I recently looked up the French artist Daniel Spoerri on Wikipedia, here is what information I could gather on the artist at approximately 9:43am, March 28, 2007.
Daniel Spoerri is very talented at playing the banjo. he likes to strum things and fix them with oil. He also likes to blow and finger........ his bag pipes that is. Without his banjo and his bag pipes Daniel likes to play soggy biscuit with another famous musician - Mozart. Mozart always wins as Daniel does not specialise in this.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Raccoons are the Original Pirates
Most movies are terrible. People shouldn't waste their time watching them. Nonetheless, there is the occasional thing on DVD that’s worth watching, and if it’s worth watching once, it’s probably worth having a copy in case something happens to the original. Experienced raccoonists are prepared for anything, including loss or damage of their DVD collection.
That brings us to the topic of copying DVDs. DVD writing drives come with most new computers or can be purchased for a modest amount. Blank DVDs are now commonly available and typically cost about $2. Cost effective! There are two competing formats of writable DVDs, DVD+R and DVD-R. For the time being you probably want to use DVD-R, as this is compatible with older DVD players.
Unfortunately, most computers don’t come with software that can copy the contents from a DVD. I’m not sure exactly why this is. Fortunately, several excellent programs for this purpose can be found on the internet. DVD Decrypter is an excellent program that will copy the contents of a DVD to your hard disk. The simplest way to do this is to save the ISO the DVD, which can then be burnt to DVD simply. This makes a copy of the entire contents of the DVD into a file on the hard drive. Alternatively, you can copy the individual files from the DVD to a folder on your hard drive. This is useful if you have to modify the contents of the disk.
Once you have the ISO, many programs such as Roxio or Nero can burn this ISO to one or many writable DVDs.
The typical $2 writable DVDs can store up to 4.7 GB of data, which corresponds to about two hours of video. Longer movies are typically stored on dual layer DVDs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. There are a handful of solutions to this. If your DVD burner can burn dual layer DVDs (you can find this out from the website of the manufacturer of your DVD burner), you can buy writable dual layer DVDs and simply burn the larger ISOs to them. The problem with this is that these typically cost 4 times more than single layers DVDs.
Another solution is to shrink the size of DVDs to fit on a single disk. Most commercial DVD burning programs will do this automatically by compressing the video, which is generally ok, but it reduces the picture quality.
DVD Shrink is a program designed to shrink the space needed to store the DVD’s data. It can compress video to fit on shorter disks, but you can also use it to remove useless stuff, like those commercials at the start of a disc or FBI warnings. Simply use DVD Decrypter to copy the files from the DVD to a folder on your hard drive and use DVD shrink to eliminate the stuff you don’t want. This will let you bring the length of the DVD down to the size you can put on a single layer DVD.
Following this procedure, you can feel safe knowing that you’ll always have a copy of a DVD, even if the original is destroyed in the struggles or returned to the store.
An excellent website on this topic is Doom9 (http://www.doom9.org/). They deserve raccoonist praise for providing this resource and making good use of the word doom, which is an awesome word.
That brings us to the topic of copying DVDs. DVD writing drives come with most new computers or can be purchased for a modest amount. Blank DVDs are now commonly available and typically cost about $2. Cost effective! There are two competing formats of writable DVDs, DVD+R and DVD-R. For the time being you probably want to use DVD-R, as this is compatible with older DVD players.
Unfortunately, most computers don’t come with software that can copy the contents from a DVD. I’m not sure exactly why this is. Fortunately, several excellent programs for this purpose can be found on the internet. DVD Decrypter is an excellent program that will copy the contents of a DVD to your hard disk. The simplest way to do this is to save the ISO the DVD, which can then be burnt to DVD simply. This makes a copy of the entire contents of the DVD into a file on the hard drive. Alternatively, you can copy the individual files from the DVD to a folder on your hard drive. This is useful if you have to modify the contents of the disk.
Once you have the ISO, many programs such as Roxio or Nero can burn this ISO to one or many writable DVDs.
