Sometimes

What is really going on?

Life sometimes do take some weird turns, you never know whats coming around the bend. Depends really on the choices you make for your life. What choices have you taken and have you thought of the consequenses,

The choices I’ve made lately has taken me on a way away from sweden.

I am now residing on Ireland, and so far I love this country. Amazing people, great whiskey, great music. Feels like a new great home. Great friends from the job I got here aswell, couldnt be happier really, Just what I needed. to get away from it all and “start over” all again.

Sure, there are things Im missing from sweden, Like my Family, my friends..and the..internet.

So yeah, moved here in December. Sure has been a bit lonely sometimes, but not far from where I live, there are great friends. And soon were moving together into a bigger house.

But yeah, the holidays.

Christmas, nothing. New Year, Nothing, was home sick. Birthday, Mom was here on a visit.

So its a bit different, and it feels a bit weird, but Im getting used to it.

So what happens now?

hard question, live life. Take the first step and just walk, Dont think too much about it, Life takes yo0u where it has decided to take you. Just go along for the ride.

Might start putting some more faith into this site, even though I know there is barely anyone reading.

I miss people from sweden..Family, Friends.

Mica, Niclas, Theresia, Thomas, Teddey, Isa, Carl, Elin etc..

You know who you are, you are always welcome.

So, lets talk about Internet Browsers.

What does internet browsers enable you to do, well for one it enables you to read this, it is basically a program that allows you to browse the internet. There are plenty of choices in this category, and I’ll be going over the bigger ones.

And out of the big ones we have. Internet Explorer,Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox And Safari.

So lets start with Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer is the Browser you get Pre-installed in Windows.

The latest version of Internet Explorer 8.
Some of the features includes “Popup-Blocking”, “Tabbed Browsing”  and “Anonymous Browsing”.

What these features allows you to do, and does is that the Popup blocker blocks annoying windows that may popup right in your face when you are looking at some webpage. Tabbed browsing allows you to open more webpages in the same window, without opening window after window after window. And everything of that accessible by some comfortable tabs on the upper part of the window. The Anonymous browsing allows you to look at webpages without the pages saving any history or sign on that youve been on the site. (Something for you porn people out there..eh? ;D ).

So.

What positive things can I say about Internet Explorer 8?

The only thing I can think of is that it allows you to download any of the other browsers on this list.

What negative thing can I say about Internet Explorer 8?

Its just……well..its crap, seriously.

Google Chrome - http://www.google.com/chrome

Latest version is 2.0 (3.0 in development)

So what is there to say about Google Chrome?

Google Chrome is a small and nifty browser, its VERY fast in both opening homepages and starting up. Press on the icon and it opens almost instantly…unlike other browsers on this list. Its a rather new browser, but it’s popularity is growing steadily as Google continues to improve it. Some of the features Google Chrome includes is the “Omnibar”,”Pop up blocker”, “Tabbed Browsing” and “Anonymous browsing”. Tabbed and Anonymous browsing i have already talked about, but The Omnibar is unique to Chrome.

What the Omnibar does is that it combines the adress field (Where you type in what page you want to go to) with a Search Field. so If you just, lets say, Type in “Windows 7″ and press enter, it will search Google for it, but if you just type in the adress for some page. www.neowin.net as an example, it will go to that page. So it works as both a Search Bar and Adress Field.

If you decide to go to some page you visit alot, it will “autocomplete” the text whilst you write, so if you go to Neowin alot. you will usually just have to write in www.n and it will complete it to www.neowin.net instantly, and you can just press enter.

What positive can I say about Google Chrome?

Well, Its fast, safe, Lightweight, Easy on the eyes, and Simple. The Omnibar is wonderful!

What negative can I say then?

Personally I had some issues with the later Google Chrome Dev Builds (Development versions of Google Chrome that does not release publicly, but more hidden). Which caused my computer to crash, it seems to be a rare issue, but due to it, I’ve stayed away from Chrome.

