A pilot’s preoccupation with his cellphone caused his crew to forget to lower the landing gear just 500 feet above ground, according to a report issued Thursday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Airliner's Close Call Blamed on Pilot's Texting [VIDEO]
Friday, April 20, 2012
Airliner's Close Call Blamed on Pilot's Texting [VIDEO]
Posted by Blacky at 8:06 pm 0 comments
10 Google Bombs That Will Live in Infamy
What does it mean to “Google bomb” something — or someone? For starters, a Google bomb isn’t as sudden and life-threatening as it sounds. Some of these bombs can actually take months to execute.
10 Google Bombs That Will Live in Infamy
Posted by Blacky at 8:05 pm 0 comments
Imploding iceberg in Antarctica
There are two kinds of icebergs, tabular and non-tabular. The tabular ones are what they sound like, big flat sheets of ice. Non-tabular are different—irregular shapes that become even more irregular as bits and pieces of them melt. Judging by the arched shape this iceberg had taken on, it probably falls into the non-tabular category. Implosion happens when melting weakens key structural support within that shape and bits of the iceberg begin to crash in on itself, accelerating the breakup.
Imploding iceberg in Antarctica
Posted by Blacky at 7:47 am 0 comments
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Garbage Men Take Amazing Photos With Giant Dumpster Cameras
The Trashcam Project is a group of garbage collectors from Hamburg, Germany, who take stunning photographs using 110-litre dumpsters that have been transformed into pinhole cameras.
Garbage Men Take Amazing Photos With Giant Dumpster Cameras
Posted by Blacky at 6:11 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
9 Tips for Overcoming Jet Lag
Jet lag is inevitable when you are traveling long distances by plane, and it can leave you feeling completely wrecked for several days to a week after you arrive at your destination. For people who simply cannot afford the few days to completely recover from the physical and mental exhaustion of jet lag, there are a number of simple preparatory steps you can do before, during and after your long flight to minimize your jet lag fatigue.
9 Tips for Overcoming Jet Lag
Posted by Blacky at 8:45 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Which Australian States Have The Cheapest Electricity?
There’s a lot of posturing regarding how much we pay for power, but how much is it on a state by state basis?
Which Australian States Have The Cheapest Electricity?
Posted by Blacky at 10:32 pm 0 comments
How Does Australia’s Takeaway Food Compare When It Comes To Salt Levels?
We frequently think of big takeaway chains as offering identical food throughout the world, but that’s often not the case. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal compares the salt levels for fast food in six countries around the world (including Australia), and found substantial variation. The good news? Other countries have worse salt problems in their food. The bad news? The chicken is still pretty loaded.
How Does Australia’s Takeaway Food Compare When It Comes To Salt Levels?
Posted by Blacky at 10:31 pm 0 comments
Monday, April 16, 2012
14 Tech-Forward Concepts Reshaping Our Future
Whether you’re thinking easier ways to park your car or ideas for the home of the future, studying how we’ll live in the next 10, 50 or 100 years can reshape the habits and challenges we face today. Take a look at a roundup of 14 of these revolutionary ideas below.
14 Tech-Forward Concepts Reshaping Our Future
Posted by Blacky at 8:01 am 0 comments
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 7/2012
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 7/2012
Posted by Blacky at 9:14 pm 0 comments
Facebook Contest Finds 10 Best Shots of New York City
The City of New York asked city dwellers to submit their best snapshots of the Big Apple in its first Facebook photo contest, #lovenyc. Now the city has released its top 10 photo choices — and wants you to vote for your favorite photo by April 15.
Facebook Contest Finds 10 Best Shots of New York City
Posted by Blacky at 8:05 pm 0 comments
Encryption 101: Understanding The Basics
A simple password stops criminal types gaining access to your machine, but doesn’t protect your data if the hard drive gets removed, or stop attempts to intercept your internet connection. To achieve that goal, you need encryption, but it can be a confusing topic. Here are the basics everyone needs to know.
Encryption 101: Understanding The Basics
Posted by Blacky at 7:57 pm 0 comments
How To Remove Screws With Stripped Heads
You don’t have to be a professional carpenter to come across stripped screws. In fact, if you’re stripping screws, you’re probably not a carpenter. Also, you should throw a little back into your screw twists. And if that fails, try these friendly stripped screw removing tips from the DIY experts at Stack Exchange.
