I know, I know. Your thinking “Why are you still living in the dark ages.  This wireless stuff has been around for years… Get with the program and catch up with everyone else” you are propbably thinking.

Well, I did just that.  I updated my network; installed a couple of wireless cards into the computers in my house; unplugged the laptop from the LAN and switched on the wireless setting on my router.

All good!  Up and running.   Then about 30 seconds later I get a sharp pain in the side of my head!  The right side to be exact, extending  in a line from the base of my right ear up over the top of my heard to half way down the other side almost to the top of my left ear.  Weird!  I felt wired, like I’d drunk 3 esspressos in 5 minutes.  Or was it the wireless?

Wireless Radiation – is there too much wireless radiation around? is a post from: Peter Hallam

It can be done, travelling with children that is; but I wouldn’t recommend it; not to anyone unless you have a bottle of Baby Panodol to drug them with.

Before you go crying foul, for the record I don’t mean drug them literally, but, that’s what Baby Panodol is, a drug of sorts, although the manufacturers would rather call it something else, whatever it is.  This all relates to Life BC. 

The reason being, recently whilst undertaking some international travel, the first since BC (more on that soon) my youngest child literally went nuts about a half hour into the flight! I mean, he really went nuts. He cried, screamed, threw things across the cabin, you name it, from about a half hour into the flight and continued for the next three hours he just plain lost his marbles. I still haven’t figured out what is was about but he was distressed.

So, what I mean when I say something to drug your child with is that you need to have a child trauma backup treatment on hand; something to take the edge off a major tantrum.  I don’t recommend first time international travel with a young child to anyone; unless of course you have a bottle of Baby Panodol.

Back to the diatribe; So, what does all this mean to the uninitiated?

Life BC – Before Children

Well, it means that travel is no longer a pleasant experience; as it was with life BC (Life Before Children) rather, International Travel is an undertaking that should be considered long and hard; considered in the same manner that would accompany someone who is resigned to facing the firing squad. You will suffer at the hands of the toddler, and there isn’t anything one can do to address it. 

Life Before Children was devoid of consideration for others to any significant degree.  But, Life After Children, is a whole different kettle of fish. You can’t escape that. You have to consider your kids.  

Enjoy Your Trip, and consider Baby Panodol; just in case.

Peter Hallam

International Travel, Children and Baby Panodol is a post from: Peter Hallam

For the past few years I’ve been waking up at 3am, sometime 3:30am no matter what time I go to sleep at night.

It’s weird.  I don’t know why.  It’s pissing me off. For some reason my eyes snap open in the wee hours of the morning, my mind starts going, and it is basically game over. I’m awake for the day.

By 10am that morning, I’m exhausted.  This will sound funny to some, stupid to others, but I hope there is someone who doesn’t laugh; It’s almost as if someone is playing games with my Is it sleep.

Is this Insomnia?  Technically I get some sleep; but it’s only ever 3, 4 or 5 hours. Before moving to Brisbane, Australia, I was use to 7 or 8 hours solid sleep.  Then I’d wake and power through the day.  Now, it’s as if I’m always running on empty.  I’m am now officially sick of it.   But there is no way I’m going to take pills just to knock me out.

I can’t figure it out.

Sleep tight. 

Peter

Sleepless in BrisVegas – Is this Insomnia? is a post from: Peter Hallam

SOPA is what the big media corporations have always wanted; and it is what they have been working towards for more than a decade.  SOPA makes someone else take responsiblity for enforcing copyright owners rights; and forces smaller organisations who do not have the resources to respond to accusations of copyright infringement; into a policing roll where they have no choice but to comply with the directives of the larger media orgainisations.  

It sounds like a hair brained computer geek conspiracy theory doesn’t it.  

But it isn’t …

It’s SOPA and Protect IP - the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Bills currently before US Parliamentary Congress; and it is due to be passed into legislation and become law very soon.

The main problem with SOPA and the Protect IP Bills is that they don’t actually stop online piracy.  The bills only server to make ISP’s liable for copyright infringements; or police the internet usage of their customers.  It is akin to using dynamite to dig holes to plant seeds. And the policy is 

If you are a US Citizen or living the US, tell US Congress not to censor the internet NOW! – http://www.fightforthefuture.org/pipa

“PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting “creativity”. The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites– they just have to convince a judge that the site is “dedicated to copyright infringement.”

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would cost us $47 million tax dollars a year — that’s for a fix that won’t work, disrupts the internet, stifles innovation, shuts out diverse voices, and censors the internet. This bill is bad for creativity and does not protect your rights.“

PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting “creativity”. The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites– they just have to convince a judge that the site is “dedicated to copyright infringement.”

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would cost us $47 million tax dollars a year — that’s for a fix that won’t work, disrupts the internet, stifles innovation, shuts out diverse voices, and censors the internet. This bill is bad for creativity and does not protect your rights.

The SOPA Bill is the Ultimate Internet Filter; designed to make Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) responsible for what Internet Consumers are able to view and access. It will put in place the tools required to implement internet filtering at the whim of Corporations and Governments; with little practical right of reply to accusations.   

The US SOPA and Protect IP Bill’s place the owneus of law enforcement on those people who do not have the resources to implement or defend themselves against it’s directives.  The SOPA and IP Bilss enable someone to simply make an accusation, in some cases an unfounded accusation, and compliance by the internet service providor is automatically required or they can be held financiall and legally liable for facilitating access to the content mentioned in the accusation.  It is extreemly expensive and difficult to police and   

The US SOPA and Protect IP Bill’s allow copyright owners to accuse others of infringement or facilitating infringement and make them liable prior to any valid claim being presented to substanciate the accusation. 

The United States Government wants to pass a bill that will enable US Media Corporations the power to shut down any internet site that is accused of hosting or copyrighted material. The Bill will provide powers to the Untied States Government and the United States Entertainment Industry that extend far far beyond the enforcement of simple copyright law. The bill will enable the shut down of ANY website that is ACCUSED of violations of the copyright act; regardless of whether the accusation is correct or not. The Bill places the ownus on internet service providers to police the material that internet uses can access, regardless of the actual content that is viewed.

Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, and its sister bill in the Senate, the Protect IP Act, or PIPA. Both bills attempt to deal with online sites that traffic in illegally copied content, but at extreme cost of remaking the architecture of the internet itself. That’s a high price to pay, especially since neither bill will actually curb real piracy: SOPA and PIPA are the effective equivalent of blowing up every road, bridge, and tunnel in New York to keep people from getting to one bootleg stand in Union Square — but leaving the stand itself alone.

The below excert is from Yahoo Answeres and was voted the most correct. It states:

In October, the “Stop Online Piracy Act”, was introduce by House Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). S.O.P.A. was submitted in addition to the Senate’s “Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act”, (P.R.O.T.E.C.T. IP). The film industry , pharmaceutical industry are supporting the bill, among other groups. 

Opponents state that the bill would give the government too much authority over websites and the capacity to close them down simply by hosting copyrighted material. The restriction of free speech/expression is a concern for many which include Google, right wing political parties, Twitter, Facebook, Mozilla, Yahoo, AOL, E-bay, etc.. Opponents insist that legislation should specifically target foreign “rogue” websites that violate US copyright laws. 

Thus: 

The United States Government is about to pass a bill that will provide US Corporations and Government with the power to demand Internet Service Providers shut down or remove access to any internet site that is accused of hosting or providing access to copyrighted material.  

The concern over SOPA isn’t actually removing access to illegal copyrighted material.  United States companies apparently lose approximately 135 billion US annually to online piracy. It is an issue that needs to be addressed in some manner. The primary concern with SOPA is that the internet filtering put in place to prevent access to illegal media content will eventually be extended to include material that is deemed politically divergent from current Governmental objectives … ie: those people that don’t agree with a Governments political or economic policy.  

Why are the U.S. SOPA and Protect IP Bill’s relevant to Australia? 

Australia signed an agreement with the United States called the Australia / US Free Trade Agreement. It incorporates directives that require Internet Service Providers and Content and Web Hosts to automatic comply with Judgements passed by the U.S. Justice Department requires ISP’s and Australian Content Hosts to enforce those judgements automaticlly within Australian Jurisdictions.  

That means that the Australian Law Enforcement sector is bound by law to enforce US DMCA (Digital Mellinium Copyright Act) Legislation in Australia.  This, by extension of the IP Act, holds Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) liable to enforce the provisions of  the US SOPA and Protect IP Bills, or face prosocution by U.S. Media Corporations for not doing so.

Why are all these shenanigans important in Australia?

This is important to Australian Internet Users because we recently defeated an attempt to by Government to implement an Internet Filter in Australia. If the U.S. SOPA Bill is pass, then the Austrailian Govenrment will be required by law subject to the Australian / US Free Trade Agreement signed by the John Howard Liberal Government, to implement the very measures the Australian People voted AGAINST in the 2009 Federal Election.  That’s right.  It will be a requirement as a result of our international contractual obligations with the United States to implement the tools to filter internet sites according to U.S. Judicial directives and judgements.  Australia will recive an Internet Filter in accordance with directives from the U.S. Department of Justice via compliance with the U.S. DMCA. 

http://www.ilaw.com.au/public/ftaarticle.html

From WikiPedia: Although the United States White House is reported as stating On January 14, 2012: “Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small.” and “We must avoid creating new cyber-security risks or disrupting the underlying architecture of the Internet”^[8][9][10] puts in place the tools required to moderate peoples access to certain online content and resources. 

SOPA is the beginning of the censorship of the internet on a global scale. The tools legislation required to implement SOPA will provide the means to censor any material published on the Internet.  Think Nazi Gemany in the Second World War, Iran, George Orwells novel 1984 and the current situation in North Korea.   That is what happens when public discussion is censored.  The Inernet is a communication medium.  SOPA will eventually result in censorship of everyone. 

UPDATE

The block IP internet filter provision of SOPA has been removed in order to facilitate its progress through the US Senate.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57358947-261/dns-provision-pulled-from-sopa-victory-for-opponents/?tag=txt;title

Resources 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_IP_Act

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act

Stop SOPA – help the internet. is a post from: Peter Hallam

This website was recently hacked  by chliZAceh.   Thanks mate; I appreciate that. Trying to fix your work in between changing my kids dirty nappies, preparing dinner for my wife when she gets home from work is all much appreciated.  … yeah, thanks mate, thanks very much! 

A seemingly nice chap, chliZAceh  at least had the decency to leave the files on the server intact and just inserted a dummy home page which got served up by the webserver instead of my material. Essentially his dummy webpage masked my content. The articles on this site were still accessible by direct link or search engine.   That was nice of him if I must say and a pleasant surprise considering some hackers are nothing more than vandals who just want to hurt people and upset them for no other motive than self serving satisfaction.  

chliZAceh left my site in a recoverable state.  So thanks for that chliZAceh.  I wish I knew how to pronounce your name.  If I was familiar with Indonesian then I would probably have some idea but unfortunately I’m not fluent in Indo so I don’t understand what they were singing about. 

Actually, chliZAceh has a lot of good stuff, tips and tricks, and reviews on his website. 

Hacked Why?

I have no idea why  I was hacked by chliZAceh or why he hacked my web host account at JustHost.com. He appears to be a hacker with a political chip on his shoulder and decided he wanted an innocent person to suffer; thus choosing as well as many others. I can appreciate the principals and the cause he claims to stand for, but there is no way he is going to promote that cause in a sympathetic manner by hacking a blog that has absolutely nothing to do with whatever it is he trying to stand up for.

If a hacker is serious about what whey stand for then they would go after the big worthwhile targets; entities like governments, military organisations or major law enforcement services.  I don’t know how hacking a website that talks about Colemak keyboard layout, typing, computer keyboard switches and meditation exercises will further his cause, but I can assure him, it doesn’t.

Being hacked by chliZAceh doesn’t really make any sense  because I’ve nothing on this site that he would want to protest against; other than some meditation articles. I’m not pro or anti Muslim, and in fact I am sympathetic to the plight of the Palastinians in the Middle East. So, I’m not sure why he singled me out. 

Hacked How? 

chliZAceh appears to have found a vulnerability in WordPress or JustHost webhosts and written a script to exploit that vulnerability (perhaps).  Really, I don’t know how, this is just a guess.  But, he gained access to my site at webhost level effectively bypassing WordPress security.

