Google, Apple and the threat to Microsoft

An interesting premise, as put forth by Robert Cringely

Talk Like a Pirate Day: September 19th

Avast, maties! It's that time again. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is coming up in a couple of weeks. It's not yet a Hallmark holiday, so enjoy.

Make your Mac a webserver

Did you know anyone with a Mac running OSX and a high-speed constant internet connection can can make their own personal web server? The computer to be the server doesn't need to be the latest or greatest, just capable of running OSX. OSX comes stock with the powerful UNIX based Apache server software, and numerous otherWith the aid of online articles such as those written by Alan Graham setting up a webserver is fairly simple and powerful. Once you have a web server, you can host your own site, even without a static IP address, have unlimited online storage, set up a music server, even start your own web radio station.

Drunken Toyota Sailor

Has anyone noticed that the current ad campaign for Toyota features the old sea shanty "What Can You Do with a Drunken Sailor?" in the TV commercials. What's up with that?

DMOZ.org

Improve your site listing by having it accurately described and placed within the internet's core database for the most popular search engines.

poppeimages widget

A widget that shows underwater images.

Weather Widget

Cool radar or satellite imagery powers this widget for OS 10.4 that providing current weather data.

Big Surprise: Roberts Backpedals

Religious extremist and certified nutjob Pat Roberts said that his inflammatory remarks calling for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez were 'misconstrued'. Later, Robertson lied, denying that he used the word 'assassination', despite video tape evidence he did. How can Robertson's own words "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it." be 'misconstrued'?

Maybe it's only 9 commandments

Or maybe they're only suggestions. Radical right-wing evangelical extremist Pat Roberts puts his foot in his mouth, again. Good thing he represents the civilized religion of peace and freedom. So, just how is a televangelist issuing a death threat against a democratically elected leader of another country different from a mullah issuing a fatwa against citizens of our country?

Cool Widgets

For the Mac users among us using OSX Tiger (10.4), VanillaSoap is a source for some cool widgets, including screen capture, bit torrent and games modules.

Moog dead at 71

Dr. Robert Moog, electronic music pioneer and inventor of many instruments including the Moog synthesizer has died.

Yes, it's true, Jen and Chris are going to enter the realm of parenthood!

Gas Prices

Sometimes, it's best to look at the big picture. Gasoline prices in the U.S. really aren't that expensive compared to the rest of the so-called first world. The real problem is that too many automobiles in the U.S. have terrible fuel efficiency because they are obese, gas-guzzling monstrosities. If we are truly at war, it should be the patriotic duty of every American to drive a fuel efficient car to lessen our dependence on foreign oil or for that matter oil, period. Why does Detroit have no answer to the Toyota Prius, the VW Golf TDI or even the Smart car?

Firefly phone

A cell phone for kids. A good idea, actually.

Flying Spaghetti Monster

Finally there is a reasonable, and intelligent solution to the evolution vs. creationism problem. Good thing we won't have to think anymore.

Film Score Monthly

Film Score Monthly is a terrific resource for info about great soundtracks from the past. They issue cds of hard to find and rare music from film. Check out their online store.

A cool 11.5' wide house

This house in Toronto was built in a spot of land where a one car garage had previously been.

Stella is one month old!

See what Stella thinks about this milestone event.

Eichler Network

Resources for California Modern architecture.

Custom House Numbers

I've never been that satisfied with the choices available at the local hardware store, so for those of you like me, finding a company that manufactures custom stainless stell and aluminum address numbers is terrific.

World's Smallest Political Quiz

In case you were wondering how you will be categorized once The Man starts herding us into camps, give this a try.

Flying Carpet

An amazing effect of digitally imaged carpeting depicting an aerial view.

Target rents the New Yorker

The August 22nd edition of the New Yorker will feature ads from a single advertiser: Target.

Supereggplant.com

Supereggplant is a well designed blog with good photos and interesting subjects.

Cubicles of the Living Dead

A nice little online comic book story of life in the office.

Christian Paradox

America is simultaneously the most professedly Christian of the developed nations and the least Christian in its behavior. In a nation where a majority claim to be Christian, most are unfamiliar with the basic tenets upon which their religion is based.

