Geany on windows

Finally, the new version of Geany (.14) can compile and run on windows. It provides a nice cross-platform development environment for C, FreeBasic, and Python (the stuff I use).

Just-In-Time compiler

The idea of jit compiler is cool and become very popular because Java's successful implementation. Here is a list of jit compiler for other languages that are particularly interesting to me:

1. JIT for R: http://www.milbo.users.sonic.net/ra/
   
2. JIT for python: http://psyco.sourceforge.net/
   

Reduce power consumption under Ubuntu

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_battery_life&num=1

Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling Using Stata, 2nd Edition

I got my copy of the new book. A quick glance shows a lot of update from the previous version and many newly added materials. To my surprise, there is still nothing on multi-process model (A.K.A. mixed response model), which GLLAMM can handle.

Some more on Ubuntu 8.04

I had bad experiences upgrading from earlier versions using SuSE before (several years ago), so I stopped using online upgrade (not update!), just backup all my stuff and do a clean install each time there is a new version. Upgrading from Ubuntu 7.10 to 8.04 completely changes my option about the most sensible way to upgrade a Linux installation. In both occasions (one on an 4-year old HP desktop, and one on one-year old Sony laptop), the process went really smoothly and yields very stable systems. Congratulations the Ubuntu team, and keep up the good work.

Upgrade to Ubuntu 8.04

I just upgraded my Ubuntu from 7.10 to 8.04 via online upgrade method. It is still a release candidate but is stable enough. In fact, this is the perfect time to upgrade because all the servers are going to be jammed after the "final" version is released; and, there will be only minor updates between the RC version and the final version in April 24.

The whole process took less than 2 hours, and it is just amazing how smooth it went.

Update: I also upgraded my Sony laptop, which took a bit longer (6 hours or so). The results are very good. The new version seems to be more laptop-friendly, probably due to the new kernel.

A free implementation of the resampling stats language

written in Java. Very cool:

http://www.statistics101.net/

The author claims that he never took statistics course :)

Finding truth

For people who do not have invested interest in politics or audience rating, finding truth is often the ultimate goal. This blog is very interesting (http://kadfly.blogspot.com/).

Fetal origins

Here are some references:

1. Hayward, M. D., and B. K. Gorman. 2004. "The Long Arm of Childhood." Demography 41:87-107.