tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31841382024-03-08T05:31:33.680-06:00MurDog BlogMurray Williams lives and works in Northwest Arkansas. He tries to keep his blog up-to-date, but the pressures of life squeeze in and sometimes he just doesn't have the time. You can check out his full site at www.murdog.com.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-34727567678464845042007-02-14T08:48:00.000-06:002007-02-14T08:53:19.244-06:00Google Apparently Can't Spell...Its Own Name!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/googleMisspelled-771685.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/googleMisspelled-765874.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oops! Apparently Google can't spell its own name. Either that, or let me introduce to you for the very first time, a new force in the search market, Googe!<br /><br /><br />We found this misspelling on the Google homepage on Valentine's day morning. Normally these gaffes would go unnoticed. But, when you are the world's #1 search engine, well, you probably ought to get it right. Then, on top of that, it is your name. Who forgets how to spell their own name.<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-25246114049610741512007-02-09T12:42:00.000-06:002007-02-09T12:34:18.133-06:00Yahoo PipesI don't quite know what this means yet to me, but this is definitely something. I don't know anything about it yet, but this is definitely something.<br /><br />If you are a coder or some other mega-geek, I would love a better explanation.<br /><br />But, it looks like a great way to get automated news searches ported to an RSS feed that you can then build a wicked cool site or something. This is definitely something.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-557024034027592862007-02-09T12:30:00.000-06:002007-02-07T22:04:48.128-06:00SpookyDoes anyone else find <a href="http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6157813.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news">this a little spooky</a>. This Real ID act sounds an awful lot like the mark of the beast in Revelations. I know, I know that is very alarmist, but doesn't it sound at least a little weird. A card that is nationalized, that is required to receive social security, and travel by airline. <br /><br />Isn't it a little odd that a president who ran on a Pro-family, platform who is a Christian may indeed be the man who got the whole mark of the beast thing rolling. How ironic.<br /><br />I am not a kook, but ... seriously...Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-18238376548586289562007-02-07T22:00:00.000-06:002007-02-07T10:17:03.301-06:00John C Dvorak is RightRead John C. Dvoraks latest article over at <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B775E7E37%2D8A51%2D438B%2DAAD8%2DD1B0B7FCADC5%7D&dist=rss">MarketWatch</a>. Pay special attention to the last line in the article. It is a very poignant and right on observation.<br /><br />DRM must Go!!! It is stifling to all involved; both the music industry and customers.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-55556622944060318542007-02-06T17:17:00.000-06:002007-02-06T17:18:51.516-06:00Yikes!!!You need to read <a href="http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/2/6/astronaut_arrest.html">this story</a>! It will blow your mind.<br /><br />Needless to say, this was not her best day.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-72437198910003098432007-01-26T22:11:00.001-06:002007-01-26T22:15:02.846-06:00PandoraI think I have posted about this online App in the past, but it warrents another look. If you are looking for the killer app in online radio, go to www.pandora.com. It allows you to set up customized radio stations according to bands that you like. <br /><br />You have to sign up and get a username and password, but after that, you can listen to great music to your hearts content. I know there are a ton of other online radio options out there, but Pandora has a great interface that lets you listen to your music for free. What a deal. Check it out!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-78134633712806203092007-01-26T22:06:00.000-06:002007-01-26T22:11:30.463-06:00Ubuntu SingingAlright, for the 10's of you following this string, I have gotten Ubuntu up and running correctly. I wrote a couple of days ago that there were some problems with updating Ubuntu successfully. Well, I think I have figured it out. Instead of using the Symantic thingy, I started using the Add/Remove programs thing under Applications and I think it worked.<br /><br />I went through a complete update and all seems to be well. I have the latest versions of all the programs that came with Ubuntu and all seems to be working. I still am a long way from completely understanding this OS, but at least it isn't broken. <br /><br />I tried to upload the latest version of the OS and I couldn't get it to install. So, I am a version behind in the actual OS. But aside from that, I do have all the latest apps in this older version.<br /><br />Hopefully, Ubuntu will work out whatever problem I was experiencing so that I can update the OS in the future, but in the meantime, all seems good.