Supergeekblog

Over at ProBlogger, they have a well written article discussing 16 different applications that bloggers should use. Some I have used, some I have not, and some I prefer and alternative.  I wouldn’t say this needs to be limited to bloggers, but anyone who likes to customize their web experience.

The first one on the list being Firefox – I couldn’t agree more.  I have tested Chrome, use IE (as required) for work, but live in Firefox.  I would recommend following through and checking out the list of “25 must have Firefox Addons.”

My personal recommendations: Twitterfox, ColorfulTabs, StumbleToolbar, Greasemonkey, Locationbar2, Scribefire, Search Status, SpeedDial, and TinyURL Creater.

Skipping down to SnagIT – I actually would recommend ScreenHunter 5.0 Free.  Smaller, lightweight, free version that does basic cross-hairs screenshots that I prefer.  A lot less options, but that is what I need/use.

The next item on his list that catches my eye is Digsby.  I have tested it and it works, but I am a big trillian fan.  I have used the software since it’s really buggy early days and it has come along nicely.  I do agree with the importance of having an “all in one” IM application though.  With Friends, Family, Clients, Coworkers, etc all on different networks, logins, groups, etc it is very helpful to only have to run a single app.

RSS Bandit is another one that I am not sure about.  It apparently downloads directly from Google Reader for offline reading.  Perhaps it is a better experience than mixing Google Reader/Gears for offline.  I vote no on that because I use Reader both at work and home.  So I prefer the pure web based version.  That being said, if I was still traveling full time as a software consultant, my opinion might be different.

Of course there are more recommendations.  I encourage you to go to ProBlogger and check out the full list.  Comment there or here if there is an app of choice that you like/prefer.  The key thing to remember is that it *is* possible to custimize your web experience.  Once you do, you will wonder why you didn’t before!

Well, I have installed and started customizing a new theme here at SuperGeekBlog.

The idea is to finally make the jump (like I did on OlorinPC.com) to a theme that supported widgets.  Not totally sure about it yet, as the dividers are doing some funky stuff… but I might be able to find the code that is doing that and tweaking it a bit.

So let me know what you think – I might still try a few others before tearing apart the code… but it is a work in progress.

For the science geek on a budget, hey even if half your money goes for geeky things, free education is awesome because it saves cash for other geeky things.  I got sent this page this morning from Kelly Sonora.

Science geeks continually on the lookout for more information can hit the motherload when it comes to open courseware classes. No matter what field of science you may be interested in learning about, there are a number of enlightening and challenging courses that you can take absolutely free. From life sciences to astronomy to health sciences and so much more, you are sure to find courses that will teach you exactly what you want to know.

Visit the post to check out the links.  Here are the subject headings available:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Earth Sciences

Environmental Science

Astronomy

Aeronautics

Technology

Health Sciences

Social Science

Variety of Scientific Topics

I would say if any of those topics are remotely interesting, check out the post. Might find something worth your time.  They are from a variety of Institutions.  (MIT being a big one.)  Knowledge is power – good luck!

I have seen this a couple of times now, but it is a useful service.  Now the intended use is to see what sites your user name is available or taken on.  I would also point out that it is useful to tell if you have lost or forgotten about a site you registered on.

Robin on TechCrunch has a good post on it – and the site itself can be found here.  Check it out and see if your default username is in use somewhere.

Check your usernames

From GeekNewsCentral:

Overnight, Microsoft issued a rare out-of-cycle patch for Windows systems that should be installed immediately. The vulnerability affects all versions of Windows and could have an impact similar to the 2003 Blaster Worm attack. If you’re not set to auto-update, be sure to go out and grab the update.

Now like the author of that post, my machines are set to auto-update in the early morning.  However, I like to run update manually sometimes just to make sure.  Not every one does though, so if you have a less-geeky friend or family member – remind them to update!  I know it never works, but it is worth a try.  (First thing I do when sitting at a persons computer to work on it is start running windows and virus scan updates.)

CineMassive OmegaPlex: 27.6 million pixels for $12,995 – Engadget

My first thought when seeing this come up in my reader this morning… if I get a divorce, sell the house, and get a really cheap apartment… could I afford it?  While that answer may be debatable, I am pretty sure my wife and dog wouldn’t appreciate getting kicked out for it.  That being said, this is freaking awesome.

Multi-monitor rigs are always fun.  I myself never go less than duals, but do miss having 3-4 chained across a couple of different PC’s using synergy.

This post is a follow-up to the initial post I did right after installing the Firefox plugin called ScribeFire.

I must say – I love this firefox plugin. ScribeFire has really helped me breath new life into my blogs. I have been working on posting more in general, but I find myself really making use of it. I read a good post, I link to it in a post of my own via the in browser interface. I find this to be a sharp contrast to when I had tested MS Live Writer a while ago. I just never used it. Maybe the key difference is this is in Firefox, my personal browser of choice.

Anywho – I do recommend it to other bloggers. My intial impressions were spot on. It is easy to use and so handy I find myself blogging more than I used to.

American Airlines’ WiFi debuts tomorrow; Glenn Fleishman’s analysis – Boing Boing

Read the article, its starting tomorrow. It is a pretty good article and I would encourage everyone to go and read it.

I am still thinking personally I wouldn’t want internet access on an airplane. When I was traveling full time as a software consultant, I loved the few hours of being totally cut off. No calls, no emails, no internet. (So couldn’t guilt myself into working.) It was a nice peaceful time of paperback books and ipods. I am sure there are those out there who love the idea of being able to work or whatnot from the air, admittedly there are times I really could have used the net as well, but not having a choice made it easy to relax.

What does everyone out there think?

I love blogging… I am sometimes random and lazy at it, but I really do love it. (If I spent less time reading other blogs and more working on the various blogs I run I might get more done.)

Anywho – this particular post I am trying from the Firefox plugin: ScribeFire. First impression, where is the catch? Is there a hidden charge or donation button somewhere? This addon so far is working exactly, even better than, promised. Linking all of my blogs and being able to select between them inside of the addon, writing this post, etc… all simple.

It took me less than a minute to install, configure it for 5 blogs, and start working on this post. I will have a followup post on this later after I work with it some more – however if you are a blogger and are currently logging in to post your work (ie wordpress create new post screen) I would encourage you to try this – it rocks.

ScribeFire

What is planned? That is an interesting question. For a while there, this site kind of went stagnant… between other blogs, real life, etc… it just went by the wayside. Well one of the changes I am testing out (after moving hosts, upgrading code again, etc) is some RSS aggregation posts. IE – pulling in geek news from big hitters. (ie the geek of the geek sites.)
Whether or not I will keep doing this, not exactly sure. I prefer to create my own content, even if it is a few comments and a link to another story. (Which is what the aggregation post is doing – title and content all link back to the author of the post.)
SGB is coming back – thats the plan. I need to revamp, and probably reduce or limit the outside content and get back to producing our own here. So I do encourage the readers who are still with us… keep track!