I’ve just been playing around with Zotero, a firefox extension and I really like what I see. Basically it allows you to clip web pages and PDFs while doing research online and offline. From there it will generally work out the details of the reference and allow you to easily export them, properly formatted, to word in your bibliography.

For anyone doing any form of research this is a must have. Its free too!

[Zotero]

This month as a side project I’ve started working on a daily photo blog for Durham, my new home. It can be found here and as the name suggests there is a new photo every day.

I’ve never liked mobile companies. I always see them as a cartel trying to rip me off. However O2’s Broadband division is very different.

I was unable to get my first choice broadband Virgin for my new flat so I looked into the alternatives. O2 and Sky are cheapest but I didn’t want Sky TV so went with O2.

I chose the 16Mbit premium package for £10 a month. Not a bad rate I thought. Set up was a breeze. Called them on Friday, wireless router/modem arrived Monday, online Wednesday afternoon.

I did some quick speed tests and they maxed out at 800kbps. That about all I’m used to over a wireless network so I was pretty happy. I then got a spontaneous e-mail from them apologising for me not being able to achieve the max speed and advising I should call them.

I called them and after a few quick diagnostics they dropped my bill to the standard £7.50 and left the speed the same.

I couldn’t be more impressed. They are somehow offering low cost uncapped broadband with top notch service. I’m just waiting for the catch now.

“Rock and Roll Jesus” is an odd album. I think that’s a bit of an understatement actually.

I remember Kid Rock from the “Devil Without A Cause” days when he toured with Joe C . For a long time I saw him as a heavy rock rapper and pretty much thought nothing of it. Then I heard “Picture“, the duet between Rock and Sheryl Crow, and I went looking for more of the same. Alas at the time (about a year ago) there was nothing but his heavy rap.

Then, one morning I heard “All Summer Long” on radio 1 and stood up and took notice. A brilliant blend of “Werewolves of London” and “Sweet Home Alabama” you could tell it would be a hit. More significantly it showed Kid Rock was outputting music worth listening to.

Rock and Roll Jesus is a mix of two genres. “So Hott“, the first single, is Rock’s usual style. With insightful lyrics including “I want to fuck you like I’m never gonna see you again” it just begs to be laughed at. “Sugar” starts with some promising Bon Jovi style country guitar but goes the same way ending with suggestions like “fuck you in the nose”.

Thankfully, the rest of the album resembles “All Summer Long”. “Amen” and “Roll On” are brilliant pop ballads with excellent lyrics to match. “Blue Jeans and a Rosary” is a lovely track with an excellent orchestral backing. “Half Your Age” is a witty country song clearly targeted at Pamela Anderson. “When You Love Somebody” is again a country track that could easily be a hit.

“All Summer Long” remains the stand out track and deservedly the No.1 single but the rest of the album matches it standards wise (except the heavy rap stuff of course!).