The Mozilla browser “Firefox” has many hidden text and graphics message stored internally within a “dynamic library list" (the file will have a name ending with “*.dll”) that if the savvy user types in the correct command on the addressbar and hits ENTER on the keyboard, this calls up the image, program or user message.

One of the ones I enjoyed in an earlier version of Firefox, was typing in:

About:kitchensink

And you would be shown an ASCII image of what appeared to be a large stainless kitchen sink basin. This ‘Easter egg’ seems to be absent from my current version of Firefox (3.x). I think that “about:kitchensink: still worked in Firefox v. 2.x

Mr. Roboto

Here is an Easter egg that works in v3.x of Firefox that is really nice.

About:robots

This is an ‘active window’ and if you click the gray “Try Again” button on the bottom-left, you get another message…

I like the “And they have a plan.”, -this taken straight from the new (albeit imho, over-hyped) “Battlestar Galactica” TV series. Which by the way I should add that despite my being an avid fan of the original series back in the late 1970s even with it’s laughable plots and uber-bad acting, I can’t seem to get my head around the new series despite it being leaps and bounds better than the original. That shaky shoulder-mounted handi-cam thing has GOT to GO! It's just too scary and unnerving. I mean, it makes me want to puke! -It's a commercial TV series you idiots, not "The Blair Witch Project"!

And if you are epileptic, you should probably avoid “CSI:Miami” for they are the WORST show that I can name at the moment for bad use (read: overuse) of split-second splicing and faux digital toaster effects. It’s a superfluous SPFX that is supposed to draw-in viewership to 'the busy-ness' of their work, the way the great theme music successfully did for “Miami Vice.” It's just a hook. Except in the case of Miami Vice, that show was at least, viewable. Even entertaining, - for what it was.

The Granddaddy of Easter Eggs

Of Course(!) I have to mention the biggest most important Firefox Easter egg if for nothing else, to benefit the truly uninitiated:

About:mozilla

A warning about ‘the beast’ is presented when you enter “about:mozilla” which is a parody play against Internet Exploder opps, -I means Explorer, the quintessential Microsoft browser product. Various versions of Firefox (and Mozilla) use varying themes of text, but the messages are clear.

Turnabout is Fair Play

This by Firefox/Mozilla supposed to be a retaliatory poke at Internet Explorer for it’s previous inclusion of a similar Easter egg in its browser. Whereby typing “about:whatever” and then next try “about:mozilla” you are shown different results. They were apparently trying to poke fun at chief rival Netscape Navigator (a "Mozilla" product) with a suggestive BSOD, -the so-called “Blue Screen of Death.” This clearly to imply that Netscape ‘crashes browsers.’ Most of this was going on unbeknownst to me at the time as I was still learning how to use a computer.

But for IE to suggest that 'another brand' of browser causes BSOD… -that is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black if you know what I mean! “BSOD” is like entirely an IE-thing, imho. Windows ME was the messiest, most unstable browser of its time. That is, until VISTA came along last year. Whew… what were they thinking there?! I tried typing "about:whatever" and then, "about:mozilla" in my current version, IE-7, but nothing happens. This must have been removed from the later upgrade. I have just read that Microsoft formally stopped using added 'Easter Eggs' in its programs as part of its "Trustworthy Computing Initiative" in 2002.

Yet they are about the repeat themselves again with yet another 'broken by design' release...Windows-7 They just keep going 'round and 'round like a moron trapped in a revolving door, -repeating their errs, hoping against hope for a different outcome! Sheez!

If You Forget the Past, You Are Doomed To Repeat It…

I just read a report at PCWorld.com about Microsoft’s ‘new’ OS called “Windows 7” (formerly codenamed Blackcomb and Vienna) and early reports on it are looking even worse than VISTA! Things that worked in VISTA now don’t work in “Windows 7” it seems. Yeah, -what are they thinking, -indeed!

I tried an anagram server to generate new words from the imputed “Blackcomb and Vienna” and while I did get over 1000 possible outputs, none of them were outstandingly helpful nor useful. I suspect that the same will be prevalent in Windows 7. Their Operating Systems browser was, is and probably shall continue to be a full 10+ years behind Standards. -A Generation-4 browser in a Generation-7.x/8 world. But enough Windows bashing (hey, -THAT was kind of clever, eh?)

Shiny New Google Chrome!

Have you tried Google’s “Chrome” browser?” It is amazing, for me it loads up from double-click to useable in just about 5-seconds! Okay, -I am amazed here. And Like Mozilla’s Firefox, Chrome also has ‘Easter eggs’ too!

About:internets

Note the “s” at the end. You will need this.

You get, well, “internets” I guess you could call them. Intertwined tubes that are also called “pipes” in other operating systems/browsers. Somehow though this is still fun to watch. Note the "Don't Clog the Tubes!". And sometimes though, if you get no animation you get instead a message that says "The Tubes Are Clogged." These both are probably Google’s way to slamming a snicker at something Sen. Ted Stevens said regarding the Net Neutrality Bill… he said something to the effect of "The internet is a series of tubes!" Yeah, -uh-huh. Not the brightest bead on the Rosary, is he? :(

Have You Ever?

Have you ever read the FAQ/TOS and User Agreements of the sites that we submit content to? Sometimes they are just plain funny! From MIXX, a social networking site, comes this:

Mixx General Terms of Use

By using the Mixx site, you are agreeing to play by our rules, which will govern your use of Mixx on what some Senators describe as "a series of tubes," or what we just call "the web." If you don't agree with these rules, we're sorry to say that you have to leave now....

Additional Chrome Stuff

Here are some additional Chrome ‘Easter Eggs’ to crack open and enjoy;

• about:memory
• about:stats
• about:internets
• about:histograms
• about:dns
• about:cache (this one takes a moment to load)
• about:plugins
• about:version
  

There are more, of course. And oh, -while this is not “Easter egg” but in keeping with the underlying theme of bad/better/best browsers and platforms, here is a video of awesomeness that you need to see and enjoy!

Hi, I'm a Mac! Hi, I'm a PC! Hi, -I'm LINUX!

(Static images are screenshots taken directly from my computer, by thestickman. -That's me)

In reaction to our modern technological era, consumers have turned to computer and web-based logos for tattoo designs, often as a visual statement of a person's choice in software, operating systems or code platforms.

Operating Systems

The debate between the wisdom of choosing Mac, Linux or Windows continues; with consumers using their bodies as a canvas to state their personal choice.

Apple Mac Logo

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A bold, clear statement that the owner of the tattoo is a Mac user and proud of it.

Linux Penguin Logo

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A cute image that has been used as a tattoo design by many Linux users, especially female users.

Microsoft Windows Logo

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A colorful and easily recognizable image that is gaining popularity among Windows users as a tattoo design.

Connected to the Web

Web-based logo designs are becoming chic choices for tattoo designs, with the colorful Google and stylish Firefox logos taking to the streets in the form of body art.

iGoogle

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Because Google knows everything. The colorful, clear lettering makes it an attractive design for a tattoo.

Firefox

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Not only is the web browser a powerful and attractive piece of software, but the Firefox logo is also attractive and makes a stylish tattoo design.

Lock-in the Code

Mathematics, pieces of code and binary translations are often used in humorous or meaningful tattoos.

HTML

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Html code tattooed on the neck, using a snatch of code to create a humorous effect by labeling the head and body with html code.

Binary Code

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Name initials in binary code - A personal expression of self, using a Binary translation of this person's initials.

Mathematics

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This tattoo has a meaning to the person who chose it, though the symbolism may be misunderstood by those who see it. As with many tattoos, the chosen design often has a meaning that appeals to the owner of the tattoo, but isn't immediately clear to others.

A Walking Advertisement

Some people have decided to use their bodies as a walking billboard for their website.

GrownUp Geek

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This tattoo is an advertisement for GrownUp Geek. Advertising takes many forms, but this particular advertisement is paid for once, doesn't weather the way outdoor advertisements do, and will be the topic of many conversations.

Geek tattoos of games, computer symbols and hardware

Mario Brothers

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A Mario Brothers "Game Over" tattoo. There are many Mario Brothers tattoo designs available, often with the Mario character in a large, colorful scene with other gaming characters. This one, however, is a series of separate images and has been tattooed on the neck, a painful and very visible area for tattoo art.

Mac Command Key

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A bold, clean image with interweaving loops, similar to the popular trinity tattoo.

Space Invaders

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A fun image from the classic computer game, shown here in its original pixilated form.

Power

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Another simple, yet bold design that holds a deeper meaning for the owner.

Mac Finder

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A modern, graphic design used in Mac operating systems that is both friendly and colorful.

Dell

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This guy is obviously an avid fan of Dell, to have had the logo covering such a large area of his body. The clean lines and bright color of the logo make an impressive statement in a tattoo.

Many tattoos serve an aesthetic role and are simply an artistic decoration on the skin.

