The imposing performance graduates with my highlight.
If you’re using Microsoft products, every now and then you’ll run into a baffling problem. For example, if you enter an invalid product key, Microsoft Office will still work for a few days… but then what? How do you go back and activate the software with a valid product key?!
How to Change Product Key for Microsoft Office 2010 Products on Windows 7
Posted in Technology.
– March 5, 2012
Looble Comments, Now Powered by DISQUS!
This is no joke. I’ve outsourced all blog comments to the DISQUS commenting system. It’s not crazy, it’s brilliant.
Let me tell you why using DISQUS will erect happiness in your life.
First of all, what is DISQUS?
Imagine life in the shorts of a visitor. Don’t you want to erect happiness in their shorts? Using DISQUS, you can!
DISQUS, will help you get your satisfaction.
DISQUS makes life easier for your visitors. And for you.
DISQUS enables your visitors to use one profile across multiple blogs. One password to login everywhere.
Visitors can even use Facebook, Twitter, or OpenID to login. They can see a history of their comments across multiple blogs and even boost their ego with likes.
Desperate to learn more? Watch this video with the CEO of DISQUS, Daniel Ha.
What is the #1 Reason to use DISQUS?
Conversation is important if you want to avoid awkward moments.
DISQUS stimulates conversation. DISQUS is awesome.
Posted in Announcements, Technology.
– April 6, 2011
Oops. 404 Page Not Found – Houston, we have a Problem!
Dear loobles,
We will be flying through a patch turbulence over the next few weeks as we transition to our new homeland of looble.org.
Did you make this? Contact us so we can give credit!
During this time we will be experiencing some technical difficulties. If you are a fan, estranged relative or user of looble, your life will likely be rendered miserable as a result of this.
My bad.
What will be broken on looble.org?
Everything will be broken.
Bookmarks won’t work, images won’t load, downloads will fail, links won’t lead you to a destination. Looble will temporarily be in ruins.
Looble will be a vast wasteland of internet scuzzlefilth.
How long will looble be broken? Can you fix it?!
The path forward is littered with challenges and idiosynchronism - terrible beauty of existence, subjectivity, futility and meaninglessness.
Looble will rise to the occasion…
Looble will emerge from the blanket of darkness that is tightly wound around it’s throat…
Looble will not be slapped by a large trout…
Dude, I just want to know if you can fix it…
Yes, I can fix it.
Things should be back to normal within a month.
And all this drama because the website is moving from looble.com to looble.org?
Yes.
But don’t worry. Looble got back.
Posted in Announcements.
– November 17, 2010
Hi Looble. We has a Wibiya.
It’s true. Look down. All the way down. That’s our new Wibiya toolbar! Isn’t it beautiful? Everything you ever wanted? What? No, not the dramatic lemur, look further down. All the way to the bottom. Isn’t it incredible? I know it is.
Feel like playing a game? Our Wibiya toolbar has games! Feel like chatting with other Loobles? Our Wibiya toolbar has a new and improved chat! Feel like translating this page to another language? Go for it, the toolbar can do that too! Feel like supporting an evil overlord in his quest for global domination? You can use the toolbar to make a donation!
Looble is expanding faster than the chaotic aftermath of the big bang. The Wibiya toolbar will help you be a part of this revolution. You can join our Facebook cult, or follow me on Twitter. You can even subscribe to the Looble RSS feed!
Help Looble save humanity from itself. Use our Wibiya toolbar. Open your eyes to the future, it’s really that simple… 
Posted in Announcements, Technology.
– September 26, 2010
Are You Sad Because Nobody Visits Your Website?
Are you sad because nobody visits your website? Do you wake up in the night with tears because not a single person has noticed your online existence? Do you feel sick to your stomach each time you update your blog because you expect to die lonely and alone?
Congratulations. You’re pathetic. But I can help.
Why would you want an Evil Overlord to help you?
It’s simple. I’m an evil overlord who wants to take advantage of your low self-esteem. Not because I want your first born child, but because you’re more valuable than you think.
You’re crying about your failures and your meaningless existence… This means you haven’t quit yet.
You can’t conquer the world on the backs of quitters
Quitters suck. They wave a white flag in the face of adversity. They fall flat on their face in the mud.
You on the other-hand are depressed because of your consistency at one thing – failing over and over again. I’d much rather harvest the soul of a failure than a quitter. You might be terrible, but at least you’re dedicated to it.
Don’t be fooled – we have something in common. It’s not my superior intelligence, super-human skills, or ability to slam dunk in a junior sized basketball net. But consider this – my evil plots and schemes fail time and time again.
