Merlins Tower

What is Twitter?

Posted on March 9th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Cell Phone, Communication, Freeware, Gadgets, Human, Video, Web Service, YouTube.

What is Twitter you ask - I mentioned it in a earlier blog and got a question to explain it - Well, instead of re-inventing the wheel I will post the video from CommonCraft - Who did the earlier video about what is a blog.

So, now start following your friends 140 Characters at a time.

Technorati Tags: twitter, tweet, twittering, mini, blog, personal, people, comunication, common, craft, video, youtube

0 comments.

Things that Are not there Anymore!!!

Posted on March 9th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Gadgets, Hack, Human, Pittsburgh.

I was playing around on Twitter today and found this great tool for twitter called TerraMinds - It allows you to search for a topic you want to see if anyone wrote about. I did a search on there for Pittsburgh and found some interesting articles. But I was lead to LyriqueTragedy and her web blog - DawnPapuga.com - And she wrote about Things that were not there anymore and specifically to Pittsburgh - But there are the general topics as well - Such as the handwritten note - to quote her on this:

There’s something magical about handwritten letters. To receive a handwritten letter from someone is a gift.

Boy isn’t that so true - I think this leads me to why I love to use my fountain pens and write things down instead of using a computer for everything.

Yes, Email is much faster. But, receiving a letter from a friend that was written down is way more personal.

They actually took the time to sit down at a desk, pull out a piece of paper, select a pen, and put their words in ink on paper. This truly is Magical.

Something that used to be taken for granted has been over taken by email, voicemail, faxing, (All things Digital) - Trust me - I love digital devices more then the next person but… There has to be a time and a place to sit down and write your friend a letter just because…. I know I would really enjoy getting a letter in the mail from a friend - Much more then I would like reading that same letter in email form. Yes, even the same words seem more powerful when put in ink on paper and not just represented on the screen in ones and zeros.

Well this is just my little push to go out and write a letter to someone that cares. And see what happens. You really don’t need to have a fancy pen, fancy paper or anything fancy at all. Just pull out a sheet of white paper from your printer and grab that bic pen that you have been chewing one and just write it down. Nice to write your thoughts down - when you have to think about them first and not have the backspace key at your beck and call. Now you don’t have to pre-think the whole letter but just think about the current sentence you are writing and just write what comes from your heart. I am pretty sure whom ever you are writing will be surprised and will love what ever you write no matter what.

Well now you need to send it to them - I know I don’t have any blank envelopes on hand so here you can make your own. - DIY - Fold Your Own Envelope.

But now that you have it folded what about a stamp - Two things - There are many post offices that are open 24 hours and you can put your pocket change in and get a stamp feed out to you - or go to and purchase a few booklets of the Forever Stamp from the post office - Cost the same as a first class stamp does now $.41 but it doesn’t have a price on it and can be used anytime in the future for no additional postage due. Very Cool - Nows the time to buy in bulk and use them in 20 years. :-)

Merlin

Technorati Tags: Handwriting, letterwriting, writing, ink, paper, envelope, stamps, stamp, make, your, own, envelope, Hack, DIY, Free, love, fountain, pen, analog

2 comments.

FOOD FIGHT: Zing it at them!!!

Posted on February 24th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Food, Human, Movies, Video, YouTube.

My friend Bart just sent this at a tweet in twitter and had to share this.

This would be a nice un-fair advantage to the average food fight. But I think I finally found a good use for Brussels Sprouts. “I have some Brussels Sproots here do you waant anee” (Said in a Scottish Accent or a bad Sean Connery) I would love to have MK saying this right now….

I could just see the kids having a blast with these. Load them up with some mashed potatoes and Zing Away. I could see more food wasted them actually eaten.

That remind me of one of my favorite movies - Animal House - From National Lampoon - Ahh the good old movies. Will have to get it from Unboxed and watch it on the way to work.

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And in the mean time here is a clip I found on Youtube.

Technorati Tags: Food, Fight, Food+Fight, Animal, House, animal+house, zing, twitter, tweet, idea, unbox,

0 comments.

New WordPress Theme: Revolution Theme

Posted on February 6th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Communication, Firefox, Journaling, Money, Search Engine, Web Service, Wordpress, working.

Normally I would not be writing about a New Wordpress Theme - But I felt I should mention it as I am considering purchasing this for possible use here. I really love the look and feel of this theme. It really is very clean looking, easy to navigate, brings more information to the front page, hopfully will get the reader more involved in the blog. (Yes, You - Please comment and let me know what you think) - I do write to help me understand different topics more, and I love sharing any of the information I learn about. That is why I started Merlin’s Tower. Yes, I like seeing what I created and written on the web. And Why not share any bit of information your learn with others. So, they can learn from your mistakes and highs as well.

