Everything In Its Place

Colorful

2011-10-03T13:16:00.005-05:00

Easily find Flickr photos of mostly one color hue, or a mix of up to five, using Multicolr Search Lab. Pick your color or colors, and see the photos in your chosen range. Loads fast, and is quite fun to see just how many combination's really exist out there in Flickr-land. Could also be a handy way to see how certain colors look together, say, if you're thinking about redesigning a room or creating a background/craft item/some other colorful endeavor. Quick and interesting way to see how creative people can be. This goes for the site creators as well the photographers.

Imgur

2011-09-01T08:51:00.005-05:00

Always in need of free image hosting. The latest and greatest available currently is Imgur, pronounced as "image-er." (I still hear it as "imgurrrr" in my head but that's me).

This is really the easiest way to upload and share any image. You can drag & drop from your computer, you can upload the usual way too if that doesn't work, you can copy the url to their link uploader. It takes seconds, and you do not need to log in, or sign up for anything. Just upload and link, and move on. Finally, a simple way to share. Free. That's the best right?

There's another possible benefit with Imgur besides free and easy pic sharing. If your image is popular, it ends up in the gallery where it'll remain viewable to all, though not searchable. Do yourself a favor and read the FAQ (it's short) because it explains how to delete your photo if you need to do so, as well as other helpful info.

To those who created Imgur, thanks! You're just what I was looking for.

Silly

2010-06-21T11:01:00.002-05:00

Ok, I know this is just silly but I had fun for a few. Go ahead and play with Stretch and see for yourself. You can shake him and throw him and wiggle him and toss him out of view. He's a trooper, always comes back for more. He's the "funnest" adopt-a-pet ever. (Just imagine him as someone who's getting on your nerves, TOSS! SHAKE! THROW! Ahhh, isn't that better?)

adopt your own virtual pet!

We know where you live

2010-03-25T08:53:00.005-05:00

Wow, cyber stalking has really improved with all the mapping options available. Pretty scary if you're one of those people we need to worry about. But if you're really just curious, like me, it can be a really interesting time waster. Especially if you want to see where your favorite celebrity used to or (?!) currently lives, or hey, is there really a Rydell High? Yes! Well, it's actually Venice High but it's also Rydell (in the movie Grease). Nice.

Kind of scary to me that it's a lot easier to see where the stars (or anyone else for that matter) live but also kind of fascinating to see the type of house and location. Virtual Globetrotting is a good site to visit when you want to see the world, or maybe just your favorite celeb's neighborhood from the comfort of your pc. Seems to me this site focuses more on famous homes than landmarks but it's fun to see those too. Surf safely now.

Flashback

2009-08-28T08:48:00.013-05:00

I'm sure the weather has inspired today's blast from the past. Rain...lots of rain.

There was this short TV movie that I remember seeing once when I was kid, that was so profound I still think about it as an adult. I remember most of the story with no problem. All except for the title. The title always eluded me. Instead I'd think "Flowers for Algernon*" which is also a good story but not the right one.

A little girl, living on a planet where it rains all the time except for one short instance. And that only happens after long years of rain. During this time, which is today in the story, the little girl so longing for that sunlight is locked in a closet by cruel classmates. The dreaded rain stops, the dark world brightens. The kids run and play and marvel at the joy and light of sunshine and bright blue skies. From the darkness of the closet, she sees a mere sliver of the sunlight she so needed, and is missing out on. Then, darkness. Then, the kids remember they locked the little girl in the closet and feel bad about it, and let her out. It's too late though, she missed it.

It was just a short, cheesy TV movie (episode really) but it was one that's supposed to make you think about the moral consequences of your actions.

But what's the title? I could never remember the title.

Ah, Google. And YouTube. Thank you.

The title? "All Summer in a Day*

I don't remember ever actually reading the story but I found it here. Quick read. Good to finally read the text.

Found 3 parts of the TV movie on Youtube too:

P1

P2

P3

Kind of baffles me sometimes what I remember from 20-30 years ago yet sometimes I can't remember what I had for dinner last night or where I put ______ (whatever item is missing). Joys of aging. Not.

Free image hosting

2008-12-15T12:47:00.003-05:00

There are plenty of free image hosts* out there. Photobucket and Flickr, are easy. Both are free but require you to sign up. What if you just want to post the occasional image, or, don't want a plethora of random images cluttering up your Flickr stream or Zooomr collection?

I have Flickr, Zooomr, and a Photobucket account, but when I want to post a one time photo or just don't want that particular one in my photo collection or sucking up space in Picasa, I use one of two alternatives (lately).

Allyoucanupload.com* was the best one but has since become part of WebShots (which is probably good too but requires signing up). So for me, for now, that leaves ImageShack, and Tinypic.

ImageShack (you can sign up it but it's not necessary) seems to be available only "sporadically" and Tinypic gets bonus points because it also allows video. I always wonder how these sites can afford to host so many images for free. But I have adblock (Firefox add-on) so I don't see any ads. Maybe they're overloaded and I don't see it.

Don't Ask

2008-11-19T13:40:00.005-05:00

Lately there have been a ton of commercials on TV for Ask.com. Why? Anytime I've ever gone there and asked a question, it never gives me a satisfactory answer. They seemed to have at least improved the results page formatting. But answers? Not to my questions. Disappointing.

To their credit though, Google gave me similar results to my latest query: "Why is potato bread yellow?" (Anyone know? Maybe I should have asked why commercial bread makers add food coloring to make the potato bread yellow. Could be all in the wording.)

You too?

2008-11-04T14:06:00.002-05:00

Did You?

Is it just you?

2008-10-02T12:02:00.002-05:00

Ever try logging into, or even just loading a popular website and not be able to?
Instead of driving yourself crazy trying over and over again, try this: http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/.

Enter the URL, hit [enter] on your keyboard (or click "or just me"). Answer your question and end your frustration in one go. Ahhhh, isn't that better?

Loving that theme song

2008-08-22T20:41:00.003-05:00

Whether or not you like a show (or movie for that matter) shouldn't depend necessarily on its theme song but it's sure nice when it's a good one. There are a few I intentionally forward through because I can't get them out of my head -- like the one from Monk, the hypochondriacs theme song. Sure, good song, but it's too catchy, stays with me when I don't want it to. I like the original better.

There are some I let play, and even rewind and play again (some are too short, imagine that). What's great is they're out there. YouTube is a goldmine of just about anything and everything. All media, just waiting to be found. And if you don't know the name of the song, just search the lyrics you remember (hello google) and you'll likely figure it out.

Whether it's TV theme songs*, or some blip of something heard on the radio, it's suddenly wanting to hear that song, and actually being near a computer when I do. (this time)

Found the one I was thinking of, and them some.

A few favorite theme songs, new and old:

From Saving Grace*, didn't realize there's a full version, nice!

They play such a short clip of it before the show, good to hear the full version.

From Psych*... this shows theme song changes with the occasional episode (ever hear the Spanish version?). Pretty clever.

