I always thought Desiderata was an inscription in an old churchyard, but it was actually written by Max Ehrmann in 1927. This bit of information detracts from its mystique somewhat, but it's still an interesting list.
Eighteen Tips that Aren't, It Turns Out, From a Churchyard.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Eighteen Tips that Aren't, It Turns Out, From a Churchyard.
Posted by Blacky at 7:22 am 0 comments
Facial recognition face-off: Three tools compared
Last week's Picasa software update from Google brought with it a neat trick--facial recognition. But it wasn't the first free consumer photo-editing software to find faces. In January, Apple unveiled the latest version of iLife, which included an updated version of iPhoto that could detect and recognize faces in your photos. And this time last year, Microsoft released an updated version of its Windows Live Photo Gallery desktop software that could find faces inside of photos, though it couldn't (and still can't) recognize who's in them.
Facial recognition face-off: Three tools compared
Posted by Blacky at 7:13 am 0 comments
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 29 - October 1, 2009
The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Blackstump Australia Issue 29 - October 1, 2009
Posted by Blacky at 6:17 pm 0 comments
Monday, September 28, 2009
What Happens To Your Luggage Once It’s Checked In?
Travelling by air without checked luggage is often a sensible goal, but sometimes you have no choice but to stow your bags in the hold. What happens to them once you’ve handed them over to a hassled check-in clerk?
What Happens To Your Luggage Once It’s Checked In?
Posted by Blacky at 5:58 pm 0 comments
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Lamest. Foodstuff Name. Ever.
They could have taken all sorts of inspiration for naming the “new” vegemite. They settled on a naming convention cornered by Apple. Lame. Seriously lame.
Lamest. Foodstuff Name. Ever.
Posted by Blacky at 9:44 pm 0 comments
Best Of The Best: Tools And Apps, Third Quarter 2009
From Lifehacker Australia. The third quarter of 2009 was filled with all sorts of useful communication tools, time saving applications and software to help you get things done. Here’s a look back at the winners in each of the categories.
Best Of The Best: Tools And Apps, Third Quarter 2009
Posted by Blacky at 10:54 am 0 comments
Examine Hand Gestures and Smiles to Detect Lying
Some people are better liars than others. The next time you want to gauge whether someone's pulling your leg, try searching for clues based on their hand gestures and smile. It goes without saying that the following suggestions are not hard-and-fast rules, but more potential tip offs that someone may be fibbing.
Examine Hand Gestures and Smiles to Detect Lying
Posted by Blacky at 10:49 am 0 comments
Banned Books Week
Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books.
Banned Books Week
Posted by Blacky at 10:43 am 0 comments
Reclaiming the night sky: award-winning astrophotography
Iranian photographer Babak Tafreshi has won the 2009 Lennart Nilsson scientific photography prize. According to the award panel, his images "reclaim a night sky that most modern people have lost" – see some of them here.
Reclaiming the night sky: award-winning astrophotography
Posted by Blacky at 10:39 am 0 comments
Tip of the week: How to best email your digital photos
Everyone at one time or another has received an email with a very large image file attached. It can be very annoying. I've even deleted some emails that were just way too big. Here's how to do away with the problem by reducing the size of your photos before you email them.
Tip of the week: How to best email your digital photos
Posted by Blacky at 10:37 am 0 comments
How to Tell if You're Watching TV in HD
High Definition Television (HDTV) is a form of Digital Television capable of "near photo" quality images on an HDTV screen. Unsure if you're seeing an HDTV signal or not? Read on for help.How to Tell if You're Watching TV in HD
Posted by Blacky at 10:36 am 0 comments
Knowing When to Walk Away: Financial Planning for an Unknown Ending
People somehow have a built upon a notion that they must amass a certain amount of money, no matter how long it takes, before they can retire. Yet, what if it took you 40 years of work to reach $1 million, and the very next year you died? Would all your work be for naught? It depends on how much you enjoyed your work, of course, but for the most part, this scenario is not ideal.
Knowing When to Walk Away: Financial Planning for an Unknown Ending
Posted by Blacky at 10:34 am 0 comments
Friday, September 25, 2009
Cheap Passport Pictures
Below are four online passport photo companies, each offering varying levels of service (with corresponding costs).
