dom.blog

Released today, Photo Story 3 is a little goodie from Microsoft free to XP users, allowing you to create your own photo story slideshow thingies. Paul Thurrot will tell you what it’s all about here and you can download it right now from the Microsoft website. I’ve tried it myself – it’s basically Windows Movie Maker for photos.

One extra thing though – pirates need not apply. You need to validate your copy of XP (yes – again!) before you can download. Sorry!

Update – I’ve used it a bit more, and it’s really well designed for the job. I can see myself using this where in the past I would have used Movie Maker and got worse results. Thanks Microsoft!

As you can see from my site, Patchou’s Messenger Plus is one of my favourite freeware apps. As a new version comes out, I thought I’d say a few words on the rumour regarding malware bundled with it.

When you install Messenger Plus, a free add on to Windows and MSN Messenger, you are presented with the choice to install an OPTIONAL sponsor program. It’s from C2Media (boo! hiss!) but, as far as I have read, only installs advertising features – no spyware. I don’t know, I’ve never installed it.

In the install screen, you are presented with a big picture of the toolbar, the words ‘Sponsor from C2Media’ in bold letters, and a choice of either “I accept…” or “I refuse…”

Neither option is selected for you. However, even if you do accidentally install it, simply uninstall Msg Plus and then reinstall without the sponsor. Nothing is left behind.

Messenger Plus! is free, and I respect the fact that it’s basically one guy’s work and he puts a lot of time and energy into it. Spreading round rubbish like ‘Messenger Plus is infested with spyware’ is basically libel, especially when Patchou is very approachable – you can chat to him via the forum on his site.

So that’s it really. Messenger Plus is great – and it’s clean. Just remember to read it!

Right, here we go again… [sobs]

“Dom was the person I thought took the best to blogging, but he seems to have tailed-off recently. Maybe it’s the weather, whatever, it’s over to pictorial blogs for some!”
Nic

TAILED OFF? Right, that’s the best incentive I ever heard to get back blogging. I do wish Blogger had categories though

The US Election is close, only 9 days now. I can’t stress enough how important it is to the whole world that Bush loses (he can lose to a dead dormouse for all I care.) I recently read a really stupid article in The Times by some woman who, despite being a life-long Democrat, was voting Bush. And why, pray tell? “Cause the terrorists would want Kerry to win.”

Bullshit! The terrorists would want BUSH, someone to pit the US against the world, someone to hate, someone to get fired up about. And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt about Kerry recently, it’s that he doesn’t seem to get many people fired up. Perfect

Talking of which, be sure to catch ‘The Power of Nightmares’ on Wednesdays, BBC2. Yeah, we all know fear (duh) is used to control us (double duh) but it’s nice to see it spelt out every so often. And it’s GREAT to see ‘Have I Got News For You’ back, the Andrew Marr episode was great on Friday. Oh, plus ‘The Corporation’ is finally out in cinemas here now-ish. Another must-see for me.

My GCSE ICT Coursework – a Database – now kicks some serious ass. Honestly, it’s beautiful and it runs on the Desktop (kinda) without an ugly Access window. Worryingly, I’ve stayed up to 3am working on it. On more than one occasion. Yikes.

And now, a more serious note. It’s been on my mind a lot over the last few days. Robert Symons – a teacher at my school – was murdered defending his family and property from burglars recently (more news here). I really didn’t want to seem to be trivialising it on a blog, but now I think he deserves to be remembered, even by those who hardly knew him. Robert Symons, you will be missed.

So, is that post long enough for ya Nic? Might as well please my only reader!

Dominic’s – http://www.dominicself.co.uk/blog/
Dom was the person I thought took the best to blogging, but he seems to have tailed-off recently. Maybe it’s the weather, whatever, it’s over to pictorial blogs for some!
— Nic

Right, that’s it. I don’t think there can be any more incentive than that – let’s get back blogging! Damn, I wish Blogger had categories though…

US Election is soon. Very soon – just 9 days to go. I can’t stress enough how the world needs Kerry to pull this one off. I read a really stupid article by an American woman recently who was a life-long Democrat but would be voting for Bush “cause the terrorists would want Kerry to win.” Yeah, right, the terrorists want someone to hate! They want someone who will get them fired up! And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt about Kerry it’s that he doesn’t exactly get people fired up. Just what we need

Talking of which, be sure to catch ‘The Power of Nightmares’ on Wednesdays, BBC2. Fear (duh) is used to control us (double duh.) But good to see it spelt out. Also – GREAT to see Have I Got News For You back on our screens. And ‘The Corporation’ film is also out in cinemas which is another must-see for me.

One reason the blogging has been slow recently is due to this. A few days ago, a teacher at my school was stabbed to death defending his home and family from burglars. I wasn’t really sure if I should mention it here, but it’s a loss worth remembering. Robert Symons, you will be sorely missed.

Of course, it then makes it hard to move on and talk about lighter things. However, my Database Coursework for ICT now kicks some serious ass. I’ve stayed up to 3am working on it on more than one occasion [worried]

So Nic, long enough post for ya? Might as well keep my one reader happy!

I just wrote a really long post which Blogger has just lost. Back in 5…