China is going crazy

Ananova - Diners flock to flooded restaurant

I just found this on digg and i found it insane...thats why i bring it to you good readers.

Lifehacker editors tell what they use..and so do I

What We Use: The Lifehacker Editors' Favorite Software and Hardware

Given that I give you a link to an article like this I believe its time that I did my own version of this and yes i shall be following the lifehacker formula for my version.

The basics

• Firefox 3- This will come as a surprise to no one that I use Firefox..most geeks do. My main reason is the extensions scribefire, del.icio.us, and sage. These three help me blog, bookmark, and check feeds at greater speeds.
• Digsby- I've already ranted about this in a pervious post as my killer app. I use it for both my email accounts, both im adresses, my twitter, and my facebook.
• I tunes- What i use for my podcasts every morning.
• Wizmo- The windows gizmo created by Steve Gibson to make a few things a bit easier.
  

Primary OS

I used to run a computer with Windows XP and was very happy. Now i run Windows Vista Basic(yea go ahead and laugh) on my new computer and I am still happy. I don't get why everyone is so mad at it..of course my only speed bump was i had to get a new webcam but i was planning on doing that anyway.

Hardware

I only have one computer that I use and love. It used to be a dell desktop then i saved up and got me an inspiron notebook and im never going back. I have a Wii as well that has web capabiltys so i guess that counts as well.

Peripherals

I shall use this as a place to tell what is hooked to my computer at all times..save for when im up and about of course.

• Supersize earbud speakers- When it comes to my gadgets i prefer the funny type that still gets the job done.These speakers have great sound and look really cool
• TARDIS usb hub- It seems to be a trend for a geek to choose a usb hub that has some sort of gimic to it. Mine is a small version of the ship from Doctor Who that makes to engine sounds and flashes the lamp on top.
• 60 gig Ipod- I add this to the list because I use it anytime i need to move big files i use it as an external hard drive...if apple made a version of the touch that did this then id buy it in an instant but untill then my good 5th gen ipod suits me just fine.
• Cruiser micro 1gig- When it comes to smaller files i use my one gig flash drive to get the job done.
• Logitech wireless mouse- I dont know if anyone else has this problem but the only thing i find akward about my computer is the pannel at the bottem that is used for a mouse. Thats why i have an good old fashioned optical mouse to go around my screen with.

Webapps

• Hotmail- My primary email adress that only close friends can get ahold of.
• Yahoo mail- My secondary email for the blog and other things.
• Twitter- My favorite little microbloging tool for 140 letter posts.The only downside is I find it imposible to explain to anyone interested.
• Meebo- When my im clients failed me in the past i use this as a backup..and now if it ever happens again ill be covered.
• Del.icio.us- The only way to bookmark in my opinion.
• FriendFeed- I use this mainly as my way to update facebook without being there. All my feeds in one place.
• Drop.io- A great way to share files. I use it as a way to share fanfics(quit laughing I know im a geek)
  

Self Assesment

My main reason for trying things is my various sources I pay attention to. Im quick to try something out and not so quick to eventually drop it. Although once i find software for a certian purpose then i keep it like it were a child. Im not a big harware person and dont jump on gimicks often..unless Leo talked about it of course.. still when it comes to my computer I like things that get the job done if not also a bit silly as well.

A new facebook

I have a few friends that are having problems checking out the new facebook. Simply go to www.new.facebook.com to check out the new layout. I like it but it may take a while for me to get used to it but I defiantly can get used to the lack of crowding.

Disgruntled geeks

S.F. officials locked out of computer network

This story proves that..wait..have i said this before..oh well..we often hear about disgruntled postal workers or other types..but finally we get a story about disgruntled tech workers.

Gold in them thar iphones

Theres Lots of Money in Those Old iPhones - Bits - Technology - New York Times Blog

Since the 3G iphone came out everyone has gone nuts(some because of glitches). It turns out that a old iphone is actually still useful for some. Some things never stop surprising me.

My killer app

Digsby = IM + Email + Social Networks

It is inevitable that at some point in a persons life they will find that one app that was practically made for them..I have found that app. The term killer app is really appropriate because you know how long I've used it before i decided...one hour..that's it just one hour and I'm hooked. If your like me with a few social networks, two email/Instant message accounts, and a partrige in a pear tree(sorry I just had to say it) then this app is what youve been looking for. All your stuff..in only one app.

A neat performance

YouTube - Who Am I Casting Crowns

Watch this group of performers do a complex performance with just gloves a black light and the song Who Am I. You will be amazed..or at least inspired.

A question of legalty

YouTube - President BUSH PARDON's HIMSELF against POTENTIAL WARCRIMES

I had always had the thought in my head that if a president could pardon others why not himself. I thought this jokingly of course as i thought it could never happen and then sure enough following Chris Pirillo on twitter gave me the following vid.

One more reason why im happy to be where I am

Iran Parliament to Debate Death Penalty for Bloggers - ReadWriteWeb

Its things like this that make you happy that our country is what it is regardless of screw ups our government keeps making.

Search engines to detect if flash is involved in a site

Flash video Web search to get easier - Internet- msnbc.com

This should make things easier for dial up users that don't want to be slowed even more down by running into flash.

Viacom gets limited data from YouTube

Source: Protective order will keep Viacom out of sensitive YouTube user data | News - Digital Media - CNET News.com

This protects YouTube users(of which I am one) privacy at least..lets just hope that they don't find the data that they are looking for. Ill admit some do use it for those purposes but not on a grand scale. We are not a syndicate..merely those who hate tv and prefer the net to get the few things that are good on it.

Another geek term added to webster

Fanboy Added to Merriam-Webster Dictionary | /Film

I had to let everyone know about this..first it was woot added and now this...

A new seach engine

Viewzi — What are you looking for?

This is a flash based search engine that gives you different views. Im not saying its a google killer but it does present a new spin on searching with different sources and different ways to look at it if you don't like one.