Blinkie Codes

Google's on the warpath today. First they made me verify my e-mail account, now they've got my blinkie codes marked as inappropriate content. So much for freedom of speach. I guess it doesn't exist in California...

Anyway here are the codes:

Digicats' Stalker Code

<center><a href="http://digicats.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/manateeshockey/Digicats/DC2_bybrandi.gif" border="0" alt="Digicats Stalker" width="150" height="50"></a></center>

Digicats' Fan Code

<center><a href="http://digicats.blogspot.com" target="newwin"><img border="0" src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/manateeshockey/Blinkies/DigicatsFan_by_Brandi.gif" width="150" height="50" alt="Fan of Digicats"></a></center>

HP - A cautionary tale

What's going on with the computer...well...

The old one was dying. It was 12 or 13 years old anyway. But I found a great deal on a refurb from TigerDirect - $300 for a HP Pavilion a4313w. I've wanted a Pavilion for a long time and so I put aside my reservations over the refurb part and ordered it.

It showed up late last Monday. Tuesday I unpacked it and tried to run Win7 for the first time. It kept hanging and then it would give me the error screen. So after several attempts to get it going, I called technical support and got "Rami" who I could barely hear, in one of the overseas call centers.

He tried to tell me I had a virus and I needed to buy a recovery disk for $15. I said "I just took it out of the box, Rami. How did the virus get in there? Did you put it there?"

"No, no. You got it from the internet."

"I haven't been ON the INTERNET because I can't get it to BOOT UP!"

On top of this he kept telling me I had 59 days left on my warranty and I said "I just bought it. I get 90 days."  

"No, no. 59 days."

They really need to fire Rami and they really need to get rid of their overseas call centers because the whole thing is a scam. I just noticed today, when I was writing my review, that someone else was told they had a virus and had to buy a recover disk and since he didn't know better, he fell for the scam. That's sad.

There are thousands of unemployed Americans out there who would do a much better job than Rami and the overseas call center and represent HP in a much better light, instead of as a scam.

Unless of course they really want to be known as a scam company.

In any case, he told me to run a memory test, just to get me off the phone. So I did that, and amazingly enough, it booted up. And things were fine for all of about five minutes. I turned my back for 10 seconds to grab the box of software to upload, and the computer tried to reboot itself. Except it never did.

So I call technical support again. This time, I got David in call center in the United States. So nice to know HP actually does employ an American or two.

After two hours, it was determined I was shipped a machine with a faulty mother board. Don't they test these things before they ship them?

So they sent a box and I returned the computer. David was also kind enough to update my warranty information for I get my full 90 days. Personally, I think that should start on the day I get the computer back but...

Right now, the estimated shipping date is July 9th, almost a month from my purchase date of June 15th.

Needless to say, I'm mildly pissed by the whole situation. Don't buy HP folks, it's a pile of crap. Stick with Dell.

The 9th is the outside shipping date, he told me 5 to 7 business days to fix so I'm hoping I get it back sooner.

Since the old machine died, I went to storage and got the old-old Gateway, which has a 19Gig Hard Drive and 128K memory and which came with Win96 when I first got it. That was a while ago. LOL.

So I'm back online at least.

Guess I should go get my trash can now before it blows off down the street....

Freebie Friday: The Dragon's Lair

Hey kids! Sorry for the delay in getting this up, but I've been having major computer problems. Don't look for any new kits for at least a couple of weeks either, because once I get the HP back from getting repaired, I'm going to have to upload everything.

But I didn't want to you to go without. So...This is the sequel to last weeks freebie, and it's called Dragon's Lair...

This is another formerly PTU kit that is now FTU.

Deep in the Enchanted Forest lies adventure beyond your wildest dreams. Magic abounds and not all paths are safe ones. Is your future written in the stars? Or will fate take you into...The Dragon's Lair?

This is a follow up to my Enchanted Forest kit and is composed in a similar color pallet. Inside you will find 36 800 x 800 pxl .jpg papers, plus 113 Elements including 12 frames (6 round, 6 square) with a star motif, 6 grungy star tags, 6 bows, 6 dragonflies, 6 delicate flowers, 6 patterned skull tapes, 6 ribbons, 6 ribbon wrap, 6 string butterflies, 6 strings, 5 glitter swirls, 4 mushroom houses, 4 trees, 4 vines, 3 candles, grassy border, 3 tiger lilies, 2 swan mays, 2 Fae lights, 2 blue jays, 2 shooting stars, 2 dragons, 1 black unicorn, 1 castle in the clouds, 1 crescent moon, 1 frog prince, 1 harvest moon, 1 owl, 1 Pegasus, 1 tree stump, 1 wild cat, 1 vampiric dark elf, and 1 dryad.

While this is a taggers size kit, it is saved to 300 DPI making it suitable for blogwear and websets, online stationary and smaller print jobs. Personal Use only please!

Please remember that by downloading this kit you agree to my terms of use which state, in part that that that you cannot redistribute, rebroadcast, resale, or claim my graphics as your own. That means placing this kit on 4Shared, RapidShare or any other file sharing site for any reason is a strict NO-NO! That constitutes redistribution.

If you know someone who is interested in this kit, please direct them to my blog where they can download their own copy. Free to use is NOT the same thing as free to share. My graphics are copyright protected.



To download the kit from Mediafire, click on the preview below:



The password is "TYVM" (no quotes).

If you enjoyed this freebie, please take a moment to vote for Digi!

Rage Tutorial

Another HOT new tutorial from Jessica using my new Rage taggers kit. This kit is exclusive to Scraps and the City.com.

Click on the blinkie below to try the tutorial:



Although I do have to admit to just a little bit of surprise that she didn't work the chainsaw in somehow....

Ah well. Maybe next time...

New from Digicats (& Dogs): Rave

For all you party animals out there, comes a hot rave themed kit. If you like the music, the dancing and the lights...well, you'll find them all included in Rave. And there's no long lines to get into this nightclub.

20 (800 x 800 pixel, .jpg) papers and 106 .png elements, done up in shades of purple with chrome accents including 3 Visy posers by (c)Perfect Posers.

300 DPI. Personal use only.

---

More new June releases:

 
 
 

---

Proud Designer for:

Pharaoh's Day Finds

A couple of new tutorials, both on a theme.

First up, a wicked new tutorial from Tagcatz using my Necropolis kit.



You can try this tutorial at Tagcatz.com. To visit Tagcatz blog, and see what else she's been up to, click on the blinkie below:



Necropolis is available exclusively at Scraps and the City.com. You can save 35% now through the end of June, plus get a free tube with your purchase!

The next tutorial comes from Lyn at Angel's Tuts. She used my Heart of the Nile taggers kit.



You can try the tutorial for yourself at HERE.



Heart of the Nile is available at Aussie Scraps, where all my taggers kits are just $2, now through the end of June.

That includes my new Valley of the Kings kit as well, which would be just perfect for making up a couple of tags for your favorite Pharaoh on this Father's Day.


 

A new SATC Exclusive: Rage

RAGE: Angry fury; a violent desire or passion; the desperate need to choke the living sh** out of somebody.

For those times when you just can't take it anymore...take out your anger in a more acceptable way with this Gothic-Horror themed digital taggers kit. 30 (800 x 800 pixel, .jpg) violent papers and 100 deadly elements to give your tags just the right amount of emotional impact.

It's much, much better than killing that guy who just cut you off on the freeway!

Check out these wicked elements: 10 frames, 5 bloodstained parchments, 5 bows, 5 ropes. 5 tags. 5 tribal flames, 4 bats, 3 demon skull, 3 skull doodles, 2 candles, 2 collars, 2 gears, 2 headstones, 2 lamps, 2 lightnings, 2 longstem roses, 2 word arts, 2 winged hearts, 1 arch way, 1 architecture, 1 blowfly, 1 bullets, 1 cards, 1 chainsaw, 1 cross, 1 dagger, 1 fire line, 1 flail, 1 full moon, 1 gate, 1 Gothic Window, 1 handgun, 1 horned pentagram, 1 leash, 1 love potion, 1 lovehate pin, 1 metal mask, 1 motorcycle, 1 pendant, 1 pillar, 1 plant, 1 rose creeper, 1 rusted chain, 1 saw blade, 1 scrunched ribbon, 1 skull border, 1 skull cap, 1 smoke, 1 stabbed heart, 1 staircase, 1 syringes, 1 tarantula, 1 voodoo doll, 1 wicked dangle, and 1 window.

