News Sense

Addicted to Farmville

2009-11-30T10:20:00.000-05:00

I already wrote about Mafia Wars, one of the games I play on Facebook. Well, I thought MW was starting to take up too much of my time, but let me tell you, it's nothing compared to Farmville.

It starts out innocently enough. You plow a few squares, plant a few seeds and add a few of your friends as neighbors who then gift you some trees and animals. But after a week or so you begin to realize that you are plotting out your plots, arranging trees, zealously seeking gifts of new and better animals and watching your coins so you can buy even more land with your riches. At this point, you're hooked.

Soon, you find that you are trawling the Farmville fan page, looking for strangers to add as Farmville neighbors. Thousands of names all begging you to add them, extolling their individual virtues: "I gift daily" "Level 30" "I need neighbors, please add me". It's all too tempting and so you add a few, safe-looking Farmville players. It never stops there because they have friends who add you and their friends add you and so on, and so on, and so on.

Needless to say, I completely forgot about Mafia Wars and began farming as if my real future depended on it. If they added a new animal, tree or decoration, I had to get it. Before I knew it I was level 47 and watching the levels of others to see if they were getting past me.

Truly, Farmville is addictive. I am trying to wean myself off by planting long-term crops and selling off some of the animals. I mean, I didn't really need 50 sheep.

If you've successfully beaten the Farmville addicition, please let me know how you did it. I need to beat it before they come out with the Easter specialty decorations...

Woman Marries the Eiffel Tower

2009-11-17T22:04:00.000-05:00

A woman who says she has a fetish for inanimate objects has married the Eiffel Tower. Erika La Tour Eiffel -who had her name legally changed to that of her new husband - is one of a number of women in the world whose objects of affection are... well, objects.

Erika follows in the footsteps of another woman who has been married to the Berlin Wall for 29 years. Eija-Riitta Berliner-Mauer, whose last name means "Berlin Wall" was the first woman to declare herself Objectum-Sexual.

According to psychiatrists, women who fall in love with inanimate objects enjoy the ultimate control they have in the relationship.

In addition to having married the Eiffel Tower, Erika La Tour Eiffel has had other objects of affection including an archery bow and a piece of fence.

Read more

What's In a Name? Cars

2009-11-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

Rollo has been spiffing things up around here for Spring and part of it is this new and shiny site design. In honor of my new template, I offer a little automotive post. Car companies think long and hard before choosing a name for a new model vehicle. Animal names have always figured highly, but it's got to be the right kind of animal. For instance, you might be enticed to buy a car with a sleek and fast image, like a Cougar, but you'd never consider one called Possum. But some names seem to come directly out of hometown America, named for cities and towns across the country.

For instance, Ford is in Mississippi while Chevrolet is in Kentucky and Buick , Plymouth and Pontiac are in Michigan. You can find a Dodge in both Kansas and Massachusetts, but only California has a Honda.

There's a Thunderbird in New Mexico and a Seville in Ohio. If you want something sporty, there's Mustang, Oklahoma or Monte Carlo, Kansas.

For a full list of automotive-related town names in the US, visit this site. They also have lists of other types of unusual names for towns and some will make you laugh aloud.

The Top Ten Hauntings in Britain

2009-10-29T08:36:00.000-04:00

It isn't just somnambulant hotel guests that walk the night in Britain, a host of ghosts do too. The National Trust boasts many haunted properties and has just released its list of the top ten most-haunted houses.

Number one on the list, Blickling Hall, is home to no less than the ghost of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII's wives who lost her head. She is said to appear every year on May 19, the anniversary of her death. Her headless body rides in a coach driven by a headless rider and she holds her head in her lap.

But if that isn't enough for you or you don't want to wait until May for ghost-hunting, you can try one of the other nine most-haunted properties.

Dunster Castle, Somerset A man in green walks past the shop only to disappear without a trace

Quarry Bank Mill Haunted by a gang of former workers

Newton House, Dinefwr Carmarthenshire Lady Elinor Cavendish was strangled by a suitor in the 18th century and now is seen as a young girl disappearing into a cupboard

Gibside Hall, Tyne and Wear Haunted by The Unhappy Countess
Lyme Park, Cheshire Haunted by a phantom furneral procession complete with a weeping woman all dressed in white

Lanhydrock, Cornwall Haunted by the Grey Lady and a man who was hanged by Civil War Royalists

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister during Victoria's reign, is said to stand by the stairs, smiling at visitors

Powis Castle, Welshpool A lady in black sits by the fireplace

Belton House, Lincolnshire A ghost in black haunts the Queen's Bedroom

Hotmail. Google and Yahoo Emails Passwords Published on Internet

2009-10-06T15:17:00.001-04:00

A phishing scam on Hotmail led to the publication online of 10,000 passwords and even more accounts could yet be compromised. The scam has widened now to Google and Yahoo and there could be millions of users whose personal information has been accessed.

You're more at risk for multiple accounts to be hacked or compromised if you use the same password net-wide as many people do.

Using phishing scams and mirror sites, people are often tricked into revealing their passwords. Always be sure you are on the official site and never give out personal information unless you are sure you are dealing with a verified site that you are familiar with. Changing your passwords often and using different passwords for different sites will also increase your security.

What's in a Name? Insane Celebrity Baby-Naming

2009-09-18T10:04:00.000-04:00

Sometimes being trendy can get out of hand.

The latest is a couple in China who have applied to name their newborn son "@", the ubiquitous internet symbol used in email addresses. According to the couple, the "a" and "t" can be pronounced to mean "love him". I suppose that means every time you send or receive an email, the kid is getting lots of net love.

But this trend towards freaky names has been growing recently. I mean, years ago we had Frank Zappa naming his kids Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Muffin. But that's Zappa. And there was David Bowie's son, called Zowie Bowie (who now goes by the name Duncan Jones).

There was quite a fuss made when Gwenyth Paltrow and hubby Chris Martin of Coldplay named their daughter Apple. But being named after a refreshing, crunchy and nutritious fruit is nothing compared to other celebrity kids' names.

Check out these celeb kids's names:

Fifi Trixibelle (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof)
Peaches Honeyblossom (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof)
Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily (Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence)
River, Rain and Leaf (Arlyn and John Phoenix)
Satchel (Mia Farrow and Woody Allen)
Brooklyn (Victoria/David Beckham)
Phoenix Chi (Mel C and Jimmy Gulzar)
Banjo (Patrick and Rachel Griffiths)
Cosima (Nigella Lawson)
Daisy Boo (Jamie Oliver)
Racer, Rebel, Rocket (Robert Rodriguez)
Audio Science (Shannyn Sossamon)
Kal-El (Nicholas Cage)

Okay,so why do celebrities go out of their way to find ridiculous names for their kids? Rollo thinks that they are simply exercising their enormous egos and don't think twice about saddling their kids with strange monikers, because as celebrities, they think they're pretty special and unique and so people will say "how clever and interesting".

I wonder if little Audio Science will appreciate how clever and special his mom was, or if he will be too busy trying to endure the teasing from other kids to notice.

Love Your Pet? Marry It!

2009-08-20T11:35:00.000-04:00

There's someone for everyone they say, and for some, that special partner may not be a human one. Many people are more attached to their pets than they are to the humans in their lives, and for them there's an option. Marry Your Pet.com.

The website is the brain child of Dominique Lesbirel, an English freelance writer based in the Netherlands and Marco de Boer, a graphic designer with a gender-confused, female cat named Thomas.

It's altogether possible that they might not be just about validating the feelings of people who love their pets more than they do people - the site sells wedding packages for those who want to marry their pets. Go for the economical wedding and you will receive a marriage certificate, choose the big wedding and get a matching Tee-shirt and embroidered plaque.

Well, people have been known to name pets in their wills and even leave vast fortunes to them. Might as well spend some money on them now. But marrying your pet isn't any less complicated it seems than marrying anyone else. The site lists the rules and responsibilities of pet marriage in its disclaimer.

Please note that by marrying your pet he/she may be entitled to half your house and all your income. You are not allowed to mistreat your pet in any way. You cannot make him pick up your pants, put up with your nostril hair or use him as a general dogsbody - even if he is indeed a dog. You may not get excessively fat. You may not embarrass your pet at any time. Marriage is for life or until your contract expires.

There's no indication that they have any way of policing adherence to such rules as "you may not get excessively fat" but thankfully, they do indicate that the marriage certificate does not confer conjugal rights. It's important to say it, even if you don't mean it or can't enforce it.

If you've been looking for a way to show your love for a furry companion and throw away some money at the same time, then MarryYourPet.com is made just for you.

Mafia Wars - an overview

2009-07-15T16:16:00.000-04:00

I was one of the reluctant Facebook users who didn't really find very much of interest to do there - that is, until one of my Facebook friends conned me into joining his mafia.

Mafia Wars is the most popular game on Facebook and it starts you off as a small time hood who works his way up through hard work and a show of guts and strength. Inviting your friends to join your mafia increases your likelihood of surviving and winning fights. Buying the right weapons for your mafia members is also important. It's not impossible to fend off a larger mafia if your weapons and defense are superior.

You make money and work your way up by doing "jobs". Each job requires a certain amount of "energy" points and yields a certain amount of experience points. Acquiring experience points helps you achieve new levels. Some jobs are also "loot drops" where you can acquire valuable items needed for collections and weapons that you can use to do more advanced jobs. Money you earn can be kept or stored in the bank. Putting the money in the bank will cost you a laundering fee, but carrying it around leaves you vulnerable to attack and robbery. Buying properties will help you gain an hourly income but beware, the properties can also be robbed so buy insurance on them.

When you reach level 35 you can leave New York and fly to Cuba to set up a new operation there. Mafia Wars is adding new vistas for crime in Russia and Western US.

I reached level 166 before I started to tire of MW. It doesn't take a lot of time and it's exciting to build up your mafia. I still keep leveling up by playing a few times a week, but Facebook led me into another obsession. More on that later.

Obama Keeps White House Visitors a Secret

2009-06-16T11:34:00.004-04:00

President Obama, continuting to break his promise to usher in a new "transparency" in Washington has shuttered the White House windows, in a manner of speaking.

Requests for White House Visitors lists from MSNBC and the nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, have been denied by the Secret Service.

CREW will file a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security which oversees the Secret Service.

Here is a copy of the complaint, provided by MSNBC.

As long as it is not a matter of national security, the citizens of the United States have a right to know who is visiting their house. That's right, it's our house. We let the current president stay there while he's in office, but when his term is over, we send him home. The White House is not the private property of any administration.

The particular visitors that interested CREW were executives of coal companies. The lawsuit is filed under the Freedom of Information Act.

A Look at The Voluntaryist

2009-06-13T13:43:00.002-04:00

I know many people who are worried about the encroachment of "big government" and the nanny state. You can count me as someone who believes that the federal government has grown far past the role set out for it by the Constitution. Government bailouts of the auto companies, TARP monies, and a general sense that government is reaching its hand into many areas where it simply doesn't belong is starting to cause unease amongst Americans.

If you want a completely opposite perspective on the role of government, you should have a read over at The Voluntaryist Website. They advocate an extraordinarily limited role for the government, which they say will result in an increased level of freedom for the individual.

Whether you agree with their perspective or not, it's a thought-provoking website that will challenge you to think about the role of government and just who has the control in your life choices.

Blogger Admits to Baby Blog Fraud

2009-06-13T13:27:00.002-04:00

Beccah Beushausen, a 26-year-old social worker from the Chicago suburb of Mokenka wrote a blog about a subject so intense and emotional that she was reached a million hits on the night she wrote her most heartwrenching post.