Remember the show Windfall*? It didn't last long, but it had a good theme song:

I think my all time favorite is the one from Charmed*:

If you don't like Charmed, maybe this video with scenes from The Craft* might be more your style. I couldn't find one with the actual band singing the song.

That's all I can think of right now. I know there are plenty more. In this instance I'm thinking more of the theme songs with lyrics, and possibly radio airplay (though I know there are well known instrumental theme songs that are still being played...like this one).

For some reason all my YouTube links are Canadian. I'm pretty sure I'm still in the USA but I'm not sure that if I remove the "ca" from the links, they will still work so I'm leaving them in.

Refund please!

2008-06-29T12:44:00.005-05:00

Are you a regular Amazon.com shopper? Or even an occasional one? Then here's a website for you! Refundplease.com helps you keep track of price drops on stuff you order. If the price drops within 30 days of your order, you may be eligible for a refund. The only thing is, Amazon.com won't contact you with that information, you have to keep track yourself.

Refundplease.com will keep track for you! After you've made your purchase, visit the website and enter your purchase information (product #, price, date purchased, and an e-mail address) and the site does the rest. If the price drops, you'll be sent an e-mail with instructions on how to submit your claim, including a direct link to where to make your claim. Easy!

Edit 12/17/08 -- Currently, Amazon.com has discontinued their price matching policy. If they revive this policy, Refundplease.com will resume their tracking service.

Do Not Mail!

2008-03-14T12:49:00.004-05:00

Did you know there was a Do Not Mail Registry? Similar to the Do Not Call Registry, Do Not Mail is committed to ridding the world of junk mail.

Besides saving some trees and hey, who knows, maybe even the planet... just imagine how much precious time could be saved from not having to sort through or shred and deal with the horrendous amount of junk mail so many of us get! Weekly! I get tons and I'm so sick of it.

Did you sign the petition? Head on over!

Avatars & Animated gifs

2008-01-29T10:37:00.000-05:00

There are many websites out there that help you create animated gifs and avatars (say, for message boards and forums).

Two I like lately are Shrink Pictures and Picasion.

With Shrink Pictures, you can easily choose a jpeg from your hard drive and customize the size, pick which crop/version you want (choice of three), save it to your hard drive, and you're all set.

Similarly, with Picasion, you can choose several jpegs, even photos from a Flickr account (like I did using mine, just enter the username and), choose the photos you want, click 'create animation' and save it to your hard drive. Note: Picasion adds the text 'picasion.com' to your photos. And if you use their html code, it adds a link-back text code under the animation.

All fine with me because when I want to create something like this, I want to do it without the bells and whistles, and without pages other things to distract me from trying to do this one (or two) simple thing(s).

I have Firefox and the add-on Ad Block Plus, so I don't know if there are any ads to worry about. Hopefully not!

Need a Laugh?

2007-11-15T09:58:00.001-05:00

Sure we could all could use one, right? Found this on Flickr (here):
--

"It was then that Tom realized Def Leppard is no longer relevant."

--
I think they're plenty relevant (they're * * * my favorite band) but I wouldn't suggest trying the sugar thing. Really.

Direct to DVD

2007-06-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

Dead Like Me fans (like me!) have something to look forward to. According to TV Squad (in May! How'd I miss that!?) there will be a straight to DVD movie coming out. Supposedly, it's already in production. I'd feel better if their website said something about it though.

Live Earth

2007-04-11T19:04:00.000-05:00

I was so entranced by the Live 8 concert last year that I had a hard time NOT watching it. Before seeing it, I had never heard of having a 24hr concert on tv, not to mention one that spans the globe. Amazing! They got their point across for sure. I hope it did some good.

This year (scheduled July 7th) it's Live Earth, and the concert focuses on global warming.

From the site:

"SOS-Save Our Selves is designed to trigger a mass-scale movement to combat our climate crisis. Our climate crisis affects everyone, everywhere. That's who SOS is aimed at. The magnitude of the climate crisis makes it so that only a global response can begin to address it. SOS asks all people to Save Our Selves because only we can.

SOS will reach people in every corner of the planet through television, film, radio, the Internet and through Live Earth, which will bring together more than 150 of the world's top musicians for 24-hours of music from 7 concerts across all 7 continents. Live Earth alone will engage an audience of more than 2 billion people. That audience, and the proceeds from the concerts, will create the foundation for a new, multi-year global effort to combat the climate crisis led by Vice President Al Gore."

Sounds promising. Maybe we'll learn something while we're being entertained. (which is probably the point, eh?)

Are you going to watch?

Life Expectancy

2007-03-09T18:28:00.000-05:00

Will you live to be 100? At Livingto100.com you can use the Life Expectancy Calculator and find out. You answer questions about your living, eating, sleeping, and other habits and it calculates your number based on your answers.

My expectancy is currently "65".
How much better will you do? Give it a shot.

Nothing can determine for sure your actual life expectancy, but this is an interesting way to gage your current habits. Only takes a few minutes. The site also offers suggestions for improving your number. Not a bad way to spend a few idle minutes.

Doggles!

2006-08-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hee! I saw this on HGTV's "I Want That!" (I'm kind of an HGTV junkie, if only I could put all that good advice to use). They're goggles for dogs--doggles! For those times when the wind from those car rides is just too much. Plus it seems, they protect your pooch's eyes from harmful UVB's and flying debris. Good idea. And just too cute. Laughed like hell when they showed that segment. Adorable!

Freebies

2006-08-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

Ahh, Wal*mart. Regardless of its popularity and so-called "roll-backs" I can't say that I'm a fan. The local store in my area is a not-so-clean place with unpleasant employees and I try not to go there if I can avoid it. Sometimes they're the last resort though. Like for the a/c I needed in a hurry two summers ago and again for the mini-me tv because the old one died unexpectedly. The latter bought at a larger slightly cleaner store. The cashier actually said hello and smiled. Imagine that.

For those need-it-now and need-it-cheap occasions, it has its place I guess.

But... free samples? Did you know that Wal*mart offered free samples?

The product pages say these samples are only available in stores, not online, which is a little confusing. Because if you click the sample link (choose a product you want a sample of from the main sample page, on the product page, the top right box will show a "Tell a Friend" option, among others--click "Free Sample") a pop-up window asks for your info and within a week or three, you actually get the sample.

Neat!
I think the sample items change monthly but it doesn't hurt to check sooner.

There may be a catch, but if so I haven't experienced it yet (I'm already subscribed to their newsletter so maybe that's it). I elected to fill out the survey if notified. Perhaps you only get the sample if you agree to answer questions about the product. If so, I guess that's only fair. Of course that may not matter at all. Maybe the point is to get return visitors to the website. Who knows?

Everyone likes a freebie, right? Go get yours!

Great view

2006-08-04T11:54:00.000-05:00

Why see the world for real when you can see it from home? Google Sightseeing utilizes Google Maps in a brilliant way listing famous and not so famous landmarks and satellite views. All nice and easy to browse by category or by location. You can submit your own (but don't hold your breath) or just enjoy the many places already found.