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-24209375314373952682007-01-26T21:44:00.001-06:002007-01-26T21:44:41.046-06:00SLAMMasterful monkeys dance on the grave of the master<br />Coloring the sky with striding laughter<br />to and fro then dance continues <br />darkness cannot see the frivolity<br />Slashing tires and running from the bad guy<br />All night long just isn't enough for me<br />I'll Facebook YOU ... just wait for the beepMurray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-24481547180846417122007-01-26T08:53:00.000-06:002007-01-26T08:55:44.202-06:00ISO Burning SoftwareWell if you are going to be a Linux geek like me then you have to have software that burns ISO files to CDs so you can install new OSs. The best one I have found is one called CDburnerXP. It has a simple interface and even better than that, it is free. What up??Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-24157838573153947882007-01-25T21:36:00.000-06:002007-01-25T21:38:37.843-06:00Ubuntu Ubuntu UbuntuWhat is a newb to do? There is some update that screws up my version of Ubuntu. And, I don't know which one. The problem is I can't update my version. I want to have the latest version, but I don't want to sit through another laborious install. hmm... what to do?<br /><br />www.twitter.com<br /><br />See if you can make something of it.Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-5431532971589973862007-01-22T21:18:00.000-06:002007-01-25T21:40:12.990-06:00Ubuntu BluesI ran into my first snag with Ubuntu.<br /><br />So apparently, there is an automatic update feature that is supposed to bring all the software on your computer up to date. That all sounds fine, but when I did it, I lost the ability to open a lot of the software on the computer.<br /><br />In linux, there is a bar along the top of the screen that gives you access to all your applications. Along with that there is a System menu that gives you all the stuff that you would find in Control Panel on a Windows box.<br /><br />One of the programs is called the Synaptic Package Manager. As far as I can tell it is the easiest way to update linux and get new software. The standard way of downloading that we have all come to love and know on the other OSs is not as easy on linux. When you download using linux you have to compile and build and then put it in the right folders under root...blah blah blah. And so far, I havn't figured out how to do that correctly.<br /><br />Well, the version of Firefox that comes with the Ubuntu build that I installed is old... and I mean really old. It is like the 1.0. I found the 1.5 version in the Synaptic Package Manager and updated it to at least that version. But, I want 2.0 which has spell checker. That means less incorrectly spelled words in my posts among other things.<br /><br />So, I ran the updater in SPM and then I couldn't get anything under the System menu to even load. That really hamstrings the system so tonight, I had to reload linux. I guess it isn't exactly ready for the masses just yet, but I am learning. If you want to know more about my trials and trevails, you can comment on this entry, or wait patiently for more entries because I am sure I will probably be talking more about my little linux experiment in the future.<br /><br />All in all though, I think I like it.<br /><br />But one more problem I just remembered. When I reboot back into Windows, I have to unplug and re-plug my USB Wireless ethernet interface to get it to work. I don't know why, but oh well.<br /><br />MurDog OUT!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-77732188290736222552007-01-21T21:41:00.000-06:002007-01-21T21:49:50.884-06:00I am a Geek!!Ok... I just installed Ubuntu on my home computer and I am up and running! In fact, right now I am entering this blog post while in Ubuntu. I haven't been using it long enough to really have a true impression of the system, but so far, so good.<br /><br />I did have a little trouble getting my wireless internet up and running, but other than that, it was pretty easy, and as you can see, I am on the net so I did it.<br /><br />My home computer is a little slow. I heard that Ubuntu, or any other linux OS, breathes new life into old hardware, and I think they're right. Firefox opens quite quickly, and downloads even seem a bit snappier.<br /><br />When I go to my main site, www.murdog.com, it opens like liquid lightning.....sooper fast!.<br /><br />I was scared to install this on a computer that already has XP on it. I was afraid that I would some how lose that install and then I would be stuck with linux. Well Ubuntu was fairly easy. After the install, it noticed that I already had a copy of Windows and asked if I wanted to make the system dual-boot. That means it will ask you on boot which OS you want and then it will start the one you chose. Of course, I said yes and what do you know... it worked.<br /><br />The install wasn't without its problems. I first tried to install the latest build of the OS, and for whatever reason, it didn't work. It would just get stuck on the initial splash screen. I read in the forums (did I mention that I am definitely a geek?) that people who were having that problem were succeeding using an alternate version. I downloaded the alternate and it worked. The only problem with the alternate version was the installer was text based rather than GUI based. That scared me a bit. But, all is well and I am on the net. Yea me!