In a month I’ll begin my media engineer education in HAMK (a university of applied sciences), which will take about four years for me to graduate. No plans after that.

Currently I’m designing and developing a bit. A few websites for other people and rdegree will get an update (hopefully).

In other news: I’m back and hopefully more active around rdegree too.

I have a home page, which displays recent blog entries in a paginated manner. I can get the current page number with the PHP variable $paged. For spice, I decided not to display the page counts when on the home page itself, with a conditional: if ( is_paged() ) {}.

But how can we get the full amount of pages available? Quite simply just math: you have a certain amount of posts with a parameter of displaying a certain amount of them per page. To get the amount of posts, we use the handy wp_count_posts() function provided by WordPress: $count_posts = wp_count_posts();. Next we need to determine that only published (publicly visible) posts are considered: $published_posts = $count_posts -> publish;. As you might guess, the $posts_per_page variable is used too.

Now we can count the amount of pages using these variables: $published_posts and $posts_per_page. Simple math of dividing the post count with the per page parameter: $page_amount = $published_posts / $posts_per_page;. This will give odd fractions, so it needs to be rounded up for a “full” page: $page_amount = ceil( $published_posts / $posts_per_page );.

To sum it up, here is the whole code:

<?php
     $count_posts = wp_count_posts();
     $published_posts = $count_posts -> publish;
     $page_amount = ceil( $published_posts / $posts_per_page );

     // Then you may use the variable as such:
     
     echo 'Recent weblog entries';
     // If we are browsing the recent entries query, and are on page 2 or further:
     if ( is_paged() ) :
          echo ', page ' . $paged . ' of ' . $page_amount;
     endif;
?>

There you have it, now the $page_amount variable can be used to display the number of pages in the current paginated query. :)

If you are not displaying all of your posts in your “recent entries” query—or wherever you might use this code snippet—you need to make sure you properly count the amount of posts in that query, or the code will bug itself.

Note: There may be a simple variable for this, but I did not find it. Sorry if there is a better way to do this and I’ve taught you pure bullcrap. Thanks.

The researchers patched up a system in size and setup comparable to a regular lithium-ion battery. When testing this setup, they noticed that an unengineered test subject gave out energy ten times more than a basic lithium-ion battery used in small devices such as cellphones and cameras:

The devices built in the MIT lab produced 10 times more power than a lithium-ion battery of equivalent mass.

—TechNewsDaily

As far as the theory goes, researchers say we could see these mini-batteries in the shelves of our local electronics stores and inside our personal cellphones within five years. Of course further engineering, implementation, paperwork and costs make the wait longer, but at least there is something cool happening in the near future.

“We have a lot of engineering challenges that we have to overcome in order to make this a commercial device,” Strano said, “but nothing is as difficult as the initial discovery.”

Researchers say they could even flip-around the current electric car technology, using more electricity and minor amounts of fuel which can be ignited inside the miniscule nanotubes to recharge car batteries which make the vehicle move.

Some questions I had in mind is about the lifetime and feasibility of these systems:

• Are the electrons produced from the carbon tubes or the fuel it uses? Both? How would one then “recharge” these tubes?
• How much would a system to power up a moderate sized apartment cost in reality?
• Is this technology feasible for larger systems such as entire space stations or whole cities?
• How would it be better than solar, geothermal or wind energy?
• How fuel-efficient is this technology? The report states the possible use of gasoline and ethanol, but how much fuel does it need when compared to a combustion engine or a solar energy harvester for instance?

Many questions on new technology, but its part of science.

Nevertheless, exciting news if this finding stands proving and further experiments. Post your thoughts on this technology in the comments section!

CTF-Austere is a level in an neglected industrial setting, partly mimicking the old-school Unreal Tournament 1 theme. The layout is quite straight-forward, with a few routes and enough z-axis to keep you busy chasing the other team’s flag. Enough close quarter combat areas for some tight Flak Cannon action and a few open spots for long-range sniping, and everything in between.

Powerups include all possible armors scattered around the level and two useful invisibility pickups. If you time it right, you could double the invisibility time and sneak to the enemy flag quite well. All weapons (except for the redeemer) are included and a balanced ammo layout is in use, leaving enough for a good 14 player match.

Visuals consist of dark and murky abaddoned industrial assets and effects. Leaking pipes, croaking wood, overflown pits and howling wind and unfirendly rain from open ceilings. You can hear the distant thunder occasionally. The map uses no music, but I think I created a good aural world to the level to compensate to that. Add in the shrieks and bangs of fierce battle and you’ve got the audio finished. In the below download I’ve included a music track I originally made for this level, but left out in the end.

Originally I created Austere just for myself and to get a level done for Unreal Tournament 3. Later on when interest grew I decided to please the other players too and began taking feedback on various beta versions. In the credits listed below you read the folks that made Austere a great level in my opinion. Thanks folks!

I sent an almost finished version to the UT3 iteration of Make Something Unreal Contest to try my skills in the level development categories. To my pure surprise, Austere was picked fifth in the ‘Best DM/CTF level’ category in the Phase three submissions, which is quite a feat for a first level for a game in my scope.

Below are some screenshots and download links.

Download (a 42,3MB .zip-file) available from these locations: rdegree.net, FileFront and Game-Maps.NET. Thanks for mirrorsites and their owners!

I would like to own some credit to these people (list below), who were of help when developing CTF-Austere or otherwise posted kind comments into the beta version threads at various discussion boards or via direct contact. Thanks everyone and Epic Games for a great game!

