Author Archives: Jesse Zylstra

About Jesse Zylstra

Hey! My name is Jesse Zylstra, and I am the administrator of this website. I used to write about free software and programs, online web applications, and new technology -- especially open-source. Now I just write udder nonsense. I also play pipe organ, which I'm told is a fun and interesting fact about me. In the past, I studied network administration. Now I've been trying to pursue a real fake bachelors degree for the last, oh, 10 years or so.

Is it okay to leave your computer on?

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

Is it safe to leave your computer on all day, every day? The quick answer to this is: “Yes, it is safe to leave your desktop computer on all day,” Notice the comma? Thinking about saying “Oh, got it.” and … Continue reading →

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Can't Beat Free: Microsoft Security Essentials for Antivirus

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

In 2009, Microsoft released it’s own free antivirus program. This is not the first time they have released an antivirus program, you may remember Windows Live One Care, a low-rate antivirus service. Questions arise about how good this free program … Continue reading →

Posted in Programs and Software | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NPR's Science Friday: Lighting Up Leaves

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

Leaves on many plants are more amazing and much more complex then they look when holding them up close. Two physicists from Rockefeller University, Marcelo Magnasco and Eleni Katifori explore the complex maze-like layout of many leaf’s’ “veins”, which carry … Continue reading →

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Google Buzz as The Next Big Thing?

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

Google Buzz could very well be the next big thing, or the next, and failed, Windows Live Space… Variety of flavours for sharing The amount of tools which could be used with Buzz, which are more than obviously targeted for … Continue reading →

Posted in Web Services, Application, and Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Social Networking: A Stalkers Tool

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

What do I use social networking for? Finding people. It’s actually one of my more interesting hobbies. I just make an acquaintance with a person, and learn three facts about their: Their first and last name, and the area that … Continue reading →

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Amtrak Ticket Pricing

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

How does Amtrak ticket pricing work? Tickets on Amtrak for a short distance trip (100 miles, 2.9 hours) can vary a lot, from $19 to $45. I found out how this works a while ago, and it made the pricing … Continue reading →

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Amtrak: The Way to Travel?

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

What is it like to travel by Amtrak? I have been taking the train “every so often” since December of 2008, when I found myself needing to get over the pass but did not want to deal with the Winter … Continue reading →

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GTA: San Andreas on Linux

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

How can I play Grant Theft Auto: San n on Linux? Some people have reported that the installer works just fine under Linux without any additional packages, however I suggest using PlayOnLinux to install this game. PlayOnLinux (PoL) can typically … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Stuff, Programs and Software | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Prevent food from sticking to your pan

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

What is the best way to prevent food from sticking to a pan? Whether it be cast iron, aluminum, plain old metal, or even non-stick, it seems like every pan will just clench to food and not let go. I … Continue reading →

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Outage Report

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jesse Zylstra

The server had a software-level outage on Monday, January 1st… unknown start time. Here’s what happened: The user related to Apache2 webserver and it’s permissions somehow got completely messed up. Changing the username related to Apache so that it could … Continue reading →

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