I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Open Source Software (OSS), but I am a big fan. OSS is software where any one can see the code (or source) that the program was written with. This is key for several reasons.
1) It is less likely to find spy ware or other hidden things in software because programmers and other geeks of that nature can look at the code they are using.
2) It is often free.
3) You can tweak it to meet your needs.
An example of OSS is a program called OpenOffice.org (OOo). This is a free office suite that is comparable in many ways to Microsoft Office (MSO). OOo is an open source program and MSO is closed source. Anyone is allowed to see the source of OOo, tweak it, compile it, and use it or sell or give it away! MSO on the other hand, if you install the software you paid an arm and a leg for more than 10 times you have to pay for it AGAIN! OOo, is free. The list of reasons to get OOo is long, and it is an amazing thing. I read a great article about a school switching which prompted this post here.
Other great OSS program include:
- Mozilla FireFox — Web Browser
- Mozilla Thunderbird — E-Mail
- GAIM — Instant Messenger that works with AOL, Yahoo, MSN, and ICQ
- GIMP — Graphics program that can replace PhotoShop in most way
And there are many others. SourceForge has a lot of OSS programs. For a good compilation, check out TheOpenCD. They have a group of free OSS apps for Windows. It is a good safe way to start.
Anyways, I am done with this now. I am just AMAZED at the amount of free software out there, and want to spread the word!
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Posted in Computers 5 years, 3 months ago at 11:01 pm. Add a comment
I finally got a chance to watch the American Idol finale, and I was very impressed. I thought it was well produced and, other then the segments where they bash the bad singers, I thought all the segments were cool.
I especially liked the one where they played the Donnie and Marie song with baby pictures and such. And I, unlike many reviewers and Cory Clark, thoroughly enjoyed the Simon Cowell spoof.
The first time I watched Carrie with Rascal Flats I got chills, it was awesome! I am glad Carrie won, but I would have been find if Bo had too.
Overall a great season which I enjoyed a lot!
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When Leia rescues Han, she is not very careful about being quiet. It is just kind of stupid. I guess she makes up for it in that bikini!
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Posted in Movies 5 years, 3 months ago at 4:30 am. Add a comment
I’m not sure what is more entertaining –
Eric Foreman replying to Donna when she says, “I Love You,” with “I Love Cake,” or
Han replying to Leia, “I know.”
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The later in the movie, Vader talks to the Emperor and the Emperor says, “I have no doubt that he is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.” Vader is like, “How is that possible?” Is this him playing dumb with the emperor, or is it an inconsistency?
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Posted in Movies 5 years, 3 months ago at 10:59 pm. Add a comment
I was watching Star Wars V and I noticed that Vader knows that Luke’s last name is Skywalker. He gets the reports from the Hoth System and he says, “I know Skywalker is with them.” At no point before that does he learn Luke’s last name. Clearly this is the first indication that he is Luke’s father!
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Posted in Movies 5 years, 3 months ago at 9:46 pm. Add a comment
As the American Idol finale draws close, I watched an interview with Bo & Carrie. Bo said some things that are not original, but that I want to keep.
“Don’t forget where you came from, because that is the place you are headed back to.”
“Every door that opens at some point in time needs to be reopened.”
“Don’t burn any bridges because you may need to walk back across them.”
Turns out that Bo cellophaned Anthony’s toilet the night he left. Boo for Bo. 
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