STRANGE SOFTWARE

Strange. Weird. Just plain wacko software. Yep. It’s out there on the fringes and this month we’ll take a look at some of the most unusual software you can use. How about home brewery software? That’s right, folks. Make your own still right at home and whip up some good old ‘shine for that next barbecue. Or, how about ESP software? Yep. Check out those mystical abilities you always suspected you had (or your husband accused you of having). Yessir, there’s some strange software out there and we’re going to take it out from under its rocks and examine it.

Let’s start with the home brewery software. “StrangeBrew” is available at http://www.strangebrew.ca/. It can show you how to concoct those popular drinks that your guests are sure to love. Check out the many recipes included and choose from such party favorites as “Dried Frog Pils”, “Big Dog Koelsch,” or, my favorite, “Bitter Memories.” You’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with your happenin’ parties. It’s free to use for 30 days with a $15 registration fee afterwards should you decide to take the plunge (which I doubt.)

Well, if you really do have ESP, you already know that I’m going to talk about “Your ESP Test” next. It’s a free program, one of many oddball programs available for download from http://www.rkwest.com/downloads.shtml. With “Your ESP Test” you can find out once and for all the true extent of your hidden powers. Tests cover precognitive, clairvoyant, and telekinetic abilities. I took all three tests and didn’t do any better than mere chance. Oh well, it looks like mentally bending spoons wouldn’t be a good career change for me. But, who knows, maybe you can do it! If nothing else, you could be the entertainment portion of our next general meeting!

R.K. West Consulting has plently more of these unusual programs to choose from. They consider them obsolete shareware so they offer them freely now. Ever get the urge to stand outside your lady’s window and strum a guitar while reciting poetry to her? I know, me neither. But, if you ever do want to take a stab at romantic mush, check out “Poetry Generator For Windows.” Your Lady Godiva will love you forever just for trying!

Or, how would you like to know the future? That’s right. You can find out if you will be moving to China before too long as our American jobs rapidly leave the U.S. If you’d like to get a glimpse of what’s coming, check out the program called “I Ching: The Mystic Map Of Time And Change” also available from R.K. West Consulting. If moving to China proves to be in your future, you can get a jump on preparations by working in some new Chinese-looking clothes from Wal-Mart. I hear there’s a sale on right now …

Just do me a favor and don’t tell me what’s coming up. I suspect that no matter who wins in November, we’re in for a rough ride. But, that’s another story…

Now, here’s an unusual site for software, not that I’m recommending them, but rather just reporting to you: http://www.pagan-heart.co.uk/freeware.html#I-CHING. This site has all sorts of New Age stuff. I noted with interest a program called “The Healer.” This program bills itself as a “collaboration between You, Spirit, and Software and can be used to infuse a substance, i.e. water, for healing purposes.” I bet you didn’t think your computer could be used as a witch doctor, did you? It’s for Windows 9x. Sorry NT and XP users, looks like you’re out of luck. But, there’s plenty more strange software on the site where that one comes from if you’re interested.

In conclusion, for legal purposes, I guess I should state that this article is all tongue-in-cheek and not meant to suggest a program or a website for or against serious consideration. I also don’t mean to belittle any specific website, person, their beliefs, or interests. With that said, I hope you take a minute to at least glance at the weird, er, unusual sites and programs listed above. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually like them. If you do, don’t tell me!

Jerry Wonderly