Flock and Me :)

A couple nights ago i was just browsing the web. I came across some old favorite links in my Firefox and decided to just go through them...just for the fun of it to see what i had been bookmarking. I must have come across some forum (probably Ubuntu, cos it was something to do with Linux....i don't remember my damn self.) and i saw something about a social networking browser. Then i saw that it was based on Firefox3....which was all i needed to see really. A few clicks later i had downloaded it and was on my way to setting it up, which didnt even take long.

Flock is the name of the browser. Its not my favorite, to be completely honest, but i'm using it as much as possible to get used to it. Thus far i can actually say i recommend it to anyone who is a member on a number of social networking sites. Why? I'll try and explain it.

The browser has a feature called OpenID which allows you to simultaneously connect to a number of social networking sites. This allows you quick and easy access to updates, notifications, etc without having to even open the site. So, while your on whatever site you're viewing, just pop open the side bar, change your Facebook status, maybe check your requests (friend, group, application, etc) and you messages, and even check your friends current status messages. Then check what your friends on YouTube have done recently, then onto MySpace, and so on and so forth. All in a sidebar.

The so called Flockbar is currently my favorite feature on the browser. With buttons to pop open:-

• the people sidebar,
• media bar (pops up at the top of the window to show videos on your YouTube account. either what you added, favorite or anything recently added or favorite. and more),
  
• RSS feeds (in the sidebar),
  
• mail (opens a new tab),
  
• favorites (sidebar),
  
• photo uploader (new window),
  
• blog editor (new window),
  
• accounts and services sidebar,
• and a very useful feature... the web clipboard sidebar.

More info on Flock available at the homepage.

Another thing. Its a cross platform browser. So if you're on XP, Vista, OS X or any Linux distro, you can use it.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

As with the iPod before, iPhone shall have a smaller sibling.....really?

So just the same as the iPod had the iPod Mini, and then Nano, the iPhone will too! Or so it is written. The rumours surfaced a couple of weeks back, but until now there has been no concrete evidence of an iPhone Nano. But is it really true? So far I've seen a case mock-up diagram, and two supposed pictures of what the real thing looks like.....which is a bit confusing considering they look different?

The first photo i saw yesterday is probably just a hoax. But it does look mighty fine though.....probably because it just looks like someone photo shopped a picture of an iPhone 3G and made the "Nano" the size of the supposed case from the mock diagram.



The second picture i saw is actually from the manufacturer of iPod and iPhone cases, XKSN. So this is more than likely the real deal. Somehow not as flashy as the "photo shopped" one but i would still buy one....considering that its going to be sold at $99...or so the rumors said.The big issue with a Nano would be compatibility. The device is smaller, and probably has lower spec components than the 3G and some apps might not function as well. Screen size might also be an issue if the Nano has a lower resolution. But with Apple being Apple, I'm sure they'll work something out. Maybe a special Nano section in the App Store? That should ehm...separate the men from the boys, right?

No blogs for a while.

Due to time constraints, a busy season and me being sick this week, there have been and might not be any blogs for a little while. Apologies if anyone actually even reads this shit (doubt it but i tried anyway).

For now heres some links to my mixes i just uploaded onto FileFactory.com

Most of them are pretty big but pretty good.

- Big F**king House Part 1 (House mix)
- 138 BPM (Trance Mix)
- Hard Style Nation (Trance Mix)
- Funky House 07 (House Mix)
- Twista feat. Kanye West vs. Trentemøller - Overnight Celebrity vs. Give A Little
- Twista feat. Kanye West vs. Trentemøller - Overnight Celebrity vs. Polar Shift
- Souljaboy vs. Trentemøller - Crank Dat vs. Polar Shift
- Premix 07 Demo

and the big one,

- Whoppa 2008 Demo Mix (a.k.a. Shivers 2008)

I'm a Google Fanboy!!!! Cloud Computing, Android, and yet another Mac Clone.

So its early, i have things to do but i HAD to write up these first two stories. The fact that i'm a MAJOR Google Fanboy doesn't help one bit. U know when u get excited about Christmas? Thats how i feel right now....and not about Christmas.

Google will now be offering a developement version of the G1 Android phone. What does that mean? NO LOCKS! They will be removing the SIM locks and hardware locks allowing developers to modify the phone as well as create applications for it without the hassle of getting a T-Mobile contract and then bugging them for the unlock codes. Price is said to be $399 with a mandatory $25 registration fee on the Android Market site (where you will be selling your applications you are supposedly developing with your new phone....right). Sorry Apple but i might be changing my mind on getting an iPhone......hmmm.

