No fear : No hesitation : No surprises : No doubt

FeedBurner

2007-02-22T23:26:00.000Z

Feedburner is another way to get noticed in the blogging and blogcast world. THe site is a provider of media distribution and audience engagement service for blogs and RSS feeds ... some big names on there and looks like a big social network.

Floola ipod cross platform manager

2007-02-22T16:18:00.001Z

Floola is an ipod manager which needs no installation, i.e. it can run straight from your ipod, it runs over Linux, Windows and OSX, it has many features such as playlists, lyrics support, podcasts, notes, copy and artwork, oh and plus video too.

Want to know the best bit ---- its Freeware.

I have been using Anapod Explorer for a while now and really like it a lot but there is no Linux version, so I can't jump between work and home PCs at the moment ..... Floola may be a work around....

Spotback news web site

2007-02-22T13:24:00.001Z

SpotBack is a personalized news WEB site which, like MANY other personalized news WEB sites, lets you trawl through the news in areas of interest to you. You can set up news alerts to an email account filtered by key tags as well but what seems cool is the ability to follow music news, which if they have any mp3 links attached to will play for you. Nice idea.

BBC steps closer to offering Internet TV

2007-02-01T13:42:00.001Z

It looks as though the BBC will continue their listen again radio service, where you can hear radio shows up to 7 days after they air, with an on demand Internet TV service for ALL BBC TV shows. A select number of shows have been available online for a while now, but this promises to be much, much bigger.

Channel 4 (also in the UK) tried something similar but a lot of their content was not free, so you would have been just as well to record the show yourself, BBC however say that their content will be free although you will only be able to download a show up to 7 days after it has been on and then only store it on your HDD for up to 30days.

They are calling it iPlayer and a final decision on the service will be made before May 2nd 2007 after public consultation.

Java password generator

2007-01-31T15:07:00.001Z

Zarate labs has a JAVA based password generator here called SuperGenPass. It basically takes a "master" password and then uses a one-way hash function based on ths master password and the WEB site domain you happen to be reading to generate a unique password.

Full instructions are here .... really easy to use by all accounts !!

SendUit file shareing service

2007-01-30T10:58:00.001Z

There are many occasions when you may need to send large files where email is probably not practical .... SendUit is a great little service which allows you to do just that.

Upload your files (100mb limit) set the download time (how long will the file be available) then send your secure URL to the people who need to download the file.

Their privacy policy is here

Live Writer works with the new Blogger

2007-01-23T17:26:00.001Z

This being a Blogger account i was disappointed when Blogger.Beta stopped working with Microsoft Live Writer (MLW). I've just gone through a PC rebuild and installed the latest MLW and it all works again. Not sure if this is simply becuase the new Blogger is out of Beta or if MLW now supports the new Blogger (it fell in a heap when I tried to connect the two previously) .... either way it works and all is good.

Vista DreamScene

2007-01-16T14:27:00.000Z

Windows Dreamscene is an animated wallpaper and video technology for Microsoft Vista Ultimate, (note: It is ONLY for Ultimate). It is part of the Ultimate Extras package and runs on top of Aero Glass and apparently does not take up a lot of CPU usage. I have not tried it yet but the idea is very simply that you can use video as desktop backgrounds, be that some of the free samples that come with the package or use your own.
I intend to try it out soon, so will post some thoughts and findings then

Speed up IE for Windows

2006-12-17T20:35:00.000Z

OK, first off you need to use regedt32 for this ... if you have never used this, or not sure then read up on it first, get used to it then try this ... you could muck up Windows if you don't know what you are doing ... you have been warned !!

Close IE
Goto regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings
Create two DWORD values [Right click, New> DWORD Value] as follows
MaxConnections Per1_0Server : Decimal value 10
MaxConnections PerServer : Decimal value 10
(if you already have these two DWORDs then increase the decimal value to 10 in each

Open IE and you should see a load page performace increase.

Why does this work?
Internet Explorer performance is greatly dependent in part on the number of simultaneous connections that can be made for a current page. By default, the value is 4. This means only a maximum of 4 simultaneous connectons will be made per server.

Top Gear is back .....................................