But I know the laws of probability are in my favor. Perseverance will lead to victory – just ask my good friend Wile. E. Coyote…
Will you get your cheezburger sumday?
The truth is probably not.
Sorry.
I thought you said you could help?!
I’m not a motivational speaker. The fact is, statistics and the laws of probability work both ways. If you’ve proven you can fail consistently, chances are you’ll keep on doing it.
Unless you make a change. That’s how I can help.
Take the first step – Subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed.
It couldn’t be more simple. Subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed.
It will change your life.
I won’t tell you to believe in yourself if you suck. I won’t wait until you’re down to kick you, I’ll do it while you’re up. I’ll help you hit rock bottom ASAP, so maybe, just maybe, you can skip being pathetic and move on to something more productive.
I’ll teach you how to become an Evil Overlord so you don’t live the rest of your life as a tiny insignificant peon.
Why should I trust an Evil Overlord?
If you become my minion, I can help you be less pathetic. You should take advantage of that. You should use me until I no longer serve a useful purpose in your quest for greatness.
I’ll teach you how to fail a little bit less every time you fail. Did you ever see Dr. Evil succeed in one of his twisted genius plots for world domination? No. And yet to this day he remains a role model and iconic visionary for all Evil Overlords around the globe…
That’s brilliant. You can be brilliant too.
Stop being pathetic. Become a minion of the Looble Empire, subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed.
Posted in Blogging for Dummies, Guide to World Domination.
– May 30, 2010
How to Build an Empire – Some Assembly Required
Do you want to build an empire, rule the world, or proclaim yourself supreme leader of the human race? All of these are respectable goals which can be achieved by following a few basic steps. Including following me on Twitter. Interested in learning more? Subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed.
Please all mighty overlord, tell me more…!
For now, lets keep things simple. Finances. You can’t build an empire unless you can finance your evil operations. That’s why blogging is an essential part of being an evil overlord, it’s an unlimited stream of income that will be the foundation of your evil career.
How do I start a blog?
First things first – you need to setup a blog by visiting Host Gator. Yes, that’s an affiliate link, and yes you will click it anyways.
It’s not going to be all peaches, some assembly will be required. What did you expect, to be handed an evil empire? Don’t be lazy, that’s why I’m evil overlord, not you.
more funny pictures
How do I turn this blog into a love machine… I mean money maker?
Your blog is a beautiful piranha fish waiting to grow into a flesh eating monster. Sure it starts off tiny, unnoticed, and insignificant, but give it time. Yes, time is the main ingredient you’ll need to invest in your blog. By constantly investing time, you can turn a tiny little website into a huge empire! Blog often, do it on a consistent schedule and comment comment comment!
Comment on what?
Comment on other blogs. How do you think you ended up here, by magic? I don’t think so. Contrary to popular belief, most overlords do not command an evil sorcerer. If an evil sorcerer were real, don’t you think they would be evil overlord?
Comments on other blogs are tiny gateways to your domain. The more gateways you create, the more minions you can funnel into your blog and enslave.
Sounds easy, what’s the catch?
The catch is you. You’re lazy, you’re an oaf, a couch potato with no motivation to last long enough to turn your simple minded boring blog into a stream of income.
But don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for. Subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed, you need my help. Every successful blogger out there has an evil overlord coaching them, whether they admit to it or not. You know those voices in your head? Who do you think put them there?
That’s right, master is here.
So, how do I actually make money from my blog?
Patience minion. I can teach you the ways, but I fear sharing this final secret to fortune will overload your tiny little feeble brain.
If you want to learn how to make money from your blog, subscribe to the Looble RSS Feed and I’ll tell you. Maybe in a day, maybe in a week. I will tell you. The suspense is thrilling, it’s part of the overlord persona.
For now, focus on the task at hand. Visit Host Gator and setup your website.
Will you really teach me how to make money online, or are you only using me for your own personal gain?
Of course I’m using you. I’m exploiting your desire to become rich and powerful in order to increase my own personal wealth.
That’s exactly the sort of brilliance I will teach you if you subscribe to my RSS Feed and visit my empire often.
If you can’t wait, check out my Blogging for Dummies section for advice written specifically for you. It’s only condescending if you let it be.
Can’t Wait? Need to know my best money making technique?
If you can’t wait, that’s fine. Donate 20$ and i’ll email you my best money making technique. I’ll tell you how to easily make hundreds of dollars using your blog.
Just keep in mind, I will eventually reveal this secret on my blog to everyone. So you can wait, or let your impatience be your undoing.
It’s your choice…
Posted in Blogging for Dummies, Building an Empire 101.
