Readers of this column have asked me why I chose to use a dialup connection instead of something faster. My answer was that it was an economic decision, but all has changed recently. I found a dsl service that compared favorably to the subscriptions I had, so I made the switch last month. And that switch may—or may not affect readers of this column. Until now, I have focused on websites that are accessible to anyone at any speed. And with my faster connection, I bring you site reviews that may leave present dialup customers wanting a faster connection. I’ll do my best to maintain a balance so that dialup users don’t feel totally left out of the ever-changing Internet environment.
Google Maps . Everyone is talking about Google Maps these days. And Google has much to brag about, in my estimation. Instead of plodding my way through that “other online map service,” I used Google Maps recently to find my way to a location in LaPorte following the back roads. I had the choice of looking at a regular, plotted map or a topographical, satellite view of the route. Pretty neat. The two views gave me something solid, in context, to make my way to my destination easily. Between Google Maps and a cell phone, there is no need for anyone to lose their way along the highways and byways. There is much to explore at the site, from familiar neighborhoods to more global views. Once you use Google Maps, most likely you won’t want to return to “that other online map service.”
Windows One Care . Microsoft is testing a new product that supposedly will be built in to its next upgrade of Windows (after XP). For a limited time, those interested in the beta version can sign up to give it a try. The program is supposed to supply an automatic computer maintenance/fixing/bug removal/optimizer so that we users no longer have to worry about scheduling our defrags (you DO defrag your hard drive weekly, don’t you?); or uploading updates for spyware, adware, malware, etc. All the regular computer maintenance that people tend to ignore will be done by this program. Or at least, that’s the general plan. I signed up to be a beta user and I believe the program will be available in a few weeks. I’ll let you know in a future column what I think of it. Or, go ahead and get yourself on the list of beta-users. You’ll need an MSN Passport account—if you have an Hotmail account, then you already have that account.
Patrick Crispen’s Powerpoint Tutorials . I get Patrick Crispen’s version of the Internet Tourbus/Netsquirrel weekly as an e-newsletter. It gives me lots of good, easy-to-digest technical information about using computers. Patrick has put together a large series of free tutorials that may be of interest to you. Some of these include instructions for taming Adobe Reader, Real Player, and Internet Explorer—tweaking them to your liking and making them run faster. Other tutorials include Advanced Searching Tips, Guidelines for Good Web Design, Troubleshooting for a Healthy Computer, and many more. The tutorials offer an alternative to using instructional books, and they’re free. In future columns, I’ll tell you about more free tutorials that you can find on the Internet.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Back By Popular Demand
Occasionally, this column gets letters asking for websites having to do with forecasting the future. Put all those letters together in a year’s time and I consider it “popular demand.” Since we’re nearing the end of the year and many people want to know ahead of time what the next year will bring them, I’ve collected an assortment of websites where they can glance into the future. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the information at these sites, so I absolve myself right now of any future blame. However, I’ll be glad to take the credit if your future reading turns out to be accurate.
Astrodienst. This is a generous website that provides you with a choice of personal daily horoscopes, a six-month (transit) forecast, and compatibility charts among other choices. When professional astrologers recommend this site, you know that you’re getting the real deal. Robert Hand’s “Planets in Transit” is used for the narratives you’ll find at the forecasts link. You’ll find Hand’s book, along with Liz Greene’s, on many a professional astrologer’s bookshelf. Much of the information, including the option to create charts, is free. Of course, you’ll find special deals that cost some money if you are not satisfied with the free information.
Destiny Cards . Destiny Card creator Robert L. Camp has devised a system of divination that might be called unique. It’s nothing like Tarot, and to understand it fully, you’ll have to get his books. But, if you want to take it at face value without trying to figure out his scheme, then go ahead. You will get a yearly, a 52-day cycle, and a daily card reading for free. Several years ago Camp offered a free download from his website so that you did not have to log on each day to read your card. Apparently, he stopped that. I downloaded his “mini-card program” and it’s still on my hard drive. Is it accurate? Well, sometimes I think it is, and other days, it has no relevance. But then, I don’t pay close enough attention, I confess. As with any of these divination systems, one has to truly believe in them—perhaps self-fulfilling prophecy.
Numerology. If you believe in the power of numbers, or in the belief that every letter has a unique vibration, then most likely you have already dabbled in numerology. This website gives you the opportunity to download a free program so that you can do your own calculations for either the Chaldean or Pythagorean systems. The program comes with reports.
ConsciousOne. If you have a high speed connection, soothing music will greet you at the site. On the left-hand menu, there is a box that says “Healing Cards.” This will take you to a page with Doreen Virtue’s popular Angel Healing cards are, and where you can give yourself an online reading. Look around the website. You may find other things of interest to you. Just be sure you get the spelling of c-o-n-s-c-i-o-u-s correct.
