Monday, April 27, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Social Media Stories You Might Have Missed

Social media has had an eventful week - from Geocities shutting down to the astounding numbers behind an unprecedented YouTube success, there hasn’t been a lack of news and insight. So after an up-and-down week for many in social media, where do we stand? Here are some of the most eye-popping stories of the past seven days.
The Social Media Stories You Might Have Missed

Saturday, April 25, 2009

10 ways to stay happy in tough times

Yes, the state of our economy is depressing. Yes, job losses are stressful and painful. Yes, it’s much harder to survive when money is exceptionally tight.
10 ways to stay happy in tough times

Windows 7 RC download update

The RC is on track for April 30th for download by MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Broader, public availability will begin on May 5th.
Nathan Mercer's blog : Windows 7 RC download update

Friday, April 24, 2009

The Awesome Art of Getting Great Deals Online

Ah, the modern marvels of being able to type a few things in, click your mouse, and have a desired object delivered to your place in a few days. Even tumultuous economic conditions don't mean so-called ecommerce is going away; rather, it stresses being a savvy, frugal shopper, and opens up opportunities for businesses to attract your attention.
The Awesome Art of Getting Great Deals Online

Google Maps Letters

Which locations look like letters of the alphabet when viewed from above? Rhett Dashwood tried to find out and assembled A-Z using Google Maps.
Google Maps Letters

Blackstump Australia Issue 13 - April 25, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 13 - April 25, 2009

How to Build Your Google Profile

On April 21, 2009 Google introduced a tool, called Google Profile, that allows you to take a little control over what comes up when people search your name. Google Profiles will place your profile at the bottom of the search results for your name if you are one of the top matches. Read on to learn how to take advantage of this new feature.
How to Build Your Google Profile

The Mother’s Day Debate - And Eight Sensible Ways to Solve It

Whenever Mother’s Day rolls around (and it’s just about here), people seem to congregate into two camps on the issue.

First, there’s the celebrate your mother camp - the people who feel that Mother’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show your mother that you care for her, either through action or through a gift. On the other side of that coin is the Mother’s Day is a day invented by the greeting card industry group, those who feel that the entire concept of a “mother’s day” is just an excuse for consumerism.
The Mother’s Day Debate - And Eight Sensible Ways to Solve It

Thursday, April 23, 2009

6 Twitter Search Services Compared

With developers rushing like wild dogs to build and launch applications to make your TwitterTwitter reviewsTwitter reviews experience more productive, how can you choose which is the best tool to use if you’re running queries on your company name and competitor’s product line, or references on small-town bakeries or Red Sox pitchers?

Thankfully, there is no shortage of search applications. But how different are their interfaces, how similar are their results, and what options do they offer? Let’s see.
6 Twitter Search Services Compared

How to Solve Word Puzzles: 10 steps

Many puzzles depend on clever wording of the question so that the would-be puzzle-solver is led to assume something that is not true. Here are several examples of such "word puzzles", and how to solve them. The answer to the first of each pair of puzzles is in the "Tips" below, however, you look smart enough to me to solve them,without any help, so try them yourself first.
How to Solve Word Puzzles: 10 steps

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Antarctic ice growth linked to ozone hole

An expansion of sea ice around Antarctica is linked to a hole in the ozone layer high in the atmosphere, according to a study that helps clear up a mystery about global warming.
Antarctic ice growth linked to ozone hole

ID an ATM Skimmer

Here's a 24-page PDF of a powerpoint on ATM skimmers that's making the rounds in Australia. If you've been reading every ATM skimming post, most of this is review, but it contains several more examples of what skimmers can look like and what to watch out for.
ID an ATM Skimmer

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Software Updates Checker

One of the main disadvantages of the Windows operating system is the lack of an internal application handling third party software updates on the computer system. An automatic update system like that offered in the Linux operating system would be increasing system security and stability of the Windows operating system.
Software Updates Checker

How hackers are scheming to get your bank PIN

Last year the New York Times ran a story about man arrested in Grand Central Terminal for emptying the bank accounts of unsuspecting ATM customers. How? Eagle-eyed and patient, the perp would linger by the station’s bank of ATMs and casually spy on the commuters entering their PINs. If the thief was lucky, the withdrawer, in a rush (as they often are), would take his money and leave, forgetting to answer the ATM’s final question: “Would you like another transaction?” So the crook sauntered up, pressed “Yes,” re-entered the PIN, and cleaned house.
How hackers are scheming to get your bank PIN