Lets move on.

Opera - http://www.opera.com

Latest Version: 9.64 (Opera 10 in development)

So, Opera.

Opera is a fairly standard internet browser. Its fast, its efficient and secure. Includes many functions of other browsers such as the tabbed browsing, pop up blocker not to sure about “Anonymous Browsing” though. And as Internet Explorer 8, the Search-bar and Address Field is two separate areas to type in. But the Address field actually works as a search bar as well, which makes the Search-bar quite redundant. But unlike the other browsers on this list, Opera includes an Email handling software, where you can access your email accounts efficiently from one page and a built in Torrent program. One thing that is slightly annoying though with Opera is that the interface, all the buttons etc. Is very “clunky” and not so…streamlined, quite messy.

But overall Opera is a fast and nice browser, but it has its kinks.

Good Stuff:

Fast, Torrent Client, Email Client, Safe

Bad Stuff:

Clunky interface, Torrent Client, Email Client.

Mozilla Firefox - http://www.getfirefox.com

Latest Version: 3.5 (4.0 in development)

Mozilla Firefox is the Second Major browser on this list, after Internet Explorer, its a Very popular browser, that more or less have made Tabbed Browsing a standard, Includes the standard features such as Pop up block, anonymous browsing and tabbed browsing. And all of the programs on this list allows you to download “plug-ins” to add new features or change the looks of the program, Firefox is THE KING on that department. There is a HUGE amount of custom plugins/extensions to firefox and different themes to change the looks of firefox to make it look just as you want it to look.

Ofcourse installing a bunch of these add-ons, it will affect the performance of the program, it might take a bit longer to start up, but with addons that block advertising on pages, its usually worth the little time. also have a similar thing as the Omnibar on Chrome, but in Firefox its called the “Awesomebar”. But let me tell you, its not that awesome.

Good Things:

Much customization options, easy to use, safe

Bad Things:

Can be slow to start up

And now to the last one on the list

Safari - http://www.apple.com/safari

Latest Version: 4.0

Safari is the browser that you get on a Apple computer, but its now been developed and released for Windows, and the first windows version of it was 3.5, and it was very unstable and quite a big letdown. 4.0 is wonderful, its fast and responsive, the user interface is pretty and its just overall gorgeous to look at. But it comes with some kinks. The memory usage can get very high, so dont use it on a “bad”  computer. so it has the standard features already listed here so there is no need getting into that part.

Whats good:

Fast, Absolutely Gorgeous, Safe, Easy to use.

Whats bad:

heavy on the computer.

to get more “technical”

The different programs uses different “Engines” to view the webpages.

Engine – Browser

Trident – Internet Explorer
Presto - Opera
WebKit – Google Chrome/Safari
Gecko – Mozilla Firefox.

Presto, WebKit and Gecko is the most loved ones by Website Developers, because they follow some standards that are made. Whilst Trident is running its own way and its practically Shunned upon.

Anyway

some “awards”

Prettiest Browser: Safari (Firefox if you customize it)
Fastest Browser: Google Chrome (Safari as a close runner up, followed by Opera)
Most Customizable Browser: Firefox
Biggest Turd: Internet Explorer

Overall Pick: Google Chrome

-dao

Ok, seriously.

31st March and 1st April
2 of my harddrives died, 2x 200 GB IDE.

Sure it was IDE, and as well should know, IDE is shit.
Problem was that those harddrives contained all my music and my TV Series. To make up for that, I ordered 2x 500 GB SATA2 disks.

Now..

It appears one of those has gone corrupt, and this is making me angry.

I always seem to have just this kind of fucking luck.

Fortunately though, this time it didnt contain anything out of importance. It was just my dump for…well…stuff to seed on torrents.

Luckily I got a 1 TB external from my Brother in Graduation Gift, so it has now taken over its place, sure not at the same speed of transfer, but its doing the trick quite well.

