We Reported More Scams Last Year, But Got Sucked In Less

It’s National Consumer Fraud Week, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has marked the occasion by releasing its annual statistics on the numbers of scams reported to it in 2010. The total number? 42,000, which is more than double the 2009 figure of 20,000.
We Reported More Scams Last Year, But Got Sucked In Less

Screen Reading Before Bed Still Bad for Sleep, and We All Still Do It

We've known for years that viewing electronics before bed disturbs or prevents sleep. But the National Sleep Foundation finds that 95 percent of people are staring at screens—and two-thirds don't get enough sleep during the week.
Screen Reading Before Bed Still Bad for Sleep, and We All Still Do It

Internet Explorer 6 – Not as Unpopular as you Might Think!

Microsoft launched Internet Explorer 6 some 10 years ago around the same time as Windows XP. Lot has changed in the browser world since then but IE 6, the most criticized browser of all times, refuses to go away.
Internet Explorer 6 – Not as Unpopular as you Might Think!

Get a Random Homepage for your Browser

When it comes to choosing a homepage for our web browsers, we all have different preferences. Some people prefer a blank start page, some may want to see thumbnails of most frequently visited sites (like in Chrome) while others may be more happy seeing their favorite website (like news.yahoo.com) set as their browser's homepage.
Get a Random Homepage for your Browser

Satellite map of the Christchurch earthquake

This is what the effects of an earthquake look like from space. Vertical movement was mapped by a Japanense satellite as the ground shifted closer to it (blue) or further from it (red).
Satellite map of the Christchurch earthquake

Virtual Cafe opens to help New Zealand Earthquake victims

The Christchurch cafe is a site where you can buy virtual items you might find in a coffee shop, from a $2 espresso to a $300 espresso machine. This is a creative and interesting way of raising aid donations: 100% of funds raised go directly to the community in Christchurch, New Zealand, which was hit hard by the earthquake last week. It's an inspired way to encourage people to help out financially after a disaster.
Virtual Cafe opens to help New Zealand Earthquake victims

Taking the Pain Out of Reinstalling Windows

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do when your copy of Windows is malfunctioning other than a complete format and reinstall. This is always a pain, but how can you take the pain out of the process? Here’s the ghacks guide to taking the pain out of reinstalling Windows from scratch.
Taking the Pain Out of Reinstalling Windows

What’s The Best Bookmark Manager?

Every web browser comes with bookmarking capabilities, and while bookmarking is not as popular as it was ten years ago, it is fair to assume that the majority of computer users make use of bookmarks. What is a bookmark? Standard bookmarks are nothing more than links that point to a web address. Bookmarks are like an address book, only for web properties and not people or businesses.
What’s The Best Bookmark Manager?

What You Said: Malware Fighting Tips and Tricks

Today How-To-Geek is rounding up some of the tips and tricks from an Ask the Reader post "What Are Your Best Malware Fighting Tricks" and highlighting them below.
What You Said: Malware Fighting Tips and Tricks

Microsoft Begs Users to Stop Using IE 6

Like the rest of us, Microsoft is ready to move beyond Internet Explorer 6. The software giant has launched a new website, The Internet Explorer 6 Countdown, that bears the slogan: “Moving the world off Internet Explorer 6.”
Microsoft Begs Users to Stop Using IE 6

Our Favorite YouTube Videos This Week: The Vanity Edition

We are all the main players in our own, personal films — tortured Dorian Grays rendered oh-so blue in the presence of our fading youth, staring in the glass, transfixed by our glittering reflections. In short, pretty much everyone is completely and totally self-absorbed, which is why this week’s YouTube roundup is all about you — well, vanity, actually.
Our Favorite YouTube Videos This Week: The Vanity Edition

Hold a Nail Steady with These Household Objects (and Avoid Crushing Your Fingers)

For the uncoordinated among us, simple tasks like hammering a nail can be pretty harrowing. Weblog DIY Life has a simple tip for keeping your thumbs safe—just hold the nail with some needlenose pliers.
Hold a Nail Steady with These Household Objects (and Avoid Crushing Your Fingers)