How To Remove Screws With Stripped Heads
Posted by Blacky at 7:51 pm 0 comments
Friday, April 13, 2012
How to Backup iPhone Data [Guide]
Although there are some apps that can make a fairly decent backup of your iPhone (unlike the many for Android that do a great job), I would prefer, and I think that so would you, to do this backup using Apple’s systems. These are developed by Apple’s own developers and they tend to work best.
How to Backup iPhone Data [Guide]
Posted by Blacky at 6:04 am 0 comments
Friday, April 06, 2012
An in-depth Firefox Security Guide
Firefox is awesome! No, seriously, it is. Why? Countless add-ons, its open source, has many tweaks and most of all: the browser respects your privacy and dedicates a lot of effort to keeping the browser secure. In this post, we will be talking about both the security and privacy side of the Firefox browser.
An in-depth Firefox Security Guide
Posted by Blacky at 7:46 pm 0 comments
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Australian University IT Courses Compared
If you’re studying IT at university, chances are you’re thinking of it as a career path. Which university courses in Australia see their graduates get the most jobs, and which courses have the highest satisfaction rating? Data from the newly-launched My University site gives us some indications.
Australian University IT Courses Compared
Posted by Blacky at 1:12 pm 0 comments
Happy 404 Day! Here Are the Web's Funniest Error Messages [PICS]
Is your Wednesday full of fail? If so, it could be because today is April 4 — otherwise known as 4/04, the calendar’s answer to the infamous 404 error message.
Happy 404 Day! Here Are the Web's Funniest Error Messages [PICS]
Posted by Blacky at 1:08 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
How to Find the Location of the Email Sender in Gmail
Both Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail include IP addresses in outgoing message headers but if John is sending an email address using Gmail, or Gmail for Google Apps, his IP address won’t be included in the message.
How to Find the Location of the Email Sender in Gmail
Posted by Blacky at 10:13 pm 0 comments
Monday, April 02, 2012
Your 2012 April Fools’ Day Prank Spoiler
April Fools’ Day is officially over in Australia, but we’re still seeing fake news stories and new product announcements trickling in from the US. Here’s a catch-up on the main tech-related pranks that did the rounds.
Your 2012 April Fools’ Day Prank Spoiler
Posted by Blacky at 7:45 am 0 comments
April Fools' Day Classics: Top 10 Viral Pranks on YouTube
People love a good trolling, whether it’s online or not, and there’s nothing like a company having a bit of harmless fun at the expense of a few thousand customers.
April Fools' Day Classics: Top 10 Viral Pranks on YouTube
Posted by Blacky at 7:44 am 0 comments
Saturday, March 31, 2012
International Space Station Should Be Visible From Melbourne This Weekend
Stargazers are in for a small, bright treat over the next few days as the International Space Station should be visible to eagle-eyed Melbourne residents.
International Space Station Should Be Visible From Melbourne This Weekend
Posted by Blacky at 11:34 am 0 comments
How to Reduce Eye Strain
How to reduce eye strain: What is the best reading posture for comfortable reading?
How to Reduce Eye Strain
Posted by Blacky at 11:09 am 0 comments
Watch The History Of April Fools Day
This Sunday is April’s Fools Day. Here’s a very interesting video showing the history of this silly day, which may have started in 1582.
Watch The History Of April Fools Day
Posted by Blacky at 11:03 am 0 comments
The Black Stump - blackstump.com.au on Facebook
Don't forget we not only exist on Blogger and au naturel on the Web, we also have a Facebook page....The Black Stump - blackstump.com.au
Posted by Blacky at 11:02 am 0 comments
Handprints may give away your height, gender
Prints left by the hand, or even parts of it, can be used to estimate the height of an unknown intruder and possibly tell whether they were male or female, say researchers.
Handprints may give away your height, gender
Posted by Blacky at 11:00 am 0 comments
How To Speed Up, Clean Up And Revive Your iPhone
Your iPhone is a powerful computer, and powerful computers benefit from cleaning and maintenance. Here are some simple, easy–to-follow tips to give your trusted iPhone a new spring in its step.
How To Speed Up, Clean Up And Revive Your iPhone
Posted by Blacky at 10:57 am 0 comments
How To Speed Up, Clean Up And Revive Your Android Phone
Kick back on the couch, pull up your Android phone, and act like you’re still being productive by giving it some spring cleaning of its own.
How To Speed Up, Clean Up And Revive Your Android Phone
Posted by Blacky at 10:54 am 0 comments
8 Easy PC Pranks to Trick Your Friends
With April Fools’ Day on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to play some epic pranks on your PC-using co-workers, friends, family and frenemies.
