.Net for Free

Despite being a closed-source system, Microsoft's .Net can be used basically for free (as in beer). First, download the free .Net Framework SDK from Microsoft. This installs .Net on your system and includes the required tools and compilers.

Next, check out the ASP.Net Web Matrix for building web applications. It's quite full-featured and supports all the ASP.Net controls with database access.

If you want to write Windows applications, try SharpDevelop, a C# IDE for Windows Forms Applications. You can even get enhanced controls via the Magic Library.

Artwork

Over the past three months I've started drawing again, something I had not done much of since college. I've been trying the anime-style, and a few other things. Here's some of the stuff I've worked on:

Cool Toys

Check out this cool router - the Nexland Pro800 Turbo - it load balances 2 Internet connections! So as the price of broadband drops, you could get two connections and twice the speed. Pretty slick if you need it.

This is quite slick too - the SLIMP3 lets you rip all your music to your hard disk and play it over your network on the stereo system. I'm already working on my Christmas wish-list, it seems. ;-)

Reality

Wow, although Arab News is not without its share of bias, this article by Robert Fisk struck me: This Is the Reality of War. We Bomb. They Suffer.

Blogger

While I listen to news of the war, I'm trying out blogger.