How to Unclog a Toilet

There's never a good time to plunge a toilet, but clogs seem to happen at the most inopportune moments. Fortunately, you can clear most clogs yourself without having to pay a plumber. Follow these steps, and you should have the problem cleared up before the in-laws come over for dinner.
How to Unclog a Toilet

The 7 Ways to Approach Twitter

There are plenty of strategies for approaching Twitter. It’s getting more complex each day, but in the end it can be boiled down to a few simple approaches.
The 7 Ways to Approach Twitter

The Economics of Marriage and Health - Til Death Do Us Part

A recent study has found that marital strife can be detrimental to your heart, more so for women than in men. And heart disease, as you may or may not know, is the number one killer of both sexes.
The Economics of Marriage and Health - Til Death Do Us Part

Monday, April 20, 2009

40 Tips to Go Green at Home for Earth Day

There are many little things we can do in our homes to play a small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape. But we double our efforts when we get our kids involved, helping them understand the why to our what. When they get it, it’ll be second nature to them when they’re adults - and that much easier to pass it down to their children.
40 Tips to Go Green at Home for Earth Day

Facebook Manners

A 1960's style PSA about Facebook manners.
Facebook Manners

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Top 13 Twitter Don'ts

Want to keep your Twitter followers happy? Avoid these microblogging faux pas.
Top 13 Twitter Don'ts

Friday, April 17, 2009

ALA's 2008 Top Ten list of most frequently challenged books

For a third consecutive year, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell's award-winning "And Tango Makes Three," a children's book about two male penguins caring for an orphaned egg, tops the American Library Association's (ALA) Top Ten list of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008.
ALA's 2008 Top Ten list of most frequently challenged books

Thursday, April 16, 2009

7 Myths about Pregnancy

Carrying low? It must be a boy. Do you have heartburn? Then the baby has a full head of hair. Perhaps you have heard some of this prenatal folklore, much of which has no scientific basis.
Slide Show: 7 Myths about Pregnancy

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Vegetable Gardening: Four Cheap Hacks

Vegetable gardening has always been popular with a certain crowd. With this economy however, even more folks are considering the home grown option. Here are four cheap tricks to keep your start up costs under control.
Vegetable Gardening: Four Cheap Hacks

40 Captivating Photos That Depict Human Emotion

Though we differ in the way we look and things we believe in, there’s something we all share: emotion. Human emotion is innate in all of us; it’s something we’re born with and something we die with. Happiness, sadness, love, hatred, worries, and indifference - these are things that constantly occur in our daily lives.
40 Captivating Photos That Depict Human Emotion

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I’m InTouch With My Desktop From Anywhere

You can work from anywhere, but sometimes you need to access apps or files living on your desktop machine. And not all web workers likes the idea of their information floating around in the cloud. I’m InTouch offers an easy-to-use solution that allows you to connect with your own desktop machine through another computer, notebook or mobile device.
I’m InTouch With My Desktop From Anywhere

The 5 most epic computer Easter eggs

For most of us it's just been the Easter season, and what better way for an IT columnist to commemorate than with a collection of the most epic Easter eggs from both games and the serious side of the computer industry?
The 5 most epic computer Easter eggs

Monday, April 13, 2009

Our ears may have built-in passwords

You are the victim of identity theft and the fraudster calls your bank to transfer money into their own account. But instead of asking them for your personal details, the bank assistant simply presses a button that causes the phone to produce a brief series of clicks in the fraudster's ear. A message immediately alerts the bank that the person is not who they are claiming to be, and the call is ended.
Our ears may have built-in passwords

The Best Cure for Being Unhappy Is...

"The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails.
The Best Cure for Being Unhappy Is...

Find Thousands of Easter Eggs at the Easter Egg Archive

Hard boiled and chocolate filled don't have to be the only Easter eggs you see today. Check out the tasty little treasures buried in software and media you can discover without the grass stains.
Find Thousands of Easter Eggs at the Easter Egg Archive

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Top 10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions

Lifehacker's Grandmaster list of the best Firefox add-ons.
Top 10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions

Saturday, April 11, 2009

10 Most Extraordinary Twitter Updates

Twitter updates are used to communicate everything from birthday wishes to political opinions. But there are some special, shining cases where the status update has been used to do some extraordinary things, from marriage proposals to breaking news, and much more.
10 Most Extraordinary Twitter Updates

