Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridamemory/3328074451/

Ok. I have to make this blog entry fun because it is one of the writing tips that Tim Ferris kicked out at Word Camp San Francisco that I believe in.
How am I going to keep it fun? Well this time… and yes you can mix it up…. I am going to keep it “fun” by using my own “voice”. And keeping it quick because I am hungry and my back is hurting.

Ideas Tim offered on not hating on blogging:

• When you are blocked write what you are angry about

Having not tried this in the blogging foray this has been quite effective exercise dealing with ex-girlfriends

• Anchor the topic

I think what Tim ment by this is keep to the point of what the title states. Own what you are proposing. A Dissertation as such.

• Don’t chase the news

Re-posting major events will only make you feel ugly

• Re-post under %10

From what I re-call. This means posting about others posts. Leave it to a 1 in 10 ration. It is akin to chasing the news.

• Keep a long form and short form blog\log

This is structure to stop you from doing your head.

Short form = short, simple and without much substance
An example would be Tim’s Blog or this blog

Long Form = substantive and rich in information
An example would be Tim’s website .

• Identify your bio-rhythms by measuring outputs

This is nerdy physical attuned words for work out when you write best.
Ask the question “When do I write best?”. If you don’t know you may to go all metric and start recording when you do. Not my style but Ferris does it.

and my tip after completing this entry.

• Set a time limit and go for it. This took me under 10 minutes.

Did I mention make sure it is fun? Make it fun. ok?

In fact, so handy, I created a quick video on the shortcuts and how I use them to speed up following people for my twitter service FestivalAlert.

CTRL + t = New Tab

CTRL + click on link = New Tab

CTRL 1 + 9 = Select Corresponding Tab

CTRL + PGUP = Move to the Next Tab

CTRL + PGDN = Move to the Previous Tab

CTRL + W = Close Active Tab

CTRL + L = Go to Address Bar GOLD

CTRL + K = Go to Google Search GOLD

What do you think? What shortcut do you now “own” when using firefox?

UPDATE

Thanks @Nathan_scott for the OS X equivalent

Sunset Status Update on a Beach in Thailand from Cameron McGrane on Vimeo.

With the current economic downturn, Thailand’s political instability and shoulder season approaching the price is right to freelance for a couple of months in Thailand.

Here my tips time to freelancing and playing in Thailand

1. Chime in on the Timing

The shoulder season is May-June when cheap flights and accommodation are available but expect frequent storms. I found December to February perfect. The weather was mild, no rain and cost of living bearable.

Note: Though I encourage Thailand, use this travel danger resource page to make up your own mind

2. Buy a Cooling Pad

Thailand can get real hot. Do what the locals do and buy a cooling pad for your laptop. It will keep out critters, reduce memory crashes and protect your groin from 3rd degree burns.

3. Don’t give your Passport to Anyone

Especially moto rental places. If they absolutely will not take a credit card, cash deposit or license instead of a passport go some where else.

4. Play in commercial playgrounds in moderation

I was in Phuket so Patong was the commercial epicenter . Sure, have a sniff now and then, meet friends, have a shop. But don’t make a habit of it. There is no faster way to burn through cash then bars and you will only feel dirty, ugly and likely smell of arse.

5. Participate in Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is an excellent way of getting to know people in any country expect North Korea.

6. Frequent ThaiVisa.com

If staying longer than 30 days you will need to undertake a visa run.
Thai Visa is “the watering hole” for ex-pats with a rich source of information ranging from visa’s to local gossip

7. Buy Water in Bulk

Staying longer than a week? Nip the daily pilgrimage to 7 eleven to buy water and get it bulk. It is 900% cheaper and saves time too.

8. Challenge Yourself Physically

Being fit and strong in a developing country\ new world dramatically reduces the risks of stress, sickness and accident. It provides balance to the mental exercise completed on a daily basis as a freelancer. With a diet low in gluten and dairy and high in protein, time in Thailand is conducive to getting bloody fit.
Muay Thai is the obvious choice but do something you really like or want to do and sign up for 5 days a week.

9. Don’t Date Bar Girls or Prostitutes

If you want company then use the assets that got you abroad freelancing in the first place and meet an ex-pat or a local\holidaying thai person. Dating Thai’s is a high stakes game financially and emotionally. Here are a few rules to chew on.

• Tell them what is going to happen and stick to it
• Make sure they can afford to pay for meals too
• DON’T ever buy gifts
• Practice safe sex
• Watch out for the boyfriend (s)

Remember: If she is the sexiest woman you have ever been near and she is interested then she is likely a lady boy.

Above are a few of the ideas that came to mind writing this post. If you have others that are important please let me know here or on twitter @cama

CC – http://www.flickr.com/photos/blipmusic/421490954/

Sometimes you are connected to a WIFI point and don’t know the WEP key you used to connect.
After you do a search on Google you will likely be offered software that costs $49.95 to retrieve keys

The windows application below has been separated from the big bundle of security apps at http://www.aircrack-ng.org to help you instantly retrieve all the WEP keys your computer has used to connect to wireless access points.

Grab the Download

Or for the official suite of tools on AirCrack including wzcook

Do you have basic understanding of:

• HTML
• CSS and Styles

If you answered Yes. Feel free to hack this HTML and CSS to suit your own needs.

The structure is a 1 column, elastic, header, footer and centered.

The content is a mix of:

• elements from my own landing pages
• comments to shape your own sales copy (see html)
• Meta-data pre-rolled for SEO.

Nothing flash just good starting point to

avoid paying marketers and signing up to newsletters on how to make money by marketing to others on how to make money.

To no surprise I did and created a proposal for his management team.

The presentation includes some details of a non traditional startup yourmobilecompany.com.au applying notions of web democracy, equal ownership and emergence. Which makes me a level 8 or 9 on the purest-corporatist scale

With the model and audience (corporate) in mind, I designed the presentation with the objective of educating my audience, improving awareness and providing a teaser to get me on board to flesh out deeper insights for development and a potential partnership.

There are notes included to help apply to your own circumstances but you will need to download the powerpoint to access.

| View | Upload your own

It is still pretty blue sky at the moment and I would be grateful for feedback on

• where it should be bolted down?
• what are the risks or potential problems?
• where a similar model has been used?

Montreal, Quebec, November 2006 – Cam and Julian

Step 1. Set dates – We planned for 7 days.

Step 2. Organize a car

Step 5. Confirm cell phone works in target location

Step 3. Research and gather music of target location’s audience

Step 3. Find three groups of people to stay with on www.couchsurfing.com

Step 4. Book a last minute www.wotif.com luxury self contained apartment for the last twos days of trip

Step 5. Buy wine (House presents), and loads of spirits for mixing and shooting

Step 6. Stay two nights at each host’s house (Tell em about the party)

Step 7. Use local contacts to organize party enhancers

Step 8. rab some local food for guests to increase indurance

Step 9. Skype and sms to spread the wordG

Step 10. Leave your inhibition at the door and party like its your birthday