Cheap Passport Pictures
Posted by Blacky at 5:24 pm 0 comments
The Best Online Tools for Families
It’s easy to feel absolultely overwhelmed when you look for a tool or useful website online. There are hundreds of choices, and sometimes, it feels like they’re all pretty similar. There’s a theory that in this age of information, our range of choices — from toothpaste flavors to online calendars — stress out our bodies and our minds to the point that we’re actually less able to make sound decisions.
The Best Online Tools for Families
Posted by Blacky at 5:09 pm 0 comments
USB Car Adapter Charges Any USB Device On-the-Go
The iLuv Micro USB Car adapter turns your car's cigarette outlet into a universal USB charger, so you don't have to buy specialized car chargers for all of your USB-chargeable gear.
USB Car Adapter Charges Any USB Device On-the-Go
Posted by Blacky at 7:02 am 0 comments
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Australian Social Trends, Sep 2009
The September issue reveals that extra hours, multiple jobs and weekend work are all cutting into Australian family life, while one-quarter of our children are overweight or obese. People may also find it hard to balance employment and care, while Australia's links to China and India continue to grow through migration, trade and education.
Australian Social Trends, Sep 2009
Posted by Blacky at 9:18 pm 0 comments
Six Tips for Coping with the Fact that You've Forgotten Someone's Name
If you’re like me, you sometimes have trouble remembering people’s names, or even how you know them.
Six Tips for Coping with the Fact that You've Forgotten Someone's Name
Posted by Blacky at 8:10 am 0 comments
5 Focus Killers … and How to Beat Them
It doesn’t matter how focused you are, working from your remote office likely entails more than a few distractions. For each of us those distractions will be different (I just had to break my morning’s work to move my goat to a new patch of grass; you may not have to cram this particular commitment into your schedule). And, truth be told, they’re not always unwelcome.
5 Focus Killers … and How to Beat Them
Posted by Blacky at 8:08 am 0 comments
Dust storm chokes Sydney
Sydneysiders are being warned that a huge dust cloud will continue to affect the city through the day, after they woke to an eerie red dawn.
Dust storm chokes Sydney
Posted by Blacky at 8:01 am 0 comments
Amazing video of girl barely missing an out-of-control car
A 6-year-old girl very narrowly misses getting squashed by an out of control car.
Amazing video of girl barely missing an out-of-control car
Posted by Blacky at 7:59 am 0 comments
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
7 ways to fewer wrinkles
Some people are born lucky—but for the rest of us wrinkles are a natural part of aging.
7 ways to fewer wrinkles
Posted by Blacky at 11:29 pm 0 comments
Oxford English Dictionary Update
On 10 September 2009 the New Edition was updated with new materials which fall into three main categories: (a) alphabetical series of revised entries based around significant words from across the alphabet; (b) the sequence of revised entries from red to refulgent; (c) a series of new entries and senses from across the alphabet. The table below shows the ranges which were covered, together with some of the more notable entries within them.
Oxford English Dictionary Update
Posted by Blacky at 11:25 pm 0 comments
Directory Size Calculator
The best way to free up some hard drive space is to sort the files and folders of that hard drive by size. Windows Explorer is able to sort the files by size but not the folders. It is possible to get the folder size of one folder by right-clicking on that folder and selecting properties but that’s not practicable if there are more than a few on that drive.
Directory Size Calculator
Posted by Blacky at 11:22 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Last Words
Last week, reports of executions — one postponed in Ohio, one carried out in Texas — punctuated the news more frequently than usual. These reports prompted me to reflect on an archive of executed prisoners’ last words I found on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Web site while researching parole terms. The archive’s earliest entry dates from Dec. 7, 1982; the most recent was added after Stephen Moody was executed on Wednesday by lethal injection for murder.
Last Words
Posted by Blacky at 7:00 am 0 comments
Monday, September 21, 2009
Fastest PDF File Viewer
Adobe PDF is not the fastest pdf reader that is available these days even with programs like Adobe Reader Speedup which remove some of the unneeded features. There are quite a few popular alternatives like Foxit PDF Reader which provide a similar functionality but offer faster startup and loading times.
Fastest PDF File Viewer
Posted by Blacky at 7:50 am 0 comments
How to Use a Dash in an English Sentence
Do you use a dash a lot? What about a hyphen? Many people can not tell the difference between them. Some people even think they are the same thing. If you are one of them, check this out and master the dash.