It's a fun (and less expensive) way to see the world.

Flying cars?

2006-05-20T20:15:00.000-05:00

I read about this here (newspaper version) and remembered my aunt once telling me that when she was a child, she was led to believe that people would be driving their flying cars to work (among other things) someday.

Hee! Wouldn't that be cool!?

Well, it seems the car of the future is finally here. Well, sort of. If you can afford a car that costs as much as a small house, and have a license to fly, then yes, great! This is the car for you!

Still...it's an awesome concept. By Terrafugia. Definitely worth checking out.

Wow...

2006-03-13T09:29:00.000-05:00

I thought Google Earth was cool but now, there's Google Mars!

I almost hate to ask what's next....

Cams!

2006-02-17T09:35:00.000-05:00

I love critter cams. To go along with the other cams I've found, here's a tiger cam and a penguin cam. There's a few more cams here too.

☺

One a day, you know what they say!

2006-01-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

I love apples. I have one every day for lunch M-F (at work) but never know which kind is in season, or when. We have supermarkets on every corner these days and they usually have plenty of varieties to choose from. Having variety is nice, but you can't tell just by looking or by what's available, which apple tastes best, in which season.

Luckily I found PickYourOwn.org. Here I can check seasonal information as well as whether or not a certain type of apple is best for baking or eating or whatever else (like canning... people still do this? neat!)

This way I can make sure I'm choosing the best apple for whatever I plan to do with it. (eat it for lunch, make the cobbler I always end up making my SO when he visits...bake it with oatmeal, etc.)

If you're into picking your own goodies, you can find that info here too.

A good idea..

2005-09-08T08:39:00.000-05:00

One of many (Katrina survivor sites) but a good idea nonetheless. The more ways there are for survivors and family to contact each other the better.

Before & after

2005-09-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

Now Google Maps has a Katrina button and an updated satellite view of New Orleans. If all the images on the news aren't enough, you can compare before and after shots and see the flooding and destruction hurricane Katrina caused. So far, this is only available for the New Orleans area. It's unbelievable.

I don't see why they didn't have some type of evacuation plan in place. Didn't they have buses in New Orleans? Why couldn't they have provided free transport for all of those who couldn't afford to leave any other way? If they knew this could happen during even a category 4 hurricane, shouldn't they (they, who? I don't know, the governor, the mayor, the city planners? whoever is in charge of the safety of the citizens living below sea level) have sent emergency vehicles up and down the street with someone yelling on a bullhorn that it's absolutely necessary to evacuate, board the bus now, hurricane coming!?

I know it's not just this city that's been devastated. The same kind of evacuation plans could've been in place in all the gulf cities. Easy to say, blame, accuse, and whatever else after the fact, I just hope this tragedy shows those in charge that they need to better prepare for natural disasters. Before them and after them. Posting "evacuation route" signs isn't enough. Have meetings, mail flyers, post "how to" information where everyone can see it (like in the supermarkets, everyone needs to shop for groceries, right?).

If you haven't already donated... please consider it. Even a small donation can help. Make sure you donate wisely though. (see the previous post)

*Update... there is an even better map available here.

It's just heartbreaking....

2005-09-01T18:49:00.000-05:00

You can see the images on every news station. It's just unbelievable. This isn't some third world country, this is happening right here at home. It's devastating. And it's getting worse.

If you're like millions across the nation, you might feel the urge to help. If so, do yourself a favor and take a tip from the Better Business Bureau and Donate Wisely. You can find out information about any charity they have listed. I encourage you to do so before donating.

There are hundreds of charitable organizations out there and you have the right to verify that the charity (or charities) of your choice are legitimate.

You have a responsibility to yourself to make sure you are not taken advantage of, and that your well intentioned gift actually goes to those who really need it. It's unfortunate but true, that during times of crisis and humanitarian relief, those less scrupulous make the best profit.

Protect yourself.

If you donate online, type in the URL instead of clicking a link from another site or from an e-mail. And if you're seriously paranoid (as I am, can't help it), test the URL here (Spoof URL checker) and make sure the website you're on, is the same as the one you think you're on. If you want to mail a check or money order instead, call the organization directly to verify their mailing address.

Most of all, look around you. Thank goodness for those you love and care about being safe.
Hope for the safety and survival of those less fortunate.

Google Maps

2005-07-22T21:42:00.000-05:00

I noticed tonight that Google Maps has something new.... a "hybrid" option. When you click it....sometimes, (depending how close you're zoomed and whether or not there is a satellite view that close) you can see routes as well as whatever satellite image it shows. This works really great on those places you can zoom in the most.

I tested this on Dennis, MA (among other places), scrolled the entire shoreline, because I wanted to see (all of the) Cape Cod, (shoreline, and all of that beautiful ocean. I'm happy even just seeing satellite views of beautiful ocean, silly huh?), and route 6 (and 28) and scenic 6A.

The Hybrid option shows the route on the satellite view, so you can clearly decipher the "road" among all those road-looking lines, to know for sure where it is, and how close to the water it really is (as well as those side streets that get you closer to a magical view).

What a great way to map a scenic drive!

Er, what about the veggies?

2005-05-13T13:50:00.000-05:00

........good idea. But what about the veggies? This site actually sends e-mail reminders to those who need it. Do you need to be reminded?

I found this amusing. (this and other 'pointless' amusements originated here) At least they have some interesting "fruit facts" on their home page (reload to see a different one). I wonder if they include them in their reminder e-mails (no, I didn't sign up).

Eat your fruit! But eat some veggies too. (maybe there's a reminder site for that too.. heh, should anyone need one)

Draw a pig?

2005-05-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's times like this that I wish I could draw better. Found the link here (amusing toons here too)... decided to give it a shot. The results were amusing. I'll admit that some of it might be true, and some might not. But I'm not saying which! :)

Want to try it yourself? Go Draw a Pig and see what your drawing says about your personality.

Pet of the Day

2005-03-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

If you love animals and want a little pick-me-up....spend a few minutes browsing the Pet Of the Day site. Beautiful (and admittedly, some strange) photos of all kinds of pets, and cute little stories and information about them from their owners. (and you can nominate your own pet if you wish)

Easter eggs

2005-02-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

No, I don't mean the kind you get from bunnies. I mean those hidden extras you can find on your dvd's. Did you know about this? I knew, but only because someone told me. Imagine, you have this nice dvd collection, and you've watched all the movies at least once, and you've watched all the extras.

But wait, have you watched all of them?

Some dvd's have hidden features. Items not conveniently (or fairly) listed on the packaging and found by people who have lots of time on their hands and happen to be very clever. These hidden extras are called "easter eggs" (and probably other things too).

There are sites out there that list some easter eggs on some dvd's but no single definitive site. Yet. There's also the massive pop-up problem. If you're using IE, you do not want to visit any of these sites. (Well, there was one I came across that didn't have any, but it also didn't have many movies listed either. Yet!)

