Desktop Tools for windows

Yod'm 3D is Yet another desktop manager (DeskSpace of Otaku Software) provides a way to have four desktops on your windows. The four desktops are like walls of a cube when switching . This may enhance productivity of people but I use it for aesthetic purpose mostly.

Virtual Desktop Manager is an offering in Power tools section of XP which has other interesting also like ALT + TAB replacement. This one also has four desktops which are like 2 X 2 grid.

Madotate allows a interesting way to arrange item on your desktop

Topdesk from Otaku software offers ways to switch between your open applications on windows

Flip like Vista

Expose like Mac

As I had mentioned earlier power tools for XP provides ALT + TAB replacement

While talking about desktop managers one cannot forget to mention Compiz for linux.

If you have not seen Compiz in action here are few videos

Download never dies

Here are few things that one need to do ensure that one utilizes as much bandwidth of our broadband (these step are applicable only if your place has power cut and your bandwidth is not so high that you can get stuff for whole day in an hour):-

Step 1 : Set your BIOS to boot up after power outage this can be done. In BIOS go to Power and set your After AC failure to Auto(to return to previous state before power failure)

Step 2 : Step set your computer to auto login on start. you don't need to have your password as blank to do that. Use the second method which does not involve registry editing.

Step 3 : Add your torrent client say utorrent in startup by simply putting the utorrent's shortcut in startup folder.

Step 4: Also configure utorrent's web UI so that you can monitor it remotely.Get an OpenDNS account so that you can get your IP when you are away(applicable only if you have dynamic IP). You may have to do port forwarding on the router to make this work.

Alternatively you can use logmein 's free remote client service to login and do things remotely.

So, Now you are all set to download non-stop and you will be able to monitor and add torrents remotely.

Making life (read "browsing") simple

I wanted to share some new aids that one can use to simplify things and continue enjoying browsing.

First I would like to narrate a scenario to you.  I often go to a site and the site ask for registration , I decide to register and it asks for email address and email verification. Most of the time if I am really interested  I continue but if  site is not very interesting on first impression I would cancel registration due to fear of  spam or just laziness of signing in and verifying the link given. The solution to this has been provided by Mailinator "let them eat spam". This site provides an open inbox in which you do not need to register or intimate the site that you are using an email id for registration like idofyourchoice@mailinator.com and then just go to the site enter the idofyourchoice in textbox ,no password etc,  just read the mail and verify by clicking on the link given. The mails will be auto deleted in few hours. This site is a really helpful addition to web.

My next scenario is say you are on a computer which does not has Adobe PDF installed or you do not want to download the PDF to the computer, what would you do to view it(it's easier if it is attachment in Gmail. you would just say open in web page). Nodobe addon for Firefox will do exactly same thing it will add a context menu on right click to open with Nodobe in a new tab. To use this feature you need to have a free account at least with Vuzit (pronounced "View it") . You can use Mailinator to register if you want . Support for other filetypes is coming soon has been claimed by the website.

My next item is not so much about simplicity but more about making web a fun place. 3D world provided by Google , Lively is  really cool virtual place to hang out . It seems to be inspired by second life but nonetheless the offering by Google is welcome. It allows one to use one's avatar and style it with clothing.  The avatars can chat ,whisper to other avatar, and perform various moves like dancing,clapping etc .It also allows to create one's room and add various things to it from the catalog. So if you have good  broadband speed you can explore other people's rooms , create your own room ,chat with strangers or friends.

Next I would like to mention  nice  desktop utility named Keepass which one can use to manage the username and  passwords which keep growing at exponential rate these days for anyone who is actively browses web.  I know most of us use browser's ability to save password but it  is not disaster proof. Also if you have multiple browsers like me it becomes even more hassle. This tool will help centralize your usernames and passwords so it is not stored in browser. It comes with a hotkey which when pressed fills username and password fields and prompts user to select username if multiple username is detected for  a site. One can also use backup plugin for it to keep backing up the store at various location. One can use features like Dropbox or Live Mesh to  synchronize the Keepass database across multiple computer .

The Gamer Within

 

Of late the gamer within me has arisen from the slumber of what I think almost is around a  year. The cause for this stir is news of Prince of Persia releasing this holiday season. I am a big fan of Prince of Persia series . I have played Prince of Persia: Warrior Within and Prince of Persia : Two Thrones .

The combat moves involving combination of various key resulting in complex move from wall run to jumping through poles and various other acrobatic moves are mainstay of the game. The gameplay involves finding way through maze , solving puzzle ,killing minions and other dark creatures. But the most fun part are the boss battles. Being chased by Dahaka "the death" ,racing towards a closing gate in a chariot or finding a way through plethora of roller blades to get that elusive life upgrade raises the pulse. The speed kill in the Two thrones were another great addition to incredible gameplay. Other most unique thing about the game is feature of rewinding in time using sand and checkpoint based saving.The setting of time island in warrior within with rock music was also really awesome. The Babylon with Arabic music in two thrones was pretty cool too. Check out the wiki entry on Prince of Persia for more details.

