Open-Minded Geekdom: a lesson in iTunes and other technologies

As a geek, I have always rejected anything popular, be that something as large as the Windows Operating System, or as small as iTunes. The fear of something popular being worthless comes from years of overpaying for software that isn't well supported when push comes to shove. Another example of why geeks shy away from popular things can be summed up in two words: "American Idol". (Or pop music)

Based on this, I have been using Windows only when neccessary, staying as far away from Windows Media Player as possible, and only touching Apple products and software when absolutely neccessary.

A few weeks ago a geek friend of mine (even if he doesn't admit he is a geek) mentioned that he used Windows Media Player 10, and therefore couldn't help me with a winamp question I had. This shocked me, but after I got over the shock, I installed MediaPlayer 10 and found it not too difficult to use.

I still use OpenOffice.org, Inkscape, Firefox, SciTE, Thunderbird, and 7-zip, but it definitely opened my mind to trying things that are not Open Source.

This extended to Apple when the leader of my Church's Web Servants got an iPOD and showed me some of the features of the device. When I saw the features and quality of the device, not to mention the ease of use, I decided to try out iTunes.

Much unlike the OSX Operating System itself, iTunes is incredibly easy to use. It also has tons of features, and just makes sense. It's almost like it is one "beta" tag away from being a google application.

Through this, I've learned that especially as a geek, I need to keep up on current technologies. As long as I'm not risking security (by doing something silly like using Internet Explorer), all I'm doing is learning what works. Imagine if the GIMP used features and interfaces similar to the Photoshop? It would have the same usability and same quality experience and results.

On a sidenote, Windows Media Player 11 beta doesn't seem all that great. I'll be switching to iTunes, or keeping WMP10 unless they make some dramatic changes, but that will come in a later review.

Biodiesel for fun and profit!

First things first, when I go to grill out, I grab bun-sized Beef Franks, not tofu-dogs. I still enjoy the occassional McDonald value meal, and I shop at walmart.

I also don't like spending nearly $3 per US Gallon of Gasoline.

Enter BioDiesel. It can be made from almost any vegetable oil, and is less toxic than table salt. I've heard some diesel engines produce more horespower when using B100 (100% Biodiesel) than when using petrolium-based diesel. The only thing that might make that possible is the fact that the original Diesel engine was intended to run off of vegetable oil, not petrolium.

While many diesels can run off of straight vegetable oil (the kind you can buy off the shelf at your local grocery store), it will probably wind up clogging something up unless you modify your vehicle to accept the thicker fluid. Processing vegetable oil into biodiesel will remove the thick viscosity. The byproduct of creating biodiesel is glycerine, which is used in skincare products, cough-syrups, food sweeteners/preservatives, and many other things.

Many people who produce their own biodiesel claim to spend less than $0.50 per US gallon. Imagine filling a 16 Gallon tank for $8!

Just some fuel for thought.