Triple Goddess Cards . Another place to get a free reading. This time, the deck is based on Tarot and rather than “choosing” your cards, the computer automatically chooses for you. Consider it synchronicity. Now, just because the cards have “goddess” in the title does not necessarily mean that only women can access the cards.
Astrodienst. This is a generous website that provides you with a choice of personal daily horoscopes, a six-month (transit) forecast, and compatibility charts among other choices. When professional astrologers recommend this site, you know that you’re getting the real deal. Robert Hand’s “Planets in Transit” is used for the narratives you’ll find at the forecasts link. You’ll find Hand’s book, along with Liz Greene’s, on many a professional astrologer’s bookshelf. Much of the information, including the option to create charts, is free. Of course, you’ll find special deals that cost some money if you are not satisfied with the free information.
Destiny Cards . Destiny Card creator Robert L. Camp has devised a system of divination that might be called unique. It’s nothing like Tarot, and to understand it fully, you’ll have to get his books. But, if you want to take it at face value without trying to figure out his scheme, then go ahead. You will get a yearly, a 52-day cycle, and a daily card reading for free. Several years ago Camp offered a free download from his website so that you did not have to log on each day to read your card. Apparently, he stopped that. I downloaded his “mini-card program” and it’s still on my hard drive. Is it accurate? Well, sometimes I think it is, and other days, it has no relevance. But then, I don’t pay close enough attention, I confess. As with any of these divination systems, one has to truly believe in them—perhaps self-fulfilling prophecy.
Numerology. If you believe in the power of numbers, or in the belief that every letter has a unique vibration, then most likely you have already dabbled in numerology. This website gives you the opportunity to download a free program so that you can do your own calculations for either the Chaldean or Pythagorean systems. The program comes with reports.
ConsciousOne. If you have a high speed connection, soothing music will greet you at the site. On the left-hand menu, there is a box that says “Healing Cards.” This will take you to a page with Doreen Virtue’s popular Angel Healing cards are, and where you can give yourself an online reading. Look around the website. You may find other things of interest to you. Just be sure you get the spelling of c-o-n-s-c-i-o-u-s correct.
Triple Goddess Cards . Another place to get a free reading. This time, the deck is based on Tarot and rather than “choosing” your cards, the computer automatically chooses for you. Consider it synchronicity. Now, just because the cards have “goddess” in the title does not necessarily mean that only women can access the cards.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Holiday Table Tips & Gingerbread Houses
So. You are getting out the linen napkins and planning to set a fine table. I’ve found just the place for you to find out how to make fancy napkin folds, pair wines, and set the table. After the holiday meal, you might plan to add to your weekend tradition the baking, building and decorating of a gingerbread house. Now, doesn’t that sound more fun than fighting the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping crush? Since I’m in co-charge of the annual Gingerbread House Exhibit & Contest at the
Gingerbread Lane . Put aside all thoughts of your basic gingerbread cabin when you log on to this site’s showcase link. There are some incredibly sophisticated displays of gingerbread “wonders” here. View the amusement park created by Jock McCoy, with a roller coaster that really works. Two other spectacular creations on this page feature a gingerbread model of
Thursday, November 17, 2005
More Wacky, Wild and Weird Sites
Last week I ran out of room listing wacky, wild and/or just plain weird sites that proliferate on the Web. Here are a few more.
Sibology. If there are times when you think your thinking is off-balance, you might want to use this site as a reality check for yourself. You’ll discover that your thinking is well within the boundaries of ordinary. Notice that I did not use the word “normal”? “Sib.” according to this site author, stands for “super intelligent beings.” And just about everyone in government, in computer engineering, and lots of others are targets for a verbal lashing. Whoever created this site is passionate about his (or her) beliefs. If you need a definition for “rant,” log on here.
Eternal Life Device . The FDA won’t approve Alex’s device, but this inventor is convinced that his invention will keep a person living forever. He is so sure, and apparently so altruistic, that he is giving away instructions on how to construct your own eternal life device. He also has an order form if you don’t want to bother with such stuff (but then, you’d never run out of time, would you)? The device is worn on the fingers and resembles a big ring. And there is a foot model that looks sort of like a torture object that might appeal to directors of concentration camps. Take a look.
Russian Mouse . Are you ready to spend $60 for a computer mouse? How about $160 for a keyboard? Well, not just any mouse, or any keyboard. Some person who hails from Russia spends his (or her) time painting intricate characters (think: Shrek), folkloric people, and scenes on the electronic devices. And the artist does a very good job, I’d say. I’m wondering if the artist found a supply of used mice and keyboards to use as his canvas. Not that it matters. If you want to be the first on your block—or in your cubicle—to have an artfully designed mouse or keyboard, this is the place to find it. As for me, I don’t pay enough attention to my keyboard or mouse when I use my computer—I’m too busy looking directly at the screen.
