A few days ago, I received my FSF membership goodies in the mail. Among these things were a bootable GNU/Linux membership card / CD-ROM, utility flash drive, a CD containing the source code for the files contained on the membership card, a small collection of articles and a very generous amount of creative stickers which I could not help but show everyone. Click on the image above to enlarge.

Life has its chapters;
whatever you decide.
Whether you be the author,
or the reader of your own life,
is up to you.
But those who decide
the beginning and the end,
will soon realize that
life is an expression
of your inner personality
and deepest truths.
Even those along for the ride,
play a role in their hardships.

In an effort to give back to the open source and free software communities that has so positively affected both my life and career, I have become an Associate Member of the Free Software Foundation to provide my support. I encourage other open source supporters to do the same, or make a small donation toward the effort. For more information on membership, click the image on the lower-right hand column of this page.

With that said, GNU GPLv3 has been released and has some impressive improvements over version two. All my open source projects, most notably MyCustomBB, will adopt this new license.

I have also made my final decision not to return to developing for Microsoft Windows. All my open source projects will be cross-os / cross-browser, however I will no longer be developing projects exclusively for Windows. After getting Internet Explorer working on Linux (for developing websites to conform to its absence of standards), I have abandoned it completely and now exclusively use Linux (Ubuntu) and open source software.

Finally, on a lesser note, I’ve modified this blog’s theme to be a bit more fitting. Hopefully everyone likes it.

Every action you take…
Every emotion you fake…
Every dieing you wake…
Just a plea for help…

Not too long ago I decided to go open-source with my MyCustomBB bulletin board software. I couldn’t bear requiring licenses for it - I’m not that type of guy. I’ve wanted to create an open-source project for a while - a way to give back to the open-source community - so here it is.

Though open-source, the project’s design has not changed. It will still be the professional, completely customizable bulletin board that I originally intended. My goal is to give it all the features of current bulletin board systems, except make them a tad bit better. This will be an open-source alternative to major competitors such as vBulletin and InvisionBoard. Why do I think it will be better? Well, this is my passion. Those other guys seem to just be out to make money. I’m out to start communities.

Hand in hand the Ronan sleep,
Guard by guard they look and weep,
Skies of darkness fall on all,
Fires burning, life’s last call.

Held in prison, their own land,
Shown a sentence all but glad,
Past the hour children sleep,
Not to wake within this keep.

Each guards’ step would summon fear,
Actions shedding not a tear.
Soulless beasts, as we would call,
Bringing death to us all.

One by one, day and night,
Worthless courage would not fight.
Weakened bodies lay with fear,
Holding their last loved ones dear.

Such did happen until a night,
With a fire, hope did light.
Explosion cast, set us free.
Unsure of safety, we did flee.

Though hope was felt and freedom had,
Nothing saved those hurt so bad.
The mind and body, all so weak,
The Ronans’ future, very bleak.

So cast aside your horrid arms,
With spirit, let those free.
A lesson I hope you have learned,
From the horror that can be.

 This poem was in a way inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart.

Read the rest of this entry »

I have added some of my graphical creations to the site. Origionally they were designed for me (and a few friends), however I decided to release them to the public. I have, so far, released 43 avatars and a couple wallpapers. I will be adding to both as I create more of them in my spare time.

The avatars I origionally created for MSN, but they may be used anywhere. Many of the avatars are intended to be comical, though some may find certain ones to be offensive. Please don’t use the avatars in inappropriate situations in order to offend or make fun of certain parties. There are also some normal avatars (many dealing with emotions) that you may use.

The wallpapers (only two thusfar) I usually create when I come accross something interesting as I’m editing photos, creating something for websites, or just when I’m bored. They’re nothing amazing, but some may find them interesting. You’re free to download and use those as well.

Well, that’s it for now. Again, I’ll be adding more as I go. I do, however, focus on software, not graphics design. Also, I’ve been very busy lately. Clients, MyCustomBB, other personal projects…it’s been a mess. Plus, the recent snowstorm in my area (Western NY) left me without power for a week. That put me behind a bit. Okay - why are you reading this anyway? You must be as bored as I am. Better get back to work.

 I have a habit of living in the past - I go through memories in my head over and over again. Both good and bad. It’s how I cope - if there’s a bad memory, I relive it until it no longer bothers me or I grow numb to it. If it’s a pleasant memory, I take all I can from it. I enjoy it. Lately (at this time, Aug 2008), I’ve been thinking more of the future. But I still have that certain habit that I just can’t seem to break. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to my new blog. Origionally I simply had this URL forward users to my account on RentACoder, but decided to do a little bit more. Until I have the time to create a fully functional website of my own (I’m exceptionally busy), I’ll be using WordPress.

This site is not going to contain too much information. Mostly it will contain links to any other projects I may have, and small things I make in my spare time. For those of you who are here in hopes of contacting me for a project, you may do so directly via E-mail at mike@mikegerwitz.com, or via RentACoder.