How to Be a Twitter Celebrity

Being popular on Twitter can help you market your business or publicize your blog. The most well-connected users on Twitter have over 100,000 followers, and some even have over 500,000.[1] Most of those users were quite well-known before they started tweeting, but that doesn't mean you can't climb your way to the top.
How to Be a Twitter Celebrity: 6 steps (with video)

Friday, April 10, 2009

Establishing Positive Habits and Routines

Establishing patterns and routines was always a challenge. I would be aware that I should be doing one thing, but there was always something else going on that would intrigue me more in the moment, and then I’d find myself pushing up against deadlines.
Establishing Positive Habits and Routines

How To View Experts Exchange Answers Without Account

A recent post over at Techie Buzz explained how to access the answers of the Expert Exchange forum. Users who regularly search the Internet for solutions will eventually stumble upon that forum which on first glance provides answers to questions only to registered - meaning paying in this case - users.
How To View Experts Exchange Answers Without Account

That Pesky Conficker Gets Busy

CNET reports that the widespread PC worm Conficker—which was scheduled to wreak havoc on April 1 but didn't do much at all—has updated via P2P and downloaded a large program (possibly a keylogger). So while it hasn't caused many problems yet, Conficker's not dead yet, and it's still looking to do some damage.
That Pesky Conficker Gets Busy

Moon1 vs. Moon2: Differences in U.S. manned lunar programs

NASA is preparing to return astronauts to the Moon beginning around the year 2020. As its April 8, 2009 article states in its title “Beyond Apollo: Moon Tech Takes a Giant Leap," there really is a big difference in how we did it back in the 1960s and how we will do it in the 2010s.
Moon1 vs. Moon2: Differences in U.S. manned lunar programs

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Internet Activity, Australia

The Internet Activity Survey (IAS) collects details on aspects of internet access services provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia. This release contains results from all ISPs operating in Australia as at 31 December 2008.
Internet Activity, Australia

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Distance to celestial objects chart

This beautiful old chart, headed "Unbelievable Time Required to Cover Immense Distances of Space", displays the time it would take to get to various "nearby" celestial objects, using an unspecified propulsion system.
Distance to celestial objects chart

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Do you use Twitter?

Twitter is a service which really baffles me. It is an absolute killer idea, but I am still astounded by the volume of traffic it has.
Do you use Twitter?

10 Best Geeky Last Words

I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring. —Richard Feynman
10 Best Geeky Last Words

Image Resizer Powertoy Clone Resizes Pictures Easily

Windows only: The Image Resizer Powertoy Clone adds an option to the Windows explorer context menu for quickly resizing pictures—without opening an image editor.
Image Resizer Powertoy Clone Resizes Pictures Easily

Monday, April 06, 2009

Serious Safety Fail

No fires here!
Serious Safety Fail

Five Best Image Editing Tools

Long gone are the days where snapshots came back from the photo lab and disappeared into albums and shoe boxes. Now, digital photos are tweaked, adjusted, and remixed in ways their analog counterparts couldn't imagine.
Five Best Image Editing Tools

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Top 10 Home Office Hacks

Whatever kind of work you do at home, your office is one place you want to spend the time to make comfortable and convenient. Take 10 of our tips on organizing, fixing, and streamlining that space.
Home Office Hack

6 Solid Online Resources to Help You Find a Job

When job searching, those who have access to the best tools can keep their advantage in a tough market. Here are my favorite 6 online resources designed to help you find a job.
6 Solid Online Resources to Help You Find a Job

Showcase Of Beautiful Sports Websites

This article showcases the most beautiful website designs from the North American sports industry, including ones for news, teams and leagues, sports apparel and more.
Showcase Of Beautiful Sports Websites

Saturday, April 04, 2009

How to recognize and answer illegal interview questions

Job seekers are protected by a myriad of anti-discrimination laws. Despite these laws many potential employers still want employees that fit a narrow profile and they may ask probing questions to find out if you fit. Here is how you can recognize which questions are potentially illegal for an employer to ask, and what you can do if you encounter these questions.
How to recognize and answer illegal interview questions

Want to Feel Happier? A Menu of Resolutions

If you’re trying to think of resolutions for boosting your own happiness, this list is a great place to get ideas. (The list is aimed at college students living in Charlottesville, but it's easily adapted to other situations.)
Want to Feel Happier? A Menu of Resolutions