These tattoo design choices express the views and passions of computer and web consumers, and one can only hope that the company logo designs will not change before the tattoos fade.

1. Safari Compatibility


The thing that bothers me the most about StumbleUpon is the fact that it doesn't work in Safari. Now I know most people out there don't have macs, and even those that do might still prefer another option such as Firefox or Camino, but I would like to have the option of using Apple's native browser (which runs much faster than Firefox can, or ever will run). This one flaw has kept me from using Safari and has forced me to use Firefox for the time being as I cannot stand to "browse" the Internet without StumbleUpon. ( I do love Firefox, it just isn't the best option for mac users as it crashes often) I do realize this is probably more Apple's fault in their design with Safari, but someone needs to act soon!

2. I can't really think of anything else, the program is genius.

An application called Instant Messenger (IM) has attracted more and more attentions from the internet users around the world lately. It is said that IM has provided them a brilliant platform to communicate using PC with a relatively lower cost as compared to other medium of communications. Anyone can use IM regardless where he or she came from. The borderless form of communication has enabled a close relationship emerging between friend, relative, family member, and even entrepreneur to deliver their messages instantly and effectively. Some of the IM platforms even allow for using video and sound instead of the text itself.

Below I listed some of the services provided by the IM that are used extensively anywhere and anytime by the internet users.

AOL Instant Messenger

AOL became the most well-known IM ten years ago. Its popularity particularly dealing with its excellent services has successfully attracted many users which later leading the company to release stand-alone official AIM client called AOL Instant Messenger or AIM. AIM uses TOC protocol and OSCAR instant messaging protocol which was released by AOL on May, 1997 and it permits registered users to communicate in real time. The new version was specifically designed for WindowXP to enable the internet users to use video and sound, sharing files and other attractive features which are added from time to time.

AIM is always regarded as the most popular method of sending instant message as it has the largest group of registered users as compared to other IM interfaces listed here. Indeed, it is a user-friendly tool that is easily manipulated by the users to communicate with each other. AOL also offers an AIM client software which can be used for Mac OS X, Mac Os, and Linus.

Yahoo Messenger

The application of Yahoo Messenger enables its users to communicate each other by using the provided current Yahoo ID to sign in. It comes with an attractive emoticon, direct communication via video, fail transfer and so forth. Its front page appears to be more attractive as compared to other IM platforms but its users are lesser than AOL. It is a user-friendly communication tool and thus it is more appropriate to be recommended for a newbie who wishes to communicate friends, relative and family members.

The interesting feature of Yahoo Messenger is that the users are allowed to share photos easily and effectively. Instead, you can choose the theme to indicate your mood or feeling via its excellent feature called IMVironments. Indeed, it is the best IM client and hence it is worth using it. Its new version, Version 8, comes with the added Voice to make the communication sounds more attractive and impressive. This version also enables the users to include “Widgets” into the new messenger. With this added feature, you can exchange message with other users who use MSN Messenger and Window Live.

Google Talk

Google is the search engine favored by the most internet users as compared to Yahoo, Ask, Netscape and other search engine sites. Google provides its web-based application for instant messaging and voice over internet (VOIP) called Google Talk or simply known as Gtalk. Gtalk enables its users to make calls instantly and effectively without paying a single cent. It also allows the communication of other XMPP (eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) clients with Google Talk users with its open protocol, XMPP. Now, BlackBerry is available to use within Google Talk which can be downloaded at Google Talk's blackberry. There is also an Add Friend button, a “Search all contacts” field to enable searches in both Google Talk and Gmail contacts.

Google has made the communication more convenient by introducing Google Apps Team addition to enable talks among co-workers or classmates taken place in a friendly environment. With this add-in application, anyone can obtain Google Docs to create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations. As Google Apps Team addition recognizes the connections to co-worker or classmates effectively, their contacts will automatically be added in your contact list. To try this, try visit Google Apps Team Addition Homepage.

Google Talk is a good platform to choose for an instant messaging and open communication as it can be used for many languages. To do this, you just add any of the 23 other translation bots. They are all named by two-letter language abbreviations as "[from language]2[to language]@bot.talk.google.com", and the supported language pairs are: ar2en, de2en, de2fr, el2en, en2ar, en2de, en2el, en2es, en2fr, en2it, en2ja, en2ko, en2nl, en2ru, en2zh, es2en, fr2de, fr2en, it2en, ja2en, ko2en, nl2en, ru2en, zh2en. So, French to German translation, talk to fr2de@bot.talk.google.com.

