So I have been researching alternative software lately. Primarily focusing on free, open source applications such as internet browsers, office suites, photo editing, and even operating systems. It has proven to be a fascinating and rewarding endeavor.
For starters I explored alternative internet browsers. It is now common knowledge, it seems that Internet Explorer is deplorable at best when held up to any of many other options available to us. Among those I have tried were Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Maxthon, Opera, K-Meleon, The World, and Nubonyx. Trying them all was a lot of fun and yielded useful results. However, I have not yet discovered my perfect browser. Each one of these has many redeeming qualities but not one has proven so far to perfectly suit my taste. In fact, on a normal day I use anywhere from two to five different browsers simply because they all have different functions that appeal to me. I must add that IE is NOT on that list and I really never use at all. My most used browser so far has been Google Chrome, for its speed, reliability and friendly interface that I enjoy using. Firefox is also among the top and is arguably the best all-around alternative browser available. Maxthon and Opera also have nice features that I use frequently.
For day-to-day software I have found a multitude of useful, free programs. It would take too long to list them all but a few worth noting are Paint.net for photo editing, also Gimp for more advanced users, Audacity for audio recording, Open Office for any office projects, GreenFish Icon Editor for creating fun .gif images (like the simple one at the top of this post), Undelete Plus for recovering deleted files and FS Capture for snagging screen shots into simple image files.
Lastly, and most radical of all, I am looking into other operating systems BESIDES WINDOWS!! Yep, that's right. I was looking for a way to set up my home PC with a new OS but wasn't willing to shell out the dough for anything from the lords of the realm at Microsoft. I then discovered what may prove to be my answer: Linux. Many versions of this frequently updated and altered open source OS are comparable or better than any Windows OS and here's the clincher....it's FREE!! Sounds like a winner to me. As soon as I do a little research on compatibility I will be ready to make the jump to a totally new world of computing. Fun stuff.

Learning Lesson #5: Generators

So I made one of these little magazines. What fun. Although, I couldn't seem to find a place to edit the text of the cover. I'm sure there are ways to do that somewhere. Anyway, it's highly entertaining.

There were also lots of fun, goofy things to play with on the chocolate bar site. I can think of lots of kids I could show this who would spend lots of time playing around with it.

http://www.magmypic.com/. This is great as a joke. I can think of lots of good pics I have that would be hilarious for some of these covers. If nothing else, these are great for a laugh. I am highly amused. http://thoseposters.com/index.php. This is one of my favorite generators. Some of the pics people have put up here are HILARIOUS! I am having internet problems right now so I can't put one of mine up. Next time maybe.

Overall, the generators just seem like something that's fun in spare time. I will probably show these to some people who get bored online a lot.

Learning Lesson #4: Flickr

Well, I browsed around the sight for quite a while. It was certainly impressing. There are so many talented photographers. Mostly, I just ran a search for "guitar" and found thousands of cool pics of people's sweet axes as well as some very unique and artistic images featuring this beautiful instrument. I found a few pictures that really stood out for me. Among them

was this one of an electric guitar built on to a machine gun. Some people are so creative. Such ingenuity fascinates me. There were many others like this and I was amused by all of them.

Here are a few other pics I enjoyed. Brilliant pieces of work. I really spent a great deal of time on this site looking at all of these great photos.

Cool! A reader!

Thanks for the comment Joyce. Anyway, those are good questions. I guess I don't bother to explain anything because I have begun to think of this as a sort of journal for myself to pass the time. So, I reckon I could clarify a bit. First, the kids are just three or four of my younger siblings and a couple of their close friends. We have been making movies for several years. We all enjoy making them very much and everyone who watches them loves them. The kids are actually (with a little practice) tremendous actors. Making these films is a lot of work though. For a ten to fifteen minute show, we spend anywhere from 5-10 hours shooting. Also, I am cheap and the technology we use is very primitive, which prevents me from doing any extensive editing and/or putting them on my PC.
As for Ash, she is just this super amazing girl I found somewhere. We've been hanging together for about seven months. I guess I like her a little bit, and for some reason, which will always be a mystery, she seems to tolerate me. Now, I know that sounds completely crazy, but it's true. Honest. Anyway, she is perfect and we had a great time yesterday. Went out to dinner with some mutual friends and had a blast. Tonight, I think we are going to see "Hancock".
Now I am back at at work again, laboring intensively over my endless projects. I am growing weary just thinking about it. I must go.
O.K., I lied about that last part.

