Wanted: Level 42 Enchantress seeking Level 16 Dwarf....WoW

Posted on Thursday, January 7, 2010
Filed under Social Networking, Software, Weird | Leave a Comment

Now this is one I have never heard before..brace yourselves...you know our world is a little bit tipsy when a 42 year old woman enters into an online relationship with a 17 year old boy culminating in their reunion in Canada....

Ok, you might be thinking...well that's not so strange in our world...you never know who you are talking to online...even if their username is Hottgirl1786...

But...in this case..it gets a little strange, even by modern standards. The two met while playing WoW and after thousands of long journeys, deep dungeons, and successful quests, their plutonic relationship culminated into something much deeper...

Romance...

Undoubtedly, it could happen any day for a teen raging with hormones. But, the woman involved, at 42 years of age and being a mother of four, and living in Texas, should know much better. Hopefully, this is one quest she will earn a infinite amount of experience from.

Their meeting came to fruition as the woman arranged a meeting with him in Ontario. Of course his parents denied him when asking permission to meet with the fellow comrade from Texas..but that didn't stop the 16 year-old.

Leaving in the middle of the night, and disappearing for two days, (probably to fight the orc army) they were finally found outside a Future Shop, much to the relief of the parents, (and if she is married, to the chagrin of the husband).

A modern day Romeo and Juliet tale...

Worthy of the following TOAST...

source: alientrap.org

Full Story: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/teen-found-after-meeting-his-42-year-old-online-soulmate/article1416257/?ok

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"God Mode" for Windows 7....

Filed under Computers, Software, Windows | Leave a Comment

God Mode?

Yes, it is true - There is a mode for Windows 7 that lets you have all of the control panel functions in one very thorough, completely full folder. If you are like me, you spend minutes and minutes hunting around in frustration, as if you are hunting for a warp whistle on a Mario 3 level with no time left...and after a dozen clicks, you finally get to your destination...

Why this function didn't come with Windows 7 in the first place, I'll never know, and why it suddenly appears now, I'll never know...but there is one thing I know...it works... (although it may crash your computer if you try it on Vista 64 bit...so don't get mad if your computer crashes on you...it should definitely work on Windows 7.

Here's what you do:

Go to any area within your computer (i.e. c:/ or documents or some folder)

Create a new folder and push enter to keep the name new folder

Right click on the folder and rename it the following:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Push enter and voila! You'll instantly see the folder change to say "God Mode" and an icon of the control panel appears...

I've tried it out myself and I like it already....

We give this a grand total rating of:

Feel the power of omnipotence....

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Apple Tablet Gossip...the latest...

Filed under Apple, Computers | Leave a Comment

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5434566/the-exhaustive-guide-to-apple-tablet-rumors?skyline=true&s=x

Ah, the Apple Tablet, probably the most looked-forward-to, sought-after, and mysterious piece of technology around. Will it be little more than an IPhone? Will it be another revolutionary piece of technology we have come to expect from Apple as of late? Who knows...well some people think they may know, and after researching some of the lastest gossip...I would like to share my thoughts...

Keep in mind these are all just guesstimates made by an Apple fan...I in no way take responsibility for these answers and your potential excitement...

What will it be called?

ISlate - The Mechanical Toaster predicts this name of all names, based on the evidence presented at by the peeps at Gizmodo and Macrumors. The image at the left shows Apple's registration for the domain islate.com back in 2007.

It seems only fitting given the whole "i" theme.

There have also been an abundance of rumours based on other "slate" deviations, but the most prevalent appears to be "Islate" - at least it has the most buzz...

What are the specs?

The boys over at islate.org seem to have picked up the following numbers floating around the world wide web...

2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache and 1066MHz system bus

2GB of RAM, but will support up to 8GB

120GB SATA hard drive 4200RPM

Sure it may not seem that impressive if you have a choice between an IMac and these specs, but compare it to a Netbook, and you have a serious competitor - usually high-end netbooks sport the following specs:

•Intel Atom N280 1.66GHz

•1GB DDR2

•160GB HDD

Throw in 8 GB of ram on that ISlate, and you have an incredibly fast little machine...

What are the important dates?

Announcement Date:

Jan. 27

Let me remind you that everything on this post is complete GOSSIP - but it is fun to speculate. I say Jan 27 because of the following tidbits of info from Gizmodo -

"The Financial Times said two days ago that Apple is expected "make a major product announcement on Tuesday, January 26th" at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, where Apple's rented a stage for "several days." Silicon Alley Insider says that Apple is going to demo a tablet in January."

My intuition is that Apple is going to draw out the suspense, and wait for a day at the convention to make the grand announcement...

