Okay, so today, an anime news site, for some reason, unearthed an old interview with Hideaki Anno, the creator of the notorious and infamous anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. This article made rounds on several social media sites and people are talking a lot about it.

Even if you're not into anime, chances are you've heard about Evangelion at least once, it's that iconic, with a loud and passionate fanbase to match.

The highlight of this newly resurfaced interview, originally from around 2004 i think (BEFORE the movies), is a statement where Anno claims that Evangelion is "not really a deep, philosopic or psychological anime" as many have interpreted it. He says it was only made to look like that, and that the symbols and deeper elements are, in fact, purely stylistic.

Evangelion debuted in 1995 and immediately upended many of the tropes that were common in anime at the time. It aimed to present its story and characters with a more grounded, serious tone within a sci-fi setting. This unconventional approach made it clear from the start: this wasn't just another seasonal mecha anime.

Since then, rivers of ink and billions of words have been spent dissecting this series. From its characters' behaviors to its enigmatic use of symbology. There's an entire academic field (well, almost) built on Evangelion analysis.

I remember reading, even before 2004, that Anno had said something along the lines of, "Evangelion is not that deep. I just liked the way Christian imagery looked." He downplayed its deeper meaning, framing it as a show about cool robots and pretty girls more than anything else.

What's fascinating is how this resurfaced quote is now being used by some critics of the show, people who never liked it or resented its fame, as a kind of "gotcha" moment. They're implying that the decades of discussion and analysis have been pointless, like fans have just been seeing patterns in the clouds.

But is that really the case?

Hideaki Anno is known for being a bit of a trickster when it comes to interviews. If you dig into other videos and conversations where he discusses his work and worldview, you quickly realize that he's someone who rarely takes a single step without calculating twenty more. Whether he's being humble, deflective, or subversive, it's hard to believe that there isn't more intention behind his choices than he lets on.

Personally, I enjoy Evangelion, for its themes, its mystery, and the strange atmosphere that clings to it even decades later. I'll be honest, I've never considered it some flawless work of genius. Yet ironically, my favorite anime character of all time is from this series.

Maybe Anno is telling the whole truth in that interview. Maybe Evangelion really isn't as packed with "meaning" as we thought. But even then, here's the thing: if you peel back the crust of clichés that time has added to the show, you'll still find a fantastic and deep story underneath.

One of the things I truly admire about Evangelion is how its characters are constructed. You can form an initial opinion based on how they act in the show, but once you dive into the lore and pay close attention to their behavior, you'll see that they are far more complex than they appear. They act the way they do for very specific, often tragic reasons that only become clear under close analysis.

You might say, "Well, Ryuichi, all stories are like that. Characters have unique motivations." And yeah, sure, but Evangelion handles this exposition in a subtle and layered way. The characters aren't just archetypes (even if, at the end, i think they ended up creating archetypes themselves). They feel like real, flawed people. There's a depth there that goes beyond many comparable anime series. It's not just "good writing," it's intentional ambiguity that invites the viewer to fill in the emotional blanks.

A good story, to me, isn't just about a great setting or dramatic moments. It's about the little details, the lore, the emotional nuances, the atmosphere. All of that adds up to something bigger than the sum of its parts. And let's not forget: anime is a collaborative medium. Anno may be the creator, but dozens of artists, writers, animators, and producers shaped the final product.

Maybe I am being as pretentious about this series as Evangelion fans are often accused of being. Maybe this is just one of the hundreds of articles "reading too much into it." But honestly, I think the fact that we're still talking about this anime 30 years later is proof enough that it did something right.

I don't think any piece of art, being anime, music, whatever, needs to have "depth" to resonate. What matters is the intersection between the work and its context: both social and personal. A piece might seem simple, but under the right circumstances, it can strike like lightning.

In my view, one of the biggest reasons Evangelion hit so hard for so many people is because of how its characters are presented. As I said earlier, they feel real. You recognize fragments of yourself in them, your fears, your insecurities, your emotional cycles.

So yeah, my final take is: even if we take Anno's statements at face value, even if Evangelion isn't as "deep" as people think, and even if the story has its flaws and clichés, it's still that good. It might not be a capital-P "Philosophical" anime, but it has enough substance, enough ambiguity, and enough heart to justify decades of discussion. And I think that discourse is far from over.

Remember last post when i posted about Twitter going kaput? Could it be today the day? :P

Well of course not, it would be too good to be true.

Don't worry if i haven't updated the site. I've been overall pretty busy and haven't been very active anywhere else. I haven't even have time to think on another Blender piece, which is unfortunate.

I have a list of themes that i want to develop and talk about here, and i will try to do so in the following days, now that i made updating this site even less cumbersome than it was before.

The other day i said that if Twitter, the only social network that i use now, were to go kaput for some reason (for some Elon-related reason), THIS page would be my last refuge and i wouldn't go anywhere else, not even the Fediverse.

Ah the fediverse... i REALLY have to talk about it one of these days.

Back to Fiddling with Blender


The donuts, the first things i created ever on Blender

Recently, I’ve returned to experimenting with Blender, a tool I first began using around four years ago, just as the pandemic began. For me, Blender has always been a hobby, a creative outlet rather than a professional endeavor. If you're interested, you can check out my Pixelfed profile linked in the sidebar, where I upload the things I create. I’m more focused on the process of creating than on gaining recognition, so feel free to use any of my artwork, as long as you credit me.

Before this current iteration of A Ton of Cows, I ran another website where I shared my knowledge base, including a detailed Blender roadmap for beginners. Unfortunately, I had to delete the site (probably due to server issues, i can't remember), and while I salvaged some content, I lost the majority of it. I intended to post the Blender guide here, but sadly, I realized I had only copied part of it, and the Wayback Machine didn’t capture it. So, I think it’s gone for good.

Rather than rewriting the entire guide from scratch, which would be difficult given that I don’t recall every detail and it was pretty lenghty, I’ve outlined the core points of the original guide below:

1. Get Blender
Visit Blender.org to download the software, it's free and open-source. Windows users can also find it on the Microsoft Store or Steam. On Linux, I recommend downloading it directly from the website, as the package from your package manager is often outdated.

