Alpha Core

This article is part of a series of posts containing software that I’ve come to think of as being the best free and open-source ones around at the moment. Check the table of contents for the other articles in the series.

This time I’d like to list some image, audio and video viewing/manipulation applications that I would like to recommend. I want fast and light-weight viewers that open my files immediately but powerful full-featured editing tools for the more complex tasks: Read more

Already for a while I’m thinking about presenting a series of posts containing software that I’ve come to think of as being the best free and open-source ones around at the moment.

I know that there’s often a lot of alternative solutions, not necessarily worse than the ones I suggest here, but I’ll try to limit myself to one main title for every need. I have these applications installed and use most of them very often.

In this article I want to list my favorite productivity and office-related applications: Read more

It’s my turn to post an escape game this time! Kagi nochi tobira (鍵のち扉), which means ‘key, then door’ is quite simple in concept. As you might have guessed: in every room, you need to find a key and open the door with it. Sounds easy enough, not? Go ahead, prove it to me and complete all 20 levels in the game! Enjoy!

Scala is a youth choir from Aarschot, Belgium, roughly sixty teenage girls, directed by two talented brothers, and enjoying national and international recognition.

From today on, their new album Paper Plane is entirely available to download for free (in MP3 format) from the official website. This is the first time a Belgian band releases a new album online for free. The lyrics to all songs can be found on the Kolacny website.

To give you an idea of what they are like: below is the video clip from Raintears, which is also on the album. The song is about holding on to memories of a lost loved one. Read more

While Doro is more into escape games, I prefer tower defense games. Here’s a nice addition to the collection I already posted before. It’s called Ultimate Defense 2.

Refreshing in this game is the ability to dig around in the landscape and find some bonus items or treasures, which help you getting more money for the next level.

At first the game might seem pretty difficult, but keep trying and you’ll be able to get to the end easily! Money is hard to come by in this game, so spend it wisely! Enjoy the game!

Hot Tamale! Hot Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot! Do you like Tamale? Hot Hot Tamale? I like Tamale Hot Hot! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot! You like Tamale? Warm Tamale? No! I like Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot! You like Tamale? Tepid Tamale? No! I like Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot Tamale! Hot Tamale! Hot Hot! What kind of Tamale do you like? Read more

No, please! Avert your eyes from the picture! It’s actually a pretty tasty dish! What you see here is called Labskaus (or Lapskaus) and it is a specialty from Northern Germany and in particular from Hamburg. The coloring given by the red beets may deceive you at first, but after you’ve tasted it, you’ll agree that it’s actually quite good! Here’s the recipe for this rather special dish: Read more

We went for a short bike tour near Moorfleet (Hamburg). Here are some impressions: