Sunday, January 29, 2017

LaTeX is Awesome, But I Should Probably Take It Easy

However long ago I was introduced to LaTeX, a typesetting software that can allow you to do some pretty neat things, because it is also part programming language. For example, some years ago I spent the time recreating my resume in LaTeX because it would allow me to make it modular. I can have it reference different files that contain information, like work experiences and published items/works, and then by changing those source files, the resume will be updated without having to touch any formatting, as can be the case when working in Word. Also by just moving one line of code up or down, I can move entire sections or remove them by commenting out the relevant line.
Now, what I started doing last week was exploring if I could have LaTeX work off of a database of some kind. The initial project was to have a database of all of the game streams I have done, and then with LaTeX I can have it read, sorted, formatted, and made into a PDF. The solution I found was to use a CSV for storing the data and having that read in and sorted by LaTeX and, after spending a couple days on it, it works! A decent portion of that time was also spent building the different CSVs I could use: game streams; game reviews; tweak guides; general guides; miscellaneous reviews; and The Body on Games videos. (Might add published stories at some point, but it is not too urgent for the moment.)
Now I just finished doing even more silly work LaTeX work on the resume. I now have it add a QR code that links to a folder of a master version of my resume (includes everything, page-count be damned) and the PDFs generated from the CSVs. Might be a bit over the top, but hey, I think it is cool to at least have it working. I also added the code necessary to easily toggle the QR code on and off, so at least I do not always need to provide it

Basically, LaTeX is very powerful and occasionally I find myself spending a LOT of time with it to do something interesting, but of questionable practicality. Still fun to do though.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Still Proud as I Look Forward to Next Season

A lose is never much fun, but I am still proud of the Packers. They had some amazing games this season and went really far considering the number of injuries the team has suffered. We made it to the playoffs with rookies who stepped up and made plays seasoned pros would be proud of. They show such potential for next season and I am looking forward to when that starts.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

What a Game!

It isn't always easy, but it tends to be a lot of fun, being a Packers fan.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

2017 First Post

And it is the first post of 2017!
So far the year has started well for me. My computer was acting up quite a bit at the end of last year, but it looks like I've got it at 90+% because there are still a few things that are not perfect yet, but it is mostly there, so I am pretty happy. Accomplished this much in time to do a new Body on Games recording in Audiosurf 2 with a new, better audio setup that I am looking forward to working with in the future.
On top of all of this, today the Packers scored a very entertaining victory, not to degrade the Gaints. I only mean that as a Packers fan, I was entertained and found it quite satisfying to see some of those plays. (Amazing Hail Mary and wonderful play Clay, to single out just two of the highlights.)
Looking forward to how the rest of the year is going to turn out. (Not that 2016 was bad, but I hope 2017 will be better for me than it was.)