2. Follow the Donut Tutorial
Start with Andrew Price's Donut Tutorial series. There are many beginner tutorials out there that are also good ones, but i particularly recommend this one, is a classic, and it’s where many, including myself, first learned Blender.

3. Create Your Own Donut
After completing the tutorial, try making a donut on your own without referencing the video. This will help solidify what you’ve learned. If you get stuck, feel free to refer back to the tutorial, but challenge yourself to work independently first. Keep practicing until you can make a donut from memory.

4. Explore More Tutorials
After mastering the donut, search for additional beginner tutorials to learn how to create different objects. The Blender GUI is packed with features, so it’s essential to explore all its potential. Try a few different tutorials, and then challenge yourself to recreate what you've learned without looking at the videos.



"Game Over" Piece created in mid 2022


5. Start Making Your Own Creations
Although it’s tempting to follow more tutorials, I recommend shifting towards making things independently. Start with simple, real-world objects that you can easily reference, like a thumb drive, a cup, or a soda can. This will help you practice the skills you've learned while keeping the process enjoyable. Don’t worry if things don’t turn out perfectly at first—just keep experimenting.

6. Build a Bigger Scene
Once you’re comfortable with individual objects, challenge yourself by creating a larger scene. It doesn’t have to be complex, but it should include multiple elements, different textures, and a variety of features. For example, try modeling your desk, part of a street, or even a storefront. One of my early scenes was The Music Club Room from the anime K-On!

7. Keep Pushing Your Boundaries
By this stage, you’ll have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses in 3D modeling. The next step is to continue challenging yourself to improve. Several subreddits, websites, and communities offer daily modeling prompts that you can use to inspire new projects. You could work on something for a week or try a daily challenge. You can also check past Inktober challenges for additional inspiration.

8. Seek Feedback
Even if you feel confident in your skills, getting feedback is invaluable. It can be hard to assess your own work, so sharing your models with other artists or joining 3D modeling communities on forums, subreddits, or Discord can help you see areas for improvement. While friends and family may be supportive, they might not give the most constructive criticism, so it's important to seek out other artists' perspectives.

9. Find Your Niche
By now, you’ll likely feel more confident with Blender. You can choose to remain a generalist, working on a variety of 3D projects, or you may want to specialize in one area, such as animation, texturing, sculpting, or shader creation. There are plenty of tutorials for these specialized fields, so you can deepen your skills in a particular aspect of 3D modeling.

10. Never Stop Having Fun
No matter whether you’re using Blender as a hobby, to test your skills, or as a stepping stone to a potential career in 3D art, it’s crucial to maintain a playful attitude throughout the learning process. Don’t be afraid to fail, start over, or take a break when necessary. The key is to enjoy the journey and learn from your mistakes.


"Magical Terrarium" First creation of 2025

Having a creative outlet is incredibly fulfilling, and for me, learning 3D modeling turned out to be more accessible than traditional drawing (I didn't had any experience in 3D before of trying it out). Blender’s intuitive interface and powerful tools made the process enjoyable, and I was constantly amazed by the results of my efforts. It’s this combination of ease of use and rewarding outcomes that kept me coming back to it. If you’re looking for a way to express your creativity or pick up a new skill, Blender might just be the perfect place to start.

Well, I had to re-upload the entire site again due to a layout modification.

As part of the changes, I removed the Chattable iframe because it’s no longer working. I’m not sure if Chattable is experiencing issues or if they deleted my instance due to inactivity, but either way, I think the microblog is better off without it.

Instead, I’ve added a link to the recent note-taking app I created, which I mentioned in the previous post, so it’s now easier to find.

But I didn’t want this update to just be about the layout change, so I decided to discuss something that’s been on my mind. I have tons of topics I want to cover here, but today, something else caught my attention.

I stumbled across a video by a YouTuber called Penguinz0. I don’t usually watch YouTube, but the topic of this video piqued my interest. In the video he highlights a note from a blog about the theme he's talking about, and… WTF is this nonsense?

Just look at this: how many ads are on this page?



There are potentially six ads visible at once. I disabled my adblocker to check, and it’s even worse: the page seems to endlessly load because the ads keep rotating. There’s an ad every two three-line paragraphs, so you end up scrolling forever to read a note that’s barely a screenful of text.

This is awful. I honestly don’t understand how people put up with this shit. It’s not just this one page, it’s everywhere. I’ve even seen sites demand money to stop tracking you, and paying them doesn’t even remove the ads!

And then they have the audacity to plead with you to disable your adblocker. When you do, they pounce, trying to squeeze out as much revenue as possible.

Honestly, I think adblockers are essential these days just to filter out the absurd amount of junk on websites. I get that sites need to earn money, they’re not charities, but there has to be a balance.

If their content and user experience were genuinely good, people would stick around to read more, and one or two ads would be enough. Instead of relying solely on ads, why not diversify? Offer premium, ad-free content, merchandise, affiliate links, or other revenue streams.

These kinds of issues make me question the viability of the internet for anything beyond media consumption. We’re living through dark times online, not just because of what companies do to users, but because of what users are willing to tolerate to avoid losing their dopamine fix.

Well the rant ends here! I'll try to post more content now that i finished coding the second version of my app and have more free time, and also will try to squeeze more time too to make something in Blender agein. See Ya!

So yeah, I've created a Desktop Note-Taking app.

I don't know about you, but for me, it's pretty easy to fire up Telegram and paste interesting stuff I find online into the Saved Messages section. Whether it's something to check later or just quick notes, it’s a fast way to save information.

The Problem
The issue with this system is that it’s easy to get carried away. You end up endlessly pasting snippets, and older stuff gets buried in a wasteland of forgotten notes.

Even though it's fast to save things, there are some big drawbacks:

No organization: Everything is mixed up, making it hard to find specific notes.
Limited tools: Some organizational features exist but are barebones and locked behind premium.
Unreliable search: Telegram's search feature is spotty; even when I know a note exists and type it in exactly, it doesn't always show up.

The Inspiration
These were things I could overlook, but I’ve had time to waste. One day, inspiration struck, and I thought, "What if I make an app that’s just for saving notes that works just like this but BETTER?"

Having worked on more complex projects (like a Fediverse frontend inspired by Tumblr), I figured, why not?