2006-12-14T14:19:00.000Z

Just read an article which has the good news that Top Gear will air on BBC2 (UK channel) in Jan 08, with Richard Hammond back in his usual spot fully recovered after the terrible 300mph crash he had earlier in the year.
You just know its gonna be good...........................................................

Podcasts to help learn a new language

2006-12-11T14:02:00.000Z

Learning a new language can take a lot of time, effort, dedication -- so here is a set of Podcasts which you can download and listen to on your mp3 player or PC ... learn while you walk :-)

New coke advert

2006-12-09T10:06:00.000Z

This is a bit of fun ... new advert for Coke .... sort of the Donnie Darko film meets Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy ...... its hard to explain but excellent to watch (and the music is not too bad either)

Line Rider

2006-12-08T14:47:00.000Z

Been playing this for what seems like forever. This is not the original, but it does take a great idea and adds an UNDO function

Probably the best online game in the world

2006-12-08T14:11:00.000Z

Kind of like Pictionary but online and against LOADS of people
Its free, its fun, its a laugh and its here

Windows VISTA product overview demo

2006-12-07T16:11:00.000Z

Its not clever, its not technical, its not thorough and neither does it have bells and whistles, but this little demo from Microsoft on Vista's main product enhancments is easy to watch, informative and
you can watch the bits of interest and ignore the rest.

Man creates a giant Google Maps marker

2006-12-02T16:26:00.000Z

I don't understand the text -- but the pictures talk for themselves. HERE

How to run IE6 and IE7 on the same machine

2006-12-02T16:19:00.000Z

I've been using IE7 since early betas and tended to have my main machine with IE6 and either a test machine (or virtual machine) with IE7 ..... simply because getting IE6 and IE7 working side by side is a pain ... if at all possible !!!!!
So, now IE7 is here I have put "that" on my main machine but still find sites which dont work correctly, and the prospect of cutting another VPC with XP, SP2 and IE6 was annoying .... guess what though, Microsoft have just done it for me HERE
Ok, its time bombed till April 1st 07, but its free - no extra license needed and all the work has been done. Should do nicely and give sites the chance to roll up to IE7 ready.

2006-12-02T13:44:00.000Z

I've blogged similar things in the past, but there is so much free, good open source software out there that lists like these are a haven for some excellent utilities on just about every software need you may have....................

Dancing line art

2006-11-25T14:01:00.000Z

What can you say, other than click here draw a picture and let it dance around the WEB.
Or, watch other peoples dance for your pleasure.

Random day out generator

2006-11-13T14:52:00.000Z

Stuck for something to do in a place you don't really know (or know well but want to know better) then try the Random Dayout generator

Why Wikis Are Conquering The Enterprise

2006-11-13T14:34:00.000Z

Wikis are an amazing collaboration tool because at their core, they are about as simple as can be. That simplicity means that people find them easy to use, just like e-mail and blogs. It has not taken long for the enterprise to hook into the idea and this article makes for a good read if your interested in that sort of thing.

Free academic podcasts

2006-11-12T11:41:00.001Z

A list of free online academic lectures to download and listen to on your mp3 player ... either a good way to keep your mind sharp while travelling .... or another excuse to miss the real thing and just stay in bed. Some good topics though and remember, they are free

Flickr wallpaper submissions

2006-11-08T13:18:00.000Z

From time to time I wander through Flichr and have a browse ... this caught my eye and is very nice. Lots of user submissions on their best computer screen wallpapers.

Mario meets Grand Theft Auto

2006-11-07T02:17:00.000Z

LMAO .... very good Mario and Lugi in Vice city

Microsoft solutions available on VHDs

2006-11-06T23:40:00.000Z

Microsoft are allowing you to download evaluation enterprise software which is pre-configured in a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) to run under Virtual Server 2005 R2.

Not everything needs a computer

2006-11-06T16:01:00.000Z

Found this today ... apparently some things in life can still be done without a 'puter .... and this site helps.

These are printable forms for everyday tasks.