The typical $2 writable DVDs can store up to 4.7 GB of data, which corresponds to about two hours of video. Longer movies are typically stored on dual layer DVDs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. There are a handful of solutions to this. If your DVD burner can burn dual layer DVDs (you can find this out from the website of the manufacturer of your DVD burner), you can buy writable dual layer DVDs and simply burn the larger ISOs to them. The problem with this is that these typically cost 4 times more than single layers DVDs.
Another solution is to shrink the size of DVDs to fit on a single disk. Most commercial DVD burning programs will do this automatically by compressing the video, which is generally ok, but it reduces the picture quality.
DVD Shrink is a program designed to shrink the space needed to store the DVD’s data. It can compress video to fit on shorter disks, but you can also use it to remove useless stuff, like those commercials at the start of a disc or FBI warnings. Simply use DVD Decrypter to copy the files from the DVD to a folder on your hard drive and use DVD shrink to eliminate the stuff you don’t want. This will let you bring the length of the DVD down to the size you can put on a single layer DVD.
Following this procedure, you can feel safe knowing that you’ll always have a copy of a DVD, even if the original is destroyed in the struggles or returned to the store.
An excellent website on this topic is Doom9 (http://www.doom9.org/). They deserve raccoonist praise for providing this resource and making good use of the word doom, which is an awesome word.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Raccoonist Fashion Tips
Raccoonists are nothing if not on the cutting edge of fashion. Among our ranks are top-drawer fashion maverick-futurists with one finger on the pulse of the street and the other finger of their freakish two-fingered lobster-like appendages on the pulse of the fashionfuture. Our hot fashionistas look through time and space to find the fashion concepts that'll put you ahead of the herd this new season!
Our Fashion Experts - What do they SEE!?: The Soliders of Raccoonist Fashion see that we're moving into a post-fashion era. It doesn't matter what you wear, it's how you wear it! Remember that, because anyone concerned with design labels and fading fashion paradigms will be openly and publicly mocked if not treated with outright cruelty and violence in a year's time. We promise! So anyways, here are our tips for looking HOT in 2007 and beyond.
Raccoonist Tip #0: Wear the Same Clothes Every Day - This should be obvious but if you have a look that works, then work it - every single day! Repeat, do not change your clothing on a daily basis. This is an obvious and basic fashion rule for 2007, it's cool to wear the same thing repeatedly, remember that, and if you waste valuable time and energy selecting new clothes and changing into them every day, then you are an IDIOT! - Case Closed
Raccoonist Tip #1: Rarely wash your clothing - Again, you're saying... DUH!!! Obviously - but seriously, not washing your clothes is going to be the hottest trend for 2007, especially among the hardcore Raccoonists. Dirt, dust and stains are IN and the fashionable Raccoonists wear them proudly. Your unwashed clothing becomes a record of your experiences, and this sort of fashion concept is an important but low-tech equivalent to camera-phones and online diaries. Enjoy yourself!@
Raccoonist Tip #2: Don't replace torn clothing - keep wearin' it we say! This is definately going to be huge in the coming years! Tears, holes and shredded fabrics are already making waves on the streets of all the cities that get listed as important fashion places! Go for it!
Raccoonist Tip #3: dress in layers - why wear one big stupid looking winter coat when you can put on two t-shirts, two sweaters, a hooded sweatshirt and a spring jacket? The fact is, a big bulky coat looks horrible and reduces your mobility when your with your mates on a mischief-run, five or six layers may sound bulkier but once you get moving they all function as one, so you'll increase your mobility by 93% AND you'll look great!
So anyways, those are the Raccoonist fashion tips, you can tell who doesn't follow these tips because they look horrible. The End
Our Fashion Experts - What do they SEE!?: The Soliders of Raccoonist Fashion see that we're moving into a post-fashion era. It doesn't matter what you wear, it's how you wear it! Remember that, because anyone concerned with design labels and fading fashion paradigms will be openly and publicly mocked if not treated with outright cruelty and violence in a year's time. We promise! So anyways, here are our tips for looking HOT in 2007 and beyond.
