In responding to a friend who had broken her toe, I spontaneously described the body as an “Instant Messenging System,” and suddenly the light bulb went on–for me!

While I’ve understood for a long time now that our thoughts and feelings manifest in our bodies,  this is the first time that I’ve realized the immediacy of that–and the clear intent:  not punishment in any form, but communication for the purpose of… self correction?

I haven’t quite figured out the purpose of the information, but the onset of my latest illness is offering some clues:

Last week, I co-led a parent evening on social health.  One particular parent was extremely disappointed with the agenda and interrupted our work again and again to question us with a great display of aggravation.

Thirty minutes into the evening, our agenda was tossed aside and I had lost all sense of where to go with this conversation.  My partner and I regrouped and the rest of the time together was productive.

Yet afterward, I found myself very keyed up–angry even–and I had trouble sleeping.  I woke way before dawn (excuse the TMI) with “the runs.”

Right away, I got the irony of my body’s message: I had wanted to run from that conflict, from that role, and from that person, and most of all, I wanted to run from how it felt inside.

What I didn’t understand is why this particular viral expression had to continue its course once I got the message?  Or was I too late?

I’m writing this exploration from my bed–on day four of this particular Instant Message (IM). And I wonder, how might I have responded differently to this conflict (on the inside and the outside) so that I didn’t take it home?

Because, the truth is, we can’t completely protect ourselves from difficult people or difficult situations, although I do effort to do so.

Ironically, I had punctuated the importance of “conflict” at the parent gathering that evening.  “We don’t want a conflict-free school,” I said to the parents.  “Conflict is important.  Through it, our children learn about themselves and about working together.”

While I obviously didn’t apply that pearl of wisdom in my own moment of conflict, I am now even more willing to listen to my body’s Instant Messenging System– so that we can work better together the next time around.

How about you? Any Body IM insights to share?  What do you think the purpose is?

Kelly Salasin

The internet is evolving, and the fall of the dot com craze has begun. In its place, the next generation of websites, Web 2.0, has arrived with promising potential. For example, YouTube a video uploading website, was created in February 2005. Recently, less than two years after it was founded, YouTube was sold to Google for a whopping $1.64 billion. Web 2.0 success, such as that of YouTube, was recognized by many internet marketers. And, therefore, the concepts are being applied to hundreds of recent websites.
Though the number of Web 2.0 websites is growing rapidly, all of these websites stand with one main focus: the users paid for social networks
Did you know that Web 2.0 isn?t really a certain type of site? It is a term that is being used to describe the new sites that are interactive with its members or customers. It allows these people to dynamically change these web sites, add content, and interact with other users of the site.
These sites can be sites like Myspace that is a community site where users can create their own page and then they invite their friends to join.
It can also be interactive sites where people can post pictures, videos, sound bites, and even blogs where info and feedback can be added to the sites.

Web 2.0 Sites

Many people are breaking Web 2.0 sites into these main categories

Social Affiliate Network

Social Networking

Social Bookmarking

Social Sharing Video

Blogs

30-something year old white guy from the UK spits out love songs like it’s a disease and hooks up with Mr. West for his first US release entitled Straight No Chaser. Mr. Hudson is definitely my favorite find from 2009.  You can tell his music has evolved genuinely from his first LP to the new one.  In the song “Knew We Were Trouble” he says, ” I’m just a boy from Birmingham, another imposter on a major label roster. How did I get here? No fear.” He knows who he is and he’s just living his dream. That’s what I like most about Mr. Hudson.  Plus he produced and featured on one of Jay’s best songs off of BP3, Forever Young. Did I forget to mention he has impeccable style? Check out his personal page HERE. Watch the video below of my favorite song off the new LP, Instant Messenger.

If you are awkward or make me uncomfortable on IM, I’m sorry, but you are no longer a potential suitor.

In case any of you people didn't know, I (Chair) have stopped using all instant messengers. I mentioned this on the forum already, but some of you people may not have read the thread I posted this in. The post is located here:

My post in the 'Attraction/retraction with people' thread on HikiCulture

The other day, I decided to block/delete all of the contacts I had added/added me, preventing me from quickly being able to re-install Miranda IM and start chatting again. If you notice that I removed you from my list, don't take offense. I removed absolutely everyone off my list, including family members.

Ever since starting HikiCulture, I've progressively had more and more people add me to their instant messenger(s). I also added a few people myself. I've met lots of great people, but feel that the forum/IRC channel, and email are adequate enough methods of communication for me.

