Tired of Your Usual Mostly Text Blogs? Scrapblog!

I've just discovered a great web app. Check out Scrapblog.com and I'm sure you guys will like it too. This isn't an endorsement and I'm not being paid to say this, but I really like Scrapblog's concept.

Instead of the usual text-based blog apps, Scrapblog allows you to create scrapbook-like flash blogs that almost literally pops out of the page. You can post pictures and text like you would on a scrapbook using an very intuitive interface.

They also have loads of templates to choose from. Or if you're really creative, you can create your own designs from scratch. You can even post your creations to your flickr accounts.

The only problem I have with it is that it's a tad slow on my dsl connection. I expected the web-based app to be a bit quicker that it actually is. I really don't know if it's their server or my internet connection but it seemed like I was staring at the screen waiting for it to render more often than I would have liked.

Despite this, I would still recommend this service. Try it!

My Mashable.com Top 5

I love lists and compilations. That's why I totally get Mashable.com. I could probably spend all day reading and just absorbing post after Mashable post. Although I haven't done that yet, I have already compiled a personal Mashable Top 5. These aren't in any particular order and subject to change at any time (haha)... enjoy.

1. 80+ Free 2-Column Website Templates - I'm a web designer and this is a great source for inspiration. Yup, I admit it, I've been to the point where I just can't get a move on a project due to the lack of a mind spark. Scrolling through this post gets my creative juices flowing in no time.

2. Download YouTube Videos - Let's face it, YouTube rocks. It's not just a repository of corny home videos and hilarious Japanese tv shows. Everyone is using it nowadays and it's virtually an unlimited resource for informative videos including gadget reviews, tutorials, even podcasts. However, it's biggest limitation for me is the lack of a built-in download feature. To the rescue are more than a handful of third party apps that do just that. Stan Schroeder from Mashable has made things easier for us by compiling a list of YouTube downloaders. Handy.

3. 50 Great Widgets For Your Blog - These are all great widgets for your blog. Keep it in mind though, it's great to have a few widgets on your blog, but don't overdo it. Choose the most relevant ones for your sites content and practice moderation.

4. 30+ Tools to Turn Wordpress into a Personal Hub - Although I'm using Blogger, I won't deny that Wordpress is a great blogging platform. It's very flexible and easy to use. These tools allow you to make your Wordpress blog into a virtual souped-up social network profile page. In this case, contrary to my advice for #3, I'd say go all out with the add-ons and have fun.

5. TWITTER TOOLBOX: 60+ Twitter Tools - By itself, Twitter is a simple microblogging tool. With these add-ons and tools however, Twitter becomes a messenging powerhouse. I personally didn't get Twitter when it first came out but as these tools slowly trickled out I realized that you control how powerful it can become.

Brilliant Laptop Docking Idea

I can understand why we needed docking stations for out laptop computers several years ago. Back then, it simply wasn't practical to place all the necessary input and output devices and ports in the chassis of the laptop itself. However, present technology has made laptops more versatile and feature-packed, even to the point of being at par with desktop computers.

So are we to assume that laptop docks have died a natural death and just bury them beside our VCRs and dial-up modems? Designer Yong-Seong Kim seems to disagree. He thinks that we ought to revive them, or at the very least give these old and dying accessories a makeover. In this case, his docking solution involves a desktop computer with a slot behind the LCD monitor, where a laptop could dock onto. I would assume file sharing would be automatic, wherein the desktop computer would treat the laptop like an external hard drive. The laptop's screen in docking mode also becomes a second display in portrait mode.

Personally, I think his idea is brilliant. A laptop is fine when I'm on the road. But at home or in the office, a desktop pc is much more practical. This seems like a perfect and most visually appealing way to sync data between the two.

SOURCE: YankoDesign

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I Missed the Lunar Eclipse

lunar eclipse
Originally uploaded by Grzesiek:

I'm sure a lot of you have heard of if not actually witnessed the recent lunar eclipse last August 28, 2007. I missed it, and apparently it was a total lunar eclipse which meant that the moon turned red due to the refraction of the sun's rays. I can't believe I forgot to look out the window that night. To make up for it, I searched the net for the best pic I could find. This pic from a Flickr user is the absolute best I've seen so far. Amazing. Click the link to see a larger pic. I'm even more sorry I missed it.

I Love Tokidoki

I love Tokidoki! For the uninitiated few who still don't know, tokidoki is the creation of an Italian artist Simone Legno. It all started as a personal website, a portfolio and diary of sorts, and has grown into an international business. I don't blame the people who love his creations, they're the most adorable things I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Here's a sampling of tokidoki art...

I just love the colors and the graphics... actually I love everything about Simone Legno's creations. I, and apparently a lot more others, couldn't get enough of them. They're so popular in fact that they have attracted the attention of collaborators... big name companies like LeSportsac, Smashbox and Fornarina.

If you're like me and love their stuff, head on to their online shop and get shopping. Here are some items I'd love to get for myself... (hint, hint)

These would make me buy an iPod just so I could carry it around in this tokidoki iSkin. Brilliant.

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