The story behind the blog? Beccah wrote under the name "April's Mom" about her decision to carry her terminally ill unborn child to term. People got so involved they wrote to say they were praying for her. Moved by her emotional story, they sent cards, flowers, gifts. The only problem? It was all a lie.

Beccah wasn't even pregnant and there was no April. But Beccah reported to readers of the blog that little April was born at home and died a few hours later. She even posted a picture.

It was the picture that did it. The photo she used was of a doll, and many readers weren't fooled.

Beccah says she's sorry, she didn't mean for it to get so out of control, but once she had so many readers she didn't know how to stop the charade.

Well, it's really easy, Beccah. Take down the site. Stop writing lies. Continuing was never necessary. It's a childish prank.

The most disturbing fact is that Beccah is a social worker. One can only wonder what type of position she holds, and whose lives she has influence over. So far, it is said she hasn't profited financially from her fraud. But hasn't she at least in one way?

Beccah wants to be a writer. She wrote a fiction that had readers in tears and hanging on her every blog post. She used to be a wannabe writer no one had ever heard of, now she's a writer who's talent for drawing the reader is well-established.

In the end, it's really the responsbility of the reader to determine whether or not what they read on the internet is real, genuine or true. It's time to acknowledge the overwhelming amount of dishonesty people display when they are hiding behind screen names and take a little care in what we choose to take as read.

FDA to Ban Regulate Cigarettes

2009-06-12T10:19:00.000-04:00

While the FDA is not allowing imports of e-cigs, the smokeless nicotine delivery system that mimics the experience of smoking without the harmful toxins of the actual smoke, it is now in charge of regulating tobacco cigarettes, a product already deemed harmful and one known to cause cancer.

This strange situation has been brought about by the new law allowing the FDA to take over regulatory duties of cigarettes. In putting the FDA in charge of regulating tobacco products, such as cigarettes, Congress has essentially made the FDA - an agency whose job it is to ensure the safety of food and drugs sold to consumers - responsible for an unsafe product.

A baffling and disturbing part of this move is blocking tobacco companies from developing new products that would be less harmful to smokers. Why wouldn't the government want the companies to make less harmful products if they could? Why can't they make cigarettes with fewer of the toxins that are present in smoke? Nicotine, which is the addicting substance in cigarettes, is not what gives you cancer. Nicotine can be a helpful drug. It treats ulcerative colitis and blocks pain receptors in the brain, perhaps one reason why smoking rates are so high amongst the disabled population.

The e-cig is an example of a way to deliver nicotine to smokers trying to quit, that produces only a harmless water vapor rather than smoke from burning tobacco. The FDA already allows the patch and nicotine gum, both of which deliver nicotine directly. But, they say, they aren't convinced that the e-cig is safe.

The most logical reason for handing over cigarettes to the FDA to regulate is to eventually declare them unsafe and to make them illegal. Supposedly, the new legislation ensures that this will not happen, but there really doesn't seem to be any way for a cancer-causing product to continue with legal status once the FDA is responsible for it. It would be contrary to their entire reason for being.

This move that may eventually put an entire industry out of business looks unwise when the economy is tanking and the unemployment rate is already at record levels.

Obama is God Says Newsweek Editor

2009-06-09T10:40:00.000-04:00

Here's another reason that the mainstream news media is becoming less trustworthy all the time. The free press has forgotten the reason they exist - to be a balancing voice and to question. Instead we get this Newsweek editor Evan Thomas in full-blown Obama-infatuation declaring:

"I mean in a way Obama's standing above the country, above above the world, he's sort of god."

Above the country? What happened to government of the people, for the people and by the people? He is not above us, he works for us. We, the people.

Above the world? Well, he has spent more time abroad than any president in his first few months, he courts enemy governments by sacrificing our friends, perhaps he feels above it all.

He's sort of god? This may be the job he was aiming for all along.

With the free press incapable of any objectivity, doesn't this leave Obama pretty much free to do anything without possibility of censure or criticism? Is this good for our country?

Memorial Day - Remembering the Price of Freedom

2009-05-25T10:11:00.004-04:00

Today is the day we honor our fallen heroes who have given their lives to secure our freedoms. On Memorial Day we must remember that even if we have not personally lost a loved one, friend or family member, that each and every one of these brave soldiers is worthy of our remembrance.

Each Memorial Day there are new names on the list of those who died in service to their country, and it is of the ultimate importance that we cherish what they bought for us with a price so dear.

We must never take our freedom for granted, to do so is to insult their sacrifice. We must hold firmly to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We must sound the cry of freedom every day of our lives in all we do. Then they are not forgotten, for they live on in the hearts of every American whose eyes tear up at the sound of The Star Spangled Banner.

Yoko Ono Displays Bloodstained Items From John Lennon's Murder

2009-05-21T21:57:00.003-04:00

Yoko Ono is at it again. In a possible bid to secure her title as "The World's Tackiest Widow", she has once again gaily skipped over the boundaries of decency and respect for her late husband's memory by displaying the blood-spattered spectacles and shirt that John Lennon was wearing on the night he was shot.

Yoko obviously considers this display to be art, and thus charges admission to see it. The brown paper bag these items were returned to her in is also on display in an exhibition she calls "John Lennon: The NYC Years" at the New York Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Yoko, while claiming to be pursuing John's vision of peace, licensed Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream's new flavor Imagine Whirled Peace, a flavor that boasts John's signature on the tub.

John, in the meantime, has been heard turning over in his grave.

Allen Takes Idol Crown

2009-05-21T07:10:00.003-04:00

To the amazement of devoted fans, and probably judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, Kris Allen defeated Adam Lambert in the final showdown to become the new American Idol.

Allen, a married college student who is active in his church, probably gained the winning edge by picking up the crestfallen fans of Danney Gokey, who was eliminated last week. Danny, with his Elvis Costello glasses and his wholesome appearance was another contrast to Lambert. Lambert's vocal range was astonishing and his performances electrifying, but it may be that his flashy stage presence and viewers unease with his non-specific gender identification turned the final votes Allen's way.

American Idol is, after all, a popularity contest. The judges may praise whomever they like, but it's the viewers who have the final say.

Allen even said he hoped he didn't win with the "Christian" vote. Speculation had been that between the two candidates, the viewers would go for the one who represented Christian values. I don't think it's really a question of religious affiliation.

America voted for the person they were most comfortable with. They loved Adam Lambert and his polished, glitzy performances. However, when asked to choose whom they consider the "American Idol", they chose the American Ideal. They chose the man who valued family, marriage, church, and community. The stable values they aspire to, even when secretly enjoying the flashy decadence of the man with the black nail polish.

Yes, It Really Happened - Google Crashed!

2009-05-15T20:52:00.000-04:00

If you were trying to Google anything yesterday morning, chances are your computer screen just hung there, making you check your internet connection. After all, Gmail didn't load either, and every website with Adsense seemed to hang up too.

The unthinkable happened yesterday between 8:40am and 9:55am, Eastern Time. Google crashed.

I immediately checked my modem, then the bill from my ISP to make sure it wasn't a planned interruption from my internet provider. Having determined it was just Google that was down, I forced myself to play some games on the computer until all was well again.

It did make me think about just how many websites are Google-affiliated in some way and how the web seemed empty without them.

There's been no official word from Google as to the cause of this interruption. Okay, fine. Just don't let it happen again.

Shockwave Overhaul - Sleek and Fun

2009-05-05T21:08:00.000-04:00

If you've visited Shockwave lately, you were probably in for a Shock. Shockwave has redesigned the entire site and added some features. They've added some token appeal.

That is, now you can earn tokens while playing certain games on Shockwave. The tokens can then be used to buy tickets in raffles for cash prizes. Raffles are held daily, weekly and monthly.

It looks like Shockwave is trying to lure Pogo players over and I must say that in my case it has worked to some extent. Like Pogo, some of the snappier games are reserved for paying members but even with a free membership you can earn tokens and buy tickets for the raffles, so there's the added attraction of possibly making money by playing games all day.

Shockwave is less likely to freeze up your computer or crash your browser with its ads, since they run prior to the game loading instead of constantly changing during the game. But the ads on the page still slow you down and cause lag when they change.

Overall, the new look is sleeker and easier to navigate and I confess to having spent too much time there lately. With the addition of trophies for high-scoring players, there's a healthy competition amongst the players. The chats they have added don't seem to draw many players in, probably because they are still communicating the way they always did, by leaving comments under the game they just played. Getting them to abandon old ways for real time chat may take a bit of adjustment.

I like the new Shockwave, and I absolutely never miss my daily jigsaw. They've got a few bugs to work out but nothing serious. If you like a variety of games and the chance to win some money, give it a try.

Kids Get Lessons in Swearing

2009-04-04T13:05:00.001-04:00

Education just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it? A school in Britain has come under scrutiny for a class in which students were encouraged to shout obscenities.

Thirty graphic and obscene words were written on the board for all students to learn. Some didn't know the meanings of all the words, but that was taken care of - the teacher gave them all the definitions. So, if a particular 11-year-old wasn't familiar with the f-word or the c-word, they were given more information on it, so they would know how to use it properly. That's right, some of the kids were as young as 11.

The school claims it was an effort to dispel the myths surrounding these words, but parents are understandably upset. They were not consulted about the lesson, nor warned about it and some of the students said they were told not to tell their parents about it.

I assume these kids are now all prepared to take a vocabulary quiz on slang and swear words. It amazes me what these educational systems get up to. It's as if they hold contests for ideas on how not to teach the kids anything useful and still justify their salaries.

Win a Free MacBook Air

2009-03-02T13:14:00.001-05:00

Would anybody out there like a free MacBook Air? I know I would. It's the world's thinnest notebook. Sleek and elegant, it boasts better graphics and more storage. It's the perfect notebook for mobile computing, with easy portability and powerful graphics. But wait, did I say you can get it free?

Yes, I did. You can enter to win a free MacBook Air from ben behrouzi. Now, there are lots of contests and such on the net, but none so easy to enter as this one if you are on Twitter.

All you have to do is send Ben a Tweet asking to be included in the giveaway contest. Send him a simple message, like "@BenBehrouzi Ben count me in the MacBook Air Giveaway!" or something in your own words to let him know you want to be entered.

All entries must be in before Ben selects the winner on March 31st, 2009. It's easy to enter and easy to find out if you're a winner. Ben will announce the winner on March 31st 2009 on Twitter. Why not follow Ben on Twitter while you're at it, you'll get updates on his activities and his great blog. I know I am going to add him to my follows.

And if you're not on Twitter, why not? It's a great way to keep up with your favorite people, family members, friends and bloggers while letting them in on all the important things in your life, too.

Now, don't delay any longer, get in on this contest today. Remember, send a Tweet to Ben to let him know you want to enter the giveaway for a fabulous MacBook Air.

Video Game Reviews - Alex Gordon

2009-03-02T12:18:00.003-05:00

If you enjoyed games like Mario Brothers and Sonic, you'll love this side-scrolling platform game from Dayterium. Alex Gordon, cool cat and treasure hunter, finds a mysterious amulet as he explores an island cave. The gems from the amulet disappear, and so does his sister as she is carried off by minions of the evil monkey king. Alex must now find the jewels and rescue his sister.

Your task is to guide Alex through each level, collecting coins, gems and stars while facing different foes in the form of turtles, pandas and sharp-toothed fish. But just to keep Alex from feeling too overwhelmed, he's got his own feline pep squad in the form of a pom-pom waving cheerleader who appears along the way to raise his spirits. To dispatch the baddies you jump on their heads and they promptly turn into coins to reward you. You have a choice of either mouse or keyboard controls and there are lots of helpful arrows and messages along the way to guide you. Between levels you can visit Alex's retirement island and use the money you've collected to outfit it for retirement in style. It's a nice addition to the game and provides a pleasant diversion.