Development
I’ve been using PHPDesktop to create personal apps and tools for work. PHPDesktop combines a Chromium frame with PHP and SQLite, making it as easy to build apps as it is to create a webpage.

Over the last month, I’ve worked on this project, and today I’m excited to release version 2.0! 🎉


Notebubble Official Repository

Alternatively, you can download the package from HERE if Notabug isn’t working.

Check out screenshots of the app in this IMGUR Album.

App Overview
I designed Notebubble to resemble an instant messaging app. The goal was to make it familiar and easy for anyone to use.

Getting Started:

- Download and uncompress the package.
- Open the executable (no installation needed).
- The app creates a folder in the same directory for settings and the database. Keep the executable and folder together, and it will load your notes wherever it’s placed.
- Set up your language and timezone on first launch, and you’re good to go!

Features:
- Create multiple categories to organize your notes (the main reason I built this app).
- Add reminders to notes.
- Use checkbox lists to track goals or tasks.
- Multiplatform, It's for Windows and there's a Linux Package too, but i still haven't uploaded it, check the repository later today.
- Multilanguage: It is available on English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, German and Japanese.
- Among other things.
Detailed help documentation is included within the app.

Syncing Notes Across Devices:
While Notebubble doesn’t yet support internet sync natively, here’s a workaround:

- Move the database to a USB drive or cloud folder (via app settings).
- On another computer, set the database location to the same folder.
- Voilà! Your notes stay synced across devices.

Alternatively, since the app is portable, you can run it directly from a USB drive.

Final Thoughts
This is a small, personal project created for my convenience, but I’m sharing it in case others find it helpful.

If you have questions or feature requests, feel free to:

Contact me on Twitter (link on the sidebar).
Open an issue on the repository, and I’ll check it out right away.

There are many ideas i have for Version 3 and many features that i want to implement yet, so stay tuned here, on my twitter account or the repository for when i release it. Until now, hopefully it is useful to you if you decide to use it.

Computer chips are so widespread now that we now take them for granted. They're pretty much everywhere... well, at least not in the milk... yet. But it's pretty common to have highly advanced processors with us all the time. The industry churns out tonnes of all purpose processors not each year, but each DAY, and we often don't stop to think all the work that goes into making them, and also how the technology to make them has progressed over the years.

This video explains in a very simplified fashion how usually a microprocessor is made:



Want to know a bit more in depth how processors are made, follow the link to see the full post:

Click to see full post.

I've been a bit absent of the internet in general lately because i've been working on a personal software project, but i'll probably present it in society soon, as soon as i'm done with some formalities.

Crappy videogame review: Ikkitousen, Xross Impact (PSP, 2010)

Ikkitousen Xross Impact is a 2010 action game for the PSP, based on the Ikkitousen anime and manga series. It combines fast-paced, side-scrolling beat 'em up gameplay with a large roster of characters, each inspired by warriors from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Featuring flashy combat, cooperative partner mechanics, and plenty of fan service, the game is tailored for fans of the franchise while delivering an energetic brawler experience.



Back when I had my PSP some years ago, this was a game that was really hard for me to put down. I could spend hours and hours playing just this game. One of the last times I checked, I had poured like 80 hours into it… and the worst part is that I don’t know why.

I can’t figure out what draws me to this game so much. Despite its "pretty crappy" look, it was incredibly addictive.

The game is a beat-'em-up. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a genre where you pick a character (and there are many to choose from here) and progress through stages, beating the crap out of every copy-pasted enemy you encounter until you reach the boss. In this case, there are usually two bosses per stage, and yes, you beat the crap out of them too.

This particular game is based on the Ikkitousen anime franchise. Back in the day, anime about badass girls fighting until their clothes were barely hanging on was all the rage. It was THE AGE of fanservice. It wasn’t uncommon to see anime featuring girls in skimpy outfits kicking each other around, and it was considered the coolest thing ever. Funny thing is, I never watched Ikkitousen. It felt a little too fanservice-y for me—like it was trying too hard to grab dudes' attention. And while, yes, I do enjoy that kind of thing sometimes, back then it felt too corny for my taste. (I don’t hate it; it’s just not my cup of tea.)

The game also has its fair share of fanservice, but that’s NOT what draws me to it (seriously). It has a story mode where you pick one of three schools and follow their plotline, but here’s the catch: the game was only ever released in Japan. It’s all in Japanese, and no one’s bothered to fan-translate it. So, if the plot isn’t what hooked me, then what did? The mechanics? Probably.

I haven’t played many beat-'em-ups outside of some arcade classics, which are designed to be tough as nails. This game, however, is different. The mechanics are butter-smooth. Each stage floods you with enemies, so you’re constantly mashing buttons to fight them off.

Honestly, the game works like a button-masher fidget toy. (Remember fidget spinners? Those were wild times. Glad they’re gone, but I digress.) The fighting is dynamic and satisfying. You can string together combos by mashing the punch button, jump to do aerial attacks, or use “spirit bombs” to blast away enemies when surrounded. Each character also has one or two special moves activated with a simple button combo, which deal massive damage. Defeat a boss with a special move, and you even get a little surprise.

Whether you play story mode or arcade mode, you always have two characters in a tag-team setup. You control one, and you can switch to the other at any time, either to level them up or to use their unique abilities. Every character has their own quirks, so it’s fun to experiment and see who works best for each stage.

As you play, your characters level up. The more combos you land, the more points you earn, and leveling up lets you improve stats like strength and stamina. But the real fun is unlocking new combo moves. You can extend combos, juggle enemies in the air, and unleash all kinds of chaos.

I think this is what makes the game so entertaining. The enemies don’t put up much of a fight—sure, they’ll get a few hits in, but mowing down hordes of them with combos is so satisfying. Before you know it, hours have flown by, and you’ve been mindlessly smashing everything in your path.

So, yeah, this game is a mindless button-mashing fest, and I love it for that. Some people might prefer a game with more depth in its story or gameplay, but that’s not what this is. Sure, it gets repetitive—most stages throw the same enemies at you over and over—but if you enjoy the mechanics as much as I do, that’s not a bad thing.

The game’s for PSP, so you can play it on your PSP/Vita, or use an emulator on your computer or phone, or even one of those Sony consoles capable of running PSP games. Whatever works for you.

