Wednesday, May 27, 2009

8 Toxic personalities to avoid

Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.

  • Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.

2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."

  • Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.

3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

  • Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.

4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.

  • Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

  • Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.

6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

  • Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.

7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

  • Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.

8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

  • Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.

All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/8-toxic-personalities-to-avoid-461078/

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

EIGHT WAYS TO SELF ACTUALIZE

EIGHT WAYS TO SELF ACTUALIZE

  1. Experience things fully, vividly, selflessly. Throw yourself into the experiencing of something: concentrate on it fully, let it totally absorb you.
  2. Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk (for the sake of progress and growth): Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.
  3. Let the self emerge. Try to shut out the external clues as to what you should think, feel, say, and so on, and let your experience enable you to say what you truly feel.
  4. When in doubt, be honest. If you look into yourself and are honest, you will also take responsibility. Taking responsibility is self-actualizing.
  5. Listen to your own tastes. Be prepared to be unpopular.
  6. Use your intelligence, work to do well the things you want to do, no matter how insignificant they seem to be.
  7. Make peak experiencing more likely: get rid of illusions and false notions. Learn what you are good at and what your potentialities are not.
  8. Find out who you are, what you are, what you like and don't like, what is good and what is bad for you, where you are going, what your mission is. Opening yourself up to yourself in this way means identifying defenses--and then finding the courage to give them up.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Useful link on International business and cultural interest

Do you have an interesting or useful link on international business, or of cultural interest?
Do you need any cross-cultural or international resources?
Send me a Tweet.

