Recently Google have released a translation tool which is built into their Chrome web browser, and which works automatically. This feature is currently only available in the Beta or Dev version.

Google Chrome has 3 ‘varieties’: Stable, Beta and Dev Channel.

I have been using the Dev Channel for a long time, however I do not recommend this for users in general. Stick with the Beta or Stable releases. (Tech note: Started on Vista 32 Bit. Now on Windows 7 64 Bit. Had problems way back, last year, with the early versions on Dev Branch and had to revert to Beta. Have not had issues with Dev Branch for at least 9 months, maybe more.)

The Stable/Beta terminology does not mean that your install of Google Chrome will be unstable (see my tech note above), though it might be. You are more likely to have problems on the Dev branch though.

This morning I noticed a new Twitter follower, who has a page in German. Google Chrome instantly recognized the language (handy for when you cannot identify the language) and a toolbar automatically appeared which gave me the option of translation:

After clicking the translate button:

I can now read the page easily and quickly.

In the past, I translated web pages using the Google Translate page here.

To make life easier for visitors to my blog and website I  installed a special Google Translate tool – here are more details:

Blog: http://blackshaman.net/2009/05/17/translate-pages-into-your-preferred-language

Website: http://www.blackshaman.com/Translate.html

The translation widget appears on the right of the blog and at the bottom of the website.

If you own a blog or website then I suggest you consider installing the Google Translate tool. You can get it here. Why make life hard for your readers, many of whom will not have English (or your language) as their first, native tongue? Make it as easy as possible and maximize readership. Don’t make them think too hard.

Translate web pages easily with Google Chrome browser is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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What is it about politics that it attracts so many nutters?

I decided to respond…

Here are just SOME of the reasons…

• The political environment, regardless of party – tends to be abhorrent to all but the dysfunctional, ‘less astute’ and even socially/mentally immature. There are rare exceptions of course.

• The pay is too low. Way too low. The best (financially motivated) talent tends to go to business. Can you imagine someone like Sir Richard Branson (a decent chap too) trying to make headway in the halls of governance? Fancy paying peanuts to the people who run a country. Ughh urgghh.

• Other talented people such as scientists, artists and so on have much more stimulating and worthwhile things to do.

• Politics is illusory – the false notion that we have a democracy is just one example. We have elements of democracy; however I quote:

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

Henry Louis “H. L.” Mencken

With a system based on this, it is not surprising that we are led by people elected by the collective wisdom of individual ignorance ;-)

And the proof of the pudding?

The mess we have endured.

The mess we currently endure.

The mess we will have to endure.

As the good Lord said:  “By their fruit you shall know them”.

Addendum 11th March 2010

My forum post  attracted the following comment (sic):

I think the assumption of pay gives good outcomes is an ignorant and flawed assumption. I currently work in a large corporate and don’t see pay proportional to skill/talent. Seeing many large corporates going to ruin under the leadership of highly paid individuals disproves the theory.

Contractors/consultants get paid more then required, people with fluffy descriptions getting paid more than required doesn’t lend well to that arguement (price/performance ratio is generally hightly skewed in the price favour). Their strength is generally self belief, or belief that others will be ignorant to work out the lack of value. Things such as the ability to manage upward and know the right backs to stab is what gets people places, and money.

My perception is in general base pays may be low for a politition, but prestige/perks are high, and infamy and the ability to do $5000+ (actually that is what gets paid to an ex-sports talent for a one hour stint) a pop talks infront of a group of bored corporates says, there is definately money to be made from a career in politics. This once again disproves theory of pay=good. … See More

The best potential artists, scientists, leaders may actually be living in the streets, but will never get a chance! People give themselves labels of grandure and be it politics, arts or science (but there is less to be gained in the latter).

In our system, Democracy is an illusion, as our choices are really not choices, to me we have two options that have the same value set, therefore offer nothing different with “me too” policies. So to is the concept of pay being proportional to skill/ability is an illusion, held by an equally ignorant group of people to the “unwashed masses”. Analyse things better.

My response:

I agree that pay does not always relate to outcomes; which is why I used the word “tends”.

I brought Branson into the equation (along with the comment about his character) to add further balance because as you point out, there is much bad in business too. In fact, many in business are overpaid because they are good at politics…. See More

And yes, there are many educated derilicts. I was once one of them and at one time could not afford milk for my tea. The challenge (and qualification) is to be able to overcome (and be worthy).

There are many cases where pay, in any field, is not related to skill/ability, however the general principle of craftsmen serving before kings has applied down the ages and is still in effect today. (Of course, the general principle does not apply to everyone, or every case).

Anyway, thank you for your comments. I appreciate the reality check.

Politics! What is it about politics that it attracts so many nutters? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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“Seeing is believing” – or is it? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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Fake loving family man

The family beast?

Does this sound like some medieval term for the family horse, cow or dog?

The family beast is one way of describing these people:

“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘good morning’ at total strangers.”

Maya Angelou
Poet, Writer and Performer

I grew up with some family beasts and became, for a time, one myself.

Perhaps you are the family beast in your family?

If so, what are YOU going to do to fix the situation?

Who is the family beast? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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Knowing that I am stupid is one of the most valuable teachers that I have.

Knowing that I am stupid causes me to accept correction when I am wrong.

Knowing that I’m stupid causes me to take new and improved actions when my actions turn out to be unproductive.

Knowing that I’m stupid makes me seek knowledge, find that knowledge, and put it to work on my behalf and the behalf of others.