He has been very busy and by the volume of websites he has hacked it would appear to be automated.  I’m not sure how good he is but there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to hack 95 or 100 websites; so he is obviously using an automated script. 

However, the hack its self is a simple html document called index.htm that gets served up to the web browser before any other requests are processed.   This serves to mask the website from the internet and only shows the html page uploaded by chliZAceh to the web server. 

How to Fix a site hacked by chliZAceh

To fix a website hacked by chliZAceh’s you need to have administrator privilages and log onto your webserver or webmaster admin panel.  The fix is as simple as removing chliZAceh’s index.htm file because this is what is served up to web visitors before your own content.  

You may notice that the file and folder permissions have been changed too.  If you are running on a Linux Apache webserver then these permissions should be 755 for folders and 644 for flies.  

This fix worked for me.  If you find yourself hacked by chliZAceh you should try this fix first.  Although, he may read this post and subsequently change his tactics.  In fact, he may read this post and come back and trash this site. 

In retrospect being hacked by chliZAceh wasn’t that bad.  I was a pain in the neck but it could have been much worse. 

Try to Have Fun

Try to have fun with this and consider it a learning curve. It was a pain in the neck fixing a site hacked by chliZAceh but it’s not impossible, and relatively easy once you understand how the hack was done.  But, I still can’t figure out why my site was chosen. 

Peter Hallam

Website Got Hacked by chliZAceh! is a post from: Peter Hallam

Ever Killed a Computer?

Every computer geek has a story about the most stupid thing they have ever done to a computer; often making you wonder at the intelligence level of those people. However, some of the stories, usually the most entertaining, boarder on idiocy. You may even consider Electric Shock lunacy but some computer geeks think nothing of it.

This is my story. It is the stupidest and most bewildering computer experiences I’ve ever encountered; and it happened to me a few days ago.

Setting up a computer the other day, I was came across a cheap 9800GT I had laying around and had never put to use. It was actually the most powerful graphics card I had at the time and I was itching to get my dollars worth out of it. 

It was a Galaxy 9800GT 512 megabyte and a bit of an oddity at that. It has two six pin power connectors which isn’t usual for a card of its type. It didn’t come with instructions when purchased so I didn’t know which power connector to use.

It can’t be that hard I thought; just try each one to see if it works. I was impatient and didn’t bother turning the computer off and on to unplug any of the cables. That, as you can guess (wipe the smile off your face, it gets better) is where I went wrong.

Electric Shock

Mostly it was the fan, audio and sata cables being unplugged, but a power cable ended up being one of them. I knew what is was, and knew I shouldn’t but just thought I could get away with it.

So, I had the power cable to the 9800GT in hand and gave it a short yank … and POP! There was a loud crack and everything shut off; dead.

It was quite a loud noise actually, accompanied by smoke escaping in several obvious white wisps; just as if the graphics card Genie was saying “I’m Free … I’m Free.”

I was a bit of a stunned mullet for a minute or so. I waited for the smoke and spark to turn into flames; for the burnt plastic smell to get stronger; and for the shock I just felt to subside. It was all rather emotional. My media PC and the most powerful graphics card I owned had now gone to the gods; back the great circuit chip maker in the sky.

I didn’t touch anything, didn’t move, just held the power cable in hand, stared, and waited, hoping beyond hope for some miracle; then got up walked away bewildered to make a cup of tea; abandoning the dead carcass of a puter sitting on the floor of the room. There was no hope for it. Not with that smoke, smell, spark and the jolt I got. 

Half an hour later whilst trying to come to terms with the computer crisis my wife comes up behind me, patting me on the back saying ‘there there NerdBox … there there NerdBox’ (she calls me NerdBox Pro) ‘… it will be okay.‘ She was grinning like a Cheshire cat whilst she says this. Then came out with ‘Have you tried turning it back on?‘

I’m like ‘What? …. What … do you think you are talking about. THERE WAS SMOKE! There was a spark … and a POP… and the smell of burning plastic. I just zapped myself! … Have I tried turning it back on!’ 

She smiles again. ‘You could try.‘ she says encouraging me, still rubbing small circles on my back. It was all a bit much to take at the time so, still a bit stunned I get up all set to try and spite her and show her what a stupid idea it was of hers to try and turn it back on. I wanted to show her in no uncertain terms that the reality of electronics, electricity and physics don’t play according to what she thinks. 

I’ll Show Her!

Fortified with resolve to show her up I go back in to my dead nerdbox and press the switch … and I’ll be dammed. The thing starts up! It boots perfectly; my graphics card and the rest of the puter doing exactly what it’s supposed to. It’s called humble pie somehow. It’s when married computer geeks bite the bullet and go and apologise. But I was almost more pissed off that rotten computer was working and the shock of almost blowing it up was all for naught.

Anyway, smoke or not, that nearly dead nerdbox is working now. I’m not sure what blew up but there was a spark; don’t know where the smoke came from but smelt burnt plastic; and have know idea what made the tortured circuit noise, but what I thought would be a dead computer is playing music in my living room as I type these words.

My nerdbox came back from the dead. I can’t figure it out, and for that matter, I no longer care, its working now and that is all that matters.

Thank you graphics card Genie, for coming home; and sorry darling, for doubting the genius that was your sympathetic advice.

Be grateful for the advice you get, even if you don’t wan to hear it. Sometimes, it’s the best thing you can possibly hear.

Have fun.

Peter Hallam

The Graphics Card Genie and a Dead NerdBox is a post from: Peter Hallam

Why? Well, the more you pay the less you get, the smaller it is and the better it looks.

Also: Mechanical Keyboard follow the car rule. Car size in inversely proportional to crotch size. The bigger the keyboard you need in front, the less equipment you have down below.

Have Fun

Peter Hallam

Mechanical Keyboards are Like Lingerie is a post from: Peter Hallam

This article is about one type of keyswitch found on Mechanical Keyboards; the Cherry MX Red keyswitch, and why you may like to use this particular mechanical keyswitch for typing. Are you confused about Mechanical Keyboards? Why you would want to spend ten times as much on a Mechanical Keyboard as you would on a bog standard one?