Very useful list of cheat sheets

2006-10-31T09:12:00.000Z

Whether you are trying to bluff your way through a software product or want to remind yourself of some actions then here is a great list of cheatsheets for a load of software titles

IE7 download stats

2006-10-26T15:38:00.000+01:00

Microsoft have release some stats to show the number of times that IE7 has been downloaded in the first few days since the product's release. Of course with the inclusion of IE7 as an update package it's hard to split the %age between intentional (manual) downloads and "update" downloads but this takes nothing away from the fact that IE7 is long overdue and widely welcomed, given the outdated IE6.

Mozzila has also release FireFox 2 in the last day or so and going by this graph their download numbers are impresive as well, though I can't quite figure out what the graph "actually" shows !!!!

iTunes copy protection 'cracked'

2006-10-25T20:34:00.000+01:00

This is interesting, very interesting .... the technology for 3rd parties to "create" iTunes compatible devices and Apple may not have the power to stop them ....... need to do more digg'n into this, but the implications sound huge.

Yahoo time capsule project

2006-10-24T00:45:00.000+01:00

Yahoo are running a time capsule project which, going by the blurb on the home page:

For 30 days, from October 10 until November 8, Yahoo! users worldwide can contribute photos, writings, videos, audio — even drawings — to this electronic anthropology project."

I blogged about the "Britain's biggest blog" (see below), but this seems much grander somehow.

IT Security community in the UK

2006-10-24T00:29:00.000+01:00

A nice forum for those interested in IT security; those looking to enhance their secruity knowledge and those with generally more sence than money when it comes to IT security

Anatomically correct Second Life skin

2006-10-23T22:39:00.000+01:00

Been playing Second Life for a wee while now and although I still dont understand what you are suppose to be doing I do fancy dressing the avatar in one of these though. I don't think that Miss Kim (who created them) has posted the How To yet :-(

Game exhibition in London Science Museum

2006-10-23T13:55:00.000+01:00

The title says it all really ................ click here for more info

I need to find a work reason to go to London between those dates :-)

But, there is a cool wee game on the site to keep you entertained even if you cannot go.

Firefox 2 RC 1

2006-10-23T13:19:00.000+01:00

cnet video looking at Firefox 2 RC1

Vista RC2 is coming............

2006-10-23T13:16:00.000+01:00

............ but going on this report in cnet this release has no new features but instead some new fit and finish additions .... yet its still not ready for GOLD release?

Look forward to see it for myself.

Online file sharing service

2006-10-23T10:34:00.000+01:00

MYBloop -- free file sharing service, lots of images, videos, music etc.

Windows Vista Bitlocker

2006-10-22T18:21:00.000+01:00

Blogged from Steve Lamb's TEchnet space

Bitlocker is the feature of Windows Vista that I'm asked about more than any other. There follows a list of links to an excellent series of resources covering BitLocker in technical detail. Before I get to the guides I'd also like to refer you to the BitLocker Team blog which is a great source of information in itself including details of the recent cosmetic changes to the interface in the BitLocker Makeover.

By far the most popular guide is the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide

Windows Vista Trusted Platform Module Services Step by Step Guide

BitLocker Executive Overview

A Technical review of BitLocker Drive Encryption

Best Practices for Trusted Platform Module Management

BitLocker and TPM Services – Glossary

Windows Vista BitLocker Client Platform Requirements

BitLocker Drive Encryption Frequently Asked Questions

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Value-Add Extensibility Options

Hardware requirements for BitLocker Drive Encryption

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Scenarios, User Experience, and Flow

BAES-CBC + Elephant diffuser A Disk Encryption Algorithm for Windows Vista

AnAppAday.com

2006-10-18T13:58:00.000+01:00

Community driven blogg where the Software Jedi codes an app a day ... some very cool things on there .......

Body bag beanbag

2006-10-18T10:44:00.000+01:00

Udderstuff is selling a beanbag in three sizes dead large, dead medium, and dead small. Each bean bag has a bright pink body shaped inner bag which contains the beans.

Or maybe you prefer the Ouija mouse mat or coat hanging noose .....

Then again, maybe not !!!!!

Britian's biggest blog

2006-10-17T10:35:00.000+01:00

The National Trust is encouraging people to record a diary of their day on a website, as part of what is being called "Britain's biggest blog".

