tech brain farts.com: November 2005

Americas Most Unusual Inventions and Patents

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

A HUGE list of weird inventions and patents from the states. Check these out, they're hilarious.

read more

Mac OS X Services (the menu you never go to)

There's a whole hidden side of text modification that is stashed away, yet right at your fingertips.

read more

Free Audiobooks, Speeches, Video Lectures

Directory of 500+ free audio books, video lectures, historical speeches. Many can be downloaded or streamed. Good stuff to load up on that new iPod you're about to get!

read more

Scientists Gain New Insight into Deja Vu

"About two-thirds of people experience at least one dÃ©jÃ vu in their lifetime. Studies on memory and attention are pointing to the neurological stumbles that produce dÃ©jÃ vu." Has your brain ever "stumbled" before?

read more

Mac OS X Tiger free video tutorials

Monday, November 28, 2005

Atomic Learning offers a variety of free video tutorials covering many aspects of Mac OS X 10.4. Here you can learn about the Dashboard, Spotlight as well as other new features.

read more

500+ Colours

This page lists over 500 colours by colour name, Hex value, RGB value and Microsoft Access code number. Best webdesign tool ever. For me at least. I use this page the most.

read more | digg story

Anti-cancer Compound In Beer

A micronutrient called xanthohumol is present in beer and according to scientists "is one of the more significant compounds for cancer chemoprevention that we have studied"!

read more

New Web Mail: More Polished, Powerful

We tested betas (currently invitation-only) of Windows Live Mail and Yahoo Mail, and also looked at an open-source newcomer called Zimbra. All three apps use an increasingly popular programming technique called Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to improve on standard Web mail and even Google's Gmail.

read more

Mininova.org TV Torrents organized for you!

Basically a frontend for mininova.org. It organizes all the TV show torrents into different series with links to that episode database listings, newest show and much more. Check it out!

read more | digg story

VLC Media Player 0.8.4 Is Out

This new release features many improvements including a new VLC cone, new Mac OS X wizard and extend controls dialogs, tree playlist skins2 support, HTTP interface CGI handling, linux binary codecs loader, UPnP and Bonjour service discovery, shoutcast stream forwarding, new languages.

read more

IPTVshows

A growing list of IPTV shows. It has lots of shows. The usual suspects and a lot more!

read more | digg story

DOS Gamer's Heaven!

If "cd Wolf3d" was your favorite command back in the day, then you've just scored a ticket to the factory. DOS Game Archive is a huge collection of almost EVERY DOS game, from Aladdin, to Zone66. And being such it houses some of the most memorable games like the first Quake, Wolfenstein 3D, and the ALL time classic, Duke Nukem. Enjoy

read more | digg story

Hundreds of Free Textbooks on one website

This is a collection of free textbooks from around the web. The site is non-commercial, easy to browse or search, and has links to hundreds of free books and educational sites in a variety of subjects. Users can leave reviews of the books in the registration-free comment fields.

read more | digg story

Paint.Net v2.5 out of beta, free for download

Fresh from the oven. Paint.NET is originally intended as a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple tool for photo and image editing.

read more | digg story

4GB DVD to 700mb AVI File Tutorial

Contains all necessary applications, directions, and steps. Step by step process. Even has a tutorial for adding subtitles. Very useful tutorial that really works.

read more | digg story

Awesome Free Flight Sim

Thursday, November 24, 2005

This is frickin awesome! Forget about X-plane and MS Flight Sim: FlightGear is a free flight simulator project. It is being developed through the gracious contributions of source code and spare time by many talented people from around the globe. That means FREE, people!
Version 0.9.9 is out now!

read more

Download WikiPedia

Download WikiPedia in XML format. Yes, that's right. Download the whole darn thing.

read more

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) made easy

Lifehacker's bi-monthly "Getting To Done" column covers SEO on how and why it's important in the web publishing arena.

read more

Converting Access databases to MySQL

Access to MySQL does exactly what its name suggests: Move Access databases to MySQL. So if you are looking for a quick solution to move the databases around, this is the software which you should consider.