How to Use a Dash in an English Sentence
Posted by Blacky at 7:40 am 0 comments
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Swine flu and a new age of social greetings
The swine flu pandemic has wreaked havoc on traditional greetings worldwide. France’s health ministry has recommended that countrymen avoid “la bise,” and Spain has reportedly recommended halting their “besos”—both are the traditional kisses on the cheeks.
Swine flu and a new age of social greetings
Posted by Blacky at 2:23 pm 0 comments
Saturday, September 19, 2009
How To Hang Artwork Easily & Precisely
Tutorial on how to hang artwork in a grid "easily and precisely".
How To Hang Artwork Easily
Posted by Blacky at 10:23 am 0 comments
The Best Retirement Calculator - Ever
Have you seen the investment calculator on WolframAlpha? It's amazing. With a few simple inputs like portfolio starting value, age, and other values, you can get a huge amount of data crunching power at your finger tips.
The Best Retirement Calculator - Ever
Posted by Blacky at 10:17 am 0 comments
How to Sample Wine Without Looking like a Clown
Here's some more unpretentious wine instruction from Kathryn Borel Jr.
How to Sample Wine Without Looking like a Clown
Posted by Blacky at 10:12 am 0 comments
Moon is coldest known place in the solar system
Poor Pluto. First it gets kicked out of the planet club, now it's not even the coldest place in the solar system. Dark craters near the moon's south pole have snatched that title – which is good news for the prospects of finding water ice on Earth's companion.
Moon is coldest known place in the solar system
Posted by Blacky at 10:10 am 0 comments
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 28 - September 19, 2009
The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 28 - September 19, 2009
Posted by Blacky at 12:47 am 0 comments
Beatles remasters: the Metzger review
The definitive review on the recently-released Beatles remasters.
Beatles remasters: the Metzger review
Posted by Blacky at 12:37 am 0 comments
Friday, September 18, 2009
Unclog a Toilet with Dishwasher Detergent
It's not a clever hack any of us want to have to use, but the Art of Manliness blog has a homebrew fix for the next time your restroom trip ends in disaster.
Unclog a Toilet with Dishwasher Detergent
Posted by Blacky at 8:12 am 0 comments
How to Add 5 Consecutive Numbers Quickly
Bet someone you can add five consecutive numbers faster than they can. You can use this as a bar trick, with your friends, or (if you are a student) impress your teacher!
How to Add 5 Consecutive Numbers Quickly
Posted by Blacky at 8:10 am 0 comments
Underwater Suffering: Do Fish Feel Pain?
Many a seafood fan has parroted the popular idea that fish and crustaceans do not feel pain. New research, however, suggests that they may, revealing that their nervous system may be more complex than we thought—and our own awareness of pain may be much more evolutionarily ancient than suspected.
Underwater Suffering: Do Fish Feel Pain?
Posted by Blacky at 8:09 am 0 comments
Recovered meteorite points to an unusual origin
In 2007, a sky-watching program known as the Desert Fireball Network tracked a streak of light over Australia that led researchers to meteorite fragments on the ground. Through an analysis of its composition and orbital characteristics, the meteorite, known as Bunburra Rockhole, has revealed itself to be out of the ordinary.
Recovered meteorite points to an unusual origin
Posted by Blacky at 8:08 am 0 comments
Thursday, September 17, 2009
After the big LA fires, terrain looks like a post-war moonscape: death, charred remains
We were escorted by LA County Sheriff's deputies. We were stunned by what we saw, and inattentive to keeping the little Flip video camera stable and accurately pointed. The devastation speaks for itself.
After the big LA fires, terrain looks like a post-war moonscape: death, charred remains
Posted by Blacky at 5:00 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Telstra Split 101
Yesterday’s announcement that Telstra will be forced to split its existing infrastructure business from the rest of the companyis going to be fodder for news journalists and communications junkies for months to come. But what difference will it make to the average Internet user?
The Telstra Split 101
Posted by Blacky at 5:02 pm 0 comments
"The Internet Is Both My Lifeline and the Plastic Bag Over My Head."
Manisha Alboher is a former financial analyst/portfolio manager (among other things) who writes and speaks a lot about personal money management. She wrote On My Own Two Feet and her next book, Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money With Your Honey, is coming out in a few months. She also has a blog and often appears on TV to talk about money. The relationship between money and happiness is one of the most fascinating sub-topics within the large subject of happiness.