<br /><br />MurDog, the dual-boot geek OUT!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-20376115389980751382007-01-19T10:41:00.001-06:002007-01-19T10:41:38.849-06:00Legos and Rappers...nice<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O-tkqpHnxTI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O-tkqpHnxTI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-82378200671842701182007-01-19T08:55:00.000-06:002007-01-19T09:08:43.989-06:00Grab and DragI just found a <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1250/">little add-on for Firefox that is really cool.</a> It's called Grab and Drag and it allows you to click and drag a web page you are viewing and drag it up or down. If you are familiar with Adobe Reader and how it navigates a document by grabbing and pushing a document up or down, well this is very similar.<br /><br />I first fell in love with this way of navigating a page when I owned a Palm V back in the day. There was no web browser on that unit, but you could browse the web in a way with a product called <a href="http://www.avantgo.com/frontdoor/index.html">AvantGo</a>... I am sure they are still around even though I have long since given up on the PDA.<br /><br />In the AvantGo browser, you would use the stylus to push the page up and down. What an intuitive way interact with a web page. I can't believe this isn't a standard in all browsers, but alas it isn't.<br /><br />The Grab and Drag add-on for Firefox brings that functionality to the browser. It's great for reading blog entries, articles, or any web page that demands scrolling to see all the content. The time you save by not having to find the scroll bar with your mouse is reason enough to download this add-on. I love it.<br /><br />It also helps you read content without taking your eyes off the words. It speeds up my reading considerably. You ought to check it out.<br /><br />MurDog OUT!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-61048239723016069422007-01-18T11:32:00.001-06:002007-01-18T11:32:45.889-06:00Superhero QuizYour results:<br /><b>You are <span style="font-size:6;">Green Lantern</span></b><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><table><tbody><tr><td>Green Lantern</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="65"></td><td> 65%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Iron Man</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="60"></td><td> 60%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Wonder Woman</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="56"></td><td> 56%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>The Flash</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="55"></td><td> 55%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Superman</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="50"></td><td> 50%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Robin</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="43"></td><td> 43%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Spider-Man</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="40"></td><td> 40%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Hulk</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="40"></td><td> 40%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Supergirl</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="36"></td><td> 36%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Batman</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="30"></td><td> 30%</td><br /></tr><tr><td>Catwoman</td><br /><td><hr align="left" noshade="noshade" size="4" width="25"></td><td> 25%</td><br /></tr></tbody></table></td><br /><td>Hot-headed. You have strong<br />will power and a good imagination.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/pics/lantern2.jpg" /></td><br /></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/"><br />Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...</a>Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1167316766167696712006-12-28T08:38:00.000-06:002006-12-28T08:39:26.280-06:00MH-and-Christmas-Lights<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/murdog/334468678/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/334468678_4b277f1bb7_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/murdog/334468678/">MH-and-Christmas-Lights</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/murdog/">Murray Williams</a>. </span></div>This is one of the keepers from this Christmas. I caught MH in front of the Christmas tree, and if you notice she has on her Mrs. Claus dress. This is one looks like an album cover or a magazine pic. (If you think I am sounding a little full of myself, I did throw away 160 other pictures that weren't good.) I captured lightning in a bottle.<br /><br />MurDog<br clear="all" />Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1165185049849550032006-12-03T16:28:00.000-06:002006-12-03T16:31:41.790-06:00Sick...(cool for those not in the know...)<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/56uLXupE-oU"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/56uLXupE-oU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br />Alright, alright, how sick would this be? WHATUP!!!