The graphics are colorful and appealing. The different levels each have their own background and increasingly difficult maze you must negotiate to find the stars and gems. The numbers of monsters that hamper your progress increase, but their distinctive colors and detail help to distinguish them from friendlier passersby.

Alex has a very small repertoire of vocalizations, the extent of which is to make an exclamation of physical effort while jumping. I would have liked more. The music which starts off as a pleasant and relaxing island melody may get irritating after a long period of play. It's not intrusive, but it would be nice if the music changed from level to level.

Although there's nothing terribly innovative about this game, it's a solid concept with challenges enough to keep you playing long past the 60 minute trial period. The 50 game and 15 bonus levels guarantee you will not get bored quickly. Like all side-scrollers, you learn the tricks of finding the most treasure in each level as you play, so you won't mind playing again even if you do manage to finish the game. The challenge and playability of this game make it one to purchase for yourself or the whole family to enjoy over and over again.

Overall Rating: 4/5

File Extension PPS

2009-02-20T14:12:00.003-05:00

File extension .pps most likely stands for Microsoft PowerPoint Slideshow, but it could stand for one of three types of files that you may either find on your computer or receive. You may find you have trouble opening a file with this extension. What should you do? That will depend on which type of file it is and which programs it is associated with.

If you need information on file extension pps, you can go to the link provided for full definitions of all possible file types and reasons why you may have difficult opening them as well as how to fix any problems you're experiencing. This file extension library has an extensive list of file extensions that the average computer user will run across in the course of computing. Helpful information and suggestions are given for every file type imaginable at the File Extension Library.

Video Game Reviews - Mystic Mine

2009-02-20T12:40:00.002-05:00

Mystic Mine is a game with simple controls but requires quick thinking and strategy. It has the potential to be both appealing and challenging. Your tasks involve mining for coins, gold and diamonds while guiding your car through ever-changing track configurations. Whatever you do, don't pick up the dynamite!

Each level sets you a specific task, like collecting a certain number of coins or gems. Getting your gold car around the track involves switching the track rails correctly at each corner, so that your car picks up the required number of coins or diamonds and delivers them within the set time limit. This is deceptively easy at first, and you may find your player ranking to be quite impressive. However, as the levels progress, the track configurations become more complex. Add to that the fact that you can only travel down, and you cannot increase your speed, and you will find that the game does become more challenging as you move up through the levels. Occasionally, there will be the odd stick of dynamite to either avoid or pass to another car before it explodes.

The graphics in this game won't over-awe but they are drawn three-dimensionally, creating the illusion that your car is traveling down. They are simple, yet clever.

The background music has an Old West feel which is appropriate for a gold mining game. There's a bouncy and insistent beat that keeps you on your toes without being too intrusive. There are also various sound effects for the cars bumping, the dynamite exploding and successful delivery of required coins and gems.

There's nothing astonishingly new here but the game takes simple concepts and makes them fun. It combines the elements of a maze with the tasks of acquisition. The ability to have six players at once on one keyboard is a neat feature and allows for some healthy competition. Another nice feature is the way the game adjusts the difficulty to your proficiency, making it a perfect game for the younger child.

This game has the ability to appeal to everyone in the family, regardless of age but is more likely to be popular with the younger player. The levels don't vary much in their goals and gamers who like more story and action may find it too simplistic - but overall, it's fun, challenging and a great game for both young and old. Download the 60 minute free trial, you'll probably find it worth its $19.95 price. I would recommend it as a pleasant way to pass the time.

Seamless Compassion Benefits the Needy

2009-02-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

In these hard economic times, more Americans than ever are finding themselves having to apply for various types of state aid, many for the first time in their lives. What they find often is a jungle of agencies and paperwork that overwhelms them and a process that contains so many layers of delays and red tape that needed services are slow to manifest.

Americans don't have to suffer needlessly while wading through stacks of forms and while different aid agencies try to coordinate benefits. Seamless Compassion can help Americans get the help they need.

Like the tax code, the benefits system is nearly incomprehensible to the average person. Seamless Compassion is a program that can integrate and coordinate benefits programs from county agencies and non-profit organizations to minimize paperwork and assist caseworkers in coordinating benefits for needy Americans. Seamless Compassion does for the benefits system what Turbo Tax does for your taxes. It streamlines and integrates necessary information to expedite the process.

Many families will find themselves applying for Food Stamps for the first time, for instance. Making these benefits available not only assists the family, but infuses money back into the economy when families spend them for necessary groceries. Making these benefits available quickly is essential, both for American families and for our economy.

To learn more about Seamless Compassion, visit their website at http://www.seamlesscompassion.com.

Watch The Fine Print

2009-02-10T08:11:00.003-05:00

Who do you want to share your medical records and personal medical information with? Your doctor? Surely. The Federal Government? Probably not.

According to this article, that's exactly what you may be doing very soon. Attached to the economic stimulus package is the creation of a new bureaucracy that will oversee your medical records, monitor your doctor's treatment of you and watch over you, to make sure you aren't getting any treatment that the government does not deem appropriate or cost effective.

Aside from the obvious fact that the last thing we need is more bureaucracy and government agencies spending our money, do we need or want government involved in our personal choices and those of our doctors when it comes to our health or treatment of a serious illness?

Make no mistake. This new arm of the nanny state is not here to hold us back from running wildly into dangerous experimental treatments. It's about money, and control.

Consider this:

Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost- effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464).

The government will now decide if your treatment is cost-effective. Does cost-effectiveness mean that a senior citizen will receive medications that do not actually cure the condition but merely control the pain? Is it cost-effective to treat something incurable? Does an outcome need to be guaranteed before treatment will be approved?

I don't know about you, but I think those decisions are best made by patient and doctor, not bureaucrats.

IE7 Update

2009-02-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

I am a firm believer in the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", which is why I held off downloading Internet Explorer 7 for so long. Yes, I knew it had caught up to Firefox and had tabbed browsing, and a few other features that made it superior to IE6, but better the devil you know than the devil you don't, as they say.

However, eventually and as I expected, my IE6 broke - crashed, burned, became useless. I have had IE go belly up on so many computers over the years, I rarely open it. However now and again one must have a secondary browser, especially for checking website code.

I must say I am impressed with IE7, it loads much more quickly than IE6. It's sharp with an updated look and tabbed browsing was definitely a needed feature. I wasn't given a choice about installing their new protection software, it just loaded right along with the IE update, so now I face months of assuring IE that yes, I do want this website to function normally and no, I am not afraid of it. All of that will sort itself out in time.

If you have been reluctant to upgrade as I was, I can allay your fears to some extent. If you are going to use IE at all, you should move up to the new and improved version. Better still, just download Firefox.

Action All Stars - A Hit with Kids

2009-01-02T21:09:00.001-05:00

If you love sports the chances are you share your love of the game with your kids. Now there's a site where you and your kids can create your own sports characters and explore a virtual world. The site is both safe and fun for kids from six to fourteen, and it's free to create your own sports avatar.

The site is called ActionAllStars.com. At Action All Stars, your kids can have fun dressing their avatars, choosing hair and eye color, even which sneakers to wear. The game features several servers on which you can explore, visit stores to purchase items for your sports star as well as meet other sports fans.
The kids can play any of the many games found throughout the virtual world and interact with other kids.

Action All Stars lets parents monitor their children's accounts to ensure their safety on the net. Action All Stars, in partnership with ConnectSafely.org, is concerned with your child's safety on the net, while providing a fun environment for them to socialize and play games.

With two levels of Safe Chat, you can be sure your child won't be exposed to inappropriate language. The precomposed greetings and messages are perfect for the young child just learning to read but eager to communicate.

Kids will love dressing up their avatars, playing games and socializing with other kids who like sports the way they do. Parents will love knowing that their kids are having fun while keeping their internet experience a safe and rewarding one.

Woman Celebrates Wrong Birthday for 99 years

2008-12-29T13:58:00.000-05:00

Most of us reach an age where we tend to ignore our birthdays and try to forget them when possible. But by the time you reach your100th birthday, you'll probably be telling everyone which is your special day. Elsie Aslett certainly was. The only problem is, Elsie had the date wrong.

For 99 years Elsie celebrated her birthday on December 14th. However, when her family asked the Queen for a birthday telegram, records revealed that she had really been born on December 18th in 1908.

Apparently Elsie's mother just got the date wrong, having eight kids will do that to you. So Elsie grew up thinking her birthday was four days earlier than her real one, thereby aging faster than she had to.

A friend of mine once made a mistake and thought she had turned 49 when she was only 48. When the next year rolled around, she was depressed to think about turning 50 and all that half-century mark means. What a wonderful surprise she had when she realized she had been 48 all year and was only turning 49, able to put off the 50th birthday for another 12 months.

If there's one person in life you should be able to trust, it's your mother. However, if you find she told you the wrong birthday, at least hope it goes in your favor. Wouldn't it be nice to find out you're really a lot younger than you thought?

The Big Move

2008-12-21T16:08:00.002-05:00

Rollo has been away from the blog for a few days due to a move. That's right, Rollo has some new digs and he's pretty happy about it.

You know, the old place wasn't bad but the landlord was just a little too close for comfort. He had his house situated so that even though it was on the next street, his yard bordered mine and he watched the house like a hawk. You'd think that having the landlord on hand for any little problem would be a handy thing, but it was the little things he worried and fretted over that could drive you crazy.

So anyway, here I am in a new place with an absentee landlord and loving it. Imagine, having a friend park his car in your driveway without the landlord calling up to find out who is visiting you!
Seriously, Rollo is too old for a nanny.

A lot of interesting and important things have been going on in my absence and trust me, I am going to catch you up on them. Some really crazy things have been going on as well, and those I like even better. So stay tuned.

The Ultimate Hunter Package

2008-12-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

It's not too late to get that outdoorsman on your list exactly what he wants for Christmas with the Nikon Hunting Christmas Promotion. You know he's been asking Santa for NikonProGear and his wishes will be fulfilled with this Ultimate Hunter Package that will increase his long-range shooting skills. It even comes with an instructional DVD.

In addition, there are great prices on a wide range of Nikon riflescopes and binoculars. You may even qualify for a gift card between $25 and $50 with your purchase of Nikon binoculars. It's the ultimate gift for that hunter who's no longer so hard to shop for.

Anti-Social Networking

2008-12-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

I don't check my page on my social networking site often, and most people on my friends list know this and don't expect much. In my case, it's more like "anti-social" networking. I have about 60 notifications that I haven't bothered to look at but this morning, one caught my eye.

I got a challenge to take a test that determines your "actual age" based on your answers regarding lifestyle, diet and habits. I have taken these before and my results have been less than stellar. Rather than promising me that I am much younger than my chronological age would indicate, it pretty much says "are you kidding? you should have been dead long ago".

After reviewing the test, an evil thought crept into my mind. It doesn't take long for evil thoughts to do that, usually. What if I took the test and answered all the questions the "right" way, the way that proclaims my interest in fitness, health and clean living? Imagine my friend's surprise when it is revealed that I am a shining example of youthful vigor and will live to be 150.

Let's face it, when we take these internet quizzes we all realize that they are made up by strange little people just like us, and have no scientific value. So why do we approach these tests with such seriousness and answer the questions with considered truth?

I have decided that from now on I will accept every quiz challenge sent to me, and I will lie on every single one of them. My results will probably cause some to be afraid and others to delete me from their friends list. In fact, one day I may not have any unanswered notifications and requests at all.

Curious George Bush Video

2008-12-01T12:12:00.002-05:00

In January, we will say goodbye to President George W. Bush, our country's leader for the last 8 years.