On June 4, 2008, Google has added many other languages with the aims to reduce the language barriers with automated chat translations many people have been experiencing. The new bots speak Bulgarian (bg), Croatian (hr), Czech (cs), Danish (da), Finnish (fi), Hindi (hi), Norwegian (no), Polish (pl), Portuguese (pt), Romanian (ro), Swedish (sv) and Traditional Chinese (zh-hant). Basically, there are 26 new bots: bg2en, cs2en, da2en, en2bg, en2cs, en2da, en2fi, en2hi, en2hr, en2no, en2pl, en2pt, en2ro, en2sv, en2zh-hant, fi2en, hi2en, hr2en, no2en, pl2en, pt2en, ro2en, sv2en, zh-hant2en, zh-hant2zh, and zh2zh-hant. To check out the full list of supported languages, simply log in to supported language combinations.

ICQ

ICQ is an instant messaging commonly called “I seek you” which is regarded as a stand-alone IM client since it was first released in November, 1996. It was also the first to have features like “Buddy” and an interactive communication platform. This application has become portion of family AOL Time Warner, but unfortunately it is not advertised extensively like AIM. It is an application compatible with the PC operation of OS which includes cell phone and Symbian OS. That is why it is not surprising to find that its usage is growing.

ICQ provides many excellent features which make it stands firmly among other IM platforms. It has marvelous features include spelling checker, file transfer, “Push to talk” (PTT) service, video messaging and e-mail integration. Not only ICQ let you communicate with friends and colleagues in real time, but also you can play many online games to entertain yourself. ICQ is definitely the best choice for anyone who wishes to search for an attractive and entertaining IM platform.

MSN

Like other leading websites, Microsoft provides its excellent IM plug-in known as MSN Messenger. If you wish to use the services provided by MSN Messenger, you should first have a registered Hotmail to access this type of IM platform. It offers many interesting features such as video messaging, voice communication, emotion icons and many more.

MSN Messenger also comes with a facility to enable you to search via IM to obtain your desired findings. That means you can use it as a web search without opening another window. This feature is very unique as it is not available at other IM clients. MSN is an ideal web-search and IM interface for entrepreneurs, organizations, institutions, administrative and the home users as well. The other amazing feature is that you can leave a message or send a note even you are offline. Despite a large number of people are engaging with PC Windows every day, it is undeniably that this platform has improved the searches, instant messaging and real-time communication in a wide coverage.

Jabber

Jabber is an excellent XML-based protocol to enable real-time instant messaging for e-business. The protocol is added to include Voice over IP and file transfer signaling. It is unique that it integrates the existing e-business into a more personal and dynamic environment. Despite of this excellent feature, Jabber has enabled the communication with other IM platforms to be taken place at the same time with AIM and MSN. Nevertheless, it is not suitable for a newbie who is not familiar with the interface of IM. Once you have familiar with Jabber, it could be a marvelous tool used specifically for an extensible messaging and presence information (buddy lists). Unlike other IM clients, Jabber is an open system that requires its users to use their domain name and a suitable Internet connection to access the server and to talk to users from other IM platforms like Google Talk, Pidgin, Miranda IM, Gizmo Project, Psi and iChat as well.

iChat

iChat is an AIM client by Apple Inc. that allows users to integrate MSN, Yahoo and Google Talk contacts into the Jabber pane. This client provides an excellent facility to enable its users to communicate with either users from Mac, AIM or Jabber. With its new features of video backdrops, Photo Booth effects, Keynote presentation and photo slideshows making iChat a fun and live on-line messaging tool to connect people around the world.

The most unique feature of iChat is that it enables a full-screen personal video conference over thousand miles away via any type of broadband connections. Besides that, an application of iChat provides an interesting client to be integrated with OS X. Therefore, Mac users who are using AIM should give iChat a try.

These are the five wallpaper sites that I use the most; they usually have a broad selection of photographs or digitally created images. It'll be difficult not to find something you enjoy. Heck, if you only enjoy the wallpaper for a day, it doesn't take any effort to change it.

Here's the list:

1. Social Wallpapering

   I absolutely love this site; it has clear layout and is simple to navigate. This site also has a feature which allows people to vote up the wallpapers they enjoy and vote down the ones they don't. The highest rated wallpaper on their site that I found while writing this was +600; surprisingly, though, the lowest rated wallpaper was only -4, rather than something like -400. There is a large variety of absolutely stunning wallpapers here, and the unique (well, for a desktop site) up-vote/down-vote system works great.