I feel though that instant messengers are no longer for me. Instant messaging took up a lot of my time, and I'd prefer to focus on other things at the present.

If you wish to contact me, you can send an email to HikiCulture@Gmail.Com.

~ Take care.

Posted via email from HikiCulture – A Forum For Reclusive People (and Hikikomori)

Estava eu conversando amistosamente com um vegetal amigo meu sobre “relacionamentos fadados ao fracasso”, quando surgiu essa pérola do Instant Messaging. Não poderia deixar de compartilhar.

Repollo diz (11:11):
*O fim não é necessariamente um fracasso
*Rá
Brócolis diz (11:11):
*existem “COISAS” q devem permanecer na escuridão
*a luz do dia pode ser fatal
*umh………. elabore
Repollo diz (11:12):
*Ué.. uma relação não é fracassada simplesmente por ter terminado. As pessoas envolvidas cresceram, aprenderam, aproveitaram.
Não sempre, claro, e aí sim seria um fracasso…
Repollo diz (11:13):
*Mas isso tudo hipoteticamente falando
Repollo disse (11:16):
*Acabaram as tuas opiniões sobre o assunto?
Repollo disse (11:17):
*Ou preferiste ficar quieto para evitar externar uma opinião que tu achas que poderia me deixar chateado? (hun)
Repollo disse (11:20):
*Ok, acho que tu só te ausentaste da frente do computador
*O que não deixa de ser estranho, já que normalmente pões um “brb”
Repollo disse (11:21):
*Percebeste que estou falando corretamente?
*Um problema que tenho quando estou conversando no msn
Repollo disse (11:22):
*É que quando a pessoa demora demais pra responder, eu continuo falando e fazendo perguntas, dando margem para que meu interlocutor não responda à pergunta que eu fiz lá em cima, ou seja, fico sem saber a principal resposta que eu queria saber.
Repollo disse (11:24):
*Ou então eu começo a levantar possibilidades sobre qual seria a resposta do meu interlocutor, o que acaba por dar a deixa para que o interlocutor não dê a resposta verdadeira, e sim uma que eu “sugeri”, por saber que eu acreditaria naquela resposta.
Repollo disse (11:25):
*Por exemplo: “onde foste? Estás me ignorando? Ou só foi beber água?” 2 horas e meia depois, chega a resposta “Eu tinha ido beber água”.
*E acho que não é uma boa eu contar as minhas fraquezas-em-uma-conversa-de-msn DURANTE uma conversa de msn. (hum)
Repollo disse (11:27):
*Tu deves ter ido almoçar (viu? fiz de novo)
*Mas acho uma baita sacanagem tu dizer “elabore” e sair pra almoçar em seguida _.o
*Tá, nem acho (:\)
Repollo disse (11:28):
*Tenho a impressão de que quando voltares e leres tudo, darás boas risadas.

I’ve had ‘meetings’ over MSN that went for three times as long as they would have had we met face to face.

After hearing Zane Lowe have the first play of “Supernova” on Radio 1 back in May this year I knew we were in for a treat with the second studio album from Mr Hudson and I can safely say – I wasn’t wrong.

After huge demand and interest from featuring on and also co-producing tracks on Kanye’s “808’s & Heartbreaks” it was time for Mr Hudson to reap the success for themselves thus bringing the new album “Straight No Chaser” into the World.

The opener for the album is the track “Supernova” - the perfect way to kick the album off with it’s 120 bpm setting the pace nicely along with the mellow synths and hard hitting snare. Kanye West has his guest verse on this which compliments the track well with a helping hand from his good friend auto tune (something which occurs in a fair few songs from Hudson alone on the album) ’And i feel like taking off.’

Moving into track two and we have the latest single “White Lies.” For me this is a track which I wish I liked but I just can’t. It’s depressing tone just doesn’t sit well with me, add a whiney hook to the list and you get a pretty bad song but that’s just me. I do however think the song is well written lyrically.

“Knew We Were Trouble” is track three. Straight off from the first vocal this track carries the influences of David Bowie and the like with an edgy pop twist accompanied by solid production and the repetitive keyboard chords in the background. The hook ‘I just knew we were trouble when we first met,’ is catchy and delivered in a convincing style from lead singer Ben Hudson.

The track which follows is where the album get’s its name, “Straight No Chaser” is a brilliant song. It has auto tune but it also has great lyrics (to be honest, this is true throughout the album) again along with top class production and a catchy hook which is overlayed with a selection of chord harmonies and outer space sounding synths.

