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IM Anyone? ICQ: 2128006 MSN: kusari_kahn @hotmaildotcom AIM: KusariKahn Y!: kusari55 |
Disclaimer: Please note that the writer is not responsible for dead, boring, mind expanding or dangerous website links and/or software, follow links and install programs at your own risk! Saturday, November 02, 2002
Here's a little "treat" for loyal fans of my art...
The Paradoxian Tarot Card that never was... Sometimes concepts in art just go... bad... I was tempted to call this card: "Blowing Mondo Clown Chunks"
posted by Kusari 9:11 PM Some of my all time favorite games come from the now nearly extinct genre of “text adventures”, which I’ve always considered to be some of the finest “interactive fiction” available. Text Adventures are just about as far removed from today’s 3D graphic monstrosities as Radio is from Television. And while I love eye candy as much as the next VGA junky, I also have a soft spot in my heart for storytelling that requires imagination on the part of the reader and, of course, this is where text adventures truly excelled. I can still visualize the detailed worlds of The Great Underground Empire from the original Zork as if I had wandered through them in person. This, despite the fact that the last time I touched a Zork text adventure was close to 15 years ago, that, dear readers, is the power of text adventures to interact with one’s mind. Needless to say that I was thrilled to discover that there is still a small group of folks that dedicated to creating new text adventures. The Interactive Fiction Contest: http://www.ifcomp.org/, held each year, showcases the finest “modern” text adventures and allows anyone who cares to download and play the adventures the opportunity to vote for the best game of the year. There’s also links to previous year’s winners and other information about creating your own interactive fiction. posted by Kusari 8:53 PM Having had my share of truly oddball computer problems during the past few weeks I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some overlaying cause or conspiracy afoot. While it probably doesn’t relate to my personal computer problems in any way, I found this nifty site all about solar flare and sunspot activity: http://www.maj.com/sun/noaa.html, which can cause problems with some electronics . They even have a rather neat solar flare monitor that you can add to your own webpage, just like the little one I've added to my sidebar. (Just in case if anyone was wondering if the content of this ElectroZine was being influenced by Solar Flare activity!) posted by Kusari 7:47 PM Sampo, Sampo, who’s got the Sampo? Well, I’m sure that at least a few people out there (not!) have been hanging on the edges of their seat wondering who won my Sampo Contest from back in August of 2000. Well, the ballots are in and have been tallied and the winner is… Nobody! Because nobody managed to answer my rather esoteric question! Anyhow, I gave the prize to a friend of mine would thought that the picture was cool and that, as they say, was that! However, for all those Viking fans out there (not the NFL team), here’s a fun little site about the history of Viking Runes, with a neat little script that will convert your name in runes: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html, good for mondo-powerful Viking Juju! And for more power name Juju, you can visit: http://www.yourdictionary.com/fun.html#write. BTW, do yourself a favour and investigate the rest of this rather interesting website while you’re at it! posted by Kusari 7:43 PM Don’t think things can get any weirder? The Paradoxian Tarot hasn’t convinced you? Well, check out Weird New Jersey: http://www.weirdnj.com/. Chocked full of utterly weird stuff, this site covers more than just the State of New Jersey, it’s actually a state of mind! Don’t forget to check out Elsie the Cow and the “Monkey Man”! Who sounds eerily familiar for some reason… posted by Kusari 7:33 PM Thursday, October 31, 2002
Now, I know what you are thinking, after investing so much in a Rail Gun, how am going to be able to afford a proper anti-grav unit? Well, have I got the solution for you! With the subtle title of: The Natural Phenomena of AntiGravitation and Invisibility in Insects due to the Grebennikov Cavity Structure Effect (CSE): http://www.keelynet.com/greb/greb.htm, this site contains startling accounts of the power of the CSE! Anti-Gravity, invisibility and time travel are just a few of amazing powers you can master if you can re-discover the lost secrets of CSE! While you're at, be sure and investigate all of the http://www.keelynet.com/ website, the cure for your alternate media generated paranoia is within your grasp!posted by Kusari 1:46 AM Ok, so now that you've delved into the depths of the alternative media, the natural progression is to be totally overwhelmed by paranoia! What's the best way to deal with paranoia? How about your very own 1.5 million volt Tesla Coil! What's that, you don't know how to build a 1.5 million