Now the Prince of Persia team at Ubisoft  have come up with latest addition to this series. The Prince of Persia 4 is set in past i.e.  before Sands of Time the first one in the series. If you have not already checked out the Prince of Persia's official site. I urge you to check out the videos of the new POP  which is scheduled to release on December 2nd. The prince has been provided with a companion Elika who is able to able to heal  corruption with her magical healing powers. Also several new addition has been made with the duo tagging up against the villains. Also there has been addition of several moves like slide , roof run,extremely long jump with the  help of Elika,extremely long rebound using pads.

Overall it looks like a great addition to Prince of Persia series. I am really looking forward to play this game to the extent I am considering assembling a gaming PC or buying Xbox to just play this game.

Here is trailer video of the latest Prince of Persia.

You can watch more video at official website. Watch out the commented walk through  video which displays gameplay.

 

Hue Test

I took a hue test. It is a test to distinguish between different hues if you have free time and you are willing to take troubles, you can click on the link given below and try your eyes yourselves.

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

Here are the results of my test it seems I had trouble discerning hues in green area. I got 8.

The Big Bang Theory

 

The Big Bang Theory is  a really hilarious sitcom created by Chuck Lorre ( of Two and Half Men) and Bill Prady . This sitcom is a must watch for anyone who appreciates how comic it is when people of opposite nature read geek scientist guys and sexy actress wannabe meet. The  timing of joke and the whole characterization of  Sheldon and  Leonard  is really creative may be bit over the top nonetheless fun to watch . They are aided by their flirting  creepy friend Howard and shy Koothrapalli .  There little star wars loving , online game playing , weird science experimenting world is shaken when Penny comes to live in apartment next door. This show is a must watch ,so friends go to Youtube ,CBS or search for torrent and just look for this show's pilot.

I hope you will enjoy watching this show.

TV Actresses I adore

Here is  a list of  actresses of current soaps, I love .

Kate Walsh (Dr. Addison Montgomery of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice)

Katherine Heigl (Dr. Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens of Grey's Anatomy)

Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen of Gossip Girl)

Cobie Smulders (Robin Scherbatsky of How I Met Your Mother)

Rachel Bilson (Lou of Chuck , Summer of O.C.)

Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars of Veronica Mars, Elle Bishop of Heroes)

Eva Longoria Parker(Gabrielle Solis of Desperate Housewives)

Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah Walker of Chuck)

Erica Durance ( Lois Lane of Smallville)

Evangeline Lilly (Kate of Lost)

I  like Allison Mack(Chloe Sullivan of Smallville ), Sarah Shahi (Dani Reese of Life) , Julie Bowen (Denise Bauer of Boston Legal) , Mary-Louise Parker (Nancy Botwin of  Weeds) .

Fountainhead

It has been more than a month since I read Fountainhead. Some of my friends think that it is a novel so good that it makes reader think about it for a long time and in affects them deeply. But I guess then I am exception to the rule. It's not that I did not like the novel, I really liked the novel but just not so moved by it.

The story and character development of the novel is really good. Ayn Rand , the writer has taken great effort to make character as detailed as possible . She has taken time in letting the plot development be gradual and detailed. The writer's philosophy of objectivism is really enlightening . Although I have not gone into details of it but the overall idea that I got from the novel is really interesting. The novel shows a different light to independence and dependency, art and artist ,love and success.

(Spoilers Ahead)

Peter Keating is the most familiar character in the novel. He is a person driven by glory of success so much that he forgets his self, ego , love all for the sake of glory. His character seemed quite normal at the start of the novel but by the end of it had turned into a complete disaster.

Elsworth Toohey is a really interesting character in the novel. At start of the novel he seems like an epitome of good . Its only later that his ulterior motives are revealed.

Gail Wynand is almost a hero but just could not make the cut finally. He is a really determined person but just could not get through the final hurdle.

Howard Roark the protagonist is really one of a kind guy. His view of life is unique, his philosophy of life is intriguing and the way he finally pulls it off in the end is also terrific.

Dominique Francon is the female lead in the novel . Her character goes a lot of change of colors in the course of the novel.

The story overall seems to be well paced but it drags a bit towards the middle but it accelerates to a good climax finally . The climax is dramatic , over the top you may say, unrealistic yet entertaining.

So I would recommend this novel to anyone who has got little time to spare and is patient enough to hold through some character development phase in the novel where story tends to become a bit slack. If you get chance to read it , just read it . It will influence you I don't know to what extent but it will amuse you at least .