Don't know if you've ever checked out Gizoogle, which is a client that translates web pages for you. It's fun at first, but then it gets kind of old.

Recently, I've been playing around with two other clients:

Google H4x0r which is their service in leet speak, and

Elgoog which is Google spelled backwards (pretty self explanatory).

These search engines add a unique spin to the otherwise robotic functions they serve on a daily basis.

Somewhat related to these alternate means of searching for queries, is Googlism which shows you to see what Google "thinks of you, your friends or anything!" You simply type in someone, somewhere, time, place, etc. and Googlism tells you what it knows about that query.

In terms of the Bay Area, Googlism reveals (amongst a host of results):

bay area is stunning during spring
bay area is a very popular tourist destination
bay area is a veritable cornucopia of museums
bay area is said to be the size of 52 football fields
bay area is an art oasis
bay area is undergoing rapid changes and facing serious challenges
bay area is home to one of the most dynamic and vigorously growing economies in the nation

For those who still haven't had their boredom solved after checking out this post, there are still two more things you can do related to this whole Google subculture.

The first is called, Googlewhacking. This is a Google search query consisting of two words, that returns a single result.

Seems simple enough and yet it's not that simply done. For instance, an example of such, before being publicized, was "ambidextrous scallywags." I've come close with a few queries, but it's still fun to try.

The second is called, Google Dueling. This is when you play with a friend to create two related searches and award points based on who has more results (ie. searching food and drink).

As Firefox and Google have partnered together, to make participation in all of these activities much easier, make the switch or at least try out what I think is a very good browser. See the link at the very bottom of this page and have fun Googlewhacking and/or Dueling!:P

I don't recall why I had to use Internet Explorer a few days ago, but I do recall me constantly asking why. I mean, having used Firefox for quite sometime, I've gotten used to such perks as user-friendly tabbed windows, weather reminders, and mouse shortcuts.

It would be kind of nice if IE could bear some resemblance to it's more hip cousins, kind of...

So Firefox is cool, but what could be cooler? Firefox and your best friends of course!

Introducing, Flock - the browser for people who like to be connected.

Internet users spend a lot of time going from one site to the next, keeping up with a variety of friends and interests. Flock pulls all of your favorite people, places and content together in a convenient view and delivers a more personal experience of the web, where its users are more easily connected to what's important to them.

Flock features the ability to sync with:
-Facebook so you always know what's going on (including when you receive new messages and invites)
-Flickr so you can have quick access to your favorite pictures
-Your favorite rss feeds so you know what's going on (you can subscribe to your favorite news sources and your choice blogs... hint hint)
-And so many more services

In all, though the extensions need to get up to where Firefox is, Flock is still a pretty amazing browser at least worth trying, especially, for the person wanting to be in the know!