Anyway, after that, I wanted to take a look at the Reader Zinio provides for the Mac desktop, so I just downloaded and installed it. Before the installation finished, I had to enter my account info (e-mail, password) and so I did. Unfortunately, the Zinio Reader tried to connect but failed, because of my e-mail address seemed not to be existing. I tried it a few times and checked it for typos, but everything was correctly entered.

I decided to write an e-mail to Zinio’s support. I mentioned the problems I’ve been having with the Reader and also the odd, spanish confirmation e-mail I got. Yet (after over one day), they did not answer my mail and I’m wondering whether they’re going to. I’ll just be patient.

However, does anyone know any other sites that provide the same service Zinio does? And maybe allow me to download the stuff I buy as PDF to save it on my Mac?

My future Livingroom

Last evening I was playing round with Google’s great 3D-modelling software called Google SketchUp and tried to do something, what’s actually not SketchUp’s purpose: I was trying to design a room. I was searching for quite a long time some home designing software that includes real furniture and the only one I’ve found till now was “The Sims 2″, though it’s pretty pricy since there’s also a need to buy the Ikea-Addon.

However, as I was saying, I tried out Google’s SektchUp and I have to say that I’m positively surprised by its features and the possibilities it provides – especially because it’s freeware! I did some scratches for practise and half an hour later I began to create my interior design. I spent around thee and a half hours for designing, but in the end I am very pleased with the result, especially regarding the fact of me being a SketchUp-rookie.

The Media Center

So, how does my future livingroom I’ve designed look like? Let’s start with the basic information: The room has approximatively 8.3 x 6.3 meters of floor space and a regular height. On the mocha-carpeted floor I have two smaller carpets (unknown brand, designed by hela19). On the lighter carpet a Sofa by Mark Goetz, a Noguchi glas table and the Nelson Coconut Chair is placed. In front of the Sofa, the Chicago Media Center by Blu Dot holds a Samsung Flatscreen-TV, an Apple TV and a DVD-collection. Since the DVD’s would be available on the Apple TV itself, the DVD boxes in the Media Center’s cubicles would be more prestige than use. On the glas table, a MacBook Air would be available as carryable media device.

Wall unit, Media Center, Storage Benches and Turntables.

On the left side of the room, a Smart Furniture Wall Unit would keep all books, magazines and other things in it. On the right side of the Media Center area a nice plant lightens up the room’s ambient and another seating accomodation with integrated shelves called “Cognita Storage Bench” by Herman Miller provides additional storage space.

Right after the benches, three (modificated) Linc L18 tables by Bernhardt Design provide the space for my DJ equipment. Into these tables, a part of my Vinyl collection could be placed.

The room’s entrance would be at the corner in which the SketchUp figure stands. Besides the entrance, a nice, black George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa would provide another additional seating accomodation, in a stylish way. Right next to the Sofa, another nice plant and a Herman Miller Airia Home

The "Office" Corner

Office fill out the other corner of the room. I replaced the original chair coming with that Home Office set by a Herman Miller Eames Softpad Executive chair. On the (modified – I stretched it to be longer and deeper) desk, an Apple iMac with wireless keyboard and Mighty Mouse is available for work, placed in a way to not get derranged or even distracted by the images showed by the TV, though it’s still possible to turn around and take a quick look at the show, even if someone sits on the sofa.

So, however, this would be my idea of how a perfect livingroom for myself could look like. The main problem would be to find an appartment which provides a 52.29 square-meters (living-)room, heh.

Some more pictures are available on my Picasa WebAlbum. Enjoy!