Arthur Lugtigheid

Here’s a handy code sniplet that enables you to read a file with columns of data with headers into MATLAB:

function importfile(filename)

% import the file
newdata = importdata(filename);

% create new variables in the base workspace from these fields
vars = fieldnames(newdata);
for i=1:length(vars), assignin('base', vars{i}, newdata.(vars{i})); end

This will give you three variables in your workspace:

• colheaders: a list of all the variable names, extracted from the header
• data: a matrix with all your data in it
• textdata: essentially the same thing as colheaders

“Have you recently written a paper, but you’re not sure to which journal you should submit it? Or are you an editor, and do you need to find reviewers for a particular paper? Jane can help!”

From: http://biosemantics.org/jane/

That’s the title of the (for me) long awaited new CD of the wonderful singer Sia Furler. Some of you might know her from her excellent work for Zero 7 or maybe even from her previous album “Colour the small one”. This new album certainly does not disappoint.. In fact.. it’s great! Although I have to admit it seems to be less electronic and more poppy than previous work. But hey, it works for me!

My favorites? “Electric Bird”, “Day too soon”, “Button” (the hidden track) and “The girl you lost to cocaine”. So what are you waiting for? Go and get that album (or listen to the previews on Amazon).

Alternatively, watch the KCRW2007 live sessions (big thanks to Milo for the link).

Also, new CD by Goldfrapp incoming soon! W00t~? Oh the joy..

So, there’s been a lot of rumors concerning the Apple Macbook Pro, which is due for renewal. A lot of rumors and patent applications point in the direction of some sort of multi-touch integration - a technology already used by Apple in the iPod Touch and the iPhone. Other rumors point to a sub-notebook, meaning they will probably reintroduce the 12-inch Macbook Pro and sacrifice the optical drive for a thiner model. Many people believe that these changes will be announced at the MacWorld 2008 convention this tuesday.

But I don’t really care about all that.. For me, these new features would just be nice bonuses.. I work with OpenGL a lot and I just want to be able to do that on my laptop - something I think the Macbook Pro can do just fine. However, if I would have to make a list of upgrades, that list would be the following:

1. Upgraded CPU (2.6 Penryn CPU’s standard in new models, maybe?)
2. Upgraded video memory (512MB would be splendid)

I’m gonna be disappointed if none of these make it in the new model. But then again, I’d buy a new MacBook Pro anyway…

Fingers crossed and creditcard at the ready!

Update: There’s some new rumors on a new apple notebook called “MacBook Air” - a new model that apparently is completely wireless (or so people are suggesting). I’m not sure how it compares to the current models, but it doesn’t make much sense to introduce a 3rd model now that they have a top-end and a lower-end model in production. Only 22 more hours, and we’ll know, I guess…

Post MWSF Update: Not a happy bunny. Not happy at all.

I think I can safely say that 2007 was a very good year for me, especially in academic regards. I finished my master degree in psychology in September. In April, I applied for a studentship for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, got accepted and started that this October! And as a consequence, I also moved from the Netherlands to the UK.

So far, I’m quite enjoying myself as a PhD student - it’s hard work, but it’s very rewarding and I get to work with some of the best people in the field. I’m quite eager to see what next year will bring me! As for new years resolutions, I’d think my main one would be to get my first article published or at the very least submitted. Furthermore, I want to visit conferences, meet new people, and talk about the research I’m doing. In that respect I think I’ll be up for a treat next year!

But, enough science talk. Tomorrow I’ll fly back home to the Netherlands and enjoy two weeks of “rest”. Quite looking forward to seeing my parents and my cat Floris again. Leaves me one last thing to do: I’d like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and all the best for the new year!