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the firefox computer - a dedicated internet and web 2.0 device

28 February, 2007 02:40

Toni's Garage posted an idea about a dedicated Firefox device.  A laptop type form factor that just runs Firefox as a dedicated user interface, nothing else.

The idea behind this is web based applications are now providing web 2.0 applications that have the ability to replace every day desktop applications.

Some have argued that this thin-client type network will replace the desktop operating system and local applications while others spew distaste with the idea of 'going back to the future'.

I have to agree with tony however.  My daily use on my home computer is almost entirely dependent on my browser.  Some examples are Yahoo! Mail (beta), Google's on-line word processor and spreadsheet applications, and Firefox plugins such as RSS readers, ftp clients, application development extensions, just to name a few.

I also like the idea of a 3rd party taking responsibility for my important data.  Trusted sites like Google have the financial backing to make sure my information is safe.  On the other hand, web 2.0 applications are popping up like spring time grass, and fizzling almost just as fast.

The Internet might not have a big enough back-bone for this idea quite yet.  For example, 3D gaming would be nearly impossible for a large user population with the current bandwidth being provided by most ISP's and the providers Internet pipes; not to mention current technology limitations and the ability for web 2.0 providers to take advantage of new and expensive technologies that would enable such.

However, Toni's idea is perfect for today's dedicated Internet surfer.  The technology wouldn't have to be expensive, I would imagine.  I would even purchase a device such as this instead of the likes of the Nokia N800.  Until it is available, I will continue drooling over the Nokia however. 

[Technology] [Software]
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their here...

26 February, 2007 19:39

My oils arrived from Natures Gift.  The first bottle I opened was of course the Vetiver Bourbon.  This distillation doesn't seem sedative like thicker Vetivers.  It has a very clean, yet distinctive aroma.

I put the Eucaluptus Sweet right in the diffuser.  I could imagine using this oil for concentration and alertness, not to mention the flu and cold.  It felt like all the cells in my body opened up.  Very nice!

I ordered 5ml of Helichrysum, but they were out of stock, so they sent me 15ml instead!  Thank You!  I can't even start to tell you how important it is to have a bottle of Helichrysum in your home.  It is truley a universal healer. 

Random Thought : I sent an e-mail to Godaddy and I assume they are looking into the performance issues I am having with this domain. The hit started after I purchased a static IP.

[Aromatherapy]
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it's been a busy night, but BLOG space is available to those whom inquirer

26 February, 2007 04:26

It has been a busy night for me indeed.  My mission was to enable LifeType's BLOG sub-domains.

I thought this was going to be an easy step with GoDaddy's DNS utilities.  However, I quickly realized that I was unable to create a wildcard A name record nor an alias.  Frustrated, and sure as hell I could do it, I called customer support.

The representative had to call a different level support guru.  When he got back to me, he said he would make the changes while I was on the phone.  He failed, trying everything I already did.  He was back on the phone with the guru's and was then told that I would need a virtual or dedicated server package.  Obviously bumbed out at this, I said thank you, but by.   This after he told me if I were to purchase these services, tech support would not help with setup, but hinted that it is possible with the user's available tools.

Playing with the A records a bit, I realized that I could assign *.mypew.com and a private IP.  Before this I was using just (*) and the shared IP, hoping it would resolve correctly.

Let me mention before I go on..  I tried playing with the .htaccess files trying to change some Apache site variables, but they all failed miserably making my sight inaccessible.

Now all I needed was a dedicated IP.  This costs just a couple dollars a month, and worth it if you need some major DNS tweaks.  So far it has been fun.

So I created the record: *.myspew.com ip.ip.ip.ip  Look it up yourself, if you wish.

I then proceeded to my .htaccess file to insert some nasty redirections and alias information.  However, I found none of these changes were needed so I later removed the messy declarations.

I changed a few settings in LifeType, and WALA!  The 3rd level domains are now the BLOG owner's user name.  All is working great.

Why did I do this?  I figured if any friends, or friends of the friends of mine reading this wants a BLOG, it might be available to them.  Hint Hint, drop me an e-mail if you want a BLOG on this domain.  This goes for anyone on the EINSTEIN@HOME FreeBSD team also. 

[Day to Day] [Software]
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10 features I would like to see made available for Yahoo! Mail