The blogs will then be stored by the British Library and at other locations.

The trust says it will create a "fascinating social history archive" of everyday life for future generations.

Runs October 17th

Wear your computer problems

2006-10-16T15:20:00.000+01:00

Cool T-Shirts that show the world your computer problems

Use Office 2007 file formats in older Office applications

2006-10-12T21:56:00.000+01:00

The Compatibility Pack is an addon for MS Office 2000 / XP / 2003 which will allow you to open, edit, save and create files using the robust file formats which are new to Office 2007

Easy animation techniques

2006-10-10T12:17:00.000+01:00

Some ideas and techniques which make animation that little bit easier and more accessable.

70 Wild Miles - a beginning

2006-10-02T21:29:00.000+01:00

It must have been one of those "anything goes" moments, but I said yes when asked if I wanted to compete in the 70 WIld Miles triathlon.

Held every year in Glencoe, a very beautiful part of Scotland, it consists of a 47 mile cycle, 10 mile canoe and a 13 mile run.... and all for a very good cause; CLIC Sargent (Caring for Children with Cancer) and cancer research in general.

So, where to begin and why blog it?

Well, blogging it seems like an ideal way to share the experience and perhaps give others some information on resources I find. As for where to begin, I have no idea.

:-)

Seriously though, I need to talk to someone about a fitness program, need to learn how to canoe, learn about endurance races, find resources I can use and get training........ just as the Scottish autumn is closing in ... perfect timing !!!!!!!!!!!!

The 46 best-ever Freeware utils

2006-09-18T14:16:00.000+01:00

These lists pop up all the time ... but it is always worth a read to see if there is something you may be missing.

A good list here and some fantastic products mentioned.

ipod resource

2006-09-08T16:22:00.000+01:00

I've not had my iPod long, but finally joined the ranks and bought a 5G 60gb video which I have to say is pretty cool. iLounge is a damn good resource for all things iPod and iPod like.

Horse Head Pillow

2006-09-08T10:54:00.000+01:00

This made me laugh --- a pillow shaped like a horses head

Relive THAT moment from The GodFather or just simply have a wonderfull conversation piece

Windows Vista step-by-step guides for IT professionals

2006-09-07T22:43:00.000+01:00

As Vista looms (RC1 has been around for a wee while now) the following documents are a must for those of us who will deply, migrate, support and play with the new OS from Microsoft.

Science experiments for you and the kids

2006-09-07T21:17:00.000+01:00

Subject says it all

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/video/

Everything2.com

2006-09-07T21:16:00.001+01:00

A Place to Read
E2 offers you and the entire Web world a huge amount of original writing of many kinds. You can find informative articles on just about anything you can imagine, but there is also humor, poetry, fiction, opinion, criticism, personal experiences and other things that are simply hard to categorize.

A Place to Write
You can become a member of the community and publish your own writing. Unlike some Web publishing venues, you retain all rights on what you share with us and the world.

A Place to Discuss and Socialize
E2 lets you interact with the highly diverse community of people who write the Everything2 content. You can give them feedback on their work and receive feedback on your own. You can message others or chat in real time. You can join groups of members that share your special interests.

Stream iTunes to your wireless devices

2006-09-07T21:16:00.000+01:00

Streaming audio and video to your wireless devices just got a whole lot easier
http://www.skattertech.com/2006/04/stream-itunes-library-to-psp/

Collect - Organise - Share

2006-09-07T21:15:00.000+01:00

Onfolio is the complete solution for collecting, organizing and sharing online content. Built into the browser, Onfolio is a convenient and familiar tool that will make your web research more efficient and organized

Hak.5 video blog episodes

2006-09-07T21:13:00.000+01:00

Been a fan of these guys for a while now ... some interesting hacks, some cool projects and just generally a good watch. ipod versions are available as well as mediaplayer, and it is all free ... less you want to donate or buy from the shop.

Link to Hak.5 » Episodes

Some classic BBC information films

2006-09-07T21:09:00.000+01:00

"Charlie says" look at these

Link to films

To start things off

2006-09-07T21:03:00.000+01:00

Usual Hello World post to get this blog off the ground