Saturday, June 26, 2010

Quick Tip: Use Web Page-to-PDF Services to Circumvent Website-blocking Software

Occasionally, I’ll try to head to a totally innocuous website only to find that it’s been blocked for some reason. It’s very irritating if I need to access a particular page for research, and as Google’s cache of the page is usually also blocked it means that I can’t get at the content at all. While I could try to use a proxy to get around the blocking software, many of those are also blocked. Instead, I find the quickest and simplest solution is to use one of the many online services that convert web pages to PDFs.
Quick Tip: Use Web Page-to-PDF Services to Circumvent Website-blocking Software

Vending Machine Fail

Give the Beef a miss....
Vending Machine Fai

Friday, June 25, 2010

Nine Common Myths and Misconceptions About Viruses, Examined and Debunked

There are so many myths, misconceptions, and just plain old lies about viruses that it's often hard for anybody to know what to think. Let's examine a few of the biggest myths about viruses, and debunk each of them.
Nine Common Myths and Misconceptions About Viruses, Examined and Debunked

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Natural wonders to show the kids

Where are you taking the kids for summer vacation? More importantly, will they remember it when they are grown-ups? In a new slide show on Bing Travel, family travel experts Pauline Frommer and Beth Harpaz contribute to our list of natural wonders that dazzle children. Yellowstone National Park, the Great Barrier Reef and the Bay of Fundy make the list.
Natural wonders to show the kids

Break and Other Br- Words

Break is an old word. In the foggy days of Proto-Indo-European, it may have begun with the consonant bh (or simply bh), pronounced as in Modern Engl. abhor or Rob Hanson. For our purposes, the difference between b and bh matters not at all, because today we are only interested in observing how many words referring to breaking begin with br-.
Break and Other Br- Words

Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 3 Download Available

Microsoft has released the third platform preview of the upcoming Internet Explorer 9 web browser. The new version can be downloaded directly from the Internet Explorer test drive website. The release notes have not yet been updated have been updated and the IE blog features an in depth analysis of the new and improved features of Internet Explorer 9.
Internet Explorer 9 Platform Preview 3 Download Available

Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2009

Australia's high population growth starts to slow: ABS
Preliminary estimates of Australia's annual population growth rate slowed to 2.0% over 2009, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The preliminary annual growth rate peaked at 2.2% in the year ended 31 December 2008.
Australian Demographic Statistics, Dec 2009

OpenDNS FamilyShield Blocks 18+ Contents Automatically

Users of the free DNS service OpenDNS are already familiar with additional blocking options that an OpenDNS account offers. It is for instance possible to configure web filters to block contents such as adult themes, pornography, proxies and anonymizers or gambling.
OpenDNS FamilyShield Blocks 18+ Contents Automatically

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

4 Tools To Extract Multiple Zip And Rar Archives

Many files on the Internet are compressed to reduce the time it takes to transfer the files to users requesting them and to cut down on the monthly bandwidth bill. A negative aspect of this is that the files need to be decompressed on the user’s computer system before they can be used.
4 Tools To Extract Multiple Zip And Rar Archives

10 Best UFO Hoax Videos on YouTube

While Unidentified Flying Objects have been reported since man first looked up at the sky, the modern phenomenon of the “flying saucer” has only been in the public’s consciousness since 1947, the year of both the Kenneth Arnold sightings and the Roswell incident.
10 Best UFO Hoax Videos on YouTube

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Store Multiple Items to Clipboard in Windows

The clipboard in Windows only holds one item at a time and can be frustrating if you are working with multiple items. Clipboard Manager lets you store multiple items and access them as needed.
Store Multiple Items to Clipboard in Windows

Monday, June 21, 2010

Wipe your drives securely with a hidden Windows 7 tool

It’s always a worry when you get rid of a PC or hard drive that all sorts of personal data could be sitting on it waiting to be stolen. This is even more important when it comes to business computers. There have always been a huge variety of hard disk wiping packages available from third-parties, but did you know that Windows 7 has it’s own free in-built tool for securely erasing, not just whole hard disks, but specific folders as well?
Wipe your drives securely with a hidden Windows 7 tool

Sunday, June 20, 2010

10 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Google

“Google is not a conventional company. We do not intend to become one.” So began the “letter from the founders” penned by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in the company’s securities registration form in 2004. Despite ever-increasing commercial success since that date, Brin and Page have kept to their word.
10 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Google