Track five is “Learning To Live.” This track again shows the David Bowie, The Police and Prince influences. The snare is something which really gets me, it sounds like its straight out of the 70’s from an electric drum pad and has that really tight hitting sound. Add in a few guitar strums and Ben singing about learning to live without a girl in his life anymore and you have got a really great record.

“Instant Messenger” is a more mellow and subdued song on the album. It talks on trying to send messages to someone but them being blurred and corrupt via the media (gossip, paparazzi etc). The talk on ’sending a text’ as a message is a metaphor for trying to talk to someone straight and say what you want to say without people from the outside interfering. A brilliant message of how real life is for a celebrity in these days.

Mr Hudson moves us onto the track “There Will Be Tears.” I wish I could describe the production on this track easily, I will try. It’s very, very minimalist and has a very silent buzz in the background whilst the track is driven by a beat which sounds like it has been made through the use of a glockenspiel and a few other minimalist techniques. A very clever concept.

“Stiff Upper Lip” is possibly my favourite track on the whole album, i even chose it as this weeks “Don’t Sleep on This” on episode 3. Hudson say’s ‘We’ve never been as fuc*ed as this’ and how he argues like kids with a partner due to him not being able to keep a ’stiff upper lip no more.’ This track again has a very minimalist sound and has the distinctive sounds of a banjo and guitar leading the track.

The name of the famous New York park “Central Park” is the name of track nine. I’ve said this for many of the tracks on the album but again the production is thin layered and it sounds better for it as the vocals from Ben can be shown off to their full potential and fully appreciated. The track features guest vocals from Joy Joesph which just sound amazing alongside Ben.

“Anyone But Him” features Kanye West with production from him too and so this track has a very slight Hip Hop edge but made within the Mr Hudson sounds which Kanye has taken on.

Kid Cudi features on “Everything Is Broken.” Ben repeats the lyrics ‘I was just your token, everything is broken, broken’ – the lyrics talk on how a man has been “taken for a ride” and used. A very good track, possibly even in my top 5 from the album.

Track twelve is “Lift Your Head” which is about living life to its fullest and forgetting the past. Ben say’s ‘please lift your head from your hands, tomorrow is another day’ – so simple yet so effective for a hook plus with strong female backing harmonies to accompany Ben making it sound even stronger. Another great track.

“Time” is about making the most of life and the situations which come along with it. The track discusses settling down and having a family and mainly revolves around a relationship and finding the time for everything they wish to achieve during their life times. I hate to sound repetitive but I can’t think of any other words to describe half of the tracks on the album aside from “great” and “amazing” – they really are just that, this being no acception. Plus the piano on this is beautiful.

Overall this album is amazing (forgive me). The production is sophisticated and very clever as well as the lyrics  and concepts, the topics are mainly based around love, loss and life journeys and in a way it’s a very inspirational listen, you just need to listen closey. To really appreciate this album I would say do exactly what I did whilst writing this review - sit in a quiet room, dim the lights, listen late at night, set it to a high volume and then feel inspired. This album is a true piece of art.

Words by me.

Hi guys,
I m a great fan of pidgin once.It works great provides many features.Just replaced my google talk.But in recent days pidgin didn’t connect to net.At most it works for a month after a fresh
installation.So i m frustrated and searched for a good alternative.I hate kopete as it is an KDE app and doesn’t look cool in gnome. Then i came to know about yuuguu and just gave a try.Its a desktop sharing application with a built-in chat manager.I loved it.It is developed using Java.It lacks in user interface.Works very slowly sometimes.And it is not made for chatting.
At last i came to know that empathy is cool enough for chat ( Source : Ravi jaya’s post in ilugc mailing list ).I installed it using my yum.No tweaks,just the yum install empathy command did the work for me.Then i configured my google account.Bingo!!! it is so cool.Let me update how it works after a month .( Hope it wont go mad like pidgin ).
EMPATHY SITE : http://live.gnome.org/Empathy

cheers,
Balachandar.K.M. – LOVE WITH LINUX -

This week was so informative between the reading as well as learning how to do a voicethread.  I was so intimidated by doing a voicethread but once I did it then it wasn’t so bad.  It really made me realize what my students might be feeling when we are doing different tehnology in the classroom.  What we are doing in the classroom might be new to them even though I have done it many times.  So it made me think that I really need to break things down and show them step by step how to do them whether I’m using a voicethread, podcast, instant messenger, or any other form of technology.  In the reading it states, “If students set up their IM accounts within the first two weeks of class, I have found the sense of community and support happens much quicker(Baker 2009).”  IM really concerns me because are they actually connecting with their classmates and building a community or talking about other things unrelated to the class.  So even though they are connecting to classmates is it taking away from their learning?  I think if used properly it could be a great tool.