"The Internet Is Both My Lifeline and the Plastic Bag Over My Head."
Posted by Blacky at 12:20 pm 0 comments
Web Browsers Have Impact On Battery Life
A recent Anandtech study suggests that the web browser has an impact on a mobile PCs battery usage. The test, which analyzed battery performance under various popular web browsers and three websites, can probably not be seen as representative but it could indicate which web browser uses less battery power to operate. A test with more websites would certainly help to get a global result. Still, test results were somewhat surprisingly as the difference between the best and worst performing web browser were greater than two hours.
Web Browsers Have Impact On Battery Life
Posted by Blacky at 12:07 pm 0 comments
For Visual Searches, Try a Few Different Approaches
Microsoft has announced a new feature in its Bing search engine, focused on visual searches. Like some of the dedicated visual search engines, it presents a way to do web searches by clicking through collected visual images, instead of entering keywords. Initially, it’s only available for certain types of search categories.
For Visual Searches, Try a Few Different Approaches
Posted by Blacky at 11:22 am 0 comments
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Google Maps adds Traffic Information
Google Maps has just activated real time traffic information to its maps. Information is taken from Intelematics, which you may recognise as the company behind the SUNA live GPS system that provides real time traffic information to GPS units through a discrete FM radio signal. The breadth of coverage around Melbourne is staggering and Google plans to further expand traffic information by transmitting anonymous speed readings from those using the mobile version of the Google Maps Application.
Google Maps adds Traffic Information
Posted by Blacky at 11:44 pm 0 comments
Monday, September 14, 2009
Internet Activity, Australia, Jun 2009
The Internet Activity Survey (IAS) collects details on aspects of internet access services provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia.
Internet Activity, Australia, Jun 2009
Posted by Blacky at 7:13 pm 0 comments
Sunday, September 13, 2009
7 Ways to Reuse a Banana Peel
To be honest, the only things we’ve ever thought banana peels were good for were to fill the compost and to make people fall. Then we came across these genius ways to reuse the slippery guys…
7 Ways to Reuse a Banana Peel
Posted by Blacky at 10:48 am 0 comments
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Photos of NYC in the 1940s
Here's a LIFE gallery of remarkable shots from NYC in its Golden Age, the 1940s, in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson first sailing up the river that bears his name, past the island that would be Manhattan. The Forties' art, music, sports, finance, technology -- what a time it was.
Photos of NYC in the 1940s
Posted by Blacky at 1:55 pm 0 comments
Foods To Help Fight Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer kills an estimated 3000 men in Australia each year. The undignified means of diagnosis is arguably a factor, but there’s nothing inelegant about a suggested diet to help ward off the disease. UK scientist Professor Margaret Rayman has co-ordinated a recipe book (the imaginatively titled Prostate Care Cookbook) which contains recipes said to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Foods To Help Fight Prostate Cancer
Posted by Blacky at 1:44 pm 0 comments
“Should I Buy It?” Flowchart Helps You Make Smarter Purchases
Advertisers would have us believe that we need a lot of things that we really only want, and that brand names are always better. This simple purchasing flowchart walks you through your purchasing decision-making process to help you make the smart choice.
“Should I Buy It?” Flowchart Helps You Make Smarter Purchases
Posted by Blacky at 1:43 pm 0 comments
Remembering 9/11 Through Social Media
September 11 - The eight-year anniversary of the shocking 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon building in Washington, DC, and the crash of United Airlines flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania. In 2001, social media was just in its infancy, but now that people have such an easily accessible global outlet to share their memories, grief, anger, frustrations, and pain, social web sites are being used as gathering places for those remembering the September 11th attacks.
Remembering 9/11 Through Social Media
Posted by Blacky at 1:34 pm 0 comments
Friday, September 11, 2009
12 Clever Substitutions That Save Money (Nearly) Effortlessly
One of my favorite ways to trim money from my spending is to find simple little substitutes for my regular expenses. If I can trim a few bucks from the cost of household supplies, routine purchases, and other things like that, over the long run, that can add up to a lot of money with virtually no change in my life. Here are twelve of my favorites (not including my “infamous” homemade laundry detergent).
