Since I’m still using a Windows XP box for work – now, now, stop booing – I’ve added a few items to it to make it more bearable.

One nice addition is the Google Desktop Search sidebar. Now, if I can only get a hotkey to work for it then I’ll have a reasonable replacement for QuickSilver on the Mac.

The other item I’ve added is Cygwin – allowing me to have sane GNU (and other) tools at my disposal. I’m currently logged into a machine via openssh, with forwarded ports, using Cygwin.

Considering the stability improvement of XP this is an almost acceptable desktop. On a Windows box. How did that happen?

For those of you who know John, you can find some new footage at this link, and as other media is prepped and posted you can find it here

(This probably isn’t of much interest to those who don’t know John)

Like it or not, the computing industry leaders (namely, Intel & Microsoft) are dead set on ramming “Trusted Computing” down your throat.

Here is a little QuickTime film that discusses Trusted Computing (a.k.a. “TCPA”) in minor detail, and gives you links to http://www.againsttcpa.com/, a website with information on why this is good for Intel & MS, but badbadbad for consumers.

I thought about going to the “protests” and checking them out – there are certain to be a few here in the Bay area – but sanity overcame me and I decided I’d rather spend the day with my family. I realize that these people want attention more than anything, but I have better things to do.

However, if you want some coverage you can find some pictures here and here. There’s even some coverage of the EU protests here. Hopefully this coverage will soothe their pained egos.

Also, I see that in the latest breach of the of the levee that the Mayor of New Orleans is trapped in the rising floodwaters. Someone needs to sent help.

Finally, I have very little to add to this other than ‘Jesus never met a dinosaur he didn’t like’, or something like that. Sheesh.

We just did a bandwidth test here at Chez Templin and all I can say is… w00t!!!!

If I ever were to leave the USA I think I would move to The Conch Republic

Get all you need at The Generator Blog.

Mind you, these are not electrical generators…

I’m really hoping I never need the Ticket Assassin. I’m imagining some sort of sniper guy…

Actually, the site is interesting, with a mix of tactics that you can use to defeat a traffic ticket. Well worth reading… dunno if it works.

I’ve recently started playing Urban Dead – A Massively Multi-Player Web-Based Zombie Apocalypse.

Ok, Second Life doesn’t have anything to worry about, but it is rather interesting. So far I’ve managed to run a lot, and 4 of the 4 bullets I fired at a zombie missed. I expect to be eating brains like the rest of them sometime soon.

I’m a little late mentioning this, but Cassini has found spokes in the rings of Saturn, something they’ve been searching for since Voyager noticed them during a fly-by.

I’ve got the shirt but I forgot to link to the essay.

Hey, it makes sense to me. Think about that.

As I noted here earlier, the Israeli’s are getting about as much joy as I expected from their withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu warned them – withdrawing to indefensible borders is a stupid idea. It’s not like the idiots in the UN or the press are going to give them any points for this. In fact, were Israel to be overrun, the only response I expect from the UN is a stern letter and the press would cluck their collective tongues and say “well, what did they expect?” as Israeli citizens are slaughtered.

As an example of what I’m talking about, where is the outrage over the fact that Hamas is converting a Synagogue to a Weapons museum. Can you imagine the outrage if the Israelis had taken some land and then converted a mosque into a museum? But with this, nary a whisper.

Taken with the rather sparse reporting of anti-semitic acts in Europe… there is an ill wind blowing, and a lot of the stench is coming from the mainstream media.

Born Programmer

From Slashdot :

Man arrested for being a techie

*I* am getting my son a Game Man.