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 13/2010

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 13/2010

Control Pretty Much Any Electrical Device With Your Computer

Over at DIY web site Instructables, user indestructable thoroughly describes the process of connecting an electrical device to your computer and controlling it with some simple programming. The set-up relies on a USB relay device such as USBmicro's U451, and you'll need some wire, wire cutters, crimpers, and nuts to hook it all up.
Control Pretty Much Any Electrical Device With Your Computer

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2009

From the ABS, this publication presents national crime statistics relating to victims of a selected range of personal and household offences that have been recorded by police. These statistics provide indicators of the level and nature of recorded crime victimisation in Australia and a basis for measuring change over time.
Recorded Crime - Victims, Australia, 2009

Monitor your Hard Drive’s Health with Acronis Drive Monitor

Are you worried that your computer’s hard drive could die without any warning? Here’s how you can keep tabs on it and get the first warning signs of potential problems before you actually lose your critical data.
Monitor your Hard Drive’s Health with Acronis Drive Monitor

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Lifehacker’s Complete Office 2010 Guide

We first heard about Office 2010 back in April 2009, but that journey ends today with the retail version finally going on sale in Australia (and a few free copies being handed out in Sydney). Microsoft has long dominated the desktop software market with Office, but is a $209 product still relevant in an era where Google Docs and Microsoft’s own Office Web Apps appear to offer the same features for free?
Lifehacker’s Complete Office 2010 Guide

Monday, June 14, 2010

5 Great Sites for Exploring Cities Around the Globe

When Google launched its panoramic photomapping service back in 2007, it was the first time many netizens had the chance to explore a swathe of detailed street-level photos from their armchairs.
5 Great Sites for Exploring Cities Around the Globe

100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Propaganda is most well known in the form of war posters. But at its core, it is a mode of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position, and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

How to Juggle Three Balls

An ancient performance art, juggling dates back four thousand years, with the first recorded evidence of juggling depicted by Egyptian tomb hieroglyphics. Always a pleasure to watch, juggling often appears so easy. Yet, as a beginner, it's all falling balls and less juggling. Nevertheless, with a little direction, and a lot of practice, you could be a great three ball juggler - just follow the steps outlined here to get started in the cascade method.
How to Juggle Three Balls

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Skobbler Brings Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation to Your iPhone

If you've been stricken with Android-envy thanks to Google's fantastic and free turn-by-turn Maps Navigation—well, Skobbler isn't the cure. But it is a decent free option for directionally-challenged iPhone users.
Skobbler Brings Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation to Your iPhone

Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Airports and Airplanes

You've packed your things and made it to the airport—now the real fun begins. Want a better way of protecting your stuff, getting online, and cutting through red tape? Try these 10 tips for a better air travel experience.
Top 10 Strategies for Surviving Airports and Airplanes

How quickly can your password be cracked?

As more and more of us live more of our lives online with banking, shopping, photo galleries and social networking etc. a part of our daily lives, it becomes more and more important to have secure passwords. But there are problems in remembering complex passwords when there are so many websites you have accounts with.
How quickly can your password be cracked?

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Lost in Translation

Going abroad is delightful, but culture clashes and language snafus can leave travelers shaking their heads. Have a laugh as we explore poorly translated signs, unusual bathroom plumbing, creative transportation options and particularly bizarre food.
Lost in Translation

How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites

We all have an increasing number of sites and online services we’re members of, and sometimes it all gets a little overwhelming. At times, we just need to delete our memberships to some sites, either in an effort to simplify our lives or just because we’ve grown tired of a particular site or service.
How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites

Toilet Fail - FAIL Blog

Yecchh!
Toilet Fail - FAIL Blog

Friday, June 11, 2010

Australian Government Considers Logging All Web Activity

As if proposed mandatory censorship laws weren’t bad enough and unpopular enough, now the Federal Government is considering a proposal to require all ISPs to keep a detailed log of every site their customers visit. Yes, that’s every bit as unpleasant as it sounds.
Australian Government Considers Logging All Web Activity

Thursday, June 10, 2010

10 Tips for Living a Better Life, One Day at a Time--from Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII was pope from 1958-1963 and was known as “The Good Pope.” One aspect of the list that's worth noting is the emphasis on taking each day as it comes.
10 Tips for Living a Better Life, One Day at a Time--from Pope John XXIII

Microsoft Security Essentials Finds New Malware But Avoids False Positives, Still the Best Free Option