So what im looking at now is to get hold of the page I ordered this HDD from and see what they have to say.

Shouldnt be too much of a hassle.

Yea, I could not help it.

Just wanted to write a bit about a band that I totally adore.

Emerald Rain

Emerald Rain is/was a canadian hard/melodic Rock band, That was active between 1997 to 2005.

During these years Emerald Rain released 6 Albums, where 1 was a Live Album.
In order:

Broken Saviours – 1997
Age Of Innocence – 1999
Live 2k – 2000
Perplexed in the Extreme – 2001
Short Sighted – 2003
Sleepwalk – 2005

And I Just have to say, that even though Emerald Rain isnt “that big” (sorry Murray Daigle, no offence meant). I just have to congratulate the members of Emerald Rain for making some of the absolutely best music I’ve listened to.

I bumped into Emerald Rain’s music one rainy afternoon around 2005-2006, think it was around february. It was all random, I was browsing some random dude’s music archive on a p2p service and decided to just get hold all of the archive, within the archive i found 2 bands I immediately started to like. Harem Scarem and Emerald Rain.

I might cover Harem Scarem in another post, but this one is for Emerald Rain.
When I sat down with the music and began to listen (I think it was only one of their albums), I just loved the riffs and the voice of their singer (Murray Daigle). And I had a damn pain of getting hold of the other albums, but I finally managed to get them and listen through, and I found myself more and more caught within their musical talent and binding lyrics. And over the years now Ive managed to buy all their albums (besides the Live album..), Im a believer in the whole “Try Before Buy” thing when it comes to music (sorry artists out there).

Emerald Rain’s music goes everything from soft to hard, and Murray using several different “singing techniques” …or what you call it, he uses his voice in impressive ways and with some editing it just sounds great. I’ve actually sung along to some of their songs…although sometimes its a bit hard since I do not have any access to the lyrics, and not been able to find them…ANYWHERE. Like come on..if the lyrics isnt on the internet, youre kinda screwed unless you have access or contact to the main source..which I don’t.

Well, Okay, I know how to get hold of him, but last time I tried contacting Murray, I didnt really get any response…Not that I was expecting one since I sent a mail to his studio-mail.

But on a more serious matter though, I really think you should try and look up Emerald Rain and somehow get an idea on what music they play.

-dao

Election is as stated in the title, over. Looking like the swedish Pirate Party is looking for 1 Seat, maybe 2 depending on the Treaty of Lisbon. But it looks like it will come through, giving us 2 Seats.

Its a nice thing to know now that our hard work before the election pays off, and now its time to relax a bit before we have to get to work on ideas for the Swedish Elections in 2010. It’s something I greatly look forward too. I have faith in that we will manage to get our foot in there and make ourself heard, let the established parties hear what we have to say about what they have done against our privacy, our rights.

So that is over…for now.

Graduation aswell has been something ive been up to. Actually I Graduated 2 days before this post was written, and no, Im not Hungover or drunk or anything whilst writing this. I am not a drinker, I drink at a maximum 3 times a year, and at those times its not much at all. It’s the same with smoking, something that I barely do, if I’m Lucky with that it happens only 1 time a year. Together with the drinking. Whiskey and a Cigar.

so yes, graduation has been done, it was a wonderful day. Sure the weather could have been better, but the swedish summer is not known to be that great when it comes to weather.

Ran out of the school at 2:30 PM, and then went with my family to celebrate. And later on the evening I met up with a wonderful friend with whom I spent the rest of the evening with. You know who you are.

So there is alot of changes coming up for me now..Moving away from this, starting a new life somewhere else.

That is unless my feelings get the grip of me and forces me to stay here close to everyone. But it feels highly unlikely, I want to study at the university, I want to get a good education so I can get somewhere good..And hopefullt go somewhere wonderful.

So what Am I going to study?

Network and IT Security, 2 years.

I hope with the lack of people I know there I might be able to focus alot more on the schoolwork than these past 3 years..

