sleep 10 && /usr/lib/policykit-1-gnome/polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1) &

#### gnome settings daemon 
# allows us to use the gnome tools for things like display and mouse
(gnome-settings-daemon) & 

#### mount encrypted disks and set desktop wallpaper
(/home/cjs/bin/mntenc && nitrogen --set-zoom-fill /home/cjs/mine/pics/backgrounds/current.jpg ) &

#### Enable power management
# we use xfce because the gnome-power-manager went away (as a systray icon anyways)
#(gnome-power-manager) & #this went away in Debian Sid around Dec '11
(xfce4-power-manager) &

#### Thunar Daemon
# handles automounting disks, etc.
(thunar --daemon) &

#### Tint2
# our panel
(tint2) &

#### Screensaver
(xscreensaver -no-splash) &

#### Synapse
# synapse is a key-stroke app-launcher, like Gnome-DO
(synapse -s) &

#### DropBox
# sync files between multiple systems
(sleep 2s && dropbox start) &

## Launch network manager applet
# 2012/01/07 -- this has been getting launched twice, presumably by gnome-settings-daemon?
#(sleep 4s && nm-applet) &

#### volumeicon 
# allows us to control volume from an icon in the system tray
(sleep 3s && volumeicon) &

#### Clipboard manager
# parcellite is a bigger/better utility
(sleep 3s && parcellite) &

## start xsnow!
#(sleep 3s && xsnow -notrees -nokeepsnow -nosanta) &

So, in case all of this is completely Greek to you, I've included comments.  This script works provided you've got tint2, parcellite, xscreensaver, dropbox, volumeicon, and thunar installed, and in your execution path.  This script also assumes that you've got the default GNOME desktop installed for such things as settings and authentication.  The point being is that you can use this even on the default Debian 6 install, and achieve a highly functional desktop without the overhead you'd experience with a full GNOME or KDE desktop.

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Best Android Apps

There are a thousand lists of "top apps" out there.  SO, why write another one?  Because virtually every app list I've seen is full of truly awful apps.   My only conclusion is that syndicated bloggers and so-called "news" sites are "in-bed" with app developers to promote certain apps.

My obscurity in the blogosphere ensures that my app-list will be based on merit.  The apps I am listing here are exclusively apps I enjoy using.

Corey's Top 10 Android Apps

1. Enhanced Email ($)
2. Launcher Pro ($)
3. Dolphin HD 
4. Weather Bug Elite ($)
5. Fast Reboot Pro ($)
6. Advanced Task Killer
7. Slacker Radio
8. Tiny Flashlight + LED
9. WiFi Analyzer
10. Alarm Clock Plus 

There are a ton of games available on the Android, but many of them are ruined by one of three forms of monetizing the game:  push ads, in-game ads, and in-game item purchase. In the case of the first two, there are a couple of handy apps to help squash these.

To identify games with "push ads", you can use these apps:

• AirPush Detector
• TrustGo Ad Detector
• Lookout Security Premium

To disable ads altogether on rooted phones, you can use the "AdFree" app.  That said, it doesn't disable the advertisement space, it just makes it so the pictures don't show-up.  Which, is mostly what I'm worried about, because I hate those types of distractions.

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