Microsoft's free Security Essentials package rates well at removing malware and running light, but what about dealing with brand-new, unidentified bad stuff? Turns out Security Essentials is still the best at figuring out what's bad—while also avoiding annoying false positives.
Microsoft Security Essentials Finds New Malware But Avoids False Positives, Still the Best Free Option

Autoruns For Windows 10 Released

Autoruns is the program to analyze the Windows startup. It is the most complete offering a huge feature set (which can be at times intimidating).
Autoruns For Windows 10 Released

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Eat Breakfast First Thing in the Morning for Better Sleep

It's long-standing wisdom that you shouldn't eat too close to bed time, or eat the right kinds of foods. One sleep specialist suggests it's really about how and when you eat breakfast that matters most to your sleep cycle.
Eat Breakfast First Thing in the Morning for Better Sleep

Update Microsoft Security Essentials On Computers Without Internet

Microsoft Security Essentials is a security software for Windows operating systems
that is offered as a free download by Microsoft. The program provides additional protection against all sorts of malware from viruses over trojans to keyloggers and computer worms
.
Update Microsoft Security Essentials On Computers Without Internet

The Step-by-Step Guide to Digitizing Your Life

Your increasingly digital lifestyle has left your analog media collecting dust. Save it from obsolescence and digitize your life.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Digitizing Your Life

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Should I Buy An iPhone 4?

The one question Apple never answers at keynotes – their opinion is implicit – is always the most pertinent: Should I buy this new thing? Here’s a simple guide.
Should I Buy An iPhone 4?

Sign at BP gas station: "Do not leave pumps unattended. You are responsible for spills."

Ok!
Sign at BP gas station: "Do not leave pumps unattended. You are responsible for spills."

The Complete Guide to Creating a Consolidated, Master Contact List

Ever wanted to consolidate all your contacts—from Google Contacts, Facebook, LinkedIn, your desktop address book, and your phone—into one comprehensive bucket you can effortlessly sync and export anywhere? You've come to the right place.
The Complete Guide to Creating a Consolidated, Master Contact List

Ignore Airplane Food and Other Distractions to Sleep Well on a Long Flight

Sleeping well on long flights is an art that most people haven't mastered. Software developer and frequent flier John Graham-Cummings has put a lot of thought and practice into getting good sleep on a long-haul flight, and he's full of helpful tips.
Ignore Airplane Food and Other Distractions to Sleep Well on a Long Flight

Beginner Geek: Scan Files for Viruses Before Using Them

To help avoid getting your computer infected by malicious software, it’s a good idea to scan files before executing them. Today we take a look at a couple of options that will let you scan files easily from your desktop.
Beginner Geek: Scan Files for Viruses Before Using Them

Monday, June 07, 2010

UFO in Australia explained: Falcon 9

Reports from eastern Australia of an UFO spiraling around in the sky Saturday morning (June 5, 2010) has been explained as the Falcon 9 rocket that was launched by private space transport company SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in the United States.
UFO in Australia explained: Falcon 9

BP Oil Spill Resources

More BP Oil Spill (Deepwater Horizon) Resources: Maps and Mashups
BP Oil Spill Resources

How To Improve Uninstall A Program In Windows

Many experienced Windows users do not use the default Uninstall A Program control panel applet in Windows. Not so much because it is not comfortable to use but more because of it solely relying on the uninstall routine of the application itself. Data leftovers in the Registry and file system tend to clutter the system and can influence a system’s stability in worst case.
How To Improve Uninstall A Program In Windows

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART]

Korean boy band Super Junior takes the top spot on this week’s list, demonstrating once again that Twitter is truly an international affair.
Top 10 Twitter Trends This Week [CHART]

Critical Adobe Reader And Flash Vulnerabilities Emerge

Two new vulnerabilities affecting the Adobe products Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash were reported by Secunia earlier this day. They have in common that they have been both rated as extremely critical, the highest available severity rating for vulnerabilities posted at Secunia.
Critical Adobe Reader And Flash Vulnerabilities Emerge

Saturday, June 05, 2010

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 12/2010

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 12/2010

Year Book Australia, 2009–10

Year Book Australia is the principal reference work produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It provides a comprehensive and detailed statistical overview of various aspects of the economy and social conditions in Australia. In addition, it contains descriptive matter dealing with Australia's geography and climate, government, international relations, defence, education and health and welfare support systems.
Year Book Australia, 2009–10

Strategies for Winning Consumer Disputes

THE HAGGLER asked readers to send their favorite techniques and stratagems for prevailing in consumer disputes, and let’s just say you came through. Loud and clear. And in very large numbers, with some rather novel ideas.
The Haggler - Strategies for Winning Consumer Disputes

The Happiness Project: "People Who Knit Are Usually in a Good Mood. People Who Stare into Their iPhones AND Demand Your Attention Aren't as Much Fun."

