The 2005 Weblog Awards..

The Bloggies™ are a set of 30 publicly-chosen awards given to weblog writers and those related to weblogs. This is the fifth ceremony, with previous winners listed on their respective sites: 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Everyone's invited to take part in the awarding process, so read below to find out how you can nominate and vote for your favorite blogs!

http://2005.bloggies.com

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I thought this was pretty neat. I voted in every category. The "Tsunami Relief Blog" was my top choice for Blog of the Year. They did a lot to help people after the disaster. They posted pictures of missing people and directed people to places where they could give donations. You should all go and vote for the blogs that you think are the best.

BetaNews | Intel 'VIIV' Leaves Analysts Guessing

BetaNews | Intel 'VIIV' Leaves Analysts Guessing:

"Intel 'VIIV' Leaves Analysts Guessing"
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
January 27, 2005, 12:49 PM

Intel's recent trademark filings are leaving analysts to speculate what the chipmaker may have up its sleeve for the near future. The phrases 'Intel Inside VIIV' and 'Intel VIIV' were filed as U.S. trademarks last month. But what does Intel VIIV mean?

Some speculate that it is a combination of the roman numerals for 6 and 4, meaning VIIV could be one of Intel's first consumer chips use 64-bit technology as promised by the company. Another possible meaning could be that VIIV is a dual-core chip, consisting of two Pentium 5 processors. Intel declined comment, saying that it does not talk about unannounced brands or trademarks."

What sleep deprivation can do to a mind..

I was sitting here after Sean left at around 5am and decided to look for the Holiday Inn font. I knew I could do something crazy with it if I could just find it. It took me a while, but eventually I got it. I can't tell you where though..

I guess this would be a good time to let you all know that there's a new version of the Gimp out. It was released a few days ago and it's being called a "Bugfix Release" by the authors. This is the third day that I've been using this new build and it does seem a lot more stable than the last one I had. You can get the Windows version of the Gimp at the URL below.

Gimp for Windows version 2.2.3

I'm pretty tired now. Every word longer than 4 letters I've misspelled and re-written so far. I guess I should get to bed. I hope you like the graphic I made. I'll talk to you all tonight.

From BetaNews.com:

Google Hires Lead Firefox Developer

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

January 24, 2005, 9:37 PM

Lending more credibility to rumors that it may be considering a Web browser of its own, Google has hired lead Firefox engineer Ben Goodger. Goodger made the announcement in his Web log Monday, but says his role with the Mozilla project will "remain largely unchanged" despite a different paycheck.

With Google now paying the bills for Goodger, questions have arisen about Google's relationship with the Mozilla Foundation. The search giant previously sponsored a Mozilla programmers meeting, and the default Web site for Firefox is a custom version of Google.com.

But as Firefox continues to make dents in Microsoft's Internet Explorer market share, it is no surprise to many that Google is supporting the open source cause. Google has found itself in a fierce battle with Microsoft over Web and desktop searches, and Firefox may prove an important tool in dismantling Redmond's Web empire.

For now, Goodger plans to focus on the next iterations of Firefox, which reached its 1.0 milestone in November.

"I remain devoted full-time to the advancement of Firefox, the Mozilla platform and web browsing in general," Goodger wrote. "While I will be spending more time at Google, I will work out of the Mozilla Foundation offices regularly as the need arises."

Google Video Search Beta..

From the About Google Video page:

Our mission is to organize the world's information, and that includes the thousands of programs that play on our TVs every day. Google Video enables you to search a growing archive of televised content – everything from sports to dinosaur documentaries to news shows.

Just type in your search term (for instance, ipod or Napa Valley) or do a more advanced search (for instance, title:nightline) and Google Video will search the closed captioning text of all the programs in our archive for relevant results. Click on a program title on your results page and you can look through short snippets of the text along with still images from the show. Visit the "About this show" side panel to learn when this show will air next.

Right now we're just testing this product, so you'll find programs only from a limited number of channels, which we've been indexing since late December 2004. You can expect to see more and more content as we continue to add new channels.

Search for programs from a variety of channels including:
ABC (KGO) *	KRON *	PBS	C-SPAN
KQED *	NBC (KNTV) *	Fox News	C-SPAN2
* San Francisco Bay Area stations

Our mission is to give viewers complete access to public affairs programming and we are committed to use new technologies to enhance the value of our services. This partnership with Google further demonstrates how new technologies will expand our audience and make it easier to conduct online searches of our content for information most relevant to them. - Brian Lamb, C-SPAN Chairman and CEO

If you're a content owner:
Let us know if you're interested in adding your content to Google Video.
If you have questions, please contact our support team.

Help Me !!!!!!