12 Clever Substitutions That Save Money (Nearly) Effortlessly
Posted by Blacky at 8:09 am 0 comments
Install iTunes Without Unnecessary Software
Apple has just released iTunes 9 and the web is full of reviews that compare the new version to previous ones and outline the changes and new additions that Apple has packed into the new version of their popular music management software. The new version does not offer that many new features but most users would probably like to update their old version of iTunes anyway. Something that has not changed is the inclusion of many additional software programs and services that many users consider unnecessary. These software programs include the Bonjour service, Apple Quicktime, MobileMe support or the iTunesHelper and iPodService startup processes.
Install iTunes Without Unnecessary Software
Posted by Blacky at 8:07 am 0 comments
Speak Up To Look Smarter Than You Are
Although you may have committed yourself to keeping your mouth shut unless you absolutely had something critical to add to a business meeting, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Frequent talkers are perceived as more intelligent and competent.
Speak Up To Look Smarter Than You Are
Posted by Blacky at 8:05 am 0 comments
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Make Your Computer Faster Instead of Buying a New One
Buying a new computer can be a very exciting time...until you get the bill. What most people don't realize is that you don't need a Quad Core chip for email and Internet browsing. But after you've had your computer for a while and it starts to get sluggish, a lot of people start thinking that a fancy, new machine will cure what ails them.
Make Your Computer Faster Instead of Buying a New One
Posted by Blacky at 5:28 pm 0 comments
MythBusters: 'Using your head is a lot of fun'
Can a lead balloon fly? Can tooth fillings pick up radio stations? Each week millions watch Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, aka the MythBusters, test urban legends on their Discovery Channel TV show. Peter Aldhous joined them on set in San Francisco to find out how these special-effects wizards became standard-bearers for TV science.
MythBusters: 'Using your head is a lot of fun'
Posted by Blacky at 5:12 pm 0 comments
The big day for Beatles fans: A primer
Today’s the day the Beatles Rock Band music game, along with remastered versions of their albums, becomes available. Curious about these launches, but haven’t had time to get up to speed on them?
The big day for Beatles fans: A primer
Posted by Blacky at 7:11 am 0 comments
Apple Announces iTunes 9
Today is Apple’s Rock and Roll keynote, where the company is expected to announce a range of new products and software upgrades. One of new products has leaked a little early though: iTunes 9.
Apple Announces iTunes 9
Posted by Blacky at 7:03 am 0 comments
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
New look at Alzheimer's could revolutionise treatment
GENES that increase the risk of Alzheimer's and a blood protein that speeds up cognitive decline are radically changing our view of the devastating illness. Reported this week, both findings suggest new causes for Alzheimer's, boosting prospects for its treatment and prevention. "What we've found is absolutely fascinating, and will change the course of research into Alzheimer's".
New look at Alzheimer's could revolutionise treatment
Posted by Blacky at 11:41 pm 0 comments
Gone Phishing: How To Avoid Being Caught By Scammers
“Phishing” is the process by which a criminal disguises himself as a trusted entity in order to fraudulently obtain sensitive information. Although phishing can occur in many forms, the most common of these attacks involves the creation of an e-mail, one which prompts the recipient to enter specific personal information. This allows the criminal to “catch” the resulting data.
Gone Phishing: How To Avoid Being Caught By Scammers
Posted by Blacky at 11:39 pm 0 comments
"Up To" and Other Common Car Dealer Phrases to Watch For
Car dealerships have cultivated countless ways to take you for a ride (pun intended). Foremost among them: the use of industry-specific jargon. Consumer-focused automotive web site Edmunds takes a look at common linguistic lies.
"Up To" and Other Common Car Dealer Phrases to Watch For
Posted by Blacky at 10:35 am 0 comments
How to Speed Up a Slow Windows Computer for Free: 11 steps
Windows PCs typically slow down as applications are installed and used. Each application increases the size of the Windows Registry file resulting in increasing the amount of time for the file to be processed and loaded. Whether using word processing, spreadsheets, internet, games or anything else, hard drives fill with temporary files that do not always get removed when no longer needed. Read on to learn of ways to help keep a PC running smoothly with little or no money.
How to Speed Up a Slow Windows Computer for Free: 11 steps
Posted by Blacky at 9:38 am 0 comments
19 Free Web Services That Keep Saving You Money
Sifting through all of the free sites and services available on the Web, you've probably come up with some favorites, such as instant messaging tools or video streaming sites like Hulu. Those are great, but what about freebies that displace something for which you usually pay?