Mark Frauenfelder from Boing Boing has a fascinating book that just came out, Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World. As you can tell from the title alone, this book has a lot to do with happiness, work, DIY, and...handiness, learning to make and do things with your own hands instead of running out to get cheap, mass-produced items that provide no larger meaning or connection.
The Happiness Project: "People Who Knit Are Usually in a Good Mood. People Who Stare into Their iPhones AND Demand Your Attention Aren't as Much Fun."

As Sure as Night Follows Day, You're Going to Get a Traffic Ticket Soon

How soon? Well that depends on what kind of shape your state's economy is in. But from the experiences I have been gathering from friends, relatives, co-workers, and of course my own life, I think it's safe to say you'll be paying some sort of penalty within one year.
As Sure as Night Follows Day, You're Going to Get a Traffic Ticket Soon

Clear Google Search History and Safeguard Your Privacy

My primary (and secondary and tertiary) search engine is Google, I use Google mail, my primary IM is Google Talk, I use Google apps for work, Google docs has kicked out MS Office on my PC, Google Chrome is my default browser and worst of all, my DNS provide is Google again. Add Google Reader, maps, News, Picasa and Youtube to the list, hardly 10% of my online life is sans Google.
Clear Google Search History and Safeguard Your Privacy

A Beginner's Guide to Growing New Plants with Cuttings

When you're starting out with a garden, buying enough plants to cover the ground can seem really expensive. Do what the pros do instead—cut and plant stems and leaves, divide roots, and use ground layering to re-grow your good plants.
A Beginner's Guide to Growing New Plants with Cuttings

Friday, June 04, 2010

How to Crop Pictures in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2010

When you add pictures to your Office documents you might need to crop them to remove unwanted areas, or isolate a specific part. Today we’ll take a look at how to crop images in Office 2010.
How to Crop Pictures in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2010

Analyze Windows Startup Time With Soluto

Soluto is a software program that can be used to analyze the Windows startup. It provides in depth information about each item and program that gets loaded during startup so that the computer user can make the right choices to speed up the start of the Windows operating system.
Analyze Windows Startup Time With Soluto

Thursday, June 03, 2010

How to Treat a Concussion

When a blow to the head shakes the brain within the space between the brain and the skull, the resulting shaking is known as concussion. A concussion is the most common type of head injury. While most concussion is a temporary disturbance that doesn't leave lasting damage, it can lead to associated serious problems if not treated promptly and effectively.
How to Treat a Concussion

Lifehacker Pack 2010: Our List of Essential Windows Downloads

We feature hundreds of different downloads every year at Lifehacker. If all you want is the best of the best, look no further than our annual Lifehacker Pack: One download that installs only our favorite, must-have Windows applications in a few clicks.
Lifehacker Pack 2010: Our List of Essential Windows Downloads

Top 1000 sites

The 1000 most-visited sites on the web.
Top 1000 sites

The Best Supermarket Meat Pies

Apparently, Australians eat 18,500 tonnes of meat pies every year, which potentially adds up to a whole heap of grease and not much meat. Choice has ranked the meat content and overall nutritional value of supermarket meat pies.
The Best Supermarket Meat Pies

EasyWords Teaches Languages Through Regular System Tray Questions

Windows: Big boxes of Rosetta Stone CDs and language dictionaries sit untouched more often than not due to their imposing heft. EasyWords just asks you a multiple choice or write-in question every so often, helping you learn or hone a language.
EasyWords Teaches Languages Through Regular System Tray Questions

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Hide Files In Pictures With JPG FileBinder

There are numerous options for users who want to hide files. All of these options can be rated by the two parameters accessibility and level of protection. Hiding files in directories might be very comfortable but someone who is looking for these files might find them nevertheless. Using an encrypted volume on a disk protects the files from unauthorized access but requires a password that needs to be entered before the files can be accessed. It is also not practical to send containers to other users.
Hide Files In Pictures With JPG FileBinder

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Pac-Man Creator Reflects on 30 Years of Dot-Eating