Reference:

Bacer, Dr. Kathleen (2009).  Utilizing Auditory and Visual Tools to Engage the 21st Century eLearner.  Azusa, C, 1-10.

My little cousin, Julie, who has never owned a Blackberry before, prompted me to downlaod Ping! (iTunes link) and called it the Blackberry Messenger for iPhones. It’s been mentioned numerous times BBM is the one app former Blackberry users miss the most. It sure is the case for me.

But is Ping! really a satisfying fix for those going through BBM withdrawals? Let’s find out!

When you download the app for the first time and launch it, it prompts you to create a Ping ID. Once you’re set up, you get three icons on the screen where you can send a Ping if you know your friends’ IDs, or send an email to get your friends to sign up. You can change your notification preferences with the bottom left icon.

The app does work like BBM or any instant messaging program where you can easily chat with your friends…and that’s about it. This would be a more useful program if many of my friends use it AND lets me keep a buddy list. There is no way of remembering your friends’ IDs unless you keep your chat undeleted. At one point I removed the app and reinstalled it, and because of that, I lost all the people I had previously messaged, and although I had linked those people to my contacts, their IDs were nowhere to be found.

In addition to my above complaints, I’ve experienced constant crashing. Once I had to reboot my phone in order to get the app to launch again. @emilyetsai had problems with connecting to server, and it never connected while Julie and @dawggpie were getting duplicate responses.

@dawggpie, who was never a bbm user, made a few interesting comments: “What’s the big deal?”, “How is this different from sms (other than that it uses data) and other instant messaging programs?”, and you know what? He’s right. I have not gone back to use Ping! since the day I tried it out but I have referred to Beejive for most of my chatting needs.

I will keep this app on my phone for a few more weeks so I can see if there are any good and interesting updates, otherwise, I just don’t see myself using this app. Let me know your thoughts!

In Module 1 of the SPU course EDTC 6536:  “Instructional Technology and Information Management”, we read about and discussed the use of emerging technology (podcasts, voicethreads, instant messenger, skype, and other social networking resources) in education.  “Critical to any teaching/learning environment is the ability to engage and connect the learner not only to the content, but also to the instructor and other learners.” (Bacer, 2009)  Technology can never fully replace the person-to-person connection that is vital to us, but it can be used effectively to enhance these connections.  As an elementary teacher, I can see using podcasts and/or voicethreads as an excellent way to connect with the parents of my students (i.e.:  an introductory podcast at the beginning of the school year in addition to or in place of an introductory letter), or in times of school closure.  I am intrigued by the idea of offering homework help on a regular basis via Instant Messenger.  When technology is used for the connection between teachers and students and/or the connection between students and the subject matter, it can be a very powerful  tool in the field of education.

Bacer, Dr. Kathleen (2009).  Utilizing Auditory and Visual Tools to Engage the 21st Century eLearner.  Azusa, CA.

image found at:  https://tlcenter.wikispaces.com/Technology+Issues+for+Educators?f=print

Mashable

Vídeo: http://www.screencast.com/t/fEjY9YVPXHXl

Url: http://mashable.com

Solução criada por: Meebo (http://business.meebo.com/publishers)

Chit Chat for Facebook è un instant messenger gratuito che ti permette di chattare con tutti i tuoi contatti di Facebook.

Chit Chat si connette a Facebook Chat permettendoti di parlare tramite Facebook Chat senza browser

• Divertente e gratuito – Chatta con i contatti di Facebook in modo pratico e divertente, senza dover navigare su Facebook
• Liberati dal browser – Non è richiesto tenere il browser attivo e collegato a Facebook
• Semplice da usare – Scarica, installa ed accedi con il nome utente e la password di Facebook – facile!
• Popolare? – Interfaccia a tab veloce ed immediata che rende facile parlare con più amici contemporaneamente.
• Notifica di Messaggio Istantaneo – Ti avvisa della ricezione di un messaggio istantaneo.

Ps: Per chi si e stancato della chat di facebook piena di bug e lentissima questo e il programma giusto

Per scaricarlo clicca il Bottone :

You know that really annoying friend of yours who feels the incessant need to point out that they were the first to know about a now really popular band? Every. single. time. it comes on the radio?

As annoying as they are, there is something exciting about the knowing of a new band, new clothing brand, great sale, awesome book or recipe, and sharing it with the ones you love. And by ones you love, I mean the ones you go back and forth with right here on the CollegeCandy message boards.