What’s next – Quick Links to Cherry MX Red impressions:

• Mechanical Keyboards and keyswitches: The Basics
• Personal Impression
• Typing Proficiency and Accuracy
• Video of Typing on Cherry MX Red keyswitches
• Will You Like Cherry MX Red Keyswitches
• Durability
• Pro’s and Con’s
• Technical Nerdbox Details
• Actuation Force
• Availability

This review is typed on a Filco Majestouch Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Red keyswitches using the Colemak keyboard layout.

First things first; what the hell is a Mechanical Keyboard you’re probably thinking? The reason why you would want a mechanical keyboard is because they provide the best typing experience you can get.

What is a Mechanical Keyboard?

Most likely your current keyboard is a cheap rubber dome type from Logitech or Microsoft or a low profile scissor switch type found in laptops. Both are simple, cheap, and easy to make. Most people are aware of nothing other than those two varieties and will likely never have encountered a mechanical keyboard.

However, if you know a keyboard enthusiast, or are a budding keyboard enthusiast (from which there is no turning back) and you care about the typing experience as you write, then it may have been bought to your attention that there is a third much more appealing type of keyboard lurking out there; the Mechanical Keyboard; where each key has its own dedicated manual keyswitch.

Mechanical Keyboards and Keyswitches – The Basics

Cherry MX Brown Force Diagram

The typing experience from a Mechanical Keyboard is dictated by the type of keyswitch it utilises. Most mechanical keyboard manufacturers release several versions of the same model each with a different type of keyswitch in order to provide the user with a choice of tactile typing experiences.

Different keyswitches provide variations in feel, fluidity (of finger depression), resistance, key cap profile (shape) and overall general typing experience. Don’t be overwhelmed by all these nuances, it is what makes some keyboards a dream to type on whilst leaving others feeling like you are struggling in sticky mud. Sticky mud is a reference to rubber dome or rubber membrane keyboards. Read on.

Some typists claim to have increased the accuracy and speed when typing on a mechanical keyboard, but that is a personal experience and probably more closely related to the usage than attributing it to the presence of high quality components.

Personal Impression

The authors first experience with mechanical keyboards was using a Filco Majestouch TenKeyless with Cherry MX Brown Keyswitches. Cherry MX Brown’s are classed as Tactile Non-Clicky (silent-ish)switch that has a tactile bump half way down the shaft that actuates or registers a key stroke when the keyswitch is depressed.

Cherry MX Red Linear Keyswitch

Cherry MX Red Force Diagram

Cherry MX Red Keyswitches are classed as a Linear Non-Tactile Non-Clicky keyswitch with the actuation point absent of any tactile or audible actuation feedback during operation. This results in a very smooth action giving an almost silky or fluid typing experience.

The keys respond sharply and precisely with only slight effort required of the fingers. With only 45 grams of finger resistance Cherry MX Red Keyswitches have the least resistance of all Cherry Corp keyswitches.

It took a week to get used to the silky smooth feel of Cherry MX Red’s however over zealous typing often results in bottoming out on the base plate of the keyboard resulting in a louder thud than usual. This is a noticeable noise but becomes less distracting as you adapt to Cherry Mx Reds.

The lack of tactile feedback resulted in the keyboard feeling a little unforgiving for want of a better word. It registered keystrokes cleanly and efficiently every time; whether you accuracy was perfect or abysmal. This will be a good thing for touch typists because the light resistance allows your fingers to seemingly flow across the keyboard as you type as the Cherry MX Red’s yield well to a light touch.

Typing Proficiency and Accuracy

The use of Cherry MX Red Keyswitchs resulted in an initial deterioration in the authors typing accuracy; down from 97.5% accuracy by approximately 3-4%, last recorded at 94.5%. However this was an adaptation phase and as my hand and typing got use to the tangibly lighter feel, using the switch felt as if your fingers were gliding over the keys. Typing accuracy is at approximately 96.5%.

The lack of tactile feedback can also, apparently, result in a higher typographical error rate than with other switches which provide tactile (clicky) feedback upon key actuation (Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Blue keyswitch).

Many typist may not mind this because you will soon get used to the feel of the switch and learn to only depress the switch approximately 3mm of the full 4mm distance the shaft is capable of travelling. This may sound absurd but is quite common for typists to develop this level of familiarity and habit with a mechanical keyboard. This is the stage the author is just about at now; only depressing the switch enough to register a keystroke and not bottom out on the keyboards metal base plate.

YouTube Video: Typing with Cherry MX Red Keyswitches

This is a video of typing with an a mechanical Keyboard using Cherry MX Mechanical Keyswitches.  The sound of the MX Red Keyswitch is fluid, with most of the noise present evident from the typist bottoming out on the baseplate of the keyboard. Proficient typists will not have this problem as they should adapt to the travel distance of the shaft in the barrel. Note the ping sound of the key returning to its original position.

Cherry MX Red Keyswitch

Will You Like Cherry MX Red Keyswitches?

Will you like Cherry MX Red Keyswitches? In all honesty, I can’t tell you. Everyone’s’ preference and typing habits are different. Some people will find this keyswitch a dream to type on because it is so light and fluid whilst others will loath it for its lack of tactile feedback.

As a side note, my wife prefers this switch to the other types of keyswitches in use in the office; of which there are four: a Filco Majestouch Tenkeyless with Cherry MX Browns, another Filco Tenkeyless with Cherry MX Blues, and a Dell 104 key rubber membrane (dome) type keyboard.

So,in general, females do tend to prefer Cherry MX Red Keyswitches because they are light to the touch allowing your fingers to feel as if they are gliding over the keys. Males may prefer Cherry MX Browns or Cherry MX Blue’s because they are a little heavier to the touch and provide a satisfying acknowledgement that your key press has been received. MX Blues are the same as Browns, tactile, but MUCH noisier.

Cherry MX Reds do require some getting use to but provide a pleasant, even fun, typing experience with no fatigue noted during use. Most of the authors typing sessions were between 20 – 60 minutes between OH & S breaks and within those time frames finger exertion or fatigue were absent. The author use to suffer from mild RSI till abandoning the use of the mouse and focusing solely on keyboard shortcuts.

The aspects of mechanical keyswitches appraised in this article form the basis of a day to day typing experience. Typists adapt to the feel of a particular keyswitch and develop an affinity with the small nuances that differentiate one from another.