19 Free Web Services That Keep Saving You Money
Posted by Blacky at 8:35 am 0 comments
New genetic associations for Alzheimer's disease
The long and winding journey to the roots of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, has turned up three new genetic clues—the first major ones in 15 years.
New genetic associations for Alzheimer's disease
Posted by Blacky at 8:05 am 0 comments
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 27 - September 9, 2009
The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 27 - September 9, 2009
Posted by Blacky at 10:39 am 0 comments
Monopoly City Streets: Google Launching Online Version of Monopoly
This could be very addictive: Google is teaming up with board game maker Hasbro to launch a Google Maps version of Monopoly. Monopoly City Streets, which launches Wednesday, allows users to compete in a live, worldwide version of the popular game, creating the biggest Monopoly tournament ever played.
Monopoly City Streets: Google Launching Online Version of Monopoly
Posted by Blacky at 9:02 am 0 comments
Monday, September 07, 2009
What To Do With Kids’ Artwork
Every child is a prodigious Picasso. As parents, we have a difficult time knowing what to do with the plethora of masterpieces crafted by our children. If we toss them, we feel guilty, If we display them all, we might as well wallpaper our refrigerator.
What To Do With Kids’ Artwork
Posted by Blacky at 9:36 pm 0 comments
Eyes see trouble coming before brain notices
Not just a window to the soul, the eye has a few tricks of its own. Newly discovered eye cells can warn us that an object is coming nearer, and do so without the brain's help. This ability may have evolved to speed escape from predators.
Eyes see trouble coming before brain notices
Posted by Blacky at 7:54 am 0 comments
Fold a World-Record-Setting Paper Airplane
A few years back we pointed you toward the world's "best" paper airplane, and while we couldn't entirely back up the "best" claim, this Sky King paper airplane is a legitimate world-record holder. This video shows us how to make it ourselves.
Fold a World-Record-Setting Paper Airplane
Posted by Blacky at 7:51 am 0 comments
Friday, September 04, 2009
21 Ways to Reduce Your Spending Without Making Your Life Miserable
Given that everyone’s life is different, it’s hard to point to a list of things that’s guaranteed to not be boring for everyone. Simple Dollar have made a list of twenty one spending reducing suggestions that they felt either didn’t have any impact at all on quality of life (things you can do once and benefit from for a while) or, if they’re repeatable, are inherently fun.
21 Ways to Reduce Your Spending Without Making Your Life Miserable
Posted by Blacky at 8:01 am 0 comments
Estimate Distances with Your Arm and This Rule of Thumb - measurements
Quick anatomy lesson: the distance between your eyes is one-tenth the length of your arm. This is important, because it helps you estimate the distance between yourself and any object of reasonably known size to a rather accurate degree.
Estimate Distances with Your Arm and This Rule of Thumb
Posted by Blacky at 7:54 am 0 comments
Thursday, September 03, 2009
8 Things an Airline Would Never Tell You
Half-dozen insiders expose little-known facts the airline industry would rather you didn't think about. They shared some pretty eye-opening stuff.
8 Things an Airline Would Never Tell You
Posted by Blacky at 5:03 pm 0 comments
The Journalist's Guide to YouTube
When you think of YouTube (YouTube), you probably think of viral videos such as choreographed wedding procession dances and sneezing pandas. But YouTube’s content load is massive — 20 hours of video are uploaded every minute — and it has a lot more to offer than just silly, viral videos. One area of YouTube that is currently growing like a weed is news.
The Journalist's Guide to YouTube
Posted by Blacky at 6:56 am 0 comments
WhatTheInternetKnowsAboutYou: your browser is giving away your history
The app is an example of using browser history detection to determine personal preferences of Web browser users and is located at http://whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com. The history detection hack has been known for quite a while; it works by using the CSS :visited pseudoclass to style visited links differently from unvisited ones, in order to figure out which ones are present in the browser's history and does not require JavaScript.
WhatTheInternetKnowsAboutYou: your browser is giving away your history
Posted by Blacky at 6:51 am 0 comments
13 more things that don't make sense
Strive as we might to make sense of the world, there are mysteries that still confound us. Here are thirteen of the most perplexing. Cracking any one of them could yield profound truths.