You see? What i was talking about in >>>1726376526 I had to upload the entire site because of a typo.

Thanks obama.

Meaningful updates to follow soon.

I had planned to put a site counter on the page and a likes counter on every post outsourced to some third party script but today i have decided against.

I certainly don't care if a lot or people OR noone reads this page, so putting any kind of engagement counter somewhere would just put false expectatives on the page.

Don't let advertisers and "influencers" use your anger and outrage to try to sell you stuff or make their content go viral.

I was about to buy Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, but I realized that I could get even more Omega-3 for the same money by buying two cans of sardines each week instead. The sardines provide more Omega-3 than the supplements would and would last roughly the same.

As I mentioned in my "Better Health - Better Mood" post ( see >>>1731045487 ), I've started a routine that’s been helping me get a deeper and more sound sleep, I've completely shut down my computer at least half an hour before I try to actually fall asleep. The goal is to wind down properly and spend time actually relaxing, and it’s made a noticeable difference in the quality of my sleep.

Instead of getting lost in mindless doomscrolling, I use this time to truly relax and prepare my mind for rest. A big part of that is listening to calming ambient sounds, and I’ve found a few easy ways to make it part of my nightly ritual.

One of the simplest methods is to put on a YouTube video with relaxing sounds like rain or gentle wind. Here’s an example I really like, such as this one.

Another great option is A Soft Murmur, which lets you mix your own custom soundscape using sliders for different ambient noises. You can use it right on their website, and they also have an app if you prefer.

Finally, there's MyNoise. It’s similar to A Soft Murmur, but with a MASSIVE library of ambient sounds to explore, from classic rain sounds to more imaginative options like fantasy forests and cinematic atmospheres. While some of the soundscapes are locked behind donations, there are plenty of free ones to enjoy for hours to end. This one is meant to be used for sleeping and for doing other stuff like as background noise for work, reading, writing or any other kind of activity.

These tools have really helped me unwind at the end of the day, and I hope they can be helpful for you too!

The internet on the whole became a lot more mental these last days. Like i said i am not gonna talk about politics here, but i know exactly the reason of this.

Chill a bit will ya? IDK... take a walk, go to the park, have a picnic, something.

"Better health - Better mood" plan

1.- Sleep at a reasonable time and set a consistent sleeping routine.

2.- Try to add more exercise and physical activity to the day.

3.- Try to add more Omega 3 fatty acids to the diet, in food or supplements.

4.- Take breaks regularly (every hour or so) at work.

5.- Try to read more pages each day

6.- Shutdown the computer at least half an hour before sleeping.

7.- Reduce sugar consumption.

8.- Buy one or two plants for the bedroom.

9.- De-clutter living and work spaces.

10.- Use sundays to try to go out and catch some sun.

Grab a book and read it.

The best weapons you have against the evils of the modern world is wisdom and knowledge.

Reading is punk, reading is radical, reading is non-conformist.

In a world overwhelmed with noise and distraction, reading is your quiet rebellion.

Books offer the rare gift of time-tested knowledge, free from the fleeting pull of trends.

Each page you turn sharpens your mind, strengthens your spirit, and arms you with insight.

Through books, you gain perspective, you gain knowledge, your mind grows.

You build resilience, see patterns, and learn to ask the right questions.

Reading equips you to face the challenges of today with clarity and conviction.

Grab a book, open your mind, and fortify yourself with the ultimate shield: knowledge.

It's crazy to think how hooked i became to this song, almost 30 years after it was released and without having ever played the game.



I've always said that there's enough old media that i haven't appreciated yet that i could live my entire life without paying attention to new releases of anything ever.

I really don’t understand this trend of websites working against their own users by concealing more information, stripping away the interactive and social features people used to rely on. Features we once took for granted are disappearing.

Look at YouTube, for example. First, they removed the dislike button, and now they’re inching toward changes like hiding certain metrics entirely like the ones of the picture. Xitter has taken away or restricted many core functions, and Netflix keeps reversing decisions that initially made them the go-to streaming platform.

I know a lot of people shrug and say, ‘Where else are we going to go?’ And maybe, in cases like YouTube, that’s fair since true alternatives are rare. But just passively accepting these changes only encourages platforms to keep eroding the experience. They’re free to make it worse without much consequence.

Personally, I’m cutting down on my reliance on these sites that keep ‘pulling this kind of crap.’ Sure, it means I miss out on some things, but it’s worth it to avoid all the compromises they push on us. Since YouTube cracked down on ad blockers, I’ve minimized my time on the platform. Sorry, YouTube, but I’m not waiting through the hottest indian music hit or an hour-long ad or unskippable content.

Then there’s Reddit. I’ve recently stopped using it as well, and I’d probably quit Xitter if they pushed things too far. The limits on daily views they introduced a while back already made me take a year-long break. Luckily, I haven’t found myself affected by the likes being hidden or restrictions on blocking since those aren’t features I use much, but who knows what’ll be next? Nothing is off the table if i get my experience messed up with.

I get that these are for-profit companies, aiming to increase revenue and engagement, but so many of these choices feel counterproductive. It makes me wonder, are these decisions even human-driven, or is an AI behind these changes?

Are we heading back to square one, where websites start to feel like TV channels, giving users no say in their experience? The only choice left to us is to watch or walk away.

It’s a pretty bleak outlook if you ask me. But there’s a bit of hope, sites like Neocities and the Fediverse seem to keep alive the community-driven, user-oriented internet that i'd like to see make a comeback.

The Fediverse! I have stuff to say about the fediverse... but that’s a topic for another post.

Who would have thought! Life-saving data to know i guess.

Company claims has technology that can identify almost any person with a snapshot of their face

I mean, sounds crazy but i wouldn't be surprised it's true. Almost everyone uploads photos of themselves of from other people without any kind of regard for privacy to ALL social networks.

Facebook, Instagram, Xitter, TikTok, et al. In almost all of them people upload daily pictures of their face and a lot of times the access to these photos is free for everyone outside of the networks.

Someone could say, "but i haven't uploaded my photo anywhere!", probably not you, but i bet people have taken photos of you "as a group" and uploaded to one of these sites, it's something people do all the time in social gatherings.

