The concern is so big that in the U.S, they have a launched an addiction recovery program to help sufferers of IAD to better manage their life in a more ‘harmonious’ way. You might think this only concern to those who ‘Google’ everyday. Wrong guys!! Internet-based video games falls into this category. The program known as reSTART is meticulously planned over 45 days and it has already received it’s first patient, a 19 year old who cannot deprive himself of World of Warcraft.

So how do you know if you are an IAD sufferer? reSTART has outlined 9 symptoms by which are qualified for admittance:

Have a strong desire to use the Internet

Decreasing or withdrawal of internet leads to symptoms like malaise, relentlessness, lack of concentration and so on.

Increasing usage of Internet results into satisfaction

Difficulty to stop the usage despite you are aware it’s harmful

Unable to control the duration of time of internet use

Social, recreational and other personal interests decreases

Solace is found in using the Internet so as to flee from the outside pressures

Extent of use is denied to friends, teachers or schoolmates

Everyday routines and social functions (academic, workability) are impaired

The treatment? Well basically it cuts off the web and online gaming and focuses more on social skills. The patients are constantly followed by a recreation coach, a therapist, exercise and yoga instructors and more. Besides each patient have a schedule to follow which includes physical exercises (sports and fitness), chores, vocational training, a 3 hour back to nature period, a regular life quest and of course he/she is given a personal time everyday from 8.30 PM to 10.00 PM after which the lights are out!

Of course, such program does not come cheap!! You’ll have to pay a hefty $14,500 to get admitted. Considering what it offers it’s worth it’s price but it should be the last resort to cure yourself. In many cases Internet addiction is self corrective. It has been proven that heavy Internet users temporary endures this illness as gradually they decrease their time on the computer. The point it’s up to you guys how you use it!

I hope it’s not too late for you. Feel free to voice out your opinions about it!!

This article comes from GeekScribes

Internet Addiction – A Serious Crisis!

Then when I was blogging on the Olympics, I had to search like mad to get Olympic pics, and I had to settle for pictures that The Guardian and Reuters photographers had snapped.

But then, I asked myself this question: “Ddid I just ripped off somebody’s work?”

Yes, I guess I did. Some guy or lady had to go to the Olympics, sit there for hours, waiting for the perfect shot, using thousands of dollars worth of equipment that they had carried with them. And what did I just do? STEAL THEIR WORK! Oh shi..!

Even then, I tried to redeem myself by posting link back to the work of those people, and giving them credits for the work. But after some research, I found that credits mean nothing. I had just violated the copyright of these people!

There are some sources where you can get pictures which you can use freely. Some examples would be Wikimedia Commons, and Creative Commons Search. For stock photos, there is Sxc.hu and Everystockphoto. Sxc.hu is a great source by the way. Do you know any more sources?

This is why I am posting this. To ask you readers and bloggers a question. Where do you get your pictures for use on your blog? How do you proceed to use these pictures? Do you give credits? Do you link back? Something else? Please comment, and take some time to answer the following poll. Thanks!

This article comes from GeekScribes

Where do you get photos for your blogs?

What you will need?:

1. Windows Live Messenger
2. A-Patch
3. Live Messenger Plus

If you don’t have a “passport.net” account head over there and signup for one. Remember you can use any email address for this purpose. Preferably, one from Google, Gmail will do.

After having downloaded Windows Live Messenger, which is a freeware, install it into your computer(s). This is quite easy, just follow the steps in the wizard. Now, you can sign in and start chatting right away!!! But will you be doing it? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. If you are reading this it must be out of curiosity or for satisfying your needs.

I will be proceeding with patching Windows Live Messenger first. Launch the downloaded patch (A-Patch) and you will be asked to tick what you will want to “power up” your “chat world”. Please note that we would be using windows live messenger 8.1 for our purpose. Personally I removed the ads as they were intruding. (I am not imposing). You can use your common sense and your requirements to tick they various possibilities available for customisation. You may like to play around with he nudge, remove the limit

I can now say we have a “cleaner” live messenger as you wanted it to be. If you have not yet downloaded Live Messenger Plus do so now. It allows us to extends Live Messenger 2 ways; plugins and skins. Plugins allowing us to add on more options and automating some processes. In addition you can code plugins to suits your specific needs. Quite handy? Skins gives you the opportunity to dress up Windows Live Messenger to your taste.