• stevelois (You were the biggest help of all, many many thanks!)
• Staward
• WoLvErInE
• SEBASTIEN-NOVA
• Mrn
• Bl!tz~
• shombowhore
• nepfish
• apophis3d
• firefly
• Cirian
• xX Dog Food Xx
• minifloppy
• Odedge
• Mr. UglyPants (for almost sending feedback ;))
• J112

Enough self-loving, now you players can tell me your thoughts. All critique and comments appreciated.

Remember UE2 Runtime?

UDK is essentially the same as UE2 runtime, allowing developers to create their own worlds and technologies free of charge. The difference? You’re allowed to distribute and even sell games and other software made with the UDK, as UE2 Runtime is limited to educational use.

Essentially UDK is the kit Epic Games and other licensees use to create their games. You get everything they get, excluding the C++ source code (although you could create C++ “plugins” with a feature called DLLBind, which allows you to execute .dll files along side Unrealscript). You’re free to create anything you can with the engine, as long as it is fit with the EULA and you’re not using illegal assets in the software.

If you’re familiar with creating total conversions and modifications in Unreal Tournament 3 (or any other UnrealEngine 3 game), the jump to UDK isn’t that bad, as the workflow is essentially the same. You’re allowed to use the UT3 related code shipped with UDK in your projects, with no eye on whether the project is commercial or not.

The community on Epic Games community forums is already very active and projects are sprunging out everywhere. UDK is also updated with monthly builds, latest being the January beta version.

As a secret between us I have begun working on a roleplaying game prototype on UDK as an evening hobby. We’ll see how it turns out.

A BMP-2 assault tank. Note: I’m not in the picture.

Unless you’ve been following my tweets, you might not know that nowadays I drive a BMP-2 assault tank in the Finnish Defence Forces. This means my military service ends in next july, around the tenth day. This week we had our drivers’ license exams and driving tests. Unless I magically failed the theory, I have a license to drive a tank along with a trustful tank leader.

Army’s been tough, but I’ve managed so far. Occasionally its even fun. The two-month basic training season was tougher than learning how to drive an age old tank, which really isn’t a surprise, but I’m relieved the physical stress has relieved.

A few months forward our tank course will see new recruits arrive at the barracks. A few months from that we will begin our war company season, and nearly half year spurt or learning how to wage war with a BMP-2. That means quite a few camping trips during 4 months.

After war company, I’ve got a few months of rest and then begins my education as a media engineer in HAMK university of applied sciences.

Next monday I will be at the local barracks, getting to know how the Finnish military works. This means I’ll be away (visiting home randomly though) for at least six months, with limited access to anything when on duty.

Whether I’m selected to work with multimedia at the headquarters, this will be a nine month duty, but with work related to my interests. Expect a very long pause at rdegree (and anywhere else I might usually be).

Education

Yesterday I got mail from Häme’s University of Applied Sciences. They informed I was one of the lucky 34 applicants who were selected to study media. I’ll begin my education in fall 2010, right after my army is finished and I’ve got a bit of time to organize my life (moving, work, etc.). After that is done I can call myself a media engineer.

My lovely girlfriend was also selected to the same school, to study product development this year.

Win32.Vitro

Last weekend my primary computer was infected with a virus. Its a file infector called Win32.Vitro, which is a variant of Virut (which uses polymorphic code to infect files). Its a tough bitch to clean off, and most probably a reformat is needed to make the system secure again.

Right now I’m doing my best to backup my most precious files (photographs, music, etc.) which can’t be replaced. After that I’ll be nuking my hard drives and starting fresh.

That’s it for now. I’ll be posting news when my first holiday at army begins and am able to find some internet connectivity. Thanks for the patience.

I asked some pals about the problem and how to fix it. Everyone said I should replace the phone. It is five years old, doesn’t have any new cool things such as a huge (touch) screen, painless web browsing, email things, etc. Although it has a 1.3 megapixel(!) camera.

But it works. I can call and text message people. I can keep some notes, view the calendar and so on. But if it didn’t work as expected, what could I do?

I was looking for new phones and struggled to keep my old phone turned on (loading it twice a day sometimes). Some looked nice, some bad, some were cheap, some expensive. I wanted a “superphone”, for a change from my old one. I considered an iPhone or a new Nokia Communicator… But they were too pricey.

When finding nothing which would fit me, I walked towards the doors. Then it hit me. If the battery keeps depleting, why in the hell not try a new battery?

I turned back, asked for a battery for my phone model, handed the clerk 35 euros, headed home, plugged the new battery in, loaded it and then waited…

Right now I’ve been running on that same load for two and a half days. Not a single “block” has dissappeared from my screen. Remember folks, there is almost always a cheaper alternative.

By the way, anyone know how to fix an unresponsive phone button? My “7/pqrs” needs some extra pressing to work properly.

If you wish, you can view the big list of changes from version 2.7 at their Codex. The biggest changes they seem to be promoting are themes and widgets. No wonder, as widgets are now even easier to use, manage and customize, and themes have gained the popular “one-click-install” procedure as well.

Anyway, I tried to open a page, but I didn’t see anything but blue links and a few images. I wondered what was going on, but realized that it must be the black background doing its tricks here. I didn’t know where or how it could be set to white again, so I took a deep breath and opened the page in Internet Explorer. It loaded fine and everything was viewable again.

So this is a word of advice to all CSS coders: remember to give a background color and a base text color to your <body> elements:

body {
          background: #FFF;
          color: #000;
     }

Now user settings will be over-written and texts are readable with some basic CSS and you can override these styles later on in your CSS files.

I also told my girlfriend to change the black background to a dark gray. It’s still dark but I don’t need to open IE if an <body> accident has happened.