If you are a proficient typist with a high accuracy and speed then the lack of tactile feedback will be a minor, if not irrelevant concern. It will take a few days to a week to adapt to a new keyboard and how it responds to you personally, but over time I believe you will enjoy typing on Cherry MX Reds.

Durability

The advantages of a Mechanical Keyboard include more pleasurable typing experience, superior durability with many mechanical keyboards offering up to 50 million keystrokes, per key, before the typing experience is degraded. Cherry MX Keyswitches set this benchmark and are rated for a lifetime of 50 million keystrokes.

50 Million is a lot of keystrokes. It equates to a lifetime measured in decades. Most typists will only type a particular key up to 2 or 3 million times in a year. When compared to rubber dome switches which are rated at approximately 5 million keystrokes; scissor style keyswitches with approximately 8 – 10 million keystroke lifespan [  ] the durability and longevity of mechanical keyboards begins to justify the price premium.

Summary – Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s

• Smooth and light feel.
• Reduced finger fatigue
• No tactile bump at actuation point.
• Quieter than than non-linear keyswitches
• My speed up touch typing speed once adapted tactile feel
• Some women prefer Cherry MX Red keyswitches

Con’s

• Rarer (harder to find) than Cherry MX Browns, Blues, or Blacks
• More expensive than other Cherry MX keyswitches due to lack of availability
• Tendency for typist to bottom out on mounting plate of keyboard due to absence of tactile feedback.
• Some typists my prefer more tactile feedback during typing.
• Men may prefer to try a heavier keyswitch
• Not suitable for gaming.

Technical NerdBox Details

The Cherry MX Red Switch is a linear type mechanical keyboard switch made by the German manufacturer Cherry Corp. It is distinguished by a Red Shaft as per its name, which travels 4mm down into the barrel of the switch; with actuation occurring precisely 2mm through the depression. Further information can be found here.

Actuation Force (measured in cN – CentiNewtons)

The actuation pressure of the Cherry MX Red Switch is 45cN, written as CentiNewtons, or cN, of downward force, and is equivalent to approximately 45 grams of resistance at the point of actuation, with resistance increasing marginally towards the bottom of the keystroke when the spring is under maximum compression. 45 grams (or 45cN CentiNewtons) is considered to be a light amount of force compared with other Cherry MX Keyswitches; and is in fact the least resistance of all Cherry MX Keyswitches.

Availability

The Cherry MX Red Switch was considered to be a Limited Edition switch because Cherry claimed to be no longer manufacturing them in 2010 according to Ducky a mechanical keyboard manufacturer. However Leopold,another mechanical keyboard manufacturer has recently released a line of keyboards with Cherry MX Red switches. So, it appears Cherry Corp have started manufacturer again some time in 2011.

The Filco Majestouch MX Red Limited Edition board was purchased because it was supposed to be Limited Edition. That appears to no longer be the case. There are now at least three manufactures offering mechanical keyboards with the Cherry MX Red Switch. Filco, Ducky, a Chinese based company, and Korean based Leopold  (try Google Translate if you can’t read Korean.

So much for Limited Edition! It looks like keyboards with the Cherry MX Red Switch are now becoming more popular and for good reason. They provide a wonderful typing experience for proficient touch typists.

Attribution

Many thanks to Lethal Squirrel @ Geekhack  who made the images. They are great images, although he doesn’t know they are being used on this website.

Have fun typing

Peter Hallam

Sources

GeekHack.org WiKi is one, if not the, premier Mechanical Keyboard website.

DeskThority is a Mechanical Keyboard website dedicated to the affectionardo of Mechanical Keyboards.

Tom Hardware review of some commercial gaming mechanical keyboards.

Will You Like the Cherry MX Red Keyswitch in a mechanical keyboard? is a post from: Peter Hallam

Writers Block - the authors nemesis

Is a Picture worth a Thousand Words?

Blink … Blink. Writers Block. Blink Blink, the flashing vertical line taunts like an elusive fly that won’t sit still long enough to swat it. That blasted blinking cursor … what an affliction. Evil, pure evil; an unforgiving virtual nemesis, trying and contemptuous with niggling.

Nar Nar na na Nar! It taunts me.  Just stop blinking at me you rotten sod! Or are you winking at me?  … Hmm.

What’s that all about? I never could figure you out. Sneaky silicon. You’re actually trying to make me think aren’t you?

Sound familiar? Just when you’re trying to make yourself do something; just when the pressure is on; just when you want the words to flow as smoothly as silk, that rotten cursor on the computer screen starts taunting and pressuring you to perform. Where are these words hiding you think to yourself? This, as if you hadn’t guessed, is Writers Block.

The problem here is that in the moment of need you’ve left yourself with nil, zero inspiration. It’s your own fault unfortunately. But there is an easy way around it.  Then answer is a picture.

Pictures overcome writers block, making your mind stay on topic by requiring it to answer a question in response to the picture shown to it. 

The solution to writers block is what will you find here: 

• Find the Picture Before Writing Your Article
• Words Find You When You Look At A Picture 
• The Disobedient Mind 
• Images Stimulate The Mind

Pictures are what you require in your hour of need. A picture is worth a thousand words to your mind. Pictures are little metaphorical prompts for you mind to base ideas on. If you’re having trouble writing an article then one of the most effective writing aids is to find a picture to write about first.

The old saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words‘ is quite literally true; especially when you’re writing. Judging from personal experience, it is easier to write when thoughts are prompted with an image on which to build ideas.

Pictures also assist you to stay on topic by requiring the mind to answer a question in response; without straying on to ambiguous or irrelevant material. I say straying on to not in to because when you use a picture, the material is already known. You can see it, sense it and respond to it. The term in to implies an unknown quantity or quality. Many writers immerse themselves IN their work not being fully aware of what they are going to try to create. They just let the words flow as they write.

Find the Picture Before Writing Your Article

Finding pictures to match your article can be difficult. Even though you may write one of the best pieces of prose of your life, it can risk remaining a draft it you don’t find a suitable image to accompany it. Many of the best pieces of prose have just the right imagery to accompany the content. It may take much longer than the time spent originally writing it.