300 DPI. Personal use only.

***A Scraps and the City Exclusive***

This week's Friday Freebie from Digicats: Enchanted Forest!

Magic! Danger! Adventure! Great good lives in the depths of the Enchanted Forest, but great evil lurks there as well. What path will you take?

This fabulous fantasy themed taggers kit features 30 .jpg papers and 101 .png elements including 10 frames, 8 fabulous flowers, 7 forest friend animals, 4 magical unicorns, a full moon, a crescent moon, a starlight curtain, 5 hanging star elements, 5 regular star elements, trees, ribbons and star tape, dragonflies, butterfly bows, clouds, string, staples, tags, 4 stick pins (sun, moon, 2 stars), evil tulips, grass borders and four ravens.

Saved to 300 DPI so it's suitable for blogwear and websets, e-mail stationary and smaller print jobs up to 5 x 7 inch size. Personal use only please.

Are you ready to enter the Enchanted Forest?

This is another formerly PTU kit that is now FTU.

Please remember that by downloading this kit you agree to my terms of use which state, in part that that that you cannot redistribute, rebroadcast, resale, or claim my graphics as your own. That means placing this kit on 4Shared, RapidShare or any other file sharing site for any reason is a strict NO-NO! That constitutes redistribution.

If you know someone who is interested in this kit, please direct them to my blog where they can download their own copy. Free to use is NOT the same thing as free to share. My graphics are copyright protected.



To download the kit from Mediafire, click on the preview below:



The password is "TYVM" (no quotes).

If you enjoyed this freebie, please take a moment to vote for Digi!

New from Digicats: Valley of Kings

This is the lighter half of Egypt...for those who aren't into Goth. They'll be an associated CU pack coming out as well, still need to work out a few wrinkles.



He was known as Ramesses the Great, the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth dynasty and is still regarded as Egypt's greatest, most celebrated and powerful pharaoh.

This beautiful Egyptian themed taggers kit is set more than 1200 years BC, when the "Great Ancestor" reigned in the city of Pi-Ramesses in the Nile Delta. 20 (800 x 800 pixel, .jpg) papers and 104 .png elements including 3 Ramses posers by (c)Perfect Posers take you back in time to this exciting era.

Included in the kit are 10 frames, 5 brads, 5 raffia bows, 5 ropes, 5 strings, 5 tags, 3 African Lilies, 3 Basts, 3 candelabra, 3 ferns, 3 lotus flowers, 3 palm trees, 2 Ankh Lines, 2 candles, 2 cloud, 2 coffins, 2 fans, 2 Horus, 2 pots, 2 sphinx, 2 summer lilies, 2 water jugs, 1 chaise, 1 cobra charm, 1 Cleo pin, 1 kheper charm, 1 dragonfly, 1 fruits, 1 golden scarab, 1 great sphinx, 1 hawk, 1 lioness, 1 moon, 1 palm tree cluster, 1 Pharoah's barge, 1 pillar, 1 pitcher, 1 plate, 1 pyramids, 1 phython, 1 sand, 1 scorpion, 1 scroll, 1 sphynx, 1 steps, 1 throne, 1 tile, and 1 Tutankhamun Mask.

300 DPI. Personal use only.



Valley of the Kings is available at:

It's Travel Week with Digicats at Aussie Scrap Designs!

Check out this great tutorial from Lee using my British Vacation tagger kit!

You can try it for yourself at Midnight Music.

You can snag a British Vacation for yourself, for just $2.00, now through 30 June, 2010 at Aussie Scrap Designs!

A new SatC EXCLUSIVE from Digicats: Necropolis

The Nile is called the "River of Life" but the ancient Egyptians worshiped death as the means to eternal life. Step now into the past, where Gods roamed the earth, and death was a way of life.

The beautiful Egyptian themed digital taggers kit combines both traditional and Gothic elements to take you on a trip back in time. 30 30 (800 x 800 pixel, .jpg) dark Goth papers and 103 richly appointed .png elements bring this ancient civilization to life.

