Turbo Notes+ is a very simple tool that allows you to save and send notes much like the yellow sticky notes that have become a cultural icon.

Turbo Notes+ allows you to create a note then either save to your desktop for future reference or to send to a colleague within an interoffice network. The software notes the users/senders name at the top as to identify the source and the ability to send notes back and is very useful. Other customizable features such as changing the fonts, background and text colors, and sizes of the notes are useful but can leave room for getting carried away. Turbo Notes+ is a very practical utility and works well is most any environment.

Like many others I have always thought it would be fun to make a computer game. Up until now, I never have. That all changed when I stumbled upon a program called ‘game maker’ (http://www.gamemaker.nl/).

Within a few hours after downloading the program I was playing my first computer game – and yes, I made it all by myself! Immediately I realized that I could make my own shareware game (using game maker of course) and sell it on the internet. So I did! (See for yourself – check it out at http://www.brilliantowl.com/MathFlashCards.html) Two months later, having sold 9 copies of my game, I made $60! I admit, I could use a little polishing on my game making skills – but its not a bad start. Game Maker is a decent piece of software. Written by a university professor who actually teaches the art of game making brings some assurance that it was built right. The registration fee was only $20 (when I purchased it) – well worth the money. Game Maker isn’t all that hard to use either. My 10 year old has even played with it. Check it out for yourself!

Meebo is a website that allows AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, or Jabber users to use their services to chat.

The user does not have to load any software on their machine, and the service can be accessed from anywhere on the internet. Recently, Meebo added the ability to create Meebo accounts, which allow advanced functionality like automatic sign-in to multiple accounts and chat log tracking.

After working with Photoshop for years, I found an old version of Corel Painter packed as a “freebie” with something I bought. I have long forgotten the “something”. However, I was so amazed by what Corel could do, even that old small version, that I bit the bullet and purchased the latest 9.5 version of Painter.

As an artist, I was able to create satisfying work immediately, but it took only minutes to feel comfortable with this fast moving program. Comparing it to Photoshop, it is quite intuitive to work with, makes sense, operates pretty much the same, in terms of sizing your work and color gradients. Both can utilize the Pantone Color System. There are many similarities, but Photoshop does not have a true artists’ mixing palette, nor a way to save favored color sets for future use. I can paint and do paint every day with Painter. Not an option for me with Photoshop as it is simply too painstaking. You can download a 30 day trial at Corel