I’ll try to update this list as I run into new applications, or people suggest other things to add.

Google’s web browser, extremely lightweight with a nice UI, only downfall is sometimes a lack of support with certain sites that artifically limit what browser you connect with.

Mozilla’s web browser, first browser to make a serious dent in Internet Explorer. Excellent user community provides numerous plugins to extend functionality.

Another free browser that uses mouse gestures to help navigate around, once you get the hang of them you’ll be clicking all over the web!

A free FTP client that allows you to save connections to multiple FTP sites, as well as use a GUI interface to navigate folders on both the local and remote computer.

AVG is a free Anti Virus program that also has corporate versions for purchase. One of the most widely used free Anti-Virus programs on the market.

Skype is by far one of the coolest free applications out there. Skype is a VoIP service that allows you to call from your computer. This is free so long as you call someone else on Skype no matter where they are in the world. There is a fee to “Skype out” and call someone not on Skype, but the rates are competitive with other phone providers. You can also use other devices such as a webcam to enhance your phone calls.

VLC is a free media player, that handles, downloaded videos, music, as well as CD’s and DVD’s. Beyond that it can be used to stream music to other people. Very lightweight but powerful tool, and makes using media a breeze!

7-Zip is a free program that allows for the compression and uncompression of files. While Windows has been including the ability to zip and unzip files, 7-Zip handles other compression methods such as Tar and Gz allowing a wider range of access to both compress your own files, as well as access files from sources that use compression other than zip.

Pidgin, allows you to use multiple different chat accounts from one application. AIM, Yahoo, MSN, IRC, and many many more. Install also comes with an optional program that will provide spell check inside your chat window, very helpful for those tricky words!

Open Office is an alternative to Microsoft Office. With different products mirroring the major Microsoft products Open Office provides all of this functionality without any cost, perfect for those that either want an alternative, or just don’t want to shell out the money for Microsoft’s ever more expensive products. To increase integration, while they do they have their own native file formats, Open Office can open Microsoft formats as well.

GIMP is a free, open source alternative to Photoshop. While not quite as robust as the latest versions, it also doesn’t carve out large amounts of money. Great for personal use, or light photo editing.

Last but certainly not least comes Wordpress. Wordpress is a blogging tool that is used as a framework for both simple blogs to sites accessed by millions every day. Geekjunk is run off it, as well as CNN to put it into perspective. Check it out and get started on your own blog today!

You may have noticed my use of the phrase Mario and his team… and that’s because the game offers a co-op mode with up to four players. Depending on your play style this can be either really fun, working with one or more partner clearing goombas and jumping over obstacles, but it can also be really frustrating, with everyone jumping all over each other trying to get places first… not that a little competition is a bad thing, but it can make already challenging levels that much more difficult. I played through a good portion of the game with a single partner, and the two of us would utilize different power ups to make us a little more rounded in abilities, and even took turns carrying the other through tricky areas to prevent an errant jump from knocking someone into a pit of lava or a field of spikes. For those that want a little more competition there are both coin battle and free for all matches to be played with two or more players. For those joining in, other playable characters include Luigi and two different Toads.

The play style is very reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 3 with a world map that culminates with a castle and/or airship. There is also a dash of Super Mario World thrown in for good measure, with secret exits on some stages to either get to shortcuts or warp cannons scattered throughout the board. Yoshi also makes a cameo in a few levels, though finishing the stage with Yoshi won’t let you take him with you as in Super Mario World. Also, each level has three star coins to collect, which can then be used to purchase hint videos at Peach’s Castle in the first world. These videos can be used to show secret level exits, as well as guides for each of the levels. In order to purchase the videos one needs both the coins, and to complete the prerequisites such as finishing levels, or collecting all the star coins in different levels.

All in all, I give the game 4 out of 5 geeks. Good quality fun, both solo and with friends, though sometimes just a little lacking compared to a game like Super Mario World that had huge depth. Difficulty can be very challenging at times which is nice as it helps draw back older fans that played the other games in the series when they were younger. Definitely one of better games to come out for the Wii lately, and a must have for fans of the original Mario side scrolling games.

Two Gentlemen of Lebowski

CNN recently put up an article as well about the future of libraries. CNN talks more about the shift of libraries to meet the demands of Generation Y, where libraries are turning from dusty havens of the shushing librarian to hip multimedia based forums. Chances are we’ll just see equally quiet people sitting on laptops using Wi-Fi to access online databases of books, but there could be further shifts towards a more immediate sharing of information, though these physical locations will compete with social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where an audience can be much larger. Like the printing press before it, digital distribution of books, novels, poems, short stories, ad infinitum, this will allow more people to share and access media than ever before. I think there will always be a special place for books, even in future looks at society such as Star Trek, where people access most of there data through Kindle like PADDs, books still show up often as treasured artifacts of those that enjoy the tactile feel and physical experience. However, the day and age where books were the only way to read a novel is quickly coming to an end.

CNN article

People of Walmart

Set Rundown
As I said the set makes a really good army building set and thats part of where this set shines. Coming in with two Rebels and two Imperials this set makes nice boost to existing Hoth themed sets such as the Hoth Rebel base, one of the Snowspeeders or AT-AT’s that have been released over the last ten years. The fortifications themselves are both a lot of fun, as they include a firing turret, and a flip up panel that sends the rebel troopers flying. The turret albeit is a bit underpowered but on the plus side its very unlikely to shoot off one of the missiles and take someones eye out. The flip up platform is an awesome idea and works very well. Pushing down on it will send the troopers flying after a simulated direct hit takes out their position! The turret can be attached to either side, and easily combined with additional copies of this set to build and even more impressive fortification. The Snowtroopers also come with an E-Web blaster, allowing for more variation than just the standard hand blasters. Finally, rounding out the set is a snowbound Han Solo with Tauntaun. A very nice addition as it is the first Hoth themed Han Solo with his winter hood, plus it is the first inclusion of the Tauntaun mount. Comes with a pair of binoculars and is ready to ride out into the night to find Luke Skywalker. (Not included just where it fits into the movie) The Tauntaun itself is a very nice mold, made especially for this purpose. All in all a very nice set and a must have for anyone who wants to expand on their Hoth/Ice planet themed Star Wars Lego sets!

Quick Facts

Rating

Five out of Five