2. Wallpaper Database

   This site was a recent discovery for me; the majority of the wallpapers I have seen were nature-oriented, but all of them were true photographs and not digital renderings. What I appreciate about this site is the (usually) very large selection of resolutions to fit nearly any screen, from a 1080p screen to an iPhone screen.
   

3. DeviantArt

   This site is likely to be one of the more well-known wallpaper galleries. DeviantArt has a thriving community of artists and as a result a near-endless supply of wallpaper. The number of categories this site has for its wallpaper submissions is very diverse; the main point of this site is for its members to share their artistic side, their creativity. There are a lot of categories/sub-categories, so I highly recommend checking out this site. It'd be quite surprising if you could not find something here.

4. Desktop Nexus

   Another intuitively designed, easy to use site. This site was the source of my current wallpaper: a beautiful shot of an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. This site does tend to be better for those looking for celebrity wallpapers and car wallpapers.
   Don't think it's limited to just those categories, though; they, too, have quite a variety of cool wallpapers.

5. Interfacelift

   This site is not only a great resource for wallpapers, but also for icons and themes for both Windows and Mac. The wallpaper galleries are simple to navigate; it's easy to look for the most popular wallpapers (by downloads, ratings, comments) as well as by resolution. Having sections for icons and themes, and then to have both Windows and Mac sections makes this a great site for those who have a computer, PC or Mac.

In all honesty, five sites is only a small fraction of all the desktop/wallpaper sites out there. These are the five I enjoy using the most, and share the same important qualities: an intuitive layout, a diverse wallpaper gallery, and a proper selection of resolutions, whether you're on widescreen or fullscreen.

Now that you have the knowledge, go and swap out that uninteresting desktop background of yours into something more intriguing.

However, much like most of Apple's products, the MacBook Air is all style, but no substance. Here are the top ten reasons you should not spend your hard earned money on the MacBook Air.

1. Mono Speakers

   For a company that can attribute much of their recent popularity to an mp3 player, you'd think the MacBook Air would be friendlier to music lovers. Instead, the only way users can hear sounds in stereo is to connect a set of speakers.

2. No SD Slot, ExpressCard Slot, or Apple Remote

   The MacBook Air just provides the bare minimum for laptops. In order to achieve average accessibility for a laptop, the MacBook Air requires several extra add-ons.

3. One USB Port

   Surely Apple would realize that most computer peripherals today are connected using USB ports. Essentially, Apple has forced consumers to make a decision. Want to connect your printer? Better take out your mouse. Want to transfer some files onto a flash drive? Better unplug that iPod (for those that think they can connect their iPods with firewire, the Air does not come with that port at all). The worst part is that the ports are non-expandable, which means that no matter how much more money you want to shell out, you're stuck with one USB port.

4. No Ethernet

   Unfortunately, the only way to connect to the Internet using the MacBook Air is through a wireless connection. An optional USB Ethernet Adaptor can be added for wired connections however its use would take up the only USB port.

5. It's Actually Not the World's Thinnest Laptop

   In 1997, Mitsubishi and Hewlett-Packard produced a laptop called the Pedion. At its maximum thickness, the Pedion measured in at 0.72 inches, compared to the MacBook Air's length of 0.76 inches. More recently, the Toshiba Portege 2000 also beat the MacBook Air with a maximum thickness of 0.75 inches. Unfortunately, neither of these computers had the marketing machine that Apple has.

6. No User-Replaceable Parts

   The hard drive, memory, and battery are all encased inside the laptop. Only the battery can be replaced, but it must be done by Apple for a fee. Other alternatives are possible but most are likely to void the warranty.
   

7. Slow and Weak Hard Drive

   The 1.8" hard drive only operates at 4200 rpm. On top of that, the maximum option of 80 GB is much less than the norm for laptops today.

8. No Removable Media Drive

   There is no CD/DVD player on the MacBook Air. Users can access CDs and DVDs using software called Remote Disc but it requires putting the disc in another computer. Moreover, it's been reported that Remote Disc cannot be used to install Windows, watch DVDs, or play music.

9. Comparable Laptops Outperform the MacBook Air

   Many people feel that the Sony Vaio is the closest comparison to the MacBook Air. For about the same price, the Vaio TZ does not have many of the problems above, is 40% faster, has twice as much hard drive space and is lighter than the MacBook Air.

10. Extremely Overpriced

    1.6 GHz, 64 GB hard drive, and no optical drive for $1800? 1.8 GHz for $3098? No thanks.