Computer and Web Articles

Over the past few weeks I’ve learned of several interesting software utilities, programs and URLs. Fortuitously, you’re in luck, as today’s the day I’m going to share them. This should be fun. Let’s get going.

• Google is now supporting a brand new syntax for searching for number ranges! Ohh la la! This new syntax works by typing in two numbers with a double period in between them. For example, a search for “revolution 1776..1781″ will bring up results containing both the keyword “revolution” and any numbers between 1776 and 1781. Pretty cool. Too bad this syntax doesn’t work for Google news.
• If you have a fascination with shoelace knots … or if you’re simply interested in learning about the type of person who is, check out: http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace.
• Not too long ago, I ran across a search engine called Religion Explorer designed for the sole purpose of returning information from religion-related sites (of all denominations) only. To test it out for yourself, head over to www.religionexplorer.com.
• Hands down, the coolest geography/mapping software I have ever seen can be found at www.keyhole.com. I downloaded the trial of Keyhole’s basic program, Keyhole LT, and played around with it for hours. I was able to zoom in on my parents’ home in California, visit my friends’ neighborhood in Seattle, and literally “fly” up the canyon from Frisco to Copper Mountain. Though this program is heavily relied upon by many businesses, it’s still absolutely fascinating to use and explore on your own time.
• Oh. WOW. The Visual Thesaurus seriously knocked my socks right off. Visit the site, type in a word, and watch as a visual representation of your word and all related words appears before your eyes. View the relationships between words, search visually for adjectives, verbs, adverbs, or nouns, and exercise your complete control over color, font size, and 2D or 3D viewing. Give the trial a shot: www.visualthesaurus.com.
• Sticky notes! I use them all the time. They’re plastered across my computer monitors: reminders of what to purchase at the grocery store, when to call my mother, what time the movie starts. If you’re a sticky-note fiend as well, the shareware program StickyNote 9.0 just might be right up your alley. StickyNote 9.0 basically allows you to “create beautiful 3D notes on your desktop or send them instantly over the Internet. StickyNote also enables you to adhere notes to documents or windows AND to attach documents to your note.”Not only can you customize your notes’ textures, colors, and priorities with a few clicks, you can actually set alarms to have notes appear at specific times or regular intervals! Nice.If you’d like to reduce the sticky note clutter on your desk, give StickyNote 9.0 a shot. It’s free to download and test for 15 days; the full version costs $19.95. (But isn’t that a small price to pay for organization?) Those interested can visit: www.simtel.net/product.php?id=75227.

Cool stuff today, huh? I had fun sharing these little gems with you. And remember, if you have any you’d like to share with me, send an e-mail my way.