Maybe this would come as a pleasant surprise to find out theres more check out on your dvd's but I find this to be a tad upsetting. Mainly because I just hate missing out. Sure, it's a nice surprise at first. (Ooh, more! Yes!) But then, what if I had never found out? (Extra goodies, going to waste! Oh no!) I'd feel pretty gyped (knowing the dvd's I have might have something extra but I don't know how to find it).

I guess for now it's just good to know that every dvd just might have a hidden extra. The next step is to either try and find it myself (er, probably not) or hope someone else out there has found it and posted that info somewhere. Google anyone?

Button Maker

2005-02-02T21:35:00.000-05:00

My S.O. found this nifty button maker site. It's great. And it's free. I can create all kinds of tiny little buttons. The only problem is, I can't seem to save them. Oh sure, I "save as" and hope for the best. But when I open the newly created button, I get something that looks nothing like what I created. I wonder what I'm doing wrong :(
(I've tried saving as a *.png, *.bmp, *.gif, and *.jpg, nothing works)

I heard something about a broswer glitch causing *.png files not to save properly, but the fix was for IE browsers. (and I am a Mozilla user). Any one know a trick to this? (or a solution?)

So many buttons just waiting to be created.... someday.

Need this?

2005-01-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

It's not easy keeping your monitor clean. Maybe you have this problem too? Perhaps this can help (give it a minute to load & turn on your speakers). Some of you might already have this handy dandy monitor cleaner already. It's cute, eh?

Thanks to my S.O. for brightening my day with this one.

Can you resist?

2005-01-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

You know how sometimes when you order something online or by catalog, the item or items come wrapped in bubble wrap? Do you pop them or just throw the stuff out? Some people (like me) can't resist popping a few (hundred) of those little air bubbles before giving in to the cries of "cut it out!" from the annoyed within ear shot. It's just fun (and yes, I'm easily amused sometimes).

My S.O. came across this site the last time (or maybe the previous time) he visited and it was pretty amusing. What we didn't realize at the time is that there is sound! Pretty funny. Go pop some Virtual Bubble Wrap of your own. (if you're into that kind of thing, heh)

April 1st

2005-01-21T21:33:00.000-05:00

Comment for charity. It's the easiest way to donate for free. More details are available here. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.

I came across the California Hammonds website while surfing (there are two surf-for-hits programs now, both somewhat addicting) and one day decided not to surf on and instead, look around. What first got to me were the pictures. I've heard people say (seen people write) that men are more visual than women. Maybe. But pictures tell a story if you let them. These did. Thru the pictures alone I started to get to know this family and wanted to know more.

Then, I started reading (and soon, crying). Through her husband Greg's eloquent and heartfelt writing, you're easily drawn into the story of Cheryl, her battle with breast cancer, and what's happened since. It just might break your heart.

Earlier this month Greg hosted a fundraising drive for The National Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his wife. On April 1st, he's going to do it again. One dollar per comment up to 500, and there are other generous cosponsors willing to cover some of (if not all by then perhaps) those over 500.

All you have to do, is comment.
For the cause.
Will you do it?

E-mail Icon generator

2005-01-19T19:00:00.001-05:00

I've seen sites with these cool icons on their pages and wondered how they did that. Maybe here? (Thank you NeoHacks) You can make e-mail icons for "GMail, Hotmail, MSN, Yahoo!, AOL and many more!"... sounds good to me. Best of all, it's free. Cool!

Like mine?

Now go make your own!
(if you haven't already)

Skype

2005-01-13T21:57:00.000-05:00

Maybe you've heard of being able to talk to someone live over the internet. I've tried this before with my S.O. He lives on the other side of the world (so :( far away) and it's expensive to call the usual way. So we tried a few different programs (MSN? Net Meeting? I can't remember) but there was always static and huge pauses between talking (or trying to talk). It always ended up being a frustrating conversation.

Then he found Skype. This sounds like a bad commercial... I don't mean it to be. Even if it does, what matters is that Skype is free! And most importantly, it worked great (and I was very skeptical about yet another internet calling program, and resisted trying it for a while after the lingering disappointment of the previous attempts).

To use it, you need to download (and run) the program (5mb), create a user name and password, and then...well, you also need someone to call. It's kind of like instant messaging only much better. You "call" another online username basically, except instead of typing, you talk! Much easier, and lots more fun.

For us, it just worked great. (USA call to Europe, very clear, and I was pleasantly surprised and quite impressed)

I plan to try and call a landline (regular phone number) this way at some point. My grandmother likes to visit relatives in far away places and calling her the conventional way is seriously expensive. Using Skype, (or rather, SkypeOut) I can buy credits ($10 is the minimum, thats 1/3 of what the last 2 very short calls to her cost, so it's worth giving it a try) and see how that works out.

If I remember to, I'll post the results. At the rate I procrastinate, it might be a while. :)

You'll shoot your eye out!

2004-12-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

Every year one tv station plays "24 Hours of A Christmas Story" and every year, I have to watch it at least once. Just have to! I should just buy it and spare myself the accompanying dose of commercials, but for some reason, it's not the same. I've recorded it, but never watched it that way. It has to be "on tv" for some reason to elicit the same feeling. What is it about this story? And where is Peter Billingsley now?

I wonder this every year, and every year, do a google image search to maybe see what he looks like as an adult. This year there is at least one shot of the adult Ralphie! (and the child cast from here. cool!) This is the 20th anniversary of A Christmas Story.

One year I watched it 4 (probably more) times in a row and laughed at the right parts each time. This year, also as usual, I catch it somewhere in the middle, and watch from there, and watch the next showing of it too. (and probably will watch the next one as well...sad huh?)

Tradition. Is it Christmas without A Christmas Story? Sure, I guess so. But it's nice to have a little something thats the same every year. It would be nice to know who it is at whichever network that decides each year "yea, we'll just show this for 24 hours straight"...does everyone get the day off when they do that? (should hope so, can the station run itself? hmmm)

I guess if Hallmark can create tradtions for us, tv networks can too. Ho ho ho and a merry one to you and yours :)

Addition (2/26/05):
There's a little more info about "Ralphie" here. (pop-under ads abound...but depending on your browser, you may already be blocking them)

Kitties too!

2004-12-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

There is a Cat Club too! :) Looks like they're still in the early stages of setting up this site though. No goodies yet, other than one cute shot of 14 (or so) different breeds. Some of these cats look kind of alien-like to me (and I love cats! some just look kind of funny). Maybe I'm just used to the standard mixes.

Awww this is sooooo cute!

2004-12-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

The pictures and the clock are from The Dog Club. But you can get the clock at Clocklink.com if you don't want to register (the Dog Club requires registration). Just sooooooooooo precious!
..............