Titan Strikes Again

Taipei Times - archives: "Titan probe sends back evidence of methane rainfall

AFP , PARIS
Sunday, Jan 23, 2005,Page 6


The European robot lab Huygens found liquid methane on the Saturn satellite Titan, a chemical that seems to have shaped the moon's peculiar landscape and weather system, scientists said Friday in their first detailed assessment of the probe's mission.

'We've got a flammable world. It's quite extraordinary,' said University of Honolulu researcher Toby Owen, referring to methane's combustibility with air on Earth.

'There is liquid on Titan. It has been raining not long ago, there is liquid methane,' said Jean-Pierre Lebreton, director of the Huygens mission at the European Space Agency (ESA).

'There are truly remarkable processes at work on Titan's surface,' he said."

HolidayInn

Hey Check Out This Pic I Took Around 3:30 am .....

BetaNews | Netscape Updates Browser Prototype

BetaNews | Netscape Updates Browser Prototype:

"Netscape Updates Browser Prototype"
By Nate Mook, BetaNews
January 17, 2005, 8:30 PM

Netscape has released a minor update to its reincarnated Web browser, which debuted in prototype form at the end of November. The new release -- available to registered testers -- brings the Netscape code base up to Firefox 1.0 in order to resolve potential security issues, in addition to fixing a few bugs.

As first reported by BetaNews, the browser prototype is being developed in conjunction with Mercurial Communications and features support for switching to Microsoft's IE engine.

The original release was built atop Firefox 0.9.3; although the interface sports Netscape's traditional green, the underlying code is based on work from the Mozilla Foundation. But several potential security vulnerabilities have been discovered in Firefox releases prior to version 1.0, prompting Netscape to update the prototype.

'There won't be any new features or new design in this release, but performance and size have been greatly improved,' AOL's Netscape product team wrote to testers of the browser.

Now that Netscape has been brought up to speed with Firefox 1.0, the developers promise to soon release an update with 'drastic changes.' One new addition may include a revamped user interface, which was proposed to testers after the initial prototype release."

The Dentist - Episode IV: A New Appointment

Well I went to the Dentist after a very rough night of sleep. I wasn't thinking about the appointment, but my nerves were shot. I probably got two good hours of sleep though.

I finally got out of bed at around 8:30am, shaved, and brushed my teeth twice. I didn't eat anything. I wanted to save my Dentist the effort of removing left over pizza from between my teeth. That's all we had to that was edible. Aside from Bran Flakes.

Eventually 10am rolled around and it was time to go. We got there just in time so I didn't have to wait long before they called me in. It took 5 minutes at the most which saved me from the temptation to pick up one of their dirty magazines. Not "Hustler Dirty" - "Bacteria/Virus Dirty"..

All they did today was give my teeth a good cleaning and take new X-Rays. After that they decided that I had a few problems. They said it would take two or three more one hour visits before all the problems would be fixed. Then the old guy who will be working on my teeth came in and poked around a little too.

My gums are sore as hell. I think the lady there flossed my teeth three or four times before it was all over. Her little "Pick" did most of the damage though. It felt like she was sticking it in my gum and pulling up to scratch at my teeth.

From now on I'm not going to drink so much Pop or eat stuff with lots of sugar. That'll help me kill two birds with one stone. I'll have healthier teeth and lose a little weight. Actually, I think I drank my first full glass of sugar free Iced Tea ever today.

My next appointment is Febuary the 8th. I'm done worrying about the Dentist for now though. I've got a couple weeks to settle my nerves before I get all worked up about the drill I'll be hearing on the 8th. Wow, if I wasn't so tired I would have gotten a chill just now.

I don't think I'll be online tonight since I hardly slept at all and spent all day running around town. I got a new tooth brush. The Dentist recommended it to me before he left the room. I won't get to try it out until it charges for 16 hours though. It's the new "Oral-B^® AdvancePower^TM 980 TX". Sadly I'll be using my junky "Crest SpinBrush Pro" tonight. Oh, the company that makes "Glide" floss got bought out by Crest. I noticed the new "Crest Glide" logo when I picked up a yard of it at the store.

I'll talk to you all soon. I wanted to be there tonight. My hopes weren't too high though. I knew I wasn't going to sleep well. I hope you all have a good time and my stories about the Dentist amuse you somehow. I know I'll be "lol" and ":)" when it's your turn. Haha..

My Dentist Appointment..

The time has come. Waiting to go to the dentist never takes as long as it should. My appointment is at 10:30am Tomorrow morning. I'll have to go to sleep early tonight so I won't be in the chatroom. I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. He might just take X-Rays or poke around a little. More likely he'll go ahead and start drilling something. I probably won't sleep well tonight so I've been playing Fable to take my mind off of it. Hopefully I'll be dreaming of Albion instead of worrying about drills and latex gloves in my mouth.