8 Easy PC Pranks to Trick Your Friends
Posted by Blacky at 10:50 am 0 comments
7 Tools to Generate Your Random Mega Millions Numbers
Here’s a hypothetical situation: You’re offered a lot of money — say, $640 million, give or take — and you can do anything with it. Buy a mansion. Invest in Apple. Donate to charity (that’s first on your list, right?). Everything’s at your fingertips. There’s just one catch — you have to pick the five perfect numbers first.
7 Tools to Generate Your Random Mega Millions Numbers
Posted by Blacky at 10:48 am 0 comments
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Vibrating Car Seats Ensure Your Butt’s The First To Know About Dangers
The latest version of the Cadillac XTS will include General Motor’s new Safety Alert Seat technology that can subtly alert the driver with unique vibrating pulse patterns on either side of their seat. It works in tandem with the vehicles’ autonomous safety systems and sensors, and can warn a driver in situations where they’re accidentally drifting between lanes, or backing up too close to another car when parking.
Vibrating Car Seats Ensure Your Butt’s The First To Know About Dangers
Posted by Blacky at 8:52 am 0 comments
A Passenger's-Eye View of the JetBlue Pilot's Bizarre Incident [VIDEO]
What happens in the sky no longer stays in the sky. Tuesday’s bizarre incident, in which a Las Vegas-bound JetBlue flight made an unexpected landing in the Texas Panhandle after a pilot suffered a “medical situation,” is now saved for posterity.
A Passenger's-Eye View of the JetBlue Pilot's Bizarre Incident [VIDEO]
Posted by Blacky at 8:41 am 0 comments
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Everest climbing tech then and now
It's been 59 years since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first confirmed ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. While the reason people climb Everest hasn't changed, the technology they use certainly has. National Geographic compares Hillary and Norgay's gear with that of Hilaree O'Neill who is part of a team attempting the summit in the coming weeks.
Everest climbing tech then and now
Posted by Blacky at 5:51 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
10 Great Clothing Tricks In 60 Seconds
One chore you can’t escape is the need to take care of your clothes. Whether it’s mending things that are falling apart or simply learning how to fold, store and keep them, this video will show you the easiest, quickest ways to perform a whole slew of clothing-related activities.
10 Great Clothing Tricks In 60 Seconds
Posted by Blacky at 5:23 pm 0 comments
Common Cooking Mistakes You Should Stop Making
A while back we checked out at a great list of common cooking mistakes that many people — myself included — are guilty of committing from time to time. This list from the folks at EatingWell hits on a few other common errors that many of us make, including heating oil until it starts to smoke.
Common Cooking Mistakes You Should Stop Making
Posted by Blacky at 5:22 pm 0 comments
Bullet Time in Real Life: Impacts Slowed Down with High Speed Cameras
Combine a little shooting range fun with a camera capable of shooting a million frames per second and you’ve got yourself the basis of pretty hypnotizing video.
Bullet Time in Real Life: Impacts Slowed Down with High Speed Cameras
Posted by Blacky at 5:05 pm 0 comments
Monday, March 26, 2012
10 Amazing Slow Motion Videos of Everyday Things
We live in a fast-paced world. Maybe that’s why slow motion videos are so appealing to us. Using cameras with ultra-high frame rates reveals details that are usually invisible to the naked eye. In 1878, a camera that could capture images at a higher frame rate even settled a bet between then California Governor, Leland Stanford and some of his friends. The bet rose out of a debate on whether or not all four of a horse’s hooves left the ground while running. Landscape photographer Edward Muybridge put the debate to rest when he produced the pictures to prove that they do in fact leave the ground.
10 Amazing Slow Motion Videos of Everyday Things
Posted by Blacky at 5:46 pm 0 comments
Print Multiple Tabs or Bookmarks As One PDF Document In Firefox
The majority of web page to pdf extensions let you convert a single web page into a pdf document. This may often be all that’s needed, but it is not very practicable if you want to create a pdf document from multiple web pages. While you could now do some copying and pasting into Microsoft Office or Open Office, and use the programs to create the pdf document for you in the end, you’d probably be interested in a more straightforward option.
Print Multiple Tabs or Bookmarks As One PDF Document In Firefox
Posted by Blacky at 5:17 pm 0 comments
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Researchers Say Memories Can Be Relived, Not Just Recalled
Have you ever wanted to relive one of your most treasured memories? Not just think about the memory, but actually relive it? According to new research coming out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, you can.