So here is The WordPress Revolution Theme - This really would be good for most informational blogs. I really love the wordpress magazine theme. Yes, this theme does cost some money but I really think this developer deserves to be paid as this really is a great looking set of themes.

This is the Revolution News Theme: To Quote the website: “This theme is a great solution for those who want the online newspaper look similar to websites such as CNN News, US World News & World Report, etc.”

This really is a nice Wordpress News Theme: Supports Ads, Widgets, and Fully Customizable

On the Right is the Revolution Magazine Theme: “This theme is perfect for those who want to publish an online magazine. It’s built for daily posting, displaying video and is easily monetized with ads.” This really is one Classy looking Wordpress Magazine Theme. I like the look and the layout of this theme.

This is a possible choice for me to use.

Here is the Revolution Theme called Revolution Tech Theme.

The Revolution Tech Theme: “This theme is ideal for the Techcrunch fan, and who wants their site to feature a technology, focusing on the latest tech news, product reviews, etc.”

This is the theme for someone that will be starting a technology blog. A few of the blogs I frequent could use this. This is not for me but it too is a classy theme for wordpress.

The last theme that Revolution Theme has is the Revolution Sports Theme: “Here’s a great way to turn your site into a major sports news/infromation hub. Feature sports like Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey and more.” A friend of mine is thinking about starting a golf blog and this would be a good place to start for him. Again words are not enough to describe this theme. A very nice clean and professional looking theme for wordpress.

All of these themes really take wordpress to the next level and take it from just being another blog and transforming it into a true CMS (Content Management Solution) that gives a really beautiful look and feel to wordpress. Please support Brian Gardner and his Revolution Themes: Revolution Tech, Revolution Magazine, Revolution Sports, or Revolution News and his soon to be released Revolution Pro Theme. Again these will work with widgets and are all fully customizable.

So, People let me know what you think and visit the Revolution Theme Site and Support Brian Gardner in all of his Theme Building.

Technorati Tags: Revolution+Theme, Revolution, Wordpress, Word, Press, Tech+Theme, Magazine, Magazine+Theme, Revolution+Magazine+Theme, Wordpress+Theme, Sports, Tech, News, Magazine, Technology+Theme, Changes

1 comment.

Superbowl Ads - 2008

Posted on February 4th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Beer, Communication, Food, Life, NFL, Steelers, Super Bowl, Video, YouTube.

Well - It is that time of the year again - The Super Bowl Just finished a few hours ago and all the ads are up on YouTube for you to vote on your favorite ad.

This year the creative ads were much better then last year. My votes goes to the following few ads.

5th Place - I loved the Pepsi -ad with Justin Timberlake because he gets hit, hurt and knocked out. :-) Sorry Justin - Just thought it was quite funny. Plus Anyone want to give me their Pepsi Points - Feel Free to Add them to the comments section. They will go to good use. (Wink Wink)

4th place - I have to say the Breathing Fire with Bud Light was Good - First Romantic and then….

3rd and 2nd - I would have to give it to Bridgestone for two of their ads:

Scream:

and Unexpected Objects in Road - Loved the Ending well I like the ending in my mind better.

And in 1st Place

(more…)

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Just what is a blog?

Posted on January 19th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Communication, DIY, Journaling, Video, Wordpress, YouTube.

Today - I wanted to share a video I saw on You-Tube - This is from Common Craft - This is What is a blog in Plain English? - I have to say it really is a good overview of what is a blog and why are they important to the 21st Century? So, Readers do you have a blog? Leave a comment letting me know what your blog is and we can learn from each other. Don’t have a blog? Why not start one today. A good place I would recommend is WordPress.Com - -Well onto today’s video….

Technorati Tags: what, is, blog, blogging, diy, common, craft, english, youtube

1 comment.

Happy New Year - Welcome 2008

Posted on January 1st, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Health, Human, Life.

Thanks & Happy New Year!

As 2007 comes to a close and 2008 on its way in. I wanted to sincerely thank you all for reading Merlin’s Tower and making it one of your stops on the information superhighway. With so many viewers and readers here the blog keep growing each and every week. Don’t forget please keep telling your friends and family we are here in this little portion of the internet. I could not do it with out all of you. Plus if there is something you want me to look at or review - Please let me know (Send me an Email or Leave me a comment here) I love hearing all your suggestions and want to make 2008 an even better year then 2007.

Anyway, Thanks Again and have a Safe, Happy New Year.

daMerlin

Technorati Tags: Thanks, new, years, 2007, 2008, holidays, blog, merlin, merlins, tower, internet, comment, comments

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