There are some really cute puppy (and adult dog) calendars available at Amazon.com . The Dog Club has an assortment of puppy products (with calendars coming soon....bet they're going to be really cute). Seems these are really hot in Asia (according to their website anyway). I wonder how they do in the USA. I bought one of the calendars (I just couldn't resist, I figure it might improve my mood at work...a justifiable expense!), but I don't know about the rest. Hmm... tempting tho.

Photo blogs

2004-12-01T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've been into photo blogging lately and there are a few favorites I visit regularly (Always Curious, Your_Waitress, Digi*Ana*Logue, among others) which in itself is rare...visiting any website daily (with the exception of my S.O.'s websites) is a rare occurrence for me. But lately, I've been doing this.

Its hard to be a follower with such a short attention span, but I have tendency to go on binges. Suddenly being so interested (and dare I say it, obsessed with, or) about this hobby (Magic The Gathering was the last one I think, the online version; awesome game) or that game, or this website, (or this book, or that movie, or crocheting this project, or painting this paint-by-number, or working on this new crafty thing, or trying to perfect this recipe, or wanting to clean-clean-clean because I need to clear my head somehow and/) or whatever interesting thing that catches my attention this particular minute.

At least for a short while now, it's photo blogging( and longer still, regular blogging, though not
daily or anything). I have a few (3-4) of my own, though I am way out of my league. For me, its more for fun, to post some of the many many pictures I have and love to look at. I love taking pictures, and if I could, I would capture every single moment (digitally, or on film) to freeze forever its magic (every good, amazing, exciting....well, you get the idea, those moments). I really wish I could.

Anyway... the more interested I am about something, the more I want to know about it (logical, right?). In the case of photo blogging, I want to know more about these wonderful photographers. Some are kind enough to provide an "about" area (something I'd probably never do for myself) and if thats not enough, (and usually its not!) maybe you can find your favorite photographers at the Daily Snap.com. It's really interesting (and cool!) to learn more about the people behind the cameras. There are some other websites (Theme Thursday for example) that offer interviews as well. It provides a rare and personal insight to the inspirations of why they do what they do. And if you love what they do, you might enjoy getting to know them a little better in this way.

I like these. And I like being a (n albeit small, tiny, minuscule) part of this community, even if only through websites like Photoblogs.org and BlogExplosion. It's a nice place to be. So much to learn, so little time, and oh so much eyestrain!

Commercial, but...

2004-11-24T21:39:00.000-05:00

I came across this website a while back when I was looking for a heart rate calculator. Yes, it's a commercial site, but I do like when they offer freebies for those not interested in buying anything right then. Of particular interest, besides the hrc, were the super foods, cooking tips, and the info about vitamins (which also had to do with food and not the pill form). It's good to see that something you may already be eating is actually good for you (nice surprise too if you hadn't already suspected). Adds to their credibility when they cite legitimate sources for their info (and help) as they have done. Nice.

Blog Stickers & buttons

2004-11-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

The Blogsticker Factory is a free little banner maker (text only). Fun to create your own custom made banner. There's a selection of them (already made) here if you'd rather browse other people's handiwork. Taylor McKnight offers a amazing assortment of buttons and encourages you to "steal" them. Just be sure to save them on your own server. I found some I could use. Maybe you will too.

2004-10-04T19:32:00.000-05:00

I read in a magazine that manufacturers offer rebates in lieu of coupons sometimes because they bank (literally) on lazy consumers never mailing in their rebate. Rebates add incentive (ooh, especially combined with a coupon) but how many people actually take the time to mail in the rebate? I put it off for about 3 weeks before I mailed in mine. But hey, I got my money back. Minus the stamp (and old envelope) of course. Still, every penny counts. So take advantage of these types of offers (especially if you would've bought the item anyway) and mail in those rebates!

Typical

2004-09-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

Just like when I find the perfect shirt (most comfortable, looks decent in several colors) and then find out it's been discontinued. Same is true for other such favorites, like short-lived TV shows and comic strips. (and too many other things)

Regarding comic strips, two that I've grown to like over time have either ended or will end. The Big Picture, and most recently, The Norm. Not good.

I can see why Lennie Peterson (TBP) would want to move on. His strip was often centered around his cat Ginger and I know how it feels to lose a pet. It's devastating. Years later I still cry when I think about my own (gone but very missed) cat. But the other? Going by the "fundraising" activities in place, I'm not so sure I understand the reasoning. I know, I don't have to. But it's frustrasting when you like something and it just ends. (doesn't matter if there's warning, gone is gone)

The hardest to get over losing was (the very best of all), Calvin and Hobbes. Still the most missed of the missing strips. At least they are still available (not out of print yet for the most part) and even years later (and yes, even by adults), easily re-readable.

Nice, but strange...

2004-09-12T17:48:00.000-05:00

Always a nice surprise going thru your vhs tapes and finding one (tho unfortunately needing to be tossed as it's been used too much) containing not only what was marked as having on it, but also, somehow, unseen episodes of tv shows taped who-knows-when. Wonder how that happened? Hmmm.

It's a start anyway...

2004-08-23T10:21:00.000-05:00

FTC - Spam

"This website has information about the Federal Trade Commission's recent law enforcement actions against deceptive commercial email and spammers' responsibilities under the CAN-SPAM law. In the 'For Consumers' section, you'll find tips on how to reduce the amount of spam email in your in-box."

Perhaps something useful can be learned here. There's a form to file a complaint and tips on how to avoid the latest scams. Doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Comedians USA

2004-08-16T08:24:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what happened to a favorite comedian (like this one for example)? ComediansUSA.com is a good starting point if you're like me, and can't remember all the names. If you know some, you can search by name or by category. I started here. I like that they have pictures of the comedians because even if I can't remember the name, I'll usually remember the face. When I found this site, I considered it a good starting point (so I could find the name) for searching elsewhere to try and find a comedians official (or similar) website.

Don't expect to find every comedian (no George Carlin!?. And it's probably best not to confuse this site with a "fansite."

5 a day

2004-08-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

The Dole website has a nice Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Facts Chart. In case you wonder how many calories (and how much fiber, vitamin A,C, potassium, and folate) the food that's good for you contains. (Listed alphabetically per serving.) I wonder about that sometimes. Found this when looking for info about white nectarines (didn't find that here, but that's alright). Why do they keep altering already-healthy foods? Strange. I thought the more colorful (and dark) the fruit/veggie was, the better it was supposed to be for you. Times change I guess.

The chart could use some breaks to make it easier to read (it's a bit long), but otherwise, it's pretty handy. Some list items are linked to their reference center entry, which provides more detail (like the history, availability, preparation tips). Good stuff.

Desktop Wallpaper

2004-08-03T12:50:00.000-05:00

A while back I wanted a program that would automatically change my wallpaper. There's tons of programs out there and some are actually free. Like this one: Compumatrix Wallpaper Changer. For some reason I couldn't find it here or here but it's still available elsewhere. Very simple to use and configure. Easy to add more pictures and save several different profiles (varying scheme of backgrounds you want). Auto-change as often as you like. I love it because I can cycle a ton of ocean pictures and always have a beautiful background on my desktop.