It's become the fashion in the last few years to poke fun at Bush's verbal slips, the way he pronounces nuclear (nukular) and to blame every ill of our society and economy on the policies of his administration. The attitude towards his presidency is summed up well in these george bush cartoons. Watch the video, Goodbye Curious George to get a real glimpse of the prevailing attitude towards our current president.

Now I am not one who thinks that Bush is stupid, or that he has irrevocably damaged our country. The war in Iraq is now very unpopular - wars tend to become unpopular after a few years. Despite the fact that an email claiming Bush had the lowest IQ of all presidents for the past 50 years was proven to be a hoax, the rumors of his lack intelligence persist.

I didn't find the video to be particularly funny, and I especially object to any president being portrayed as a monkey. But the freedom to be irreverent is an important part of our rights to freedom of speech, and perhaps irreverence is our way of bringing the important people down to the level of everyman. A president can be everyman, after all.

It's also important to consider that this is how George Bush is viewed by most of the media and so many Americans. My question is, will he always be seen in this light? Do our assessments of the accomplishments of a president change over time and with the writing of history? I think that one day George Bush will garner the admiration we now give Ronald Reagan, who was once as villified by the press as George Bush is today. Watch the video and judge for yourself.

Thoughts on the Tragedy at Wal-Mart

2008-11-29T18:15:00.001-05:00

This year's Christmas shopping season has had a shadow cast over it. A dark shadow of anger, violence and selfishness - the opposites of what the season is supposed to represent. There have been a couple of shootings - one in a mall, another in a Toys R Us store.
But the defining tragedy of this season is the death of Jdimytai Damour.

The 34 year old Damour was working maintenance and stock overnight at a Wal-Mart in the Vally Stream Mall on Long Island, NY. Black Friday deals had lured thousands of customers who lined up outside the store, eagerly awaiting their chances of being one of the lucky few to seize a bargain item. When Damour started to open the doors, the crowd had grown too eager and impatient, and stampeded through the doors, breaking them down and knocking Damour to the floor.

The crowd proceeded regardless, trampling and stepping over the dying man. They rushed past and knocked down other employees who tried to come to his aid. They shopped around the paramedics who tried to save his life. They became angry and refused to leave when it was announced the store would close due to the death.

We can blame commercialism or we can blame retailers that entice shoppers with limited items at special savings. We can point to a lack of security, or the foolhardiness of setting one man to open the doors to such a mob.

We will try to find someone or something to blame, but the truth is that people just like you and me, your neighbors and friends, were responsible for this tragedy. Commercialism isn't thrust upon us, we make a choice. The crowd bursting into the store on Friday made a choice, they decided that a bargain was worth more than a human life.

But had you asked any member of that crown beforehand if they would kill someone to get a low price on a plasma TV, the answer probably would have been "no". So what happened?

Simply, the human life that was discarded belonged to each and every shopper. Each of those responsible, each person who stepped over the stricken employee, each shopper who continued past the scene after the fact to complete their shopping, each and every one of them gave up their human lives and assumed the herd instinct of animals in their stampede.

If anything brings home the need for all that Christmas represents, it's this realization.

System Error Codes Library

2008-11-21T20:40:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wondered what those error code messages you often get with your PC mean? Is it safe to ignore them or should you do something to fix the error? Many times, the error code is alerting you that some program or application is encountering difficulty. But how can you fix it, if you don't even know what is wrong?

There are specific conditions and problems associated with the various error codes, and knowing what that particular code means is vital to correcting the situation. The difficulty is that there are about 16,000 different error codes, so it's impossible to know them all at a glance.

To find what causes a specific Windows system error code, one good source to consult is PC Library.com. Here you can look up the error code and get a thorough explanation of what causes it and how to correct it. Want to know about error code 1728? The Error-Library will give you quick information as well as tips on fixing the problem.

There's other useful information here at Uniblue PC Library. You can also look up ports by number and find out their exact functions as well as more general descriptions and definitions. The information is well-organized and easily accessed, making this site very user friendly.

Are You Younger Than You Look?

2008-11-21T19:53:00.001-05:00

According to a story in The Telegraph, scientist are studying DNA for biomarkers which will tell them a person's real physical age.

They aren't looking for chronological age, or even your "real age" based on your lifestyle, but the physiological age contained in your genes.

Scientists want to find out why some people seem more sprightly and younger as they get older while others seem to age more rapidly.

The applications of this research should they be successful? That's hard to imagine, unless one is into social engineering. Perhaps we will allow only those people with younger DNA ages to reproduce, thus lengthening the life expectancy of the whole human race.

Or maybe it could be a useful fact in your online dating profile. "I'm 35, but my DNA profile says my physiological age is only 27". It would certainly make it easier for someone looking specifically for a younger woman or an older woman. Especially if the older woman and the younger one were the same person.

Operation Mojo - Chat with Nat and Alex

2008-11-20T10:43:00.003-05:00

Unless you've been living on another planet, you've heard of the Naked Brothers Band. If you have a teenager, you probably know the faces of Nat and Alex Wolff every bit as well as your own kids from the posters on your child's bedroom walls. I know my teen has sung "I don't want to go to school" to me a thousand times.

Well, whether you're a parent of a fan or a fan yourself, you'll be excited to know that the Naked Brothers Band have a new movie premiering on Nickelodeon this Saturday, November 22, 2008. It's called Operation Mojo.

But just as exciting is the chance to tune into live chat with Nat and Alex Wolff of the Naked Brothers Band as part of the premiere of the new movie. Every fan will want to get in on this live chat.

In Operation Mojo Nat loses his Mojo and his confidence when he fears losing Rosalina. Alex takes Nat into the woods on a trek to boost his self-esteem and reclaim his mojo. There are three great new songs and a lot of fun.

Nat and Alex both star in the TeenNick television series, The Naked Brothers Band. Operation Mojo is their 6th television movie. Be sure to tune in for the movie and the live chat with Nat and Alex.

When Global Socks Slump

2008-11-20T09:19:00.003-05:00

I was surfing through the news sites this morning when I was taken by the headline "Global Socks Slump". I had to shake my head and read it again, because I wasn't sure whether I had read it right or not. Sure enough, when I clicked through to the article I found that the headline was supposed to be "Global Stocks Slump" and it was only the oversight of some editor that left the all-important letter out of that word.

But I got to thinking about slumping socks. Choosing socks can be a very dodgy business. When they are hanging on a rack in the store, you can't be sure whether they will stay up or slump, once you have purchased them for wear.

If you've ever had socks that slump, you know the problem. They slide down your calves and gather in folds at your ankle. Particularly slinky socks will often slide a bit, step by step, into your shoes. The result is a day that is neither productive nor comfortable as your attention is constantly distracted and drawn to the state of your socks. You spend the day trying to surreptitiously reach down and yank them up, to avoid those embarrassing elephant ankles.

So, as disheartening as the news about global stocks is, I am still grateful that there isn't a slumping of global socks. Imagine the leaders of the world trying to govern, conduct business, hammer out trade treaties and combat global warming, all while trying to pull their socks up...

Finding a Body Shop

2008-11-13T20:03:00.001-05:00

You've been in an accident - well, it happens to all of us at some time. Whether it's a fender bender or there's some serious damage to your vehicle, you know you'll spend time on accident reports and insurance paperwork, but what about the repairs? Do you know which body shops in your area are highly rated? When you need to find reputable collision repair experts you can get reliable information on all the best body shops in your area in one place. The recommendations are based on real customer surveys and testimonials. Just plug in your zip code and find out which body shops in your area meet the high quality work standard and customer satisfaction of CollisionRepairExperts.com.

Man Mails himself out of Prison

2008-11-13T19:42:00.003-05:00

Sometimes life imitates art as in this story from Germany, about a prisoner who used the tactics used in so many films to make his prison break.

And the "Great Escape" award goes to Hans Lang, 42, who staged a truly creative escape from the German prison where he was doing time for drug dealing. He mailed himself out of prison.

Lang hid in the laundry room and when it was empty, he wrapped himself in sheets, put himself in an extra large FedEx box and left the prison in the back of a van. When the driver made a stop, Lang got out of the box, picked the lock on the van and made his escape into the woods.

It's the stuff of Hollywood films and spy novels but the scheme worked. Lang is still on the lam and has not yet been found and marked "return to sender".

Street Artist to Give Away $2m of Art Work

2008-11-12T20:34:00.003-05:00

If you live in London, this could be your week to pick up some expensive artwork by a famous artist - for free.

Adam Neate, well-known street artist whose paintings often sell for over $80,000, will be leaving 1000 pieces of his art work all over the city. They will be free for the taking for whoever finds them.
Neate is staging the giveaway to celebrate the roots of street art, and to demonstrate the true meaning of street art - that it's free for everyone to enjoy.

Each piece will be signed so the finders will know that they have stumbled across the genuine article. The pieces will be left at famous landmarks but also in less conspicuous places.

Workers will beging distributing the paintings before dawn on Friday , and will continue from the outskirts to the inner city until all the pieces are set out. So if you are in London on Friday, keep your eyes open.

The Art of Wall Decor

2008-11-12T11:48:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, when you first move into a place, you spend some time enjoying those plain white and naked walls. That was my feeling when I first moved into this apartment, it felt nice and bare. It doesn't take long however, to realize that this cold and minimalist environment isn't really a comfortable one for you or your guests. But how do you decorate if you don't know anything about it?

Haven't you visited someone who, through carefully selected wall art decor makes their home seem more inviting, more comfortable and engaging through art that keeps your visual interest? That is all you have to do, just extend your personal vision.

There are many ways to set about decorating your walls in a way that expresses your taste and your style. A few well-chosen canvas oil paintings can highlight your color scheme and create a feeling of continuity and a flow in the decor.

If you are more adventurous and modern, you might choose some metal wall art, or sculpture. Why not go against the expectations and choose canvas wall art in contrasting colors, or vibrant patterns that will immediately catch the eye?

If you're looking for wall art but aren't sure just what you want, try a site like Wall Decor and Home Accents.com. They have art of every description and you can browse until you find the art that exactly suits your walls and you. The prices are very reasonable for quality art works as well, and the selection is very good.

Remembering our Veterans

2008-11-11T20:22:00.003-05:00

Today is Veterans Day, the day when we remember those men who fought bravely to preserve our freedoms. If you know a veteran, today is a great day to say a special "thank you" to him or her.
We salute the men who went off to foreign lands to fight for those principles that this nation was founded upon and to defeat tyranny. We say a special prayer for those who never returned, and for their families.

The Wall - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington DC

Top Irritating Phrases

2008-11-08T15:36:00.001-05:00

Everyday we hear them, tired words and catch phrases that make us mad enough to explode, literally. Literally is one of them, especially when used incorrectly as in that sentence. Oxford University has compiled a top ten list of phrases and words that irritate.

The phrase "at the end of the day" tops the Oxford University list while a separate list compiled by the UK newspaper, the Telegraph, puts "literally" in the top spot for most irritating, overused word or phrase.

The lists are pretty good and you can find them here. I couldn't agree more on people who say "shouldn't of" instead of "shouldn't have". But I can think of other words and phrases that irritate me as much or more than the ones on either list. For instance "on the same page" is a very tired, overused phrase in any office setting.

Feel free to comment and leave the word or phrase that makes you cringe everytime you hear it. No one will tell you that you "shouldn't of" done it.

Galco Holsters

2008-11-06T12:54:00.001-05:00

When Richard Gallagher founded "The Original Jackass Leather Company" in 1969, he didn't know that one day his Jackass shoulder holster would be made famous by Don Johnson in the classic "Miami Vice" television series. Today, Galco holsters are used everywhere by law enforcement agencies, the military and civilians. Galco, as the company is now known, still makes the highest quality holsters from premium leather, ballistic nylon and horsehide. For quality workmanship and superior design, there's no better value than a Galco holster.

