2 hours every day?

yea :) .. sometimes it gets interesting reading the tech stuff

Are you familiar with DOS batches? If so, you can try starting writing some automation on DOS and then translating them into shell scripts. It was the way I started.

If not, you can try writing some basic automation scripts. Look for all of the repetitive tasks (copies, opening programs, clearing temps) and try to automate them. You will, unavoidably, start feeling comfortable and knowing all of the tools.

I worked for some time as self-employed.. The hardest part was to maintain discipline. And I've got to the same conclusion: routine. What makes your life seem boring when you're an employee, is what keeps you from procrastinating all day when you are self-employed.

I use to put my headphones and have some instrumental music playing, mid-loud. Preferably some fast (but not aggressive) tunes - it feels like my brain is 'overclocked'. I don't like lyrics because I always end up paying attention to it. Helps me getting focused, avoid distractions (by signaling to people that you're busy and concentrated AND not letting you hear external noises) and gets me an 'isolated from the world' sensation.

I tried the headphones thing for a long time, but it would usually result in people just coming over and knocking on my desk until I looked at them.

They'd then give a little polite smile and a "Hey, huh, are you busy? Whatcha doin?"

I feel like a jerk literally shutting the lights off (so they think I'm not here), but it does seem to be working (things are getting done, I mean).

Well.. the whole ideia is to give out the message of 'I'm busy'. I have coworkers that use unplugged headphones, just to get the message delivered. Of course, it works only if other people understand this signal.

You can try to use some form of humor to disguise it.. try a little warning sign with something like 'DO NOT DISTURB: Genius doing science'. People will, at least, stop at the sign to take a closer look and you will be aware that they are coming, not scaring you.

Yeah, sure. Silverlight is the future!

Actually, that's an interesting point. Silverlight allows pixel shader usage, which they view unsafe in WebGL. That'd be interesting to read SDL team's views on this.

Looks, like this is the answer: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2663497

And, additionally, if nobody uses it.. It's just the work of shutting it down. No big harm made.

The most interesting part of the story is how they are celebrating and proud about having caught 'the leaders of Anonymous'. Can't they understand that it is decentralized and the arrested people could be leaders of a small organization inside the group, but not of the group itself?

About the immigration, I filed for a german citizenship. I don't know if it is going to be accepted, but with the documentation I've sent this is hard not to succeed.

And I will visit some places on my next vacations.. but I'm not sure about the reception I'm going to have. Any tips on where to go / how to contact the companies?