How Difficult Decisions Trick Your Brain Into Thinking They're Important

Have you ever stood in the supermarket, deciding between two different types of toothpaste, when suddenly you realize you've been there for ten minutes? Here's how you're being tricked into thinking small decisions are actually important.
How Difficult Decisions Trick Your Brain Into Thinking They're Important

The Current Crop of Tablets (Fairly) Compared: The iPad 2, Xoom, and Galaxy Tab

This should give you a pretty good comparison between the most popular tablets out today, as far as hardware is concerned.
The Current Crop of Tablets (Fairly) Compared: The iPad 2, Xoom, and Galaxy Tab

Get a free website for your business

Google and MYOB have come together to create Getting Aussie Business Online. We’re taking the time, hassle and cost out of getting a website so that you can get on with running your business.
Get a free website for your business

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 5/2011

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 5/2011

Here’s What The Most Average Person In The World Looks Like

National Geographic went about collecting statistics on the world’s population (which currently stands at 7 billion). Know what they found? Apparently, the most average/typical/frequent person on this planet is male, 28-years-old and is Han Chinese in ethnicity (with 9,000,000 alive). But they didn’t stop there. Taking images from 190,000 of those fitting the criteria, researchers created a composite image to show what the most average person looks like.
Here’s What The Most Average Person In The World Looks Lik

How We’ll Beat Traffic and Find Parking Spots in the Future

Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. is confident that the auto industry is on its way to eliminating CO2 emissions. He’s less confident, however, that the world is prepared to adequately deal with an even larger problem: the global gridlock created by a population set to grow to 9 billion people by 2044.
How We’ll Beat Traffic and Find Parking Spots in the Future

WebBrowserPassView, Reveal Browser Passwords

All modern web browsers have options to store passwords for the user which is beneficial in two ways; Users do not have to remember their passwords every time they want to log into a service on the Internet, and they do not have to enter the data into the forms manually. The downside are security implications and potential recovery issues. Most web browsers offer to protect the stored passwords with a master password to avoid unauthorized access to the passwords. The feature is however usually deactivated and needs to be activated first.
WebBrowserPassView, Reveal Browser Passwords

You Have Never Seen The Sun So Close

Our friends at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center have sent us this spectacular 16:9 panoramic high definition close-up of a recent gigantastic solar flare. What you are seeing here occurred during 90 minutes on February 24, 2011.
You Have Never Seen The Sun So Close

How to Backup Your Web-Based Email Account Using Thunderbird

If the Gmail scare earlier this week has you thinking about backing up your Gmail or other web-based email account, we’re here to help. Read on to learn how to backup your web-based email using open source email application Thunderbird.
How to Backup Your Web-Based Email Account Using Thunderbird

The fish pedicure: a foot-holder's-eye view

(Bob Harris is a TV and travel writer, Kiva supporter, and dabbler). Had a long layover in the Singapore airport the other day. What to do? Why, I visited the Fish Spa, of course, where for just S$30 (about US$23) I could let hundreds of hungry doctor fish feast on my dead skin cells while I filmed the results and tried not to freak out.
The fish pedicure: a foot-holder's-eye view

DriveSafe.ly Reads Your Text Messages Aloud

DriveSafe.ly, a free application for Android and BlackBerry phones, reads your text messages, emails, and caller ID notifications aloud so you can stay connected while keeping your eyes on the road.
DriveSafe.ly Reads Your Text Messages Aloud

Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Launch, Viewed From the Air [VIDEO]

Imagine the delight of airline passengers flying out of Orlando when suddenly out the right side of their aircraft, the Space Shuttle Discovery appeared, beginning its final voyage late Thursday afternoon.
Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Launch, Viewed From the Air [VIDEO]

Why Giving Up Is Sometimes The Best Solution To A Problem

There comes a time when the work required to achieve certain dreams stops being beneficial and starts being a source of anxiety. Blogger Jonathan Mead reminds us that sometimes there’s nothing wrong with just giving up and moving on.
Why Giving Up Is Sometimes The Best Solution To A Problem