More from Google. Ever heard of Cloud Computing? If not, Cloud Computing is supposedly the future. Cloud Computing will allow a user to access their personal documents, videos, music, pictures and just about everything else they do with their computer......anywhere! All you need is a subscription to a host server where your files are stored, and a terminal with internet access.
The concept has been around for a while, in some way or another, and i think Google will be the first there. Google already has the capabilities. What am i talking about, you might ask? The Google Cloud OS, naturally. Yes they have it in testing stages already, and to me it looks like it's going to be a big deal. The OS boots in about 6 seconds (yes 6 seconds. i saw it for myself) and consists of nothing but a Chrome Browser window. Don't panic. Theres more to it than that. The chrome browser features a "Mac like" dock at the bottom of the window with shortcuts to common applications, most, if not all of which are web based (e.g. Google Calendar, Docs, Reader, Blogger, Gmail, Youtube, etc.). If you ever used any of the original gOS's such as gOS Space or gOS Gadgets (if you dont know, visit gOS, googles operating system homepage), you will be familiar with the dock.

Obviously MP3 and Video playback is supported (somehow. i havent been able to get my hands on a copy of the OS unfortunately) as well as other normal features like volume control and battery level indicator, which are both integrated into the browser window. Best feature of all is the OS can run on any machine thats x86 based and with 128MB RAM. So dig up your dinosaurs from that closet in the back room and set up a quick access internet terminal? Why not, if you wanna get online fast and just browse and stuff, its worth it. And don't worry about rendering XP (or whatever OS you have on your computer. Mac and Linux included) useless. Cloud has a button on the dock that allows you to boot into your host OS at the click of a button.

I want this.....but rumor has it that the release will be in January. Oh well, another month.

Now you would think with Psystar's legal issue with Apple, anybody making a Mac clone would think about backing off and scrapping their project until things settle. No. Yet ANOTHER company has brought out a Mac Clone. This one being a Tablet version of a MacBook called a Modbook. It's actually an updated version to a previous one they released, but i still dont think now is the right time. And at $2,249? I guess it really is a Mac clone huh.

Now to start saving up for the G1.....fun. Is that model even going to be available in europe? Huh.

Facebook Virus???? iMac Clones and Nokia 5800 is already out.

First off, apologies. According to Mobility Today, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was released on October 2nd. Either i read the original article wrong, or CrunchGear had it wrong. As promised, i'm bringing you the tech specs.

Input method is pretty much the same as the iPhone. The phone features an on screen full QWETY keyboard which can be used in Portrait and Landscape modes. It also features a Guitar Pick like accessory that makes for easier typing, as well as handwriting recognition when the phone is used with the stylus that slides out the bottom. Display is a 3.2" widescreen with 640x360 resolution on a 16:9 ratio, naturally.

The interface features a "Media Bar" with shortcuts to the most commonly used media applications such as Video, Music, Internet and so on. Other features are a 3.2mp camera, integrated sterio speakers, a second camera on the face for video calls (this was supposed to be big at one stage but does anyone even use this feature anyway?) and the usual GPS, Bluetooth, 3G, HSDPA and Wi-Fi.

Most important, the capacity of the device. The phone itself comes with an 8GB microSD card but is capable of using a 16GB. Internal memory is 81mb. I think this is one model thats might just turn the tables in the iPhone arena. The fact it's capable of making video clips (up to 90 minutes long depending on the memory card), and the hardware seems pretty jacked up might mean a cheaper and possibly better alternative to the iPhone. Looks are pretty much the same. But still....somehow the iPhone just seems that much more glamorous than anything else out there, doesn't it?

Argentenian firm OpeniMac has pretty much ignored the Psystar vs. Apple legal issue and released their own iMac clone. The company is currently offering 2 machines. The OpeniMac is only $990 and ships with 2GB of memory, 320GB HDD, and a 256MB ATI Radeon HD Pro. The OpeniMacPRO will run ya, $1,710 but is a 3.0GHz machine with 4GB of ram and a 20-inch widescreen LCD. You probably think i'm against Apple now because i've been writing up on alternatives to their products but thats not the case. Like i said, if i had the cash, i would definitely drop some into Steve Job's pocket, no matter the cost. One more thing....the computers appear to be in Spanish only. Hmmm....