– May 16, 2010
Rank Better – Renew Your Domains for Longer Periods
Hello minions.
Today we continue in our efforts to exploit Google for our own personal gain. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Google exploits us. Google feeds off our curiosity and our need for knowledge.
Now it’s our turn.
Satisfaction Guaranteed in 30 Days of Your Soul Back!
I’m an evil overlord. Eventually I will have your soul on a skewer in exchange for promises of power I will dangle in front of you but never deliver. But no worries, I offer a limited time warranty! Satisfaction guaranteed in 30 days or your soul back.
Google likes guarantees.
Google is all powerful because it offers access to information instantly
Type in some words, hit search, you’re done. Tons of information at your fingertips. Simple. Brilliant.
Well wait.
It’s only brilliant because the information you get back is relevant to your search. There are millions of websites out there – Google has to rank and decide instantaneously which are best for you.
That’s why Google likes guarantees
Google’s hold on power relies heavily on it’s ability to return relevant search results. How does Google decide which results are most relevant? There are many factors, one of which being the registration period of your domain name.
Did you register your website for 1 year or 5 years? Google see’s this as a guarantee. If you’re committing to your website for a 5 year period, you must be serious. And, you won’t suddenly disappear…
Not sure what your current registration period is? Visit Host Gator and go to the forums section where an active user will help you find the information you need.
Google likes it’s reputation. What’s the risk of linking to you?
Google doesn’t look good if it sends visitors to websites that are about to vanish for eternity. It’s reputation takes a hit when the information disappears. Thanks for nothing Google. Back to square one.
That’s not good business.
If two websites have equally relevant information, which do you think Google will send you to? Definitely the one that will still be around tomorrow. That makes people happy. Thanks Google! You sent me here and for years now this has been an invaluable resource!
Brilliant.
Think I’m crazy? Check the Google Patent.
I realize some of you need proof. Take a look at what Google has to say on the subject:
Google says: “Certain signals may be used to distinguish between illegitimate and legitimate domains. For example, domains can be renewed up to a period of 10 years. Valuable (legitimate) domains are often paid for several years in advance, while doorway (illegitimate) domains rarely are used for more than a year. Therefore, the date when a domain expires in the future can be used as a factor in predicting the legitimacy of a domain and, thus, the documents associated therewith.”
Rank better in search engines by renewing your domains for longer periods
I’m an all powerful evil overlord because I exploit this and the many other weaknesses exposed by Google.
Looble is awesome. But that’s not enough. If I want to collect the souls of random peasants browsing the internet, I need to make sure my empire ranks high. I need to make sure the peasants find Looble.
Only then can I convert them to minions.
And don’t be fooled. You might be awesome, smart, egomaniacal, whatever. It doesn’t matter. The key to success is an army of minions. Why else do you think Google, Apple and Facebook are such powerful overlords? They command armies larger than the population of small countries.
Start recruiting your army of minions, learn the art of search engine optimization.
What are you waiting for, renew your domain names and websites now with Host Gator.
Don’t waste time, every second counts. Visit Host Gator immediately and renew your domains now.
If you don’t have a website, what are you waiting for? A website or blog is the perfect way to finance an evil empire, register one now and start making money online.
Posted in Blogging for Dummies, Web Hosting & Domains.
– May 2, 2010
How to Rank Higher in Google – Feed GoogleBot SEO
You are what you eat! We’ve all heard the motto, but have you exploited it? What if I told you there was a way to hack Google and all you had to do was feed GoogleBot the perfect diet? It might sound crazy, but if you feed Google’s hungry robot the tastiest snacks, you’ll be rewarded with fame, fortune and success.
You might even be given the right to breed in a post-apocalyptic future run by cyborgs.
Step 1 – Setup a Website
Unfortunately GoogleBot does not eat traditional foods. In order to take control of this powerful robot you must register a website.
Think of your website as a spoon full of pudding. Yes, your website is the key to harnessing GoogleBots power.
Need help setting up a website? Contact me. What better way for an Evil Overlord to recruit new minions than by helping them setup their own internet fortress? Plus, if I offer you my assistance now for free, maybe I can sell you something in the future.
Brilliant plan as usual.
I’m on a tight budget, can’t I just feed it cheeseburgers?
Do you honestly think cheeseburgers will help you hack Google? If only it were that simple…
Cheeseburgers will help you achieve world domination, but they won’t help you hack GoogleBot. Cheeseburgers are great if you combine them with funny looking cats and even better for secret vaccine distribution. If you want to hack Google, you need to know GoogleBots favorite foods. Unfortunately it’s not cheeseburgers.