I’ve been doing a lot of writing lately, personal stuff, work, family; it all seems to add up. One of the trickiest things I have found when sitting down to start a piece prose is that of actually starting; getting the first idea to solidify in the mind then capturing it on the screen in front of you. Many writers are familiar with this and, if your not already aware, I have just described what is classically known as writers block.

Writers Block affects every single writer at some stage; whether they admit to it or not. It may happen a little, or a lot but as surely as you will finish a sentence with a full stop, writers will, most likely have trouble starting one. You can sit and ponder, waiting for the words to come, but like an every urgent phone call, they are sometimes elusive little suckers.

Writers Block fixed with a picture

Words find you when you look at pictures

When writing an article, especially an on-line article that will have accompanying pictures, is easier to have the picture to work with first.

Take this picture found randomly from the net. What comes to mind? There are two ways of looking at it. Analytically and Emotionally. Usually, though not always, women and men will look at the picture and be prompted with different ideas depending on their background etc.

There are emotional and psychological differences between men and women just as much as physical. These differences will influence the way articles are written.

Men may begin an article analytically with: ‘Telegraph poles stretch forward escorting the driver down the highway.’ A female, without being too presumptuous about the topic matter, may begin such: ‘The conversation raced me to my destination; the words speeding along the telephone lines faster than I can drive.’

In the first example from a male perspective (without being too presumptuous) emotion is absent from the sentence; whilst in the second (female example) the inanimate objects of the telegraph poles are the carriers of hypothetical danger.

Now, whilst you may come up with differing examples should you pen a piece with the Telegraph poles, the examples serve the purpose.

In both instances; disregarding the upbringing that will have influenced what different sexes tend to focus on, the telegraph poles feature prominently. There are two lines of thought that have been initiated through a single picture; that of the telegraph poles running down the side of the road but the same picture has elicited two different responses and two different topics of prose. But for both a picture was worth a thousand words; or there abouts.  It isn’t difficult to build a story around either example just mentioned.

The Disobedient Mind

The mind is a rather disobedient thing. The Disobedient Mind will focus on whatever imagery it is given to work with so it is important to give it imagery that will contribute to your writing assignment.It will focus on what you would prefer it not to. And the more you try to control it the more obstreperous it becomes. It really is quite a tricky thing to manage if your not consumed with something you’d like to be thinking about.

The reason for this is due to the minds propensity to drift and or focus on specific topics. By having a picture to work with or focus on, topic matter relating to that picture will drift into the mind as a matter of course, by default in fact. Three, four or five seconds spent focusing on a picture of the topic matter is quite literally worth a thousand words of prose to your mind.

Images Stimulate the Mind

You can apply the same concept to computers, keyboards, exercise equipment, people, landscapes. Anything in fact. Once you have started stimulating the writing process with images related to your topic, it is just matter of extrapolating your ideas and story line out to follow the topic matter you are writing about. That’s why it’s important to have pictures to accompany your post or story first. Often it may be very difficult to find a picture that elicits the same thought response you have just written about.

The Clear Minded Creative talked about the issue of Writers Block; and the answer seems to be a pill. I would almost, quite certainly, maybe, if I had to, or maybe not, take that pill. The pill would be easier; but would it be as effective? [ ] Would you be actually writing or just regurgitating from some ethereal source. … If only we could find out.

Anyway, do your mind a favour, and give it something to focus on. A picture isn’t just worth a thousand words, it’s worth a page of prose from the keyboard, and that is, after all, what you’re trying to do.

Have fun, and keep writing.

Peter Hallam

Is a picture is worth a thousand words during Writers Block is a post from: Peter Hallam

Dell U2711 Image is Crap

Dell U2711 Image

The Dell U2711 monitor displays an image that is crap. When you buy computer components, you purchase them for a specific task; functionality being a primary concern.

Keyboards are purchased to type on and to deliver a fluid, responsive and accurate typing experience.  CPU’s are purchased to handle process intensive applications and multiple activities in an efficient manner.  Solid State Drive’s (SSD) are supposed to improve file access times. Extra RAM assists with having multiple applications running concurrently.  And lastly, a high end monitor is supposed to deliver a good viewing experience.

The Dell U2711 Monitor was purchased because it was supposed to deliver a nice viewing experience.  But, unfortunately, the image delivered by the Dell U2711, IS CRAP.  I have said it before and I’ll say it again; the Dell U2711 image is utter crap.

After using the Dell U2711 for almost 6 moths the Anti-Glare Coating over its surface still results in blurred vision and difficulty working in any application using a white background.   The speckling that results from the use of such an aggressive Anti Glare coating continues to make its presence felt throughout day to day usage.

…

Some relief is achieved when using application that display on a dark background.  FocusWriter is such an application and writing with FocusWriter on then Dell U2711 is, I’m glad to say, a pleasure.

Have Fun

Peter Hallam

Dell U2711 Image is Substandard Crap is a post from: Peter Hallam

FocusWriter on the Linux Desktop

One of the best free word processors is called FocusWriter. Its fantastic. In a distraction filled, feature bloated world, FocusWriter is the application that excels by providing less.

FocusWriter is also simple. It was designed to provide a distraction-free writing environment. It works on Linux, WinDoWzz and Mac, similar to Black Board which is designed to help you write, and focus only on writing. It achieves this by removing distractions, all distractions.

FocusWriter removes distractions by running in full screen so you can’t see anything else. No tool bar, no other application; nothing. Like I said, FocusWriter is lean. FocusWriter will run in a resizeable window, but by default it is set to display in full screen.

When starting FocusWriter you will be dropped to a a blank screen that blocks out everything else. It forces you to focus on writing and writing alone. Graeme Gott, the creator, designed it to be simple. The writer is unable to format text nor add images.

FocusWriter won’t even italicise or bold. Those options are greyed out in my installation. Bolding and Italiasing are considered formatting and that is something FocusWriter isn’t concerned with. Again, FocusWriter is lean. All FocusWriter will allow you to to do is write.

Hide Away Interface

The most noticeable thing about FocusWriter is the blank screen. The tool bar is auto hidden to avoid distractions such as fiddling with the settings or changing the background colour, four, five, or ten times in a sitting; and is accessible when you mouse over the top or bottom of the screen.