CCleaner Update Brings Windows 7 SP1 Support

The popular temporary file cleaner CCleaner has just been updated by the developing company Piriform. The latest iteration of CCleaner brings support for the first Windows 7 Service Pack, Internet Explorer user data cleaning, management and more.
CCleaner Update Brings Windows 7 SP1 Support

136 Discounts Just for Seniors

Despite what those "age defying" wrinkle creams might tell you, getting older needn’t be a negative.
136 Discounts Just for Seniors

Google Recipe Search

Google with Recipe View helps you find recipes from across the web.
Google Recipe Search

Autologon For Windows

There is really no need for typing in your Windows account username and password every time you log into the operating system, at least not if you are the only user with access to the Windows PC. I personally have configured my system to automatically log me in every time the computer is booted and Windows is selected as the operating system. This is obviously not practical for everyone but it can make the life of Windows home users and single PC users a tad more comfortable.
Autologon For Windows

Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2009-10

This publication presents statistics relating to offenders who were proceeded against by police during the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010, for all states and territories. These statistics describe the characteristics of the offender, including the principal offence for which offenders are proceeded against. Data are also presented on the number of police-initiated court and non-court actions against offenders.
Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2009-10

JPG to PDF Converter: Free Software Giveaway

The authors of JPG to PDF are giving away a full licence for their product for anyone that wants it until March 22nd 2011. The software, which you can download here along with your giveaway product key does just a single job, converting a range of graphics file formats to Adobe’s po, but those types of software can be good because they usually can do it better than full suites.
JPG to PDF Converter: Free Software Giveaway

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is Released: But Should You Install It?

Microsoft has just released the final version of Service Pack 1 for Windows 7, but should you drop everything and go through the process of installing it? Where can you get it? We’ve got the answers for you.
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is Released: But Should You Install It?

NZ Quake destruction revealed from above

Aerial footage of Christchurch after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake shows buildings flattened, fires smouldering and roads buckled.
Quake destruction revealed from above

Google Search Now Returns Australian Postcode Results

A small but handy time saver: if you want to find the postcode for an Australian town, enter its name and the word ‘postcode’ into Google and it will now tell you automatically without needing to delve into other sites.
Google Search Now Returns Australian Postcode Results

Amazon Offering Free International Shipping

Amazon UK is offering Free International Shipping to Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa until May 15th 2011.
Amazon Offering Free International Shipping

9 Dynamic Digital Resumes That Stand Out From the Crowd

Everyone is looking for a way to make their resume stand out in today’s job market. One way to do that is by giving your resume some visual appeal. Well-designed resumes with color and images can attract attention over those with plain old text.
9 Dynamic Digital Resumes That Stand Out From the Crowd

Middle East Unrest Continues: Morocco & Libya As Seen Via YouTube

As pro-democracy protests spread like a virus through many parts of the Middle East, social media is still providing both a tool for organizers and a valuable window for the outside world into the volatile and intricate political situations in many countries.
Middle East Unrest Continues: Morocco & Libya As Seen Via YouTube

Change The Firefox Default Zoom Level

Firefox, like any other web browser, offers options to zoom in or out of a web page temporarily which can be useful if a website uses fonts that are either to large or to small. Another application is to increase the font size if high-definition displays are used. Two of the biggest complaints about Firefox’s zooming feature are the inabilities to save zoom levels for future browsing sessions and to set a different zoom level for all websites by default.
Change The Firefox Default Zoom Level

Windows 7 SP1, All You Need To Know, And Do

The first service pack for Microsoft’s operating system Windows 7, known as Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1, is just around the corner for all users of the operating system. Microsoft shipped the service pack first to its OEM partners before making it available to subscribers of its MSDN or Technet service and business customers with Volume License agreements.
Windows 7 SP1, All You Need To Know, And Do

iTunes Privacy Hole Lets Anyone with Your Email Address Spy on Your iTunes Library

IT professional Andrew McAfee explains how a privacy hole in iTunes allows anyone to hunt around in your iTunes library; all a potential spy would need is your email address. It's an outside-case thing that may not seem like that big of a deal, especially since it requires a somewhat tedious hunt-and-peck process.
iTunes Privacy Hole Lets Anyone with Your Email Address Spy on Your iTunes Library