So here’s the deal: every week, we will feature 3 things that YOU think other CollegeCandy readers just have to know about. Anything at all. Nothing is off limits.

Pumkin Pie Hershey Kisses
By now, you probably know my over-the-top love for Pumpkin Spice from Starbucks. In fact, one of the only things I like about fall is pumpkin flavored things, so imagine my sheer delight when CollegeCandy’s equally pumpkin-obsessed editor sent me the image of these pumpkin pie Hershey kisses. We then proceeded to go back and forth on G-chat for ten minutes obsessing over them. It went a little something like this:

Me: O. M. G.!!!
CC Editor: I KNOW, I’M DYING JUST LOOKING AT THEM
ME: OMG. I mean, I just peed my pants a little, I hope my boss doesn’t notice.
CC Editor: OMGEE. Must. Try. These. Yesterday.

And so it went, and even though neither of us has tried them yet, we knew that you all just had to know. And now you do. And now I can go buy some. Saweet.

All Nighter Hair Powder
Fact is, I’m lazy. And since my Jewish genes blessed me with Jew fro curls that take foreva-eva to wear straight, I don’t like to wash my hair unless absolutely necessary. Problem: the bangs always look greasy before the rest of my hair needs to be washed. Yeah, we’ve all heard of tossing a little baby powder up in there, but it’s no fan favorite, unless, of course, you are playing the part of crazy grandma in your 8th grade play, or want to smell like a baby’s bottom all day. Well, now there’s an answer. And its not just ANY answer – it’s a Rachel Zoe answer, which means it’s good.

Our favorite fashion troll says she’s addicted to All Nighter Hair Powder/Dry Shampoo. It can fit in your purse AND it comes in multiple shades so the powder soaks up the grease while blending in with your hair. Amazing for those mornings when you’re tired and lazy, or those emergency situations when your hair is stuck to your head but you are running late from cute boy’s apartment to not so cute Bio lecture…

Ping iPhone Application
I don’t have an iPhone or a Blackberry but this prospect still excited me. Everyone I know that has a Blackberry says the ONLY reason why they have it over an iPhone is for those 3 letters we all hear wayyy too much: BBM. While to me BBM is just that annoying thing that keeps my friends from paying attention to me when we are together, to Blackberry users it is more important than breathing. Or cupcakes. Yes I said it – more important than cupcakes. It’s addicting and people don’t want to part with it. They don’t call it the Crackberry for nothing.

But now, our friends at apple have developed a nearly-free iPhone app that serves the same purpose! Ping is just like our beloved BBM with a hint of instant messenger combined. And the best part? It doesn’t discriminate against iPhone users only – those with an iPod Touch can take part in the F-U-N that is totally not paying attention in your English lit class. And it’s $0.99. I mentioned that, right? Less than a buck!

Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, right now. Well, not right now, but soon. Like, every Thursday.

Mr. Hudson has been consistently delivering different images, music, and will be something fresh for the music scene. Check it out.

LD

For those of you who have added me as a friend on your Instant Messenger program or Skype, you may have realized that for the last two weeks I have been quite busy.  Maybe you have left me a message via instant messenger, and you saw that I didn’t answer you, or if I did, it was a very late reply.

What’s going on?  Well, what can I say?  I am just a busy person these days. It is amazing how a purchase as large as a house has a direct impact on your life. When I come home from work (around 5 or 6pm, it varies), I am tired. I start cooking dinner, check the mail, go outside and attend to the landscape and whatever else needs doing from day to day.  By the time I get onto the computer, I am almost tired.

Logging onto instant messenger is almost a chore, because the minute I log on, I get maybe two or three instant messengers right away. “Hey, whats up man?”  ”I got a question for you..” and it just goes on and on.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy helping people out, but when I log onto the computer I have a focused mindset.  Check e-mail.  Check both blogs and answer comments. Check youtube and answer the 10+ comments and messages waiting for me.  Over time, day in and day out I am getting burnt out.

Of course, the easy response would be:

Screw them! You don’t have to answer the comments!

Ah yes, I wish it was that easy, but I got to keep a presence online and make sure people are happy because in the end, you never know when you need some support and someone comes along the way to help you out.

If you guy’s haven’t noticed, the last week or so I have been doing a lot of youtube videos.  Almost a video a day whether it be on a new Tunngle game concept, or some kind of rant. In fact, have you seen my recent piracy rant video?  I think it is worth watching. Check it out below:

The problem with the videos is that they are so easy to make, but still require some time to edit and add in the special effects and zooms.