Oh, the good life!

Well, our 4th of July party was a blast (literally). We had quite a number of guests and everyone enjoyed themselves. Great food, lots of pool-time, some intense badmitton and a great fireworks show were all part of this year's celebration.

Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon making another movie with all the little kids. I love working with them. We put together another Civil War adventure with the 10th Michigan regiment. Everyone was pleased with the final result which, I think, was one of our finest films to date.

Now I am back at work. This week promises to be a long one. I should be working over 45 hours with the two jobs. Also, this Wednesday is Ashley's birthday. I am pretty short on ideas for that. Honestly, I am a terrible boyfriend. I have no clue. I have been wracking my brain over this for months but I have come up with nothing. I want it to be really nice. Oh, well.

I'm beginning to wonder why I bother typing out these pointless blogs. Typing practice I guess.

The War Against Boredom

Well, I am doing my best but it is a challenge. Yesterday I had a job interview and was hired at a Meijer gas station so I am now carrying two part-time jobs. I am also getting all kinds of extra hours at the library due to sick and vacationing co-workers. So things are getting better.
I think this new job will be alright. Admittedly, it was not my first choice. I have been submitting apps all over Jackson for about a month and they are the first to call me so I figure, might as well just go for it. Better than sitting around waiting for something better. My folks kind of disagree. They say I should find something else. Well, they have a point but I really did look and I would really hate to turn this down and end up not getting called by anyone. So that is my situation. I hope it works out. This will really reduce my free time. This is good except for never getting to see Ash anymore. That pretty much blows. I wish there was some way around that.
I've been trying to choose my classes for this fall semester at JCC. It's getting harder now that I have taken so many of the easy basics. I think I'll take a few computer classes, even though they are not on the MACRAO. They will probably make me better at my job and there are a few that look really basic. I should really get down to that, though.

Ouch!

So, I guess I'm getting braces. Long story. Complicated. Jeez. Anyway, this morning they put in some separators which are causing me a significant amount of pain. Now, I have a splitting headache which was not helped by me staring at a computer for the last 7 hours. Bla. I am ready to go.
I think tonight will still be fun, even with this discomfort which is not only painful but prevents me from filling my empty stomach with anything that requires chewing. Grrr.....Nate said Jessi is putting together a Denny's night so I will just have to party through the pain. Good times.

Turns out we went to see "Kung Fu Panda" instead. It was actually really good.
The performance at the library was also great. I really enjoyed that. All the musicians were stellar and the Meijer branch staff did a great job putting together this show. I really hope this becomes a regular event.

So.....I pretty much think it is way to nice to be here at work today. I was just outside for my lunch and it is just about the nicest day ever. My opinion is that the library should consider closing on days like this. I mean, who in their right mind would want to be inside today? Jeez.

I think I'm gonna go to that music & coffee thing at the Meijer library tonight. I always dig live performances like that. Next should be pretty awesome. Strength In Numbers is an awesome band.

We also might go see a movie late tonight. Not sure what. Maybe "The Love Guru" or "Get Smart". Oh, well. Whatever we do, it will be fun.

Fun stuff

Well I gave blood for the first time today. That was exciting. Also, while I was waiting in line I got called to see if I could work today. So here I am. Giving blood was neat, but painful. She had some trouble sticking my vein which was not a very pleasant feeling but other than that it was cake. My sister, however, did not take it so well. It took her a couple tries to get up and when she did she felt really sick and had to lay down for a bit.
Right now I am really thirsty. I am about to try and leave the lab and get a quick drink. Here goes!!

Alrighty then....

O.K. so it looks like this blogging thing is going to be a great way to pass the time. Although, not a very productive way since there is no one to read this. Hmmmm.......well, maybe someone will some day. So I guess I could try and start by making it something worth reading. Hmmm (again)..... I'm drawing a blank here. I can't think of anything I have to say that anyone would find very interesting.
Hey, I thought of something! My family and I like to play music and we are all performing again in a couple weeks. Our last show was really good and this next one should be even better. I'm pretty excited. You are welcome to come watch us and a few others perform at a local talent show type thing "if that's what you're in to" (FOTC anyone?). We could use some more constructive critics. We could also use more musicians. I am personally seeking any local individual who can and would like to play music with others.
Well, that's about all I've got.

7 1/2 habits

Goals, goals, goals. I get no where without them. The rest of the habits are definately helpful but are different for every person. Some I need to work on a lot, others not so much. The important thing is to never stop learning and listening.