Mom Given Wrong Baby - Had a Girl, Got a Boy

2008-11-06T12:48:00.003-05:00

Everyone's heard stories of babies mixed up at hospitals and the heartbreak of parents who find out months and years later that the baby they brought home was not, in fact, their own child. But in one case, the mistake was caught very quickly, making the baby exchange much easier.

Cristina Zahariuc,35, gave birth to her third child, a girl, in a Romanian hospital. when it was time to leave, she gave the hospital staff the clothes she brought to take the baby home in and the baby was soon dressed and returned to her.

But Cristina was in for a little shock the first time she had to change a wet diaper. For under the frilly pink clothing she discovered that the baby she brought home from the hospital had a penis.

Calls made by Cristina and her husband to the hospital were hung up on, as the staff thought it was a prank. However, Cristina was soon able to prove to the hospital that she had given birth to a girl and yet was sent home with a baby boy.

An investigation is underway to find out which staff screwed up in the releasing of the wrong child. The hospital claims it probably happened because of the similarities in the names of the two mothers. They did not say if staff would need to undergo special gender identification training. I think it may be needed if they didn't notice they were dressing a boy in the girls' clothing given them by the mother.

Nikon ATB Binoculars Gift Card

2008-10-31T13:35:00.000-04:00

Looking at the calendar and worrying about the dwindling number of days till Christmas? Well, if you know an avid outdoorsman, hunter or sportsman, I can tell you about one gift that will be an instant hit. Buy him Nikon ATB Binoculars and get a Promotional Gift Card for other great Nikon gear. The gift card is up to a $50 value on Nikon's quality outdoor wear, optics and other gear. The Nikon ATB Promotion runs through December 31, 2008. Just choose the binoculars you want at www.nikonhunting.com and after you make your purchase, fill out the rebate form to get your gift card for cool gear. Don't miss out on the great gear and great savings.

Woman buys foreclosed home - returns it to the owner

2008-10-30T14:02:00.001-04:00

I am not one usually for finding the good news, I am more interested in the strange and quirky news that shows the infinite eccentricities and foibles of humans. But this is one story I couldn't pass up, it's just too good.

Tracy Orr was just another victim of the slow economy, a woman who had suffered through job loss and then the loss of her home through foreclosure. She suffered through the auction where they would sell off her foreclosed home to strangers, and she cried.

But Tracy's story has a happy ending, because a good Samaritan who listened to her story, bought her house at auction and then in a gesture of humanity hardly ever seen anymore, gave it back to her.

Marilyn Mock purchased Tracy's house at that auction and has told Tracy she can live there, and instead of making payments to the bank, Tracy will make payments to her.

Maybe what the country needs isn't another politician with a bailout or another complicated tax program. Maybe what this country needs are more people like Marilyn Mock, more random acts of kindness and charity.

Help with MDF files

2008-10-17T21:39:00.001-04:00

There's a lot of information on the net to help you with computer questions, but there's one place where you can get information on so many tech subjects that it's the kind of resource you'll find yourself returning to over and over again. BackupAnswers.com has just the type of format I like and I think you'll like it too. It's full of easy-to-understand explanations of technical terms, covering a multitude of computer topics that users will find helpful. In today's market, computer knowledge can be the key to success.

Recently I was looking for information and tech help on .mdf files and an mdf file reader. MDF files are used as image copies of DVDs or CDs. The process was clearly and exhaustively covered and most importantly, I got the technological help I was seeking. I also spent some time looking around the site and picked up a few other important bits of computer knowledge that I tucked away for future reference.

Whether you're looking for information on file extensions or how to use MagicISO to create MDF files, you will find what you need to know at BackupAnswers.com.

Judge Tosses Out Lawsuit Against God

2008-10-16T20:38:00.002-04:00

A judge has tossed out a lawsuit against God because the Almighty was never served court papers.

The lawsuit was brought by Nebraska Senator Ernie Chambers, who filed the suit in response to several efforts by the Nebraska legislature to try to curb the glut of frivolous lawsuits that clog the judicial system.

Chambers believes that anyone has the sue anyone else. He sued God to get an injunction to prevent God from committing what he terms are acts of violence, such as earthquakes and tornadoes.

In throwing out the case, the judge stated that not only is there no evidence that God had been served, he also opined that effective service on God could never be accomplished.

Chambers argued that since God is omnipresent, he would be aware of the proceedings. Chambers plans to appeal.

Write Your Own Reviews at Talk Reviews

2008-10-13T23:41:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what makes a website popular or which sites are the Top Websites on the net? There are lots of ways to rate a website - Alexa, Google's page rank, etc. In the end, what really matters is what the visitors think, visitors like you.

Now there's a place where you can get all the information you need on a website as well as useful reviews from other visitors. Read reviews of websites from all over the globe or share your opinion with others and Write a Website Review. Find out what others have to say about your site, at Talk Reviews.com.

Bigfoot for sale on eBay

2008-10-13T23:02:00.000-04:00

There's more than one way to make money off a hoax. First you announce that you have found a Bigfoot body and then when it is discovered to be nothing more than a gorilla costume with some animal entrails stuffed into it, you sell it on eBay.

That's right. The hoaxsters, Rick Dyer and Matt Whitton will sell you the fake Bigfoot body for the right price. If you remember, Dyer and Whitton said they were out hunting when they came across the body of a Bigfoot and were going to reveal it all to the world, to finally prove that Bigfoot exists.

They had the "body" in a freezer but when it thawed out, the hoax was quickly discovered and they were discredited, as well as out a lot of money they probably hoped to get paid for exclusive interviews.

You have to hand it to them for finding another way of making a buck out of what is essentially a huge lie. The current bid for the Bigfoot body is $55,000. I guess it proves what PT Barnum always said "there's a sucker born every minute".

Find Area Codes

2008-10-10T16:14:00.001-04:00

With 372 area codes in the US and more coming in expansion, it isn't easy to recognize where that last phone call came from. You might not even recognize area codes from your local area, as more codes are assigned to cell phones and other devices using phone lines. But you can Locate Area Codes quickly on this website that gives you all the area codes for each state and even lets you look up phone numbers, so you never have to wonder about a missed phone call again.

Should Candidates Wear Lie Detectors?

2008-10-10T13:16:00.002-04:00

I think this is the greatest idea anyone has ever come up with. Candidates in a race for a Congressional seat in Indiana have agreed to be hooked up to lie detectors during the debate.

Think about how easy that would make going to the polls. Who are you going to vote for? The guy who said all the right things but whose polygraph beeped and flashed the whole time he was smiling and promising?

Polygraphs in politics would change everything, but mostly it would guarantee that no one currently in office would ever get elected again. Instead, the little guy, the one who collects signatures, barely gets on the ballot and usually never has a chance, will become the candidate of choice. Why? Because he believes in what he says. He wants to make a change for the better, and believes he can.

Sure, a polygraph only measures whether or not you think you are telling the truth, but isn't it better to elect someone who believes in what he says, even if he's wrong, than someone who will vote for and do things he thinks are wrong just to get elected?

The debate won't include the polygraphs, even though two of the three candidates have agreed to it. The incumbent hasn't responded and his party chairman is dead set against it. He's stated there are better ways of finding out what a candidate's position is than using a lie detector.

Sure, there's better ways of knowing what someone thinks than making him tell the truth?

Nouveau Riche

2008-10-09T09:52:00.001-04:00

Noveau Riche is no longer a label given by those with "old money" to brash upstarts and newcomers, rather it's now the goal of every low to middle income American citizen. Those who have raised their status within one generation are now more admired and envied than those who have inherited their wealth. With examples of American entrepreneurism like Bill Gates, Sam Walton and even Warren Buffet, they have seen others climb the socio-economic ladder of success and reach the status of Noveau Riche.

The goal is attainable. Every year, hard-working people start with the germ of a great idea and nurture it until it grows into success. The call of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" is answered every day by those who have the drive to succeed. Working towards the goal of helping others to start their own business and increase income is Nouveau Riche, a community that is all about educating the entrepreneur, providing support and advice. The key is taking what you love, what you have a passion for, and turning it into a business. Noveau Riche can help you realize your life's ambition and make you part of the new rich nation.

Mail Goggles

2008-10-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Google continues its innovation to provide users with one more invaluable service - the ability to filter out ill-conceived emails that may have been composed while the author was drunk.

Mail Goggles can be set to turn on late nights or weekends to give the inebriated a chance to re-think that gushy email to the one they love from afar or hastily written resignations from their jobs by setting up extra blocks in the form of questions.

Google will set the sender a series of math problems to solve once they click "send". Their ability to correctly solve the problems or not may give them a chance to determine whether or not they are in the right mind-set to be sending that email.

On the other hand, if you really want to call your boss a moronic monkey-puppet of corporate greed, it may be that your inability to do some simple math won't stop you.

Election Fun - Throw a Debate Party

2008-10-05T19:28:00.001-04:00

Is the mud-slinging and name-calling of the campaign season starting to bring you down? Confused as to which candidate holds which position or why? There's no reason to struggle through this all alone. While you ponder the issues and root for your candidates, make it all a little more fun and social with a Debate party.

A debate party can be a great idea for you and your friends, no matter what your political persuasions. Make food, drinks and party favors for guests of either political party and please everyone. That's a neat trick during election season, but regardless of who wins the debate, if you use the great party ideas at Celebrations.com, your party is sure to be the winner.

No Fly Zone - Bumblebees and Pterodactyls and Mathematics

2008-10-05T17:52:00.002-04:00

One story in the news that really caught my eye was the new scientific theory that has rendered the pterodactyl flightless. This pre-historic bird, which weighed nearly a quarter of a ton, simply wouldn't be able to flap its wings fast enough to maintain flight, say the researchers.

The pterodactyl holds a special place in the terror hall of fame, having been the predator of choice in so many movies. But before we scrap our Jurassic Park DVDs, let's consider that at one time, science told us that bumblebees can't fly. Bumblebees were not extinct at the time that theory was proposed, and in fact, could be observed to fly on any given warm, summer day. So how did someone prove they can't fly?

The truth is that no one ever proved that bumblebees can't fly, they only proved that by using a mathematical model unknown to the bees, you can calculate size, weight and wing span which will produce a theory that these bees shouldn't be flying.

Pterodactyls didn't do math either.

Who Are You Looking For?

2008-09-29T18:01:00.001-04:00

Have you wanted to get in touch with old friends you haven't seen in years, but because they've moved, you don't know where to look? Maybe you're looking for a childhood sweetheart, long-lost relative or someone from your past. A good place to start your search is People Locator Services. Browse the database of names or enter keywords for a search to find public records easily and quickly. Find who you're looking for.

Woman Finds Bat in Coffee

2008-09-29T16:57:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year when warm, sunny days encourage flies and bees and other insect life to go about seeking food, but as the cooler evenings take over, they often get caught out by the cold, or find someplace warm to hide. It's the time of year when you don't leave your car windows open, because the super-warmth of the interior caused by the day's sunshine is just a perfect spot for bees escaping the rapidly cooling air.

Apparently the same holds true for bats. Except this is the prime time of year for bats to try to move into your house, rather than your car.

One strange story comes out of Iowa, where a woman found a drowned (and steamed) bat in the filter of her coffee maker. Of course, by the time she found the bat, she had already consumed her morning cuppa joe. She kept the coffee pot on a timer and only filled it up at night.

Now Rollo loves his coffee more than could be considered natural and normal, but brewing bats might be just enough to put him off his usual mug of java. This is just a heads-up to always check your filter and well, any place a bat might decide to duck into.