But yea.

It will be a bit lonely.

-dao

So still waiting for the last results, but at it’s current status its looking like 7% of the votes is going to our Pirate Party, looking like 1 Seat! (Less then I expected, but Its awesome that we get in).

Things are looking good and I couldn’t be much more happy about this result really. Our voice is going to come into the EU parliment!

We will express our thoughts about the invasion on our privacy and our private rights.

Its time for a change in this whole restriction system.

So a big

YARRRRRRRRRR!

To the swedish Pirate Party!.

YARR HARR FIDDELI DII…

Arr!

Greets from the non-mighty dao, Sitting still at the pub with the members with lovely company!

YARR

WHOOOOO!

-dao

So Yea.

Sitting in a pub waiting for the results of the EU Election.

Its going to be a long and fun night.

YARR HARR FIDDELI-DII BEING A PIRATE IS ALRIGHT FOR ME! DO WHAT YOU WANT CUS’ A PIRATE IS FREE!

So yes! Eagerly sitting here waiting for the results, its going to be some ours, but its going to be some nice hours!

So we, The Pirate Party(PP) is looking eagerly forward to this, already the “pre-results” are looking good at almost 8%, being 2 seats in the EU Parliament. So that is awesome sauce!

Its been a nice week being active with the fellow local members! Standing downtown handing out fliers, talking to interested people, handing out cookies and sharing with some nice Creative Commons and Free music, blasting out from the speakers. Much about the FRA Law, IPRED and ofcourse the Pirate Bay trial. Was fun when the music was on max and the other parties downtown turned their heads and looked us, looked fun to see them stare at us like that, they did not look very happy.

So here I am, sitting waiting..This is going to be damn fun!

-dao

“You light up my night and day
You bring on the sunshine
You make me feel good today
Yeah you wonderful you”

This post is dedicated to the people around me, the people I trust. The People that listen.

They light up the presence, when im down, they listen.
They light up my mood, turning my lips to a smile.
They make the days better, by talking to me, supporting me.

They mean alot to me, the people that listen, the people that support me, they are the people I love. They are true friends, everything I could ever need. Without people that is supporting, what am I?

I think such people are what everyone needs!

We all need people that are there, that we can talk to, that listen. Unfortunately there are people that are standing alone. I’ve felt such at some points. But as of late ive been feeling more safe and more confident. Mostly due to recently gained friends, I think you know who you are.

I thank you, Was a bit worried first time I met you, but during this short time I’ve known you, you have done some nice changes in me.

I thank you.

And I thank all the friends I’ve had over time, mostly aimed at a good friend in denmark that I’ve always been able to speak out to, and you listen and help me.

It feels good today, heart beating a-new.

I guess I have things to be more true with, and things I will eventually have to come out with, and admit, and share.

And I cannot forget you Ashley, ofcourse. You are there for me every day..no matter what, you know what I feel, and what my heart and soul feel…Im here for you as you are for me.

Thank you friends.

Oh, also…I recommend readers to listen to Rick Astley.

-dao

So, this will be a small introduction to my new blog.

I am Dao, a Swedish student for 7 more days as this is written.

Graduation is running towards me fast with a mace in its hand, Its a bit worrying but thats the way it is. Can’t really say that Im really looking forward to the graduation, beacause I just want to get it over with.

So yes, this blog will be my collection of thoughts, political thoughts and emotional problems that I might bump into during days, weeks, months.

Your comments are welcome, because I love discussion, and if someone wants some help, Emotional, Relationship or Technical help, I will be accessible for that too, everything will be handled and posted anonymously.

When it comes to my political preferences so can I admit that I am an “Piratpartist”.

I am a member of the swedish Pirate party, and we stand for

- Reform of the Copyright Laws

- Abolished Patent System

- The Right of Privacy.

I will go into more of those further ahead.

So yes.

I am a 19 year old swede, my name is Dao, and this is my blog.

Welcome.