Sunset Haven

My current desktop layout (March 16, 2006)

My current desktop layout (March 16, 2006)
Originally uploaded by Night Star Romanus.

This lovely desktop is brought to you by a little app called Google DesktopEarth v2.0.1
I had the cloud coverage mode enabled, but prefer this view, as it renders a "cleaner" view of the Earth. Also, notice the black bars on top and bottom due to the 16:9 aspect ratio view of the Earth. Simply gorgeous. I'm the kind of person that just has to have my icons on the desktop a mere double click away.
I'll most likely be using this for months to come, as it has quickly become my favourite desktop, the dynamic refreshing every five minutes nature of the images give it a "freshness" that never make the Earth boring to look at.
I look forward to future releases of this awesome app, keep watching Digg!

Of course, as promised, I'll update the next time I change my desktop, which may not be for a good while.

Northern San Francisco

Northern San Francisco
Originally uploaded by pinwheel.

The city where it is my hope and dream to one day in the relative near future have the privelage and pleasure of calling home sweet home. Great shot.
This picture was taken by Jason Sutter.

Me in my room watchin footage of CES 2006

Me in my room watchin footage of CES 2006
Originally uploaded by Night Star Romanus.

Shameless self promotion, no really, I just want to test out Flickr's blog this button feature. Works well by the look of things.

I still think it's awesome and amazing how a variety of video content distribution over the web, mainly due to a bolstered, widespread use of broadband Internet; to a large degree, has replaced television now more than ever, and you can bet this trend will continue to be on the rise. I'm all for it! =o)

MirrorMask is out today!

It's here! It's here! I've been waiting for this movie for quite some time, ever since I read about it in an earlier issue of Wired mag. Anyone that knows me, knows how big a fan of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal I am. This is very exciting. Go scope out the website and especially the trailer, and buy the DVD or PSP disc while you're at it! =o)
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until the 18th when my paycheck comes through to get the DVD, oh well, I'm a patient type, I've waited this long. Personally, I think this makes a great Valentine's gift for your precious one in your life, I'd get it for my girl if I had one (and the money).
Link: Sony Pictures - MirrorMask.

The iPhantom - Security for today's and tomorrow's Internet

The iPhantom

Leo Laporte has one, I want one. This is one bad-ass little device and service. Monthly cost of residential service is $12.95 at the time I wrote this. Right now, the actual device is selling for $89.95 plus tax. Click here to view the current subscription pricing.

But basically, it's "...a comprehensive Internet security device for your PC and home network that is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. The iPhantom™ is the first of its kind to make enterprise-level network security available at an affordable price."

But of particular interest to me is the anonymity feature of the service. Here's an excerpt from their Q&A section: ...

Q. Does the iPhantom™ make me anonymous to my ISP?
A. Yes. When data leaves the iPhantom™ it is encrypted and and sent straight to our Phantom Gateways that sit on the backbone of the Internet. The data will look scrambled when viewed by others, including your ISP.

Q. Is any of my data logged?
A. No. The iPhantom™ does not keep logs. Your privacy and protection is our number one concern.

By explicitly not keeping logs, your activities are truly anonymous because there is no information on you to turn over to compelling authorities, should the RIAA and/or MPAA request such logs of your activities. In every respect, the iPhantom is indeed the only way to go for a more secure, better, and anonymous Internet experience. And what's more, the little bugger fits in the palm of your hand, so it's definitely uber-portable. Just perfect. Indeed "The future of Internet security."

If you look at it's physical shape and size, it makes me think of it as as sort of Valentine One radar detector for the "Information Superhighway" OK, that's lame. ;o) But you get the idea.

I think I'll start asking for one for my birthday on April 26th. ;o)

I want a Blowfly Blow

Now here's an alarm clock that would actually be effective in waking me up after a night of partying and not wanting to face a new day at work early in the morning.

the Blowfly Blow

One word of caution though, you probably don't want to have anything that could get easily knocked over and break in the room when it goes off. ;o)

And here's another alarm clock that forces you to get up in a different way. Scope it out.

I'd rather have the the Blowfly Blow  though, it's much cooler and futuristic to have that thing flying around in the morning. ;o)

My favorite Webcast of all time, Dave Navarro in da HouZe!!

   

Spread Radio Live is a very intimate Internet radio program that Dave Navarro broadcasts live from his home with co-host, Gregg Simon. They play anything and everything. Well, anything and everything they think is good! Unsigned artists, alternative, electro, metal, mashups, comedy, punk, goth and lots of talk! Including, spur of the moment call ins.

These guys really know how to throw down! Best webcast I've ever heard in the history of online webcasting. I tune in about 5 times a week. That's part of what I love about it, you can tune in anytime and listen to all the "re-run-ed" shows! And since he's married to Carmen Electra, well, it's awesome listening to her talk about trivial everyday stuff, after "getting to know her" better thru this show, I can see why Dave married her, she really is great! I hope the woman I choose as my wife one day, is as open, liberal and honest as her, seriously.

Dave has and talks about his MySpace profile alot: Here it is.

My fave radio show on my fave radio station

 

Bee and Missy take your calls and talk about love, romance, sex and sexuality on Indie 103.1 FM in Los Angeles every Sunday night from Midnight to 2am - Pacific time.

I love these gals! Bee Jellyfish and Missy Suicide in da houZe!

This is my favorite radio show on the only radio station I ever really listen to anymore. Good stuff, good times, scope them out.

Free Text Message service

 

 

I found this posted on Digg about a month ago and I just wanted to provide a link to it here on my blog. It lets you send text messages for free to any mobile phone in the world! I don't know how they do it but it sure does come in handy! Enjoy it while it lasts!

Another free SMS text messaging service I found on Digg just yesterday is somehow a function of Google Toolbar apparently, look at the URL. Use it here.

My current desktop layout (January 13, 2006)

My current desktop layout (January 13, 2006)
Originally uploaded by Night Star Romanus.

For my very first entry I want to start with a screenshot of my current desktop. It shows all most frequently used programs I have come to use day in and day out. It also reflects how neat and organized I am, while showing that I yearn for knowledge in other OSes, namely FreeBSD. Also, take notice of the elegant look of this theme. In fact, it is a shell replacement kinda thing. It's called Brico Pack Vista Inspirat v1.1 you can get it here

It has worked flawlessly for me in the aproximately five month period I've been using it. I like it particullarly because it gives me the illusion that I'm using a "light" version of Windows Vista. The thing I like best about this Theme, shell replacement, or whatever it is, is the ColorFolder feature, which basically allows you to change the color of specific folders for easier detection and categorazation. If you use and like StyleXP, WindowsBlinds, and those other ones, I know you'll enjoy this one.

I like to update my desktop about once every month, sometimes more often. I'll post a new screenshot with every change from here on out. Hopefully soon enough it'll be a screenshot of FreeBSD or Kubuntu or Ubuntu or other Linux distro.

I most definately want a Linux or FreeBSD dedicated box, if I could afford one, I'd already be using one. Well, I hereby officially inagurate my TypePad blog. Alas, I am now a citizen of the "Blogosphere".