  1. National Geographic Top 10 Space Photos, Most Viewed 2008, Don’t miss #1 - celestial Smiley Face seen from earth
  2. 5 Mentally Ill Monarchs from Mental Floss
  3. 12 Oddly Specific Museums Preserving Our History from Mental Floss
  4. The World’s Cleanest Countries, Europe, led by Switzerland, leads the way as the U.S. falls - from Forbes
  5. World’s 20 Best Places To Live, Quality of life makes people in these cities love where they reside - from Forbes
  6. World’s Friendliest Countries, Those in search of a fresh start might head to these welcoming spots - from Forbes
  7. Trinidad: The America Of The Caribbean, With a three-year economic lag behind the U.S. - from Forbes
  8. Ben Franklin - an interactive time line of his lifetime
  9. The Science of Cute - from Popular Science’s “The Science of YouTube”
  10. How much do you procrastinate? - short video on Wimp resonates of truth for some days
  11. Top 15 Strangest Conditions of the Human Mind
  12. Top 15 Most Astonishing Coincidences of All Time from MindCafe.org
  13. Internet Justice - 6 Crimes Solved by Facebook
  14. Swine Flu Fashion: Pimp my Mask
  15. Streets of Paris - street fashion from Style Sightings - better hair styles than I saw during my last days in Paris
  16. 75 Amazing Ways to Maximize Your Brain Power - browsing this on MindCafe.org, think I’ll give speed reading a try
  17. Pronunciation Poem - highlights some of the absurdities of our language - read it out loud!
  18. 100 Best Movie Lines in 200 Seconds
  19. Still haven’t drawn up a reading list for the next few months? Stephen King - 7 Great Books for Summer
  20. Picture Show: You Are What You Eat - a look into other peoples fridges - http://twurl.nl/s5njyj - Makes me think a bit more about what I buy
  21. Movie Mistakes - Just saw Wolverine
  22. US Zip Codes - look them up on a map
  23. My Favorite 12 Google Maps Mashups - There are several links here well worth looking at
  24. Earth Album - a Flickr mash-up to explore some of the most stunning photos in the world on Google maps & Flickr
  25. MezzoMan - Map to find the best place for people in different locations to meet in the middle
  26. If you dig straight down, what’s on the other side of the world?
  27. Where Do You Want To Work?
  28. Americans Need International English Too
  29. Why Cross-Cultural Marketing Is Not An Option
  30. Twitter FollowFriday - @Tosk59
  31. International Marketing Review #52
  32. 10 Common Misconceptions About Britain - Clear explanation on what is Britain & interesting info on English anthem
  33. World of 100 - 20 posters tell the story in simple graphics - another interesting look at world demographic stats
  34. The happiest taxes on earth - - More people are satisfied in heavily tariffed nations
  35. European Portal For SME’s - information on all European Union policies & initiatives
  36. European Commission, Promoting SMEs and Entrepreneurship
  37. Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs - European exchange programme to help new entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills
  38. European Market Access Database
  39. Language Advantage - says they are an independent guide to the best & most innovative language courses in the world
  40. You can buy in your own language, but you must sell in the language of your customer
  41. EURES - the European job mobility portal
  42. Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Action will delineate and define you. ~ Thomas Jefferson - via @copyblogger @JWWrites
  43. Most jobs in US are created by small companies. SMEs comprise almost 97% of U.S. exporters
  44. Guangdong opens special trade fair to help small companies tap into domestic Chinese market
  45. Man is buffeted by outside circumstances so long as he believes himself 2 B the creature of outside circumstances - J. Allen - RT @PaulCarterJr
  46. IAESTE The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
  47. AIESEC - international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential
  48. INSEAD Knowledge video - Anil Gaba on the illusion of control
  49. Cross-Culture Tweets - Week 20 of 2009
  50. Issue 67. Acting Interculturally Competent « Intercultural Eyes - via @HollywoodStreet
  51. Win a set of multicultural books with “Around the World in 100 Bookshelves” - RT @prathambooks @thinkchangeind
  52. @giuseppelatte & @stevioz - Thanks for the RT! - Why Cross-Cultural Marketing Is Not An Option
  53. The Entrepreneur’s Handbook – 59 Resources For First Time Entrepreneurs - via @stevioz
  54. About Asia’s Top Social Networks & “Innovation Arbitrage”: Benjamin Joffe - via @giuseppelatte
  55. RT @shinils - Wishing you all a very happy World Telecommunication Day. :-)
  56. Cross Cultural Quiz on business cards - via @Culture4travel
  57. Increase students global awareness (a 21st century requirement) through multicultural picture books - via @MaryKayG
  58. RT @agilenature - Using “Children of a Lesser God” To Teach Intercultural Communication - See also
  59. International Business Employment: The Myriad of Opportunities
  60. How to improve Cross- Cultural Negotiation to Get International Clients
  61. RT @denizenmag - Get your Third Culture Kid/Living Abroad memoirs published!
  62. Do cross-cultural social events sow unity or division? Read some students questions on this - via @gulf
  63. Taking an Expanded View of Collaboration - with social media today - from @ducttape
  64. 100 Business Blogs that are Better than an MBA - some decent finds on this list - via @ducttape
  65. How are you getting over the language barriers to develop your international business?
  66. Estonian Development Fund launches the international business incubator SeedBooster - via @jkaljundi
  67. The Avatars importance in Social Media Marketing for Small Biz - @MyCaricaturecom
  68. RT @basebot - Fantastic example of old-fashioned direct mail and social media marketing working together
  69. Get curious and stay curious - this is the best tool for international market intelligence.
  70. The Thai tradition of assigning colors to each day - originates in India - via @kvashee
  71. Bad #translation - It’s Less Funny When You Can Read the Arabic - via @kvashee
  72. Great brainstorming questions to use multichannel marketing - free for subscribers
  73. How Small Businesses Are Benefiting From Twitter (AdAge) - via @Mike_Stelzner @DeniseWakeman
  74. Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual. - Arthur Koestler - via @jackalert
  75. How have your cross- cultural communication skills helped you in your job?
  76. What do you do to learn more about your international clients for more international sales?
  77. A presentation on culture and business
  78. Great Lecture by Thomas Friedman at MIT - long video worth listening to, the latest from The World Is Flat author
  79. Learn to speak “Dog” - type a word into the canine translator to see the doggy translation
  80. How do you implement your international market research into your international communication?
  81. International marketing needs to give you more feedback and has to be geared for more flexibility
  82. Cross-cultural communication gets beyond cultural differences in behaviors, perceptions and customs
  83. Starbucks Takes its Social Media Marketing Offline - via @gladperez
  84. When marketing campaigns and cross-cultural competence do NOT meet - via @EPetersonSHRM @marieadams @Lindsay39
  85. In international sales trust is an even bigger factor than in domestic sales
  86. How Will the Recession Affect Multicultural Marketing? - via @Hdnweb
  87. What do you need to develop your business internationally?
  88. Win a FREE ticket to Social Media Success Summit 2009 #smsuccess
  89. Marketing experts don’t ‘get’ social media - Another reason to enter this contest #smsuccess
  90. Google falling behind Twitter - Want to get a grip on social media? Read this before it’s too late
  91. Two half- truths do not make a truth, and two half- cultures do not make a culture - Arthur Koestler
  92. The Next Big Shift In Web Marketing - Get a grip on social media before it’s too late #smsuccess
  93. Join the Worldwide GTD Weekly Review - via @GTDCoachKelly @lyceum #Tweekly
  94. Free webinar for beginners - how to get your biz found online. Today at 2pm EDT #SMBTOOLS RT @smallbiztrends @lyceum
  95. @lyceum - Cool way to do GTD Weekly Review on Twitter with @GTDCoachKelly May 28th 10-11AM Pacific Time #Tweekly - looking forward to it :)
  96. How To Win A Free Spot At The Social Media Success Summit 2009…
  97. Jump Into The Stream - Ready? Sign up for this community-building event & learn more #smsuccess
  98. When does international marketing bring you the most international sales?
  99. Cross-cultural collaboration facilitates multimedia encounters with artworks from Louvre’s collection in Japan - RT @musetech
  100. Check out the three links on Culturally Teaching that describe a Japanese elementary, middle, and high school
  101. Thanks for letting me make my case & participate in the #smsuccess contest :) You can too & win prizes to improve your businesss
  102. Just added the Integrated Gmail to FireFox browser + a few other Gmail gadgets and enjoying a totally new Gmail experience.
  103. Need to understand your international clients more? Develop your own cross- cultural communication skills first
  104. It’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
  105. Why Americans Are Adopting Fewer Kids from China
  106. Allow extra time for feedback from field sales before developing your international sales strategy
  107. The greatest inspiration is often born of desperation - Comer Cotrell
  108. America scared of Canada and their multicultural terrorists? - via @investoralist
  109. Do you think you only need one international website for all of your international clients?
  110. International web marketing builds relationships across cultures
  111. What is stopping you from developing your cross- cultural communication?
  112. How does multichannel marketing help you get more international sales?
  113. Get to know your new international market before positioning your product in a different culture
  114. Clarity Challenge To Improve Your Cross-Cultural Skills & Make More International Sales
  115. A great list of culture films
  116. What difference do you see in different marketing channels for different international markets?
  117. Great brainstorming questions to improve trust with international clients - free for subscribers
  118. Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity - Lou Holtz
  119. Do You Have Any Culture Tips To Share?
  120. One Eye Gives Vision, Two Eyes Give Perspective
  121. Twitter FollowFriday - Martin Lindeskog
  122. Small biz in Europe coping well in recession, in spite of banks’ reluctance to increase lending - via @CrossRefSearch
  123. International business is about getting to know why your international clients buy your product
  124. Psychotactics Zingers - How Your Competition Can Bring More Revenue Than Customers by @seandsouza
  125. Five ways to stop making bad decisions ☺ via @Paul_Lemberg & we both like the one about having too many choices
  126. Great brainstorming questions to improve your international web visibility - free for subscribers
  127. International Marketing Review #53