read more

10 Things You Should Know About Every Linux Installation..

" Linux is not Windows, and although there are some similarities, you must realise that there may be a few "new ways of doing things" to learn before you can be comfortable in Linux." I've been looking for an article like this for awhile...

read more

OSx86: New Leak, Rosetta Update, ATI Drivers, x86 iTunes

Mac OS X 10.4.3 build 8F1111A has been leaked. Although uncracked, highlights include: Rosetta with G4 emulation (Altivec), some ATI drivers (no NVIDIA), iTunes x86. Enjoy the present from Apple and go get yourself a copy.

read more

Free File Host List November 2005

This is the big upload site list for november 2005 that has been updated with 19. The list is divided into image file hosts and general file hosts.

read more

Seeing is Believing? - Various illusions and paradoxes

Various illusions and paradoxes.

read more

Azureus 2.3.0.6 is out

The long awaited 2.3.0.6 is out, grab it from the dowload page or use the auto updater to grab it from a torrent in azureus.

read more

Xbox 360s Crashing Like Mad?

There appear to be increasing reports of Xbox 360s crashing even with games running on default settings. Could this be an early sign of serious defects or a problem between the gamepad and chair?

read more

Why Do We Love Rounded Corners?

Cool article on why designers love rounded corners - interesting angle on interaction design.

read more

New Microsoft AntiSpyware released - Removes Sony's Rookit

Changes in the new beta are very subtle, with one exception. This release supports the removal of the Sony DRM rootkit.

read more

Google - Click To Call (NEW Google Service)

Check it out... Googles got another new service.

read more

Put your Mac to sleep by sending a text message

An article describing in simple terms how to set-up your Apple Mac so you can put it to sleep remotely just by sending a text (SMS) message from your mobile/cell phone. Your Mac needs to be running Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.

read more

Let them sing it for you

Amazing web applet that finds samples of songs from the words you input, and strings them into a song. Very interesting, and entertaining.

read more

First Xbox360 Game Pirated?

It seems that it has taken those crazy software pirates only 1 day to rip the data off an Xbox360 Disc. However you still need a (nonexistant) modchip to play it.

read more

New Google 'Advanced Search' Features

The Google Advanced search features have changed (or else I've been asleep) to include, among other things, licensing information. Some options are: "Not filtered by license" to "Free to use, share or modify, even commercially" and many flavors imbetween. Also check out revamped Page and Topic specific searches!

read more

Bill Gates: " Xbox Live Will Become Windows Live "

"Speaking on the eve of the Xbox 360 launch, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates outlined how Xbox Live would evolve into Windows Live, using Windows Messenger as a conduit. The Xbox team showed limited Live integration with Messenger back at E3 in 2003, and even that limited showing caused something of an outcry."

read more

eBay - $5 Off $50 | $15 off $100 | 10% Off ($25 Max) Coupons for Paypal

eBay has two new coupons for when you pay by Paypal. $5 off $50 Coupon Code: C2-Holiday2005 and $15 off $100 Coupon Code: C3-Holiday2005.

read more

HUGE Excel Guide

An amazing resource for anyone using Excel with tutorials and tips on a ton of items from the beginner to the advanced. Layout could use some work, but absolutely the first stop on the Internet for anything regarding Excel.

read more

Possible fix for crashing Xbox 360's

Suspend your power supply in the air. Kind of funny seeing as how the original Xbox's had power cord problems too.

read more

Great 1920 x 1200 Wallpaper Images

It's tough to find high quality wallpaper images at 1920 x 1200 resolution, but these are some fantastic macro photographs.

read more

3D Web Browser! No glasses required

Just released and ready for trying out. From the makers of sphere xp comes a 3D browser. This may be the future of web browsing! Try it out.

read more

Screenshots of Xbox 360 Games!