Protect yourself

2004-07-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

Do you need a contractor? Electrician? Plumber? (heaven help you if so, $$$$$$) Checking the yellow pages isn't enough these days. You have to protect yourself from bad companies. There's little defense (let the buyer beware, as they say). But one thing you can do once you find a company/contractor (or wonder about another online or offline business and it's reputation) is check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Nothing is foolproof (not even relatives and word of mouth from your very best friend), but if you're not a gambler, and even if you are, it's better than taking an unnecessary risk.

It's worth a moment to check out the services they offer. For example, you can look for information about a specific company here. And find possible help resolving a(n unfortunate) dispute here.

You can find a location near you here if you prefer to call them. This (peace of mind) extends to charities too. Whatever your concern, the main page (BBBOnline) is a good place to start.

Do Not Call (me!) List

2004-07-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

Hate telemarketers? Most of us do (what's to like?). And (thanks to the many complaints about them, and the media coverage), most people already know about the National Do Not Call Registry. But do you know your registration (which can be done online) expires after 5 years? Luckily, you can Verify A Registration providing you have a valid (short-term will do) e-mail address.

National registration is good, (great even), but not enough. Then you should check if your state has any Do Not Call List Laws in effect and register there as well. You can check that here. There are still ways around these laws, unfortunately (like those calls that pretend not to know your name, clever. not!), and some exceptions, so don't expect total peace and quiet. But registering has definitely made a difference for me. (gee, instead of 20+ calls a week, we get maybe 5. hmmm. thank goodness for answering machines.)

Do it yourself?

2004-07-24T13:18:00.000-05:00

DoItYourself.com is a handy site. If you're good with your hands you can find how-to info on a number of various home improvement and repair projects. They offer products for sale and help finding contractors as well.

I find this site handy when something needs replacing, and I don't have a clue what the item is called. Sounds silly perhaps, but when the handle on our screen door broke, searching major home improvement websites for pricing info (and just the name of the piece) was an exercise in futility. DoItYourself.com helped me figure out what it was called (providing pricing info and the option to buy it from them), and, many how-to articles if I wanted to fix it (or improve it) myself.

Pretty handy. If you need help, start here and search the top menu bar for the project or quick-fix you have in mind.

It's for real.

2004-05-31T10:04:00.001-05:00

It's legit. I won $50 from Pogo. I was very surprised to receive this. Especially when it was a prize won in February. And I'm still not sure how... In a drawing? While playing? No idea! Didn't even know about it until a while later. Just happened to check my own profile, there's a tab you check your winnings, and boy was I surprised to see $50 listed there.
The problem with having services like aol is that they arbitrarily impose their "services" on you. Like their spam blocker. They blocked the mail. And not just that one, several others I actually wanted. (the only way to make sure you get all your legitimate mail is to turn off that useless feature and block as needed)

But Pogo allowed me to re-claim the prize and amazingly enough, I really got a check. Always wonder if things like this are for real. Definitely good to have proof.

Did it work?

2004-05-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

I hate changes. Especially when I can't get the new stuff to work! argh.
Ok...in this case it actually worked. ('bout time!) But now I've lost previous comments. Damn.

Love em'

2004-04-21T07:53:00.000-05:00

Webcams. Just love them (some anyway). Especially the oceanic kind. Most if not all cams like this are sponsored by aquariums. Like this Dolphin cam. (an easier on the eyes page can be found here) You can actually see them, it's great. Monterey Bay Aquarium offers six live web cams. I like the kelp, shark, and outer bay cams best. The critter cams are too far away to see details, but they're still worth checking out.

The Discovery Channel has an Ocean Tank Cam you can queue up and control for about a minute. It's a pretty clear view of lots of fish, and sometimes divers. (cool!) Beware the many pop-ups though.

There are millions of webcams out there. Each one shows us a little piece of someone else's world because they invite us in for a peek. Just love that :)

Recalls

2004-04-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

First heard about www.recalls.gov from my s.o. a while back. Later, I read about it in Consumer Reports (which is an exceptional magazine) and that reminded me to add it here. (eventually) Because it's good to check from time to time whether or not something you rely on without really giving it any thought (car, radio, stove, etc), might just have a critical (life threatening) flaw or defect, and need to be replaced. Better safe than sorry I guess. Also a good way to check on something before you buy it. (have there already been recalls on previous versions of this particular product? if so, it's probably not a good idea to buy the latest, eh?)

The Best 5 out of?

2004-04-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

I have been a fan of Olivia Newton-John's for as long as I can remember (starting sometime around the Totally Hot era... Whatever came before, was much loved a bit later, and still is), and I found it incredibly difficult to believe that this 20th Century Masters - The Best of Olivia Newton-John: The DVD Collection (2004) [all five songs of it] is all there is. Over thirty years of making beautiful music, and all they offer is five songs!?

I can't seem to find an official/actual (as in, by ONJ or her reps) ONJ website (only fanclub sites such as this one, which is excellent in keeping us informed about new DVD releases, news, and much more) and I wish there was a way to let her know that her totally devoted fans would buy every music video DVD/vhs/etc she decided to release, if only she would release/sell them! Especially the concerts!

I've seen her in concert a total of 3 times, and every time was magical. As soon as she walks on stage, or starts singing offstage, there's tears in my eyes. Even when I know it's real, I can't believe I'm in the same place as she is....One of the best moments in life is seeing your idol perform live. It's incredible.

I'm going to resist the urge to list the websites where you can find this too small (but reasonably priced) collection of excellent ONJ videos on DVD. But I can't help but encourage every Olivia Newton-John fan to run out and buy this. Maybe if "they" see there's a definite market, they (or she) will grant the wishes of fans like me, and release many more. Come to think of it, maybe she wasn't even involved in this release. I wonder if there's a way to find out. Hm....

Betta's

2004-02-13T08:58:00.000-05:00

BettaTalk was one of the first (and best) websites I came across when I was looking for info about Bettas. It's grown since then and remains a great site to learn about these beautiful fish. From pictures, to care instructions, virtual betta, bettacam, and of course, the amusing and informative Faith, there's something interesting for every betta fan.

I really like these fish because they're (beautiful!) easy to care for and "hardy". They're a comfort, even if they're a little hard work! (well, the water changes are, but they're worth it)

4/16/04
Note: Bettatalk.com's Faith has put on an outstanding show recently by showing two of her gorgeous betta's spawning, (along with detailing the progress and process, including showing the eggs, then the fry) live via 2 webcams. Neat!

PureLyrics.com

2004-02-04T08:34:00.000-05:00

I go through phases where I'm obsessed with a song. The song and the reasons why I'm obsessed with it changes, as does the duration of time my obsession lasts. Eventually, I need to know what the actual/correct lyrics are. (fun to make up my own, but the obsession requires singing along with the right words). I did a quick Google search for one of the latest song obsessions and PureLyrics.com was the first result.