Let's Get Ready to Rumble! April 4th is International Pillow Fight Day

Saturday, April 4, is International Pillow Fight Day, with combatants in more than 75 cities worldwide participating. (The photo shows Vancouver's 2006 pillow fight). The official Pillowfightday.com Web site isn’t clear on the origins of this global pillow-pugilism party except to say that “organizing a massive pillow fight is perhaps the simplest of free events or interventions, but also one of the most rewarding.”
Let's Get Ready to Rumble! April 4th is International Pillow Fight Day

Obvious Sign Fail

Obvious Sign Fail

Friday, April 03, 2009

Nine Words You Might Think Came from Science but Which Are Really from Science Fiction

We were pretty excited around here when Brave New Words won the Hugo Award. Now that Brave New Words is available in paperback we asked Jeff Prucher, freelance lexicographer and editor for the Oxford English Dictionary’s science fiction project, to revisit the blog. Below are Prucher’s picks of words that may seem to come from science, but really originate in science fiction.
Nine Words You Might Think Came from Science but Which Are Really from Science Fiction

Namechk Finds Where Your Username Is Taken or Available

Web application Namechk finds available usernames or vanity URLs on more than 80 web sites—so you can own your online presence.
Namechk Finds Where Your Username Is Taken or Available

Gadget and Gear Deals of the Day

Gather around boys and girls, it's that deal-a-riffic time of day again. We've got vacuums, cameras, and free audio books to boot.
Gadget and Gear Deals of the Day

Copy Files To Multiple Locations

If you want to copy files in Windows Explorer you can do so from one location to another at the same time. There is no way to copy or move files from multiple locations to multiple locations easily. While it is possible to start several file copying processes and run them simultaneously it usually means a reduced overall process.
Copy Files To Multiple Locations

Making a family first aid kit

Whether it’s a scrape, a sting or a sore throat, being prepared and having the right antidote on hand can soothe almost anything that ails you or your children. Creating a family-friendly first aid kit doesn’t have to be a pain in the aspirin.
Making a family first aid kit

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Taken for Granted? 5 Tips for Dealing with Feeling Unappreciated

Oh, how I crave gold stars. One of my worst qualities is my insatiable need for credit; I always want the recognition, the praise, the gold star stuck on my homework. I struggle to master my need for gold stars, because it makes me a resentful score-keeper.
Taken for Granted? 5 Tips for Dealing with Feeling Unappreciated

10 Literary Terms You Might Not Know

Hyperbole, allusion, alliteration. These are all familiar words to anyone with a basic knowledge of literary terms. Although English majors the world over probably feel like they have literary terms coming out of their ears, they might have difficulty coming up with the definition for lipogram or clerihew, never mind writing one.
10 Literary Terms You Might Not Know

April fools gets geeky: Can you spot the genuine story?

Did any of this year's April Fools Day gags get your goose? Test your nerd knowledge by pinpointing the actual story below. (Props to TechCrunch for pulling together an impressive fools list.)
April fools gets geeky: Can you spot the genuine story?

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Warning Sign Fail

Warning Sign Fail

The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) : Update on Conficker.D

We’ve received a lot of questions from customers about April 1, 2009 and the latest Conficker variant discovered earlier this month, Worm:Win32/Conficker.D (also known as Conficker.C or Downadup.C by some other companies). I wanted to let you know that we’ve put some new information up about Conficker.D today from our work with our partners in the Conficker Working Group.
The Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) : Update on Conficker.D

How Much Do You Need to Save for Retirement?

The problem is that nobody seems to agree on what assumptions to make when planning for retirement. How much should you assume for inflation? For investment returns? For rising health-care costs? How long should you expect to live?
How Much Do You Need to Save for Retirement?

Tips for an Odour Free Toilet

Toilets are generally not thought to be the cleanest part of the home. By nature of their duty, they are likely to get dirty and smelly on a regular basis.
Tips for an Odour Free Toilet

Beautiful Science: Ideas that Changed the World

Highlights four areas for visitors to explore: astronomy, natural history, medicine, and light.
Beautiful Science: Ideas that Changed the World

Your Guide to Preventing Medical Mistakes

The terrifying truth: Our big, complex, and imperfect health-care system can sometimes make you sicker. In this three-part series, Health investigates why more than 100,000 people a year are dying from medical errors and millions are being injured, what safety measures may help, and how you can protect yourself during your three points of vulnerability—at the hospital, your doctor’s office, and the drugstore.
Your Guide to Preventing Medical Mistakes

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

Redoubt Volcano is a steep-sided cone about 10 km in diameter at its base and with a volume of 30-35 cubic kilometers.
Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Taking a small break...