Knowing that I’m stupid is the perfect excuse to strike up a conversation with Wisdom, and Wisdom doesn’t need to make me humble first.

Knowing that I’m stupid makes me test what does and does not work, causing me to do what works, because I know that I am stupid enough to do what doesn’t work.

Knowing that I’m stupid causes me to embrace change, because I know, as stupid as I am, many improvements and changes must be made.

Knowing that I’m stupid causes me to work the percentages, because I know I’m not smart enough to make a sale from everyone I come in contact with.

I love the freedom of being stupid, because it allows me to make many comparisons, gather much data, and put two and two together all over the place.

I love being stupid, because I am constantly learning from my mistakes.

I am so courageous in my stupidity that I go out on a limb, unafraid to make mistakes, because I know that the new information that comes in will be smarter than me.

How about you?

Feel like playing it smart?

I am stupid! is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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Because of my cat.

It’s all her fault.

My girl cat Nimue likes stealing my office chair. It is not related to heat because she sits in it when I haven’t used it for ages. At times she sleeps on it.

If I borrowed my wife’s chair (when she was out) and then went elsewhere, when I came back Nimue would be sitting on the chair I vacated, i.e: not my normal chair.

The other problem was that if I tried to remove Nimue from the chair, she would on 90% of occasions swipe at me with her paws and at times even bite. She even has this fancy back paw swipe.

To get my chair back, I would then have to ask my wife to remove Nimue from the chair (no biting or swiping).

Now, Nimue is a very loving cat. She is very happy, healthy and balanced. She dotes on me, but not so much as to let me have my chair back! The fact that she feels able to swipe and bite to keep the chair indicates deep trust, as I am much bigger than her. I guess it is a compliment in a way.

All this left me with a problem…I needed a proper office chair to work effectively.

I decided the solution was to purchase a new office chair, knowing Nimue can only sit on one chair at once.

I briefly researched chair buying choices online and decided on an excellent Corporate 5000 high back chair with Sturt Night Sky fabric and special seat foam. This chair, available at my local Empire Business Furniture branch in Southport, Queensland, was on special for $249. I received excellent, helpful service from Andy and Toni.

I am pleased with my choice of chair. I have used Empire Business Furniture for years and recommend them for office furniture.

Someone else is also pleased with my choice of new office chair:

Here she is on the old office chair:

New office chair (for the cat). is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-06 is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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Comfort zones

So many people love their comfort zones.

It is understandable in a way, however if you are serious about personal development and growth then spending time in the ‘Uncomfortable zone’ will generally produce better results.

An ‘Uncomfortable zone’ is a situation where you either have to grow as a person, or snap back to your old self in your comfort zone.

These days I enjoy being in the ‘Uncomfortable zone’ for a variety of reasons, which include:

• I learn more about myself, others and life.
• It can be thrilling and exciting.
• The sense of satisfaction and achievement when making a ‘breakthrough’.
• More rapid personal development. A faster track. A shorter route. (How much time – life – do you have to waste?)
• My mind expands and grows.
• The universe/cosmos provides more support.
• I grow in Wisdom.
• I know that the ‘Uncomfortable zone’ will soon become a comfort zone and the next challenge will then appear. ‘Qualification’ for the next steps of personal growth can be dependent upon completing the previous steps.
• The peace, joy, calmness and other positive aspects of life increase exponentially.

These are just some of the reasons.

My mind has now reached the stage where it sees comfort zones as a negative.

Simply speaking; comfort zones are not your friend at all! They just fog your mind and keep you dwelling in a grey twilight.

Embrace your ‘Uncomfortable zone’. Fire your comfort zone. And grow.

Personal development can be uncomfortable. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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(BSOD = Blue Screen Of Death).

Perhaps you remember all the stress, pain and other feelings associated with the experience?

Should your computer be crucial for your everyday business or personal tasks, then you simply cannot afford a failed operating-system.

Should you have some computer software causing some system problems and creating plenty of computer downtime, then you need a solution also.

In these cases, prevention is usually better than cure.

One of the better methods of keeping your PC healthy is by using a Virtual PC.

A Virtual PC means that you can use more than one operating system at once on your Windows PC. A bit like ‘picture in picture’.

Some important points about using a Virtual PC:

1. You might use your virtual PC to trial software before installing it on your main OS. Thus giving you the opportunity to determine the way the product works, as well as see the way it will continue to work in conjunction with the other software installed on your computer.

2. Test upgrades to currently installed software before installing it on your main computer operating system. This enables you to test compatibility with other programs prior to installation.

3. Additionally you can run older programs if you have one that won’t install or run correctly on your main operating system, but which is fine on an older version of Windows. This can also help if you have software which only runs on 32 bit and you have upgraded your OS to 64 bit.

The key benefit of this is that you can’t damage the main operating system because the host (your main PC) and the virtual PCs are totally separate from each other (even though they are running on the same computer hardware). So, what you do on one operating system won’t affect the other.

Microsoft has a program called Microsoft Virtual PC, which is free. Microsoft Virtual PC runs on Windows 7 (though not every version – just Professional or Ultimate). If you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 7, but are hesitating because you have lots of old programs, then Microsoft Virtual PC will help you. More information from Wikipedia.

I have used Microsoft Virtual PC for some time now and have found it very useful indeed. Windows 7 is much better than Vista (and I had got Vista running very slickly).

BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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This video is a must see for everyone I think. Including us here in Australia.

Second Financial Economic Crash Coming – Huge & Soon is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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