I liked this site mainly because it had what I was looking for. (which was, what looked like accurate lyrics to the song I searched for). And minimal or no pop-ups. (which can always change, but for now is a huge plus in their favor). There's a good search engine capability (that you can add to your webpage if you want) and the site offers a winamp plug-in which allows you to search for lyrics in 5 languages.

I hope they're going to increase their database. :)

House Call, Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan

2004-02-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan is just what it says, a free online virus scan. And a decent one. Depending on your browser, you may need to download something before it can scan your pc, (which actually didn't work for me, so I did it using another browser), but it does a thourough scan, and will clean any infected files for you if you choose that setting.

I think it's a good addition to the Panda Active Scan.

With all the worms and viruses, our vulnerable pc's can use all the help we can give it. (or rather, a variety of additional types of scans, because there's too many problems for any one utility to catch.)

Pretty....

2004-01-19T09:06:00.000-05:00

I'm not a surfer and I'm not from the UK (although I'd like to go there some day) but I still check this Eyeball Surfcheck site, and this A1 Surf site on a semi-regular basis. Pretty visuals of places I'd rather be. (at the ocean, relaxing to the sound of the waves.....heavenly....)

A1Surf has reports as well as some updating current (and previous) cam views under it's "Regional Reports" section. (left side of the page). Eyeball surfcheck offers live shots, stills, and reports. Both pages offer visually pleasing ocean views. (as well as more info/features but I'm summarizing here)

Happy New Year

2003-12-30T14:06:00.000-05:00

Just because we sing the song, doesn't mean we know the words. (or what Auld Lang Syne even means) It's like the most popular song nobody knows. You can find lyrics for Auld Lang Syne on many websites. I kinda liked this one because they offered some definitions. Is it right? Who knows. Who cares! Have a glass of something yummy and have happy anything. Have to hold on to those (good moments) when they happen, because they surely don't happen often enough.

VisionsGS

2003-12-05T10:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I forget the value of something useful, even when I'm using it daily. One example is VisionsGS. This is a free (for non-commercial use) webcam program that's easy to configure and use to upload webcam pictures to a web page. I use this program everyday and am very glad to have found it (well, with help. Dank je liefje!)

It's funny how we can get so used to certain things. (especially free, and useful things). There's so much of interest out there. It would be inconceivable to think we could possible know, see, and, experience everything. Sometimes I try to just take a good look at right now. Just try and make sure I'm not missing something important. It'something I should do more often too. Try to appreciate the here and now.
When it doesn't suck of course.

Dictionary

2003-12-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

I might already have this blogged here somewhere. And if so, sorry for the repeat! It's just very useful. Your handy-dandy (monster or pocket sized variety) Merriam-Webster Dictionary (and Thesaurus, and much more) is available online. (and has been for a while). Just a reminder for those (like me) who might (love and need the Thesaurus!) have trouble coming up with "that word" (what was it? ummm) , and if I do, need to double check the damn spelling! Also for a little fun, try the Word Games.

Soup!

2003-11-22T13:18:00.000-05:00

Soup. It can warm you on a chilly day, comfort you when you're depressed, or simply satisfy your hunger. The Joy Of Soup is a good place to find some tastey recipes so you can include some variety amidst your can and packet supply of this wholesome staple food.

11-25-03
Ugh.... Please Note...this site is currently unavailable. For now, Google's cache of it can be located here. I hope it goes back online. It looked like a decent place to find some recipes.

12-03-03
Back online! Let's all make some soup! :)

Panda ActiveScan

2003-11-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

Panda ActiveScan is a free virus protection scanning program. You only need to download the active x the first time to run it. You are required to give an e-mail address (yours, or a temporary one). They add you to a mailing list if you select that option (it can be a reminder to re-scan if one is needed, it may also be required). You can see your results right after the scan. This program can automatically "disinfect" any viruses it finds, it has configurable options. It's updated daily (so they say) so hopefully it's up to date.

AllRecipes.com

2003-10-31T16:03:00.000-05:00

AllRecipes.com is a nifty website. Lots of recipes. I stumbled across this one when I was trying to find out how to make chicken and dumpling soup. I liked how they had an easy version of it. Also like that it has ratings, comments, and tips from people who've tried the recipes.

Seal Cam

2003-10-30T07:28:00.000-05:00

A webcam you can control for a bit. This is a seal rescue on Texel Island (Netherlands). This one has a good set up, with 6 pre-sets, zoom, and much opportunity to see not only the seals, but some of the surrounding area.

Movie Mistakes

2003-10-17T05:28:00.000-05:00

There's a bunch of websites devoted to pointing out cinematic screw-ups and movie goofs. Some mistakes might even seem familiar once you read about them. (Did you see the car in LoTR 1?) One of those websites is MovieMistakes.com. You can vote on the entertainment value of the mistake. There's a free (ad-filled, pop-ups galore) and paid (no ads) version. You can contribte as well. A slightly better formatted website is Movie Bloopers. Just a little easier on the eyes. Notable mentions: SlipUps.com (with movie, TV and book mistakes), and The Nitpickers Site (love the name). The IMDB has a Goofs section too.

When in Holland...

2003-10-16T13:03:00.000-05:00

Holland is a beautiful country. You'll see plenty of windmills and beautiful landscapes and seascapes. I've been here before and am back not for the lovely scenery, but to visit my love. It's a long way, but definitely worth the trip.

MIStupid.com

2003-10-14T13:37:00.000-05:00

MIStupid.com, The online knowledge magazine containing information that everyone should know, wants to know, or forgot. It's informative as well as amusing.

Glossary of Internet Terms

2003-10-13T08:18:00.000-05:00

A handy dandy Glossary of Internet Terms right at your fingertips. An A to Z created and maintained by Matisse Enzer. Quite useful for determining the difference between say XML and HTML. Or finding out what a PNG is.

Nice pictures

2003-10-13T05:46:00.000-05:00

DSL: Image Library: The National Image Library contains still photo images of wildlife, plants, National Wildlife Refuges and other scenics, as well as wildlife management work.

OrcaLive

2003-10-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

At OrcaLive you can see and hear the ocean, and if you're very lucky, an Orca or two. They offer 2 camera views (above water and below) and 2 speeds. (300k/56k). Subscribe to their Live Webcast (alerts) and they will notify you at key times when orcas are near their OrcaLive cameras and mics.

ValuPage

2003-10-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

Save money at your local grocery store with online coupons from ValuPage. There is nothing to sign up for (you can, but it's not necessary) and no catch. (that's the best part). Just enter your zip code, select your preferred store (or all of them, to compare) and print up your coupons. The money you save will be applicable on your next order.

Like Samples?