According to Cnet.com, there's a new worm virus thats hit facebook. The virus comes as a private message asking the user to click on a link to view what is apparently a "funny" picture of them. The browser then connects to another website where the user is prompted with a message to update FlashPlayer, which is where things start to go downhill.....provided you're not smart enough to look at the signature of the software manufacturer. IE should pick up that the software vendor signature is not valid and warn you about opening the file.

My advice to stay safe, whenever you encouter a situation like this. Cancel or ignore everything, and go directly to the Adobe website and look for your update. That is, if you are using a browser that doesnt recognise the signatures. (i think they all do but i'm not sure. i'm a Firefox and Google Chrome fanboy so those are the only two i use.)

More info on Cnet.com. Link here.

If anyone wants links to the full stories (where available) i'll be more than happy to send them. Leave a comment or send me a message.

iPhone iPhone iPhone.... Some might be glad, some might be meh.

So my obsession with the iPhone might slowly start coming to an end. I've wanted one since they were released but with the packages the networks offer (and i just got into a 2 year contract. one is enough, i actually have 2 :[ shit!) are a little bit on the pricey side. And for an unlocked device on ebay, you're looking at about 600 euros (some are a little less but that comes off in my books as sketchy. whats wrong with it?)

HOWEVER! iPhone beware because on December 2nd, nokia brought out its N97 with 32GB Storage capacity. Top that iPhone. The device looks pretty flashy, but doesnt really have all the flair the iPhone has...somehow. From what i've seen, the GUI is somewhat cluttered and not as clean as that of the iPhone. Price is about $700 and for now the phone looks to be SIM free (you can use it on any network. no packages, no hidden costs, no contract!). Pretty much, its a 32GB multimedia phone with 5mp camera, 3.5" touchscreen, kick out QWERTY keyoard (makes life a lot easier), supports up to 16GB microSD cards (a whopping 48GB altogether if you have one), and the usual HSDPA, 3G and WiFi. Oh and a GPS. Operating system is Symbian S60 now in its 5th Edition.
A second iPhone killer from Nokia (no news on that yet.) will be the 5800 XpressMusic. This one will be in black with a more iPhone-ish look and running on the same OS as the N97. I don't have specs on it now, but i'm sure i will have them by the end of tonight as i'm running short on time right now.

Back to the iPhone, modders have managed to get the Linux 2.6 kernal to load on it. But thats about as far as it goes. No GUI, no GNOME, no KDE, just the simple command prompt. Hey, its a start. The guy working also demostrated a BootCamp like utility that allows you to choose what you want to do when you turn on the phone. You can either load the normal iPhone interface, or choose a more advanced interface that allows you to get into the hardware and boot the linux kernal. Links will be posted later.


iPhone Linux Demonstration Video from planetbeing on Vimeo.

And last but not least, for the people in America. A $99 iPhone? Yes, apparently WalMart is set to start selling iPhones for $99. Whats the catch? Well, a 4GB capacity and....oh yeah....a 2 year contract (didn't see that one coming huh *sarcasm*).

Still want one? I think i might slowly change my mind. More iPhone competitors and updates coming soon.

Google gets festive, Logitek on a roll, and Apple thinks you're stupid?

For the people that are using Google Docs, they've stepped into the holiday season with a bunch of templates to get your presentations, spreadsheets and other documents looking more festive than ever. The templates range from Greeting Cards to festive Mailing Labels. I even came accross a Video Card template where you can upload a video and send it online with a pretty border around it.

Something else i stumbled on with my GMail was the introduction of new Themes to change the look of you page. I haven't really had much of a chance to go through them all (i'm using Thunderbird for that, but my Firefox has "Better Gmail 2" to change the look), but it does look promising for the people who are getting bored of the same look. My personal favourite is the Graffiti theme. From what i heard not everybody was so lucky with the themes option. Many people didn't have access to it, but i think its all been cleared up by now. More info on the two later.

Now for Logitek. The days of the mouse may be numbered due to touch screens on all sorts of hand held devices capable of carrying out most computer functions. However, that didn't stop Logitek from making their 1 billionth mouse. I say keep on keeping on cos i personally don't see the end of the mouse coming too soon. I quite like having a mouse. All this touching (hmmm :S....) and rubbing of surfaces (my touchpad) is giving me friction burn.