Only the tool bar or status bar you mouse over pops up. The other remains hidden until you specifically mouse over it.

Personalising FocusWriter

In order to personalise FocusWriter you need to ad or change the theme preferences. Pushing your mouse to the top of the screen the tool bar automatically drops down. Choose: Settings > Themes > Modify.

In this screen you can specify the Font, text size and colour. You can change the background colour or set an image instead. If you would like to have a traditional look, you can set the colour of your page (called the Foreground) as well.

Think of a piece of paper on a desk. The desk is the background, the paper is the foreground, and you can use what ever colour pen you like. It’s that simple. There aren’t many other options and for good reason. You don’t use FocusWriter to make your writing pretty; you use it to write.

Spell Check

FocusWriter, like all word processors, spell check, set on by default. But, this can be distracting as typo’s are underlined with the classic red squiggle most people will recognise. However, you may prefer to have it set to off to prevent distractions. Goto: Settings (ALT + S) > Preference > Spell Checking tab it enabled or disable automatic spell check.

You can also ad personal dictionaries from OpenOffice.org. All the Open Office dictionaries are supported.

Writing Goals

The objective of FocusWriter is to assist you in getting your words down in print and one of the hardest things writers face is staying motivated. This is where a writing goal helps. FocusWriter has two types of goals: a total word count goal; time spent typing goal . There is also a stopwatch timer, different to the Timed goal.

To access the timer (stopwatch) (ALT + T) Tools > Timers and select New or Recent. Then set an alarm to either Set Delay or Set Time. Set Delay lets you write for a set period of time. Set Time allows you to write to a specific time such as if you have an appointment.

To set the Daily Goal, either Words or Minutes spent typing (different to the Timer): (ALT + S) Preferences > General Tab – Daily Goal will be the first option and

Statistical information about how much you’ve written is available when you mouse over the bottom of the page. A panel will pop up with statistics about how many words you’ve written, number pages, paragraphs and characters. It is all update live as your writing progresses.

A little alarm pops up at the bottom when you have reached your specified writing time so you can easily set yourself writing blocks that keep you focused on the page in front of you.

FocusWriter will also show the time you have been typing as a percentage of the total goal time displayed in a pie or cloak graph as it counts down, on the bottom right hand side of the status bar.

Multiple Document Tabs

FocusWriter also allows you to switch between multiple open documents displayed on the bottom bar with the Ctrl + Tab shortcut. Alternatively, you can also us the mouse by mousing over the bottom of the screen.

If you like working on several articles at once, be it stories, notes, or reference material, the files appear as tabs on the bottom bar. Using CTRL + Tab will cycle through the screens in order, beginning again at the first open document.

All the saved files that were open at the end of the last session will be reloaded the next time you open FocusWriter.

Some of the keyboard shortcuts are a little elusive, such as between open documents. But all the other word processing shortcuts are recognised. I’ll get to the rest later. It’s a distraction.

FocusWriter in Action

This YouTube video shows FocusWriter in action. Keep in mind you can turn the typewriter sound effects off if you wish.  But it’s an eclectic touch that is nice to have. (If you have a mechanical keyboard you won’t need the sound effects because you will have the real, clicky, deal.

Conclusion

FocusWriter does what its designed to do, make you focus on writing, and distracts you with very little else. It is lean, simple and easy to use.

There is no help file, although, there isn’t much to need help with. You really only have to open, type, spell check, and save your work. CTRL + A will select all of your work, then CTRL + C to copy it; and past it into a fully fledged word processor to make it pretty and format it.

The saying “the simple things in life are often the best” is absolutely true for FocusWriter.

FocusWriter is a highly recommend this application for people who get easily sidetracked, never seem to finish anything, and are their own worst enemy when it comes to productivity.

I love FocusWriter. I use it every time I start my computer. I use it for just about every document I draft.

Once you have tried out Focus Writer, head on over to Blogs Directory and see what can be done once you really  start tapping out your articles.

Have Fun and enjoy writing.

Peter Hallam

What is FocusWriter? is a post from: Peter Hallam

I feel a little ashamed that it took me so long to get to it, but it was worth the wait.

At least it wasn’t a thought attack.

Check it out.

Incredible Dream is a post from: Peter Hallam

Found out how to cancel Telstra’s involuntarily implemented voicemail on my phone. Thought I would nick it and post it here. Voice mail pisses me off too.

I hate voicemail. I never check it. Also, voicemail costs money. Like 5 cents every time you HAVE to check it. Man, I’m a tight ass and that’s a lot of money to me.

Best thing to do is cancel it.  Save your money up for another chocolate milk or something really important; like, Weetbix or Porridge!

The easiest way to cancel voice mail is:

Dial #61# send and then #62# send, this will cancel the diversion of both unanswered and unreachable calls.

Also, you can dial #67# send to cancel the diversion if your phone is engaged when a caller attempts to contact you. Making it easier you can just dial #002# to cancel ALL diverts. Then no one can reach you at all.  Excellent huh!

I found it here. Ta very muchley for this tip. Sorry I passed it off as my own, but the net is full of thieves.

I am so grateful to this.  It means I can legitimately tell people that I missed their call, cause they can’t leave a message.   Kool.

have fun.

Peter Hallam

Cancelling Telstra Voicemail is a post from: Peter Hallam

It’s OneWord and it is handy for moving those mental blocks I’m sometimes afflicted with when I want to put something to print.

One Word is a post from: Peter Hallam

Fedora 15 Linux

She Likes The Fedora Mother Ship

Well, it has now been Six months of using a WindowZz free machine.

Doing well, and to be honest, haven’t even noticed the absence of WindowZz; not at all.

My wife likes it; not because it is stable, secure or simple to use but because it is pretty. Yep. That’s right. She likes it because she thinks it is pretty. I never actually saw that coming. I didn’t consider it a factor; but then again, I’m a guy, not a girl.

All these years of backwards and forwards between WindowZz and Linux, primarily at her insistence, and now finally she likes it … because, it is pretty.  She had never voiced that particular concern to me previously. I’d always thought; and there in lays my mistake; that it was because she was a little averse to what she calls NerdBox.  NerdBox Pro actually. But it wasn’t that at all. It was because Fedora, well more specifically the GUI (Graphical User Interface) or Window Manager to the Non Nerd Box Pro amongst us, never use to be pretty.

