The Blog-Files

Constrictor

I was getting a little tired of capturing screenshots for my blog. Grab is easy enough to use but it only saves in TIFF format which is not the most efficient, so I found myself having to use GraphicConverter to change them to GIF or JPEGs. The problem with this is two fold: a) Graphic Converter has a pretty crappy interface and b) if you don't register the software it takes forever to start up. So I was looking for something else....something more efficient....and I found it. It is called Constrictor by Stick Software and it allows you to do entire screen captures, selection captures and timed captures and then lets you save them in a variety of formats. It allows you to add borders and some other cool things too. I was so happy with this find that I might even register this one!! Although, I still haven't even sent in my donation for Kung-Log, which I am using right now to post this entry. Hmmm....

Cool Free App!!!

Yes, it's Wire Tap. A totally cool application for capturing any audio currently playing through your computer. Capture internet radio, clips from movies or your iTunes collection. It stores everything as an AIFF file and sounds remarkably good. You can even record iChat AV voice or video conferences!! Probably not too useful in everyday life, but it's free and it's made by Ambrosia, who make good software.

A Book Review

Well, I just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix tonight and thought I would write a little review of it.

First of all, I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I was expecting not to like it very much after watching Rosie read it. She seemed disappointed by it but I think that maybe the expectation was a little too great. Perhaps, it was the opposite for me.

The story of Potter and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets more and more convoluted in this volume, volume referring not only to the book but to the amount of space it takes up. Like the other Potter books it is an easy read, with a few obscure words thrown in to make Rowling feel like she's taught you something, so it doesn't take too long to read all 766 pages. Her style of writing now seems to be aimed at a little older crowd than the other books, perhaps feeling that her fan base is getting older, too. If we have to wait another 3 years or more for the next installment, they may have to publish only large print books as her readers will most certainly be getting up there in age. But seriously, she could be a little faster, it's not like she's writing War and Peace!

Anyway, without giving too much away, Harry, now an annoyingly teenager-like teenager, not only has to struggle in his constant battle with the Dark Lord and his minions, a horrific new authority figure, an unrelenting school schedule and countless miscarriages of justice, but also has to deal with the irritating tribulations of been fifteen years old. Constantly feeling like no one could possibly understand him, Rowling definitely makes you remember what it was like to be a misunderstood teenager. Unfortunately, this wears a little thin and you start to wish someone would slap him. But the story goes on, much like the books before, with peril being overcome, secrets revealed, and battles lost and won.

As I mentioned earlier, I quite enjoyed the book. This may be due to the fact that I haven't been reading much recently so anything was enjoyable, but, I must admit I am eager to read the next one, whenever that may be. Oh,what's a poor Muggle to do?