On the music side, A State Of Trance Collected Extended Versions Volume 3 is now on sale. With christmas just around the corner, all the techno freaks should be happy to find a copy wrapped up and laying under the tree (hint hint....guess what i want :P). I'm sure someone out there is already ripping it and uploading to Rapidshare. (If you are, and you are reading this, drop me a line please?)

Last on the list. Apple and you, the consumer. I'm not sure if any of you heard, but a man is suing Apple for false advertising. His problem? The iPhone 3G (i'm obsessed, sorry.) advert claims the phone is faster than it actually is on 3G networks. Apples response? "Our Ads don't lie, but you're a fool if you believe them." Okay maybe they didnt use those exact words (i think they might have but at least thats what it said on Wired.com, link here) but that is pretty much what they were getting at. Still.....i'm sad to say i WILL remain an Apple fanboy. Not legit of course, their gadgets are still a little pricey for me, but who knows. Maybe one of these days, right? Riiight.

Raising The Dead.

I thought it might be time to bring back some of my old mixes, so heres the first in the series. This one is an old Hip-Hop/Dancehall mash up i like to call Pirate Radio.

D-Livid Presents Pirate Radio

Go download and listen. Write me back with any comments if you think its good enough. My track for the day is Chicane - Autumn Tactics (Thrillseekers Club Mix). Lyrics are definitely up there with the best vocal trance songs. The tune itself is really awesome. I can't get it out of my head. worth a quick listen.

Otherwise i have not much else to say today. Its a slow week i think.

Going Open Source?

If you don't know by now what the Open Source Movement is, you don't know much about the computer software world. For those of you that are and aren't, i'll be writing a couple of articles on Open Source software. Whether you're going Linux, or just Open Source on another OS, i'll bring you tips on the best Open Source apps i can find.

The advantage about this type of software is that its absolutely free, and the source code is available to the public which allows anyone to customize the software and make changes to suit their personal needs. It also allows programmers to work together as a community by adding newer features to products or fixing bugs. More information can be found on Wikipedia by searching for "Open Source".

The piece of software i want to talk about today is one that i've found extremely useful recently.


aTube Catcher 1.0

100% free and easy to use, aTube Catcher is a video downloader and converter in one. With more advanced features than most downloaders available at present, i would recommend it to anyone who wants to download videos from a video sharing site (e.g. youtube, megavideo, googlevideo, etc.)

With access to over 150 video servers (including adult ones), aTube is the easiest way to download one or more files without having to open up hundreds of windows. The program automatically scans your clipboard for links it recognizes and adds them into the source field on startup. All you do is click download, and in no time you will have your video (or mp3) on your hard disk. The program features a Queue Manager which allows you to add more than one source link to a list, which the program then uses to download the files automatically, one by one. The Queue Manager also features the clipboard scanner, so theres no need to keep switching windows to cut and paste links. Theres also the Always On Top feature which will keep the Queue Manager on top of any other windows, allowing you to view and edit your links without having to switch back and forth.

One of the most significant features about this program is the video converter. Alot of the programs on the web don't have this feature. aTube even features a useful templates feature, allowing you to download and convert videos to fit just about any form of media. From DVD's and VCD's to MP3 players and PSP's. There is also a mobile phone template included. The templates automaticaly adjust the video resolution, aspect ratio and bitrate to suit your needs. All it takes is a couple of clicks, and you're ready to enjoy your videos on the go.

As well as converting videos directly from the web, it allows you to convert .FLV files to any other format, for those of you that have been using video downloads that don't feature a converter.

With 6 built-in languages, tonnes of useful and easy-to-use features, and codecs to convert to 18 different formats (including 3GP, MP3, MP4, AVI, WMV, OGG and GIF), aTube Catcher is easily the best piece of free software out there when it comes to video downloads.

http://atube-catcher.dsnetwb.com/get-video-software-windows-home/

Elektro mixes....friend, foe or just a bunch of rubbish.

I'm writing this because of the amount of Elektro remixes I'm hearing lately of songs that should be considered classics. Some of these are Silence (Delerium), Infinity (Guru Josh) and King Of My Castle (Wamdue Project) to name but a few.

If you know your trance, you will know that Silence was probably one of the biggest tunes to hit the scene back in the day. Tiesto made it legendary (in my honest opinion) with his remix of the track, and if i remember clearly, hearing THAT mix is what got me hooked on the stuff in the first place. So to me, not only is it one of the greatest songs of all time, but its also like a starting point, a checkpoint, a whatever you wanna call it. My first taste of vocal trance. My first hit of smack that has kept me coming back. Anyway you look at it, that song probably means alot more to me than any other because of the journey it has set me on.