25+ Search Engines to Search Files on RapidShare

Rapidshare is undoubtedly one of the most popular file hosting service world wide. Anyone can upload files to Rapidshare, but downloading files is not an easy job as free users need to wait for sometime before they can get download URL. Since RapidShare is the most preferred service for uploading files, you get almost any type of files for downloading. The only problem with RapidShare is that there is no search feature available to find files. You can download any files only if you get the download URL.

rapidshare search

So here is a list of top Search Engines to search files on RapidShare.

1. RapidShare Searcher

2. RapidShare 1

3. Share Miner

4. Filez

5. One Click Files

6. Search Files

7. Rapid Share Search Engine

8. Rapidshare Link

9. Search Shared

10. Rapidoogle

11. Rapid O Search

12. RapidSearch

13. Rapid Library

14. Rapid All

15. Rapidor

16. Rapid Search

17. Rapid Share Search

18. RapidWolf

19. Sharing Rapid

20. Digg RapidShare

21. Quick Search

22. Sharing Engines

23. Rapid Burner

24. Rapid Share Data

25. File Crop

26. Files Hunt

27. File Search

28. Mega Download

There are many more search engines to do the searching and if you have any favorite ones, mention it on comments.

Monday, May 18, 2009

64 Things Every Geek Should Know

If you consider yourself a geek, or aspire to the honor of geekhood, here's an essential checklist of must-have geek skills.

The term 'geek', once used to label a circus freak, has morphed in meaning over the years. What was once an unusual profession transferred into a word indicating social awkwardness. As time has gone on, the word has yet again morphed to indicate a new type of individual: someone who is obsessive over one (or more) particular subjects, whether it be science, photography, electronics, computers, media, or any other field. A geek is one who isn't satisfied knowing only the surface facts, but instead has a visceral desire to learn everything possible about a particular subject.

A techie geek is usually one who knows a little about everything, and is thus the person family and friends turn to whenever they have a question. If you're that type of person and are looking for a few extra skills to pick up, or if you're a newbie aiming to get a handhold on the honor that is geekhood, read on to find out what skills you need to know.

1. The Meaning of Technical Acronyms

  • USB - Universal Serial Bus
  • GPU - Graphics Processing Unit
  • CPU - Central Processing Unit
  • SATA - Serial ATA
  • HTML - Hyper-text Markup Language
  • HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol
  • FTP - File Transfer Protocol
  • P2P - Person to Person data sharing
  • 2. How to Reset RAM

    If you rolled your eyes here, that is a good thing. If not, you have many things to learn, young padawan. It's amazing how few people know how to do this. If you're unsure, hit up the link below to find out how:

    http://www.yousaytoo.com/sudjarwo/how-to-reset-ram-in-a-computer/29133

    3. Identify Keyloggers

    Internet cafes are the most likely place you'll find them, followed by library, perhaps, and maybe even you own house if you've some unscrupulous friends/family. Identity theft groups warn about keyloggers and advocate checking out the keyboard yourself before continuing. Can you identify a keylogger, however, if one is plugged into the back of the system?

    Here's what one looks like:

    Hit up this link for excellent info on keyloggers on public computers and how to protect yourself:

    , http://www.ghacks.net/2007/06/28/how-to-defeat-most-keyloggers-on-public-computers/

    4. Surf the Web Anonymously

    We won't make any assumptions about why you may need this particular skill, but the fact remains that every geek should know how to traverse the Internet with the highest amount of security possible.

    Aside from the safest method--which is using a connection that is not yours--you will need the ultimate in proxies...Tor. Tor is an onion-routing system which makes it 'impossible' for someone to find out who you actually are.

    5. Bypass a Computer Password on All Major Operating Systems

    Obviously you shouldn't use this to gain unlawful access to a computer. If you're a geek, however, you'll eventually end up in a situation where someone forgets their password, you acquire a machine with an operating system you cannot access, or similar situation.

