Geek Giving Made Easy

GeekNeed a gift for a Linux geek? This special breed of people who are enamored of ‘free and open-source software’ (FOSS) can be a little bit harder to please. Here are some cool ideas for that ‘special’ computer maven still on your shopping list:

1. Have you ever visited the Linux store at linux.com? Begin your FOSS-filled shopping travels here, and pick up their elegant Tux Mug for only $9.
2. How about the Linux Cheat Shirt? This nifty bit of clothing, seen at ThinkGeek, is scrawled with an assortment of Linux commands, but upside down for more convenient viewing by the wearer of said shirt. We are talking serious geek here. Useful for job interviews where knowledge of the commands might be put to the test. Only $15.
3. Here’s one that will catch the eye of your geek’s co-workers. It’s a button which reads, “The box said ‘Requires Windows Vista or better.’ So I installed LINUX.” Only a true geek would express himself thus. Worth every penny of the $4 it will set you back.

Losing Stomach Fat

Excess fat on the stomach and sides doesn’t only look bad- it’s also unhealthy for your body. For example it can be bad for your posture. The muscles of your stomach and sides are a key factor in your body’s everyday movements, and when they are slackened and weak they are less efficient. It is important to keep these muscles active. Walking and running are two great ways to keep your body healthy and toned. You may not realize it, but your core muscles work along with your legs during these activities. If walking is not for you, though, or the weather does not allow it, here are some simple exercises which you can do at home:

The Side Bend: Stand up straight with your feet slightly apart. Bend your knees slightly, and slowly lower your entire upper body to the right, back to the center, and to the left. Repeat.

The Torso Twist: After your side bends, you can immediately proceed to this exercise. Stand the same way, and twist your upper body from side to side. Your torso and side muscles should be controlling the motion- be sure not to use your hips instead. Make sure to hold your back and shoulders straight.

The Side Crunch: Lie down on the floor (use a mat or a towel as a cushion) on your side. Put the arm that is closer to the floor over your waist, and with your opposite arm, reach up and touch your ear. Your elbows should be pointing up. Lift your shoulders and upper leg off the floor and hold. Switch sides.

Word Lens “Stunning” But Not That Useful

iphone3Word lens is an app for iPhone which is meant to translate words immediately as you scan your iPhone over the problematic word or words. The app uses the iPhone’s camera to read the word, and while the app itself is free, the translation features at the moment only include Spanish to English and vice versa, and each translated set will cost you $4.99.

The app comes with a demo to show you how it works. The demo takes English words, and immediately reverses them, accurately and fast. The translation mode however is equally fast, but its accuracy was hard to measure because of the tendency of the app to jump between possible translations of the words as it struggled to read the text.

Gift Ideas

Now is definitely the time of year when gift-giving is on everyone’s mind. Of course buying presents for the children in your life always take precedence. While kids of pre-school age and above can – and usually will – let you know exactly what they want, babies and toddlers cannot tell you what’s at the top of your wish list. Whether for holidays or birthdays or any other day that you want to buy the little boy or girl in your life a gift, here are a few tips:

Be Age Specific – there is a reason why toys come with an age range; they usually tell you important information about either the safety or interest-level of the item.

Be practical – don’t buy toys that require 6 batteries; don’t buy an all-white outfit for a baby just learning to crawl or walk.

Think out of the box – how about a donation to a kids’ charity instead of yet another toy? Or perhaps a gift certificate to an activity center that parent and toddler can enjoy together?

Gift-giving can be overwhelming, but if you put a bit of thought and creativity into the planning, then the actually purchasing might even be fun – and the giving definitely will be!

Kroger Co. Recalling Pet Food

The Kroger Co. is recalling certain packages of dog and cat foods, as the products may be dangerous for pets’ health. The recall involves bags of Pet Pride Cat Food, Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food, Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food, Kroger Value Chunk Dig Food and more. The food is suspected to contain aflatoxin, a carcinogen produced by fungus which can be found in some corn. This carcinogen can be harmful to both humans and animals. Consumption could cause liver diseases in pets, which cannot always be remedied.

The Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, North and South Carolina and Texas are all recalling these pet food items.