Oh This Cold Morning

For my Valentine

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:51:00 +1000

Bubby! Listen! It's number four <3

Apps: WinDirStat

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:31:00 +1000

Platform: WinXP/2K
Version: 1.1.2.80
Purpose: Windows Directory Analyser

WinDirStat (or Windows Directory Statistics) is one of the greatest free applications around to gain a quick and thorough graphical and statistical overview of any local or connected network drive. The multi-threaded application utilises the smallest amount of memory possible to trawl through and define exact numbers of directories, files, file types and compiles them all into two easily analysed sections:

The standard contracted tree-view (the top-left section of the image) and,
The Treemap view (the bottom section of the image) with colour coded key (top-right)

Both of these views combined help to verify where the majority of your disk is being used up, details on who owns the files, when they were created and of what use or file extension they are, and their comparative size in relation to the rest of the directory, or entire disk.

For the sheer cost-to-use ratio this application is definitely worth your time looking into to further understand where all your disk space is being utilised.

Music: Pilot Speed

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:38:00 +1000

Based: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Members: Todd Clark (vocals), Ruby Bumrah (bass), Chris Greenough (guitar), Bill Keeley (drums)
Genre: Alternative Rock

Pilot Speed, formally Pilate, are my latest pick-up and A Kind of Hope (below) from Self Control For Life's Speed has been getting enough rotation recently they deserved a few words. Their hook isn't just Clark's indie-esque vocals that play off Chris Greenough's tearing riffs, but the coupling with Bumrah's bass lines that lay the catchy foundation to most of Pilot Speed's songs. Discovered through last.fm's recommended artists, these Canadian boys are hyped to hit big with their track Barely Listening making it as an iTunes single of the week and their latest album Into The West receiving critical approval.

No current tour dates set.

Literature: The Named

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:20:00 +1000

Author: Marianne Curley
Series: The Guardians of Time, I
Genre: Fiction Teen Fantasy

She takes another step. I reach the very edge where the bridge begins; Isabel is no more than a few paces away. But with her back to me she takes another step.
'Isabel! It's me, Ethan! Turn around and look at me!'
She doesn't turn and I realise that I have failed. Marduke was right when he said I'm not the one who will make her turn.
I'm not her soul-mate.

The Named couples the drama and distress of teenage romance and relationship (sans Dawson's Creek angst) with the awe and amazement of time travel and it's repercussions. A very few of The Guardians of Time (the good guys) circulate the many planes of time and place The Named glides through in order to stop The Order of Chaos (the bad guys).

An easy read but never dull. I found The Named a joyful escape to somewhere, someone could be anywhere, and anywhen they wanted. Light on descriptions and preferring brevity in action over that of relationship development; The Named's not going to appease any action buff's needs. But what it loses here it makes up for in storytelling and surprise. A recommendation to all fantasy lovers looking for a light-meal.

Apps: Lookout For Outlook

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Sun, 6 Jan 2008 19:02:00 +1000

Platform: WinXP/2K
Version: 1.3.0
Purpose: Mail Utility (Outlook)

Lookout is Windows Desktop Search's older (and faster (and less overt)) brother and still a widely sought-after add-on for Microsoft Outlook. Basically, Lookout (once installed and configured) will create an index of any file-type or folder on your local machine or connected network drive. It saves hours when looking for certain emails, attachments or business documents; instead, listing results within on average a below 2 second search-time.

Lookout will run on Outlook 2000, 2002 & 2003.

Music: Reverie Sound Revue

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Sat, 5 Jan 2008 01:50:00 +1000

Based: Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver
Members: Lisa Lobsinger (vocals), Patrick Walls (guitar), Marc De Pape (guitar/synth), Bryce Gracey (bass), John-Marcel de Waal (drums)
Genre: Dream Pop

Reverie Sound Revue are a great indie (in fact, I don't even think they're signed with any independant label) dream-pop band from Canada. Creating the backbone of their addicting sound with some non-abraisive technical percussion is John-Marcel, then adding the funky guitar and bass riffs from the rest of the lads, Lisa is delivered an audibly engrossing platform to send her airy lyrics out on. She's a cutie and has some notably intense vocal talent.

Check their site for a video featuring the lovely Lisa Lobsinger in their first (unmastered and unmixed) release off their first LP of the same name, An Anniversary Away.

There are no current shows scheduled.

First Entry

ohthiscoldmorning@gmail.com (Reece) — Fri, 4 Jan 2008 22:31:00 +1000

Music, Apps and Literature - A brisk new take on what's audible, installable and applaudable