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/apple-tablet-aka-islate-to-ship-in-march-says-wsj/?news=123

Shipping Month:

June

While the WSJ claims it'll be shipping in March, I am going to have to disagree on that one. Apple typically favors June as its favorite month to release amazing new technology - take the IPhones for examples, always released in June. It seems to work out pretty well for them, so why break something that's not broken?

Over at http://www.ilounge.com/ it looks like they agree with the June date....

Other than these multitudinous rumours, little has been said regarding the specific capabilities of the ISlate...

What I would speculate though is that it will not be too much different from the other Mac computers. Though it will more than likely rely on a 3G or 4G internet, for portability purposes. It will probably have a webcam, with all the fun features that Apple packs into taking pictures.

What is left now is shrouded with doubt and speculation...

You be the judge...if you have any ideas, The Mechanical Toaster would be more than happy to hear them...especially if you catch wind of juicy gossip - feel free to share!

One thing is for sure though, the ISlate is going to be a beautiful machine that people will be clamoring to just to have a flick or a swipe at...

Consider this topic hypothetically toasted...

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Apple Tablet Rumors....Mythical creatures, you're out...

Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Filed under Apple, Computers | Leave a Comment

It seems a change is taking place in the mythical creature world - Big Foot and Loch Ness Monster are out...make room for the Apple Tablet - the new mythical creature in town.

Rumors abound and people are clamoring to get a whiff of news about this beast. Is it big, is it little? Does it use apps, or an OS? Can I watch TV on it - can I edit movie on it?

If there is one thing that Apple is good at, it is keeping secrets. The IPod hit the market by storm, just when we thought Apple would be a relic at a museum. Then there was the IPhone, which you can't help seeing if you go out anywhere in the world.

So what will the Tablet be like?

One source says the following:

"The device, which I've held mock ups of, is going to have a 10 inch screen, and when I saw it looked just like a giant iPhone, with a black back— although that design could change at any time" they said, "with the same black resin back, and the familiar home button." That's obvious.

"But it will come in two editions, one with a webcam and one for educational use."

Educational use?

They continued to explain the device as something that would sit between an iPod/iPhone and a MacBook, and would cost $700 to $900—"More than twice as much as a netbook," they said.

To make up for that cost and make the device more than just a big iPod there was, this person claimed, there was talk of making the device act as a secondary screen/touchpad for iMacs and MacBooks, much like a few of the USB screens that have come out in recent months from Chinese companies. Very interesting.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5335942/an-insider-on-the-apple-tablet

Salivating yet? I know I am...

It has been confirmed by some insiders that the Apple Tablet will take some time to get used to, just as the IPod or IPhone user interfaces took some getting used to. But it shouldn't be a bad change by any means...Who doesn't love the swiping interface of the IPhone?

Set to come out at some TBA date sometime early this year, the Tablet promises to be an exciting kickoff to the new decade.

There have also been rumors that apparently a PC version (Slate) is supposed to be released, by Microsoft, and they are trying to get it out before the Apple Tablet...ah the beauty of free market competition...

Source: http://ngbbpc.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/big_foot.jpg

So take a seat Big Foot...

Your sighting days are on sabbatical now...

More to come as rumors abound.

Anticipatory Toast Rating: (out of 5)

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Hot toast of the day...Verilux Sunshine Simulator

Posted on Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Filed under Lifestyle, New technology | Leave a Comment

Now who out there has got a case of the winter blues? If you're like me, then you're stuck three months living in the middle of a beautiful, hazy gray inversion which does wonderful things for your tan. Heck, I have friends that are polynesian who end up after winter being whiter than me, and I am pretty palid looking.

Many out there actually get pretty depressed due to S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the wintertime, and this company is proposing something will counteract those effects.&nodysp; A little dose of sunshine (aoout 30 min a day) is what this company says you need to fight S.A.D. How do you get that when you live in a place like me...make sunlight!

Source: http://www.amazon.com/

The National Institute of Health has released the following findings regarding the effects of light exposure (in blue) over time. If this happens to you during the month of January especially, you may be a good candidate to get a daily dose of sunlight.

Source: http://www.blogger.com/goog_1262735921485

One customer who reviewed the light stated:

I ordered the HappyLite about 4 months before they even shipped the product, because it was the first reasonably priced (and sized) light to help treat SAD. Living in Minnesota, I tend to get depressed in February, so wanted to see if the light would help. Starting in Oct/Nov 2003, I began turning it on at desk height at my work for the suggested amount of time. I did not use it on weekends.

Anyway, I think that it helped me keep from sinking so low with the SAD blues in February, but it did not completely keep SAD away. I spent 4 days on the beach in Florida during the 3rd week of February, and that helped the most.

I will indeed use the light again this winter, because it helps--but does not eliminate--SAD for me.

