Have you ever wondered where the titles of novels, plays, films and the like come from? Some are obvious, at least after you’ve read the book or seen the movie, as with Star Wars and The English Patient, but many titles are not transparent and leave you wondering just why the author chose them.
Have these Allusions Eluded You?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Have these Allusions Eluded You?
Posted by Blacky at 12:49 pm 0 comments
Password Protect And Disguise Folders With PenyuLocker
Encryption is the only way to go if you are serious about protecting data from unauthorized access. Programs like True Crypt or Microsoft’s Bitlocker ensure that data is protected by a secure algorithm so that it can only be accessed by the user who knows the password to unlock the data.
Password Protect And Disguise Folders With PenyuLocker
Posted by Blacky at 7:11 am 0 comments
Monitor File Changes With Disk Pulse
Windows freeware Disk Pulse monitors file changes on connected and configured hard drives. This can be interesting for several purposes including monitoring installations of software, server environments or security.
Monitor File Changes With Disk Pulse
Posted by Blacky at 7:07 am 0 comments
Scan Your Facebook Settings for Privacy Loopholes
Facebook has run into multiple problems in recent times mainly due to their handling of privacy concerns of their users. The most popular social networking site constantly changes its privacy terms and their latest changes have resulted in people ending up sharing more than what they actually intended to the general public. This has happened because of changes in Facebook’s default privacy settings.
Scan Your Facebook Settings for Privacy Loopholes
Posted by Blacky at 7:01 am 0 comments
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Ask Lifehacker: How Do I Get Australia-Only Results On Google?
Dear Lifehacker,
Not sure if you have done a story on this, but with Google’s site redesign they have removed the “pages from Australia” button. How do you only search Aussie sites now?
Thanks, Peter
Ask Lifehacker: How Do I Get Australia-Only Results On Google?
Posted by Blacky at 3:34 pm 0 comments
Web Browsers Leave 'Fingerprints' Behind as You Surf the Net
New research by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has found that an overwhelming majority of web browsers have unique signatures -- creating identifiable "fingerprints" that could be used to track you as you surf the Internet.
Web Browsers Leave 'Fingerprints' Behind as You Surf the Net
Posted by Blacky at 10:58 am 0 comments
Nachofoto Is Not Your Average Image Search Engine
Nachofoto is a real-time image search engine with a focus on trending topics and rising search terms.
Nachofoto Is Not Your Average Image Search Engine
Posted by Blacky at 10:52 am 0 comments
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Facebook News & Commentary
A Review of Facebook News & Commentary (And Lots of It)
Facebook News
Posted by Blacky at 10:49 pm 0 comments
How To Quit Facebook Without Actually Quitting Facebook
With all the recent privacy issues surrounding Facebook, a lot of people are considering quitting Facebook altogether. If you’re not ready to take it that far, here’s how to avoid the privacy breaches without completely deleting your account and losing touch with your friends.
How To Quit Facebook Without Actually Quitting Facebook
Posted by Blacky at 10:45 pm 0 comments
Friday, May 14, 2010
Facebook: Facts You Probably Didn't Know
Did you know that the second most popular Facebook Page is that of Homer Simpson, right behind Michael Jackson? Or that the overall amount of time spent on Facebook each month is 8.3 billion hours? (We shudder to think how much of that time is spent on FarmVille).
Facebook: Facts You Probably Didn't Know
Posted by Blacky at 7:45 am 0 comments
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Optical illusion: impossible anti-grav ramps
Koukichi Sugihara's "Impossible motion" -- a cunning arrangement of cardboard ramps carefully skewed to create the illusion that balls roll up them -- won top honors at the Meiji Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences' Best Visual Illusion of the Year Contest 2010. It has a delightful 3D physicality, being a real object made out of atoms, that makes it especially wonderful.
Optical illusion: impossible anti-grav ramps
Posted by Blacky at 7:01 am 0 comments
The Alphabets of Technology [Geeky Fun]
This post is dedicated for all the geeky readers (and their kids) of TechPP! I am sure you know about the English alphabet, but here is an easier and interesting way to remember them! Learn the ABC of Technology the right way.
The Alphabets of Technology [Geeky Fun]
Posted by Blacky at 6:56 am 0 comments
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Greens propose three-pronged alternative to mandatory filtering
In a lengthy speech in the Senate, Greens communications spokesman, senator Scott Ludlam, has roundly condemned the Government's mandatory filtering plan and set out a three-pronged alternative approach to protecting children online.
Greens propose three-pronged alternative to mandatory filtering
Posted by Blacky at 8:04 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
169 Best Illusions--A Sampling
169 Best Illusions, contains a smorgasbord of static images that appear to be moving, “impossible” sculptures, freaky faces, ghostly afterimages and even some edible illusions.