International Museum of Toilets . Yes, there really IS such a place. It’s in New Delhi, India. Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak has taken it upon himself to collect some extraordinarily ornate models that would fit well in a Baroque-designed dwelling. What’s more, Dr. Pathak has researched the history of toilets to way, way back in time, and he dedicates a page to ancient “rules of usage” that is quite a fascinating read. Dr. Pathak is not some Internet crank—his credentials include presenting a history paper at the International Symposium on Public Toilets held in Hong Kong in 1995.
Spiders on Drugs . Here you will discover that drinking too much coffee is worse than ingesting hard drugs. Well, at least it looks that way when you see the webs lab spiders have spun after they have been inoculated with such other substances as marijuana, mescaline, LSD, and Benzedrine. The photos of the spider webs illustrate an experiment that NASA scientists engaged in, seeking to measure toxicity relationships. The coffee web looks the worst (at least to me). But read the captions carefully. The spiders behaved differently because of a particular drug’s effect. Coffee revved them up. Marijuana got them going, then got them chilling out for a long snooze, so their webs were not completed. At least the coffee subjects finished their webs…
Sibology. If there are times when you think your thinking is off-balance, you might want to use this site as a reality check for yourself. You’ll discover that your thinking is well within the boundaries of ordinary. Notice that I did not use the word “normal”? “Sib.” according to this site author, stands for “super intelligent beings.” And just about everyone in government, in computer engineering, and lots of others are targets for a verbal lashing. Whoever created this site is passionate about his (or her) beliefs. If you need a definition for “rant,” log on here.
Eternal Life Device . The FDA won’t approve Alex’s device, but this inventor is convinced that his invention will keep a person living forever. He is so sure, and apparently so altruistic, that he is giving away instructions on how to construct your own eternal life device. He also has an order form if you don’t want to bother with such stuff (but then, you’d never run out of time, would you)? The device is worn on the fingers and resembles a big ring. And there is a foot model that looks sort of like a torture object that might appeal to directors of concentration camps. Take a look.
Russian Mouse . Are you ready to spend $60 for a computer mouse? How about $160 for a keyboard? Well, not just any mouse, or any keyboard. Some person who hails from Russia spends his (or her) time painting intricate characters (think: Shrek), folkloric people, and scenes on the electronic devices. And the artist does a very good job, I’d say. I’m wondering if the artist found a supply of used mice and keyboards to use as his canvas. Not that it matters. If you want to be the first on your block—or in your cubicle—to have an artfully designed mouse or keyboard, this is the place to find it. As for me, I don’t pay enough attention to my keyboard or mouse when I use my computer—I’m too busy looking directly at the screen.
International Museum of Toilets . Yes, there really IS such a place. It’s in New Delhi, India. Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak has taken it upon himself to collect some extraordinarily ornate models that would fit well in a Baroque-designed dwelling. What’s more, Dr. Pathak has researched the history of toilets to way, way back in time, and he dedicates a page to ancient “rules of usage” that is quite a fascinating read. Dr. Pathak is not some Internet crank—his credentials include presenting a history paper at the International Symposium on Public Toilets held in Hong Kong in 1995.
Spiders on Drugs . Here you will discover that drinking too much coffee is worse than ingesting hard drugs. Well, at least it looks that way when you see the webs lab spiders have spun after they have been inoculated with such other substances as marijuana, mescaline, LSD, and Benzedrine. The photos of the spider webs illustrate an experiment that NASA scientists engaged in, seeking to measure toxicity relationships. The coffee web looks the worst (at least to me). But read the captions carefully. The spiders behaved differently because of a particular drug’s effect. Coffee revved them up. Marijuana got them going, then got them chilling out for a long snooze, so their webs were not completed. At least the coffee subjects finished their webs…
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Wacky, Wild and Weird
Need a laugh about now? I’ve found some places on the Internet that are worth a good laugh. Or, if not a good laugh, an opportunity to mull over the notion that humans who post to the Web come in all flavors and take up some imaginative—even out-of-this-world kinds of projects. Have fun logging on to some or all of the following.
Pumpkin Computer . What do you do with your pumpkin after Halloween is long past, assuming no pies have been baked? A few ingenious students transformed a pumpkin into a working computer. Honest. You can see for yourself at this website and since they were nice enough to provide step-by-step instructions, you, too can be the first on your block to have a pumpkin computer.