Facebook Photo Viewer - How to Go Back to the Old Classic Layout

Facebook recently upgraded the site's photo viewer such that pictures and associated user comments now appear in a dark pop-up window. This new layout of photos is live for most Facebook users though it looks a bit ugly and doesn't seem to gel with the otherwise very-elegant design of Facebook.com website.
Facebook Photo Viewer - How to Go Back to the Old Classic Layout

How to Use Google Chrome as Your Default PDF Reader (the Easy Way)

If you’re anything like 99% of everybody, you have some sort of PDF viewing software installed on your PC—but did you realize that you can use Google Chrome to view PDFs from your PC? It’s easy!
How to Use Google Chrome as Your Default PDF Reader

Be Aware of the "Unit Effect" to Avoid Marketing Tricks

The "unit effect", as it's called, says that even if you're aware of the units in a measurement, your mind will still put more emphasis on the size of a number, rather than the value it carries.
Be Aware of the "Unit Effect" to Avoid Marketing Tricks

Secure Your Online Life the Easy Way

There are add-ons, VPNs, and apps galore that offer a safer browsing experience—but the browser you use, and the sites you visit, offer strong but simple security tools, too. Here are the best of the no-hassle, no-install-required options that you should be using now.
Secure Your Online Life the Easy Way

The 10 Coolest New Toys at This Year's Toy Fair

The holiday season just ended, but the toy industry is already looking ahead to the next holiday season and beyond. Toy Fair, the industry’s big trade show, hit New York this week and along with it, some high-profile attention-getting stunts. (If you were wondering, for instance, why Mattel chose this moment to publicize Ken and Barbie’s relationship struggles, this should answer your question.)
The 10 Coolest New Toys at This Year's Toy Fair

Best Sellers - The New York Times

Rankings reflect weekly sales for books sold in both print and electronic formats as reported by vendors offering a wide range of general interest titles.
Best Sellers - The New York Times

iPhone password security hacked in just six minutes

Never let your iPhone out of your sight – sage advice of course; but now all your securely stored passwords could be uncovered by an attacker with just six minutes alone with your device.
iPhone password security hacked in just six minutes

Tie Your Shoes Faster with the Ian Knot

We've shown you a few ways to tie your shoes more efficiently, but if you're looking for a super-speedy way to get your shoes on and out the door, the Ian Knot is a super-fast method that will make it happen.
Tie Your Shoes Faster with the Ian Knot

Avoid Telemarketers by Understanding Their Secrets

I know that it's a good idea to keep a screen protector on my phone, especially if I want to sell it later to offset the price of my upgrade. The problem is, there are a lot of protectors to choose from, and even after I've got one, how do I apply it without messing it up?
Avoid Telemarketers by Understanding Their Secrets

How Can I Apply a Screen Protector on My Phone Without All the Bubbles or Debris?

I know that it's a good idea to keep a screen protector on my phone, especially if I want to sell it later to offset the price of my upgrade. The problem is, there are a lot of protectors to choose from, and even after I've got one, how do I apply it without messing it up?
How Can I Apply a Screen Protector on My Phone Without All the Bubbles or Debris?

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 4/2011

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 4/2011

WinMend Folder Hidden, Hide Folders From Other Windows Users

It sometimes may be important to hide folders on a multi-user system to avoid access to the files stored within. It makes sense for instance for important documents to prevent that other users (kids anyone?) tamper with the data or access it. Hidden folders are not really a protection on the other hand, as it is easily possible to display and access those folders if the right setting changes are made on the system.
WinMend Folder Hidden, Hide Folders From Other Windows Users

Internet Explorer 9 RC Now Available: Here’s the Most Interesting New Stuff

Yesterday Microsoft announced the release candidate of Internet Explorer 9, which is very close to the final product. Here’s a screenshot tour of the most interesting new stuff, as well as answers to your questions.
Internet Explorer 9 RC Now Available: Here’s the Most Interesting New Stuff