I love writing, and I am back here to write some more, I can assure you of that. To those people who think making video is the easy way out, I can tell you that you are partially correct.  It is easy to make a video and upload it online, because you can record the video in a few minutes, edit it in about 10, and then encode for an hour and then upload.  Whereas here if I have to write an article, it can take between 10 minutes to as long as an hour plus depending on the subject material.

Nonetheless, sometimes I just get burnt out and need to get away from it all.  Do you ever feel like that before?  What is your escape mechanism?

For some people, they love to play video games.  Video games is a great distraction because if you really love the game, you get into it and you forget about “reality”.  Why would anyone care about the economy when you are owning it up in Halo? You are the frickin’ Master Chief. Now is your time. Live it. Own it.

Others like to play an instrument or listen to music which is fine.  Maybe you love that new rock song and you love to jam it on your guitar pretending you are the bassist in the band playing live.  Maybe you record it and upload on Youtube for the rest of the world to see.

All of us have our  own little escape mechanisms.  I have talked to an undergrounder and he says that his family is in poor shape. Broken family.  Dropped out of high school to help his mom to help pay the bills. Working hard to get back in school. He plays games on the computer to escape from it all because it helps him sleep easier at night.

The funny part is I believe it. I know there are people out there who say they are closer to their friends they met over the Internet than the friends they know in real life.  Take it for what you will.

Even since I put my contact info on my youtube channel, I have received an enormous response from people ranging from here in the USA, to people from Israel to Africa to Pakistan to Australia! The problem? Everyone wants a bit of my time!  I guess I should know better, but if someone needs help they turn to me?  I guess I should feel honored, right?

However, there is hardly any time left for me to relax. If you see my online with an away message of some sort, it most likely means I am away and I don’t fee like the urge to talk right now.

If you were in my position, you may feel the same.  Who else has the desire to answer 20+ comments a day anyway?  So if you leave me a message and I don’t get back to you, don’t feel bad.  Just come and get me at a different time.

What do you do if you need to “get away”?  Do you day dream?  Take a vacation somewhere?  Geek out in your basement?  Let me know, I’m dying to find out!

Yeah. It ain’t about them. I know a huge majority of PC users use the Microsoft OS in their systems and use commercial software*. I, for one, replaced my Xandros OS with MS XP cuz I can’t modify Xandros to my flavor that time. At least, I didn’t know how to. As for the apps, I’ll stick to the free ones. There are a lot of ‘em out there. You just have to know where to look.

This is gonna be some sort of glimpse to my rig cuz I’ma be listing stuff I use in it.

This idea just got into my mind after a few things. I was actually really inspired by a few articles I found from the web. There was this article on the most essential software for your MS PC and another on the top open-source software; both came from the same site but I forgot the address. Mostly, I was inspired by Mozilla’s plug-in for Firefox 3.5. It says:

“You’re not using VHS… Why use Internet Explorer?”

Or something like it… So, in the spirit of SpreadFirefox and open-source, I’ma give this one…

This is so gonna have a lot of tags…

Let’s start! (Note: The links after each section are download pages or links.)

Web Browser

If you have an MS OS, by default, there will be an installation of Internet Explorer. IE sounds to me like so yesterday already; even though I know they’ve been updating. In comes Firefox. It isn’t really the first web browser beside IE that I got to know. I was first introduced to Opera. That was 2003, I think. Opera can be a good one. I learned about the tabs feature and immediately stopped using IE. Then, the internet cafe I frequent that time, actually, until now, found Firefox. I wouldn’t know why the owner went looking for alternative web browsers but it was good that I got introduced to a better one.

I can also love Google Chrome. I’ve got the chance to use it and I loved it. Yes, it loads pages faster than Firefox can but I’ve read that Firefox is still more secure so I’ll stick with the Fox. Besides, I can’t have another web browser as I have to save up as much space in my system as I can as I am using an EeePC 701.

| Mozilla Firefox | Google Chrome |

Mail Client

I don’t remember when was the first time I found out about Mozilla Thunderbird but I remember having an installer that I never used. There was no point in having a mail client when you do not have your own system. It’s rather pointless and unsecured. MS have Outlook Express and I never really cared to try it. When I got my rig, I didn’t really immediately get the Bird but lately I added one to my rig.