Leave a comment and wish me luck. I'll check the blog when I get back tomorrow. I hope you all have a good time tonight. If I'm not hurting too bad I'll probably be on line tomorrow night.

We're getting popular?

Not really. Most of these sites have automated scripts that scan the text of our blog to find keywords. Once keywords such as "Peterson" or "Microsoft" are found the sites create an entry in their database. Then their machines write up an automated HTML page containing a link to our blog and quick summary of what was said.

More and more of these sites are cataloging our blog however. I just did a search on Google and found 14 references. A direct link to our blog is the #1 hit for the first time ever. Check it out!

Search for "#HolidayInn Digest" @ Google.com

Dalnet drives me mad.......

Ok, I was on tonight, just so everyone knows!! lol.......dagone dalnet would not let me connect to a single server......I tried and tried for an hour and a half, and nothing worked.......I even restarted my computer twice to see if that would work......nothing! So if it doesnt work soon, I will see you all tomorrow night........*hugs* and all that......At least I was able to see Matt and Carolyn on msn, lol.

Spaceflight Now | Cassini | First Huygens pictures

Spaceflight Now | Cassini | First Huygens pictures: "This image was returned January 14 by ESA's Huygens probe during its successful descent to land on Titan. This is the coloured view, following processing to add reflection spectra data, gives a better indication of the actual colour of the surface. Initially thought to be rocks or ice blocks, they are more pebble-sized. The two rock-like objects just below the middle of the image are about 15 centimetres (left) and 4 centimetres (centre) across respectively, at a distance of about 85 centimetres from Huygens. The surface is darker than originally expected, consisting of a mixture of water and hydrocarbon ice. There is also evidence of erosion at the base of these objects, indicating possible fluvial activity. Credits: ESA/NASA/University of Arizona
"

EO News: Saharan Dust Affects Thunderstorm Behavior in Florida - January 11, 2005

EO News: Saharan Dust Affects Thunderstorm Behavior in Florida -

January 11, 2005
SAHARAN DUST AFFECTS THUNDERSTORM BEHAVIOR IN FLORIDA

Scientists using NASA satellite data have discovered tiny particles of dust blowing across the Atlantic Ocean from the Sahara Desert can affect Florida thunderstorms."

I just find this completely amazeing and I just found this site as well its really cool finally NASA is looking back down at the planet and using the info for something constructive :)

Finally. I Beat Star Wars KOTOR..

Everything I ever read about the game said it would take me 40 hours to complete. I must be a special case. It took me 68+ hours. Maybe I'm just a sucker for anything Star Wars and took my time to let every last moment sink in.

Within the first few hours I knew KOTOR was going to be great. The story drew me in right away and kept me mesmerized until the end. The graphics were great as well. There were plenty of times when I stopped whatever I was doing to stand and gaze at the world around me.

In true Star Wars form the game was cinematic genius. The cut scenes were clever and well acted. When I reached the end of the game Lucasarts' final battle scene had me locked in. I couldn't even blink. All the hard work I'd done was beautifully rewarded.

The Star Forge

Now the game is beat. So am I. I just played the game non-stop from 2:30pm until 9:45pm. My character was an Uber Jedi. THE Uber Jedi. Luke, Obi-Wan.. Obi-Who?! I followed the path of the Light to the tee. There was no Jedi more good or powerful than I. My Jedi had an aura of Light around him like none you'll ever see.

I have a choice to make. Do I play the game over again and follow the path of the Dark? I thought about it a lot while I was playing through following the Light Side. I truthfully don't think I've got it in me. The evil, hateful, and disturbing things I would have to do.. The temptation is there though. Evil does get to have more fun.

In my 68+ hour vacation into the Star Wars universe I never once got to "Force Choke" anyone. My abilities were strictly limited to the Light Side. I had powers that allowed me to Heal and Shield my friends. The most evil thing I could do was sweep my opponents up in a Whirlwind of Energy. No "Force Choke" though.. The temptation of the Dark Side is strong.

As a Light Jedi I wielded two lightsabers. One was the brightest blue you can imagine. The other was red. Red like blood on fire. The crystals that focused each of my lightsabers were the four rarest and most powerful in the entire universe. No enemy stood a chance against my dual flurry.

KOTOR is one of the best games I've ever played. I'll be returning to it again soon. Whether I decide to be Evil or not. I could play that game a hundred times. It really is that much fun.

Donate Now! -- American Red Cross

Donate Now! -- American Red Cross

2004 has been a record year for responding to disasters, large and small. From floods and residential fires … to hurricanes that devastated entire communities throughout the southeast U.S. … and now preparing to support through our International Response Fund, relief efforts for the catastrophic earthquake and tsunamis that stuck South Asia.