Monday, November 21, 2005

High quality screenshots of games including Perfect Dark Zero, Full Auto, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, Ghost Recon 3, and Quake 4.

read more

A list of Disposable Email Address Services

Avoid that spam is sent to your real email address using disposable email services. Comprehensive list of one way email services divided into free, with registration and pay for use services.

read more

12 Ruby on Rails Tutorials

Looking to learn Ruby on Rails? Then look no further! Blogger Jim Rutherford has compiled his list of the 12 best RoR tutorials.

read more

Google Web Accelerator 0.2.62.80 Released Today

New version out today.

read more

How To Find Free Music

A good list of methods for locating free music on the Internet.

read more

IT Salary Guide for 2006

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Starting salaries for IT professionals and trends and developments expected to affect the field according to the Robert Half Technology. Direct link to the 28-page PDF report http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/html/downloads/rht2006sg.pdf

read more

HOW TO: Structured Residential Network Wiring

The ideal time to install a home network is while your home is being built. It is so much easier to run all the cabling throughout your home before the walls are finished. This web page will describe the network that I installed in my new home as it was being built with a focus on the 'How To' aspect.

read more

What can we do with Python?

"The Vaults of Parnassus is a large collection of links to third-party software for Python programming. If you need to do something special with Python, the Vaults is usually the best first place to look for resources." - Learning Python

read more

What's the best PHP Editor?

All the best PHP Editors reviewed; with voting.

read more

A Good Review of Flock

A pretty complete review of the Flock browser. Talks about its shortcomings as well as its plus sides, mostly to users who keep Weblogs, Flickr collections, or del.icio.us bookmarks.

read more

Ten Wikipedia Hacks

Steve Rubel is on a roll now he has produced his top Ten Wikipedia Hacks.

read more

Hyperthreading Hurts Server Performance

Even though Intel reports that hyperthreading would help server performance, many cases are showing just the opposite.

read more

The new Java IDE (flash demo)

It really looks like they are aiming at Visual Studio (and it's free!)

read more

Google's Secret Plan For All That Dark Fiber?

Google hired a pair of very bright industrial designers to figure out how to cram the greatest number of CPUs, the most storage, memory and power support into a 20- or 40-foot box. We're talking about 5000 Opteron processors and 3.5 petabytes of disk storage that can be dropped-off overnight by a tractor-trailer rig. This os quite an intriguing article on the possible future of Google and the Internet.

read more

iPod nano now does video too !!!!

Friday, November 18, 2005

iPod hack allows you to watch video on the Nano and iPod photo.

read more

How to: Apache/Perl/MySQL/PHP for windows

Excellent tutorial on how to set up Apache Perl MySQL and PHP working and talking to each other on Windows. Step by step easy to follow instructions.

read more

Dvorak's Take on XBOX 360: XBOX 360 to the Rescue

I have not seen a hardware/software system as well thought out as the Xbox 360 for a decade or more.

read more

The Intel iBook To Be Announced At Macworld 2006

Not the PowerBook, the iMac, the Mac minis, or the PowerMac, but the iBook will receive Apple's first Intel chips in January!

read more

Intellectually Stimulating Game ( How Fast Can You Think? )

See if you can beat my high score of 674. To be fair to yourself try it just once and see how fast you can think. Post your high score in the comments for everyone to ogle at. Cheers!

read more

Digg Gets Kiss From a Rose

A brief history on the creation of digg.

read more

Reset Windows XP Administrator password

Uses install disc and a hole in the installation screen.

read more

WPA Password Generator

Steve Gibson has created a generator at grc.com/pass that makes "unbreakable" WPA passwords.

read more

An Introduction to Tiger Terminal, Parts 1-5

(links to all parts) In Part 5, Mary Norbury-Glaser looks at how Tiger Mac OS X runs regularly scheduled commands and scripts to execute recurring jobs, like system maintenance and backups. She compares the "old" way, using the Unix tool called cron (for chronological), with the new Tiger method of using the launchd daemon.

read more

SUPERMAN RETURNS Trailer online - at official page

Check it out. Pretty cool, arrived on time too.

read more

150 different logos used by Google over the years.

