If you are even remotely familiar with MacPaint and QuickDraw then you’re a true Apple/MAC Fanboy!

And guess what? The source code and software has been released! So you can now get your super-geek-on and mess around with the original code to pretend like you’re Steve Jobs from the early 1980′s!

Rock on.

I mean, people wouldn’t be downloading them if they weren’t actually good, right?

Here’s a list of the top 10 most downloaded WordPress plugins:

1. Akismet
2. All in One SEO Pack
3. Google XML Sitemaps
4. Contact Form 7
5. NextGEN Gallery
6. WordPress.com Stats
7. AddToAny: Share/Bookmark/Email Button
8. Google Analyticator
9. WP-PageNavi
10. WPtouch iPhone Theme

The 8BIT Network uses Akismet, our own XML Sitemaps (based #3), WordPress.com Stats.

The Magic Trackpad and the new Quad-core i7 are looking mighty fine.

Thoughts? I haven’t had a desktop computer in a long time…

And…

Wow.

Where I work, surfing social networking sites, streaming music and other activities started getting out of hand. In addition, many of these sites are often infected with malware and spyware and became a drain on IT resources. Give somebody an inch and they’ll take a mile. Upper management finally decided that web filtering was required.

Here’s what we did:

We looked at several solutions and decided to go Barracuda Networks Web Filtering hardware device as opposed to a software solution.

Setup for the device is very easy. Connect a mouse and a monitor and the built in Linux based configuration screens come up. I set the IP address and then I hooked it to our network and logged in using the web interface.

The Barracuda 210 allows filtering by content (pornography, gambling), applications (instant messaging, P2P networks,toolbars) and also by specific domains. Exceptions can be added in by creating users and groups. For example, LinkedIn and Facebook are social networking sites, but the human resources department may have a legitimate need to access those sites in the course of going through a hiring process.

The interface provides top domains visited as well as the top blocked domains along with charts, complete logs of every browser request being blocked. It also logs which computers on your network, if any, have malware and spyware on their computers.

The device does require a yearly subscription fee which keeps the device up to date with the latest spyware and malware definitions (handled automatically) to keep browsing safe.

Barracuda’s website offers the possibility to get an evaluation device free for 30 days. They’ll put you in touch with a local vendor that will get a unit over to you for testing. I believe it is worth the investment. It’s user-friendly, easy to install and it’s loaded with features allowing for detailed customization.

Is your church or ministry using web filtering? If so, what solution did you go with?

Using a well-known spokesperson, identity, or cultural icon (famous person) to represent a business has always been a good bet. In terms of web hosting we’ve seen GoDaddy do this all the time with Danica Patrick.

Well, check out this one I saw today with @NathanSmith, author of 960Grid and Firehost:

I have a few good friends who have used Firehost and have loved it. What’s your take?

(Just kidding…)

I realized that I am completely unprepared for the awesome game playage that is Starcraft 2 because I do not actually own a gaming mouse anymore…!

I’ve been out for so long…

So, I need some suggestions, because my Apple Magic Mouse will just not do.

Hit me.

Yup. I was downloading Starcraft 2.

Their distribution strategy is sheer genius and saves them tons of money on physical shipping costs… in fact, the only “cost” is a completely plugged up internet connection.

Haha.

Love it. Peer-to-peer is EPIC.

Will you be playing?

/End

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I’ve used a number of applications to gain remote access to their computers but I was recently tuned into an app that seriously takes the cake.

Check this one out:

The TeamViewer app is a free service (for personal use) that you can use to instantly connect to other computers.

It even has an iPhone App that is fantastic and I’m already super-impressed with the functionality, and the settings are robust and useful:

I’m going to install this on my family members systems and it’ll make life much easier. Obviously the use of it extends well beyond personal use – I’m sure that businesses and ministries could use this too!

What other Remote Access apps do you love?

Take a look at what at one person did to create an environment of productivity:

Wow. That’s serious. Take a look at the breakdown below:

1. The chair: The stuff you need to come and go: purse, backpack and most likely coat during the winter – all ready to grab on the way out.
2. Resource Rack: Slightly out of the way – yet handy in case you need a quick quote for a blog post or you’re bored and want to do some heavy research.
3. Long-Term Organization: Color coded calendars for each summer month – detailing what projects will launch at what time. Wooden basket below holds things that are important but NOT urgent.
4. Reality Check: A drawing of mom by one of the kiddos – keeps you humble and connected to your family. “Keep first things first.” Right?
5. AND Conference: Our biggest WiredChurches.com event of the year. It is placed higher than most things since it is not urgent, but yet not out of reach either. Conference is in November 2010.
6. Inspiration: On the wall are scriptures, quotes, quips and sayings to help her maintain focus, productivity, boundaries, etc.
7. The Work Station: Laptop for portability. Extra monitor for meetings and increased productivity. Binder/notepad on the left (partially hidden) with the bulk of notes, handouts and outlines for ongoing projects.
8. Short-Term Organization: The outline for the day – including the items that Trump all others, items to be completed Today and items that are On Deck.
9. Beverage: One has to remain hydrated when getting so much done.
10. Most Recent Project: As you knock out pieces of larger projects, it helps to set them on the desk just to your right in plain view. This helps reinforce the fact that you are checking things off the list and being productive. The stapler is just there because she forgot to put it back in it’s designated spot.
11. Keys: Always keep your keys in plain view – this way they’re easy to grab when leaving and you won’t have to search for them in the case of a fire, tornado or when warned that there is a mad man in the building screaming “Less Clutter. Less Noise!“

Read more about her office here.

Kem Meyer, you inspire me.