Month: October 2008

Desktop Styling: light and yummy

Posted by Ryan A - October 30, 08

Ubuntu 8

Useless post, but must bump the styles, and of course… the 8.10 release.

So I’ve been using Ubuntu for a while, I threw it on some computers and a notebook somewhere in 2006, but really took advantage in 2007. I never quite did the styles thing until I finally installed the system on the horse I use for development, at home… which I never use…. since I’m hardly home these days. Cool story Hansel.

DM did a nice little write up on it a while back as well, and keyed on the stock visual effects, which are very nice. Here’s my current style mix.

That’s basically it. Oh, and some good old Compiz (though I keep the Visual Affects on ‘Normal’ most of the time).

I take it that most of the otakusphere is hell-bent on M$, with a few OSX Taigas, and probably more *nix users. For M$ users, it’s definitely worth a shot, it’s fast, pretty, candy-ful, mplayer is the jam-u, and actually quite easy to work with once everything is installed.

… though, I may not be the best advocate, since I’ve not used XP in about 2 years, and have used linux on-and-off since Slackware 3 and RedHat 5.

Michiko to Hatchin, Around the Sphere

Posted by Ryan A - October 25, 08

Oh shlizaps! I’m basically super late to the premier of Michiko to Hatchin, but what the hell was up with the first batch of RAWS terrible, I was also in Las Vegas for 4 days. Having watched sudo’s version, and been alerted that Animanda and AonE are collaborating, I’m mixed about raw viewing, though it didn’t seem like much dialog when compared to recent episodes of a A Certain Magical anime.

So one of the early impressions to hit the scene was from Kuro, who noteabley dove right into the acting:

There’s an instant dislike I have for Suzuka Ohgo’s voicing of Hana because she sounds a LOT more older than her character plus it has a “yet to break in as a seiyuu” roughness to it.

Interesting, I’d probably have noticed if she spoke more, but perhaps I can keep ignoring it. I’m sure we’ll all deal with it, but I agree it can be detracting. Kind of like a sleeping person jaw-smacking while one is attempting to do quite study.

Another quick-to-the-scene (as usual) was Aroduc who insists:

We’ve obliterated the line of believability and are somewhere in make-believe land waiting for Santa to fly in with the Hanukkah Zombie and Kwanzaa Gundam for the Hogswatch party.

I am feeling this Dr. Cox vibe; Kwanzaa Gundam, count me in. Cruel families are real, from a quick POV, the family was treating her much like a farm animal, I’d say it’s common. As for the cruelty, yes, we are humans, and I believe it’s purposely vexing, but not that far-fetched.

Washi mentioned:

The harsh and cruel “upbringing” of Hatchin by her nasty parents and siblings forcefully extracts empathy from the audience.

Yes, and many viewers wanted to strangle that family. Thank god they are out of the picture. I particularly enjoyed Washi’s post btw, very positive.

So, as I swim through the posts, I’m realizing MtH has quite possibly received the most attention of the season, but it could very well be Toradora! or Index. In any case, I just love when Impz posts. He adjusts:

Hana particularly looks really queer at times.

It’s okay, queers are acceptable.see Junjou

Okay, the real adjustment:

This episode is mostly a set up for the future episodes.

This is sheer truth, and I’m in total agreement. This episode is could very well be taken as episode 0. Impz’ new blogmate also jotted some stuff, and the search for meaning of the tatoo shall commence.

absolute0 put in some good thoughts as well:

It would be interesting to see her transformation as she travels with the brash Michiko. It would be interesting to see Michiko’s transformation as well.

I’m definitely leaning toward MtH having a moderate plotline, episodic in nature, but heavy on the character development. So hopefully we will get some of this transformation, dynamic characters rock. If it doesn’t happen to go that way, I’ll be surprised and pleased anyway. absolute0 also taps on authenticity:

The producers could have used Latin American names instead of Japanese names to make the setting more authentic.

If we’re going to talk authenticity, I think the most I’ve seen in anime is KyoAni’s language array in The Second Raid. manglobe didn’t anty up on that hand, but if we consider Michiko as Malandro, and Hana as Morenos, we get a sweet Latin vibe. It seems the terrible family had Japanese names for some reason, aahm. Onward!