<br /><br />I'll take two.<br /><br />(This is only a concept ad, but, 1. great work, and 2. what an idea.)Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1163000349142945382006-11-08T09:38:00.000-06:002006-11-08T09:39:09.156-06:00Erik Mongrain<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb9cidk0Bfs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb9cidk0Bfs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />...incredibleMurray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1159685139367782362006-10-01T01:38:00.000-05:002006-10-01T01:45:39.373-05:00Big And Rich<A HREF='http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2392-738220.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2392-736149.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A> I went the the Big and Rich concert and it was suprisingly good. I was backstage all day with my friend Curt Jenkins who is hte tour Production manager. I compare it with a NASCAR event. You really can't judge it until you have experienced it in person. If you get the cnance, I suggest seeing a show.<br /><br />I have a number of pictures, and I will see if I will publish them to flickr. I will let your know if I do. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1158329933078553762006-09-15T09:18:00.000-05:002006-09-15T09:24:55.746-05:00Love Sex & Dating (The Notebook Playah!!!)<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nIVBoYmPAq8"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nIVBoYmPAq8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1158071101735332592006-09-12T09:22:00.000-05:002006-09-12T09:25:01.756-05:00iTunes Store Down for Updates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/showtime-708423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/showtime-792935.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oh SNAP! The updates to the iTunes Music Library are happening right now. I hope Steve comes out with the next iPod that I will own. I let the last generation of iPod come and go. My iPod is starting to show its age. hmmm....maybe its time to start thinking about a new one. If the next version is cool enough, there may be some sleepless nights for me......Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1156878077238248962006-08-29T13:59:00.000-05:002006-08-29T14:02:08.760-05:00Flintstones + Winston Cigarettes<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LR5-LMkLQVQ"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LR5-LMkLQVQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br />I mean, are you serious. Man how times have changed. Can you imagine seeing this advertisment on the Cartoon Network?Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1155621062545208612006-08-15T00:49:00.000-05:002006-08-15T00:51:02.556-05:00Wyatt and Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2220-717083.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.murdog.com/murdogblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2220-713017.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Megan took this picture of Me and Wyatt. I thought it turned out pretty good...Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1155062228148417522006-08-08T13:34:00.000-05:002006-08-12T12:21:52.420-05:00Kids + Tiny Tornado = FUNUnfortunately I can't put the video right in this post, but you won't regret checking this out. Apparently these Japanese children were playing soccer with a freak of nature dust devil invades their playing field. The video is incredible, and I have to admit... it did make me laugh. Am I bad?<br /><br />MurDog OUT!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184138.post-1153455673143005102006-07-20T23:14:00.000-05:002006-07-20T23:35:23.886-05:00Pandora - Internet Radio That Reads Your MindOk ok, it can't really read your mind, but it comes REAL close. Pandora is a newish web-radio project with an interesting twist. It is powered by something called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Genome_Project">Music Genome Project</a>. Apparently some industrious music lovers started a project where they named some key characteristics (over 400 to be exact) that pertain to music and then sorted music according to those categories. As the library of music grew the "magical" powers of pandora started to emerge.<br /><br />When you go to the site, it asks you to enter a name of a band that you like. It then takes that band preference and builds a web-radio station around it. <br /><br />Right now I am listening to a radio station appropriately named Coldplay Radio and so far it is great. Of course, it started out with a Coldplay song but after that it has played song after song that have the aesthetic of Coldplay.<br /><br />It is a great way to find new music by artists that you would have never listened to in the first place.<br /><br />And, the greatest thing, it doesn't force you to sign up. You can just get started. But, I'm sure after a few visits, I will sign up for the service so that I won't have to explain my musical preferences every time.<br /><br />If you are a music lover, then check out <a href="http://www.pandora.com">www.pandora.com</a>.<br /><br />MurDog OUT!!!Murray Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258600802102416377noreply@blogger.com0