Hutchins Travels

Bags

Michael hutchins — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:18:41 GMT

I have to fly home in a week after living in Scotland for a school year, consequently I need to get an extra bag to check through with all the stuff I acquired.

So today after my second last exam I went out and bought a duffel bag that will likely be lost at Heathrow.

As I bought it I was asked if I wanted it in a bag.

Of course.

Tech Support

Michael hutchins — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:58:58 GMT

Ever since I tried to clean my families stereo system with the garden hose I have been in charge of our tech support.

I started with just the family computer, then more computers came under my jurisdiction. Some of the time I did the work for free, sometimes for food and sometimes I have been paid. I started doing basic fixes for people (usually my parents friends) on their computers. Nothing in depth but just making their life easier and more pleasant.

Those types of jobs I would do if paid, I did not relish or enjoy them and it was almost always a one time thing. However I do love opening up a freshly purchased computer: the neatly organized cables, the fresh styrofoam smell and the chance to set up a workstation with cleanly organized cables.

Whenever I suggest that someone upgrades to a new computer I am in charge of migrating files and making it all work. It is like spelunking into the depths of a persons life, going through caves of organizations and into side-tunnels misplaced folders. Some computers I have seen were nicely organized with all the files actually in the document folders, others have been scattered by the wind to depths of the operating system.

I have used computers and electronics for the majority of my life. The internet has always been a staple for me. While helping those of older generations I notice that there is a mentality that if the wrong button is pressed or an incorrect keystroke is applied then everything will catch on fire and the toaster will stop working.

I am asked how I know what to do, the truthful answer I never give is that I actually have no idea what I doing. I mean yes I know how computers work on a basic level, I know how they work on the very top level. The actual code eludes me. What the hardware does I know quite well, how it does what it does is also beyond the scope of my knowledge. But I know physics, I know what can and cannot break a given part. So when asked to fix something, software or hardware I just start poking around, check the internet (something that has almost always been there in my life) and just keep at it until it works.

Even away at school I am still doing tech support. Now it is by e-mail which really simplifies things on my side. Instead of sitting by the computer and trying all the possible fixes I am able to just e-mail instructions (which I believe I have improved inwritingover the last few years) and hope it works.

Except I am going home in three weeks and I can imagine that there is a long list waiting for me. There is always a list.

Learning HTML

Michael hutchins — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:44:29 GMT

I am now learning HTML while updating and upgrading my photo gallery. It is a lot harder then I thought. All of my graphic design and computer artwork has been done with either 3D programs or InDesign for a paper medium. I tried to use iWeb but I just could not get over the complicated fashion in which I had to upload it to a non-dot mac site.

I feel that my site would fit in just fine if this I was still in the early days of the internet but now I feel it lacks finesse. I could attempt to learn Golive or maybe Dreamweaver (I would have to buy this one), though I think I will plod along with editing HTML directly, occasionally looking up tutorial sites and maybe it it will eventually look like a decent site.

Until then it still serves it purpose of displaying photos. Some say simplicity is often better.

I hope they are right.

New Computers

Michael hutchins — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:38:32 GMT

I have always wanted a new computer, well, except those first four months of actually getting one. I have finally reached the point where I am satisfied with what I have.

I have had my trusty Powerbook for almost three years now, recently I have been envious of the new MacBook Pros but unlike when I was younger I think about what it would really offer me. Mainly I want it for the ability to play new games and the processor boost for video.

Then I look at the new computer games out there and see nothing that really interests me.

So I stick with what I have and if I want more I turn to cheaper alternatives like DS or Wii games (though I am currently five thousand miles form my Wii). This is all assuming I have spare time that is not now being spent on learning HTML, travel or now imminent finals.

Currently Playing

Michael hutchins — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:27:28 GMT

To mirror my reading list on the About Me page, here is a list of the video games I am currently playing:

Civilization 3 Complete
Baldur's Gate 2
The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings

Hutchins Online

Michael hutchins — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:48:40 GMT

So I have a section for traveling around and living abroad, I have a section dedicated to me, I thought I could use a section for everything else.

Most of the topics here will likely revolve around computers, video games, the internet, my past computer graphics work (such as Roman Steel on the right) and maybe some other stuff. Nothing is set in stone and edit buttons abound.

I said past CG work because as of the moment I am not making or working with any computer imaging programs. I enjoyed several over three years in high school but I could not get back into it once I left. Instead of struggling I have instead taken up drawing to work up from the basics I never had to begin with. So if I draw anything I feel is particularly noteworthy I may put it up here assuming I have the means too.