    See this tutorial for info on how to bypass the password on the three major operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

    http://www.joetech.com/2009/01/29/how-to-crack-the-account-password-on-any-operating-system/

    6. Find a Users IP Address on AIM

    Knowing someones IP address is actually pretty useless in this case, but most people don't realize that. If someone is harassing you via AIM and you can't get them to stop, discovering their IP and sending it to them--with a nicely worded threat of law enforcement involvement should they not stop--is likely enough to send them scamping away with tail between legs.

    http://www.elitehackers.info/forums/archive/index.php/t-2827.html

    7. Hide a File Behind a JPEG

    So you need a nice spot to hide your blackmail personal files. You could, of course, bury them deeply within a series of random, useless folders, but there's always the chance of them being discovered. A password protected RAR is the best choice, but it's a bit obvious despite the most boring title you could give it.

    A sneaky person would hide the important file behind a completely random and boring family reunion photo, where no person in their right mind would shift through.

    http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/hide-file-in-picture/

    8. Crack a Wifi Password

    This is one of those things you don't need to do (hopefully), but that you still need to know just for the sake of knowledge. A strong WPA password is very secure, but most people don't want to bother learning a convoluted series of letters, numbers, and symbols, instead opting for random everyday words.

    A good overall tutorial on wifi and cracking can be found here: http://docs.lucidinteractive.ca/index.php/Cracking_WEP_and_WPA_Wireless_Networks

    9. Monitor Network Traffic

    The Internet is a vast place with a bit of everything. Whether you're curious about what your roommate is downloading, your kid is getting into, or any leeches living around you who've unscrupulously breached your wifi, knowing how to analyze network traffic is an invaluable skill.

    Here is a list of dozens of network analyzers, as well as some general info to get you started: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html

    10. Recover Master Boot Record

    A virus or other problem can lead to an MBR error, which will make it impossible to access install. Many users would simply become frustrated and reinstall, but not you! Every geek should know how to recover the master book record.

    Here is an excellent guide to get started: http://www.ntfs.com/mbr-damaged.htm

    11. Retrieve Data off Hard Drive

    There will come some point in your life when a hard drive craps out sans warning. It could be due to a number of reasons--physical damage, file corruption, etc. There are computer service centers that would be happy to extract the data for a (hefty) fee; a true geek would be the one working at center, not taking his or her drive there.

    To find out how to retrieve data off a damaged hard drive, read here: http://laptoplogic.com/resources/5-ways-to-retrieve-data-off-a-crashed-hard-drive

    12. Load Rockbox onto an MP3 Player

    The firmware that comes on your average mp3 player is intended for those who are scared of advanced features; often, the only audio settings available are a few prearranged EQs. If you're an audiophile--or simply frustrated with the lack of control over your music settings--Rockbox is the firmware for you. Open source and free, it can be installed on several different types of players and enables full control over what you listen to.

    http://rockbox.org

    13. Unbrick a Smartphone

    No geek can resist the allure of flashing the newest beta firmware onto their shiny smartphone. The byproduct of that is sometimes a bricked phone, which would leave many sobbing into their pillow at night. To avoid rendering your $400 gadget into a door stopper, learn the fine art of unbricking and then flash away.

    As the method used to fix a phone will vary, this is the best place to start looking for answers: http://www.howardforums.com/

    14. Replace a Laptop Keyboard

    Keyboards get gummy after awhile. If you use yours a lot (aka: all day), then you probably eat over it at some point. Crumbs get into the keys and things are sticking, and before you know it, you need a new keyboard.

    http://www.refurbished-laptop-guide.com/how-to-remove-a-laptop-keyboard.html

    15. Rip Streaming Videos

    Streaming videos are officially in vogue. We're not going to make any assumptions about what type of videos you are streaming and may want to keep, but no matter what it is, any geek could rip them while sipping a Red Bull and watching the latest episode of BSG.

    Here's a hint to get you started: http://applian.com/download-videos/

    16. Strip Windows DRM

    DRM is incredibly annoying. With many online stores now offering DRM-free mp3 audio files, it would seem it's not as big of an issue as it used to be. That is not not the case, however, with all videos bearing a DRM as well as music of a higher-quality than MP3.

    Stripping Windows DRM is not legal. If you're a geek, your probably don't care: http://undrm.info/remove-DRM-protection/FairUse4WM-freeware-DRM-removal-Windows-software-Strip-copy-protection-from-WMV-ASF-WMA-Windows-Media-Player.htm

    17. Homebrew Hack Game Systems

    Gaming consoles are notorious for having features you can't use simply because the manufacturer decided to lock them down. As a geek, you can't just be satisfied with the features they decided to give you. No, you have to crack that case open and take a peek inside. Every geek should know how to homebrew hack their system and unlock it's full potential.

    18. Find a Website IP Address Without Web/Command Prompt Access

    Some school admins think they're being sneaky when they lock down the command prompt and block all major IP search websites and block all the websites you actually want to visit. Of course, that is child's play for any geek.

    First, to get a new command prompt, open Notepad and type: command.com. Then, save as "cmd.bat". You now have a command prompt.

    Now, open the command prompt and type "ping http://www.website.com/" to find the IP address of that website.