Because of the public’s generous support the American Red Cross has been able to respond immediately...

But we continue to need your support in the coming months as we provide relief for victims of local, national and international disasters. Additionally, donations from you and other generous supporters will assure that we meet the demand of collecting and supplying more than 6 million units of blood for over 3,000 hospitals around the country. Provide classes to nearly 12 million people annually including CPR, First Aid and other life-saving skills. Keep military families around the globe connected. And, prevent 1.2 million measles – related deaths by vaccinating 200 million children in Africa by the end of 2005.

Your contribution means we can continue to provide these vital services. Please make a contribution today... and provide hope and relief for tomorrow. Thank you.

Financial contributions to the American Red Cross are tax-deductible.

Matching Gifts -- Your gift could be matched dollar for dollar! Many companies offer matching gift programs that will double, even triple a donation's value. Check this online directory of matching gift companies to find out if your company will match your contribution to the Red Cross. If you have questions about your company's matching gift program, please contact your personnel office.

I've got a Dentist Appointment..

I really don't like the dentist. At least I'm not alone. Disliking Dentists has become a socially accepted fear. The sound of the drill, the smell of antiseptic and the dust from teeth. The waiting. They make you wait. You see people stumbling out from the back with gauze and all sorts of contraptions attached to them. No one ever looks happy except the Dentist and the Secretary.

I'm sure I'll have to fill out some forms and things too. What types of medication are you currently taking? Are you allergic to any types of medication? If yes please list them here. It's all so informal and unnerving. There are magazines to read. Go ahead and pick one up if you're itching to see your Doctor in a week. That book you just touched is nothing more than a porous germ-filled sponge.

With my luck the Dentist will tell me that I have something wonderful like Root Canal, or another type of painfull oral surgery to look forward to. More likely than not I'll be in pretty bad shape once it's all over. I haven't been to the dentist in a while, and I'm sure he'll more than make up for our short time apart.

My appointment is January 18th and I can't wait. Really, I can't. If I start waiting now I'll get myself so worked up by the 18th that I'll end up skipping it altogether. So, even though I'm posting this on the 9th please don't remind me until at least the 17th.

You think I'm crazy now. Maybe you're right. However, before you judge me click this link:

Search for the words Dental & Fear on Google

NOAA Ocean Explorer: Submarine Ring of Fire: Magic Mountain Virtual Site

NOAA Ocean Explorer: Submarine Ring of Fire: Magic Mountain Virtual Site: "

This has to be one of the cooler sites that i visit... Though i think its only cool if your a great big nerd :) So if your like me check this site out ! This specific link takes you to a virtural tour of the oceans floor ...As much as i like the idea of space exploration i have come to wonder why we dont learn everything we can about our own planet before we start to learn about others... How can we make a true assesment of anything we find on another planet when we cant even explain things from our own oceans..... Anyway there is still a final frontier ITS CALLED THE OCEAN CHECK IT OUT HERE ! :)

"

Adobe Reader 7.0

The program I encouraged you all to use in yesterday's post wasn't well received by everyone (*Cough*Sean*Cough*) in the chatroom. So I decided to post a file that no one should have a problem with because everyone likes PDF files..

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Adobe® Reader® 7.0 is free software that enables business professionals and home users to reliably share information using intelligent PDF files. With Adobe Reader 7.0, you can easily view, print, and search PDF files using a variety of platforms and devices.

With a growing list of rich features, this new version of familiar Adobe Reader software:

• Provides better overall performance for faster launch times and real-time zooming and panning
• Enables you to fill out and submit PDF forms from a variety of devices
• Helps you download and organize digital editions (formerly known as eBooks) on a variety of devices, with full support for portrait or landscape viewing
• Lets you display and share Adobe Photoshop® Album slide shows and electronic cards, and export images for online photo processing (Note that online photo services vary regionally.)
• Allows you to save a range of files attached to PDF documents, such as word processing documents, spreadsheets, and multimedia files, and open them in their native applications

In addition, PDF documents created with Adobe Acrobat® 7.0 Professional software or Adobe LiveCycle™ server products can activate hidden advanced capabilities in Reader 7.0, turning it into a powerful collaboration tool. With these feature-enhanced PDF documents in Reader 7.0, you can:

• Review and add comments to PDF files with easy-to-use markup tools including sticky notes, strikethrough, annotation, and drawing tools
• Digitally sign and approve documents (Adobe LiveCycle server products)

Adobe Reader 7.0 offers you all the great features you've come to expect from Adobe Reader, plus a host of new capabilities and enhancements. Read more about what's new in Adobe Reader 7.0.