169 Best Illusions--A Sampling
Posted by Blacky at 7:07 am 0 comments
Monday, May 10, 2010
Lifehacker’s Australian Airport Public Transport Guide, 2010 Edition
Cheap airfares don’t look so cheap if you have to spend a fortune getting to the airport in the first place. Lifehacker rounds up the public transport options to get to and from Australia’s capital city airports.
Lifehacker’s Australian Airport Public Transport Guide, 2010 Edition
Posted by Blacky at 8:39 pm 0 comments
10 Free iPhone Apps To Learn A New Skill In 10 Minutes
As well as options for almost unimaginably varied entertainment, the powerful iPhone platform can be used as a learning tool. Thanks to kind-hearted developers, many of the phone’s best educational apps are available completely free.
10 Free iPhone Apps To Learn A New Skill In 10 Minutes
Posted by Blacky at 6:19 am 0 comments
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 10/2010 - May 23, 2010
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 10/2010 - May 23, 2010
Posted by Blacky at 8:29 pm 0 comments
Use Windows 7 Libraries To Quickly Load And Save Files
Libraries are a new feature of the Windows 7 operating system. They are basically an advanced version of the documents and settings folder hierarchy as they allow the user to select multiple folders into a library. Each folder’s contents are then accessible in the library folder. But libraries have another useful use. They are displayed prominently in Windows Explorer. This means it is easier to access them than most other folders in Windows. Even better is the fact that they are also displayed in every standard save and load window making them ideal for quick save and load selections in Windows.
Use Windows 7 Libraries To Quickly Load And Save Files
Posted by Blacky at 12:06 am 0 comments
Friday, May 07, 2010
Depressing App Shows You What You'll Look Like in 20 Years
From the people who brought you MakeMeBabies and PicTreat comes In20Years, the web app that’s sure to give the plastic surgery industry a swift kick in the you-know-what. In 20 Years is basically what it sounds like — a tool that purports to show you your deteriorated mug two or three decades from now.
Depressing App Shows You What You'll Look Like in 20 Years
Posted by Blacky at 7:18 am 0 comments
How To Remove The Folder Lock Icon
If you open Windows Explorer in the Windows operating system you will eventually come upon some folders with a lock icon. If you try to open those folders you will get an access denied error message. The lock icon indicates a file or folder with special permissions and that the active user is restricted from performing some – or even all – operations on that file
or folder.
How To Remove The Folder Lock Icon
Posted by Blacky at 7:16 am 0 comments
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Mapping the Gulf oil spill in Google Earth
Two weeks ago, there was a fatal explosion on the offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig sank shortly afterwards, and since then the well has been leaking crude oil into the Gulf, spreading an oil slick towards the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Mapping the Gulf oil spill in Google Earth
Posted by Blacky at 10:57 pm 0 comments
Detect a Good Liar By Knowing Their Most Effective Tactics
Breaking someone's poker face doesn't require a piercing look so much as knowing what makes some liars so effective. Pyschology Today details the most effective strategies of good liars.
Detect a Good Liar By Knowing Their Most Effective Tactics
Posted by Blacky at 9:45 pm 0 comments
Foreign Language Courses, Free Online
The site covers 41 languages, from Amharic to Yoruba. Pick a language from the list on the left, click it, and you’ll get a list of student materials on the right.
Foreign Language Courses, Free Online
Posted by Blacky at 9:37 pm 0 comments
Scholarly essay nails Gilligan's Island's hidden subtext
The tragedy of the tale is not that they can never go back. The real affliction is the wish itself. They are all so preoccupied with the notion of going back that they never realize they are already in paradise.
Scholarly essay nails Gilligan's Island's hidden subtext
Posted by Blacky at 9:35 pm 0 comments
The hole in the ozone layer: 25 years on
This year marks 25 years since the publication of a paper confirming the existence of an ozone 'hole' above Antarctica, which soon led to an international treaty banning the use of certain chemicals.
The hole in the ozone layer: 25 years on
Posted by Blacky at 9:32 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Google Chrome Calculator
Math wizards take note. Chromey Calculator is an extension for the Google Chrome web browser that offers access to most of Wolfram|Alpha’s and Google’s mathematical calculations and functions.
Google Chrome Calculator
Posted by Blacky at 8:35 am 0 comments
New NASA Satellite Image of Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (Taken May 1st) Now Online
NASA’s Terra satellite flew over the Deepwater Horizon rig’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, May 1 and captured a natural-color image of the slick from space. The oil slick resulted from an accident at the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico.