It's worriesome that these things happen, but everyone of us is to blame to some degree.

There's one and ONLY ONE reason why, despite using Bodhi Linux as my main driver for more or less one year now, there's still a dual boot system booting Windows 7 on my computer.

Well, aside from the fact that Blender for me works better on the Windows partition (but that's another story), there's only one piece of software that makes me be still kind of chained to Windows, and that's Music bee.

Probably not many people knows it since desktop music players have fallen out of preference of many people, leaving them in second place to music streaming sites, and also Musicbee is not one of the most popular ones, but i have to say it's one of the most feature filled music players that i've found ever.

It's a free music player built with the purpose of managing a large collection of music. It has a lot of options for creating a music library, and also options for managing it, you know, tag management, artwork, lyrics, it has a great way of presenting your library, it has music reencode tools AND... i think it has CD burning capabilities (i haven't checked it for sure, but it may have, it super super complete).

What's the problem with it? Well, i love it, it's the software i use to manage my music, and for now no software that i know comes closer to it in amount of features, but the problem is: it is closed source, and it's Windows only.

It is really a bummer, because every time i have to manage stuff regarding my music collection i have to boot into Windows to work into it, and believe me, i have tried several other Linux software that does similar stuff, and it always lacks features that i need.

Let me explain a bit how do i manage my music: Aside from having albums stored in their own albums and stray songs stored in genre folders, lately when talking about the music i listen the most, i have all the music files that i like and listen frequently pooled on a single folder, then i created a bunch of playlists, each one of different genres or themes.

On Music Bee it's super easy to manage, i add new music to several of the created playlists and Music bee keeps track of it, if i delete the file phisically on one playlist it deletes the file on all the playlists where that file is, and it also prevents me from adding the same file twice to a playlist.

When i finish adding files to my playlists, i just drag them to a "virtual hard disk" that i created for this purpose and Music bee copies the playlist and the new tracks to it, if the source files aren't in mp3 it transcodes them first before copying them, so i don't have to deal with multiple file formats.

I've become so used to this way of working with my music that i think i would have problems trying to do the same with other software, or all the steps involved would make it too cumbersome. so far i've tried Guayadeque (no longer maintained sadly), Quod Libet, Clementine/Strawberry and several others, and for now almost all of them suck one way of another, particularly when trying to manage large playlists or copying them to other folders/devices.

Some people would say that i could try running Music Bee on WINE, but a lot of people have problems with this too. To this day, no one has made Music bee run successfully on WINE, not at least with a lot of bugs that make it unworkable.

I'll keep trying to find another music player that i can install on Linux that allows me work on my music collection the way i want, and, who knows, maybe i could try coding it myself if the challenge is not big enough!

Ok if by any chance you haven't disabled javascript in your browser, you will note that i added a little chatterbox to the sidebar of the site, it's meant as a little corner so you can say HI if you want, but i feel i will use it more as a kind of a "nano" blog to post short thoughts haha.

Originally i was gonna add exactly that, some kind of "nano blog" where i could dump small info without updating the microblog, then i remembered that chatboxes existed and that i could add one to add a bit more of interactivity to the site, so there is it.

Anyways, feel free to post anything you want on it, i'll style it later.

I had to scout and re-add all the blogs i had on my feed reader before i reinstalled Linux, because there's something i always forget to backup, and this time it was my entire RSS feed.

Anyways, i am susbscribed to the blog "Futurism", but i almost didn't added it again. I don't even like the guy and i'm pretty neutral towards him, but it's ridiculous how so anti-Elon Futurism is, it's kind of ridiculous and cringe how they manage any kind of note that have to do with Elon and sometimes try their hardest to make him look bad.

Like i said, i don't even care about the guy, but this worries me as i try to have my RSS feed as un-biased and impartial. I guess i will give them a chance one more time but only once again.

After some months of hiatus of doing any kind fo 3D stuff with Blender, i just uploaded a new piece, albeit simple, to help me stretch the legs. It's simple because it's mostly comprised of simple shapes (mostly boxes and cylinders) that don't require that much modeling.

I almost never have problems modeling stuff (well, i do, but i can get by just fine most of the time after fidgeting the vertices a bit), what i have problems with is with lighting, because modeling and texturing shit is one thing, but that's like 40% of the work. Lighting is the other 60% and just lighting alone can make a piece look good or ugiy.

Overall i think i did pretty well on it, i like the ambience, i think it could have used more variety on the elements of the board but it's good nonetheles...

I'll post the image here but you can also see it and give it a like on my Pixelfed profile, on the links of the sidebar:



BTW, the title of the piece is "Quantum Computing".

Being embarrased by saying this is nonsense because i am not even obligated to say it, but i still don't have proper hardware to run newer versions of Blender, and most if not all pieces i have done ever (and probably will for a bit of time) are done in pre-3.0 versions of Blender (newer versions are already on 4.0).

To be honest i don't feel like i am missing too much anyway, i know Geometry nodes are a big thing and everyone is using them already to their best but i haven't made anyting too complicated yet that guarantees me wanting me to use them. I think geometry nodes are more useful for people that animate and to people that needs speed in pre-generating assets, but my approach on Blender is more "artisanal" so i woudln't use them that much i guess.


Hopefully on the future i can get ahold of better hardware.

It is me, or pages look too round nowadays? Just look at pages like Google and Twitter, it looks like they're afraid of having elements with corners.

The idea of reinstalling my computer was, for one part a re-partition of the disk because i had set too little space to the Linux partition, and being that it was gonna be the main partition from now on i should have allocated more than 40gb to it.

And second, i had seen that the last Linux Mint seemed to have better drivers or something, but i could open Blender again with it, the problem is that it had several other problems that didn't made sense so i had to brush it off and go back to Bodhi Linux.

Not blaming Linux Mint tho, my computer is OLD so i blame it more on the age of the computer.

Sometimes i come along videos that i like and are are hard to find again because i found them on a whim of the algorithm, so let me save this one here so i don't lose it.

Just to point out one of the aspects talked in >>1727058265 a lot of the issues that make artists angry about the whole AI image generation issue is the perceived lack of respect to intellectual property, meaning, their art being scrapped to train image models, but let's just remember that a large chunk of artists make a good deal of money selling art based off other people IPs and apparently there's not a problem with that.