Download Adobe Reader 7.0.

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When they say "Faster Loading" they mean it. On my old rock this newest version of Reader loads faster than Wordpad! Something that isn't mentioned above is the fact that full support for Firefox has been added. You can now load PDF's from right there within your favorite browser.

This program, like the one in yesterday's post, will not run on versions of Windows prior to XP. So if you're using Windows 98 or Windows ME this program is not for you. I feel really bad posting these XP only programs and leaving all of you (*Cough*Becky*Cough*) out. There is a little bit of good news for you though. By following the download link you can get Reader Version 6.01 which is better than the Version 5 Reader that most people have.

I've been listing programs, books, and things like that a lot here lately. I'm not going to start rating things like other sites do however. For me, a recommendation is an On/Off switch. If I like something I'll share it with you. It's that simple. I never liked the 5 Star rating system that some people use. It demeans the writer's hard work and I won't contribute to that.

Adobe Reader 7 is a really great update from the previous versions and I hope you give it a try. I've enjoyed reading PDF files from within my browser again and the load time itself is reason enough to get version 7.0. There are literally thousands upon thousands of PDF files out here on the Internet. There are Tax Forms and Voter Registration Forms. The list of Forms alone seems endless. You can download full color Brochures and the like to be printed or read at your own leisure as well. If you only ever view one PDF a year this program is still worthwhile. I hope you like it.

Look nto my eyes
for a non color suprise
NOW YOU ARE GETTING TIRED OF IE........ TIRED ..... TIRED......
Now Go Get FireFox Muawahahahahhahahaahhahahahahahhhha

MicroSucks And Conspiracy Theories

THE BIG HEAD IN THE SKY SAYS :
Once again microsoft has taken control of all of your brains and has made you allow them to peak even further into your computers without you even knowing it .....So Get Out Those Tin Foil Hats Kiddies Cause The MicroMan IS Coming For You ! .......
THE BIG HEAD IN THE SKY SAYS:
Wanna feel safe download FireFox the link is below in the great and powerful CousCous's blog below......below.....below....

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta):

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Overview:

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding more than 50 ways spyware can enter your PC. The worldwide SpyNet™ community plays a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, and updates are automatically downloaded to your PC so you stay up to date.

Setup was really easy. A few checkboxes here a few there. Before you know it the program is all set up and ready to go. It stays in your taskbar and monitors all of the new software installations to detect Spyware before it has a chance to propagate. One thing that made me scratch my head was SpyNet™...

SpyNet™ is a network community that connects Microsoft AntiSpyware users together to identify and share information about unknown spyware applications and signatures. This community automatically reports potential threats identified by the AntiSpyware real-time system agents to the SpyNet servers that catalog and update the system to help protect you from new spyware threats.

System Requirements:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
• A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
• Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server™ 2003
• At least 10 MB of available free space on your hard disk
• Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to use SpyNet™

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I wish this program could be used on computers running older versions of Windows. It's a really good Anti-Spyware program. The best I've ever seen and it's free. This program even blows away my previous favorite, AdAware Pro.

Microsoft is serious about security. Later this year they're planning on releasing their own Anti-Virus program. Their Anti-Virus endeavor is slated to produce a "low cost" subscription based service.

At the end of the day, after all the complaining that I do about Internet Explorer, I like Microsoft. They made computers what they are today. Sure Apple and IBM helped (my first computer was an Apple IIc) but Microsoft deserves most of the credit. Before Microsoft made Windows, computers were more of a "Novelty" than something you wake up and plug away at all day. In it's own time, even Internet Explorer was a great innovation.

This post isn't just about security. It's about innovation and moving forward. Microsoft's step into the Anti-Spyware arena is an acknowledgement that they're working to make things better. Future versions of their operating systems will surely have this new technology integrated and in the long run that's a good thing. It'll add value to their products of course, but there is something more important. The "less computer savy" users will be protected.

You can learn more about the new "Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta" by following this link:

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta @ Microsoft.com

If you're ready to try it out (and have a valid copy of Windows XP) you can go directly to their Download page:

Download "Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta" @ Microsoft.com

ESA - Cassini-Huygens - Revealing Titan's surface

ESA - Cassini-Huygens - Revealing Titan's surface The most exciting thing about titan to me is the atmosphere... Is it possible that some time in the future titan maybe able to support life if even on a microbial level ???? So far Nasa and Jpl believe the atmosphere is much like earths before the formation of amino acids the building blocks of life... Is there anyway we could spark life on this lil moon in the sky ???? And if there is what is stopping us ??? We do after all seem to believe that we are they only ones in the universe anyway so why not play god ??After all he did make us in his image didn't he ?? Ok so i can not wait till the 14th Nasa Channel here i come :)

I can't believe I am up.........