New NASA Satellite Image of Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (Taken May 1st) Now Online
Posted by Blacky at 8:25 am 0 comments
Monday, May 03, 2010
Access Blocked Websites via HTTPS Google Webcache
Internet Censorship is turning out to be one of the major problems in some parts of the world, mainly China, Iran & Australia. They use some filters to block specific information on the web from their citizens. Not just countries, internet censorship is common in schools, colleges and work places. (Note: Australia, not quite yet)
Access Blocked Websites via HTTPS Google Webcache
Posted by Blacky at 6:59 am 0 comments
Sunday, May 02, 2010
The 1-Cent Cell Phone Protector, and Other Hacks
When you're forking out several hundred dollars for a cell phone, the thought of spending even more money to keep it scratch-free seems a no-brainer. But I'm cheap. And I don't like spending a few bucks on a piece of clear tape when, well, a free piece of clear tape will do. Or in this case, almost free.
The 1-Cent Cell Phone Protector, and Other Hacks
Posted by Blacky at 9:55 pm 0 comments
Top 10 Things You Didn't Know Google Maps Could Do
There's more to Google Maps than a place you double-check your directions. Google's data-stuffed site offers a lot of helpful tools for vacationers, spreadsheet nerds, bikers, and others. Today we're digging into Google's data-rich geo-tool and pulling out some helpful lesser-known features.
Top 10 Things You Didn't Know Google Maps Could Do
Posted by Blacky at 9:51 pm 0 comments
Friday, April 30, 2010
Full List - The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME
In our annual TIME 100 issue we name the people who most affect our (American?) world.
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
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
5 Free Ways to Identify that Song Stuck in Your Head
Getting a tune stuck in your head and not being able to identify it, or hearing the best song ever and not knowing who it is by, are two of the most annoying things that plague human kind. To help you out of such musical dilemmas, we’ve pulled together a handy list of resources that can help you out, and all for gratis.
5 Free Ways to Identify that Song Stuck in Your Head
Posted by Blacky at 11:41 pm 0 comments
How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords
Internet standards expert, CEO of web company iFusion Labs, and blogger John Pozadzides knows a thing or two about password security — and he knows exactly how he’d hack the weak passwords you use all over the internet.
How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords
Posted by Blacky at 10:59 pm 0 comments
Australian Censorship: Google Vs. The Communications Minister
In a radio interview on 29 March, Australia’s communications minister Stephen Conroy had some strong things to say about Google:
Australian Censorship: Google Vs. The Communications Minister
Posted by Blacky at 8:03 am 0 comments
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Internet Activity, Australia, Dec 2009
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 with more than 1,000 active subscribers as at 31 December 2009.
Internet Activity, Australia, Dec 2009
Posted by Blacky at 10:28 pm 0 comments
Why You Should Install Perspectives For Firefox Right Now
Maybe you have already read the news that it is possible to subvert SSL which is used to improve the security when connecting to websites. Financial sites like PayPal and Bank of America, shopping sites like eBay or Amazon and government sites use SSL which is shown by displaying https in the browser’s address bar instead of http. There are other indicators including a closed padlock that, when clicked, should display additional information about the website including the issued certificate.
Why You Should Install Perspectives For Firefox Right Now
Posted by Blacky at 8:35 pm 0 comments
Use Different Passwords to Increase Security
The founder of Facebook has been accused of using information from Facebook to break into email accounts at Harvard Crimson (Harvard’s newspaper). While I don’t know if it is true or not, the technique is plausible and is an excellent demonstration of why you shouldn’t use the same password for every website and how important it is to create secure passwords.
Use Different Passwords to Increase Security
Posted by Blacky at 7:28 am 0 comments
5 Big Twitter Trends to Follow Right Now
As Twitter celebrates its fourth birthday, we thought it appropriate to take another step back from the day-to-day happenings of the Twitterverse and analyze some of the bigger trends. There are many indicators that can clue us in to what’s in store for the social network.
5 Big Twitter Trends to Follow Right Now
Posted by Blacky at 7:24 am 0 comments
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Top 10 Tips And Tricks For Making Your Stuff Last Longer
We live in a disposable world, but just because things weren’t meant to last doesn’t mean you can’t make them last. These 10 tips and tricks will help you squeeze more life from your batteries, appliances, flowers, razor blades and more.
Top 10 Tips And Tricks For Making Your Stuff Last Longer
Posted by Blacky at 9:53 am 0 comments
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 7/2010 - March 29, 2010
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 7/2010 - March 29, 2010
Posted by Blacky at 9:46 am 0 comments
No Virus Thanks Is A Virus Total Alternative
Virus Total is one of the most useful security services on the Internet. The service can be used by everyone to upload and scan files using multiple antivirus engines. It can be used directly from their website or by installing the Virus Total Uploader in Windows to send files directly from Windows Explorer.
