For today, October 28 only, CodeWeavers is giving away free, fully licensed copies of their Windows virtualization software for Mac and Linux. Download the software, and enter your email address to receive a license (very important).
From the website:
CodeWeavers’ mission is to make Linux and Mac OS X fully Windows compatible operating systems. We do this through the power of Wine, which powers all of our CrossOver products. The CrossOver products make it possible to run Windows programs on Mac OS X and Linux without needing a copy or license for Windows itself.
Wine is an open-source reimplementation of the Win32 API for Unix-based operating systems. Wine allows Windows applications to be run without a Windows operating system license. CodeWeavers is the largest corporate sponsor of the Wine Project, and contributes all of its work to free Wine.
You can read about the reasons for the giveaway (quite humorous!) here.
I already own VMware Fusion, which I consider a better product. However, CrossOver is free today, and the software has been given a 4-star rating over at VersionTracker.com.
If you like writing poetry, or even if you don’t, this is a fun website that takes some of the work out of finding the perfect word to complete a rhyme: Write rhymes. Just start writing, and any time you need a word, option-click on the word you want to rhyme with, and you’ll get a list of suggestions.
One thing I like about Apple’s OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is the built-in Time Machine backup software. I purchased a Time Capsule backup drive to go with it. Although the system apparently works well — I haven’t had to restore anything yet — it is quite slow, and by default runs every hour. It seemed that every time I wanted to log out, restart, or shut down my computer, it was in the middle of a backup.
Unfortunately, Time Machine does not include any settings to control the frequency of backup. Fortunately, changing how often backups occur is not hard to do. There are basically three routes you can take; they all do precisely the same thing (change a particular configuration file):
- Use a freeware application called Time Machine Editor
- Use a freeware application called Lingon to edit the necessary file (this is the way I did it; however, Lingon is a powerful program that, used improperly, can totally trash your system, so beware; this is similar to using regedit in Windows)
- Navigate to /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto.plist and edit the file manually according to instructions here
According to an October 25, 2008, Quirks and Quarks podcast, pine cones give off infrared heat. When viewed with infrared technology, or as “seen” by a particular kind of beetle, the cones actually glow. The beetle that is the subject of the podcast does not actually see the infrared with its eyes, as far as scientists can tell, but it has special sensors on its abdomen that allow it to sense the heat from a great distance, with an acuity that is probably as good as insect vision.
So maybe the Christmas tree lights used to decorate trees during the holidays aren’t so far off after all. They are somewhat cone-shaped. To beetles they may seem perfectly natural!
Witnessing does not have to be complicated. Below are some simple ways to let your light shine in your community and anywhere you may go. As you read these, perhaps you will be inspired with some ideas of your own. Be creative. Feel welcome to add any ideas of your own to the comments for this post.
A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity. —Ellen White, Gospel Workers, page 122.
If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. —Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, page 189.
Around town
- At the supermarket checkout line, let someone go ahead of you — especially if it is a frazzled-looking mother with a bunch of crying kids, or someone who looks like he or she is about to miss an appointment.
- Offer to help your neighbor with a chore or simple task. You do not have to renovate someone’s house. Just helping carry out the trash or mowing the lawn is a good start.
- Offer to baby-sit.
- If you own a car, offer to run an errand (take kids to a school event, pick up an item at the store, and so on).
- Donate items to a used clothing store. Make sure the clothes you donate are clean and tasteful.
- If you can accommodate guests, open up your home temporarily to a person or small family who has lost a home to fire, flood, or other disaster. Or offer storage space where they can keep their remaining possessions until a better place is found.
- Help a neighbor child with homework.
- Visit or call someone who is lonely or not feeling well.
- Donate nonperishable food items to a local food bank. Ask what goods are most needed.
- Offer to help with a Vacation Bible School or a children’s division at church.
- If you have a green thumb, consider joining Plant a Row for the Hungry or a similar project in your area.
- Join or start a singing band, and visit nursing homes, a children’s hospital, or shut-ins in your area.
- Bake a loaf of bread and deliver it — either at home or at work.
- Do laundry or other chores for someone who is sick.
- Offer to give someone rides to the hospital when needed.
- Visit a local prison.
- When you go on vacation, send your neighbors a postcard — let them know you’re thinking of them. (You need to get to know them first.)
- Be the “welcome wagon” for newcomers in your neighborhood.
- Invite someone new to join you on a family outing.
- Compliment people on their yard, home, etc.
- Attend important events in the lives of your friends and neighbors: weddings, recitals, graduations, etc.
- Invite someone to a meal at your home who hasn’t been there before.
- Maintain your own home and yard so as to create the right “atmosphere.”
Anywhere
- There are many ways to witness on the Internet. Try some active methods (such as participating in chats, e-mail discussions, and so on), rather than settling for more passive methods (such as posting thoughts on your own website, which may be very seldom visited).
- Smile at strangers — using discretion, of course.
- When traveling by bus, train, or airplane, try to steer conversations with seat-mates in a spiritual direction. You do not have to give a Bible study; avoid preaching. Share how God has led in your life and which approaches to problems have worked for you.
- Write an encouraging note to someone. The person could be a friend or relative who is going through a difficult time. It could be a Christian whose ministry you appreciate.
- Leave magazines and tracts in conspicuous locations. Consider using a highlighter or pen to mark a few key passages (as if marking for yourself).
- Pray for people silently. Pray with people as the Holy Spirit leads.
- Remember friends and loved ones on their special days (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays). Don’t assume people’s needs are being met at these times; sometimes these special days are the most lonely. (Have you had that experience where no one remembers your special day?)
- Offer to pay a bill or a debt for someone who can’t. (You don’t want to initiate a pattern; just something to say you care.)
- Pick up the phone and call.
- Visit non-Christian relatives more often.
- Practice good manners. People seldom say “Sir” or “Ma’am” anymore, but some people — especially seniors — appreciate it. Show proper respect to officers and dignitaries.
- Give up your seat to someone who needs it more than you. Always show preference to elderly or handicapped persons.
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