13 more things that don't make sense
Posted by Blacky at 6:45 am 0 comments
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Mandatory filtering plan an ‘ultimate embarrassment’
The Rudd Government plan to introduce mandatory ISP-level filtering was dead in the water and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy should end the farce now, the Opposition’s leader in the Senate Nick Minchin said.
Mandatory filtering plan an ‘ultimate embarrassment’
Posted by Blacky at 10:13 am 0 comments
Some Thoughts on Building a Successful Friendship
What do you do after you’ve met someone and you want to actually build a lasting friendship? Lasting friendships are often the backbone of our social lives and help us in countless ways throughout our professional and personal lives. They come through for us when we need help, plus they provide the constant support and companionship that a friendship can provide.
Some Thoughts on Building a Successful Friendship
Posted by Blacky at 7:58 am 0 comments
Best Disk Defragmenter: Defraggler
At the top of the heap is Defraggler, followed by a neck-and-neck—less than a percentage point difference—race for second and third place for Auslogics Disk Defrag and MyDefrag, respectively.
Best Disk Defragmenter: Defraggler
Posted by Blacky at 7:55 am 0 comments
What Is It Like to Be a Baby?
Alison Gopnik is a psychologist and philosopher at the University of California, Berkeley. She's also the author of the newly released book The Philosophical Baby, which explores the inner world of young children. Mind Matters editor Jonah Lehrer chats with Gopnik about why babies might be more conscious than adults, the benefits of having an imaginary friend and why play, not necessity, is the mother of invention.
What Is It Like to Be a Baby?
Posted by Blacky at 7:48 am 0 comments
Best visions of the night sky
Star trails, horse heads and shadowy moons are some of the sights captured by stargazers across the world vying for the title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year.
Best visions of the night sky
Posted by Blacky at 7:47 am 0 comments
How to Determine Your Blood Type
Want to know your blood type? If you ever need to know, medical staff can determine it on the spot, but maybe you're just curious. Maybe you want to know what your blood type says about your personality.[1] Either way, there are actually several ways to go about finding out.
How to Determine Your Blood Type
Posted by Blacky at 7:45 am 0 comments
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Computer Repair Flowcharts
Diagnosing computer problems can be a very time consuming process especially for computer users who have no or only basic computer repair process. These users only have a few options left if their computer system fails. One being to ask a proficient friend or colleague. The other option is to pay for professional computer repair which can be costly and time consuming depending where the computer system was bought and where it should be repaired.
Computer Repair Flowcharts
Posted by Blacky at 8:49 pm 0 comments
The Los Angeles fires
Video: Time Lapse Test: Station Fire, a haunting little piece put together by Eric Speigelman. The "Station Fire" has now spread to nearly 100,000 acres. Fires are a predictable, seasonal, and natural aspect of ecology and life in Southern California.
The Los Angeles fires
Posted by Blacky at 7:32 am 0 comments
Monday, August 31, 2009
HOW TO: Find the Name of That Song
Ever had that tune you just couldn’t get out of your head, but you couldn’t remember the darn title or who the heck performed the track? Well there’s an app for that.
HOW TO: Find the Name of That Song
Posted by Blacky at 10:17 pm 0 comments
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Top 10 Essential Social Media Stories This Week
From an image editing disaster by Microsoft to Yelp’s augmented reality application to a rehab center for Internet addicts, it’s been a busy week in web news.
The Top 10 Essential Social Media Stories This Week
Posted by Blacky at 11:13 pm 0 comments
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 26 - August 29, 2009
The latest issue of new family friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 26 - August 29, 2009
Posted by Blacky at 9:41 am 0 comments
Avoid Bank Fees
I don't pay any bank fees, except rental on my safe deposit box. That leaves me of two minds about the fees. On the one hand, I feel bad because the fees tend to fall hardest on the people who can afford them the least--the poor, the ignorant, the stupid, the careless, the lazy, and the unlucky. On the other hand, the fees other people pay help cover the costs of the many free services that I get from the bank.
Avoid Bank Fees
Posted by Blacky at 9:19 am 0 comments
How to Travel on a Very Limited Budge
Totally broke and dying to get out of town? Looking for some adventure without breaking the bank? This article will explore some ideas for how you can travel as cost-effectively as possible, perhaps even for free. The key is do some research and be flexible!