    Enter the website into the browser and you will officially have impressed all your friends.

    19. Bypass School or Work Website Blocks

    What is a horrific situation for an average computer user is a simple irritation for an everyday geek. To bypass a website block/filter, simply enter that websites IP address in instead of the actual site address.

    20. Screw with Wifi Leeches

    Nobody likes a wifi leech. At best, they're simply using up your valuable bandwidth. At the worst--and far more likely, they're stealing your identity and watching your activities. After watching your network and identifying the leech, use this trick to flip their browser upside down and let them know you don't appreciate the intrusion.

    http://tech.nocr.at/hacking-security/baffle-wifi-leeches-with-an-upside-down-ternet-2/

    21. Hexadecimal and Binary Number Systems

    Everyone knows the normal, everyday digit system used. It takes a special--possibly psychotic person--to also know hexadecimal and binary number systems.

    Here is an excellent interactive tutorial on learning the two systems: http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=DIG1102

    22. How to Hot Wire a Car

    If your family always turns to you any time their computer hiccups, their DVD player needs fixed, or their home security system doesn't activate, it's only a matter of time before someone asks you how to hot wire a car. Wouldn't it be great to be able to answer them?

    To learn this unique skill, read here: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Hot_Wire_Your_Car

    23. Increase Wifi Range

    With so many small portable gadgets gaining more and more sophisticated web browsers, in addition to gaming systems like the PSP and DS, getting the most use out of your wifi is practically a geek necessity.

    Here is a good guide on extending your wifi's range: http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/000451

    24. Carrying a Computer Cleaning Arsenal on Your USB Drive

    A good geek prepares for their friends stupidity. No matter how many times you tell them to stop downloading porn, they keep doing it until their machine is so infected it can't drag itself into a grave. An arsenal of portable malware cleaners, a portable task manager, anti-virus, etc, will make those impromptu purging sessions all the easier.

    25. Running an Operating System from a USB Thumb Drive

    Most people don't even understand what the magical operating system is. As a geek, you should transcend that basic knowledge and have a small operating system on your thumb drive handy for those times you need computer access but don't know the password to a nearby computer.

    http://www.pendrivelinux.com/

    26. Understand What "There's no Place Like 127.0.0.1" Means

    A lot of geeks wear this shirt as a short hand code for their computer finesse--or maybe just to screw with other people who stare but cannot figure out what it means. No matter the reason, if you'd like an answer, check out the link below.

    http://www.tech-faq.com/127.0.0.1.shtml

    27. Read 1337 At Normal Speed

    Sure, everyone knows about it and it's no longer cool, but if you're going to proclaim yourself as a geek, you should be able to read it full speed. Who wants to choke in front of the wannabe that learned to read it full speed and flaunts it in your face?

    http://www.wikihow.com/Read-and-Write-in-1337

    28. At Least One Fictional Language

    And not only should you know a fictional language, but you should use it to say something about yourself. Do you choose Klingon or Quenya?

    Here's a list of constructed languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_constructed_languages

    29. How to Survive in a Linux Argument

    Linux is gaining an all around higher standing in the geeksphere, and it's bound to enter a conversation at some point (which will invariably end up turning into an argument). If you want to keep up, you'll need to understand the basic points of Linux, as well as the general info of all basic things.

    Here's a good place to read and gain a foothold: http://www.linux.com/articles/feature/

    30. Identify Major Constellations

    For those times you venture from the air-conditioned, computer filled basement of your parents house (or something like that), look up at the stars and have yourself a Galileo moment. The stars may just be dots to many people, but with the handy website below, you'll be stopping man-belts and lions in no time.

    http://www.sky-watch.com/astronomy-guide/major-constellations.html

    31. Use a Camera in Manual Mode

    Sure, you could just use auto mode like everyone else too afraid to learn what some letters and numbers mean, but then you wouldn't be much of a geek, would you? The oft-ignored dial on a camera is the key that unleashes the best quality photos possible, and every geek should be a whiz at using one.

    http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-camera-modes

    32. Who Mulder and Scully Are

    It seems that in the plethora of geek websites, there always appears a joke about Mulder and Scully, the two main characters from the X-Files. If you don't know who they are, you'll be left in the dark, alone, contemplating what exactly it was you were doing in the 90's that you wouldn't understand the joke.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulder_and_Scully_(song)

    33. Javascript

    HTML is running the world (not really). Everyone knows some HTML and it makes them feel empowered. As a geek, you want to transcend that basic knowledge others share and know a little more. JavaScript is the answer--it is easy to learn if you're not actually interested in web programming, but simply curious, and it looks scary to anyone who doesn't know it.

    http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/javascript/basicjavascript.html

    34. How to Unlock an iPhone

    Sure, most geeks wouldn't be caught dead with an iPhone, but what about your friends? You're the smart techie, they'll expect your to know how to unlock it.

    http://www.pcworld.com/article/137223/how_to_unlock_an_iphone.html

    35. How to Install Mac OS X on a PC

    Just because you don't want Mac on your PC doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to do it. Knowledge is power, right? Go ahead, use this to stump your friends and family.

    http://dailyapps.net/2007/10/hack-attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-3-easy-steps/

    36. Build a PC

    If you purchase a ready-made PC, you can be sure of one thing--you're paying more than you should. Assembling your own PC isn't too hard, and is the first thing you should be aiming to accomplish as a geek.