The demise of the Red Delicious apple

Over manipulation has destroyed the marketability and taste of the supermarket standard apple. For years, I've preferred other variants of apples, largely because I have found the Red Delicious to merely be red.

Black & White in digital photography

Suggestions for achieving high quality black and white effects using a digital camera

Names for the tenth planet

The top ten suggested names for the tenth planet, from NewScientist.

Star Chemistry

A game that tests your knowledge of movies stars. This one is especially for my little Dairy Queen.

World's ugliest dog

Apparently this title belongs to Sam, the Chinese Crested Hairless dog.

If biblical creation is true why fund Nasa?

An curious question that will probably not receive an answer, at least from the current regime.

Dog clone

Seoul National University in South Korea has successfully cloned a dog, named "Snuppy".

M*A*S*H quotes

M*A*S*H was the first sit-com of its kind and its early success can be attributed to good characters and snappy dialogue. I have good memories of the first time broadcasts as well as being able to catch reruns usually several times a day. Larry Linville as Frank Burns remains one of the best character/actor combos of all time. Over the 11 years of the series the storyline became a bit bogged down and moved toward being sappy or preachy (particularly the Alan Alda directed episodes), but this program is still much better than most of what is now produced for television. Thanks to my little soldier for the link.

Photos of Paris

From then (Atget) and now (Sophie).

Short article on guerilla artist Banksy

Banksy is an inventive and talented subculture artist who has successfully placed his works in major museums surreptitiously.

Elevator Hack

With this simple hack, you can be in command of your own elevator.

Bouncy balls

Thousands of rubber balls released into the wild!

Latest Stella News

Stell has been busy. The latest news section of the Stella area is up and running. Check back frequently for updates and additions.

Travel Tips

Packing suggestions for a summer trip to Europe.

Apple's new mouse

A snazzy new touch sensitive scrolling, rolling mouse.

Jury Duty

I fulfilled my civic obligation and reported to jury duty a 8:30 this morning. Other than morning being my least enjoyed time of day, appearing was no problem. There were more than 150 other people in the waiting area, so I thought the chances were good that I would be leaving soon. After filling out the standard questionnaire and emphasizing that I had a two week old baby at home and a wife who can't drive and is not yet prepared for life without assistance, I was fairly certain I wouldn't be chosen. I even mentioned my lack of sleep recently and the likelihood of that state continuing. After the first cut, then the second, I began to wonder why I was still there.

Among the unlucky few remaining, I was herded into a courtroom for questioning by the lawyers involved in the case. We were told it would be a civil, not criminal case. I was expecting something of importance. Maybe a class action lawsuit against dangerous wiring in apartment buildings. Possibly and arguement for disabled access to a place of business. Not even close. I won't go into specifics as the case is yet to be tried, but what it boiled down to was a disagreement between wealthy people amounting to a few million dollars. The plaintiff was seeking additional millions for "discomfort and embarrassment" among other reasons. It was then that I became very annoyed. My day was already shot, with the potential of another two weeks of my life being taken from me for the sum of $50 a day (after the third day only) because some rich people couldn't work out their problems. These societal leeches saw fit to seek a seven figure kiss on a "discomfort and embarrassment" boo-boo. In turn, they were ruining the day for thirty some people and two weeks for an unlucky eight.

During questioning, I think the prosecuting attorney must have decided that I was not going to be part of his cash cow. Eventually, after all the potential jurors had been questioned, and following much whispering and shuffling of papers, my name was among those read out by the judge as being invited to sit in the back of the courtroom. We were then excused. Eight of the least questioned, quietest potential jurors were left in the jury box. Bummer for them.

Personally I don't have any problem with being a jury member. However for a frivolous case that should have been settled out of court, it is a monumental waste of time and resources. This overly litigious society is without regard for the average person, catering instead to the wealthy who apparently have little else to do but work the system. Next time, I'll skip being polite and conscientious on my juror questionnaire and write clearly in capital letters: EAT THE RICH.

xlr8yourmac.com

Breathe new life into your older Mac or find info on updates at this very informative, well catalogued and useful site.

Hello Deli

The owner of the most famous deli in the world is now online. See what Rupert Jee is up to or order online.