I noticed the majority of posts mentioned a few common things:

  • manglobe’s other productions
  • Shinichiro Watanabe’s other productions
  • Cowboy Bebop
  • Samurai Champloo

Seeing as I inadvertently did the same, I shall ad. The issue between the list items and MtH is there’s no pattern that fits the production environment. The creator mash-up is varied, so MtH should wind up feeling rather different. I like what Washi said:

the fact that the show so determinedly stands on its own two feet is refreshing and perhaps its greatest strength

Perhaps it’s over-expectation to desire a series that breaks the mold, and maybe it’s generalization to expect the creators along the same lines to deliver, but the hype is well-deserved. coburn feels it:

The pure gorgeousness of everything, the emotional closeness of the journey to come. Could I be overhyping? Well yes.

Do it! If you’re eyes aren’t burning, you’re soul is not on fire! And we mine as well blaze when we get the Brazilian setting, Omnisynth loves it:

I love the Brazilian setting of the show which contrasts greatly to the standard highschool locations that seem to plague anime these days

Shall we gamble, Brazilian setting + high school location? I know the Brazilian IRC faction is so loved on #ab, but it’s likely I have no clue what school in Brazil is like, are there even seifuku?

Finally, from Kaibitzin:

What a strange first episode! From the trippy opening with the topless loli to the wacked out LLBDD feather belly tattoos that every girl has, I had no clue what was going on.

When I imaging someone speaking these words, I can’t help but smile and giggle. Kaibitzin definitely released the most oddball impression of this group, but ultimately, he’s right. What’s going on, and where do we go from here? How many of us were ruffled by Michiko’s feathers? or readied to kill by the terrible family? Did anyone make a Maria voodoo doll? Care to share you’re pins and needles?

Too many questions!

Sadly, we’ll all have to wait at least for the next episode before we glimpse more from the new pair, Michiko and Hatchin!

One License to Rule Them All

Posted by Ryan A - October 23, 08

I guess I should finish this post, since it is a couple weeks old, and omo started a nice little discussion with a relative thought. One of the strong points I found was this:

Even when you buy some copyright-protected media without DRM,
you don’t own it.

There is always going to be hubbub about downloading digitized media information, but the legal solutions suck ass! And I’m not very fond of DVD’s especially when they take ages to be released, what the hell is the point of fiber-Earth anyway. I question this because 98% digital media, particularly J-media, is still slow as molasses when done legally [or the quality is a stream, please, it sucks].

Disclaimer: I have no power in the business world, and I’m not a board member at a large media company, so this idea is just blown into the digital wind.

Transportable Information License

In concept, licensing of a product is always for commercial benefit, and never because the information is just so pure, true, and beautiful that the public needs to experience it (never, even in the case of すてき ARIA). It’s all about money, and consumers would be exploited by companies if they could get away with it; price-gouging is REAL. lol @ $50 Blu-Rays

One solution I believe could compensate for corporate greed, but still please consumers like myself is a Transportable Information License or a “take it anywhere” license. With respect to not owning the information, such a license would allow the holder right to keep the given information, end of story. If such a transportable license existed, it would not be illegal to have a digital copy of a title on the computer; getting it there may still be illegal.

The suggestion of a transportable license ensures that a license holder owns the right to experience the information in any form, but the said license would not allow distribution [for commercial benefit], or require the licensee to yield any physical copy of the information (paperless).

Naturally, an item this powerful would require a greater cost, but those recording those nice HD series from the airwaves would have a way to legally own access to what was recorded, and others who have somehow obtained a digital file would no longer be in the legal red, just because they have it.

Would there really be anything for consumers to complain about if they hold the license which allows them to store and experience a title in any digital form?

On another note, the core concept of such a license is the noncommercial nature.

Xamdou Watch

Posted by Ryan A - October 12, 08

If you aren’t watching Xam’d, good… save up for the MARATHON!

I swear to myself that I’m going to stick to batch watching the series, but it doesn’t happen. First its “I can wait for a couple more”, then it’s, “well I should watch these 2 episodes now,” then comes the despair when there’s no more… 4 should be the target.

Xam’d…
total loss of self-control…
…can you hear the Hiruko?
What does it tell you?