Ok, it is 11:19 am and I am still awake........this is a rare thing indeed for me......But Matt is still up, so it's cool, lol....Now I am debating on whether to put my futon together, or to do a puzzle, or to go to sleep, lol.........I wonder how long I can keep Matt awake......I think he might be going soon, darnit! Ok I am done babbling, lol

The Books of D'ni

Cover scan of The Myst Reader

I was searching the Barnes & Noble website to see if they had any copies of the Myst books available. While they still have all three books for sale I noticed you can also buy them all in one big paperback volume. The book must be huge. It's called "The Myst Reader".

The Myst Reader contains:

• The Book of Atrus
• The Book of Ti'ana
• The Book of D'ni

It's retail price is $18.00 at Barnes & Noble and can be purchased at their stores or on line through this link:

The Myst Reader @ Barnes & noble.com

Here is a quote from the publisher:

This omnibus edition of the hugely popular Myst trilogy is published to coincide with the release of Myst Revelations, the latest in the line of the bestselling Myst interactive CD-ROM games.

The award-winning Myst series is one of the most successful interactive CD-ROM computer games in history with sales of more than 12 million copies worldwide. Myst captivated the world when it was first conceived and created by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller. Its extraordinary success has gone on to spawn Riven, Myst III Exile, and most recently, Uru: The Ages Beyond Myst. Devoted fans of these surreal adventure games gather yearly at "Mysterium" (whose event sites are spreading to other countries) to exchange game strategies, share stories, and meet up with old friends.

The Myst Reader is a literary companion to the CD-ROM games and a compendium of the bestselling official Myst trilogy: The Book of Atrus, The Book of Ti'ana, and The Book of D'ni. Devoted fans and new players alike will be delighted to have three books in this mythic saga together for the first time in one value-priced volume, which will be published in time to coincide with the long-awaited release of Myst Revelations.

Robyn Miller, best known for his work on Myst, currently lives in Spokane, Washington. Rand Miller is the CEO of Cyan Worlds, which is currently working on Uru. When not at work, Miller enjoys photography, guitar, and computer tinkering. He lives in Spokane, Washington, with his wife, Debbie, and three daughters.

US-CERT Vulnerability Note VU#713878

US-CERT Vulnerability Note VU#713878:

"Use a different web browser"

There are a number of significant vulnerabilities in technologies relating to the IE domain/zone security model, local file system (Local Machine Zone) trust, the Dynamic HTML (DHTML) document object model (in particular, proprietary DHTML features), the HTML Help system, MIME type determination, the graphical user interface (GUI), and ActiveX. These technologies are implemented in operating system libraries that are used by IE and many other programs to provide web browser functionality. IE is integrated into Windows to such an extent that vulnerabilities in IE frequently provide an attacker significant access to the operating system.

It is possible to reduce exposure to these vulnerabilities by using a different web browser, especially when viewing untrusted HTML documents (e.g., web sites, HTML email messages). Such a decision may, however, reduce the functionality of sites that require IE-specific features such as proprietary DHTML, VBScript, and ActiveX. Note that using a different web browser will not remove IE from a Windows system, and other programs may invoke IE, the WebBrowser ActiveX control (WebOC), or the HTML rendering engine (MSHTML)."

--

This message was brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Department of Homeland Security, and CousCous. Who would like to remind you that there is a better, safer web browser. Firefox is it! Take back control of the Web, and save your Computer. Get Firefox.

Googling unsecured webcams

Boing Boing: Googling unsecured webcams:
Cleverly-aliased BoingBoing reader numlok whispers:

This is both very cool and very scary. Use these search strings below with Google, and you will find hundreds (thousands?) of unsecured webcam feeds (most seem to be security cams).

inurl:"ViewerFrame?Mode="

OR

"MultiCameraFrame?Mode=”"

--

I just ran across this post on a blog that I read now and then. What you do is start a Google search using either of those strings above that I've highlighted in Red. What it does is give you an enormous list of webcams. Most of them seem to be security cameras like the post above states. The amazing thing about these cameras is that you can actually MOVE them! Some of them are in-store feeds and you can watch the mannequins as they wait for the owners to open the store again.

The funniest thing about these feeds is that they're "SECURITY CAMERAS" that have NO security themselves. There should be no legal reason to keep you from viewing these either. The owners have forfeited their right to privacy by placing the cameras on line, without ANY form of protection. This is so easy that a child could do it. Enjoy them while they last!

Where I Wanna Be..

Sorry Girls..

Where I Wanna Be

The PNG Image Format..

