Category: Tech Stuff

Stuff dealing with the site or anything else technical

Lifehacker Pack

This list of software that is essential to all techies out there.  The software is free and opensource, so it’s a good list to keep on hand.  I’m going to create a page to download the programs I have the right to distribute on here.
The list can be found by clicking HERE.
If you can think of any other programs that aren’t listed, like AVG Antivirus, let me know, so I can add them to the page I create.

Digg & Newsvine

I’ve posted some syndication pages from Digg and Newsvine.  I like the look of both, but Newsvine is still in the ‘beta’ stage.
If you’d like an invite to join Newsvine, just send me an email and I’ll send you an invite.
I honestly like Digg a little more, but it’s really about personal preference.  I love that some of the guys from Digg.com have a video podcast talking about the top stories of the week, and they’ve done one for the past 30 weeks in a row.  They are very funny.
Newsvine is visually stunning.  I love the colors, but It kinda feels a little cluttered.
What do you think?

75 Steps to Becoming Your Own Web Host

I found a post on digg about a plan to become your own host in 75 easy steps. These Steps, at first I thought would be long and tedious, but it appears that each step is simple.
The instructions do not cover security and issues that usually arise later on after the server is running and exposed to the rest of the net, but it does look like it will get you started.

Build Your Own Tivo

I wanted to document this site I found on digg.com.
Building one yourself can be expensive, but it could definitely save money by not having to pay for a box and service for it.  All of the progression in the programs you can use for a PVR has led to some pretty user friendly and attractive displays.
The instructions I found can be seen HERE.

Theme Switching

I’ve been playing with switching the theme of this blog.  I’ve gotten tired of it, even though the features of Neuron are my favorite.  I’ll see how I like Blix, and figure it out over time.  I just need a change of scenery for at least a few weeks.

New Keyboard – February 1, 2006

I saw this keyboard months ago, and I didn’t think it would hit the market for years.  It looks like they’ve finally built a stock of them and they’re going on sale next month.
The keys have small LED screens in them that let you program them for what you are using the keyboard for.  When you press the CAPS key, all the letters change from lower case to upper case.  They can actually turn dark red when you’re playing a game like Doom, and there’s even a screensaver mode for the board when you’re not using it.
Check it out here.
I’ve made up my mind to not buy any more toys for myself this year, but I wouldn’t mind getting it for my birthday in May.

Continuing Education

I’ve filled out the forms for FAFSA, and it looks like I qualify for financial aid to return to school.  I should be starting in March.  I’m pretty excited about getting back to getting a degree.  I will start slowly and go for an Associates of Applied Science in General Education.
I currently have been afraid of going back to school because I have been afraid of failing.  I know that I have to face that fear and push forward in order to build myself.  That’s the only way I’m going to stop talking about returning to school and actually go.
I’ll be glad to get something to put on my resume that shows that I’m striving for improvement in my life, and give the impression of growth and the desire for knowledge.
Christle says that I currently lack mental challenges, and I need something to complete the circuit of my desire for problem-solving and learning activities.  School sounds like the best thing to fill that need.

Nano Sold

I’ve sold my Nano, and I’m waiting for the money to be transferred from paypal to my account so I can purchase my Video iPod.
It was pretty exciting, because I got to see people fighting over it.  I believe I put a pretty good package out there for them, got a good deal on it, and gave someone else a good deal in the process.
The guy who won it has an email address that looks like someone in the US Army.  I wrote him a little note to put in the package thanking him for his service.

No Cheap Google PC

Both Wal-Mart & Google have come forward and denied any Cheap Google PC deal.  Usually businesses will only do that to stop hype from getting so high that they lose face when something that would be so great never comes to fruition.  It would be awesome if Google created an OS.  Even better if they sold a cheap web computer with a small 20 GB hard drive, network cable, and lower-end 12″ LCD to view the web with.  Something like that wouldn’t need powerful video capabilities.
The thing Google would make easy is putting something small and affordable in people’s family areas that wouldn’t get in the way like ordinary personal computers do.   With OpenOffice.org, and built-in wireless capabilities, kids could do their homework, and the chef of the family could keep a recipe on the screen as long as needed.
They could then sell attachments, like a webcam with built-in mic, so that when you have multiple stations in the house, they can easily be used as monitors, or video chat stations, for other rooms in the house.
They could tie in to security systems, and even have an extra attachment to make your cable box accessible through any of the stations.
I would like to see someone with the resources put something like this out there for lower prices than one would expect.
It’s too bad Google doesn’t seem to have an interest, because Microsoft doesn’t seem to want to make something like that affordable, according to their licensing terms.  Google could really take the home computing to another level.

Cheap Google PC

Well, it looks like Google is looking to sell a cheap PC through Wal-Mart and some other retail companies.  According to this article, it will not have Microsoft Windows on it.  It will have an operating system created by Google.  I hope it doesn’t take Google very long to get this thing out, because it would be awesome to have yet another alternative out there.
FYI:  I’ve put my iPod Nano up for sale on Ebay here.