Included in the kit are 10 frames, 5 bows, 5 flowers, 5 metallic strings, 5 ribbons, 5 tags, 3 Anubis, 3 dark clouds, 3 elements, 3 lotus flowers, 3 standing stones, 2 Bast, 2 candelabras, 2 mystic bling, 2 rats, 2 scarab charms, 2 sphinxes, 2 staffs, 2 urns, 1 ankh line, 1 Anubis dagger, 1 Anubis mask, 1 astrolabe, 1 basin, 1 black scarab, 1 bowl, 1 butterfly bling, 1 candle, 1 cobra charm, 1 coffin, 1 crystal ball, 1 dragonfly, 1 eye charm, 1 falling star, 1 fractal, 1 full moon, 1 Gothic flames, 1 great sphinx, 1 hawk, 1 Horus, 1 hourglass, 1 mask, 1 mist, 1 pillar, 1 plant, 1 pyramids, 1 rats group, 1 sacred cat, 1 sand, 1 sarcophagus, 1 scorpion, 1 scroll, 1 Sekhmet mask, 1 skull, 1 star trail, and 1 throne.

300 DPI. Personal use only.

**EXCLUSIVE TO SCRAPS AND THE CITY!**

 

Contessa Poser not included in kit. Available separately at Scraps and the City from Sky Scraps.

It's all a matter of trust...

A new tutorial from Jessica at Gothic Inspirations using my Guilt taggers kit. She is using the fabulous artwork of Mr. Joseph Corsentino.

Check out this work at www.timeofthefaeries.com. It's bril. Really, it is.

Click on the blinkie below to try this tutorial:



The Guilt taggers kit is available exclusively at Scraps and the City and is 35% off, now through the end of June!

American Tourist terror plot uncovered!

I've been playing with Cookie a bit more than usual of late, but this was still a bit outside my comfort zone...



God save the Queen! Cookie is on her way to London and she just can not wait to check out all the great attractions like the London Eye, the Tower of London, and of course all the adorable guards at Buckingham Palace.

Join Cookie as she plots her British Invasion with the inventive little UK themed digital taggers kit with 20 (800 x 800 pixel, .jpg) papers and 74 elements including 3 Bobbi Jo posers by (c)MediEvil Creations.

You are also getting: 10 frames, 5 bows, 5 ribbons, 5 tags, 4 brads, 3 flowers, 3 fuzzlees, 3 roses, 3 suitcases, 3 train tickets, 2 doubledeckers, 2 monies, 2 postcards, 2 spotty flowers, 2 street lamps, 2 UK Flags, 1 Buckingham Palace card, 1 camera lens, 1 globe, 1 half-crown, 1 jet, 1 Mini-Cooper, 1 camera, 1 shilling, 1 passport, 1 police box, 1 post box, 1 taxi, 1 telephone box, 1 Tower Bridge card, and 1 Tower of London card.

Everything is saved to 300 DPI except for posers, which are 200 DPI. Personal use only.

British Vacation is available at:

A new Digicats exclusive: Darkness Becomes Her

http://digifoxsstudio.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_139&products_id=2960

Taken from the land of light and laughter into the underworld, there to become the wife the Lord of the Dead, this is one woman's journey from mortal to Demigod.

This beautiful Gothic themed digital taggers kit comes with 20 (800 x 800, .jpg) papers and 105 .png elements.

Included are 10 frames, 10 ribbons, 5 bows, 5 metallic string, 5 tags, 3 bats, 3 misted hearts, 3 roses, 2 Anubis, 2 candles, 2 demon skull, 2 lightning, 2 masks, 2 pillars, 2 statues, 2 tables, 1 Anubis Dagger, 1 astrolabe, 1 Bast, 1 bowl with fire, 1 bracelet, 1 broken God, 1 chalice, 1 chandelier, 1 charm, 1 coffin, 1 crystal ball, 1 dagger, 1 death card,1 draped swag, 1 dripping hearts, 1 full moon, 1 gargoyle, 1 Gothic arch, 1 Gothic flames, 1 horned moon, 1 horned pentagram, 1 hourglass, 1 key, 1 little angel, 1 looking glass, 1 mirror, 1 poison bottle, 1 poison cup, 1 rose bundle, 1 saw blade, 1 screen, 1 shoe, 1 sparkles, 1 spider, 1 staff, 1 staircase, 1 star chain, 1 T-Bird, 1 throne, 1 top hat, 1 torch, 1 vampire ring, 1 wedding bands, 1 werewolf, and 1 wine set.

300 DPI, personal use only.

**EXCLUSIVE TO DIGI FOX'S STUDIO**





Dark Bride posers not included in kit.