I have a new desktop image thanks to Oli, Dilbert on Zoloft.. *chuckle*.

I’ve been stuck in a world of XP since my recent rejection of Debian for Gentoo, and complete and utter failure to get the bastard up and running in a usable fashion.. However this has led me to piddle around with Windows software, and dare it say it *quietly* some of it is rather good!

Having much fun with Zone Alarm, which pops up little messages every time someone attempts to connect to your machine on different ports and also asks your permission if applications can talk to the internet (Ahem XP/Media Player gumph etc). Also, I am in love with Opera. Tried Phoenix which isn’t too bad but Opera has won me over with the speediness, thought-out shortcuts and sensible defaults. Made, no doubt, by some committed web heads thinking in the right direction. Oh, and don’t overlook the “Author Mode/User Mode” dropdown on the left of the address bar. It has cool accessibility features but for fun check “nostalgia” to see a web page in 8-bit mode! It’s cute!

I’ve also been having a go at Warcraft III and this is rare for me since I rarely play games. Warcraft is excellent fun and I particularly like the Godlike WarLord role, with “peons” who look and sound *just like* I imagine they ought to. Ah for peons in the real world. I do remember attempting to recruit a minion (can you have one minion??) without any luck. Bored Minions lacking an EvilOverLady (doesn’t sound very dangerous, does it, errr “Warmongeress”?) Sign Up here.

Moving swiftly forward.. Gentoo Linux.. and frustratingly Gentoo has not been a joyride. If I ever I get the sodding thing working I shall have a huge sense of achievement. Last night’s efforts involved a very broken install without a /bin/login or “ps” - dear God, these things are sent to test me.

OOo, there goes Zone Alarm again, someone pinging me. Nuff for now. Laters! Oh, and I am having a Moustache Party on Saturday so maybe see you there.