As for the hapless woman in Iowa, since the bat's brains were too cooked for testing, she had to undergo a series of rabies shots. Okay, that's worth avoiding.

Identify Unknown Callers

2008-09-24T22:45:00.001-04:00

Do you keep receiving calls from the same unknown number and wonder who is calling you and why? Do you wonder if others are receiving calls from the same number or if they have any further information on the caller? Now there's a website where you can list those persistent and unidentified numbers, and even leave comments for others on your experience. When you're looking for more information and Caller Identification on a number, check here first to see if others have listed the number or commented. You can get a list of the top unidentified numbers that people are receiving calls from. CallerIdentifier.com helps you get answers about that unwanted phone call.

MALINTENT - Homeland Security to read minds

2008-09-24T08:25:00.004-04:00

If you travel frequently for business or pleasure, you have become used to the delays in boarding and the strictures on what you may carry. Screenings cost some travelers precious time over innocent personal hygiene devices, cosmetics and other items that can trigger full searches. But what would you prefer - a body search or a mind search?

New technology coming from Homeland Security will read the minds of passengers rather than search their bodies for hidden devices. The new machine is called MALINTENT and it reads body clues that will signal if a passenger has something to hide.

Does it sound like a science fiction novel? In some ways, yes. It's the extreme of the Big Brother society, where not only what you do and what you say is known to the government, but now what you think. Can humans prepare themselves for that particular invasion of privacy?

Except that MALINTENT cannot read specific thoughts, rather it reads your body's vital signs and performs a micro-facial scanning that measures minute muscle movements, movements that might indicate mood and intent. They believe they will be able to spot those passengers who may be planning harm to others.

But when going through airport screenings on the brink of travel, who is feeling relaxed? How will the machine read your mood if you are having a bad day? Not to worry they say, you don't won't set off the detectors simply because you are stressed or tense or even if you sweat profusely.

Testing on the device is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see which passengers feel is more invasive - fingers in their luggage or probes into their minds.

Personal Illumination Tools

2008-09-16T18:40:00.003-04:00

You don't have to be in law enforcement or the military to appreciate the importance of a high-quality personal flashlight. That's why, when you want a personal light that's durable, reliable and convenient enough to take along in a pocket or purse, you can't find anything better than a Surefire Flashlight.

Surefire make a full line of illumination tools and weapon lights for use by anyone who needs a quality tool of rugged construction. Whether you're an outdoorsman or a single woman, you can find the right flashlight for your needs from Surefire. You can find a well-stocked inventory of Surefire flashlights at LAPoliceGear.com. Many models come with free batteries, too and there's free ground shipping on orders over $50.

Which came first? The Chicken or the Duck?

2008-09-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

A Chinese farmer who was trying to get all his ducks in a row, found the task a bit more difficult than he imagined. One of his ducks, isn't.

Isn't a duck, that is. Or it may be a duck but somehow it's not exactly like the other ducks. For one thing, it doesn't like water.

Of course, it could be these feet that make this duck too chicken to try paddling across the pond. Or maybe he's just ducken his responsibilities.

The farmer said that he didn't notice that his new duck had chicken feet until about ten days after he bought it. The duck has become quite famous in his own little way, with people coming from all around to see him.

This is one ugly duckling that won't be turning into a swan anytime soon.

Online Chat City - New Chat Forum

2008-09-12T22:07:00.002-04:00

These days the internet is becoming a huge part of everyday life. Life is fast-moving and hectic, people don't have time for traditional avenues. The internet is a primary source of news, information and is fast becoming the place where people meet new friends and make social connections. Online Chat Rooms are just one way people can connect with others, meet new people, find interesting discussions and fresh points of view. Now there's a new chat site where people can connect and chat for free. Online Chat City offers free membership to their chat rooms for those looking for a new and exciting form where they can meet and chat. Registration is quick and easy. If you're looking for a great new chat site, try Online Chat City.

Mother Steals Daughter's ID - Becomes a Cheerleader

2008-09-12T21:30:00.000-04:00

I've heard of people who want to live their dreams, but this woman in Wisconsin takes the cake. Her dream was to finish high school and be a cheerleader, but at 33 years old, it didn't seem likely that she would achieve it.

That is, until she decided to assume her daughter's identity. Wendy Brown told school officials she was 15, using her daughter's identity to get admitted to high school. She got to attend cheerleading practice and even a pool party at the coach's house before being found out.

No information was available on how Wendy Brown was found out but let's be real here. I don't care how great someone looks at 33, she won't look 15. I mean, at some point the pom poms get a little saggy. The daughter apparently lives with her grandmother in Nevada but it is not known if either she or her grandmother is a cheerleader.

Searching Public Records Online

2008-09-11T20:25:00.002-04:00

Wondering where to start your public records search for deeds and mortgages, death records, birth records, professional license records, sex offender records and more? You can search online to access direct links for county public records, and it's quick and easy. Simply fill in the information on the individual whose records you are searching for and get the results from a nationwide database. It's a simple way to find the information you need anywhere in the country.

Of Tragedy and Fraud - Remembering 9/11

2008-09-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

Today is a day that Americans will never forget. The day our security and feeling of invulnerability in our own land was shattered forever as two planes were deliberately flown into the World Trade Center twin towers, the most devastating terrorism attack ever launched against Americans on their own soil.

But while we remember those that died, the families whose lives were forever destroyed, the brave ones that worked to save those still trying to escape, we also remember the survivors. Those people who lived through the most traumatic morning of their lives, suffered the loss of co-workers and friends, and witnessed a tragedy of epic scale.

Today I was incensed to read of a woman named Tania Head who masqueraded as a WTC survivor, even heading up a survivors group. It is a despicable fraud that it is hard to imagine anyone perpetrating. Eventually it was discovered that she was never even in New York on that fateful day, she was thousands of miles away in Barcelona. You can read the story in The Daily Mail.

Sportsview - It's Fan-tastic

2008-09-11T10:35:00.002-04:00

Like most people I belong to several social networking sites, a couple of which I signed up for and never revisited. Sometimes there's not much to draw you back to the site. If you don't know or meet that many people who share your interests, why bother? Maybe you are a sports fan like me, but don't find too many others whose enthusiasm equals yours.

But how about this idea? Instead meeting a few like-minded sports enthusiasts in your regular social networking site, how about joining a social networking site specifically for and by sports fans?

Sportsviews.com is a very different kind of social networking site, aimed at the serious sports fan but providing lots of fun at the same time. Members can upload videos, create sports blogs, share pictures and even create bets to earn Sportsview dollars. Plus you can enjoy all the great videos, football videos, baseball videos, and much more.

No matter what sport you're a fan of, Sportsview has a community dedicated to it. Is football your passion? Maybe you're anticipating the winter season to follow your favorite hockey team. Football, baseball, hockey, even golf and NASCAR are all covered here. Find new friends, or invite all your friends to join with you, either way you can set challenges, compete, and make free sports bets to see who really knows their sport inside and out. Bets aren't made in real money, they are SV$ that members can use to purchase teams, players and increase their personal Sportsview net worth.

When you create a bet, you decide if it's going to be a Prediction bet or a Majority bet. Earn points for great bets, videos, pictures and blog posts. Compete with friends as you strive to increase your Sportsview dollars.

Sportviews.com is completely free to join. It's easy and quick to register and start sharing your sports stories, news, and all your sportsviews. Encourage your friends to join with you and start the sports challenge today.

Life as We Don't Know It

2008-09-11T08:45:00.003-04:00

They switched on the LHC proton accelerator and the Earth is still here. According to the scientists at CERN, it's all been an atom-smashing success so far. But since the important smashing won't occur for a month or so, we are still waiting to see.

But it appears that regardless of what happens, at least one species of life will survive, and it may not be the cockroach to our surprise. Scientists have found this interesting creature called the tardigrade, or "water bear" can survive quite nicely through incredible amounts of radiation.

They are tiny creatures, only 1.5 mm long, and apparently in times of extreme environment changes, they simply suspend life and biological function until such time that the environment seems friendly enough again.

This amazing ability causes scientists to do things like strap them to the outside of orbiting space craft, to test their mettle.

So, although possessing the ability to withstand the vacuum of space, radiation and intense temperature changes makes it incredibly likely they can survive nearly anything, they have to put up with nosy scientists watching them reproduce and shooting them into space.

Maybe it's better to be less hardy, but if one day there is a disaster that leaves only the water bear as life on this planet, the next round of evolution might be very interesting.

Search for Divorce Records Online

2008-09-10T20:43:00.001-04:00

Did you know there's a way to access public Divorce Records from anywhere in the country? You can find local public divorce records online by state or search nationwide. Searching the database is just a matter of filling in a few details and the search area you desires. LocalDivorceRecords.org will provide the documentation you require from their vast database of public divorce records recovered from country court houses nationwide. Search there, and search no more.

Sarah Palin - Action Hero?

2008-09-10T07:41:00.000-04:00

Sarah Palin, the Republican VP Candidate, took the media by storm and Hero-Builders hopes their action figure doll of Sarah Palin will take the market by storm.

There are two versions of the 12-inch Sarah Palin action figure. One portrays her in an exective style suit befitting her office as governor of Alaska while the other plays up her less official skills. Wearing a trench coat over a white mini-skirt, the doll has a gun strapped to her toned thigh.

The makers of the doll believe the gun-toting, mini-skirt wearing version will sell the better of the two dolls.

Scientists with Proton Accelerator could end the world

2008-09-08T11:23:00.004-04:00

According to some scientists, the end of the world is scheduled for this Wednesday - technically, four years from this Wednesday.

On Wednesday, scientists will switch on the LHC (Large Hadron Collider), a giant particle accelerator that is buried 100 meters below the earth. The LHC is containted in 17 miles of underground tunnels.

Scientists hope to recreate the second after the Big Bang and discover the secrets of the universe. But some scientists are warning that they could create black holes and quasars inside the Earth that will eventually destroy it from the inside out. One has said that it will take approximately four years before we notice the effects of this experiment.

The alleged danger of the throwing of the switch has caused panic all around the world, and those involved in the project are receiving death threats.

I hadn't planned on the world ending on Wednesday. This is in fact, the second end of the world I have been through. Remember, we were all pretty sure that the world's computers were going to cause the end of civilization when Y2K arrived. So I am not sure this end of the world is going to pan out. But just in case, I am not paying any bills until Thursday.

Read more at the Daily Mail

Laptop A Day Giveaway from Charter

2008-08-29T21:11:00.004-04:00

If you an avid internet user as I am, you know that dial up just won't cut it, you need high speed internet. Now, when you sign up for a great deal on high speed internet from Charter Communications, you not only get the speed and connectivity you crave, but a chance to win a free laptop.

That's right, in the Charter Laptop-a-Day Giveaway, Charter is giving away a HP Compaq Presario Notebook Intel Pentium Dual Core Laptop, Windows Vista Home Premium Software and a Black Neotec Compu Backpack. That's a value of more than $600 and one prize will be given away every day for 30 days.

What's more, if you order online you will receive a Shell gas card valued up to $100. With gas prices at an all-time high, that's a gift you can really use.

This is also a great time to get high speed internet for the students returning to school. How better to help them get ahead this year than with a great Back to School deal on internet service? Whether for emailing teachers for help, research or checking on assignments and sharing notes, internet access is essential for the modern student.

When you purchase and have installed one of the great packages from Charter Communications you are automatically entered in the drawing for the daily laptop prize. Check out the deals and get your entry in today.

City Forecloses on Man's House for Unpaid Parking Ticket

2008-08-29T20:16:00.001-04:00

Milwaukee is not known as the city of brotherly love, and maybe for a good reason. In an act that is anything but brotherly, the City of Milwaukee has taken possession of a man's house, in return for an unpaid parking ticket.

