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Friday, July 27, 2007

Aquafina is just tap water

I've always preferred tap water to bottle water, since I felt the water was just as nutritious, plus it reduced plastic waste. The fact that water was supposed to be better if it came out of a bottle seemed kind of pointless to me, since the United States spends a great deal of time purifying water in its treatment facilities.

Well, I'm happy that one company, Pepsi, is coming clean with claiming any sort of superiority with bottled water. Forbes just reported that Aquafina labels will now say "P.W.S," meaning public water source. So, is it really worth it to spend $3 at an amusement park for some water that would cost 3 cents if you filled a water bottle at home? I don't think so.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Desktop Backgrounds

I work at a computer company, so obviously, the use of a computer is one of necessity. In only a few weeks, I've developed a certain bit of affinity with my workspace. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a super-fast Dell Precision 690 and 2, yes TWO, 24 inch HP monitors.

But, whenever you lock your computer or step away for a minute, your desktop background is broadcast to whomever looks your way. And so far, I have seen some pretty bad backgrounds. A no-no is keeping the templated background that is given to you when you first boot up. I think it shows a lack of creativity. There are others that like to put up a candid picture, perhaps of their pet or maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend. These are nice, but small digital cameras don't take pictures in 1920x1200, meaning there's always some ugly blue space surrounding the picture.

What people need are elegant, artistic, and even funny desktop backgrounds. So please, if you are reading this, visit the following three websites and download a background and help beautify your office-space:


- Vladstudio.com - this site is amazing. Original, creative, and free! If you want to get backgrounds for a 1920x1200 screen, you have to register.

- mandolux - a really sweet site, with precise, high-def images that go nicely on dual-monitors.

- InterfaceLIFT - this site has a wealth of backgrounds, and a variety at that. Be sure to sort by resolution to get the best wallpaper for your computer!

Monday, July 23, 2007

HP7 / Arrested Development

So yes, I finished Harry Potter. I don't want to give anyway any spoilers to the vast majority of people who haven't read the book, but suffice it to say, it was much different than previous versions, although not in a bad way, but in one that just made the book not as exciting as others have for me. Plus, since it was the official end to the series, I thought the ending was cliche and somewhat contrived, but in many ways it really did finish an excellent series. So read it, definitely.

And while you're at Borders or Barnes and Noble, be sure to get:

Arrested Development.

I just bought season 1, and holy shit, it's hilarious! The Bluth's are a seriously dysfunctional family and what's better is that their interactions are shockingly funny. It almost feels like a reality show, like Real World, mixed with an element of third-person narration to keep the plot moving. I particularly enjoy Tobias, who is struggling to be an actor, is a "never-nude," and likes to cry in the shower. Good stuff.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Aquafina is just tap water

I've always preferred tap water to bottle water, since I felt the water was just as nutritious, plus it reduced plastic waste. The fact that water was supposed to be better if it came out of a bottle seemed kind of pointless to me, since the United States spends a great deal of time purifying water in its treatment facilities.

Well, I'm happy that one company, Pepsi, is coming clean with claiming any sort of superiority with bottled water. Forbes just reported that Aquafina labels will now say "P.W.S," meaning public water source. So, is it really worth it to spend $3 at an amusement park for some water that would cost 3 cents if you filled a water bottle at home? I don't think so.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Desktop Backgrounds

I work at a computer company, so obviously, the use of a computer is one of necessity. In only a few weeks, I've developed a certain bit of affinity with my workspace. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a super-fast Dell Precision 690 and 2, yes TWO, 24 inch HP monitors.

But, whenever you lock your computer or step away for a minute, your desktop background is broadcast to whomever looks your way. And so far, I have seen some pretty bad backgrounds. A no-no is keeping the templated background that is given to you when you first boot up. I think it shows a lack of creativity. There are others that like to put up a candid picture, perhaps of their pet or maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend. These are nice, but small digital cameras don't take pictures in 1920x1200, meaning there's always some ugly blue space surrounding the picture.

What people need are elegant, artistic, and even funny desktop backgrounds. So please, if you are reading this, visit the following three websites and download a background and help beautify your office-space:


- Vladstudio.com - this site is amazing. Original, creative, and free! If you want to get backgrounds for a 1920x1200 screen, you have to register.

- mandolux - a really sweet site, with precise, high-def images that go nicely on dual-monitors.

- InterfaceLIFT - this site has a wealth of backgrounds, and a variety at that. Be sure to sort by resolution to get the best wallpaper for your computer!

Monday, July 23, 2007

HP7 / Arrested Development

So yes, I finished Harry Potter. I don't want to give anyway any spoilers to the vast majority of people who haven't read the book, but suffice it to say, it was much different than previous versions, although not in a bad way, but in one that just made the book not as exciting as others have for me. Plus, since it was the official end to the series, I thought the ending was cliche and somewhat contrived, but in many ways it really did finish an excellent series. So read it, definitely.

And while you're at Borders or Barnes and Noble, be sure to get:

Arrested Development.

I just bought season 1, and holy shit, it's hilarious! The Bluth's are a seriously dysfunctional family and what's better is that their interactions are shockingly funny. It almost feels like a reality show, like Real World, mixed with an element of third-person narration to keep the plot moving. I particularly enjoy Tobias, who is struggling to be an actor, is a "never-nude," and likes to cry in the shower. Good stuff.