Researchers Say Memories Can Be Relived, Not Just Recalled
Posted by Blacky at 12:30 pm 0 comments
Friday, March 23, 2012
"Unseen Titanic" in NatGeo magazine: first ever complete views of wreck
Sonar mosaic developed by Remus Operations Group (WHOI) and Waitt Institute. Visible for the first time through sonar imaging, the remains of the ship and its contents sprawl across a thousand acres of gently sloping seafloor. Combined with optical mosaics of individual artifacts, this map of the main wreck area will help experts explore, manage and protect the Titanic as a long-term archaeological site.
"Unseen Titanic" in NatGeo magazine: first ever complete views of wreck
Posted by Blacky at 7:55 am 0 comments
How To Properly Scan a Photograph (And Get An Even Better Image)
Somewhere in your home, there’s a box of old analog photographs you probably want digital copies of. Unless you know how to use your scanner correctly, the image quality can turn out poor. Here’s how to get the best results.
How To Properly Scan a Photograph (And Get An Even Better Image)
Posted by Blacky at 7:54 am 0 comments
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Scientists Work Out How To Stop You Going Bald
Going bald is the one big vanity concern among most men. But relax, it doesn’t need to be that way; scientists have just worked out exactly why men go bald, and already have a way to stop it happening.
Scientists Work Out How To Stop You Going Bald
Posted by Blacky at 11:40 pm 0 comments
10 Stubborn Exercise Myths That Won’t Die, Debunked By Science
“No pain, no gain!” “You’ll never bulk up without supplements.” “Crunches are the key to six-pack abs!” It seems there are more questions and half-truths in the market about healthy exercise than there are clear, definitive facts — but the exercise industry is a multi-billion dollar business, built partially on selling gadgets and DVDs with incredible claims to people desperate to lose weight or look attractive. Meanwhile, good workout plans and simple truths lurk in the background waiting for their time to shine. All of this results in lots of misinformation about exercise. We’re taking some of those commonly-held exercise myths to task, and we have science to back us up. Let’s get started.
10 Stubborn Exercise Myths That Won’t Die, Debunked By Science
Posted by Blacky at 5:52 pm 0 comments
English Teacher Rethinks Grammar Lessons -- With an App
In the last eight years, high school English teacher Jeff Scheur has graded 15,000 papers. He estimates that each time he collects a new round of essays from his 150 students, it takes him about 40 hours to read them, fill out grading rubrics and write personalized feedback. Meanwhile, he questions the impact of his efforts.
English Teacher Rethinks Grammar Lessons -- With an App
Posted by Blacky at 5:35 pm 0 comments
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 6/2012
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 6/2012
Posted by Blacky at 3:47 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Australia’s Biggest Scams (And How To Avoid Them)
The unpleasant reality: many people are dishonest and will try and scam you or your loved ones. Awareness is your biggest defence. Here are the most prevalent scams in Australia, and how you can avoid them.
Australia’s Biggest Scams (And How To Avoid Them)
Posted by Blacky at 1:30 pm 0 comments
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Copyright Math: the best TED Talk you'll watch all year
This may just be the best TED Talk video I've seen: listen.com/Rhapsody founder and extremely funny person (and soon-to-be debut science fiction author) Rob Reid examines the math behind the claims made by the copyright lobby and explains the mindbending awesomeness of the sums used to justify SOPA, PIPA, ACTA and the like.
Copyright Math: the best TED Talk you'll watch all year
Posted by Blacky at 12:29 am 0 comments
Friday, March 16, 2012
10 Futuristic Products in Development Now
Everyone jokes about the flying cars and robot maids we’ve seen in movies and television, but it turns out the “future” we’ve dreamed of is well on its way.
10 Futuristic Products in Development Now
Posted by Blacky at 6:24 pm 0 comments
New iPad Teardown: 'It's Really Just a Giant Battery'
You may be busy preparing your line-waiting strategy for a new iPad on Friday morning, or plotting the fastest route to your local Wal-Mart to pick up a new iPad at midnight.
But the guys at iFixIt have trumped us all — by flying to Australia, where the tablet is already on sale, and proceeding to tear one apart.
New iPad Teardown: 'It's Really Just a Giant Battery'
Posted by Blacky at 6:22 pm 0 comments
Thursday, March 15, 2012
See All of the 2012 Moon Phases Before They Happen
What do you get when you combine a year’s worth of NASA lunar projects into continuous render? You get this awesome video that shows you ever house of every moon phase in all of 2012.
See All of the 2012 Moon Phases Before They Happen
Posted by Blacky at 7:12 am 0 comments
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Internet Remembers the Japan Quake and Tsunami Anniversary
March 11 was the anniversary of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, and citizens worldwide commemorated the event. Not only did news outlets release countless stories assessing Japan’s situation one year later, but people all over the world also shared their thoughts and photos online — including politicians, journalists, celebrities and ordinary citizens.