30 years ago, videogames changed forever. On May 22, 1980, the Japanese gamemaker Namco installed the first Pac-Man machine in a movie theater in the trendy Shibuya section of Tokyo. On Saturday, the company celebrates the 30th anniversary of the little yellow circle that became videogames’ first enduring character.
Pac-Man Creator Reflects on 30 Years of Dot-Eating

Friday, May 28, 2010

How to Return Facebook's Privacy Settings to What You Signed Up For

Online privacy expectations are evolving, but whether Facebook likes it or not, a lot of us want the privacy settings we signed up for when we joined the service. Here's how to use Facebook's new privacy controls to regain your original privacy.
How to Return Facebook's Privacy Settings to What You Signed Up For

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Lists & Rankings: Quality of Life Worldwide City Rankings, 2010 from Mercer

Vienna retains the top spot as the city with the world’s best quality of living, according to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey. Zurich and Geneva follow in second and third position, respectively, while Vancouver and Auckland remain joint fourth in the rankings.
Lists & Rankings: Quality of Life Worldwide City Rankings, 2010 from Mercer

The Top 4 Sites To Find Free Printable Posters

When you’re one Picasso short, the second most obvious decorating choice are regular posters. With little effort, they allow you to define your room (or house) and give it character. Put them in a frame, and it looks as classy as a painting.
The Top 4 Sites To Find Free Printable Posters

Remotely Reboot Your Router From Any Browser

We've all had those routers that just don't cooperate, and every once in a while lose connection and need to be rebooted (or rather, unplugged and then plugged back in). Here's how to do it without walking across your whole house.
Remotely Reboot Your Router From Any Browser

Pick Better Cuts Of Meat By Checking The Texture

If your meat-buying routine just involves pointing at the meat you want in the butcher case and saying, “that one”, you can brush up on the finer points of meat purchasing with these tips.
Pick Better Cuts Of Meat By Checking The Texture

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

How to Tie a Reef Knot

The reef knot is a basic knot with the primary purpose of joining together two ropes of equal thickness in a flat and non-high strain situation. It is also known as the square knot, and sometimes as the scout knot, appearing on the World Scout Badge, which is worn by every scout from all over the world. Follow the easy steps in this article to learn the method for tying a reef knot.
How to Tie a Reef Knot

Scan For Viruses From The Windows AutoPlay Dialog

Thumb drives are a standard part of any PC repair toolkit, but once you’ve used them on a suspect PC, you should always scan them for viruses. Here’s how to scan for viruses directly from the AutoPlay dialog.
Scan For Viruses From The Windows AutoPlay Dialog

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Packing Tips From Professional Travelers

Now that nearly every airline is charging baggage fees, travelers are motivated to pack as efficiently as possible. And who knows more about packing than professional flight crews? In interviews with a dozen flight attendants and pilots, one theme emerged: to pare down and still have everything needed at the destination, think strategically.
Packing Tips From Professional Travelers

The World Touristiness Heatmap Helps You Avoid Tourist Traps

Need a friendly escape, or do you just want to go lone wolf? The World Touristiness Map helps you pick an offbeat, remote locale or a foreign-friendly destination for your next vacation with a heatmap detailing the relative tourist-iness of a location.
The World Touristiness Heatmap Helps You Avoid Tourist Traps

Monday, May 24, 2010

PAC-MAN rules!

We've been overwhelmed — but not surprised :) — by the success of our 30th anniversary PAC-MAN doodle. Due to popular demand, we’re making the game permanently available at www.google.com/pacman.
PAC-MAN rules!

24 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

If we had to choose one word to sum up this week’s essential resources, it would have to be “business.” If you own a business, work for a business, or even give money to businesses in exchange for goods and services, you’ll want to scroll on down and take a look at how even one week’s worth of social media news has shaped your industry.
24 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

Download Google Pacman Game for Free [HOW TO]

If Friday’s Google Doodle didn’t feed your Pacman Fever, you download the special Google version of Pacman and play on your own time! Over at StackOverflow, users worked together to figure out how to extract and host the special version of Pacman, created by Google in honor of the yellow guy’s 30th birthday, for play online or off.
Download Google Pacman Game for Free [HOW TO]

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

Sunday, May 23, 2010

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]

Saturday, May 22, 2010

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

Friday, May 21, 2010

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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

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

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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

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?

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

Sunday, May 16, 2010

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

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

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

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]

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

Banana Fail

Yellow curved fruit?
Banana Fail

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

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

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

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

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

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