Receipt Collection . Mark Thomas is a self-avowed collector. He does not explain why he chooses to save, scan and upload every receipt he receives for every purchase he makes. Why he thinks the average surfer might find his website of scanned receipts one to bookmark and return to, I don’t know. After I viewed just one page of his receipts (he has more than 2,000 posted), I was wishing that he might put aside the electronics for awhile and go out and get some fresh air. But then, judging from the information on his receipts, I can see that this guy really does get around.
Confuse Your House Guests . A pair of twentysomethings found a way to turn their living room sideways. Yes, almost upside down, but in this case, sideways. Sound like a college prank? That’s sort of correct. The guys who did this give step-by-step directions on how they performed their trick, no magic, just amazing ingenuity. When you see the pictures, you can imitate what they’ve done in time for April Fool’s Day. Beware. This is no small project.
A Year of Stuffed Animals . A guy by the name of Jacob must have been given a ton of scrap material. Jacob’s hobby, if that is what it is called, is to make a stuffed animal a day. He’s posted pictures of some of his results, and don’t expect department-store stuffed animals when you go to his site.
Eat 22 . If Jacob can make a stuffed animal a day, then Ellie can photograph every morsel of food that has hit her lips for the past year. Yet, Ellie took her project a few steps further. She had a gala gallery reception after the year was up. Guests nibbled on tiny cupcakes with “Eat 22” lettered in the frosting. And, she made a poster of her many eating sessions—a collage of photos—available for purchase. Does she deserve an award for entrepreneurial genius or what?
MOFA . Since we are on the subject of food, here is a gallery that our food writer, Carolyn McConnell, might enjoy. MOFA stands for Museum of Food Anomalies. Web viewers are invited to send in their weird food pictures for posting. How about a ghost-faced cereal? Or a green pepper, when cut open, reveals a smiley face? Go ahead—look around and waste some time. Pretty soon you, too, will be examining every edible for an anomaly. Too bad Ellie (Eat 22, posted above) didn’t think of doing that.
Wait! There’s more. I’ll write about them next week, since I’m out of room. Meanwhile, check out my new, improved website, Artmedia-Indiana which shows the results of my six weeks of toil completing my online website building class.
Pumpkin Computer . What do you do with your pumpkin after Halloween is long past, assuming no pies have been baked? A few ingenious students transformed a pumpkin into a working computer. Honest. You can see for yourself at this website and since they were nice enough to provide step-by-step instructions, you, too can be the first on your block to have a pumpkin computer.
Receipt Collection . Mark Thomas is a self-avowed collector. He does not explain why he chooses to save, scan and upload every receipt he receives for every purchase he makes. Why he thinks the average surfer might find his website of scanned receipts one to bookmark and return to, I don’t know. After I viewed just one page of his receipts (he has more than 2,000 posted), I was wishing that he might put aside the electronics for awhile and go out and get some fresh air. But then, judging from the information on his receipts, I can see that this guy really does get around.
Confuse Your House Guests . A pair of twentysomethings found a way to turn their living room sideways. Yes, almost upside down, but in this case, sideways. Sound like a college prank? That’s sort of correct. The guys who did this give step-by-step directions on how they performed their trick, no magic, just amazing ingenuity. When you see the pictures, you can imitate what they’ve done in time for April Fool’s Day. Beware. This is no small project.
A Year of Stuffed Animals . A guy by the name of Jacob must have been given a ton of scrap material. Jacob’s hobby, if that is what it is called, is to make a stuffed animal a day. He’s posted pictures of some of his results, and don’t expect department-store stuffed animals when you go to his site.
Eat 22 . If Jacob can make a stuffed animal a day, then Ellie can photograph every morsel of food that has hit her lips for the past year. Yet, Ellie took her project a few steps further. She had a gala gallery reception after the year was up. Guests nibbled on tiny cupcakes with “Eat 22” lettered in the frosting. And, she made a poster of her many eating sessions—a collage of photos—available for purchase. Does she deserve an award for entrepreneurial genius or what?
MOFA . Since we are on the subject of food, here is a gallery that our food writer, Carolyn McConnell, might enjoy. MOFA stands for Museum of Food Anomalies. Web viewers are invited to send in their weird food pictures for posting. How about a ghost-faced cereal? Or a green pepper, when cut open, reveals a smiley face? Go ahead—look around and waste some time. Pretty soon you, too, will be examining every edible for an anomaly. Too bad Ellie (Eat 22, posted above) didn’t think of doing that.
Wait! There’s more. I’ll write about them next week, since I’m out of room. Meanwhile, check out my new, improved website, Artmedia-Indiana which shows the results of my six weeks of toil completing my online website building class.
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