Yes it’s good, it’s excellent, though I’m missing Extrange’s posts about it, and I can’t tell if omo is serious or sarcastic in his commentary on the series progression. OGT, well, he’s obviously head-over-heals, bedazzled by Haru… it’s okay, I accept it, she’s lovely, but I miss that sexy long hair.. yum.

Haru

I do enjoy her presence, as the character has a lot to fall for.

Anyway, in light of Haru’s “change,” I don’t believe she has moved passed the Akiyuki ordeal, there’s just no way. Rather, very abrupt action of change says something to her higher-ups; she’s changed.

Why not make them believe it, and even more so, after a few weeks with that short hair, she will likely become faceless among the ranks. In short, I trust she knows what she’s doing…. folloing her heart in the path of least resistance, hoping that she can find the right moment to release.

We all know she belongs with Akiyuki, on the rouge postal ship. See it?

Haru

There it is. It’s called longing.

Another mention of Haru connects episodes 07 and 11, where we see the tower. I like the reference, and this is exactly why Xam’d is outstanding atm, this detail is significant, yet, there’s enough going on in the forefront that pondering it is useless; we’ll get the memo when we need to.

Here’s the evidence

Tower
Tower

What the hell, right? Says so much and so little in the coincidental moment.

I have faith things will be explained as the experience continues, because it’s one of the extremely solid series atm (too bad if it ends in 2009 I’ll have to wait a year to include in the year-end perspective).

I’ve seen up to episode 11, and I am going to try my hardest to keep from watching less than 3 episodes at a time. For a series that feels like the 4-season length is dawning, I think it’s better this way. Eureka 7 was digested in a similar manner, only with larger sets of 8. It definitely heightened the experience, and seeing how the episodes are acting like connectors, I believe they have greater sincerity in numbers.

Perhaps I’m just invigorated by episode 11’s Dennou vibe, but I’m excited no matter the reason.

A Quality Foly

Posted by Ryan A - October 8, 08

While I suppose this post is about raws (as we know them), it is more of a technical inquisition. See, while all this raw viewing goes around on infamous sites, there is something I question in the quest for quality.

RAWS …subs are not the only thing they lack.

I have wondered this aloud on #ab, but there was never a response; it was a while ago. Why do we not see un-subtitled releases, that are not raw. Do any viewers filter their own raws? Because even though they can arrive in 720p, there is usually room for improvement via a simple de-noise, smooth, sharpen, and color-balance.

Kannagi

As we see here, from last week’s Kannagi episode 01; the filtered source on top, and the raw on bottom. The source was 720p, though a likely upscale from the look, but which is the preferable watch?

Some may not give a hoot, but personally, I’d like to see less raw releases, and more un-subbed releases that have a nice filtered appeal. And as a note, this little filter mix I managed is very simple using Avidemux; specifically: a hq denoise (default values), d.graft msmooth (hq,12,1), d.graft msharpen (hq,14,64), and an 1.16 increase in color saturation.

How would this be taken in the otakusphere? Would viewers sacrifice a few hours of filtering for higher quality? I think it’s interesting…. speed vs quality of the viewing experience. To me, mine as well watch the stuff at 2x if speed’s the case, then again, I’m a savory snail ^_^

Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana

Posted by Ryan A - October 7, 08

Shiina

Lime - Semen - Chestnut Blossoms

Just want to get the led out, but it’s not Zeppelin, it’s the pop-fusion sound of Shiina Ringo’s Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana (加爾基　精液　栗ノ花, 2003, lyrics).

I’ve been listening to this album recently, and find it extremely flush and variant in sound. We’re talking circus to the cabaret, roller-rink to the organ house. Musically, the album is mesmerizing, confusing, fluttering… like seeing a burning moth soaring in the sky with a single wing. It’s beautiful, glimmering with a great range of instruments, and dark+bewildering in just the right places.

as if it were candlelight…
…Intoxicating

Though it was released in 2003, I wanted to put a shout out on the album, because it is quite exceptional.

You can listen to the final climax

btw: Souretsu, the last track, would make a fantastic AMV, but I’m going to say I can’t decide on an epic enough anime to truly fulfill it.

Watch Raws

Posted by Ryan A - October 5, 08

This does not apply to l33ts, but those with actual skill and watch raws, could very well help.