How do we deal with stuff like this?

BTW have you ever lost sleep to a SONG?

It may sound weird, but one week ago i had this song stuck in my head for like two days, i lost a couple of sleep hours those days because of it.

BTW that's not me... i NEVER feel like i have anything figured out!

No matter what your age is, have you ever felt that you are just some teenager pretending to be an adult? With a lot of anxiety about stuff that you kind of HAVE to go through to the best of your abilities but you would rather not and spend all day playing games (or doing anything else)?

Lack of updates due to a sudden surge of work like i had never seen before. Regular updates will follow shortly.

I know i don't have to announce shit like that but i do it just to show that i haven't forget about this place!

On a lighter note, i just added pagination to the microblog, so it doesn't load all the pages on the index.

Boy, this one took a long time to write...



Alright... this post it's gonna be lengthy and deep, basically i want to talk to you about my opinion on the matter of AI image generation. I'm NOT trying to put myself behind any of the sides of the controversy here nor i'm trying to state my opinion as a truth or fact, I'm just trying to flesh out my opinion on several aspects of it, in hopes you have more tools to form your OWN opinion. The post is gonna be LONG, but it's just because the controversy is hot and the topic is VERY complicated, Anyone who tries to simplify the issue on a single tweet is lying to you.

And the post is so large that i had to modify the code of this blog just so i can split the content into a preview and a full view, so please, click on the following link to see the full post.

Click to see full post.

Have some free time to waste away today? No? Well, too bad! Because once you enter to The Cutting Room Floor you won't be able to leave the site easily.

This page is a compendium of secrets that all your favorites videogames have. But secrets in the hard sense, because they gut and dissect the games to try to find unused text, graphics, and other files that nobody should be able to even find by playing the games.

The page also highlights the differences the games have between regions and the content that was cut and censored in any revisions of the game, a pretty interesting site.

I actually enjoy browsing 4chan quite a bit. Believe it or not—and despite the preconceived notions you may have about it, whether justified or not—I think it’s one of the last “good” sites on the internet.

I am well aware of the site's history and the reasons why it is controversial. I've been using it to a certain degree since at least 2004 or so. The administration and moderation have certainly made missteps in the past, and it’s true the community can be toxic to a degree. However, I believe that the anonymity the site offers—something many people criticize— allows for more honest discussions. Your opinion ends up being more important that your status, follower count, or even personal profile. While the communication can be harsher, it’s also more honest.

For instance, back when I was working with Blender (and though I speak in past tense, I still want to get back to it… damnit), the most useful and genuine feedback I received on my work often came from posting in their 3D modeling board. Yes, they actually have one!

Moreover, it’s one of the few remaining community sites that remains simple and hasn’t been bogged down with bloated code. This means browsing is fast and smooth across all kinds of devices—a technical detail, sure, but one that’s important to me.

I’d recommend giving it a try. They have a ton of boards with different topics, explore the boards that cover topics you’re interested in, and do so with an open mind and don't pay too much attention to the trolling or flame wars you may encounter (tho i think they are funny). If you plan to participate, though, I’d advise lurking for a bit first. Get a feel for the culture so you don’t come across as a tourist.

Emoji: 💣
Listening to: Smooth Vintage 01

If you like, (or not), what i write on this page, you can send an email to hiroyuki@cock.li so we can talk about it.

Note that by sending an email, you authorize it's content to be posted here as a reply (your email address won't be included).

Book Review
Demian - By Hermann Hesse



"Demian" by Hermann Hesse follows the journey of Emil Sinclair, a young boy growing up in Germany during the early 20th century. He struggles with his inner conflicts and the pressures of conformity in society. Through encounters with enigmatic characters like Max Demian, Sinclair embarks on a spiritual and psychological quest for self-discovery and enlightenment.

Basically, it's a coming-of-age book.

I initially picked up this book out of nostalgia. At a second-hand book sale, I stumbled upon the same edition my dad had when I was a kid, the one (among other books) I apparently ended up destroying while playing. Oh well...

Reading a bit on the internet i discovered this book is commonly assigned to high school and college students, given that Emil Sinclair, the protagonist, is around that age throughout most of the story. His internal struggles and his perception of the world resonate with individuals of that demographic. Despite that i can certainly say it resonated with me at some level, because i still have some doubts about my presents that are, in a certain level, present in Emil's own inner struggles.

Emil Sinclair is portrayed as an impressionable teen, riddled with doubts. I could totally relate to his tendency to over-analyze situations and thoughts. However, his inclination to cling to disparate ideas and symbolisms struck me as peculiar, but I suppose it's a part of what being a adolescent is after all...

Without spoiling the plot, the central idea of the book revolves around the concept of embracing both the good and evil within oneself, and accepting the good and "evil" parts of one way of thinking, rather than conforming to societal norms blindly.

The book is chockfull of symbolysms and hidden ideas that are not hard to grasp if you scratch a little and do a bit of your own research. While "Demian" delves sometimes into mysticism, religion, and gnosticism, it serves more as a platform to explore ideas rather than endorse specific beliefs.

It has a lot of flaws and the ending is a bit rushed to my liking but it's still an enjoyable and relatable read.

Today i am wondering if maintaining this microblog the way i am doing it right now, generating static files with all the content of the page every time, is a good idea in the long run.

I personally don't have a problem with it, it's more like a logistical concern, because if i ever want to change things in the layout of the site i would need to re-generate and upload basically the whole site, which for me is not a problem because the system i coded does it automatically, but it seems like a bit clunky to work with maybe?

The other idea is to an iframe for the content, which i think would work in a way but it's pretty old school that sometimes thinking about it it's painful, hah. The other way is to use heavy javascripting to render the frontend, but i am also kind of against sites who NEED javascript to run and display because a lof of legacy devices don't play good with Javascript.

I'll try to maintain the site the way i am doing now for as long as i can, but if in the future the situation calls for it, i may do the javascript solution to provide a less painful way of updating the site.

*cleans his glasses*

I think furry is a lot more weirder than futanari, but that's just me.

