Mountain Nomad Chronicles

Work Friendly Surfing

Just got back from a marvelous family reunion in Alberta and I feel the lack of posting motivation lately.  Until of course, I came across this link on Boing Boing that is a proxy that reformats any website so that it looks like a word document. 

Work Friendly

SkypeOut is Free...For Now

My favorite VoIP solution, Skype is offering free calls from your computer to any landline or mobile in the U.S. or Canada - that's free long distance folks.  All you need is a broadband connection, a mic, and Skype installed on your PC.  I was paying about 2 cents/minute with SkypeOut, now it's free.  Use this opportunity to check out this great communication application.  On a side note, I've heard that using a USB headset and mic gives the best results, although I have yet to test that theory.

Skype Changes Dial-Up and Mobile Pricing - New York Times

Download Skype

Panasonic to release Skype capable phone

Panasonic's KX-TG9000 series phones (pic is of Skype-less KX-TG5456S) handles calls through your traditional landline or Skype's P2P network via a broadband internet link. Besides not requiring a router or PC, Panasonic's offerings will support free calls between Skype accounts, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Voicemail, and allow users to choose whether their outgoing calls are handled by Skype's network or their landline.

I've been using Skype for a few months now and I love it....but I just bought a new phone.  I hate it when that happens!!!  There's always ebay for my old/new phone if this one turns out to be all it says it is.

Panasonic's KX-TG9000 cordless Skype phone - Engadget

Huge List of Free Software

Hey, my wife's away on business and I've been taking over her class of hellians.  Man, I respect her dedication.  Also my mind has been cluttered, too cluttered to be able to find where I put my blog posts.  Well, here's a nice list for you. 

Who needs to pirate software with a list like this? - 121Space

Blogging Firefox Extension - Performancing

I believe that everyone should be using Firefox as their browser, but if you're a blogger and need another reason to make the switch, here's one.  Performancing is a Firefox extension that allows quick, full capacity blog posting from anywhere you may roam on the net.  Once installed, you fill in all our blogging information (what service you use, username,etc) then it just sits as a little icon in the lower right corner of the browser.  Click on it anytime and a pane pops up that lets you fully compose and post to your blog.

Link: Performancing Extension

Security Now: How the Internet Works Pt. 1

Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson discuss from the ground up how the Internet works.  This is part 1 of an excellent podcast series that everyone that uses the net should listen to.  It is also a good primer before listening to other Security Now podcasts.

Link: How the Internet Works Pt.1 [Via thisweekintech.com]

Yeah, we all care

I'm uninspired and my HD gave up the ghost...although the new Intel Macs are finally announced.

Link: Intel Mac [via Apple]

Sober to Relaunch Itself January 5

The Sober virus has code within itself that is set to launch a rebirth on January 5.  Make sure you are up to date with your Microsoft updates, that you have an antivirus and that it has updated definitions, and that you don't open up any "weird" email over the next couple of days.

Link: The Next Sober Virus Attack [via CNet Security Watch]

Ten Tips to Keep Your PC Spyware Free

Spyware is the bane of many a PC user.  Here's some tips to keep your PC spyware free.

Link: Top 10 Spyware Tips [via ZDNet]

School Savings with Open Source

Imagine the savings in a school district by using Linux and open source software...one school district in Montana did...to the tune of $338, 667 over ten years.

Link: Schools Save with Open Source  [via SpiderTools]