Australia: Library and Information Week, 2010 Underway Down Under

Since it’s already Monday in Australia as we post this item, ResourceShelf would like to say have a wonderful, enjoyable, and productive National Library and Information Week, 2010 (LIW).
Australia: Library and Information Week, 2010 Underway Down Under

Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART]

This week’s list of trends illustrates the enormous international breadth of Twitter and its users. The Korean music group Super Junior, a popular trending topic for many weeks, has finally toppled Justin Bieber and claimed the number one spot. Whether this is due to sheer number of tweets, or a change in Twitter’s trend-identifying algorithm, remains to be seen.
Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART]

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 11/2010

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 11/2010

Manner Mistakes When People are Sick

Here follow, in no particular order, suggestions to help your fellow human beings (regardless of their emotional connection to you) survive the mundane week-long "bug of the week" to traumatic ordeals that demand years of recovery.
Manner Mistakes When People are Sick

The Shroud Crowd: a dispatch from Torino, Italy

Since April 10th of this year, Torino, Italy has been crowded by a strange mob of tourists: endless streams of international and local people, old and young, pious and less pious. They are Catholics, and believers of other religions, too.
The Shroud Crowd: a dispatch from Torino, Italy

Keeping up-to-date on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

It is estimated that at least 6 million gallons of oil have leaked into the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon explosion a month ago. Cleanup efforts are underway, but the oil has spread extensively around the Gulf and along the southern U.S. coastline. Oil has begun washing up on the beaches of Louisiana and the delicate wetlands along the Mississippi River, and can spread to Florida and throughout the Gulf as weather conditions change. This sequence of images, coming from NASA’s MODIS satellites, illustrates the movement and growth of the oil slick over the past few weeks.
Keeping up-to-date on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The Cleverest Geeky Windows Tricks Everyone Should Know

Anyone can sit down at a Windows PC and get along fine, but with the right tips and tricks, you can get around much faster. Here's a handful of clever tricks to boost your Windows skills (and show off to friends).
The Cleverest Geeky Windows Tricks Everyone Should Know

Why Google Public DNS Sucks For Aussies

Google Public DNS is designed to speed up browsing, but depending on the kind of content you want to access, it can often have the reverse effect. Dan Warne at APC points out that while Google Public DNS (or other alternative DNS services such as OpenDNS) can speed up general browsing to sites by resolving domain names faster, it will often have a damaging effect on services like iTunes and Windows Update which use Akamai’s load balancing technology to spread server load. Using Google for lookups will convince Akamai that you’re actually located in the US. It will also (as several Lifehacker readers have noted in the past) play havoc with any unmetered content your ISP offers (such as iView access), since it won’t be routed through the appropriate servers.
Why Google Public DNS Sucks For Aussies

Have these Allusions Eluded You?

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

Facebook News & Commentary

A Review of Facebook News & Commentary (And Lots of It)
Facebook News

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

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

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

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]

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

Banana Fail

Yellow curved fruit?
Banana Fail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

[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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

USGS Photo Glossary of Volcanic Terms

From aa to Vulcanian eruption. With images.
USGS Photo Glossary of Volcanic Terms

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

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

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

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

“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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black Stump heading out way Beyond

We'll be AWOL for about a week, taking a little break - see you soon!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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