I was sitting here looking at my lonely mIRC Status window and decided to say something about my favorite image format, PNG. PNG, pronounced PiNG, has been around since the mid to late 1990's and is a nearly perfect format. It was created to be a direct substitute for "GIF" or Graphics Interchange Format.

The PNG format supports Alpha Transparency and up to 48-bit color. Images created using the GIF format offer only 8-bit color and no Alpha Transparency. You can read a short definition explaining what an Alpha Channel is by clicking here.

On this blog I'll be using mostly PNG images because they look great for computer graphics. For Photo images, JPEG is still the best however. That is unless you can manage to scan a photo and save it as a PNG. GIF on the other hand is now totally obsolete. The only reason it's still so prominent on the Internet is because Internet Explorer doesn't yet fully support the PNG format.

Here is a breakdown of what images can, should and shouldn't be converted to PNG:

• GIF images can and should be. Any GIF images converted to PNG will have a smaller file size if transferred correctly.
• JPEG images can but should not be. JPEG images converted to PNG tend to have a higher file size because of the way the JPEG format stores the image's color information.
• Lossless formats such as TIFF and BMP are perfect candidates for the PNG format. PNG is also lossless and, in the case of BMP, can considerably decrease the file size.

The image that I placed above this post is a PNG image with an Alpha Transparency. Therefore it will not look proper when viewed in Internet Explorer, but will still be visible in a degraded form. Firefox and nearly every other web browser can and do display it as it was intended. The image placed at the end of this post also utilizes PNG's Alpha Transparency, and to a greater extent. Sadly, IE users will only see a big a white square in place of that very nice image.

With every new version of IE, web developers have kept their fingers crossed with the hope that Microsoft had finally implemented the PNG format. Time and again they were disappointed. Eventually Microsoft will fix the PNG issue. They've made it well known to web developers that even they would rather use PNG over GIF. Until they fully implement it however, PNG will remain somewhat of a "Secret" to the mainstream public.

Don't like waiting? You don't have to if you are one of the enlightened people using a Mozilla based browser. Such as Firefox! There is a whole world of beautiful PNG enabled websites waiting out there for you to find them. I'll eventually make a post to list as many as I can.

Learn More About PNG:
http://www.libpng.org/pub/png/

Pioneer To Develop 500GB Discs

Pioneer To Develop 500GB Discs: "Japanese hardware maker Pioneer has developed a technique which will allow optical drives to store 500GB of data.

That's according to the Nikkei Business Daily, which reported that the technique will use ultraviolet lasers, which emit shorter wavelength rays than blue lasers. The paper reported that Pioneer uses the beam to write data holes in a master disk, each separated by 70 nanometres.

That gives a data rate 20 times more than the blue laser Blue-ray disk. While there are technical problems creating data cavities so small, Pioneer has, apparently, solved problems associated with scattering of the laser by developing a carbon mask using photosensitive resin."

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That's incredible. Who has 500 GB worth of data on their HD anyways though? My disk only holds 25 GB's at it's maximum. This would be a really great technology for storing uncompressed DV data however.

I expect that they won't release this new format for a while. Pioneer will probably wait until there's more of a demand for it. Right now only a few big corporations like Microsoft and Google would benifit from it. Google is always looking for ways to increase their storage capacity and Microsoft is as well.

There was a time when even 1 MB of storage seemed like too much. It's nearly impossible to imagine now though. Eventually 500 GB will become obsolete too. Pioneer could stand to make an enormous profit from this technology. Other companies will follow suit however but as it stands now Pioneer has a huge lead.

Its Gonna Be Crazy!!

2005 wasnt come yet but i already get a gift! i`ve got pain on my left knee and couldnt walks specially sits on closet!!!!.. and i need took a rest for a week and i have to celebrated my New Year in my bed *grumpy*...woahh but most crazy thing happen is yesterday i 've got new lil sister *big smiles* her name montie! shes so cute!. *naughty smile* . 2005 just came and i already get a suprised! *grin* i can imagine this year gonna be crazy for meeeee! .. coz my dad just brought me a baby monkey !!!! *drool* whyyyyyy not puppy why baby monkey! ......

Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie

Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie: "What Is An AFDB?
AFDB head

The Big Head In The Sky Says "Every Household Needs Atleast Two" !!!! :)

An Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie (AFDB) is a type of headwear that can shield your brain from most electromagnetic psychotronic mind control carriers. AFDBs are inexpensive (even free if you don't mind scrounging for thrown-out aluminium foil) and can be constructed by anyone with at least the dexterity of a chimp (maybe bonobo). This cheap and unobtrusive form of mind control protection offers real security to the masses. Not only do they protect against incoming signals, but they also block most forms of brain scanning and mind reading, keeping the secrets in your head truly secret. AFDBs are safe and operate automatically. All you do is make it and wear it and you're good to go! Plus, AFDBs are stylish and comfortable.