volt Tesla Coil? That's ok! I have the perfect website for you: http://www.amazing1.com, while your at it, pick up some plans for point defence lasers to mount on your anti-grav tank! Don't believe me, just take a look, in their own words, this is "Professional Equipment for Serious Research"! Personally I'm saving up for Rail Gun parts so I can do some wire exploding and "blast art". (She done blowed up real fine! Real fine!) posted by Kusari 1:43 AM And now… The shameless plug portion of The Lonely Gunman. If you haven't already, you really should check out The Paradoxian Tarot: http://artofchainmail.com/paradoxiantarot, it features some of my craziest digital art and rather suspect "wisdom" as well! And, if you just happen to fall in love with any of the strange art, I'd be more than happy to send you a lovely print or T-shirt transfer! If there's enough interest I may also start posting some of my digital art here, so stay tuned! posted by Kusari 1:42 AM One of my biggest distractions over the last while has been reading honest to goodness physical books! From http://www.disinfo.com/ come two of my favs: You are Being Lied To and Everything you Know is Wrong. Both edited by Russ Kick, these massive and inexpensive tomes cover a huge variety of topics. But, I warn you, read at your own risk, illusions are bound to be shattered! If you find that you enjoy shattering your beliefs I am sure that you will find lots of great links on the Disinformation website, but you may also enjoy "The Thresher": http://www.thethresher.com, another independent media magazine I found will searching the racks at Chapters. posted by Kusari 1:38 AM Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Speaking of Instant Messaging, I recently turned on to one of the sweetest IM packages in ages! Dubbed "Trillian", in reference to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", this proggy is a gift from Eris for those that have friends on more than one Instant Messaging service. Available from http://www.ceruleanstudios.com, Trillian can currently connect to ICQ, MSN, AIM, Yahoo! And IRC, simultaneously and without all the annoying ads that normally adorn these services! While slightly limited, no voice or video connections, it's the perfect streamlined solution for folks who are interested in "old fashion" type written communication. I was personally sold simply on the fact that it's about 1000 times more stable than ICQ, my IM of choice for a long while.
Hey! For anyone out there that would like to chat with me via IM, here's how to get in touch: ICQ - 2128006 MSN - kusari_kahn@hotmail.com (used for .net account only, please send all email to kusari@artofchainmail.com AIM - KusariKahn Yahoo! - kusari55 I've heard a few rumors of Windows XP instability with Trillian, while I don't have any first hand experience, please remember that Trillian is ~Beta Software~, so install at your own risk! posted by Kusari 11:43 PM Greetings Loyal Readers! (and, you simply ~must~ be loyal if you're still receiving my newsletter after the 2 year hiatus I've taken!) Wait a minute! I don't really have an excuse, mayhaps I haven't been quite so lonely over the past couple of years or maybe I was just "distracted". Whichever it is, and this point in life I'm definitely still rather lonely and still very distracted! Anyhow, on to interesting tidbits from the virtual world… Let's see, the 'Net is evolving approximately 4 times faster than the rest of the universe, so that means that I've been A.W.O.L. for nearly 8 years! Yikes! One of the things that seriously concerned me "8" years ago is Internet privacy, which by all accounts is growing worse by the minute. With security agencies world wide gaining unprecedented access to private information, including ~your~ surfing habits, the time seems ripe to investigate serious privacy protection. For years those with "Mad Skillz" (i.e. the folks oft mislabelled "hackers") have known how to protect the privacy of their surfing habits by using Proxy Servers. I will spare you my lame explanation of how proxy servers work, other than to say that for the average user they are utterly insane to locate and use for any length of time. Here's an simple explanation for anyone who may be interested: http://www.howstuffworks.com/firewall4.htm. There are, however, certain companies that have set up full time proxy servers, which they sell subscriptions to. One of the best known of these services is http://www.anonymizer.com, which has just upgraded their packages to allow not only protected surfing, but also protected Instant Messaging, IRC, newsgroups and more! They even have an option for SSL connections, while not perfect and still experiencing growing pains (Their Internet Explorer add-in bar doesn't work for me), they are well worth looking into if you ever get the feeling that big brother is taking an interest in your communication habits. Anonymizer also has the added benefit of removing unsightly pop-up ads from your browsing experience. posted by Kusari 11:25 PM |