25 February, 2007 18:15

  • More filters!  At this time, you are only allowed 50 filters.  This hardly meets any requirement for today's average e-mail load.
  • As of now, the provided filters are hardly functional.  Options for more than one criteria, along with and or xor, would greatly increase the chance of utilizing the 50 provided filters in any meaningful way.
  • I find Yahoo! Mail desperately needs an organizational method on top of what is already provided (folders & search).  Some have suggested tags, and others have suggested sub-folders.  I would take either.
  • For Yahoo! Mail Plus subscribers, and option to re-scan folders for junk mail is a needed function.  Subscribers have there own spam filter while non-subscribers filter spam based on Yahoo! identified junk.
  • For Plus subscribers, and option should be available to scan incomming external e-mail accounts for spam.
  • IMAP IMAP IMAP - this has to be one of the top requested features.  When will we see this?  If we do, it will most likely only be available for plus subscribers because banner add revenue will not be available.
  • Yahoo's calendar alerts work well.  How about providing alerts for individual e-mail messages, such that it would notify you when a task should be completed (when to reply by, read by, complete by).
  • It would be nice if I could attach an e-mail message to a Yahoo! Calendar entry for references.
  • How about message highlighting?  For Plus subscribers you have the ability to highlight external e-mail account messages.  I think highlighting should be available for all messages based for example, on categories of messages.
  • Compressing a group of messages as an archive would save space for incoming mail.  As of now, you can download compressed archives.  However, I feel this data should be possible to store on their servers.  On a side note, good luck downloading an archive of a folder with thousands of messages.  It be a no go.

A year ago I was writing:

1337 requests handled

USB powered aromatherapy diffuser

[Software]
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I will not longer use Sandalwood Essential Oil because of price, availability, and for the survival of this species...

24 February, 2007 18:35

I have made a firm decision not to use any more of my sandalwood essential oil collection.  The price and availability has sky rocketed in the last couple years, and my oil is now considered priceless.  At the current trend, the value of the oil will go up 100% per year.

Another factor in the decision, is the species of Sandalwood that I prefer is on the endangered species list.  I hope I don't sound dis-associated from this point, but I plan on buying one last batch to age.  Maybe when I am 40 years old, these samples could pay for my retirement.  That's even if I am willing to rid of the supply.

On another note, Aroma Thyme has a sandalwood synergy that is made up of mostly woods oils.  It is very similar to Sandalwood, but much cheaper and better to the environment.   I have never used a lot of this oil, maybe a drop in the diffuser every couple of months, or on a special occasion, a drop on my temples.  This has just become to expensive, and I have to look for alternatives.  However, cracking the bottle open and taking a whiff is just as pleasurable as diffusing or applying the oil on the skin.

Some people suggest buying Rosewood or Australian Sandalwood as a replacement.  I do like the smell or Rosewood, but I have no clue on how anyone can compare it to Sandalwood.  In my opinion, there are very few uses for Australian Sandalwood.  Maybe in a synergy, or a cologne it would serve a purpose, but the smell of it alone is not satisfying.

[Aromatherapy]
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my recent essential oil purchase

24 February, 2007 14:29

I ordered a couple oils from Nature's Gift yesterday.  Two of them are a must for any household, and one is for pure pleasure.  The oils I ordered are: Vetiver Bourban (pure pleasure), Eucalyptus Spanish Sweet Unrectified, and most importantly a 5 ml bottle of Helichrysum in a 10% dilution.

I have been out of Eucalyptus for too long.  There has been many of times in the past few months where I could have used it.  It is about time I get a good supply of it.  This Eucalyptus probably isn't like any you have smelled before.  It has a very sweet, and calming aroma, unlike some of the other Eucalyptus's.

The Vetiver Bourban looked interesting, so I ordered a small bottle.  It's origin is in India.  I gave a bottle of Vetiver from Al Salvador to Chad the other night.  He likes the stuff just as much as I do.

The Helichrysum is a must for any home.  I use it for the rings under my eyes.  It is great for scarring and does a great job at helping your body heal.

A year ago I was writing:

while looking through an archive of photos

[Aromatherapy]
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Master Lock Master Key Shim from a 12oz Can of Cold Beer

22 February, 2007 15:26

I-Hacked.com has a HOWTO: Make a Master Lock Key Shim using simple tools: your hands, a scissors, and a beer can. 

In this example, they decided on Pabst Blue Ribbon.  Myself, I would use a bit tastier and classier requirement to the shim project.  However, any 12oz beer will do.

A year ago I was writing:

the real meow mix

[Technology]
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ML-1740 is a friend of Tux - Laser printer built to last and designed to function with Linux

21 February, 2007 18:44

I have had this printer for more than two years - a Samsung ML-1740.  It is over due for a word or two.

I do not print many documents, not many at all.  On average I will use it two or three times a week, if that.  However, when I bought the machine, I was still in school and was printing about two to five pages per day, for about two semesters.  Why am I telling you this crap?  The reason, my friend, is I have not had to replace the toner cartridge as of yet.

The unit comes with a starter toner cartridge that can handle, I am guessing, around 1000 pages.  In the lifetime of this printer, it has spewed out 774 pages mixed with graphics and text.

I use Ubuntu on my home desktop, and the printer was as easy to setup as clicking on a couple icons.  When I first purchased this beast, I was using SuSe, and remember having to use an older printer driver for this series.  Current drivers were on the installation disk, but it was not in need.

The ML-1740 can push out the prints as fast as you can grab and organize them.  

There is a "toner save" feature, which admittedly, is what has given me black throughout the last couple years.  

It can print up to letter legal.  It offers parallel and USB connectivity, and is quite when in standby.  That sums up my last thoughts.  I love you.

[Technology]
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Land where drunk cows swim and home to my daily hand