Give GoogleBot what it wants and you shall be rewarded.
Ok, so what does GoogleBot eat?
GoogleBot is a giant robot (and I mean huge!) that Google keeps hidden in a secret laboratory. Its only purpose is to enslave humanity via ranked indexing of the internet. What does this mean? It means for now GoogleBot is happy eating websites. The time will come when GoogleBot eats our brains via neuron networks, but that’s another story. Granted, that would make finding memories much faster…
Hold on, GoogleBot plans to eat my website!?
Exactly! GoogleBot is going to eat your website whether you like it or not. I know you’re thinking, “Holy sh*t, I worked hard on that site”, but don’t worry, GoogleBot doesn’t physically eat your website. That would be ridiculous. GoogleBot simply consumes your content.
If you are what you eat, then GoogleBot is what it eats. Since you control your website, you control what GoogleBot eats.
The logical conclusion is that you now control GoogleBot. Well actually, you control GoogleBots diet. … If you want to control GoogleBot, you still need to learn the right recipe.
What recipe will give me control over GoogleBot?
Feed GoogleBot search engine optimization. GoogleBot cannot resist SEO.
SEO is the art of feeding crawlers like GoogleBot the right recipes to make them work for you! If thats not cool, I don’t know what is! Interested in finding out more? Check out the SEO blog from the experts.
By gaining control of GoogleBot, you can re-direct highways of traffic to your website. Remember when I promised you fame? Guess what, you just acquired an audience. You’re famous.
All you need to do is master the SEO recipe.
Brilliant! Teach me some SEO so I can conquer the universe!
Are you ready for fame, fortune and success? If so, you need to begin by arming yourself with the best SEO tools. Remember, you’re not the only one who wants a piece of GoogleBot…
The tools are great – just like an airplane is a great tool for travel. But, if you’re not a pilot, the only way an airplane is useful is if you have a ticket. The good news is that learning SEO is much simpler than aviation school. There are tons of SEO Blogs, just search Google!
If you’re not sure where to get started with SEO, Ask me, or get professional SEO assistance.
Which SEO recipe will give me the most control over GoogleBot?
Just like cooking is a skill that takes time and practice, search engine optimization is an art you master over time. The content you feed GoogleBot will get tastier and tastier as long as you keep SEO in mind when designing websites, writing content and deciding on titles.
Can you point me to the best SEO Resources to help me get started?
Everybody has their own personal learning preferences. Some people like training, others prefer playing with the tools, reading blogs or watching videos. Whatever your preference, one of the below links are exactly what you are looking for to help get you started conquering the world.
Posted in Blogging for Dummies, Google, Guide to World Domination.
– April 4, 2010
How to Sync Your USB Stick with an SVN Repository
Syncing your USB stick with an SVN repository is a smart thing to do if you work on a project from multiple computers. It’s even smarter if you occasionally work on a public computer such as at a café, library or university. By syncing your USB stick with an SVN repository you’re creating your own personal mobile development studio.
It’s brilliant. An evil overlord must always be ready to flee the scene quickly…
Why sync with SVN?
If you carry the latest version of your files on a USB stick, the day will come when you lose all your files. USB sticks are small and portable which makes them prone to loss or theft. What you should carry on your USB stick is the ability to access the latest version of your files. FTP or VPN are two ways to access your files, but SVN has many advantages over them if you’re working with and changing files frequently (read/write!).
What are the advantages of SVN over FTP and VPN?
FTP, VPN and SVN all have different purposes. If you’re working on the development of software, SVN is the clear winner because it will track changes made to your files and allow you to revert to an earlier version if necessary. If you work on the same files from a few locations or if you are part of a team of developers, SVN will also make merging the files together extremely easy.
If everything you have read so far makes sense, then you might be interested in another debate, Git vs SVN – Which is Better? Otherwise, just keep reading.
Why use a USB stick? Can’t I just download an SVN client, get my files and start working?
If you lose your USB stick, then yes, you can use an SVN client to get your files and begin working. This however is unnecessary overhead. By using your USB stick you can sit down at any computer and immediately begin working. If the computer has network access you can first get the latest version of any changed files. If the computer doesn’t have network access, you can still work on the version saved on the USB stick and then merge this with the latest version the next time you do have network access.
Time is money. How do you expect to finance your evil operations if you splurge your time? Carbon-14 isn’t about to stop decaying every-time you twiddle your thumbs.
Are there other advantages to using a USB stick for development?