Gnome 3

We are now using Gnome 3  instead of Gnome 2. Check it out.  It is actually pretty swish; has a bling factor about it.

Girls huh!

So, she has finally come around. But there is a serious problem. She likes the good stuff too. What does that mean you may well ask?  You see I could quite easily install Fedora and Gnome 3 on her computer. But, unfortunately that won’t solve the problem. She likes using what she refers to as the Mother Ship…

The Mother Ship, if you hadn’t already guessed, is the good computer; my computer.

She likes, NO, she insists, on using the Mother Ship.

“When can I use the computer?”she grins with hands planted firmly on her hips totally failing in her attempt to keep a straight face with me. My eyes flick back and forth trying not to focus on the poor forlorn piece of junk that is technically her computer.

“Well” I answer carefully, “whenever you want dearest.”  She wants to use my computer; the computer with the high resolution monitor; the computer with the Solid State Hard Drive; the computer with the top notch ram. She wants to use the computer with the Sennheiser Headphones, the Audiophile Sound Card and the 100 snr speakers…

But Most Significantly

She insists on using the computer with my keyboard. My $200 dollar Filco Limited Edition Cherry MX Red Switches keyboard. My special treat to myself keyboard. The very same keyboard we had what some people would consider a difference in opinion over, when it came to the single most important factor to the uninformed … purchase. She still doesn’t understand why I had to buy it; but it doesn’t stop her refusing to use anything other than my keyboard. She is savvy enough to know a good thing when she’s on to it.

But if she uses the Mother Ship, then I will have to use her computer. I don’t like using her computer. It’s crap. It is the very same piece of crap that she insisted some time in the not too distant past would do her just fine. 

However, it’s best not to argue over such trifles. My life is worth more than that; and in hindsight, so is my wife. But, I would like to be able to use my computer, with my nice keyboard … some day.

Girls. Don’t ya just love em.

Have Fun

Peter Hallam

Six Months Of Fedora is a post from: Peter Hallam

Screaming beyond all reason; about nothing in particular except what the world has done.

And what has the world done? Everything. Every imaginable wrong that can be wrought has been inflicted. Every hurt that can cause grief has been perpetrated. If it can be denied, maligned or suffered, then it all has been felt. For its past his bedtime; he is tired, and the sufferance will continue until he is asleep.

Is it ADHD?  In a 2 year old?  Probably not.

Children are simple creatures, not as troublesome as adults. Problems are more straight forward. However, sometimes there is no fix; no solution other than their own. So nice of him to share these griefs with those around him, parents, the shopping centre, the broader community in general.

He will sleep soon, and the imaginary wrongs he feels he’s suffered will evaporate in the quiet bliss of slumber.

How do you solve a two year olds’ tired tantrum? Every parent on the planet is waiting for that answer. When you find out, please let me know.

Blissful weariness takes its toll; the monster finally succumbs.

Silence, wonderful silence.  I’m so grateful for the silence.

Time now for parents to recover.

Have Fun

Peter Hallam

Raging Monster – A Two Year Old’s Tantrums is a post from: Peter Hallam

Cherry MX Red Switch

It’s officially a Fetish.

A fetish I would rather have kept secret.  But, alas, my wife found out; and now I have been outed.

I have this thing going; a thing few would understand.  I love; get this … , Mechanical Keyboards.  Yes, thats right!  I can’t help myself.  The only thing I can type on any more is a Mechanical Keyboard.

What type of Mechanical Keyboard?

I don’t actually care what type of Mechanical Keyboard; just so long as it IS a mechanical keyboard with mechanical keyswitches.

Right now I am typing on a Filco Majestouch Linear MX Red Limited Edition Mechanical Keyboard.  Bit of of a mouthful I know but I’m not the person who gave it that name.  That is some Japanese marketing guru at Diatec who decided to call it that.

So, what is a Mechanical Keyboard you may well ask?  Well, my wife didn’t know either.  She thinks I have some weird fetish; and it is of sorts, but it’s a fetish none the same.  I can’t help it.

To answer your question, you would have to be in the market for lengere.  The more you pay, the less you get, and the better it is. Does that make sense?

Have fun

Peter Hallam

Filco Tenkeyless Linear Red Limited Edition Mechanical Keyboard is a post from: Peter Hallam

Just got back from the Hay House Writers Workshop in Melbourne.

Hay House was started by author Louise Hay as a Self Help type publishing house more than 20 years ago. Lots of aspiring authors would love to be published by Hay House because of it’s reputation in the Self Help community.

Funniest thing about this conference, I got the impression that its far more viable an option to self publish than it is to be tied to a publisher.  You loose a lot of your rights as an author when you sign up with a publisher.  And, its just as much work. However, when you want to start publishing internationally, I guess you need the experience and backing of an established publisher.

There were several really inspiring authors speaking, got lots of good ideas and met some really nice people I hope to stay in contact with so it made for an excellent day. They all encouraged us to keep working at it and to don’t ever give up on a story idea we were passionate about.

All in all, a tiring, but very worthwhile excursion.

Have Fun

Peter Hallam

Hay House Writers Workshop. is a post from: Peter Hallam

Well, a quick trip to Melbourne for me today. Nothing like waking up with only 4 hours sleep, to then go and sit in a publishing workshop all day.

That must be the best way I can think of, catching a red eye flight, then sitting all day in Melbourne Convention Centre, and trying to concentrate on what your trying to learn.  It can’t be healthy for you.

Fun Fun Fun … And it will be fun; just wish I had 8 hours sleep instead of 4.

Peter

Quick Trip To Melbourne is a post from: Peter Hallam

Sometimes you feel like your life is going round and round.

Don’t you wish they gave you a compass and directions when you’re born; a nice little instruction booklet or something.   A case manager perhaps.

I takes a hell of a long time to figure it all out on your own.

But, anyway; I really like this picture.

I just wanted an excuse to post it.

There you go.

Isn’t it a nice picture.  And if you click on it you get all these search results around typing thrown up  at you. Typing is very important in life.  That is until I can get a USB port installed in the back of my head and save all the tedium of manual data impute.  Till then, Colemak it is.

Which direction are you headed? is a post from: Peter Hallam