How to Travel on a Very Limited Budget
Posted by Blacky at 9:09 am 0 comments
Doing Something Difficult
Increasing your personal abilities is just like increasing your strength. You have to exercise in order to get stronger. If you want to grow as an individual, you have to do things that are hard in order to make it easier for you to do difficult things in the future.
Doing Something Difficult
Posted by Blacky at 12:01 am 0 comments
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tourist beware: Europe’s latest travel scams by Rick Steves
Gelato in hand, you’re strolling down a street in Italy, when suddenly, an attractive woman starts arguing with a street vendor. A crowd gathers as he accuses her of shoplifting. To prove her innocence, she starts to strip. Once she’s down to her underwear, the vendor apologizes, the woman leaves, and the onlookers disappear — and so have their wallets, thanks to a team of pickpockets working the show.
Tourist beware: Europe’s latest travel scams by Rick Steves
Posted by Blacky at 11:59 pm 0 comments
Magazines may mislead parents on SIDS and safe sleeping
I love thumbing through vintage magazines. It's not so much for the articles (although I do like reading them) but rather for the advertisements. Whether printed in brighter-than-life color or black and white, these adverts serve up a revealing and often amusing glimpse of the aspirations, ideals, and zeitgeist of their time. But, in truth, what I relish most is their shock value, as in "Wow, did they really do/think/buy/sell THAT back then?"
Magazines may mislead parents on SIDS and safe sleeping
Posted by Blacky at 7:59 pm 0 comments
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Drinking may reduce dementia risk
Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol later in life may prevent the development of dementia, according to new research by the Australian National University.
Drinking may reduce dementia risk
Posted by Blacky at 8:40 pm 0 comments
3quarksdaily
Hopes to present interesting items from around the web on a daily basis, in the areas of science, design, literature, current affairs, art, and anything else they deem inherently fascinating.
3quarksdaily
Posted by Blacky at 7:59 pm 0 comments
Top 5 Worst Productivity Ideas
Here are some of the top five traps people fall into when they try to increase their productivity. Most of them aren’t bad things in and of themselves. However, if they become your focus, you can be sure you aren’t going to be getting the benefits you are striving for.
Top 5 Worst Productivity Ideas
Posted by Blacky at 5:29 pm 0 comments
Recorded Crime - Offenders, Selected states and territories, 2007-08
Recorded Crime - Offenders collection and how it fits within the criminal justice system. A summary view of offenders proceeded against by police for the seven available states and territories and selected data about offenders for each of the respective states.
Recorded Crime - Offenders, Selected states and territories, 2007-08
Posted by Blacky at 5:04 pm 0 comments
Keeping Up with the Smiths
The data Wolfram|Alpha uses to compute surname statistics is largely drawn from name results from the U.S. Census. The United States is sometimes referred to as a “melting pot” because of the number of people who move to it from all corners of the world, bringing and melding their native cultures. Because of this, surnames found in the U.S. have origins from all over the world.
Keeping Up with the Smiths
Posted by Blacky at 7:10 am 0 comments
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Definitive Guide to Backing Up and Ditching Your Discs
Whether you're moving, short on cash, or running out of storage space, you've got plenty of reasons to ditch your physical media. Hard drives are cheap; here are Lifehacker's recommended methods of saving, selling, and trading your CDs, DVDs, and video games.
The Definitive Guide to Backing Up and Ditching Your Discs
Posted by Blacky at 9:36 am 0 comments
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Venezuela's "continuous" lightning storm
The folks in the video above aren't watching a fireworks show but rather the near-constant lightning strikes that occur over Vaenezuela's Catatumbo River almost half of the year.
Venezuela's "continuous" lightning storm
Posted by Blacky at 8:46 am 0 comments
Why we walk in circles without directional cues
When people don't have signs or other external cues for direction, we will probably end up walking in circles. That's according to a new psychological study.
Why we walk in circles without directional cues
Posted by Blacky at 8:43 am 0 comments
50 Best Websites 2009 - TIME
TIMES's 2009 selections of the best.
50 Best Websites 2009 - TIME
Posted by Blacky at 8:34 am 0 comments
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The 10 Essential Social Media Stories This Week
Here are the top 10 social media stories this week.
The 10 Essential Social Media Stories This Week
Posted by Blacky at 4:18 pm 0 comments