    Here is a massive article on assembling your own PC: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

    37. Tethering a Smartphone

    Nothing like a little wifi on the move, eh? Tethering a smartphone means using the Internet on your laptop/netbook via your cell phone. Of course, the method to do this depends on your phone, but here's an article to get your started:

    http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2276/smartphones_bb_treo_tether_modem_usa_carriers/

    38. Wiring a Home Theater System

    Home theater systems used to consist of a TV and a chair. Gone are those days of simplicity, however, and setting up a modern system can be pure mind-boggling horror. Where does the modulator go, why does the DVD player have no video and the cable box no sound?

    Here's a tutorial, including excellent diagrams, to show you how: http://www.prillaman.net/ht_info_8-wiring.html

    39. Replacing a Laptop LCD

    Laptop LCDs are vulnerable to many different mishaps: accidental pressure spots, shadows, airsoft pellets.... No matter, there will come a point when you need to swap your LCD for a new one. Now, as a geek, you probably don't have an extended warranty. If that's the case, here are some excellent pages and pictures on replacing the display:

    http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_4.htm

    40. Make a Laptop Cooling Pad

    Can you believe these cost $50?! A geek will need one, because data crunching/DVD ripping/videos playing/rendering at the same times tends to cause excess heat. Instead of shelling out your hard earned dollars, make your own like so: http://www.instructables.com/id/Lazy-mans-laptop-cooler/

    41. Unleash a Laser Pointer's full potential

    A normal person uses a laser pointer to drive their dog crazy. A geek uses it to melt butter for their grilled cheese sandwich. To unless a laser pointer's full strength, crack open the case, fry the resistor with a hot soldering iron, then snap it back together and keep it away from flesh/eyes/airplanes. The pointer will burn out after a few hours, but what a fun few hours they will be.

    Note: this is dangerous. Don't do anything stupid.

    42. Keyboard Shortcuts

    This will depend on your operating system and the apps you use, so there's no tutorial available. However, that is irrelevant--you're a geek, you can find them yourself. Shortcuts are the difference between a slow computer user and a geek. The geek will always will out in a speed contest, because they do practically everything from their keyboard.

    43. Soldering Glasses Together

    Nerds use tape on broken glasses; geeks use solder. 'Nuff said.

    44. How to Execute a Shell Script

    If you're a true geek, you'll need to do this at some point. Below are instructions on how to do so. Remember: always be cautious when running a script, you don't want your computer to turn into a door stop, now do ya?

    http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/unixhelp/scrpt/scrpt1.2.html

    45. How to Hack a Pop Machine

    Okay, so stealing isn't cool. Still, hacking is simply a misunderstood art, right? So hacking a pop machine isn't really stealing, because it's not about the pop, it about the pleasure of getting your way. Or something like that. (Newsflash, it is illegal, don't do it.) If you want to try your fingers at getting a free Coke, check out this link:

    http://skattertech.com/soda-machine-hack/

    46. Turn a Laptop into a Digital Picture Frame

    So you want to show off pictures of your dog and that girl you once met, but you want to do it in an uber geeky way. Any schmuck can go to Walmart and buy a digital picture frame for a grossly inflated price. But you...oh, you're too smart for that. No, instead you'll find an old laptop on eBay for $5 and turn it into a true work of art.

    http://repair4laptop.org/notebook_picture_frame.html

    47. How to Mod a Flash Drive Case

    All the geeks are doing it.... Whatever. The case your flash drive came in is probably weak and most certainly plain. Why not jazz it up with your own unique style?

    Here's one such case mod, and dozens of related projects: http://www.instructables.com/id/Metal-USB---Flash-drive-case-mod/

    48. Do Cool Things to Altoids Tins

    People are obsessed with these things. Altoids tins are durable, small, and just begging to be filled with LEDs, mp3 players, audio amps, and maybe some snuff. A good geek will find millions of uses for these little metal wonders. If you need a mental boost, however, here's some interesting links:

    http://www.squidoo.com/altoids-tins

    49. Convert Cassette Tapes to Digital Audio Files

    If your geekhood started in the 90's, then you probably have a least a few (dozen) cassette tapes still sitting around. Why not breathe digital life into them before they fall ill to mortal fate?

    http://lifehacker.com/software/mp3/alpha-geek-how-to-digitize-cassette-tapes-222394.php

    50. Lock Your Computer with a USB Drive

    You don't want anyone getting into your files while you're gone. A normal password would be enough to keep most people out, but what if you got super-secret X files on your computer? You can lock your machine down with a USB drive via these instructions:

    http://lionjkt.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/how-to-lock-your-computer-with-usb-drive/

    51. Run Your Own Ethernet Line

    Wifi has taken the place of a wired connection in many homes, and with good reasons--you can go anywhere, no cables necessary. What about those...sensitive...activities that you'd rather the neighborhood script kiddie didn't see on your wifi? An Ethernet cable is your solution.

