Virtual Desktops
I wanted the ability to have virtual desktops. No product seems to do what I want... most likely because windows wasn't designed for it. Because I would like to have a window for browsing web sites, reading email, instant messaging, and my calendar.
Virtuawin - John Writes: I been using it for a few years now and had relatively little problems. Lately the only problems that I have had has been with the third party modules.
Control Center - TJ Writes: I have been using this for a couple days with 4 desktops configured, and a plugin to the Windows Taskbar. It works fairly well, but is very basic. Doesn't have good ability to move windows from desktop to desktop. Window switching from the desktop is best done with the ALT-TAB which when a window is brought to focus the window changes. Downside new windows show up on the active desktop... even from already running apps. Might be configurable. To download it you need to get Object Desktop
Make your PC look like a Macintosh
I had a friend point out StyleXP, and ThemeXP.com as places do download an enhanced "Theme" manager for Windows XP. Where utilizing XP's built in Theme ability you can skin your OS to look like other OS's, or just be a better set of colors for you. I also like it has a built in Background rotator so your background images change. 🙂
http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.php
http://www.themexp.org/index.php?view=downloads
Enjoy, it also has a boot screen modifier as well. Kinda cute for 'tweaking' your home or game machine!
Faster Cable Modem
Since the cable companies have started putting a self impossed limit on how much you can transfer on their network. They now are able to provide you an upgrade (for a fee) to even faster service... and imagine you don't even need to upgrade your cable modem. Well atleast they have an option for those of us that want faster throughput. Cox is offering 4Mbit/384Kbit for $79.95 a month. A 30-50% bump on the uplink.
http://www.cox.com/premier/
Secure Instant Messenging
Trillian offers a way to do SecureIM in AOL, but not other IM clients. I think this is a plugin for MSN Messenger, not trillian or other clients that connect to MSN.
SimpLite, the free instant messengers security
You are using instant messaging software to chat with your friends or colleagues. Did you know your messages are sent over the Internet in cleartext form?
By encrypting messages before they leave your computer to the Internet, SimpLite-MSN prevents eavesdroppers from reading your personal MSN Messenger conversations. As the original successor of Simp 1.0, SimpLite-MSN benefits from state of the art algorithms to secure your messages, whilst maintaining an intuitive interface.
SimpLite-MSN is free for a personal use at home or at the office. The only restriction is that only one product from the SimpLite family can be launched at the same time: either SimpLite-MSN, SimpLite-AIM, SimpLite-ICQ or SimpLite-Yahoo!.
We also recommend that you check our new SimpPro, especially designed for corporate environments or more demanding home users.
Coffee is a “Health Drink”
This along with other supporting documents give me comfort of knowing my enjoyment of 2 cups of coffee a day is good for me... need to convert more smokers over to coffee.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3540729.stm
"Not that it would stop an Italian or a techie from drinking the stuff, but Chiara Trombetti, of the Humanitas Gavazzeni institute of Bergamo has reported that coffee, especially espresso, is good for you and provides numerous health benefits. All the more reason to tuck into a cup o' Joe - but no more than 3 or 4 cups a day."
Ozone Free lights that kill e.coli
http://www.ozonelite.com/
At $39.95 a bulb, you won't find these in my household anytime soon.
THE EVOLUTION: O•ZONELite™ is an amazing technological breakthrough! We combined an energy efficient light source with a TiO2 (titanium dioxide) coating to effectively help in the elimination of airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, smoke and household odors. With the discovery of the proper binders, we were able to combine the liquid compound of TiO2 (titanium dioxide) to a compact fluorescent light that will last for 6,000 hours. That is 8 times longer than your traditional incandescent light bulbs! This state-of-the-art technology is not only effective and easy to use, but is the most affordable way to enjoy the benefits of TiO2's (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic action. The TiO2 (titanium dioxide) photocatalytic action is achieved when combined with a properly balanced light source. This action reduces harmful microorganisms that are constantly circulating through the air into harmless CO2 (carbon dioxide, which is expelled during respiration) and H2O (water), thus completely eliminating the microorganism, making O•ZONELite™ completely safe for humans and animals.
StrongBad online comic
This is one of my new favorite online comics, besides Sinfest.
Here are some Strong Bad checks Email clips...
Sound proofing a window
Now that i have moved off University Ave, the noise in to the master bedroom is pretty loud. Not that its so bad that I can't sleep through it, but on the weekends it might be nice to sleep in.
Apparently Home Depot has some as well. Given that I need a 3' x 4' area, it could get into $300+ to buy. 🙁 That is for material, curtains would be more expensive.
SoundProofing.org
http://www.soundproofing.org/sales/prices.html
Clear Vinyl Curtains and Opaque
http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/curtains.htm
Sound Absorption Foam
http://www.markertek.com/MTStore/list.cfm?Idx=Sound+Absorption+Foam
Acoustical Foam
http://www.markertek.com/MTStore/list.cfm?Idx=Acoustic+Foam
DVD Burner – NEC ND-2500A 8x
Mike just bought the following DVD Burner that does DVD-R and DVD+R. I prefer DVD-R, but at $105.00 for a internal (black) burner. I couldn't help sharing.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/8895
http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h550.htm
http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/134 - (Full article)