Raccoonist Tip #0: Wear the Same Clothes Every Day - This should be obvious but if you have a look that works, then work it - every single day! Repeat, do not change your clothing on a daily basis. This is an obvious and basic fashion rule for 2007, it's cool to wear the same thing repeatedly, remember that, and if you waste valuable time and energy selecting new clothes and changing into them every day, then you are an IDIOT! - Case Closed
Raccoonist Tip #1: Rarely wash your clothing - Again, you're saying... DUH!!! Obviously - but seriously, not washing your clothes is going to be the hottest trend for 2007, especially among the hardcore Raccoonists. Dirt, dust and stains are IN and the fashionable Raccoonists wear them proudly. Your unwashed clothing becomes a record of your experiences, and this sort of fashion concept is an important but low-tech equivalent to camera-phones and online diaries. Enjoy yourself!@
Raccoonist Tip #2: Don't replace torn clothing - keep wearin' it we say! This is definately going to be huge in the coming years! Tears, holes and shredded fabrics are already making waves on the streets of all the cities that get listed as important fashion places! Go for it!
Raccoonist Tip #3: dress in layers - why wear one big stupid looking winter coat when you can put on two t-shirts, two sweaters, a hooded sweatshirt and a spring jacket? The fact is, a big bulky coat looks horrible and reduces your mobility when your with your mates on a mischief-run, five or six layers may sound bulkier but once you get moving they all function as one, so you'll increase your mobility by 93% AND you'll look great!
So anyways, those are the Raccoonist fashion tips, you can tell who doesn't follow these tips because they look horrible. The End
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Grief Counselling the Racoonist Way
Most of you are probably familiar with the Racoonist organization as a source of in depth analysis of current events or as a group of important political thinkers. While this is true, people often overlook the important public services that we perform. Grief counselling is one of these services.
As a Racoonist, I've come to terms with death. Most people aren't so lucky, so if someone close to them commits suicide, they may need help with their grieving process. The best way to help someone in this situation is to make them a mix CD. The following is a playlist of a mix CD that I've compiled just in case I need to council someone who has lost a friend or loved one to suicide. As it turns out, most bands have written at least one song about suicide. Especially wimpy bands, like Pink Floyd, have written many. We can use this music to heal people.
As always, Wikipedia was a big help, although you shouldn't limit yourself to this list when making your own CD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_suicide).
"Adam's Song" by blink-182
"It'll Be O.K." by Limp Bizkit
“Jeremy" by Pearl Jam
“Stan" by Eminem
"Goodbye Cruel World" by Pink Floyd
“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
"Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
"Wave of Mutilation" by The Pixies
"Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult
“1-800-SUICIDE” by Gravediggaz
"Any Way You Want It" by Journey
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
“Wipe Out” by The Beach Boys
I haven't had occasion to use it yet, but I keep a couple of copies handy at all times, just in case. I strongly recommend everyone reading this do the same, so if anyone ever says "My best friend just killed himself," you can say "I have the perfect mix CD for you!"
As a Racoonist, I've come to terms with death. Most people aren't so lucky, so if someone close to them commits suicide, they may need help with their grieving process. The best way to help someone in this situation is to make them a mix CD. The following is a playlist of a mix CD that I've compiled just in case I need to council someone who has lost a friend or loved one to suicide. As it turns out, most bands have written at least one song about suicide. Especially wimpy bands, like Pink Floyd, have written many. We can use this music to heal people.
As always, Wikipedia was a big help, although you shouldn't limit yourself to this list when making your own CD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_suicide).
"Adam's Song" by blink-182
"It'll Be O.K." by Limp Bizkit
“Jeremy" by Pearl Jam
“Stan" by Eminem
"Goodbye Cruel World" by Pink Floyd
“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
"Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
"Wave of Mutilation" by The Pixies
"Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult
“1-800-SUICIDE” by Gravediggaz
"Any Way You Want It" by Journey
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
“Wipe Out” by The Beach Boys
I haven't had occasion to use it yet, but I keep a couple of copies handy at all times, just in case. I strongly recommend everyone reading this do the same, so if anyone ever says "My best friend just killed himself," you can say "I have the perfect mix CD for you!"
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