No Virus Thanks Is A Virus Total Alternative
Posted by Blacky at 8:20 am 0 comments
Saturday, March 27, 2010
10 Essential Money-Saving iPhone Apps
Despite a recession allegedly in our rear view mirror, frugality remains a hot, trendy topic. Nowhere is that more evident than in the often expensive world of consumer tech. But remember, a one-time splurge could pay dividends in the long run if you do your homework.
10 Essential Money-Saving iPhone Apps
Posted by Blacky at 9:19 am 0 comments
AVG Rescue CD Cleans Your Infected Windows PC
There's any number of great antivirus tools that help protect your PC from viruses, but what about when you encounter an already-infected PC? Your best bet is a boot CD, and the free AVG Rescue CD cleans viruses easily.
AVG Rescue CD Cleans Your Infected Windows PC
Posted by Blacky at 9:16 am 0 comments
Friday, March 26, 2010
How To Automatically Sync Any Song You Download To iTunes
iTunes has never been great at automatically syncing new songs or folders of music, but with a little finesse and the latest version of iTunes, you can automatically sync any new music you download to iTunes, with relative ease.
How To Automatically Sync Any Song You Download To iTunes
Posted by Blacky at 7:09 am 0 comments
500 Worst Passwords! Is Yours on the List?
123456! QWERTY! Password! These are some of the 500 worst passwords listed down by Dave Kleiman in his book Perfect Password: Selection, Protection, Authentication. Hilarious to see some of the passwords listed down there – one of them being ZZZZZZZ!!
500 Worst Passwords! Is Yours on the List?
Posted by Blacky at 7:00 am 0 comments
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Australia's population exceeds 22 million
Australia's population reached 22,066,000 as at 30 September 2009, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.This is an increase of 451,900 people over the previous year, keeping the growth rate high at 2.1%.
Australia's population exceeds 22 million
Posted by Blacky at 5:31 pm 0 comments
12 Ways to Find More Time
Here are twelve ways to claw some if it back.
12 Ways to Find More Time
Posted by Blacky at 7:11 am 0 comments
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Google, Yahoo and Others Criticize Aussie Government Internet Filtering Plan
Google, Yahoo and Others Criticize Aussie Government Internet Filtering Plan.
Google, Yahoo and Others Criticize Aussie Government Internet Filtering Plan
Posted by Blacky at 7:20 am 0 comments
Windows Product Key Finder
There may come a time where a user needs to retrieve the product key from an installed operating system. A possible scenario is for instance the desire to install the operating system on a new computer system. The only way to retrieve the Windows product key is to use a software program
that can display the product key if the product box that listed the key is no longer available.
Windows Product Key Finder
Posted by Blacky at 7:18 am 0 comments
Snake Oil Chart Highlights The Worth (Or Lack Thereof) Of Supplements
We’ve all got that friend or family member that swears by a supplement promising to stave off colds, cure headaches or fix some other malady, but often they’re little more than snake oil. This Snake Oil chart matches supplements to scientific support.
Snake Oil Chart Highlights The Worth (Or Lack Thereof) Of Supplements
Posted by Blacky at 7:05 am 0 comments
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
China to Google: Nyah Nyah Nyah!
Google killed Google China Search Engine today. The answer from China is here.
China to Google: Nyah Nyah Nyah!
Posted by Blacky at 10:30 am 0 comments
Zosh Fills Out and Signs Docs from Your iPhone, Makes Fax That Much More Useless
Zosh Fills Out and Signs Docs from Your iPhone, Makes Fax That Much More UselessiPhone: Hate the outmoded world of faxing but still occasionally need to fill out and sign forms? iPhone application Zosh offers an interesting solution: Using Zosh, you can fill out, sign, and send forms from your iPhone, no printing or fax required.
Zosh Fills Out and Signs Docs from Your iPhone, Makes Fax That Much More Useless
Posted by Blacky at 9:10 am 0 comments
Breakthrough in sewing needles
Minnesotan mom Pam Turner took it upon herself to design and produce the world’s first dead-simple sewing needle.
Breakthrough in sewing needles
Posted by Blacky at 9:07 am 0 comments
A new approach to China
Earlier today Google stopped censoring search services—Google Search, Google News, and Google Images—on Google.cn. Users visiting Google.cn are now being redirected to Google.com.hk, where we are offering uncensored search in simplified Chinese, specifically designed for users in mainland China and delivered via Google servers in Hong Kong.
Official Google Blog: A new approach to China
Posted by Blacky at 8:23 am 0 comments