@Gemini-Phoenix: The difficulty in getting to orbit isn't so much in gaining altitude as much as it is gaining velocity. A balloon can get you to a very high altitude, but the vast majority of energy is still required to get you up to orbital speed (roughly mach 22).

vote:nearlyfreespeech.net

@Duane: Those two points certainly help, but I find they are often what I have least control over.

If only the maximize button worked I would keep this. I'll keep an eye on it as it improves.

Befriend upper-year students, and use theirs.

Vote: Digsby

In case you're worried about who owns the content you upload, the Clip2Net terms explicitly state that all files are copyrighted to their respective owners.

@the_Sleepwalker: When you download files via a torrent, your IP address is added to the tracker so that other clients can connect to your computer. Every time you download a torrent, you are making your computer's "identity" public. If this were not the case, the whole premise of torrent distribution would be…

I get these from time to time. Read it carefully - there are probably instructions on what your ISP requires you to do. Mine usually require a response saying that a specific file is no longer being uploaded. If a response is required, keep it to a minimum and don't admit to anything.

I don't get how this makes a photo better... I'm just distracted by it. I mean, the lady's eyes are blanked out. How do you think she feels about that?

unnes - "Last I checked, GIMPshop hadn't been udpated since 2005. Are we still forced to use a two-year old build?"

This is actually included in the latest version of the Vista Transformation Pack released today. It looks outstanding.