Wordpress has a functionality that I have never used before that allows you to create pages rather than just posts. I never really found a reason for this until recently where I decided to change my landing page to go to this new page in my blog I created. After creating the page I didn’t like the fact it had a post date, a category classification, and the comments section. Looking into Wordpress.org I found out how I can attach a specific template file to a specific page. This was pretty easy but I figured I would write it down so I wouldn’t have to search for it again.

1. Copy the page.php file from the current theme
2. Create a new file with the copied contents from page.php
3. Add the following code snippet to the new file

<?php /* Template Name: About */ ?>

4. Edit the file to be how you want it, and upload to your template directory
5. In Wordpress when editing or creating the page you should see a new dropdown that allows you to choose the page template (see image for post)

That’s it now you have a new customized page template for whatever you want to do!

This is a nice little program.  The other day I was getting tired of looking at the same car picture in the background of my desktop.  With this handy little application you can set it to look at folders, Flickr, Picasa, FaceBook, Yahoo and a few other applications for images.  Then you can set your image rotation time to hours or days or just every time you log on.

It also allows you to set a different background for each monitor and you can also have it create collages on the fly.  This is a lightweight application and the price is just right (Free)!

Check out their site for the latest version and as always I have attached a version to this post as well.

Background Switcher

Process Explorer is basically Task Manager on steroids. It actually makes managing process more intuitive and easier to manage.  It allows you to see the process trees and see how much each process is taking up graphically.

Below is the most current file and of course the link to the software site.  I think one of the reasons this software is so good is Microsoft didn’t write it but they did end up buying the company that did originally product the software.

Link to Process Explorer

For the 100th time I was looking around the internet for an application that would let me sync my Outlook calendar from work with my calendar on my cell phone. This time I actually found something that will do that and much more.

BitPim is a free open source application that allows you to manage every aspect of your phone and then upload back to your phone. You can edit/save your contacts, calendar, pictures, ring tones, T9 settings, SMS just about everything your phone does. This is great because I do not have to pay Verizon for the service. You just plug in your phone via USB and sync it is very helpful.

I have attached the file to this post but you should probably get the latest version from the website:  BitPim I just attached the file in case the application disappears as sometimes they tend to do.  And since this is working currently with my LG Dare I might as well post the working version.

Every time I see this video I just laugh. I can only imagine what they jumped off of to do this to her!

A while back Consumer Reports decided to post some pictures of the funny products that they have come across over the past 60+ years they have been rating consumer products.  This one to the left takes the cake!

Sonic Blaster, 1966

The Mattel Agent Zero M Sonic Blaster 5530 fires compressed air with a deafening blast. Our measurements top out at 157 dB—above a level that can do permanent damage to the hearing of an adult. We rate the toy Not Acceptable.

You have to love the 157dB rating, remember hearing loss begins at 90dB’s!  Also good thing its right next to his ears!  We looked around eBay and we were able to find this model for sale but it was no operable without a trigger and a broken bladder which is what makes the toy go BOOM!  I would pay top dollar to find a working one of these to scare the crap out of some geese just hanging out at a lake.

Check out the Gallery from Consumer Reports.

New version of Windows Live Writer has hit the internet.  Looks like the changes bring in a few GUI changes softens up some corners and adds the functionality to trim and crop pictures as well as the tabs at the bottom for navigation.  Since I love Windows Live Writer and could not blog without it this gets a thumbs up as far as progressive development goes.

Who knew Microsoft would actually make a product that I like so much!

Download it here

Yes those are a pair of keys on top of that fully functional computer.  This machine is available in a pared-down 256MB configuration (sans Wi-Fi, hard drive) for $220; a 512MB Wi-Fi version (with no hard drive) for $245; or go all out with the 512MB / Wi-Fi / 60GB hard disk version pre-installed with either Ubuntu or Windows XP Home SP3, for $295 or $335, respectively.

No links to distributors of this bad boy but I am really starting to think that I need to have one of these and keep it connected to my TV so I don’t have to worry about plugging in a computer to the TV.

CompuLab Fit-PC Slim is the name of the model and manufacturer I will have to keep and eye out for this one to hit the streets

LinuxDevices.com

With the amazing pre-fall weather we had today I decided to go on a bike ride. After going down to Cherry Creek for a burger at the Cherry Cricket I then road up and around Washington Park to check out the park people. Then I decided that I couldn’t remember the last time I was down by Confluence Park. So I got back on the Cherry Creek Trail and headed west to the Platte River. After passing a few homeless people on the trail it was obvious that they have spent a ton of money around that park in the past few days.

It looks amazing but all I could think about is that Family Guy show where Stuie says how much he loves this area but they needed to leave after the sunset because it is a scary place at night! I imagine the same is true with this one. A short 28 miles later my ride was over.

[Show as slideshow]

Here is a quick shortcut code snippet that you need to make a remote desktop shortcut.  This way you can create shortcuts for all the different remote desktop’s you have and then have Launchy pick them up and you can login very quickly and easily.  Also note you username and password are stored via running the normal remote desktop from your accessories then you are setup to use the shortcut without any issues.

%windir%\system32\mstsc.exe /v:server name /w:1280 /h:1024