Internet Explorer 9 RC Download Links

Microsoft is set to enable Internet Explorer 9 RC downloads later today. The official Internet Explorer 9 test drive is currently offering the latest public beta build for download. Read on to find out how to download Internet Explorer 9 RC ahead of the crowd.
Internet Explorer 9 RC Download Links

Microsoft Unveils Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate

Microsoft has released the Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate (IE9 RC) to the masses, bringing the browser one step closer to a final launch.
Microsoft Unveils Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate

Send a Free Card to Your Valentine Courtesy of Quotes Website

Have a lovely beau, but no dough? Well, thanks to online quote community Quotables, you can send your significant other a free card on V-Day, emblazoned with words of your own choosing.
Send a Free Card to Your Valentine Courtesy of Quotes Website

How to Beat a Bad Day Before It Starts

How to Beat a Bad Day Before It StartsIt often seems like the moment a bad day begins there is no way out of it—we're just doomed to failure until it ends. But it does end, and trick to making that happen a little sooner involves one part "time travel" and one part humor. Here's how to beat a bad day before it starts.
How to Beat a Bad Day Before It Starts

Japanese Space Agency Caught Piece Of Space Junk *This Big*

The problem of space junk is being dealt with in a novel way by Japanese space agency JAXA, which plans to rope up loads of the broken old stuff from the 1960s in an old-fashioned, analogue, traditional net several kilometres wide.
Japanese Space Agency Caught Piece Of Space Junk *This Big*

I Believe I Can Fly (14 Airplane Cockpits)

These images are 360-degree spherical panoramas. Click on them to view interactive versions.
I Believe I Can Fly (14 Airplane Cockpits)

10 Alternate Search Engines To Look At Internationally

If you're building a search marketing campaign globally, you want to know what your options are. What are the alternatives to Google? Are there still any alternative or do we just log on to Google and go?
10 Alternate Search Engines To Look At Internationally

Facebook Privacy: 10 Settings Every User Needs to Know

Facebook’s privacy settings are extremely detailed, giving you the ability to fine-tune the privacy aspects of almost every little part of your Facebook account. Unfortunately, for most users, this level of micromanagement makes Facebook’s privacy settings a convoluted mess.
Facebook Privacy: 10 Settings Every User Needs to Know

The Best Streaming Music Service

The era of listening to any song, at any moment, in any location is fast approaching. While we’re not quite there yet, a handful of on-demand music services have come close. So we put them head-to-head to see who’s best.
The Best Streaming Music Service

Victoria wakes to storm devastation

Torrential overnight rain has caused widespread flash flooding across parts of Melbourne, and authorities are warning more wild weather is on its way.
Victoria wakes to storm devastation

How Kraft's Face-Scanning Tech Will Tell You What You Like to Eat

After a harried day in the office, meal planning may be the last thing on your mind. It might be evident on your face, though.
How Kraft's Face-Scanning Tech Will Tell You What You Like to Eat

Cyclone Yasi in photos

From ABC News.
Cyclone Yasi in photos

Comparison of large cyclones

As Cyclone Yasi barrels towards the Queensland coast, ABC News Online looks back at some of the most damaging cyclones in recent history and compares the devastating effect they had.
Comparison of large cyclones

Catastrophic cyclone to smash Queensland coast

Premier Anna Bligh says Cyclone Yasi is the most severe, catastrophic storm to hit Queensland.
Catastrophic cyclone to smash Queensland coast

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE YASI IS A LARGE AND VERY POWERFUL TROPICAL CYCLONE AND POSES AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY WITHIN THE WARNING AREA, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN CAIRNS AND TOWNSVILLE.