    To wire your own Ethernet, hit up this link: http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/ethernetcables.html

    52. Set Up a Streaming Media Server

    With digital files becoming the ultimate medium, many people have hundreds of gigabytes worth of music, videos, and pictures. You could keep them on a portable hard drive, but then you're have to take it everywhere, and only one person could use it at a time. The solution is a streaming media server, something no geek can live without.

    http://www.n00tz.net/2008/07/vlc-media-server-ubuntu-hardy/

    53. Setting up a VPN

    If you're like most geeks, you can't live without your computers. They store your life in some poetic fashion, holding files you feel a personal connection with.... Anyway, if you are at work and suddenly realize you left an important picture at home (or you need blackmail material pronto), having a VPN ready to go will save you big time.

    http://www.computernetworkinghelp.com/content/view/41/1/

    54. Turn Webcams into Security Cameras

    Is someone stealing your Netflix DVDs? Do you suspect it is a fat hairy man in his boxers taking them each morning? If so, you can get your proof using a couple webcams and a bit of software.

    http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/how-to-use-your-pc-and-webcam-as-a-motion-detecting-and-recording-security-camera/

    55. Control Your House Lights with a Computer

    Controlling the lights in your house via computer is a great way to freak out the neighborhood kids ding-dong-ditching (assuming you wire up a Halloween scream motion sensor, also). If you reasons are less nefarious, you simply use it to turn on and off lights without having to life ye butt from thy seat, which is a good reason in itself.

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Control-lights-in-your-house-with-your-computer/

    56. Play Retro Games without Retro Consoles

    This applies to the geeks who enjoy gaming. Setting up an emulation PC on your TV is a great way to relive those games of old.

    57. Put LEDs Inside a Lightbulb

    The days of hot incandescent and mercury-laden fluorescent are gone, and in are the days of long lasting, low heat, low consumption LEDs. As any good geek, you want to be able to say "I was doing X long before it became mainstream." Here's your chance--the following link will show you how to put an LED inside a lightbulb, something sure to stump your friends the same way Grandpa's ship-in-a-wine-bottle used to stump you.

    http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/06/make_a_led_bulb.html

    58. Create Music with Keyboard

    How awesome is KeyBored? This little app gives all of your QWERTY keys a piano note. When you type, it sounds like an infant monkey punching a keyboard. If you've got some musical chops, it won't take you long to figure out the Star Wars theme or find a hidden musical message in Counter Strike control buttons.

    http://agdoa.net/ [edit:link updated]

    59. Make Your Office Ergonomic

    Face it--you spend a lot of time at your desk. You might even have a few extra pounds and pallid skin to show for it. While those things are temporary, far to common and more serious is the carpal tunnel, eye strain, and back problems you'll develop from having a poor workspace.

    Hit up this link to create a body-friendly workspace that will keep you limber and flexible: http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/default.aspx

    60. Adding a Third Monitor

    Studies show that dual monitor increase work productivity by 30%. As a geek, you'll need a third monitor to equal the dual setup of a layman (if that makes sense). While any hack with a VGA port can add a second monitor, it takes a true geek to add a third (or more). This will vary based on graphics/OS, so hit up Google for a tutorial or two.

    61. How to Convert a DVD to x264 (or XviD or DivX)

    It might seem like child's play to you, but many individuals do not understand the fine art of converting a DVD into a digital file, let alone the careful skills it takes to achieve a happy balance between size and quality.

    Here is an excellent tutorial demonstrating how to rip a DVD with the multi-platform free software Handbrake: http://howto.diveintomark.org/ipod-dvd-ripping-guide/

    62. Flash System BIOS

    Ya gotta do it some time, so stop putting it off and man up. Flashing the BIOS on your laptop might seem scary (as it should--fear keeps you on your toes and prevents mistakes), but it's not (actually, it is, but if you even understand why you need to do this, you've gotta have at least a few chops by now). Warning--you can seriously bork your computer doing this!

    http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1605

    63. How to Irrecoverably Protect Data

    TrueCrypt, my friends. Learn to use TrueCrypt. If you have ask why, you don't need it.

    64. The Fastest way to Kill a Computer

    It's said that you have to get into a killers mind to understand their weaknesses, right? Same goes for the unfortunate boobs who always kill their laptops. Here's a list of all the different ways you can accidentally kill a computer--arm your family and friends, and save yourself grief (because it's surely you they will call when something goes horribly, horribly wrong).

    http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1720

    Friday, May 15, 2009

    25 Item To-Do List EVERYONE Should Be Doing

    1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile.
    It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

    2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God (or to your higher power or meditate) about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

    3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
    ' My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________ '

    4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
    is manufactured in plants.

    5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
    salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

    6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

    7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
    issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control
    Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

    8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
    college kid with a maxed out charge card.

    9. Life is not fair, but it is still good.

    10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

    11. Don ' t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

    12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
    Agree to disagree.

    13. Make peace with your past so it will not spoil the present.

    14. Don ' t compare your life to others. You have no idea what
    their journey is all about.

    15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

    16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ' In five
    years, will this matter? '

    17. Forgive everyone for everything.

    18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

    19. GOD (depending on your beliefs) heals everything - but you have to ask Him (translate to your religion).

    20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

    21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick.
    Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

    22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

    23. Each night, before you go to bed complete the following statements:
    I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

    24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

    25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
    You will be smiling before you know it.