What are you waiting for? Make one today!"

I love my computer!

I just wanted to dedicate a blog on here to my wonderful computer that never fails me.....well almost never. It is the best computer I have ever had.....the only one really. I love it! Just so you all know, I am attempting to suck up to it at this moment so it will behave in the future.....hehe

Bow Before Me BItches !

I Am The Great Dracul
Bow Before My Irc World Or Ye Shall Pay The Price
$6.95 Plus Shipping And Handling Bitches !

a poem from an slightly intoxicated crawzy lady

Starkle, starkle little twink
Who the heck you are you think?

Some thinkle peep I'm under the alkafluence of inkerhol!
I fool so feelish I don't know who's me!

And the drunker I sit here, the longer I get!

Evolution And Modern Medicine

How long will it be before we have tottally wiped out the human race ??? Aren't doctors already saying that our antibiotics are mutating the viruses ??? If we continue on this course will we just mutate the known viruses into a super virus that antibiotics will have no effect on ???
Also I fear that by saveing lives of people who suffer from heart attacks , cancer , and so on... we are weakening the gene pool ??? Have we in our infinite wisdom slowed or even stopped evolution in its tracks ??? How do you evolve away from a problem like cancer or heart attacks if the weak reproduce and we carry on these traits ??? Up until the discovery of Penicillian we had no way of combating some of these things .... I guess only time will tell .....

Google Checks Out Library Books

Google Checks Out Library Books: "MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - December 14, 2004 - As part of its effort to make offline information searchable online, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that it is working with the libraries of Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and the University of Oxford as well as The New York Public Library to digitally scan books from their collections so that users worldwide can search them in Google."

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This announcement got the conspiracy theorists going last month. I don't see the harm in what Google is doing though. Being able to search through the text of those books will be great . There's so much information out there and right now it's just beyond our reach. If anyone can bridge that gap, it's Google.

Testing 1, 2, 3.......

I just wanted to test the colors........I love purple! hehe
Wish I could write a poem of some sort
because it would fit here perfectly
but i am not that wordy a person
roses are red
violets are blue
I am so dorky
I don't know what to do.......
sheesh
ok, I am done
bye

My Letter Too Fox News And All Cable News Channels

#HolidayInn Digest
I was watching fox today and saw a "Newsroom Editor" say something to
the effect of the tsunami is the second worst catastrophe known to man
behind 9/11 ???????? I'm sorry but the loss of 3000 lives over what
90,000 so far ?????? I understand that we have strong feelings about
9/11 but A. it wasn't a natural disaster and B. Heard of WW1 or WW2 ?
This should be retracted right away.... I watch your channel pretty
much non stop during the day.... I was shocked and appalled My Mouth
dropped open ... We as Americans tend to wonder why the rest of the
world looks down at us as though we don't have a clue. Comments like
these on national and also if i believe correctly world wide coverage
are the reason.
Way to give Jon Stewart more credibility as a news man....
Sean Mailley
Mountaintop Pa

2005........

Yay, another new year started, another old year gone. Hopefully this one will be alot better than the last one. I have great friends on here, and I hope we all continue to be great friends. And yes, Matt was wasted when I called him, and I envy him his Jack Daniels. You better share next time, Matt!! Today was the day from hell at work (toilet stopping up, and coming out of the drains in the floor. and then when the maintenance guy came to fix it, he flushed the water up through the drain, so we had a veritable flood in our hallway.). It is just a sign of what my work life will be like for the next year, but hey, I do love my job as much as I complain about it, lol. Love you guys, and see you on the flip side (irc that is, hehe).

I did it again..

Last night was pretty fun. I think I got the most drunk of all. I drank 3/5 of a 5th and never spilled a drop. Was I wasted? Yes. We're legally obligated to get drunk on New Years. I think our citizenship gets revoked if we're caught sober on that day..

Let me try to think here for a minute.. Everyone showed up last night except Melissa. MonMon's neighbors came out with fireworks when the clock struck midnight in her town. Sean was busy dealing with all the Hotel party-goers, and my drunkeness. Becky had a couple of drinks and even called me. I ranted about the local "Tobacco Road" gas station being bought-out. Brian popped in for a minute to say Happy New Year too.

Now it's all over and I can say that I had a good time. Especially since I didn't have a hang-over when I woke up. I just hope I didn't freak anyone out too much last night.

Well, 2005 is off on the right track so far. I'm still alive and as far as I know all my friends are too. I don't support "Binge Drinking".. Unless I'm the one who gets to do it.