Peter Tubic had an unlicensed van parked in his driveway and incurred a fine of $50. Because he didn't pay the original fine, interest and penalties have driven it up to $2,600. For this the city is foreclosing on his home.

But, Tubic's lawyers say, Tubic's case is unique in that he suffers from many physical diseases and has been declared mentally and physically disabled since 2001. These problems make it difficult for Tubic to handle this kind of situation, and the fines went unpaid.

The mayor vowed to help Tubic but nothing will be known until the hearing on September 11. If the city retains ownership of the house, they will sell it and return to Tubic any monies from the sale over the amount of the fine.

It's a reminder that although we live in a free country, we can still get caught in a web of bureaucracy and red tape. For the simple offense of overlooking a minor ticket, you could end up homeless. I won't even go into the idea of property rights and why the government shouldn't be able to tell you that you can't keep your own property on your own property without paying them a registration fee.

For Peter Tubic, the issue of property rights won't really matter, the city has taken his home.

Web Hosting Reviews

2008-08-28T14:58:00.001-04:00

I run several blogs and sites on different topics, and when I was looking for hosting for my latest one, I found it wasn't so easy to decide which hosting plan was best. There are many options to consider and it's important to know what's included, how much downtime you can expect and overall cost.

So what's the best way to find out where to get the best web hosting? WebHostRating.com gives you a quick look at the top ten hosts with a review for each that details the benefits of each plan and full information on the cost of hosting plans. I found useful information that I could practically apply to the process of choosing a hosting company.

In addition you may find some of the articles of particular use. If you have questions on anything to do with website maintenance, you can most likely find the answer here. For example, what do you need to consider when choosing a domain name? Should you use hyphens or take a .biz instead of a .com? This article may help you decide.

In short, I highly recommend doing your research before making a decision, and WebHostRating.com can give you a great start in your search with useful articles and hosting reviews.

Bank Changes Customer's Disparaging Password

2008-08-28T14:03:00.000-04:00

This story about the man who tried to express his displeasure with his bank's service through his password, just struck a chord with me.

The man used the password "Lloyds is pants" until some bank employee saw it and changed it to "No We Are Not". You'll be glad to know that the bank admitted that the employee had no right to change the password.

The problem now is that the customer, a Mr. Jetley, is having difficulty getting his passwords accepted. He's tried "Lloyds is Rubbish" and "Censorship" among other things, but the bank has nixed all his submissions.

With banks imposing incredible fees for using their services and ATMs, penalizing customers with daily fees on overdrafts and generally turning banking into a battlefield, it only seems natural for the little guy to want to strike out in at least editorial ways.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jetley struggles to find a password he can get by the censors, while the rest of us now hatch ideas for the new passwords we can use - until we get caught, that is.

Freedom Debt Relief

2008-08-20T10:38:00.001-04:00

The crush of credit card and other unsecured debt is a heavy burden on American consumers. In the current economy, many have turned to credit cards to satisfy pressing financial obligations, only to incur more debt, more interest and an accumulating debt that seems to spiral out of control.

It seems to me that taking out a loan to cover outstanding debts is just adding to the burden. What you need to do is to lower your debt, find a way to pay it down and break the cycle. That's where Freedom Debt Relief comes in. By lowering your actual debt to up to 50% of what it is now through negotiation with creditors, and consolidating your many payments into just one, you can become debt-free in as little as 2-3 years and only pay half of what you currently owe. Best of all, you won't continue to damage your credit score with late payments.

The fees for their service are spread out over the course of your program and incorporated into your monthly payment, so there's no big surprise payments or fees. FDR will contact your creditors to negotiate the lowest balance possible and save you money.

Once you are debt-free, they can refer you to credit repair services and other financial services to restore your good credit and set your future financial path.

Bigfoot is Halloween Costume

2008-08-20T09:22:00.001-04:00

The sad news of the week is that bigfoot isn't real, at least not the one they found in a costume shop. I must say that I, for one, am extremely disappointed.

Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, the two men claiming to have found a bigfoot body, seem to have been hunting for Halloween costumes. It doesn't seem too bright to assume that you can fool people with a fake bigfoot for long, but in fact, they fooled someone long enough to make a bit of cash.

Tom Biscardi of Searchingforbigfoot.com had paid the "discoverers" of the bigfoot corpse a reported $50,000 for the exclusive rights to the story and the body. The body which was kept encased in ice in a freezer, was not available for examination by any experts except Biscardi's investigator, Steve Kulls. When the ice began to thaw, Kulls discovered that the fur was synthetic and the feet were made of rubber.

Dyer and Whitton have disappeared of course, taking the $50,000 with them presumably. Biscardi has a Halloween costume and egg on his face. Bigfoot still doesn't exist and that's the really sad part.

However, one thought did occur. If you were bigfoot, wouldn't hiding out in a bigfoot costume be the best disguise of all?

Country Music Site Makes Fans

2008-08-01T00:08:00.003-04:00

Country music fans will soon become big fans of a website called CountryMusicPerformers.com. The site is a virtual treasure trove of music, media and more. You can watch your favorite Country Music Video and discuss it or any other country music related topic with other fans on the forums. Check out news and information on today's top country music artists and vote for your favorite performers, songs, and videos. There's so much to do at this site and so much information you've been looking for, like all those Country Music Lyrics so you can sing along with your favorite songs. If you're looking for a country music resource, check it out!

A Shocking Tale

2008-08-01T00:02:00.000-04:00

High prices for energy are making it hard for lots of people these days, but trying to circumvent the local electric company turned out to be a shocker for Lonnie Montgomery of Conway, Arkansas.

The 33 year old Montgomery hadn't paid his electric bill and service was shut off. According to authorities, Montgomery had sparked to the idea of trying to reconnect the electricity himself. He apparently had removed the plastic cover that the utility company had placed on the meter. Montgomery was found lying dead outside his home, his hand still holding one end of a set of jumper cables.

So, in case you wondered if it was possible to reconnect your own electricity without paying your bill, the answer is that it's really not such a bright idea.

Viddiction - Earn Cash for Your Videos

2008-07-31T23:10:00.005-04:00

Video sites are becoming one of the net's most popular forms of social networking. User-created content provides a wide variety of humor, music, newsy bytes or just heartwarming videos that visitors can spend many happy hours poring over.

If you love to make your own videos and you're creative, then you should check out the web's newest video networking site, Viddiction. Viddiction offers you a place to upload your creative masterpieces and a little something more - you can actually earn cash for videos.

At Viddiction, the more popular your video is and the more hits it receives, the more points you score. The highest scoring videos are awarded cash prizes in monthly competitions. The prizes are generous too, ranging from $50.00 to $500.00. So post your video, advertise it on your blog, tell your friends - promote, promote, promote.

The videos I watched were pretty good. "Violent Grandma" had me laughing heartily at the Mercedes driver who got what he deserved when he impatiently honked at a little old lady who packed quite a punch. Who knew airbags sensors were so sensitive?

You know your concept is brilliant and your direction superb. Why not reap the rewards of your labor of love with a little cash in your pocket? There are no entry fees and no limit on the number of videos you can post. Viddiction makes it easy to post your videos, get points for views and the reward you so clearly deserve.

Sat Nav Sends Trucks into House 15 Times

2008-07-31T16:09:00.002-04:00

It's bad enough when you get a map and directions on the internet and go in circles for an hour because it says to take a right when it was supposed to be a left, but seems like sat-nav isn't all it's cracked up to be.

There was the bus driver whose sat-nav led him directly into a river. Even though he was driving into the water, he kept right on because his sat-nav told him that was the way to go. Now, there's the poor woman in Bodfari, North Wales, who is afraid to sit in her livingroom because truck drivers keep smashing into it, but she says it's not their fault.

All the truck drivers are just following the directions from their sat-nav, which tells them that the winding country lane on which Amanda Sandland lives is a shortcut. All in all, truckers following the sat-nav instructions have hit her house 15 times.

Taking a truck down a narrow country lane that is obviously too small for the vehicle or driving a bus into a river and keep going till you are half-submereged because some technological advice tells you to, makes you a shining example of a lack of common sense and highlights our society's new slavish dependence on technology.

Of Men and Boots

2008-07-28T12:37:00.002-04:00

Women love to shop for shoes, they will have dozens of pairs of shoes in different colors for every occasion. Guys aren't like that, shoes are for specific purposes. Some shoes are for running or sports, some for harsh weather and some, like steel toe shoes, are simply to keep your feet and toes intact when you work jobs like construction.

A well-made and sturdy pair of boots is important for many occupations and hobbies, from construction to hunting. But whether you want outdoor boots, workboots or steel-toed boots, you don't want to waste time and money going from store to store only to find that you've ended up with an inferior product.

If you're looking for quality and convenience, try WorkBootsUSA.com for a selection of top-name, high-quality boots and the ease of purchasing online. Save your feet a trip to the mall and protect them in quality work boots for every need.

Yeti Hairs Found ?

2008-07-28T11:39:00.003-04:00

The shadow of the Abominable Snowman is looming large again, this time because of two hairs found in the mountains of north-east India. The strands of hair are being analyzed but have not yet been identified and are being hailed as possible proof that the Yeti really does exist.

The Yeti, like Sasquatch (Bigfoot) is a legend amongst native peoples that only became a part of the global consciousness in the 20th century. When westerners started climbing Everest, news of the possible existence of a mysterious human-like ape or ape-like human started to be spread. Even Sir Edmund Hillary claimed to have seen footprints belonging to the Yeti.

But what if they find these hairs are just the hairs of the brown or black bear? I don't think it will matter at all. The legend of the Yeti is as important as the legend of Bigfoot or Loch Ness. They are historical beings despite never having been proven to exist. They fill an important place in pop culture. They provide mystery, and with our advancement in knowledge and technology, mystery is hard to come by. Is it any wonder that all these mysterious beings were suddenly thrust into the spotlight during the last century? The same century that saw an explosion of scientific and technological knowledge?

The paranormal, ghosts, Bigfoot, Nessie and the Abominable Snowman all offer that element of the unknown that our human minds crave. Humans for millenia passed on legends and stories by the light of a campfire, instilling fear and awe in the listeners. Today's legends are no less important, they let us sit and whisper together, express doubts, fears and our belief in something beyond our world of technology and scientific certainties.

Hailstones Explode from Toilet

2008-07-21T09:46:00.002-04:00

The weather has been pretty strange in Eisen-stadt, Austria where Martin Bierbauer lives. But he was shocked when he was driven off his toilet when hailstones shot up through the U-bend and blasted out of the bowl.

Another resident of the apartment building tried to hold back the torrent of large hailstones coming from her toilet by putting a board over the bowl and sitting on it, but the pressure behind them was too great. Bierbauer and other residents of the apartment building fled into the streets as the icy pellets continued to explode from their toilets.

Extremely warm weather followed by cold snaps and freak ice storms had left hailstones clogging the drainage pipes and caused growing pressure in the pipes. According to a council spokesman, they had to go somewhere.

Source

World Biofuels Industry Challenges OPEC on Biofuels Future

2008-07-18T23:14:00.002-04:00

Despite the fact that a recent Merrill Lynch analysis shows that biofuels keep the world oil prices 15 % lower than they otherwise would be, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ) has accused the biofuels industry of being at least partly to blame for rising crude oil prices.

Answering this charge are the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), the European Bioethanol Fuel Associations, the Brazilian Sugarcane and Ethanol Industry Association (UNICA) and the US Renewable Fuels Association in their World Biofuels Industry Open Letter to OPEC.

