after see my friends struggle with weird windows problems, anti-virus software killing windows etc. I've given up dealing with that stuff when I went to linux years ago. I don't even download software any more. I'm much lazier - if it's not in a repositry I re-evaluate my need for that software.

windows people won't even know what I'm talking about.

well, to install a piece of software I just open the terminal (under applications -> accessories -> terminal) and say

>sudo apt-get install [X]

[:intro:] 

When going to sleep with my flash new pillow and headphones on I would sometimes wake up with the music still blaring,  I wanted something that would tell my pc to shut down in x hours to conserve energy, and cut the noise off after giving myself enough time to go to sleep.  There are a few shutdown timers out there, but they are quite bloaty and annoying - turns out it was pretty easy to make my own here is how I did it (in windows XP). [:question:] are there similar functions for other OS :[question]: 

:[intro]:

 This is a project to create input (in this case a midi controller) from old HDD stepper motors.  This for now, is just me testing flash.

I like to go to sleep listening to music or lectures, I don't want to annoy my flatmates by using the stereo so the challenge is to create something that allows me to lie on a pillow with my head on its side and listen to whatever.  Before building soft headphones or a bed speaker, I am going to try and sew a supplimentary pillow with a hole for headphones and extra support around the ear and see if I can comfortably fall asleep with headphones on.