Here are some of my favourite plugins that you may like to try:

• Display Picture Changer – Allows you to have a “dynamic” like display picture. It scrolls through a set of picture and changes your display picture for a set time period.
• Linked Chats – Allows you to share what your are chatting with friends. It is a convenient way over the traditional copy and paste.
• LinkSaver – You often receive links from your contacts. Configure it to save them into a file directly. Thus, no need to ask again if you missed it or do not have history to revert to.
• ReduceMem -You can often witness the memory consumption of WLM, with ReduceMem you can reduce if many folds. I have not tested it well but it seems that it works miracles.

This is a small list but keep tuning I will write more. It is a post after months of no writing. Thanks for your readership. I am back.

This article comes from GeekScribes

Spice up your live messenger

We all want to be healthy. The well known quote will say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” and some would say “practice sports”. Each and every being has their one definition of being healthy. But, when it concerns your little computer, we all speak the same language. That of ergonomics.

What is Ergonomics?

“Ergonomics studies work as it relates to the human body and its limits. The usual goal is maximum output without physical harm.”

Source: strategosinc

Another definition would be:

“Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with designing according to the human needs, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. The field is also called human engineering, and human factors engineering.”

Source: wikipedia

The above picture depicts the amplitude ergonomics take. Observing carefully we will conclude these are not the usual furnitures we are used to.

What is so special about them? In fact, they are just a normal chair/table equipped with knobs to allow it to become flexible. What do I mean by flexible? It allows the user to adjust the height and inclination level to fit to his/her needs.

Simply put, it helps us feel more comfy. Exploiting the very basic concept of ergonomics, Herman Miller has taken ergonomics to the next level.

This chair, “Aeron Miller” perfectly suits the title “Ergonomic Chair”. It is one. Stefan Didak has even rated it as being the best ergonomic chair ever. You mind want to know its price, it range about $1000. That is pretty much for a student. But I believe it is worth it. Think of your back. Not only the back, the massive doctor bill you might pay later on. It is the price to pay for our health.

After the costly chair, it it now time for the ergonomic table. The same basic rules apply. It must be adjustable so that the user will feel comfy and be able t work without making physical damage to oneself.

The above simple looking ergonomic has everything to envy. It is powered by electric motors to adjust its height. Sounds good? Yes it does. But being able to afford such a table will look like a dream. It is priced at $1,962.20. Who will want to buy one? I somewhat exaggerated with the offers. We do have less costly furnitures available. But yet, medical stuffs are costly. In short I will say it again, our health has a price.

The ergonomic keyboard

Ergonomics in keyboard is rather different. It helps you reduce muscle strain. We call this RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). It is specifically designed so that our hands are held in a natural position thus alleviating wrists pain. This one is quite affordable. It is priced at $65. Microsoft’s Ergonomic 4000 is considered to do quite a good job.

The ergonomic mouse

This is one weird mouse. It has the combined ability of a optical mouse and track ball. And the best of it, it is an ergonomic mouse. This Perific mouse is priced at $119. Will an average user be able to afford it?

This is another variation.It is designed to be fitted into your palm as such that you don’t need to put pressure while holding it. The chance of having crippled fingers are minimal.

As a bonus, lets see what we must avoid so as we do not suffer from injuries.

Yet, we must know some good practices.

This ends our article. I hope it helps you avoid hospital bills. It is worthwhile investing in these equipments. Keep tuning.

This article comes from GeekScribes

Ergonomic – Our Health has a Price

Sometimes, Google can have humour too it seems!

Anybody want to buy a baby online? Lolz go to contextual advertising!

This article comes from GeekScribes

Funny Adsense Ad!