Another advantage to using a USB stick for development is that you don’t need to save any files on the computer you’re using. If you’re working on private documents or proprietary software it is especially important not to leave behind source code! Working from the USB stick is much more convenient because you don’t have to constantly delete all your files when you’re done. Just take them with you. (If you’re forgetful and your project is private you should also consider encrypting the data on your USB stick…! Read my Top 5 Things to Put on Your USB Stick)
Getting started: Install Rapid SVN on your USB stick
Put a copy of Rapid SVN (http://rapidsvn.tigris.org/) on your USB stick so that you can connect to your SVN repository and access the latest version of your files. When you’re ready to work, checkout the latest version of your files into a folder on the USB stick.
When you’re done working on a file, add the latest version back into the repository. Your USB stick and the repository will now both have the latest version of the file. If you lose the USB stick, your files are safe. If you move between computers, your privacy is safe. If you go offline, you can still work.
It’s the perfect mobile development solution.
This is all great information assuming I have an SVN repository. How do I create an SVN repository?
First you need to decide if your project is open source or private… If your project is open source, there are many free SVN hosting providers available. I use Google Code for my Looble Labs projects (http://code.google.com/p/looble/) and GitHub for Battle City. Below are some free SVN hosting providers for open source projects:
- http://code.google.com/
- http://www.assembla.com/
- http://github.com/ (Not SVN… Read more about git http://git-scm.com/)
What if my project is Private? Can I still use SVN? .
If your project is private (not open source) there are still a few free options available. Below are some free private SVN hosting providers:
Can I host my own SVN repository on my computer?
Yes!
Subversion is an open source version control system. You can download the latest version at http://subversion.tigris.org/. You can find installation instructions at http://svnbook.red-bean.com/en/1.5/svn.intro.install.html
Git is also a free open source version control system. You can download the latest version at http://git-scm.com/. You can find installation instructions at http://book.git-scm.com/
Should I use SVN or Git?
In my opinion, SVN and Git are both excellent options. I use SVN for my Looble Labs projects and Git for Battle City. For more information read Git vs SVN – Which is Better?
Posted in Configuration Management, Open Source, Software, Technology.
– March 7, 2010
Top 5 Things to Put on Your USB Stick
Congratulations, you’ve just bought a new 32 GB USB stick
What do you actually do with your USB stick?
There are many different things to do with a USB stick. Be creative! Below is a list of the top 5 things your USB stick must have:
#1 – RETURN IF FOUND.txt
If your USB stick has important documents, pictures or playlists then a RETURN IF FOUND.txt file is a must have. Use BIG CAPITAL LETTERS so the file name stands out.
What should you write in the text document? That’s up to you. Some people write their mailing address, others leave a phone number, some offer a reward. Mine says:
“If found please contact me via http://twitter.com/deceth to arrange return. I’ll gladly buy you a brand new USB stick as a thank you! Thanks. I really appreciate it!”
#2 – Install Portable OpenOffice (or any other portable application!)
Portable applications are great because they allow you to take the software you need anywhere you go. If you’re working on different computers such as at home, at work, at university, at a library, at a café, or at a friends house, then a portable application will save you the hassle of downloading software the computer you are using is missing.
Other times, you won’t even be permitted to install software on the computer you are using! Having a portable application on your USB stick is a good way around that problem. I have OpenOffice installed as a portable application on my USB stick and love it. I’ve never been unable to open a document I wanted to work on.
Visit PortableApps.com for a whole list of applications you can install on your USB stick. With Portable Firefox your bookmarks and settings will follow you anywhere you go. With Portable Linux, you can take your whole desktop with you! Visit http://portableapps.com/
#3 – Install True Crypt for encryption
Not everyone will return your lost USB stick, especially not if they stole it. If you have important private information on your USB stick, True Crypt will allow you to encrypt it. True Crypt is open source and can be used as a portable application, meaning you can decrypt and access your files all from your USB stick, no need to install any software on the computer. Get True Crypt at http://www.truecrypt.org/
#4 – Get TiddlyWiki, a portable wiki all in a single file
TiddlyWiki is a single html file which acts and behaves like a wiki. You can add content, edit, save, tag and search very easily. It is the perfect portable tool for taking notes and organizing information. If you’re taking notes during class or during a meeting, TiddlyWiki is the perfect tool for scribbling down that first draft. Get it at http://www.tiddlywiki.com/
#5 – Install a game… like Battle City!
It’s great to work hard, but even better to procrastinate! Keeping a game saved on your USB stick ensures entertainment is always right at your fingertips. Battle City is the perfect game to save on your USB stick because its open source! If caught playing a game in class, just let the professor know you are actually performing quality assurance testing. Get Battle City at http://battlecity.looble.com
Posted in Open Source, Software, Technology.
– January 30, 2010
