Free Softwares

Getting great software is good. Getting free and great software is ever better.

I'm talking about substituted for proprietary/branded softwares like Adobe CS4 package, Ms Office, 3DMax/Maya, or even operating system like Windows or Mac and etc.

It never bothers me until recently I started to built my own computer. I've learned alot over the period while building my computer.

See: Wiki on Free Software and its movement

When I was building my own computer, I was wondering what software I wanted because for poor folk like me need to save money. After studying about softwares, there are so many ways i can save moneys then buying those proprietary ones. I've written up a small list of open source software I recommended to the proprietary software and links that you guys can check out.

. Proprietary Software Free Software . Microsoft Windows, Macintosh Linux Fedora, Linux Ubuntu, Google Chrome OS (coming 2010), GNOME . Adobe Flash Pencil . 3dMax, Maya, AutoCad Blender . Ms Office Suite (including Words, Excel etc) OpenOffice, KOffice, GNOME Office . Adobe Photoshop (Raster graphic) GIMP, GIMPshop (mimic of photoshop), CinePaint . Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW (Vector graphic) Inkscape, OpenOffice Draw

And MANY MORE!

See: Free Software Directory, you can search all the possible programs
Of course, check out Wikipedia for more informations.

For those thinking why I do not want to take downloaded one, first is illegal. Secondly, it a sense of pride i guess. After building my own computer, I just don't want to feed my computer with 'bad' stuff.. hahaha. Thirdly, as a person who know the creative industry, I respect people who create those program.

Well.. There is a reason why those proprietary software company charge highly on their software. If you really need those, save up then. heehe. Also, free software do not mean it is a total exact mimic of the famous ones. =)

The Mobile Mobile

"Mobile Mobile - an interactive installation by James Theophane

Brief: Create a Christmas experience that actively demonstrated Lost Boys core value of collaboration.

We took this as an opportunity to reinterpret the Christmas tree and its role as the traditional focal point for a communal space. 'Mobile Mobile' is a six metre circumference interactive sculpture, and signature piece for the entrance of the Brick Lane studio.

Mobile Mobile upcycles fifty old agency cell phones (available after an agency-wide upgrade just two months prior). Each phone is individually addressed by a computer to cofunction and create a choral arrangement. Assigning each phone a tone, the mass is transformed into an aural form that appears to come alive, shimmering and flirting for onlookers."

Just amazing. Recycling up to 50 phones to make an installation creating to the tune of "Carols of the Bells".

See Mobile Mobile at http://www.theophane.co.uk/mobile-mobile

Towards an Eco-friendly attitude to our daily life.

Needless for me to say, everyone of us had to do a part in helping to reduce earth energy and resources. I believe we always can incorporate Eco-ness in whatever we do. Regardless of craft or art, in works, studies, or anything we do.

I believe we human should change, nature survive the same 5 billion years ago, and humans are the ones who is going to use up all its resource in 50 years (An Inconvenient Truth, see trailer).
We must change our lifestyle, everyone. Things like spending too much time on the computer is also wasting energy and resources too. Used adequate amount of water while doing your beauty foot therapy or whatever. etc etc... by doing those, not only you can help slow the process of dying earth, you save money, and it can be good for your health too.

I do not mean we go back to prehistorical times, nor living with candles or fire torches. IN FACT, to put it simply, the earth is doom anyway. Greenhouse effects, climate changes, it had been there since earth history, but no way we can go back to the amount of resources we had.. for 100? 200? years ago. I did not say we can save the earth, I'm asking to slow down the process. We need to think about it.

Anyway, there are tons of eco friendly products out there.
And I found this innovative pizza box design by Greenboxny.com :






A commerical by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) about the enviroment:





Well, be responsible in whatever we do. Because this world can be awesome!: