In our annual TIME 100 issue we name the people who most affect our (American?) world.
Full List - The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME
Friday, April 30, 2010
Full List - The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME
Posted by Blacky at 8:44 pm 0 comments
What Were the Most Popular Search Terms at Google, Bing, and Yahoo During March?
According to Hitwise and via Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Land, the most popular search term at all three engines for March, 2010 was….Facebook. Yes, it’s true.
What Were the Most Popular Search Terms at Google, Bing, and Yahoo During March?
Posted by Blacky at 8:42 pm 2 comments
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ultimate List of Funny Bathroom Signs
An Ultimate collection of Funny Bathroom Signs from all over the world! Make sure you check out each of the gems below and have a hearty laugh!
Ultimate List of Funny Bathroom Signs
Posted by Blacky at 9:31 pm 0 comments
Facebook Privacy: 8 Ways to Protect Yourself
You want to use Facebook, but you also want to keep your private information from being spread all over the Internet like a Justin Bieber video. The key is to understand how Facebook works, where your information is going, and how to navigate the service's labyrinth of privacy controls. If you accept the service's default settings, you'll likely be sharing a lot more than you might expect. Take the time to update your settings. Chances are you check Facebook every day anyway, so take a few minutes today, go into your privacy controls, and make some choices. Of course, ultimate privacy can only occur by avoiding the service—and every other social networking site—altogether. But where is the fun in that? Read on, follow these tips, and share just what you want—and no more.
Facebook Privacy: 8 Ways to Protect Yourself
Posted by Blacky at 7:18 am 0 comments
Bccthis for Gmail Adds Secret Messages to Mass Emails
Firefox: Ever wanted to send a message to a bunch of people, but with a note tacked on the end for just one of them? Firefox extension Bccthis adds this feature to Gmail, saving you from writing multiple messages.
Bccthis for Gmail Adds Secret Messages to Mass Emails
Posted by Blacky at 7:14 am 0 comments
See What Facebook Publicly Publishes About You
With Facebook's new Open Graph API causing such a stir, many people are questioning what Facebook is publishing to the public. Developer Ka-Ping Yee has created a simple tool shows you what everyone else can see.
See What Facebook Publicly Publishes About You
Posted by Blacky at 7:13 am 0 comments
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
RIP Floppy Disk
If you’re of a certain age, you probably have a history with floppy disks. The moniker dates back to your first forays into computer games and later came to signify those multicolored, hard plastic contraptions you used to store college papers or work presentations.
RIP Floppy Disk
Posted by Blacky at 7:23 pm 0 comments
Bulk File Changer
The Windows operating system stores file attribute and file time information for each file on connected storage devices. File attributes are for instance read-only or hidden flags that can have an impact on file operations. The dates and times a file was created, modified and accessed are also stored in Windows although they do not usually have such a high impact on file operations.
Bulk File Changer
Posted by Blacky at 7:21 pm 0 comments
Answers.com Pushes Answers to Twitter
Answers.com, which you might remember from WikiAnswers or ReferenceAnswers, announced last Wednesday a new alpha feature called “Hoopoe,” which ties in with Twitter. Hoopoe’s Twitter account is at http://twitter.com/answersdotcom.
Answers.com Pushes Answers to Twitter
Posted by Blacky at 7:14 pm 0 comments
Did an Omnifidel Steal Your Obscenometer? A Nonce-word-a-palooza
The longest entry in the enormous online edition of the Oxford English Dictionary is for the verb put. If I wanted to burn out my toner, I could print all 198 pages, which contain definitions and quotations for hundreds of meanings and variations of that little word. As far as its place in the language, put is well-put-together, and this entry is a mega-put-fest.
Did an Omnifidel Steal Your Obscenometer? A Nonce-word-a-palooza
Posted by Blacky at 7:11 pm 0 comments
Angels & Demons - The science behind the story
In Angels & Demons Tom Hanks plays Harvard academic Robert Langdon, who discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati - the most powerful underground organization in history. When Langdon finds evidence that the Illuminati have stolen antimatter from a secret laboratory at CERN, which they plan to use as a devastating weapon to destroy the Vatican, he and CERN scientist Vittoria Vetra begin a race against time to recover the antimatter and prevent catastrophe. But what is antimatter? Is is real? Is it dangerous? What is CERN?
Angels & Demons - The science behind the story
Posted by Blacky at 7:10 pm 0 comments
Bumpology: Can old wives' tales tell me my baby's sex?
Deciding whether or not to find out the sex of our unborn child was a dilemma that plagued us for weeks. Would it spoil the surprise? Even without getting a definitive ultrasound examination to tell us the sex, there are any number of folklore prediction methods – but is there any science behind them?
Bumpology: Can old wives' tales tell me my baby's sex?
Posted by Blacky at 6:08 pm 0 comments
[How to] Convert PDFs to Word Documents for Free?
PDF has become a standard format for documents, eBooks and others. But the problem with PDF files is that you can edit them easily. But if you can convert PDF into a word document, you can easily edit whatever you like. So what is the easiest way to convert PDF to word doc for free? The answer is – by using AnyBizSoft PDF to Word Converter.
[How to] Convert PDFs to Word Documents for Free?
Posted by Blacky at 6:06 pm 1 comments
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Airport Screeners: Beware Intentional Contraband
Shhh, keep this podcast a secret. Because new research points to a possible blind spot in airport security screening: it may be easier to sneak something dangerous past security–a box cutter, for example–by also including an obvious and innocuous banned object, like a water bottle, into the mix as a distraction.
Airport Screeners: Beware Intentional Contraband
Posted by Blacky at 8:29 am 0 comments
Computer Network Information Tool
Network Information Center displays various network related information in its interface upon startup. The computer network information
tool will automatically list the external and internal IP address, default gateway and physical address. All information can be copied to the clipboard individually.
Computer Network Information Tool
Posted by Blacky at 8:10 am 0 comments
Monday, April 26, 2010
9 Habits of the World's Healthiest People
The United States is facing a health crisis of unprecedented proportions: Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Diabetes and heart disease rates are on the rise. For the first time in living history, the life expectancy of America’s children is less than that of their parents. In other parts of the world, however, people are living longer, healthier lives. In certain areas known as Blue Zones, people tend to live well into their 90s and beyond while remaining mentally and physically vibrant. It’s no coincidence that people in these regions share several lifestyle traits.
9 Habits of the World's Healthiest People
Posted by Blacky at 11:00 pm 0 comments
How to Quit Facebook, Twitter
Need to disappear from Facebook or Twitter? Now you can scrub yourself from the Internet with Web 2.0 Suicide Machine, a nifty service that purges your online presence from these all-consuming social networks. Since its Dec. 19 launch, Suicide Machine has assisted more than 1,000 virtual deaths, severing more than 80,500 friendships on Facebook and removing some 276,000 tweets from Twitter.
How to Quit Facebook, Twitter
Posted by Blacky at 10:12 am 0 comments
Auditory Illusions: Scientific American Podcast
First up a classic illusion from Diana Deutsch at the University of California, San Diego. It's a recording of repeating sounds, which our brains perceive as specific words. Listen to this.
Auditory Illusions
Posted by Blacky at 10:07 am 0 comments
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 9/2010
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 9/2010
Posted by Blacky at 7:44 am 0 comments
Friday, April 23, 2010
Satellites Will Issue Speeding Tickets from Space
UK drivers had better stay under that speed limit, because the traffic authorities are watching… from outer space. According to The Telegraph, an American company called PIPS Technology has developed a system that uses two cameras on the ground and one satellite in orbit to catch speeders.
Satellites Will Issue Speeding Tickets from Space
Posted by Blacky at 6:15 pm 0 comments
Google Confirms Free Turn-by-Turn Directions Coming to iPhone
Free turn-by-turn Google Maps Navigation has already threatened an entire industry of GPS navigation companies whose livelihood depends on selling paid versions of what the search giant is now giving away for free. Currently Google Maps Navigation is available for Android phones only, but in a London press conference Google said it will bring free navigation to the iPhone along with other platforms.
Google Confirms Free Turn-by-Turn Directions Coming to iPhone
Posted by Blacky at 6:13 pm 0 comments
How Do You Know If Your Download Really Has a Virus?
Antivirus and anti-malware apps fill an important need on our computers, but they're not foolproof (*ahem*, McAfee). More often than you'd think, they're just plain wrong. Here's what to do when you're not sure whether a download has a virus.
How Do You Know If Your Download Really Has a Virus?
Posted by Blacky at 6:07 pm 0 comments
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Government requests directed to Google and YouTube
Like other technology and communications companies, we regularly receive requests from government agencies around the world to remove content from our services, or provide information about users of our services and products. The map shows the number of requests that we received between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, with certain limitations.
Government requests directed to Google and YouTube
Posted by Blacky at 4:52 pm 0 comments
USGS Photo Glossary of Volcanic Terms
From aa to Vulcanian eruption. With images.
USGS Photo Glossary of Volcanic Terms
Posted by Blacky at 7:18 am 0 comments
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Oddest English Spellings, Part 16: Wistful Whistplayers and Other Wherry Important Words
The number of people in the English speaking world who distinguish in pronunciation between witch and which, wine and whine, wen and when is relatively small, and those who make this distinction do not say w-hitch, w-hine, and w-hen, but rather hwitch, hwine, and hwen. What follows is a breathtaking story of the hw-sound and the wh-spelling.
The Oddest English Spellings, Part 16: Wistful Whistplayers and Other Wherry Important Words
Posted by Blacky at 11:16 pm 0 comments
Windows Maintenance Tips: The Good, Bad And Useless
Everybody’s got an opinion on how to keep a Windows system running fast and smooth. Some tips are timeless, others are bunk but always recirculating. Here’s a closer look at what really helps and hurts your Windows PC.
Windows Maintenance Tips: The Good, Bad And Useless
Posted by Blacky at 7:04 am 0 comments
Nepal to send Sherpas to "death zone" to rescue the dead
The Nepalese government is sending a team of 20 Sherpas to Everest's "death zone" to clean up the dead bodies of those who never made it back from their expeditions. 300 people have died there since 1953; there is also a lot of garbage from spent oxygen tanks and other crap that people couldn't or didn't want to take down with them because of the extra weight. The plan is to leave on May 1st, set up camp at 26,240 feet, and climb up to the most dangerous crux of the ascent.
Nepal to send Sherpas to "death zone" to rescue the dead
Posted by Blacky at 7:02 am 0 comments
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
How Do I Find My IP Address
If you ware working in tech support you keep hearing questions very often. One of these questions is “How do I find my IP address”. The IP, or Internet Protocol, address is assigned to devices in a computer network for identification and addressing purposes. The current version of the Internet Protocol, IPv4, knows public and private addresses. Public IP addresses are unique while private ones do not need to be. The main reason for this is to conserve public IPs as IPv4 reaches exhaustion.
How Do I Find My IP Address
Posted by Blacky at 2:45 pm 1 comments
“Houston, we’ve had a problem”
The now famous words spoken by Jim Lovell in 1970 in the ill-fated Apollo 13 flight. There was a reunion of astronauts and control crew to celebrate the 40th anniversary. NASAimages has many great photos and video from the flight. Here are a few favorites.
“Houston, we’ve had a problem”
Posted by Blacky at 2:42 pm 0 comments
Eyjafjallajokull Volcano Pictures
As ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano continued to keep European airspace shut down over the weekend, affecting millions of travelers around the world, some government agencies and airlines clashed over the flight bans. Collected here are some images from Iceland over the past few days.
Eyjafjallajokull Volcano Pix
Posted by Blacky at 11:07 am 0 comments
Saturday, April 17, 2010
AnyHub Is A No-Fuss Small File Uploader
AnyHub is a minimalistic webapp lets you quickly upload and share small files of any kind, without the need to register for any type of account.
AnyHub Is A No-Fuss Small File Uploader
Posted by Blacky at 8:06 am 0 comments
How To Upgrade Your Tiny Hard Drive To A Spacious New One And Keep Your Data Intact
You’re planning on upgrading your hard drive, but there’s one small problem: How do you get your data from the old hard drive to the new one, without reinstalling everything? Here’s a step-by-step guide to seamlessly transition to a new drive.
How To Upgrade Your Tiny Hard Drive To A Spacious New One And Keep Your Data Intact
Posted by Blacky at 8:04 am 0 comments
Microsoft Fix It Center Online
Microsoft Fix it solutions provide one-click help for problems that are encountered in Microsoft products. The small portable programs are not available for every support issue a Microsoft user might have but their number is increasing as Microsoft seems to have grown fond of these one-click solutions.
Microsoft Fix It Center Online
Posted by Blacky at 7:58 am 0 comments
7 Ways To Maintain A Positive Attitude
In today’s life when one is thronged with worries and tensions all around, it is very difficult to maintain a positive attitude. And often the more you try and be positive, the more it seems the negative energy around you gains strength. So here are 7 ways to change our modus operandi, be positive and work towards a healthier lifestyle.