For most users, web-based mail is good enough but there is always gonna be some of us who will want more functionality. Thunderbird gives you that. Multi-account is one of those features that’s cool; you wouldn’t have the need to check ‘em mail accounts one at a time.

| Mozilla Thunderbird |

Media Player

iTunes! Yes, iTunes ain’t open source but it is available for free – totally free. I didn’t bother searching for some other media players as iTunes works for me. I don’t find Windows Media Player good for me especially that I am stuck with whatever version this one is. I didn’t even bother clicking on it even just for once. Yes, they’ve updated and upgraded the player but I still ain’t lovin’ it. iTunes still looks better and works better for me. Plus, when it’s Apple, they think about style – I love that part. The super-awesome visualization that they installed in iTunes 8 is a bonus.

However, it ain’t gon be able to play every media there is. Even with AVI’s, you’ll need to download additional software. That’s when VideoLAN’s VLC media player comes in. As far as I’ve used it, I haven’t encountered a media file it can’t play. Just like the tag, “VLC: Plays it all!”

| Apple iTunes | VideoLAN VLC |

Office Suite

Before I post a blog, I encode it first in my rig. I used to have MS Office 2003 but then MS Office 2007 files ain’t totally compatible with MS Office 2003 unless you don’t miss the “Save As”. I can’t allow myself to upgrade to 2007 given the display of my rig. MS Office 2007 has a huge toolbar at the top and that won’t work for me.

It’s good that I got to remember the existence of OpenOffice.org. At first I thought I’d have to adjust to the interface of OOo first but apparently, it ain’t that hard. For a former user of MS Office, OOo is not really hard. OOo 3 can recognize MS Office 2007 files so I ain’t gon have a problem with compatibility. I am using OOo for this article.

| OpenOffice.org |

Instant Messenger

I ain’t too certain what exactly MSN as I never really cared about it but I am thinkin’ it’s for instant messaging. Yahoo! Messenger works but it’ll only work for your Y! account and for one account at a time. I know a lot of us have more than one account and it’ll really be handy if we can add all those buddies and talk to buddies from different account at the same time. Multi-account comes in again.

I was introduced to Pidgin when I was in my Xandros. It might not have the Y! Chat rooms but the fact that you can use different accounts from different services at the same time Is awesome.

| Yahoo! Messenger | Pidgin |

Drawing

MS Paint is practically useless for me. No layers, the text box is messed up, limited colors – very limited. Basically, you’ll immediately want to look for an image editor. Adobe Photoshop might come to your mind but I don’t plan to use it.

GIMP is the answer. GIMP may not have as much features as Photoshop but it works well enough for me. Oh, yeah, I get the part that says, MS Paint, the built-in one, is just too far away from GIMP. For those who want something really close to Photoshop, there’s GIMPshop. I never really got to use that one but, as far as I’ve read, GIMPshop is practically an open-source version of Adobe Photoshop.

| GIMP | GIMPshop |

System Tools

Anti-Virus

Well, Windows doesn’t really have a built-in anti-virus but this is like a must-have for all computers. I can only think of one thing for this one: ClamWin. Yes, scanning is slow but it is efficient. It’s like, it searches every nook and cranny of the file it is scanning. As long as I’ve been using it, it’s work well.

| ClamWin |

Defragmentation

For the surface users, as I love to call them, this one ain’t important. As for me who kinda loves to have my fun with my system, it’s pretty important. Besides, I mostly do multi-tasking and defragmentation gives for speed.

Windows has a built-in defragmenter but it ain’t able to do its job well enough. My friend gave me Piriform’s Defraggler when I wasn’t able to use the built-in one due to a virus attack. It’s able to defragment files better and demands a lesser amount of free space to be able to do its job well. However, it used to just ask for 5% but the one I got asks for 10%. Anyway, that ain’t too big. The built-in one asks for 15%.

| Defraggler |

Disk Clean-up

The built-in cleaner will want itself to be used when you’re running out of disk space. More specifically, when you have less than 200Mb of disk space available. For someone like me who uses a lot of stuff and only has a 4G of memory available, this can happen a lot. However, the built-in one doesn’t really know how to look for temporary files and the such. Or so I think.

When I scan using CCleaner, it displays more files available for deletion. The registry cleaner is a bonus.

| CCleaner |

Bonus:

Dock System

Microsoft doesn’t seem to have thought of this but it is actually a good one. Most especially when you are someone like me who wants her desktop clean and wants more customization. Punklab’s Rocketdock does it well. With the community it’s got, I can’t think of a reason not to like this particular dock.

| Rocketdock |
If anyone can tell me how to completely remove IE, Outlook Express, and Windows Media Player from my system, please do so. I will totally appreciate it.
*When I say “commercial”, I mean those software which have no hint of being free. Not even free to download and use.