The Internet Remembers the Japan Quake and Tsunami Anniversary
Posted by Blacky at 12:47 pm 0 comments
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Japan Quake and Tsunami Anniversary: How to Follow Its Events on Social Media
This Sunday, March 11, marks the one-year anniversary of northern Japan’s threefold devastating disaster — a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, a tsunami that engulfed entire towns and cities, and a nuclear disaster that has since shut down 52 out of 55 commercial reactors in Japan and stirred an international debate about nuclear energy.
Japan Quake and Tsunami Anniversary: How to Follow Its Events on Social Media
Posted by Blacky at 12:32 pm 0 comments
Add Encrypt And Other Useful Features To Windows’ Right-Click Menu
Free app Right Click Tweaker adds up to 14 useful features with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Add Encrypt And Other Useful Features To Windows’ Right-Click Menu
Posted by Blacky at 11:39 am 0 comments
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Internet Users Flock To Google Search To Learn About 'Pink Slime'
Pink slime, a beef filler sprayed with ammonia, isn’t in a McDonald’s hamburger patty, but it is likely in pre-package ground beef at the grocery store and will soon be on school lunch trays.
Internet Users Flock To Google Search To Learn About 'Pink Slime'
Posted by Blacky at 1:48 pm 0 comments
Cutest video you'll see all day of penguins flying on a plane
On a recent Delta Flight, there were 300 or so human passengers and two foot-and-a-half tall penguins, Pete and Penny, who are 6 and 12 years old respectively.
Cutest video you'll see all day of penguins flying on a plane
Posted by Blacky at 1:16 pm 0 comments
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Largest Solar Storm In Years About to Hit Earth
The most powerful solar storm in half a decade is about to hit our planet Earth, putting electrical systems, satellite navigation and other technology at a slight risk of failure.
Largest Solar Storm In Years About to Hit Earth
Posted by Blacky at 2:49 pm 1 comments
What Happens To My Gmail Account When I Die?
You use a handful of web services every day, but perhaps none holds more of your personal information than your Gmail account. So what happens to your Gmail account should you end up in that big archive folder in the sky? The folks from cloud backup service Backupify set out to find out. Here’s what they learned.
What Happens To My Gmail Account When I Die?
Posted by Blacky at 10:43 am 0 comments
Sunday, March 04, 2012
20+ Programs That You Should Run Regularly On Your PC
Many PC users do not think about maintenance as long as their system is running as intended. The issue here is that they might be able to resolve future issues, or mitigate them at least, if they would run a set of tools regularly on their PC. The following guide looks at some of the recommended programs – my recommendations – that should be run regularly on a PC. Not all are maintenance related though, you also find security and privacy programs in the list for instance.
20+ Programs That You Should Run Regularly On Your PC
Posted by Blacky at 11:37 pm 0 comments
Get Real-Time Search Results from Google with a URL Tweak
Google offers a few preset search filters for time—past hour, day, week, etc.—but if you want much fresher information, you can tweak the URL. This will limit results so see what's happening in more of a near real-time flow of information.
Get Real-Time Search Results from Google with a URL Tweak
Posted by Blacky at 12:01 pm 0 comments
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 5/2012
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 5/2012
Posted by Blacky at 5:05 pm 0 comments
Man Sues Google Over Street View Photo of Him Peeing
A man in France has sued Google because a Street View photo shows him in his front yard taking a leak. The middle-aged man lives in a small village and says the photo has made him a laughingstock in the community.
Man Sues Google Over Street View Photo of Him Peeing
Posted by Blacky at 1:34 pm 0 comments
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Windows 8 Consumer Preview arrives
The Windows 8 Consumer Preview was expected in February, and it just scraped in. Good job 2012 is a leap year...
Windows 8 Consumer Preview arrives
Posted by Blacky at 1:28 pm 0 comments
The Hidden Meaning Behind Phrases In Job Ads
Help wanted ads and job postings tend to use the same jargon: everyone seems to be looking for “detail-oriented” “team players” who can work in a “fast-paced work environment.” Fortune Magazine suggests these buzzwords can clue you in to secrets about the potential employer.
The Hidden Meaning Behind Phrases In Job Ads
Posted by Blacky at 1:09 pm 0 comments
Track Who’s Tracking You With Mozilla Collusion
Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs took the TED stage Tuesday morning to introduce Collusion, a Firefox browser add-on that lets you track who’s tracking you across the web for behavioral targeting purposes.