All the different Google logos that have been used since the sites existance.

read more

Top 25 Inventions of 2005

Time Magazine has brought to use the greatest inventions of this year. From the cloned dog, to an airless tire. Cool read.

read more

Web Creme

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Check out this new showcase that features most beautiful and inspiring web designs.

read more

pdf of Xbox 360 manual

For all of us not able to get one on launch day. Not sure of the ligitemacy, link found via http://www.kotaku.com/

read more

The 8 Steps of Image Editing

Not every picture requires that each step be performed on it, but going through the checklist in order can help you determine the quality of the image, and compensate for a bad scan, bad lighting conditions, damaged photos and other inadequacies.

read more

Google Analytics is live now

Google is offering Urchin website analysis tool for free now.

read more

PHP and MySQL coding tips -- Basic Fundamentals

I thought it would be good to create a thread with a lot of my common PHP and MySQL coding tips that I mention in other topics on here all the time. These are valuable things that I've learned during 1 year with PHP and MySQL. I believe these are good do's and don'ts, that most experienced coders would agree with, and not just my opinions. :)

read more

Sony PSP 2.50 Hacked!

The 2.50 firmware on the Sony PSP has been hacked in a similar fashion to the 2.0 hack. Expect a down grader to be released soon.

read more

Warner Brothers Releasing 100 Classic Television Series for Free

4800 episodes of classic Warner Brother television series will be available early next year in a ad supported service called In2TV.

read more

Avid Free DV

Avid Free DV is feature-streamlined, standalone software which includes basic video and audio editing capabilities, up to two streams of real-time effects and support for both Windows XP and Macintosh OS X platforms. And its all FREE!! a perfect solution to adobe premiere.

read more

Daemon Tools 4 released!

The new daemon tools 4 replaces d-tools 3.46 which has been out since august of 2004. The new version should bypass all knwon copy protections!

read more

Quicktime Alternative 1.66 Final Released!

QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files (.mov, .qt and other extensions) without having to install the official QuickTime Player. It also supports QuickTime content that is embedded in webpages. (H.264 supported)

read more

Google Expected to Launch a Travel Site Soon

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Industry sources close to Google and a select number of traveling sites confirmed that the search giant is expected to launch a travel site of its own, which will directly compete against Expedia, Travelocity and a host of similar sites.

read more

BitTorrent, TV, RSS and Web 2.0 marry!

A great new service is about to launch which allows you to subscribe to everything, shows what shows are coming up and generally solves a lot of problems when it comes to BitTorrenting TV. Screenshots included.

read more

EBay adds RSS to stores, introduces research tool

EBay Inc. has rolled out RSS-based content syndication capabilities to all eBay Stores, letting buyers subscribe to feeds from specific stores and that way receive new information about items for sale, the San Jose, California, company announced this week.

read more

Picture of 500KB Hard disk circa 1975

Picture of a massive 500KB hard disk being wheeled round that also took many days to format.

read more

Gallery Of Computation....

This website cannot be described. It must be experienced. He writes computer programs to create graphic images. Fascinating work...

read more

Setting up your router/firewall properly

Many Internet users are not aware of how to configure their router or firewall in order to use applications like Peer-to-Peer file sharing (PtoP), Internet Games, Web serving, FTP serving, WebCams, IRC DDC, and Instant Messaging such as AIM, ICQ, Yahoo and MS Messenger.

read more

FolderShare now free!

FolderShare, a service that used to cost $50/year, is now free, thanks to Microsoft which has recently bought the company. FolderShare allows you to create a private peer-to-peer network that will help you to synchronize files across multiple devices and access or share files with colleagues and friends.

read more

How to Clean Anything...

Large database of interesting cleaning techniques for just about anything...
"Howtocleananything.com was created in 1999 by group of cleaning professionals after a discussion of the poor quality and disorganized cleaning related information available on the internet."

read more

Firefox Extensions recommended by a Google engineer (Matt Cutts)

Matt Cutts show his Must-Have firefox extension's list. Probably you'll know this guy if you are in the SEO industry.

Extension SessionSaver .2 saved my life! (and tabs) :)

read more

New Linux live CD for security professionals

Arudius (formerly Securinix) is a live CD Linux distribution based on Slackware (Minislack) and Linux Live scripts. It contains an extensive set of software tools used by IT security professionals for penetration testing and vulnerability analysis.

read more

Apple's Front Row Comes Closer to Couch-Driven Computing

Friday, November 11, 2005

Now that the computer industry is nearing the end of its decades-long quest to ensure that nobody's nose is farther than three feet from a monitor, some companies are moving on to a different, more difficult goal: Letting you keep using the computer from across the room.

read more