The open letter appeared as a full page ad in the Financial Times. The goal is to try to counter the misleading information from OPEC about the future of biofuels and the effect they may have in alleviating the energy crisis.

It seems fairly logical that OPEC would fear the rise of alternative energy sources, like biofuels, that might cut into their profits. Have a look at the full letter at the link above and judge for yourself.

Police Officer Fired for Demanding Free Coffee

2008-07-18T22:41:00.002-04:00

There are always jokes about policemen at the coffee shop, sipping coffee and eating donuts. But for one Daytona Beach police officer, his caffeine addiction led to being fired from the police force.

Seems that Lt. Major Garvin has been the recipient of a lot of free coffee at the local Starbucks, but not because the manager was overly fond of him. Employees complained that Garvin would simply cut the line and go past all the other customers waiting so that he could be served first. Apparently he came into the store several times a night, demanding free coffee. According to employees, they were told that not providing the free coffee would mean that police response times would be slower in the future.

A former manager apparently gave out coffee as freebies to police officers, but that really is no excuse. The present manager did not, and for a police officer to threaten that the police would not respond to an emergency in as rapid a time frame cannot be excused.

I applaud Police Chief Mike Chitwood's fast response in firing this guy. He's a disgrace to police officers everywhere. And I would like to thank Lt. Major Garvin for being so stupid, because the final blow for Garvin was the fact that he utterly failed the polygraph test he himself insisted on taking.

What's Your Bills IQ?

2008-07-16T17:30:00.002-04:00

How savvy are you when it comes to your own personal finances? What factors affect your credit score the most? Can you survive bankruptcy? Do you know what to save and when? How much savings do you need for an emergency? Have you put aside enough for retirement? Is there even time?

When it comes to finances, what is your Bills IQ? Take this nifty little test and find out. Answer a few simple questions about your debt, bill-paying habits and savings and they'll tell you what your total Bills IQ is.

Not surprisingly, I got a failing grade. Now, this is not because I am completely in the dark about which financial practices are good and which aren't, but mostly because I am still working on fixing credit and debt mistakes of the past. So, I wasn't surprised to find out that I could handle my finances better than I do, but what did surprise me were my honest answers to certain questions.

I would have liked to have picked better answers but the truth is, a lot of times I make the wrong choices when it comes to debt, credit and planning for retirement. We all do, because without the right advice, we are likely to think in terms of the "now" and what's expedient. We should all strive to make better choices.

That's what Bills IQ is all about - discovering what it is that you do now that is detrimental to your financial picture and getting the help and the expert advice to start doing those things that are beneficial.

What's your Bills IQ? Take the test and find out, you might be surprised.

Man Trades Son's Name for $100 Gas

2008-07-16T17:28:00.000-04:00

When a local radio station in Florida ran a contest looking for the most interesting item to trade for $100 worth of gasoline, David Partin was listening. And it was Partin who came up with the most unusual offer they had received - the chance to name his unborn son.

When David Partin's son is born in December, he will be named "Dixon and Willoughby" Partin. The "and" is included in the first name. The child will be named for radio hosts Richard Dixon and J Willoughby. Partin wisely decided against allowed "With Radio's Alan Spector" as a middle name.

Parents giving their children weird names isn't anything new, in fact, it's something of a parlor game for celebrities who search worldwide for the oddest names they can find. I think the winner of that contest has to be Shannyn Sossamon who named her son Audio Science.

But how Partin and girlfriend Samantha Bailey will explain to little Dixon and Willoughby how his future was traded for what amounts to a couple of weeks' worth of gas is another story.

$8 Glasses a Deal says Fox

2008-07-11T14:25:00.002-04:00

This story isn't surprising. There's a website where you can get quality frames and lenses but for some people, it will be harder to do because you might not get your optometrist's office to release your full prescription details to you. See the story at Zenni on Fox.

The good news is that at ZenniOptical.com, it's possible to get a stylish and functional pair of prescription glasses for ultra-low prices - even as low as $8. Zenni has many styles and colors to choose from for the frames and as you can see by the video, the prescriptions were perfect according to the optometrist who checked them out.

Air Traffic Controller Ad in Braille

2008-07-11T13:36:00.003-04:00

I think I am just as sensitive as the next guy and none of us want to see discrimination against anyone in terms of jobs and access, so it's great that things like ATMs have instructions in Braille and headphones even for people who are blind. I have always questioned the necessity of instructions in Braille on drive-up ATMs, because, well we certainly don't want to encourage that sort of thing - driving while blind, I mean.

By the same token, it might be unwise to be an air traffic controller if you don't have very keen vision. But that didn't stop the operators of the St. Mary's airport on the Isles of Scilly from offering the air traffic controller job application in Braille.

The Isles of Scilly off the southwestern coast of Cornwall

Airport officials are probably in the right to fear the repercussions of perceived political incorrectness in not offering the application in Braille, even though the job description states you must have 20/20 vision. There is nothing worse than being labelled "politically incorrect".

Therefore, the advertisment fotr the job states "If you require this document in an alternative language, in larger text, Braille, easy read or in an audio format, please contact the Community Relations Officer."

Remind me not to fly to the Isles of Scilly any time soon.

Airline Credit Card Reviews

2008-07-08T23:23:00.001-04:00

If you travel frequently, whether for business or pleasure, you probably will want to have an Airline Miles Credit Card. Having one entitles you to reward points on every purchase that can be used towards future air fare, car rentals, and hotel accomodations. Not sure which card is right for you or which has the best terms and rewards?

AirlineCreditCards.com offers you a brief and informative overview of the top airline credit cards and the individual benefits of each. If you like to research before you sign an agreement, you should have a look to make sure you're getting the best deal there is.

He's a Gas, Gas, Gas!

2008-07-08T22:28:00.003-04:00

He's a musician of a unique sort. He's the world's greatest flatulist. No not floutist, flatulist. Paul Oldfield plays his very own wind instrument making music the old-fashioned way - through his digestive system.

Oldfield, who calls himself Mr. Methane, says he discovered his unique talent while practicing yoga. He found that not only could he take in and retain air through the rear, he could expel it at will and even pop out a tune.

This talented musician can play several tunes including the classic Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss. In addition to being a star on Japanese TV, Oldfield will appear at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he promises to "blow audiences away".

You can learn more about Mr. Methane and his music at www.mrmethane.com.

Thief Steals Van - Saves Neighborhood from car bomb

2008-07-05T17:04:00.000-04:00

Parking his van on a busy Brooklyn street and leaving it there has turned out to be a big problem for one man.

Have you ever left your car in a parking spot too long and returned to find a ticket on your windshield? How about those meters that only let you load up enough change for one hour? Well we've all had those parking problems, but for Yung Tang, 39, a Chinese national, it took almost five months for the meter to run out.

It wasn't until a thief broke into and stole Tang's van that the trouble started. The thief noticed that the van was rigged with explosives, like a bomb. He drove the van out of the heavily populated residential area and called the police.

According to police, the bomb in the van exactly matched another case involving a Mazda MPV belonging to Tang. He had been charged in May with the attempted murder of a commercial tenant using a vehicle loaded with explosives.

The thief has not been charged - apparently he called a police officer he knew from some former trouble with the law.

No one asked why the van was allowed to remain parked on 53rd street in Brooklyn for five months without being ticketed or towed.

Molotov Cocktails, Anyone?

2008-06-26T11:21:00.001-04:00

They say wine is good for your heart and your blood pressure, and one assumes that it is usually good for your disposition. But some angry winemakers in France have dispelled that notion with a heated protest that resulted in violence and mayhem.

About 7,000 winemakers, in protest of falling wine prices and the cost of fuel, marched through the streets of Languedoc Roussillon on Wednesday afternoon. In the process they trashed wine aisles in local stores and turned policemen out of their cars, setting fire to the police vehicles.

Consider this:

Wednesday’s march followed a similar protest in Carcassonne and also a return to action by members of militant winemaker group, CRAV, earlier this month.

Militant winemakers? Apparently so. The CRAV has committed acts of vandalism and arson already and has sent threatening letters to President Sarkozy intimating that "deaths" resulting from his inaction cannot be ruled out.

France may be famous for its wine, but I think I am going to be shopping for some nice domestic California vintage from here on in.

Of Lemons and Courage

2008-06-18T10:25:00.003-04:00

This story is about two people of entirely different characters. One is a shining beacon of enterprise and courage, the other one a disgusting example of opportunistic greed. It could be called "How low can you go?"

A 12 year old girl who was making some summer money running a lemonade stand with friends in Terre Haute, Indiana, found herself confronted by an 18 year old man who demanded she hand over her hard-earned profits. Taking the entire $17.50, the man then ran off. Little Dominique Morefield instinctively chased after him and when he ran into a house, she called police. After 45 minutes, the man finally surrended to police and was charged with robbery.

I feel guilty if I see a lemonade stand and don't stop to buy a cup and encourage young kids who have the drive and initiative to set it up and hope for riches. How could anyone sink so low as to rob a kid of their lemonade money?

It's not advisable for obvious reasons for a 12 year old to chase a robber down the street, and luckily she came to no harm. But Dominique showed courage well beyond her years in going after the man who took what she had rightfully earned and we hope that the perpetrator gets what he deserves too.

19 Injured Chasing A Rolling Cheese

2008-05-27T11:05:00.001-04:00

If you're shopping for a new sport that requires no training and offers cheese as a prize, then perhaps the annual Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake is the competition for you. Held at Coopers Hill in Gloucester, UK, the cheese roll attracts contenders from all over the globe.

An 8lb roll of Double Gloucester cheese is sent tumbling down a very steep, nearly vertical hill. The contenders chase the cheese down the hill (but never catch it) and the first to cross the finish line gets the cheese as a prize.

This year, due to excessive rains, the course was more slick and slippery than ever, leading to not a few injuries. In fact 19 were reported injured as a result of the tumbling and twisting. Luckily, emergency ambulances were standing by to gather up the wounded and take them to hospital.

Email Scams Abound After Disasters

2008-05-23T08:06:00.001-04:00

There isn't any tragedy so horrific that a scammer can't make a buck on it. With the recent disasters in Myanmar and China, email scammers are having a busy season. Many people want to help but fall prey to these thieves who take their money as "contributions" but whose only charity is themselves.

Even if you're pretty savvy you might have difficulty identifying scam donation letters. They will use the logos of real charitable organizations, for instance. Some of these organizations may really have relief fund drives.

If you want to donate towards relief and humanitarian aid for the victims of these disasters, seek out the websites of the charitable organizations and do it the right and safe way.

Be wary and wise, don't respond to unsolicited emails, don't click on links in emails from unknown senders, don't open attachments and don't get scammed.

Tactical Wear

2008-05-22T17:23:00.000-04:00

Whether you're an outdoorsman or whether you work in law enforcement, you can get quality Tactical pants that are reinforced at 59 stress points, have double fabric knees with hidden pads and plenty of spacious pockets that let you stow whatever gear you need. In fact, these pants are more than just an item of clothing, they are a piece of equipment. They are 100% cotton-weave and pre-washed. Check out 5.11Tactical for all your tactical outdoors wear needs.

A Free Gun with Every Car

2008-05-22T15:34:00.001-04:00

A car dealer in Butler, MO, is making the news and a lot of new car sales with a unique offer. Buy a new car and get a free handgun.

Customers have to pass a background check, but if approved they can choose the caliber of the gun up to a $250 value.
The general manager of the dealership says he is advising customers to go for a semi-automatic because they hold more rounds.

What's surprising is that customers could opt for a $250 gasoline coupon and yet, despite rising gas prices, most are choosing the free gun.

According to the dealership’s general manager, Walter Moore, "Down here we all believe in God, guts and guns".

source - http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/630621.html