Source: http://www.amazon.com

Bottom Line - If you can get away to Florida during the winter, go for it...but if you are less fortunate like most of us, then you will have to make due with other means...

Source: http://www.allmoviephoto.com

With all this talk of S.A.D. it really makes you wonder...do Vampires suffer from S.A.D. ?? I know they don't exactly get a lot of sun...it would explain a thing or two about this whole phenomenon...

Just a thought....

Anyway, back to the reviewing...Pros for the Verilux HappyLite include the chic ambience it can give to your home. Sleek design and small, it can fit in most spaces, which means you can take it where you want. If it does work for you, then it is more than worth it if you can improve your mood for the 3-4 months you are stuck with winter. Finally, Verilux has a pretty nice three-year guarantee with their products, where they will replace it, no questions. That's a lot of self-trust...

Cons include the inability to take this portable...it solely runs on power from outlets, so you are limited in that respect. But more than likely, how many times are you going to attach it to your dashboard? One of the biggest setbacks for many people is the cost - running at $180 for this version, and even a tidy sum for some of the smaller versions, if you don't have the money, then you'll just have to scour sunlight in your backyard. But if you do have it, then no problem...it's yours!

Bottom Line - Great investment for those affected by S.A.D. - especially for an improvement in mood and function, the price will not matter if you can chase away the winter blues. The bulbs and the products itself are supposed to last for years, supposedly well over 10 years, which means replacement issues and costs associated with replacements should not be much of a problem. With high customer ratings, it seems that those who use it would agree that it is worth the investment. Sleek design and small size means you can put it anywhere and not feel too ashamed of yourself...you can even take it to your next party if you'd like...

Toast Rating: (Out of 5)

Consider this topic toasted!

For more information, please visit: http://www.amazon.com/Verilux-HappyLite-Deluxe-Sunshine-Simulator/dp/B0001ATEJ2

Check out the Verilux HappyLite Deluxe at Amazon.com - Get it now for $180

Technorati claim code: ZMV3T3ZVXNHT

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Ugly People Beware...

Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010
Filed under Internet, Social Networking | Leave a Comment

You know it's sad when the internet doesn't let unattractive people use certain websites...if it were that way, Facebook would definitely oust most of us.

That's the goal of beautifulpeople.com, a dating classifieds site bent on bettering the gene pool with its hot hookups. Sorry ugly people, you have to go to match.com - The standards are far too high here...

After the holidays, Beautifulpeople apparently dropped a significant amount of its members - according to this statement: "many members posted photos of themselves celebrating Christmas and the New Year--revealing that they have let themselves go. Vigilant members, who take pride in the standards demanded by the site, called for action."

One word...sad... :(

It gets even worse...check out this tweet by LizOstroff: ''Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model and the very concept for which BeautifulPeople.com was founded.''

Urge to kill rising...

Who doesn't let themselves go during the holidays...come on people...that's why we have New Year's resolutions!

Anyway, it was reported that several thousand users - 5000 actually - suddenly found their accounts deleted due to the sudden drop in their hotness scale...

Oh, but at least you get this consolation when you go to their website...YOU CAN SURF THEIR SITE AS A GUEST!

(hold back laughter)

Thank goodness they are willing to allow us less attractive people to at least look at beautiful people.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this titillating tidbit...and hopefully it brightens your day.

Beautifulpeople.com, on behalf on The Mechanical Toaster, we give you a solid, overcooked...unattractive...

Consider this topic TOASTED....

For more information, please visit http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10423877-17.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=TheDigitalHome

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Hot Toast of the Day | Corel VideoStudio Pro X2

Filed under Software, Video | Leave a Comment

Selling at 50% the usual price at Amazon, if you are in need of some great editing software for video, Corel Video Studio Pro X2 is supposed to be a veritable mecca for video editing.

Pros - With full HD video support, this software should appeal to home video fans. Tons of transitions make this popular, including the montage effect, which gives your video a real professional look. The PIP effect is really sleek looking. Overall the program has a fairly short learning curve.

Cons - You may be wondering, sounds great, but why do I want to switch from Windows Movie Maker or Apple IMovie. Some people may not want to switch, because they are so used to the interface of those programs. The one con that many emphasize is the overall slow speed of the program - it takes a while to install, to run, etc... so it may require some patience on your end.

Bottom Line - Powerful editing tool, especially for the price of $50 - for the aficionados, this is a perfect fit, though it may not fit for novice video editors. Especially with the advent of HD video, this is one of the best options out there to produce great HD video. With more options than Movie Maker and IMovie, it can give you an edge that others may not have. Be wary of the slow running speed at times, which may be a turn off for some people.

Toast Rating: (out of 5)