7 Ways To Maintain A Positive Attitude
Posted by Blacky at 7:56 am 0 comments
Volcano “Ash Plume” Captured By NASA, On Google Earth
The ash apparently creates a dangerous condition for planes, and so most airports across Europe grounded flights, which is continuing today. Calling the travel situation “chaos,” the NY Times reports that the domino effect of these closures may disrupt travel for weeks. If you’re interested to see satellite images of the volcanic ash in the atmosphere you can now do so on Google earth, courtesy of NASA satellite imagery.
Volcano “Ash Plume” Captured By NASA, On Google Earth
Posted by Blacky at 7:40 am 0 comments
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Shift Your Fingers One Key To The Right For Easy-to-Remember But Awesome Passwords
You’re constantly told how easy it would be to hack your weak passwords, but complicated passwords just aren’t something our brains get excited about memorising. Stick with your weak, dictionary password if you must; just move your fingers over a space on the keyboard.
Shift Your Fingers One Key To The Right For Easy-to-Remember But Awesome Passwords
Posted by Blacky at 6:19 pm 0 comments
14th Annual Webby Awards: Here Are the Nominees
The nominees for the 14th Annual Webby Awards have just been announced. For 13 years, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has given out Webby Awards to blogs, web TV shows and other new media that has set a standard of excellence in web content.
14th Annual Webby Awards: Here Are the Nominees
Posted by Blacky at 8:13 am 0 comments
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
10 Amazing Musical Instrument iPhone Apps
As anyone who has browsed the App Store will know, musical instrument apps don’t have their own category, but are in fact spread out across “Music” and “Entertainment,” alongside what seems like an unholy number of fart- and burp-themed efforts. To separate the proper musical apps from some less desirable offerings, we’ve highlighted 10 great iPhone apps that provide a darn good musical experience on your handset.
10 Amazing Musical Instrument iPhone Apps
Posted by Blacky at 7:39 pm 0 comments
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 8/2010 - April 14, 2010
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 8/2010 - April 14, 2010
Posted by Blacky at 12:05 pm 0 comments
Friday, April 02, 2010
Black Stump heading out way Beyond
We'll be AWOL for about a week, taking a little break - see you soon!
Posted by Blacky at 9:07 pm 0 comments
Short Sharp Science: A day of April Fools' science
The alarm went off this morning and I checked my emails. For breakfast I visited the Ben and Jerry's website as new nanotechnology developed by NASA allowed me to have a quick taste of virtual ice cream. I visited Google's new animal translation service and chatted to the cat before I left for the day.
Short Sharp Science: A day of April Fools' science
Posted by Blacky at 9:05 pm 0 comments
Butterfly Attack: The Making of Qualcomm's Viral April Fool's Day Joke
On March 30, footage from two separate savage butterfly attacks was leaked to the web, stirring up speculation about “butterflies gone wild.”
Butterfly Attack: The Making of Qualcomm's Viral April Fool's Day Joke
Posted by Blacky at 8:59 pm 0 comments
April Fool: 13 Jokes and 2 Roundups
April Fools’ Day is getting to be a busy time on the Web! This morning while going through my feeds and e-mail alerts I came across lots and lots of foolin’. Here’s a brief list of thirteen April Fools’ Day pranks with two roundups (one liveblogged so you can keep up with the fun all day long!)
April Fool: 13 Jokes and 2 Roundups
Posted by Blacky at 8:53 pm 0 comments
Your April Fools' Day Prank Spoiler
A few of the obligatory April Fools' Day pranks tech firms will roll out today will be funny. Some will be believable. To confirm the jokes, and help you avoid endless "Did you see this" emails, we're rounding them up here.
Your April Fools' Day Prank Spoiler
Posted by Blacky at 8:30 pm 0 comments
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Why You Should Never Pay More Than $10 For HDMI Cables
You've probably guessed that gold-plated cables for your home theater are entirely unnecessary. Still, there must be some small quality difference for all that price, right? Mint.com's blog lays out the answer: No, not at all.
Why You Should Never Pay More Than $10 For HDMI Cables
Posted by Blacky at 7:25 am 0 comments
Remove Admin Access to Halt Most Windows Security Flaws
A study of all of Microsoft’s security bulletins in 2009 showed a common thread that you should keep in mind when setting up computers for your friends, relatives or coworkers: 90 per cent of the most serious vulnerabilities were nullified by removing Administrator privileges.
Remove Admin Access to Halt Most Windows Security Flaws
Posted by Blacky at 7:23 am 0 comments