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Here’s some good news for Linux users and Open Source advocates everywhere. The folks who make Open Office have just released the first public beta of OOo 3.0. The big thing this brings …

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I didn’t get much done yesterday. Rather than slaving away over a hot keyboard I went to the “Heroes Happen Here” Microsoft Launch Event.

I know some of you are probably thinking something like “Dave, you’re a writer, why did you go to a Microsoft event?” I could say …

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So, I was cruising down MLK Blvd in my lowrider like usual, and T-Dog and Big Mike were riding with me. While T-Dog loaded his 9mm with a fresh clip, he turned to me and asked, “What’s this open source thing I keep hearing about? Sounds kind of lame, holmes,” and proceeded to empty said clip out the window at pedestrians.

I was busy checking the rear view mirror because Big Mike was in the backseat having a fit of the fear–all twisting his arms and legs while foaming at the mouth. He kept saying something about squirrels.

The question finally registered and I go, “Oh, it’s just a way to streamline your computer needs with superior software at zero cost to you.”

T-Dog stopped firing and got this look of awe, “So, you’re saying I can increase the productivity and viability of my business, work less hours for more money, and it’s completely free and @$!#, holmes? Tell me more!”

So the following is the precise thing I told him:

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A few days ago I posted  a review of a new IM client called Digsby.

Even though it’s in beta I was very impressed, and so I contacted the people involved to see if I could get you some invites for the private beta.

Steve Shapiro of Digsby.com was kind enough to …

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While in the middle of one of the worst moves I’ve ever experienced, and I move around a lot so there have been far too many of them, I ran across a great new instant messaging (IM) client. It’s called Digsby, and is another attempt at creating a multi-protocol IM client. I decided to post about it after reading this thread on the oDesk Community.

For those who don’t want to follow the link, the gist of the thread is that some people don’t like oDesk’s stated preference for Yahoo! Messenger over other instant messaging services. Instant messaging has become as ubiquitous as email: everyone uses it.

As a freelancer I find it’s great to use for quick points of clarification. The problem is that I normally have contacts on MSN, Yahoo! and GoogleTalk, and even with dual monitors three buddy lists take up a fair bit of real estate on my screen. If you’re like me, you’re in the same boat. Some people you talk to in one client, some in another. Some people you may have on multiple buddy lists, others only on one. If I load up all my messengers I have one person who appears seven times!

It’s a mess.

Digsby helps sort that out.

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