DURING THE EVENING, THE VERY DESTRUCTIVE CORE OF CYCLONE YASI WILL CROSS THE COAST BETWEEN CAIRNS AND INGHAM, ACCOMPANIED BY A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE SOUTH OF THE CYCLONE CENTRE.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi, CATEGORY 5, will continue to move in a west-southwesterly direction. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Innisfail and Cardwell about 11 pm EST.
Tropical Cyclone Threat Map Page

Floods and Flooding

The ipl2’s February newsletter concerns the topic of floods and flooding. Recently several very large floods have occurred around the world. The most widely covered of these struck Australia, Pakistan, and Brazil, yet there has also been flooding in Europe and the U.S. We begin by providing links to information about some of these recent floods around the world. Next we provide resources to help you to visualize the extent of the recent floods.
Floods and Flooding

How to Recover that Photo, Picture or File You Deleted Accidentally

Have you ever accidentally deleted a photo on your camera, computer, USB drive, or anywhere else? What you might not know is that you can usually restore those pictures—even from your camera’s memory stick.
How to Recover that Photo, Picture or File You Deleted Accidentally

Dropped your iPhone in the toilet?

11 Ways to Save a Wet Cell Phone.
Dropped your iPhone in the toilet?

This Car DVR Is Worth Ten Traffic Lawyers

Planes have black boxes to record the vitals of an incident. About time cars had something similar, no? Enter the Car DVR, your fool-proof way to put the blame on the other guy. Assuming, you know, it’s his fault.
This Car DVR Is Worth Ten Traffic Lawyers

10 Incredible Interactive YouTube Videos

Like a 21st century version of the choose-your-own-adventure books, interactive YouTube videos can up the engagement factor by letting the viewer decide the course of the action, or just play around with the content.
10 Incredible Interactive YouTube Videos

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 3/2011

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 3/2011

2011

The year 2011 produces some dates with unusual combinations of 1s.
2011

How To Create Your Own Custom ASCII Art from Any Image

Creating pictures from monospaced ASCII characters may be useless, but it sure is fun! If you’ve got some time to spare and can download some free software, you can automatically create ASCII art and other wordy graphics in no time.
How To Create Your Own Custom ASCII Art from Any Image

Grand piano appears on sandbar

This grand piano mysteriously turned up on a sandbar in Miami's Biscayne Bay, about 600 feet from shore.
Grand piano appears on sandbar

10 "Rules of Life" from Tolstoy

Tolstoy is particularly fascinating -- both because he wrote so extensively about happiness and because he made and broke so many resolutions himself. Spectacularly.
10 "Rules of Life" from Tolstoy. What Are Your Rules?

8 Things To Do After Losing Your Wallet

Losing your wallet or purse is stressful. Your money, credit cards, driver's license, all gone. Don't fret too much about tracking down contact information to close accounts and get things replaced. USA.gov puts the answers you need in one easy-to-find place.
8 Things To Do After Losing Your Wallet

Speccy 1.08.218

Speccy will give you detailed statistics on every piece of hardware in your computer. Including CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Graphics Cards, Hard Disks, Optical Drives, Audio support. Additionally Speccy adds the temperatures of your different components, so you can easily see if there's a problem!
Speccy 1.08.218

How To Backup and Copy Data Between iOS Devices

Although iTunes usually does a good enough job backing up your data, the backups are encrypted and inaccessible save for totally restoring your system. What if you want to copy your saved games to a new device? Read on to find out how.
How To Backup and Copy Data Between iOS Devices

Windows 7 The Pocket Guide, Free Offer

Windows 7 has been out for more than 12 months and it is already clear that it is a huge success, not only for Microsoft but also for users who switch to the new operating system. The majority of computer users are still using a different system, and it will take additional time before they make the switch.
Windows 7 The Pocket Guide, Free Offer

Ron McCallum named Senior Australian of the Year

Victorian businessman and philanthropist Simon McKeon has been named Australian of the Year 2011. Mr McKeon is a successful investment banker but took up a part-time role as an executive chairman at Macquarie Group in 1994 to focus on social causes.
Ron McCallum named Senior Australian of the Year

Simon McKeon named Australian of the Year

Victorian businessman and philanthropist Simon McKeon has been named Australian of the Year 2011. Mr McKeon is a successful investment banker but took up a part-time role as an executive chairman at Macquarie Group in 1994 to focus on social causes.
Simon McKeon named Australian of the Year

Jess Watson named Young Australian of the Year

Queensland teenage sailor Jessica Watson has been named Young Australian of the Year for the bravery and tenacity she showed during her solo round-the-world trip.
Jess Watson named Young Australian of the Year

