Unlock Global Themes for Windows 7

Although there are already several different transparency and wallpaper options available for the Aero Theme within Windows 7, there are several global options that are hidden by default.  These include specialized themes for the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.  The following explains how to utilize these hidden themes:

1. Navigate to Computer/Local Disk (C:)/Windows/Globalization
2. The folder in question is hidden by default, so click on the ‘Organize’ dropdown tab and select ‘Folder and Search Options’
3. Click on the View Tab and select the radio button that says ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’
4. A folder entitled ‘MCT’ should appear, and within it contain five folders, which correspond with the themes available for the corresponding country
5. Selecting, for example, MCT-AU, and opening the Theme folder within, double-clicking ‘AU.theme’ will both apply this theme and all wallpapers to your theme menu
6. After applying the themes, consider hiding the hidden files to prevent ‘desktop.ini’ files from showing on your desktop.

Auditorium

Auditorium is a unique Flash based game that is both visually and aurally stimulating.  The purpose of Auditorium is to guide the flow of colored audio particles  into the appropriate audio containers that are sporadically placed in a vast, empty environment.  Upon filling these containers, the colored audio particles transform into sound.  Each container corresponds with a different instrument, and with enough light, the containers will play in a symphony.  Through the use of directional arrows, attracts, repels, deflects, and rabbits, the audio particles can be routed around or through obstacles that include color spheres, divides, portals, and black holes.

Confused?  The game is surprisingly easy to learn.

Officially in full release, Auditorium is available for $10.99.  For this, one will receive 70 levels that are spread across 15 different acts.  However, the trial version available on the website was quite extensive while the game was still in beta.

If you find yourself needing help to complete a certain level, youTube has an extensive collection of videos to help you here.  And if you do not have the appropriate version of Flash, the latest is available here.

A. Greeman

MeetInBetween.us

MeetInBetween.us is an online resource that utilizes Google Maps to find the midpoint between two addressees inputted by the user.  After entering the two locations, the user can select a location to meet, which range from restaurants, bars,  coffee shops, hotels, or malls.  If David; who lives outside of Minneapolis; and I; who live outside of Duluth; wanted to meet for lunch, it might look like this:

After agreeing on a place to meet, directions to the location are made available to each person.  I can see this being potentially useful for users of Craiglist.

-A. Greeman

Guest Blog Wednesday featuring Andrew Greeman – Why hello there…

Hi.  My name is Andrew Greeman.  Some of you might know me, others may not.  So, perhaps a quick introduction is in order.  I am 22 and live in the frigid city that is Duluth, MN.  I met David at UMD, where we were both Management Information Systems majors.  I have since graduated from UMD.  During the day I am an IT Intern at IKONICS Corporation, which specializes in photo chemical etching.  But at night, I am an aspiring DJ/Producer in a group named Arsenal, or alone as Peruvian White.

I look forward to offering my reviews and opinions on the current state of technology, music, art, and anything that I find interesting.

Check me out at:

http://www.myspace.com/arsenalbangs

http://soundcloud.com/peruvianwhite

Enjoy