Track Who’s Tracking You With Mozilla Collusion
Posted by Blacky at 1:05 pm 0 comments
Haunting photos from Fukushima, one year later: "Invisible You," by Satoru Niwa
Japanese photographer Satoru Niwa, whose work I blogged in a previous Boing Boing post, has a new series from Fukushima marking the one-year anniversary of the March 11 disaster: Invisible You. Again, beautiful, evocative work. Above: a shot from the town of Namie, which is some 40 miles from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Haunting photos from Fukushima, one year later: "Invisible You," by Satoru Niwa
Posted by Blacky at 1:03 pm 0 comments
The problem with body mass index
The Body Mass Index is a popular way to measure and assess whether someone is overweight or underweight. Basically, it's just your weight divided by your height. BMI is a simple system, but it does have some flaws. Over at the Obesity Panacea blog, Peter Janiszewski (who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology) has a nice post explaining why BMI is sometimes useful, and also why it's not a great measurement of individual health.
The problem with body mass index
Posted by Blacky at 1:02 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Top 3 Essential Computer Security Tips
When you write down all the computer security tips that come to your mind, you probably end up with a long list. If you analyze that list then, you may realize that most of these tips can be broken down into categories. This guide concentrates on what most users can agree on when it comes to security.
The Top 3 Essential Computer Security Tips
Posted by Blacky at 5:25 pm 0 comments
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Top 10 Ways To Make The Best Of An Old PC
Despite everyone’s assumptions, we geeks are not always privy to the latest and greatest technology. If you’re stuck with an old, slow, crappy computer, there are a few things you can do to make the best of a bad situation. Here are our top 10 favourites.
Top 10 Ways To Make The Best Of An Old PC
Posted by Blacky at 9:14 am 0 comments
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Watch How Terrifying It Is To Fly Stunt Airplanes
When man created GoPro cameras, this is what he intended them to be used for. This video shows the amazing Black Diamond Jet Team in training — and if you’re scared of flying, it might be best not to watch it.
Watch How Terrifying It Is To Fly Stunt Airplanes
Posted by Blacky at 9:16 am 0 comments
Thursday, February 23, 2012
How To Stop Everyone Tracking You On The Web
It’s no secret that there’s big money to be made in violating your privacy. Companies will pay big bucks to learn more about you, and service providers on the web are eager to get their hands on as much information about you as possible. So what do you do? How do you keep your information out of everyone else’s hands? Here’s a guide to surfing the web while keeping your privacy intact.
How To Stop Everyone Tracking You On The Web
Posted by Blacky at 10:03 pm 0 comments
Telstra Lost The Internet, Not Sure Why
Telstra is Australia’s biggest internet service provider (ISP), so when its connection stops working, lots of people notice. An as yet unidentified problem with its network knocked out most customers for at least half an hour today and impacted other providers. Story developing: we’ve got further comment from Telstra and iiNet — and confirmation of Dodo’s involvement.
Telstra Lost The Internet, Not Sure Why
Posted by Blacky at 4:44 pm 0 comments
Think You Need Eight Hours Sleep? You’re Wrong
The notion that eight hours sleep is essential to health is widely repeated, but — as we’ve noted before — fails to take into account that individual requirements vary. Something else you probably didn’t know: the idea that we need a long continuous period of sleep is a relatively modern innovation.
Think You Need Eight Hours Sleep? You’re Wrong
Posted by Blacky at 9:19 am 0 comments
FilExile Lets You Delete Files That Refuse To Be Removed
If you are a Windows user you probably came upon quite a few files in the past that you wanted to delete but could not. There are lots of reasons why you may not be able to delete a file in the operating system; from in-use files locked by a process that is still running, to too long paths or cryptic characters of languages that you cannot even identify properly.
FilExile Lets You Delete Files That Refuse To Be Removed
Posted by Blacky at 9:15 am 0 comments
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How To Prevent YouTube From Keeping A Record Of The Videos You Watch
When you’re signed into Google or YouTube, a record of all the videos you searched for and watch is logged in your account. You can clear those logs, but up until now you couldn’t disable the logging altogether. Here, finally, is how to keep YouTube from recording your video searches and the videos you watch.