Enough ranting and getting nostalgic. On to my main point. Are the new Elektro mixes doing these classics justice or are they just crappy remixes being made to bring back the old tunes so they can be more appealing to this new generation of club goer, and in turn make a few quick bucks off the already big name of the original tracks. People that hang around with me alot will be used to this phrase by now....."Fucking marketing!"

On one hand i do actually like some of these tracks. In the case of Silence 2008, i was already cursing and swearing when i heard the first few seconds of it, only to find out its an Elektro mix. But once it got to that "climax", that hook, the part that gives you the adrenalin rush when you imagine yourself at a gig in the crowd screaming your head off......i was hooked. But still, its the principal. Remakes are not always the best thing, and can ruin the reputation of the original, whatever it may be. (In terms of films, i think the originals of Japanese horrors such as Ju-On, etc, are much much better than the American remakes.)

Moving on, Infinity, originally by Guru Josh, now known as The Guru Josh Project, has been re-released. There are two main versions I've heard (besides the original) and i think these two are actually the best so far. Both of them by Klaas. One is just the Klaas Remix, the other one is the Klaas Vocal Edit (same as Klaas Remix, but with some vocals thrown in there). The vocal edit is the one i like most, because i can sing along when I'm shit faced.

God I'm prattling on today aren't i :S

And now, a track i stumbled on a couple of days ago. Armada music has (recently, i think in October) released a 2009 version of King Of My Castle. I'm sorry but i'm forced to be a little biassed here. I'm a big big BIG fan of Armin Van Buuren, and the fact that this song is coming out of his label is good news for me. The song IS actually really good though. I've been a fan of the original since it was first released, even including it in some of my underground mixes i've made. (interested? heres a link for you to hear some of my tunes) I still remember that whole anime music video they had (i actually got banned from watching MTV once because we had visitors over and that came on, and unfortunately my mother saw it and found it quite embarassing. boo!)

Last one i just remembered. Time to slag off a track. Remember Rozalla, Everybody's Free? Well i stumbled on a Dance Nation Remix of that. I really think they completely butchered the track. Ok, well maybe not completely. But the Eifel 65 style vocals they added in there just killed it i think. Why not just let Rozalla sing by herself instead of trying to add in those crappy male/synthesized vocals. Other than that, the instrumental was actually spot on. Gets you right into the groove at the climax. Aquagens remix from a couple years back (i think it was Aquagens) was actually really good though. However, once again, the Global Deejays' Elektro remix killed it sorta. It grows on you i guess (as i just found out)

Enough now. I'll go look around for more tracks to slag off :P

P.S. Words in RED are youtube links.

Motorcycle???

So i'm trawling Youtube looking for trance videos (as one does) and i come accross a Motorcycle video for As The Rush Comes. I look in the description only to find out that Gabriel and Dresden are the ones behind Motorcycle. I had no idea whatsoever. Banging tune though (obviously, given the fact that Gabriel and Dresden are some of the best out there).

On the subject of my Trance Playlist on Youtube, its about 38 titles strong now and steadily growing. Once its done i'll give you a link to go listen to some of my favourites.

Last but not least, track for the day i feel needs to be Smith & Pledger "Forever (Above and Beyond Remix)"

Superb intro just gets you right into the dreamy/trippy/take me away mood.

Enjoy!

Techno Blog

Time for a quick blog. I had an epiphany yesterday after i wrote my status about Oceanlab. I know what type of blogger i am supposed to be.

I shall be a Guru lolz. I think some of you need educating a little bit on the Trance/House/Lounge genres......yes im sorry, hip-hop is bullshit.

So hopefully i will be able to stick to this and not get bored of it within the next few days (as one does....namely me).

I know, i know, you might not even give a shit. in which case, please, really, dont. Move on and mind your own business then. Please by all means DONT waste your time writing stupid comments because there is a delete button, so ultimately you would have wasted your time, cos nobody will see ur crap.

Will start off later today maybe with the first publishing. If u like, keep checking. I’m off for now.

Ciao ciao

P.S. Once again i put the Oceanlab “Sirens Of The Sea” link in here because its such a good song and its got me hooked the past two days. (The one im posting is the Cosmic Gate Vocal Mix, the first version i heard and the one thats got me hooked the most)