    Who's been India's best and worst PM?

    In a few days, India will have a new Prime Minister. It's as good a time as any to take stock of the men -- and one woman -- who have served us. Who's been the best PM India's had, and who's done the most damage?

    Jawaharlal Nehru: India suffered heavily because of his misplaced sense of idealism over Kashmir, resulting in a problem that troubles us to this day, and his naivete over China. But the fact is that much that is good about India today, including world-class institutes of higher learning, our space programme and the widespread use of English that gives India a competitive advantage in a globalised world, are the result of his vision. Unlike many other colonised countries that got freedom at the same time as India and promptly become tinpot dictatorships, India is still a vibrant democracy – and that is surely Nehru’s biggest achievement. It has been rightly observed that if Nehru had been a different kind of man, India would have been a different kind of country. For helping make it a rare success story in South Asia, I think he deserves the title of our best PM ever.


    Indira Gandhi: A poll conducted by a leading Indian magazine some years ago rated her as India's all-time best Prime Minister. I'm afraid I don't share that opinion. The Emergency was arguably the worst assault ever on Indian democracy. Much of the ills that plague our politics, including corruption, criminalisation and the degradation of institutions like the Presidency, first flourished in her tenure. She effectively killed inner-party democracy in the Congress, and set the stage for the kind of cliques that are today the bane of Indian political parties. And she encouraged cynical misuse of religion -- the rise of Bhindranwale was originally encouraged by the Congress in a bid to embarrass the Akali Dal.


    On the positive side, though, she did lead India to one of its finest hours -- victory in the 1971 war. She was also in charge when India conducted the Pokhran tests. And she held India together during a deeply turbulent time.


    Rajiv Gandhi: The 1984 Sikh riots and the Bofors scam will always remain blots on his record. So will his clumsy efforts to woo Muslim fundamentalists through the Shah Bano case while courting the Hindu right wing through his decision to open the locked Ayodhya gates. But he has been proved right on many things, which were scoffed at during his lifetime, including his belief in computers and economic liberalisation.


    Rajiv was the first to talk of taking India into the 21st century, and he did a fair bit to help us get there. His contribution in triggering the country’s IT and communications revolution has not got the credit it deserved. Nor have his other worthy initiatives, like panchayati raj. His tragically early death left many wondering what might have been.


    Narasimha Rao: Slumbered through the demolition of the Babri mosque and was plagued with charges of graft and buying support in Parliament. But played an important role as the godfather of India's much-needed economic reforms. Had the sense to induct Manmohan Singh as finance minister and back him to a large extent. Is also significant as the first non-Gandhi to complete a five-year term.


    A B Vajpayee: The first non-Congress PM to complete at least one full tenure, which marked an important landmark in Indian politics. His failure to do anything as Gujarat burned is a negative mark against him. Also, even though the BJP flaunts its anti-terror credentials, the fact remains that Vajpayee presided over one of the most humiliating moments in Indian history: the escorting of three terrorists to Kandahar by Jaswant Singh in exchange for hostages.


    But Vajpayee's tenure also saw India turn an initial setback into a proud victory at Kargil. He finally took India openly nuclear. And despite gloomy predictions to the contrary, the economy didn't collapse under the weight of the sanctions that followed. Ultimately, the US came around to India's N-programme and the economy boomed during Vajpayee's last years. The irony is, the BJP's proud claim of India Shining boomeranged on it in the 2004 elections.


    Manmohan Singh: His critics deride him as India's weakest PM ever. But the way he pushed through the N-deal with the US in the face of overwhelming political opposition would seem to belie that charge. The economy didn't do as spectacularly under him as his past record as finance minister had led one to hope. But it stayed on an even keel till it hit the speedbreaker of the global recession. His biggest failure, perhaps, was that his government seemed to be a mute spectator as India reeled under a string of terror serial blasts, and it finally took a 26/11 to shake it out of its stupor.


    As you might have noticed, I've only looked at the PMs who completed at least one, or more, full terms in office. The others hardly did anything of significance, though Chandrashekhar's decision to mortgage India's gold was a much-needed wake-up call that we could no longer continue with our misguided economic policies. However, there was one man among this bunch who, I believe, did the most damage to India.


    V P Singh wrecked efforts made over decades to turn caste into an irrelevant relic of medieval times, and brought it to the front and centre of Indian politics. Call me naive, but I made it all the way to college without ever knowing -- or caring -- what my caste was. It was enough for me to be an Indian. I'd like to believe it was the same way for many other young Indians. Idealistically, we believed that caste was an evil that had been made redundant in major Indian cities, and would one day be banished from small towns and villages too.


    VP's cynical use of the Mandal Report to try and counter the rise of the BJP shattered that hope forever. Worse, it led to the rise of many small parties based on identity politics, which have no vision for India beyond their narrow vested interests. Today, sub-castes actually agitate to be declared backward. India has, thankfully, managed to avoid full-blown caste conflict but that's no thanks to VP. Rarely could a person who spent so little time in office have done so much damage to a country.

    http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ruebarbpie/entry/who-s-been-india-s