Monday, July 31, 2006

New Music: Thousand Foot Krutch

Here's a 'new' band I've been turned onto. Although this is their Junior release I've only heard one song off their last album titled "Rawkfist". This is their latest album in *.zip format (approx 60Mb download). You can download it for a week or so. Click on this link or the image above to download the MP3's. Check out track titled "Absolute"; absolutely killer.

I've leave this link up for a week or so.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Virtualize software applications with Altiris SVS!


Get SVS

Looking for a FREE little app that allows you to install and run and application without it really installing? Check out the Altiris SVS application. This FREE little app allows you to create application layers on your Windows machine that run specific applications. Worried about some program you downloaded? Afraid it will 'mess up your machine"? Well, just install it as a SVS layer/app and no need to worry! Just Deactivate the application and its like it was never installed. I just went to a Altiris User group that had a guest speaker on this very app. The best part is there is a FREE version for home users!. Click on the icon above or HERE to learn more.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Ubuntu: a free alternative to Windows XP


OK, so you think Linux is for geeks who drink Jolt cola and game and hack until the wee hours in the morning? Well guess again. If you haven't heard of Linux or Ubuntu, you will. Ubuntu is a FREE desktop operating system based on Linux. Ubuntu is gaining popularity because it is free and it is easy to use. I have been experimenting with Ubuntu on a spare machine of mine for the past year or so...it's pretty cool!

Yeah, it is different than Windows XP, and alot of your commerical products (such as Microsoft Office) will not run on Ubuntu but the good this is the Linux/Ubuntu world has FREE alternatives to programs such as Microsoft Office...and it comes bundled in with the Operating System! There is no Internet Explorer but there is Firefox, which again is bundled with the OS! If Windows has it, Ubuntu has some version of it as well. The interface/desktop is very nice looking and easy to use.

I must admit Ubuntu isn't for the newbie computer user. Even I am learning more and more about how to do things in Linux. The great thing about Ubuntu is it works out of the box and their is a great online community for support issues. So if you have a spare computer sitting around and your up for learning something new, give it a try!

To download Ubuntu, click here. To read a article on the growing popularity of Ubuntu Linux, click here.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Rockstar: Supernova


What do you get if you mix 3 members of 3 of the worlds biggest rock bands, a big-time record producer and a reality TV show? Something big. Its called Rockstar: Supernova.

Supernova, a newly formed "supergroup" featuring Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Jason Newsted (formely of Metallica) and Gilby Clark (formerly with the Guns N' Roses fame) are looking for a fontman/woman. After a worldwide search the show brought them together to live in one house to compete against each other for the gig. Each week a contestant is eliminated; part due to online voting and the other decision by the band. The contestants each week have to battle over a limited song list. The first 3 shows have proven that song choice is a big factor on how you come off with your performance. The group mainly has a mix of classics mixed in with a few more 'modern' hits as part of the song selection mix; everything from Rolling Stones to Stone Temple Pilots.
Once the lead vocalist is chosen the group will record an album followed by a tour in 2007. My pics as of right now are narrowed down to 3: Lukas, Dilana and Magni. Check out http://rockstar.msn.com for more on the show and performances. The show airs Tuesdays at 8PM and Wednesdays at 7PM on channel 4 locally here in the Twin Cities. CHECK THIS SHOW OUT!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Tick bite = mid-Summer illness


Well, most of you know I came down with something on Friday July 7th. First symptom was the chills. I left work and headed for home. After rotating spells of chills, the sweats tagged with high fever (105.7 was the highest I had) I finally went into Urgent Care in Shakopee the following Saturday night. Right away I was admitted to the ER and immediately injected with IV fluids as I was dehydrated. I was there for about 3 hours and was released with a subscription of Vicodin for any pain and said it should pass it 12 hours.

Long story short, I was still out of it come Monday morning and therefore went back to the ER. After 8 hours in there and several drugs, x-rays, MRI, CAT scans, I was finally admitted to the Hospital that was on-site. I was treated with various pain meds as well as Doxycycline, a med to cover a few tick-born diseases. After a few days I did get better and was finally released on the evening of July 12th. I have to take the Doxycycline for a total of 14 days then go back for a checkup. Even though my test came back negative, the Doctor deemed me with having Ehrlichiosis. All my symptoms are in-line with this tick-born illness.
To find out more on what I had, click on these links:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ehrlichiosis/DS00702/DSECTION=1
http://www.google.com/search?=Ehrlichiosis