This was written with no intention of of making it sound like a professional article.

Banners, banners…

I so need a new theme…

Aaaand here’s the update, ie.  this is where things get really fucked up.

James found me on facebook.  This is our exchange over facebook email.

James:    i am sitting around thinking, its late, there is this girl on my mind and i want to say hello…and how do i say hello… i remember her last name…. so, hello
James:    can we talk?

Me:      What would we be talking about?

James:    the world, space, the way your smile lights up my day…

Me:        I don’t really appreciate being treated this way. I really wish you could have gotten the insecurites under control, because it seemed like we had a good thing going there. Maybe if we run into each other again, we can be friends, but sadly, I’m really not interested in anything else.

James:    my insecurities were never in me, they were in you.
James:    and frankly, if we had such a good thing going you wouldnt let it go over a misunderstanding… but thats your deal, not mine
James:    i happen to really like you….

Me:        Right. Ok. i seem to remember you saying your friends had to reassure you over and over that I was into you. I also seem to remember you throwing in the towel because you made up a story in your head how I’d gone home with some dude. Oh, and you also didn’t want to date someone who was going on other dates. I think you were the insecure one.

This then moved to ichat.  I lost the first conversation because I got super pissed and shut it down w/o saving.  I went back on to see if I could retrieve it and he sent me a message saying I was playing games.  This is what ensued.

James:   oh come on, you arent done yet…
James:   jealous?
James:   how could i be jealous of somebody i do not even know?

Me:   well give me a better explanation
Me:   also, i’m not really the one playing games here
Me:   what have i done to you?
Me:   really??

James:   there are no games
James:   you want to know whats up?

Me:   i want to know what i did to you?

James:   i want a chance to get to know you and i want you to reconsider…..
James:   i like you
James:   alot

Me:  you still haven’t answered my question
Me:  because you keep turning this around on me

James:   i apologize, you did nothing
James:   im not trying to turn anything around on you
James:   i just really like you
James:   no games
James:   i want to know about your past by being a part of your future

Me:   the only thing your going to get me to agree on is that we might be friends in the future

James:   so you have no feelings for me?

Me:   no, not anymore
Me:   you acted really fucked up
Me:   and i have no interest in getting involved in that
Me:   and i’d say thats fair
Me:   because you weren’t who you made out to be
Me:   i’m sure you’re still really fun to talk to, thats not going to change, but theres a whole other side thats weird’
Me:   and i don’t want to have to worry about if i don’t call you are you going to think i’m with someone else
Me:   thats a bad way to start

James:  *my name deleted*

Me:   James

James:   you are right
James:   i am sorry for acting the way i did
James:   i really like you, and i reacted improperly…

Me:   ok, apology accepted. i still don’t want to go out with you again. i’m sorry
Me:   now this is where you say, “ok, well I hope we’ll run into each other again sometime”

20 min later….

James:   this is where i say, if you really wanted to know me you would have asked……

Me:   asked you what?
Me:   why you acted this way?
Me:   i thought i did several times

James:   why do you keep responding? you arent supposed to be there when i ask those questions….

Me:   lol
Me:   so….was that the question i was supposed to be asking?

James:   what does it matter?

Me:   it doesn’t really, now i’m just curious

James:   oh, please, i am James i am here to please your curiosities

Me:   hahah you’re the one who was posing the question
Me:   do whatever you want

James:   i just want to see your ass

Me:   ok, now thats my cue to leave
Me:   take it easy James

James:   lol

Then it got creepier (yes…it is possible).  I signed off after the “take it easy” and when I looked for the file this morning there was a new one from after i had signed off.

James:   you were already gone
James:   you just want a toy, you were gone the entire time
James:   i know
James:   you are just a product of kharma
James:   if you really liked me you wouldnt sway so easily
James:   so please do not tell me we had something good going when you arent even up for fighting for it
James:   i am a great catch
James:   so is a nice chilean bass
James:   i like you
James:   i like you alot…
James:   im sorry i got weird, im not used to feeling this way….. but i like it
James:   hey, can i have just a minute more?
James:   a simple yes or fuck off would suffice
James:   lady, i am the same man you met….
1:15 AM
James:   stop ignoring me…

I’m just bummed cause it had been a really long time since I felt like I connected with someone that way.  I mean, its not many men I take to see the balls on campus.  Bah, too bad i went to see them with MR. CRAZY!  So James, if you ever read this, fuck off.  But thanks for getting me to finally start the blog!