I conjured up this basic idea of using raws to get better aquainted with Japanese as a language. First, let me explain my take, as I do watch raws under certain circumstance, but am not silly enough to sit there watch aimlessly and expect to understand the dialogs.

The first series I remember watching raw was Kamisama Kazoku, which was far from complex, and I could basically “get” was happening; conflict, characters, major points, etc. At the time I didn’t even attempt to learn or understand the language and hadn’t even memorized the basic writing system, such a pity, so naive.

The past Spring season, I managed to start about 4 series in the raw, though around week 7 or 8 I found myself tied up with projects and still haven’t pursued much of that season in general. It was not easy at all, though I relied heavily on hearing (train the ears well!), I was constantly looking up “main” words.

The next thing I did was pull up good episode summaries and run through them and sort out the details. Naturally, this was a logical action, and it did round out the context of a given series, but it totally does not help in learning the language, ABSOLUTELY NAI! I did not, however, watch the subbed version (fuck the subs, because reading will override listening priority and then what does that accomplish, w.o.t.).

Fail points

  • I wasn’t writing down words I referenced.
  • I wasn’t re-watching the raw version.
  • I wasn’t researching questionable sentence structure.

Terrible. Concurrently, I was studying vocabulary sets and kanji sets in flash-card mode, listening to audio, etc (still do, because it touches the general things), but honestly, it seemed like 96% of everything encountered in a raw was not something I had encountered in studying. That just feels sooo useless. Rant OFF.

A New Way

Hopefully, some may take this idea and run with it, creating something useful.

This past weekend, I sat down with a lump of Autumn series in the raw, but I took a modified approach. The biggest change was that I wrote words down in kana, and simultaneously referenced their general meaning (exact meaning is not always right). Not that I have awesome inference skills, but core words simply help in grasping the notion of a sentence.

God knows how many words are in a given 20 minutes, but I swear 50% of the “noise” comes from particles, structure, and conjugation; I worked around these and managed to jot down 15-20 words per series (yes I didn’t get every word I didn’t know, but I grabbed the most familiar and apparent first). This doesn’t allow for “fluid” viewing, and there were quite a few hiccups and sputters. At times I would just rewatch the scene and not be so keen on trying to translate in my head, but just listening for the words I just looked up.

It was in the moments between watching and checking out a summary, that I felt I should rewatch episodes now that I had a little “cheat sheet” of vocab.

Nifty, per episode vocabulary cheat sheets.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have one of these every time?

Thinking, and glancing at my cutely sized notebook, I realized that is precisely what I’ve done.

A Step Further

Now imagine a raw watcher composed one of these for each episode; 15-20 apex word/phrases with kanji, kana, meaning. I highly doubt I’d be able to get anyone to do this, but having such thing is only half the benefit, because the viewer still needs to “hear” the points. So while these apex words are composed from the episode, the voiced sentence can be recorded from the episode.

A vocabulary list and accompanying audio excerpts?

めちゃくちゃです!

Implement

Having such nice items doesn’t help unless they are analyzed and studied, but that is precisely the objective. Tweaking the algorithm, we should add a rewatch of the episode, but I believe a good in point would be just before viewing a recently aired “next” episode in the raw. That roughly means a one-week delay on the rewatch, plenty of time to take the special list and audio, flashcard it, flashplay it, listen to it, and learn it, pull it out, embed it!

Upon rewatching, I believe there will be slight learning advancement from this reinforcement, because it is totally in-context, relevant, and mixed-media. This might not be the case, and those who know their shit could argue against it, which I’d say “okay” because I don’t know my stuff, this is a simple idea I like.

Breakdown

  • View the raw, grope 15-20 words/phrases from it
  • Excerpt the audio of those moments
  • Read a trusted summary
  • In the next week, learn the list
  • In the next week, learn the audio fragments
  • Rewatch the raw just before the next episode airs
  • With the next episode, rinse and repeat

In terms of sheer, coverage, at 4 raw series per season, 15 words per series per week, and over the course of 1 year, that’s over 3000 words/phrases. Likely, there will be overlap, so as time goes on, comprehension will grow, it’s inevitable.

Watching raws without reinforcing may bring meaning to the series, but drilling and bombardment will likely produce a comfortable raw watcher.