How To Prevent YouTube From Keeping A Record Of The Videos You Watch
Posted by Blacky at 11:03 am 0 comments
Monday, February 20, 2012
Five Reasons to Wait For the iPad 3
It’s been almost a year since Steve Jobs introduced the iPad 2 and rumors are solidifying around a March date for the iPad 3 or who knows, maybe they’ll call it the iPad 2S. There is also some speculation that an iPad 3 announcement event will occur on or around Steve Jobs’ birthday which is February 24th but March 29th is now considered the likely date for it to go on sale. Whenever Apple decides to unveil it and whatever they decide to call it, the new iPad is expected to have some attractive new features that should help it keep pace with the latest batch of Android tablets. Here’s a rundown of what the new iPad is likely to include.
Five Reasons to Wait For the iPad 3
Posted by Blacky at 7:49 am 0 comments
How To Verify That A Browser Extension Is Not Phoning Home
Extensions are little helper programs that make life on the Internet a tad more comfortable for the user. Some change the way we access information on the Internet, others add extra features and functionality to a website, and others help you stay safe and secure online. Most Internet users who use extensions never bother to look at the extension’s source code to verify that it is only doing what it is supposed to do, and nothing else.
How To Verify That A Browser Extension Is Not Phoning Home
Posted by Blacky at 7:48 am 0 comments
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 4/2012
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 4/2012
Posted by Blacky at 6:50 pm 0 comments
Review: Woolworths App
Woolworths app for iOS and Android now integrates with the company's online shopping service.
Review: Woolworths App
Posted by Blacky at 11:16 am 0 comments
Best Science Visualizations of the Year
Once a year scientists around the globe submit entries to the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge; read on to see the top 12 entries from this year’s competition.
Best Science Visualizations of the Year
Posted by Blacky at 11:12 am 0 comments
Japan earthquake and tsunami: See how the country has rebuilt in 11 months
Japan’s Reconstruction Agency will be inaugurated Friday, almost 11 months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the country. The agency will streamline the process to help municipalities, set up special reconstruction zones and provide subsidies for disaster-hit local governments. Compare the before and after photos.
Japan earthquake and tsunami: See how the country has rebuilt in 11 months
Posted by Blacky at 9:49 am 0 comments
Friday, February 17, 2012
Do Some Maths If You Have Trouble Falling Asleep
When you’re lying in bed trying desperately to fall asleep, your mind may seem like your worst enemy, keeping you awake. If you keep your mind focused, however, you may fall asleep faster. Redditor JarlOfBacon suggests counting the Fibonacci sequence.
Do Some Maths If You Have Trouble Falling Asleep
Posted by Blacky at 7:12 am 0 comments
3 Simple Ways to Improve Low Resolution Images
It’s not a miracle, but these helpful tips can improve the quality of an image when enlarging from a low-resolution sample. It’s surprisingly simple and quite easy. Fire up Photoshop and check it out for yourself!
3 Simple Ways to Improve Low Resolution Images (and Typography)
Posted by Blacky at 6:52 am 0 comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Choose The Right Cooking Oil With This Comparison Chart
There are so many cooking oils to choose from. Some are supposedly healthier than others, some are better for cooking at high heat and others better used as dressings. This chart tells you at a glance what you need to know about cooking oils.
Choose The Right Cooking Oil With This Comparison Chart
Posted by Blacky at 5:39 pm 0 comments
Study Doesn’t Prove Aussie Cost Of Living Is High
Most Australian news outlets ran stories yesterday and today claiming a new study shows that costs of living in our capital cities are amongst the highest in the world. Lamentably, virtually all of them fundamentally misinterpreted the research.
Study Doesn’t Prove Aussie Cost Of Living Is High
Posted by Blacky at 5:37 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Woof! Which Dog Breed is Best? Compare Dog Breeds Side by Side
Since prehistoric times, mankind has kept certain animals nearby for companionship, assistance in hunting tasks, and defense. Dogs are probably the most well-known examples of companion animals. This habit has continued to modern times and has resulted in a high number of dog breeds created for a variety of purposes. One modern convention is the concept of dog competitions. With the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show beginning today (more on this below), we thought this would be a good time to highlight some of the information Wolfram|Alpha has to offer concerning dog breeds:
Woof! Which Dog Breed is Best? Compare Dog Breeds Side by Side
Posted by Blacky at 6:16 pm 0 comments
Where's It Hurt? After You Search For A Symptom, New Google Health Search Results Suggest Causes
Roughly 100 million people in the US search for health information on a monthly basis, according to 2011 comScore data. Google has seen these queries up close and recently concluded that it doesn’t do a great job of servicing them. The company is thus introducing improved results that shorten the time from symptom-related search to discovery of potential medical causes and conditions.