Australia’s Top 10 Inventions: The Electric Drill

To celebrate Australia Day this week, we’re looking at some of the best inventions to ever come out of our sunburnt country. Today, we pay homage to Arthur James Arnot, who used his knowledge of electricity to create the world’s first electric drill.
Australia’s Top 10 Inventions: The Electric Drill

Making Sense of your Credit Card Number

Your credit card number may look like a random string of 16 digits that’s unique in the world but those digits reveal a little more than you think.
Making Sense of your Credit Card Number

Why This Is The Longest Word In The English Language

This jumble of over 1000 unreadable letters is not the product of a kitty dancing on a keyboard. It’s a protein found inside of a virus. And it’s the longest word in the English language. Probably.
Why This Is The Longest Word In The English Language

Common Sense Security For Your iPhone

Think for a moment about the information you have stored on your iPhone. If you’re anything like me, you’d consider much of the information there personal, private and potentially dangerous if it were to fall in to the wrong hands.
Common Sense Security For Your iPhone

Cool Web Tools! "Send to Kindle: Any Web Page Text, With One Click, Using Chrome Browser"

With the new Send to Kindle option, you can specify that the text content of a webpage you're on be sent to your Kindle at [you]@free.kindle.com. This Kindle address avoids the 15 cents per megabyte charge for sending a personal document over 3G Whispernet instead.
Cool Web Tools! "Send to Kindle: Any Web Page Text, With One Click, Using Chrome Browser"

A World Map of Disasters and Accidents Updated in Real-Time

The various icons on the map illustrate natural disasters and accidents – everything including floods, earthquakes, forest fires, volcanoes, airplane accidents, terror attacks, etc. – that are happening in various parts of the world right now.
A World Map of Disasters and Accidents Updated in Real-Time

8 Reasons to Drink More Water

It's old news by now that we don't really need to drink eight glasses of water per day. Nobody really knows where the "8 x 8 Rule" originated, and most researchers agree it isn't supported by science. But don't put down that bottle or cup yet; there are still plenty of reasons to keep well hydrated, and water is the best option.
8 Reasons to Drink More Water

How To Avoid Mistakes With Apostrophes

You don’t have to wander very far on the Internet before you encounter examples of apostrophes being used in entirely the wrong way. Here’s a basic guide to making sure you’re not responsible for howlers like “The problem with it’s design is that it let’s you send a message too easily”.
How To Avoid Mistakes With Apostrophes

Smishing: scary new malware scam

A new security risk has crept into the world of online shopping, and it combines the trickery of phishing scams with the ease and availability of text messages.
Smishing: scary new malware scam

33 More Entertaining 404 Error Pages

Landing on an error paging while surfing the Internet is usually an unpleasant experience, but some web designers add a bit of sunshine to the world with their quirky 404 error pages.
33 More Entertaining 404 Error Pages

Record flooding devastates Victoria

Dozens of Victorian towns are preparing for record-breaking flood peaks, after communities were swamped by swollen rivers yesterday. So far 13,000 properties across Victoria have been flooded and 3,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
Record flooding devastates Victoria

Use Spaces In Your Windows Password For Extra Security

Your Windows password is your first line of defence against someone getting deeper into your system. It’s not uncrackable, but you can make it tougher by adding a space — which, oddly enough, Windows is cool with.
Use Spaces In Your Windows Password For Extra Security

Fast Food Calories Is a Pocket Nutrition Guide and Tracker for Fast Food

Fast Food Calories is a pocket guide and tracker to help you stay on top of how much crap you're eating.
Fast Food Calories Is a Pocket Nutrition Guide and Tracker for Fast Food

Amateurs capture Brisbane flood devastation

Queensland residents have been posting amateur footage of the flood damage online.
Amateurs capture Brisbane flood devastation

Scam Alert! Ten Signs to Avoid

Imagine if you had little or no ethics or morality at all. You live under the belief that if you lie and misrepresent right to a person’s face and they believe it, they deserve to have their money taken from them for being so stupid.
Scam Alert! Ten Signs to Avoid