Publication Date: April 23nd 2004
ISSN 1445-1360
In this issue you will read:
Editorial: April 23nd 2004
Bargain Bin: TravelZoo
Software Savvy: ICQ 4.0
Definition: Aerial Ping Pong
Quotable: Harriet Martineau said...
Web Site Review: The Internet Movie Database
The Great Australian Joke
G'Day Blokes and Sheilas!
I have to admit that last issue contained a few white lies. I used you all to help deceive my girlfriend Casey on where and what we were doing for her birthday weekend. We didn't go camping, but to keep the lie going I got her a camping stove as a present. No I had found an amazing deal via a TravelZoo Newsletter for the Dolce Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington. It was an amazing place and a very interesting area. Highlights include the war memorial replica of Stonehenge, the Maryhill Museum and the waterfalls on the Oregon side of the river.
On to a more technological topic. I went to the baseball last night and had some premium seats (thanks to Casey winning them at work). Six rows from third base was a totally different perspective than the nose bleed seats we usually get. However not necessarily better. Now this story turns to tech because behind us sat four very loud Microsoft Employees. These guys were living it large and obviously did most of the time thanks to "Uncle Bill" and their expense accounts. Domestic and International travel were a weekly occurrence for these guys, and it sounded like often a solitary meeting with a client could be pushed out to a weeks "vacation". Gastronomical delights seemed more important to these beer swilling salesmen. To ones credit he seemed to go against the grain, driving a 10 year old Honda Accord because cars were not an asset, while the others complained about how bad there overpriced SUVs were to drive. Now my point in relaying this story is to show you the excesses that high priced Microsoft products pay for. It really makes me want to support the little guy.
Have a bonza day!
Nathan Allan
TOP
I subscribe to a newsletter that sends me some amazing deals once a week that are travel related. This is how I got the tremendous deal on the Dolce Skamania Lodge for Casey's Birthday. TravelZoo receives many offers from travel vendors and publishes the best of them weekly. They range from domestic air travel to international packages. Although biased to the US based customer I am sure some of the deals could be modified to be used by other people. If you have a bargain you would like to share with everyone let me know. TOP
ICQ was the program that made Instant Messaging (IM) popular. However after getting acquired by AOL they don't seem to have maintained their dominance in this segment. As you know I use Trillian to connect to all the popular varieties of IM including ICQ, but it is interesting to see that ICQ 4.0 is now released.
The new features are what most people would expect from an IM client. With the inclusion of the new Xtraz panel you get to play games, display a user icon or picture and a host of other features.
I will be sticking with my Trillian but for those of you with only ICQ Buddies this new version is well worth taking a look at.
Name: ICQ
License: Freeware
Version Reviewed: 4.0
Supported Operating Systems : 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP
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We are starting to get back in to the thick of the Aerial Ping Pong now. At least that is how some Rugby fans would describe Australian Rules Football.
I am happy to report that after a horrible start to the season my team the Bombers are starting to do better. Unlike Baseball where there are 162 games in a season, in footy there are only 22 games to show how good you are.
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You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.
TOP
If you are ever looking for information on a movie this is the place to go. The Internet Movie Database is the most cross-linked information rich site for movies available.
You can look up movies and then link to more detailed information on actors, directors, producers and reviews. Of course there are trailers and photo galleries, and for Americans links to show times for the latest releases.
What will appeal to some visitors are the forums and user comments. Rather than take the movies critics advice you can see what the average Joe has to say about it.
The Internet Movie Database visit it now!
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This joke could be viewed as slightly crude by some, but I think the punch line makes it pretty darn funny!
The Quiet Rural Pub
A very attractive woman goes up to the bar in a quiet rural pub. She gestures alluringly to the bartender, who comes over immediately. When he arrives, she seductively signals that he should bring his face closer to hers. When he does so, she begins to gently caress his full beard.
"Are you the manager?" she asks, softly stroking his face with both hands. "Actually, no," the man replies. "Can you get him for me? I need to speak to him," she says, running her hands beyond his beard and into his hair. "I'm afraid I can't," breathes the bartender. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, there is. I need you to give him a message," she continues, slyly popping a couple of her fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them gently.
What should I tell him?" the bartender manages to say. "Tell him," she whispers, "there is no toilet paper or hand soap in the ladies room.
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