2003-10-07T09:17:00.000-05:00

Go to Start Sampling to learn about new products and possibly get a free sample too. There are product surveys and information about new products and services. Registration is (free but) required to receive any samples. Please use "STEPHIE189" as your referrer if you sign up. (Not required of course, but definitely appreciated!) You can earn "tryer miles"for additional freebies. (They charge s&h of course, always a catch. Regular samples are shipped free) And once registered, you earn tryer miles everytime you visit their page. (and more if you answer a survey about a freebie they sent you)

TV Tome

2003-10-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

A friendlier TV Without Pity-like website is TV Tome. Here you can become an editor, adopt a star, and read a less sarcastic overview of your favorite shows. Registration is free (and not required unless you want to leave feedback and/or become an editor/guide).

There's also a Movie Tome and you can sign up to be a reviewer here too.

Television Without Pity

2003-10-04T08:25:00.000-05:00

Television Without Pity is a fun site. They have reviewers (with attitude) that recap TV shows. They don't pretty it up. And usually it's rather funny how they cut up about the situations they're recounting. In a way, they're a bit over the top. I found myself wondering why they bother to recount the happenings of shows they don't even seem to like. But hey, for me, it was a good way to find out what happened during a season finale I missed (this show, maybe I should've just checked their site). So sarcastic or not, they're informative.

And of shows I've seen and read their recap of, pretty accurate and quite detailed. They list a few shows as "inactive" or on "permanent hiatus" (such as Dead Zone and C.S.I. Miami) and they're not, at least not in my area. So if you see something listed as such, check the shows website to be sure.

IMDB

2003-09-29T18:52:00.000-05:00

The Internet Movie Database is a good place to quickly look up information about a movie (or several thousand). There's a "pro" and free version. Reviews and rundowns of movies new and old. Even trailers. Very handy for those times you hear a title and can't place it. One caveat.....beware of the many pop-ups.

SamSpade.org

2003-09-24T11:06:00.000-05:00

SamSpade.org
Reviewed on CNN, #5 on their Spam control tools list. This is a multitalented network query tool with extra utilities built in to handle spam mail. It includes the typical utilities such as ping, traceroute, whois, and finger

Free Donations?

2003-09-24T08:56:00.000-05:00

While I (am forever cynical and) question the validity of such sites, the fact that it's free, appears to be legitimate, and if so, is ultimately for a good cause, I recommend visiting FreeDonation.com and making some "virtual donations" when you can. If its legit, then we're all doing a good thing. Might as well contribute a moment of surf-time. Just in case.

From their site:
FreeDonation.com is a web site with the mission of making the world a better place. At FreeDonation.com, you can make donations free of charge to important causes such as AIDS and cancer research, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, vaccines for children and more. All you have to do is to click on the donation button and our sponsors will pay for your donation. The entire process takes only a few seconds.

Finding things...

2003-09-24T07:38:00.000-05:00

Websites like Yahoo.com, and Switchboard.com offer comprehensive online yellow pages. (on Yahoo, much more than that). Visit Mapquest.com or better yet, Yahoo!Maps) for online maps so you can get to all these newly found places.

Bloglines.com

2003-09-24T07:19:00.000-05:00

Bloglines is a free service that makes it easy to keep up with your favorite blogs and newsfeeds. With Bloglines, you can subscribe to the RSS feeds (or RSS) of your favorite blogs, and Bloglines will monitor updates to those sites. You can read the latest entries easily within Bloglines.

Disposable E-mail

2003-09-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

Disposable E-mail? Yes! But no, NOT for spamming purposes! Don't abuse the privilege! Seriously. Sometimes it's necessary to give your e-mail address in exchange for a program or information. Why? Well, for reasons often undisclosed. And that's rather questionable don't you think? But you can protect your privacy by creating a short term e-mail address here. Please note, this is not an anonymous e-mail service. It's just a very helpful way protect yourself. For now, this is a free service. (love those freebies!)

Mozilla

2003-09-21T10:15:00.000-05:00

I'm not one easily open to change. I still miss the Netscape 4.x that was available before all the fancy upgraded versions. The 7.x versions freeze from time to time (among other problems experienced) and just generally annoy me. I don't like MS Internet Explorer.

I do like the Mozilla browser. Very much. It's similar to Netscape (what Netscape was based on?) only better. It's easy to use, offers a variety of themes (my favorite for this version is BlueZilla), and most importantly, the Mozilla browser loads all of my web pages faster than either NS or IE.

There's a version for most OS's and the program uses much less hard drive space than IE or NS. (great for laptops!) Read the FAQ for more information.

What's it look like for you?

2003-09-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

You can see how your website looks to other visitors by checking Anybrowser.com. Visit their home page for other website testing tools.

Freeware & Shareware

2003-09-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Download.com, ZDNet.com, and Tucows.com are great sites to find freeware and shareware programs. Users can register and rate the programs or just download at will. :)

JALBUM

2003-09-20T09:16:00.000-05:00

JALBUM is a free web photo album generator. I haven't actually tried it yet but I plan to!

Blogger Unofficial FAQ blog

2003-09-14T00:05:00.000-05:00

Blogger Unofficial FAQ blog The blog formerly known as Blogger archive/template troubles, featuring fixes for problems with Blogger's archives, templates, and more.

Modern Minder: RSS

2003-09-12T22:36:00.000-05:00

Keep track of your favorite blogs and news sites all in one place. At Bloglines.com you can add a number of RSS feeds to your profile, and this site checks the feeds to see if there are any changes. They claim to check for updates hourly. Free service. Sign-up required.

Slashdot

2003-09-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

Slashdot.org
News for nerds. Stuff that matters. For my delusional moments of intelligence.

TinyUrl.com

2003-09-12T13:49:00.000-05:00

Make long URLs postable! A must with some of today's monstrous URL's. Go to TinyURL.com and you can shorten those annoyingly long URL's into something tiny and manageable.

Ad-Aware

2003-09-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

Ad-aware is one of the best spy-ware detection programs out there. And it's free. Make sure the only programs on your pc are programs you personally downloaded. There is also a paid Professional version available. Be sure to check for updates.

iMorph's InfoMinder

2003-08-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

iMorph's InfoMinder is a new service that enables users to track web sites and get e-mail notification when content changes. This is a free service. You can upgrade to the pay service for more advanced features.

note: unfortunately, this service is no longer free. (bound to happen sometime)

The Cook's Thesaurus

2003-08-25T17:23:00.000-05:00

Something useful: The Cook's Thesaurus is a cooking encyclopedia that covers thousands of ingredients and kitchen tools. Entries include pictures, descriptions, synonyms, pronunciations, and suggested substitutions.

Mind Candy

2003-08-24T13:06:00.001-05:00

Here's a great place to play some games and earn tokens for prizes. Long shot at best, but it's amusing (and somewhat mind-numbing) if nothing else: Pogo Games. And another free gaming site, PopCap. Some of these games can be played on the Pogo website. (no token incentive on PopCap games)

A Start

2003-08-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

This is a place I plan to post thoughts about whatever. And links (mainly) that I know I'll never find in the mess that is my "bookmarks". Maybe some of the links can be of use to anyone who winds up here. And solely for informational purposes, the first version of this blog was located here.