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Filed under: Design, Fun, Windows, Freeware

Napalm: Set your desktop on fire



File this under the "totally useless but very cool for a few seconds software" section. Napalm is a small program inspired by Linux's Compiz window manager (specifically the "Fire" effects plugin) that displays burning text on your desktop.

Burning text. Words that are on fire. On your desktop. That's what Napalm does. That's all it does.

The developer seems to be keenly aware of the lack of utility of such a program (he notes as much on his website). Those looking for some clue as to why the time was spent making such a program will note his moniker: Firestarter.

It seems then that Napalm is a way to safely express his (and your) pyromaniacal tendencies.

Napalm has a wealth of customizations, so you can tweak your fiery words to your heart's content.

Napalm is a free download, and requires XP or Vista.

Filed under: Internet, Security, News

Fire knocks Internet2 offline

Internet2The internet is based on a decentralized model. If one server goes down, the system reroutes traffic and nobody notices.

Internet2, on the other hand, is a much smaller system right now. And the high-speed system that could be the future of the internet is much more vulnerable to network outages.

This week a homeless man in Boston knocked out all service between Boston and New York by tossing a cigarette that accidentally lit a bridge on fire.

The fire also interrupted subway service, but subways can't travel at 9.08Gbps anyway.

Filed under: Fun, Windows, Shareware

Fantastic Flame screensaver

Fantastic Fire Everyone needs a new screen-saver now and again. Just something to brighten your day, make you smile, or set your PC on fire. That is the purpose of the Fantastic Flame screen-saver. The look of fire fantastically makes newbies think your PC has a bad 1980's boot sector virus, and reminded me of the Matrix Revolutions when Smith is seen wreathed in flame. Chalk this one up to the eye-candy category, but it does make a nice screen-saver, especially for any of us who opted for a life of tech instead of pursuing our pyrotechnic fantasies of early adulthood. Now you can have both, in a safer environment. Ahhhh, good times.

Filed under: Fun

Make yourself a human torch with Flash 8 and a webcam

Flash 8 human torchBack in December I mentioned a cool little Flash 8 demo by Grant Skinner that interfaces with your webcam to make it look like you're being snowed on. Okay, it sounds kinda lame when I explain it that way, but it is pretty cool. Even cooler, though, is a new demo by Skinner, which also requires Flash Player 8 and a compatible webcam, that turns you into the human torch. While I don't have a webcam with which to test it out, the screenshots look great even though Skinner says they don't do it justice. Don't bother asking what this is good for-it exists soley to be neat, and to teach you a bit about Flash 8's features.

Featured Time Waster

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

View more Time Wasters

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