I am experimenting with a commenting feature, above. I am not sure if I like it, yet, or if this is even a good commenting program. Time will tell.

A lot of different computer/case buildups come through our email every week, vying for a shot at our content list. Most of them are played, case-window-and-LEDs-or-neon jobs which go straight into the trash. But the Log Cabin PC definitely gets the nod.

This is a good example of creative thinking ... Art-O-Mats are cigarette vending machines that have been refurbished and turned into vending machines for small pieces of original art by local artists. Way cool idea.

The East Coast contingent actually sent me this item first, but the announcement PDF had errors on it so I never posted it. Bowlingual is a device (Japanese, of course) that translates what your dog is saying to you. From Dr. Mikee who also sends along:

• Toonopedia: A cartoon encyclopedia covering both animated and pen-and-ink toons.
• Guerilla News: Pretty leftist stuff that takes on topics from the War on Terrorism to the government (surprise) to corporate crime.
• Debunking the taste-map myth: Sciam talks about the fallacies of the old tongue "taste map" you might have learned in school.

Paraphernalia bust

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities charged 55 people Monday with trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia from coast to coast, using both traditional stores and the Internet. A federal grand jury in western Pennsylvania handed up indictments against 27 people as part of “Operation Pipe Dreams,” an investigation stretching from Pittsburgh to Phoenix to Southern California, Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

[rant] While shops that promoted their wares as blatantly drug-related deserve to be shut down, there are just too many uses for the pieces sold on these sites (including Penfold's favorite, Colorchangingglass) that are legal -- and that's without considering that they have merit as art pieces in their own right, just like Native American peace pipes or Turkish nargiles would. It is going to be interesting to see where this goes, I sincerely hope the Feds do not succeed here. I do not appreciate this, what I consider to be misuse of my tax dollars, in this era where we have much bigger fish to fry. I'd rather they bank the money until the real domestic threats show up -- after we've initiated a style of government the Middle East neither asked for nor wants. [/rant]

Yes, it is a USB-powered toothbrush. Talk about over-engineering a solution to a non-problem.

U.N. Weapons Inspector is a really great maze game, complete with spot-on satirical topic and cutscenes ("Spreading a message of nonviolence ... through violence!"), that is interestingly enough an adaptation of the original WUMPUS from way, way back in the day.

This is from the Milk and Cookies link stash, so I am rolling in online games for a while. Here are some others:

• George Bush's National Missile Defense -- A hilarious game that features Dubya and an umbrella.
• Incriminati 2 -- The sequel to the original "hide the evidence before your parents come home!" game.
• W.R.A.X. -- Looks like Gyruss, but plays like a gem-lineup/Bust a Move clone. Not bad.

Some parting shots to cheer you up: Raven Shield has gone gold and should be in stores shortly, if it isn't already. And check out the latest Internet craze: Tunak Tunak Tan!

SUNDAY, 2/23/2003, 9:Ish pm HST by Penfold

Comp finally set up for posting.

Hockey times

Hockey times for the week of 2/23/03

• "Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks" ESPN2, Sun Feb 23 10:30pm HST
• "Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings" FSWH, Mon Feb 24 02:30pm HST
• "St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild or New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche" ESPN, Mon Feb 24 10:00pm HST
• "Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins" FOXW2, Tue Feb 25 02:30pm HST
• "Los Angeles Kings at Columbus Blue Jackets" FSWH, Thu Feb 27 02:00pm HST
• "Boston Bruins at New York Rangers or Chicago Blackhawks at Philadelphia Flyers" ESPN, Thu Feb 27 03:00pm HST
• "Boston Bruins at New York Rangers or Chicago Blackhawks at Philadelphia Flyers" ESPN, Thu Feb 27 10:00pm HST
• "Anaheim Mighty Ducks at Phoenix Coyotes" FOXW2, Fri Feb 28 04:00pm HST
• "Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues" ESPN2, Sat Mar 01 04:00pm HST
• "Phoenix Coyotes at Detroit Red Wings" ESPN2, Sun Mar 02 01:00pm HST

Want to use your Xb0x controller on your PC? Here's how.

Beer can collecting, not just for the people to lazy to throw out their empties.

Mullet Hall of Fame

The American Hockey League's Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs will pay homage to Barry Melrose's hair by inducting him into the ficitcious Mullet Hall of Fame, Friday night before their game against the Portland Pirates.