*walks out the room*

Also, believe it or not, the posting system that i wrote to update this blog is a hella lot incomplete, i really should get to upgrading it because as it is now it's pretty basic. There are stuff missing like basic formatting and even pagination still left to do.

I'm preparing a quite lenghty post about a spicy topic, and i'm taking my time to write it because it's a controversial topic, i don't want to get facts wrong or write opinions that may be misinterpreted. Hopefully i will post it next week.

Retro Game Review:
Blaster Master - Blasting Again
Year: 2000
Playstation 1



"Blaster Master - Blasting Again" is essentially a sequel or "reimagining" of the original Blaster Master series, which first appeared on the NES and a few other consoles of that era. Like its predecessors, this game maintains a heavy focus on exploration, and it doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

If you've ever played Metroid Prime for the GameCube, the core concept will feel familiar, aside from a few core gameplay differences (like perspective and such). The general idea is the same: you traverse vast maps, exploring every nook and cranny, trying to figure out how to proceed. You'll be unlocking doors, activating elevators, and checking unmarked areas of the map to figure out your next move.

For fans of games that emphasize exploration and puzzle-solving in dungeon-like environments, this is an excellent experience. It doesn’t hold your hand, and the sense of satisfaction you get from figuring things out on your own is rewarding.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the shooting mechanics. While exploration shines, the combat falls flat. Despite the various weapon upgrades you acquire, enemies remain just as tough, and many of the upgrades feel underwhelming against the more relentless monsters. On top of that, the guns sound weak, like you're firing a pebble gun, so the combat never quite feels satisfying.

The controls are another weak point. They feel a bit stiff for a game that emphasizes free roaming, and the camera angles can be frustrating at times, requiring constant adjustment. However, despite these shortcomings, you do get used to them fairly quickly.

On a brighter note, the music is a highlight. The tracks are energetic and fit the atmosphere well, though some songs can get repetitive after being looped in the same dungeon for long stretches. Still, the quality of the music helps you overlook this most of the time.

As for the graphics, they're pretty much what you'd expect from a PS1 game. They're not mind-blowing, but they’re not bad either, decent for the time period.

The story did nothing for me. I guess if you know about the previous games you can have a bit more context on why things happen but it's not a necesity to know since nothing crazy happens. The voice acting of the cutscenes falls into the "so bad it's good" department so there's that.

Overall, I found Blaster Master - Blasting Again enjoyable, especially due to its focus on exploration, which is something I personally love. If you're like me and can overlook its flaws, you'll likely have a good time. My suggestion? Try it on an emulator to smooth over some of the rougher edges, but even with its quirks, it's still a solid recommendation.

Rating: 80/100

Curious thing happened, I was trying to print some images for the homework of a kid, and the color printer refused to print this picture several times:



It just printed like about 1/4 of it and then showed an url for a page: https://rulesforuse.org/

I knew some printers had algorithms to prevent printing notes for counterfeinting and such, but come on, the notes aren't even being shown complete.

I had to add some noise to the image so i could print it, but who's gonna return me the ink wasted? :V I tried to print it on the b/w laser printer and that one didn't complained.

By the way also, you may be interested in moving to Linux soon... unless you are somehow okay with Microsoft's attempt to pushg that surveillance software shit "Recall" on future versions of Windows. I know that they say that "you can turn it off", but not being able to uninstall or even having a say what you want or not YOUR computer to have ticks me the wrong way...

By the way, also just to mention it, i am devising some system to add a commenting system to this blog. I realize that maybe noone is gonna be interested in commenting here but it's nice to have it nonetheless (and i love to take on these kind of challenges, since i am planning on coding it myself).

This week marks a year since I moved to Linux, for what I think is “for good”, so I am not expecting to go back to windows at least here.



I’ve got a computer at home that’s so old, most of you would probably consider it ancient history. It’s the kind of relic you’d toss out, sell for five bucks at a garage sale, or maybe just forget in a dusty corner. But honestly, I don’t need much from a computer at home. All I do is browse the web, play some retro games, and mess around with a few other things. I used to do a bit of Blender work on it, but that’s become a challenge. Sure, I could use an upgrade, but every time I think about getting a new one, I find myself hesitating with the thought, “But this one still works…”

Anyway, I’ve been using Windows 7 from the start, but lately, it’s been getting harder to keep up with the times. More and more software has been dropping support for it, and when I tried to install the latest versions of Brave and Steam, they just wouldn’t budge. That’s when I started thinking maybe it was time to bite the bullet and finally install Windows 10.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea. I’d heard a lot of not-so-great things about Windows 10, so I’d been putting it off until I had no other choice. But eventually, I had to face the reality.

The installation went smoothly enough, despite a few hiccups (probably because my computer is, well, old). After some minor tweaks, Windows 10 seemed okay, and I was good to go.

But then the updates started. Windows kept nagging me to update, and I kept pushing it off with a “nah, I’ve got stuff to do.” This went on for a while until Windows decided it was time for a forced update. It wouldn’t even let me turn on the computer until it was done. I was like, “WTF? When did I agree to this?”

The update process was a nightmare. It took forever to hit 100%, and even when it did, it seemed to freeze. After waiting way too long, I finally gave up and turned the computer off manually. Big mistake. When I turned it back on, Windows refused to start. It kept trying to repair itself and then attempted the update again. It was a frustrating loop of doom.

That wasn’t the only issue. Windows 10 kept trying to force me to use Edge and wouldn’t let me change my browser easily. I was beyond pissed. I felt like I’d lost control of my own computer, and it was all downhill from there. The performance was terrible too. Sure, the computer’s old, but it worked way better with Windows 7. I suspect all the bloatware in Windows 10 slowed it down even more, on top of the higher hardware demands.

That’s when I started seriously considering Linux. I wasn’t new to it—I’d tried it on this computer years ago. It worked well enough, but there were some rough edges that made it hard to stick with. But after the disaster with Windows 10, I needed a fresh start and a system that could keep my old machine running smoothly.

Choosing a Linux distro felt a bit like shopping for a new shirt. I needed something lightweight that wouldn’t demand too much from my ancient hardware, even if it wasn’t the prettiest option.

First up was “Linux Lite,” a distro that promised to be, well, lite. But it took forever to boot up—sometimes as long as three minutes! I checked their forums, and others had the same complaint. Their response? “Not our fault.” Not exactly helpful.