Hi Folks,

We'll be back in week or so...enjoy the reduced RSS load in the meantime!

cheers
Pete

Blackstump Australia Issue 10 - March 26, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 10 - March 26, 2009

Website Monitor And Downloader

Wysigot is a browser that acts both as a website monitor and downloader. One of its main functions is the download of entire websites or selected pages. The process has been streamlined to make it as easy as possible.
Website Monitor And Downloader

Women still do majority of housework

A snapshot of Australian social trends shows couples are more likely to live together before marriage, but women are still doing most of the housework.
Women still do majority of housework

Etymology of Exception Proves the Rule

Native speakers of English accept without pause the many seemingly nonsensical sayings that are part and parcel of the vernacular. For instance, we blithely announce 'It's raining cats and dogs' to communicate the concept of a heavy downpour, yet spare precious little thought to the realization that neither felines nor canines play any part in the process of rainfall. For us, it's the saying's easy conveyance of meaning, not how it was put together, that matters. Another seemingly nonsensical familiar expression is 'The exception proves the rule.'
Etymology of Exception Proves the Rule

Bushfire origins lie in Indian Ocean

A weather pattern centred on the Indian Ocean may provide an early warning system for major bushfires in southern Australia, climate experts say.
Bushfire origins lie in Indian Ocean

101 Undiscovered Freebies: The List - PC World

We scoured the Internet to come up with 101 innovative, entirely free downloads and services. Here's the whole collection.
101 Undiscovered Freebies: The List - PC World

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Google Street View Expands Australian Coverage

The coverage of Google Street View in Australia was already pretty comprehensive when it rolled out last August, but the search giant is continuing to expand its reach. The Google Australia blog says that a recent update has added extra coverage around Port Lincoln, Tweed Heads, Cairns - and a few more areas of a little city called Sydney.
Google Street View Expands Australian Coverage

Web Search Tips for Internet Explorer 8

Internet Explorer 8 has many useful features that improve the way you search and browse the web.
Web Search Tips for Internet Explorer 8

Parking Fail

Parking Fail

Sunday, March 22, 2009

8 Smart Strategies to Make Your Home Dust-Proof

Strategies that vastly reduce the never-ending dusting chore.
8 Smart Strategies to Make Your Home Dust-Proof

Search Google Images By Color

Google Image search can now be restricted to return results of a specific color. While this isn’t available as option in the advanced settings, you can use e.g. “imgcolor=green” or “imgcolor=blue,red” as parameter right in the URL.
Search Google Images By Color

Link to a specific part of a YouTube video

If you want to link to a specific part of a video on YouTube, you can.
Link to a specific part of a YouTube video

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Windows Registry Watcher

The Windows Registry is one of the major attack locations for malicious software and should therefor be protected by security software to ensure that no settings get changed or added to it. One prime example is the addition of new startup items to the Windows operating system. The Windows Registry contains several locations where those new files can be placed so that they are loaded during system startup.
Windows Registry Watcher

Friday, March 20, 2009

How to Recognize Bias in a Newspaper Article

When all you want is the facts, navigating the newspaper might be a tricky ordeal. Sometimes bias is the result of laziness, and sometimes it's a deliberate attempt to push a particular point of view. Either way, you should always be on the lookout for bias.
How to Recognize Bias in a Newspaper Article

Netiquette: Undo Send Gives You Five Seconds to Stop a Bum Email

Ever hit send and realize immediately that you'd made a mistake? Wish you could unsend that email? With Gmail Labs' new Undo Send feature, you've got five seconds to reclaim that email and fix your mistake.
Netiquette: Undo Send Gives You Five Seconds to Stop a Bum Email

Population by Age and Sex, Australia

In the 12 months to 30 June 2008, the Australian population increased by 359,000 people, reaching 21,374,000. The annual growth rate for the year ended 30 June 2008 (1.7%) was higher than that recorded for the year ended 30 June 2007 (1.5%).
Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories

Internet Explorer 8 Available for Download

Windows only: The final version of Internet Explorer 8 is now available for download from the IE home page.
Internet Explorer 8 Available for Download

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Don't Panic! Your TV Will Not Stop Working After May 1