I wanted to try some lesser-known distros before moving on to the big names. Big distros are usually “one size fits all” systems, while smaller distros are often tailored for specific purposes, like running on low-end machines, which was exactly what I needed.

Next, I gave “Bodhi Linux” a shot. I’d tried it years ago, but it was a tough nut to crack back then. The software choices were a bit odd, and I never really got used to their desktop environment, “Moksha.” It’s a modern fork of “Enlightenment,” with an old-school look and a different way of doing things that took some getting used to.

Despite my past experience, I decided to try Bodhi again since they’d recently released an updated version, and they promised (like that time), that it was light enough to even run on an old P4 computer. This time, it was easier to use, and they’d swapped out some of the weird software for more familiar options. Best of all, my computer’s performance was back to what I remembered—much better than with Windows 10.

That was a year ago, and I’m still using Bodhi Linux. I did switch out Moksha for XFCE, though. Moksha’s old-fashioned look wasn’t my thing, and some of its themes were so retro they were practically ugly. XFCE is just as lightweight but way more customizable and easy on the eyes.

In the end, switching to Bodhi Linux was the best decision I could have made for my old computer. It’s been running smoothly, and I’m satisfied with how well it handles everything I need at home. Of course, I still have to use Windows at work because some software just isn’t available for Linux, but that’s a different story.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’ve lost control of your computer with all the forced updates and bloated software, I’d definitely recommend giving Linux a try. It’s a great way to break free from the constraints of Windows and regain control over your machine. That said, I get that it’s not for everyone. There’s a learning curve, and some things are done differently on Linux. Plus, not all software is compatible, which might be a deal-breaker for some.

But if you’re up for the challenge and want a system that’s more streamlined and respectful of your choices, Linux could be what you are looking for.. It’s worth exploring, especially if you’re looking to breathe new life into an old computer like mine.

Hit me up on Twitter if you want some help with Linux, Tough i'm not an expert by any means, i will be glad to help.

So, how much did the PS2 sold compared to it's contemporaries?



I have to admit that i have barely played any game from that generation, but i think it was a very exciting moment to experience regarding the evolution of videogame consoles. The leap in graphics was very large and the studios were keen to tell new stories.

I don't want to sound like an old coot with this, but honestly i think the golden age of gaming is way way a thing of the past. It's one of the reasons i'm a declared "retro gamer", barely interested in new releases.

Anyways, don't think that the posts are gonna be this serious every time. The themes and tones will vary and i will try to post several times a day just to keep things fresh.

Just to extend a bit more on the topic of personal webpages, there's another reason why I decided to revive this personal blog.

I don’t usually like talking about politics, and I’m not going to do it today either, but yesterday, the general internet community was buzzing about some drama involving the Brazilian government and Twitter/X. Without diving too deep into the details, the Brazilian government decided to block access to Twitter/X across the entire country. Naturally, this decision left many people, both Brazilians and others, absolutely flabbergasted.

As I mentioned, I’m not going to debate who’s at fault here, or whether the decision was politically motivated (though personally, I think it was, but that’s beside the point). The real issue is that it’s NOT a great idea to have our channels of communication and discussion monopolized by just two or three big sites. These things can —and WILL— happen, especially as the situation deteriorates further.

As political entities become more interested in tightly controlling online conversations, and as various fringe groups push to have "unfit" opinions removed from public view, it’s crucial for people to realize that having so few platforms controlling the discourse is far from ideal. The larger these platforms grow, the more susceptible they become to manipulation, whether by political forces or other interests.

I understand that this is challenging because most people aren’t interested or technically savvy enough in setting up their own shit, especially if it means reducing their probable audiecne and reac. However, I believe it’s VERY IMPORTANT not to keep all our eggs in one basket.

So, my invitation to everyone is this: explore ways to host your content on alternate or multiple channels simultaneously. The internet is vast, and it’s ridiculous to let communication mediums be monopolized by big platforms that are more interested in driving revenue through ads and suppressing dissenting or “wrong” opinions to avoid political and legal conflicts.

By the way, I’m planning to add an RSS feed in the next few days so that anyone using RSS can follow the site if they wish. If you’re not familiar with RSS and RSS readers, I encourage you to look into them.

So what is "A Ton of Cows"?

First of all i want to thank The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine for still having an archived copy of this page. The design and colors are not exactly the same but i had created this layout years ago and didn't wanted to create a new one!

"A Ton of Cows" is actually a personal project that stems WAY BACK to 2016, but it was tied to another fediverse project and it actually didn't lasted too much.

BASICALLY is an attempt to fuse the concept of the old blogs, and the concept of the modern microblog a-la Twitter. So, the idea is an space to make posts with more substance than a tweet, but in a faster than it would be with a normal blog (with not too much info).

>Why don't you just use twitter/X?
The idea, like i said, is to make posts that could be longer and with more substance than a common tweet would allow because of the character limit.

>Why don't you then use Facebook?
I HATE Facebook and what it represents, i closed my Facebook acount more than ten years ago in fact.

>Why don't you then use...
Alright STOP, i get what you mean, i could use several options that exist on social media sites and get more exposure. The issues that i have with modern social media is that no place ends up "feeling like home". No place is customizable to my liking, all the places have tight and ridiculous moderation that barely let you talk about anything without casting you into oblivion or making you feel like you are treading on eggshells.

On here, i feel like have more freedom, first to personalize it to my liking, to make it MINE, and to talk longer about topics that maybe i don't talk on other places due to any kind of constraints.

>Probably noone is gonna end up reading this.
Probably not, i'm okay with that and actually it's better to not have too much of an audience to prevent having to cater to them, but that depends.

>Can i reply to a post?
Right now there isn't a established system to send replies, but if you write an email to hiroyuki @ cock.li specifying what post are you replying to i will include it as reply.

The whole page is gonna be worked more on the following days so keep an eye if you want.

>What are the themes of the page?
Just about ANYTHING, my interests orbit around the themes of technology in general, linux, coding, anime and gaming too, but i will try to keep the themes diverse enough to not be encased in a single corner, always from a personal perspective.

>But why "A Ton of Cows"?
A ton of cows is equal to 1.5 cows.