If any of you happened to read the Herald Sun article on Monday entitled "Clock ticks for plasmas, LCDs" by Peter Familari and were wondering "what the f%*k?! How can a brand new TV be obsolete in less than 2 months?", you can now rest easy. The article is a load of rubbish. It's actually pretty unbelievable just how wrong the story is, even though the underlying issue is well worth looking at.
Don't Panic! Your TV Will Not Stop Working After May 1

Odd traveler complaints

Telegraph Travel put together a list of the "20 most ridiculous complaints received by tour operators".
Odd traveler complaints

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Rare Trove of Army Medical Photos Heads to Flickr

An archivist has begun a massive project to make public a newly digitized collection of unique and sometimes startling military medical images, from the Civil War to Vietnam, without the Army's blessing.
Rare Trove of Army Medical Photos Heads to Flickr

Earth Class Mail

Use an Internet-Powered P.O. Box or a prestige address, then view images of your envelopes in email or online and have your mail securely scanned into a PDF, recycled, shredded, or forwarded.
The Ultimate PO Box, Post Office Box and Mail Forwarding Service

THE VINTAGE WEB

Celebrates so many of the things we look for:
* “Under Construction” animated gif
* Blink tags
* Use of “Web Log” to denote an online diary
* Cursor animation
* “Digital” visitor counter at the bottom
* Tiled background image
THE VINTAGE WEB

PDFVue Beta: Another Web-Based PDF Editing Solution

There’s less and less reason to fork over the expensive license fee for a full version of Adobe Acrobat these days. The web is littered with free, lightweight options that will allow you to do pretty much anything you’d want to do with Acrobat. Web app PDFVue is a relative newcomer to the field, and it brings a lot of useful PDF editing features to the table for the budget-conscious web worker.
PDFVue Beta: Another Web-Based PDF Editing Solution«

Acrobat.com Sends Large Files Through Outlook for Free

Windows only: Adobe's Acrobat.com web site gives you 5GB of online file hosting for free, and their new Office add-in lets you easily upload and share your documents directly within Outlook 2007.
Acrobat.com Sends Large Files Through Outlook for Free

Tactile illusions: Seven ways to fool your sense of touch

It's surprisingly easy for your body to fool your brain. Graham Lawton puts his sense of touch to the test.
Tactile illusions: Seven ways to fool your sense of touch

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

5 Ways to Stay Motivated to Finish What You Started

There must be a reason why many people quite often start projects or tasks, big or small, and at some point while working on the tasks they feel overwhelmed, frustrated and stressed, so much so that in the end they quit or feel like quitting.
5 Ways to Stay Motivated to Finish What You Started

Self-cleaning toilets: Genius!

Apartment Therapy recently posted an article that immediately caused me to remember a similar Gizmodo post that I loved from a couple years ago. Ever since I first saw that Gizmodo article I have decided that people in Switzerland are brilliant.
Self-cleaning toilets: Genius!

Privacychoice Stops Advertisers From Profiling You

Web site Privacychoice rolls the opt-out routines for a couple dozen advertising networks into a single javascript button—so you can stop them tracking you without having to mess with cookie settings.
Privacychoice Stops Advertisers From Profiling You

Tip of the Day: How to avoid dangers at home

Along with the spring cleaning you'll do over the coming weeks, conduct a thorough safety inspection of your home to uncover and deal with home dangers related to the products, systems, or areas of your home below.
Tip of the Day: How to avoid dangers at home

Blackstump Australia Issue 9 - March 18, 2009

The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 9 - March 18, 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009

Take Better Self-Portraits

Taking a good self-portrait is both a handy skill and a way to expand your photographic repertoire. Save your next profile picture from the camera-held-at-arms-length cliche with these tips.
Take Better Self-Portraits

BBC exposes global cybercrime risk

The BBC in the UK has reported that it has easily acquired its own botnet controlling thousands of home computers as part of an investigation into global cybercrime.
BBC exposes global cybercrime risk

Saturday, March 14, 2009

The magic number

At Google, they're getting ready to celebrate Pi Day, which culminates tomorrow, March 14 at 1:59pm, a date and time that correspond to the first six digits of pi: 3.14159. (Some people celebrate at 1:59am.) Of course, since pi is a member of a select group of irrational numbers, meaning they can't be expressed as a fraction, there are an infinite number of digits in pi. You can even set a world record for reciting pi from memory if you have the spare brain cells to remember 100,000 or so digits. Odds are, you certainly won't remember the one trillion digits past the decimal point that computers have calculated.
The magic number