Where's It Hurt? After You Search For A Symptom, New Google Health Search Results Suggest Causes
Posted by Blacky at 6:13 pm 0 comments
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The oldest thing in the world
The oldest living thing on Earth is a massive "meadow" of sea grass growing in the Mediterranean between Spain and Cyprus. It's somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 years old and reproduces by cloning itself. Also, it's being killed by climate change.
The oldest thing in the world
Posted by Blacky at 11:58 am 0 comments
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Five Photography Tricks Everyone Should Know
A camera is only as capable as the person using it, but snapping some awesome images doesn’t require years of training. Here are five photography pro tips that everybody ought to know.
Five Photography Tricks Everyone Should Know
Posted by Blacky at 2:39 pm 0 comments
How to do Anonymous Surfing? 5 Simple Tips
Search engines and websites follow your every step. Each and every search made on the web will be recorded into a file. And this recording is being systematized more than ever before in the history of web. Then, how can you maintain privacy by not letting your identity?
How to do Anonymous Surfing? 5 Simple Tips
Posted by Blacky at 2:37 pm 0 comments
Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2010–11
This publication presents statistics relating to offenders who were proceeded against by police during the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, for all states and territories. These statistics describe the characteristics of offenders, including the principal offence for which offenders were proceeded against. Data are also presented on the number of police-initiated court and non-court actions against offenders.
Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2010–11
Posted by Blacky at 2:30 pm 0 comments
Not your average visit to the Zoo
The wackiest animal news from 2011.
Not your average visit to the Zoo
Posted by Blacky at 2:21 pm 0 comments
Monday, February 06, 2012
Australian Airports To Get Compulsory Body Scans
In a $28 million security upgrade, new “no scan, no fly” laws are expected to be proposed this week for Aussie international airports — removing the option to request a pat down instead. After trials last year, full body scanners (from the same company used in US checkpoints) will roll out in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Cairns.
Australian Airports To Get Compulsory Body Scans
Posted by Blacky at 10:34 pm 0 comments
This Is The Best Way To Tie Your Shoelaces
The clip is a short presentation by Terry Moore at 2005′s TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) conference. Moore runs New York’s Radius Foundation, which I could try to explain, but is better described by the company itself: “[seeking] new ways of exploring and understanding dissimilar conceptual systems or paradigms”. One of those systems appears to be shoelace-tying, which you’ve likely been doing wrong your whole life, according to Moore.
This Is The Best Way To Tie Your Shoelaces
Posted by Blacky at 12:00 am 0 comments
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Increase Your Dropbox Space By 4.5 Gigabyte
We have talked about Dropbox’s new camera import feature previously which allows you to import photos from digital cameras that you connect directly to your PC to your Dropbox storage. This can be useful if you use Dropbox to store your photos anyway. Free users may run into space issues pretty soon though, as individual photos these days take up Megabytes of free space.
Increase Your Dropbox Space By 4.5 Gigabyte
Posted by Blacky at 6:12 pm 0 comments
A Secret To More Happiness And Energy? Give Yourself A Bedtime
Children have a fixed bedtime; we know they need their allotment of sleep, and we pack them off to bed when it's time. But many adults just go to bed whenever they feel like it.
The problem with this approach is that it's far too easy to stay up too late. The TV, the internet, your email, your book...these distractions keep you alert past the point at which you should head to bed. Many of us know we ought to go to sleep sooner, but we just can't manage to pull it off.
A Secret To More Happiness And Energy? Give Yourself A Bedtime
Posted by Blacky at 11:54 am 0 comments
Dashlane
Dashlane is your Personal Internet Assistant. It offers a comprehensive feature set to facilitate your life on the Internet. Dashlane is Simple, Secure and Trusted.
Dashlane Features
Posted by Blacky at 11:00 am 0 comments
Unexplained 60 meter object resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea
Sonar readings show that the mysterious object is about 60 meters across, or, about the size of a jumbo jet. And it's not alone.
Unexplained 60 meter object resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea near Sweden
Posted by Blacky at 10:58 am 0 comments
Friday, February 03, 2012
Aussie Solar Storm Pic Is Pretty And Informative
If I recall the saying correctly, “Red sky at night… mean that the sheep are on fire.”. This isn’t a case of burning quadrupeds, though, but a shot taken by NASA near Flinders of Last week’s Solar storm. And it’s not just a good looking shot.
Aussie Solar Storm Pic Is Pretty And Informative
Posted by Blacky at 5:37 pm 0 comments
Avoid The Most Common Regrets Of The Dying
An Australian palliative care nurse catalogued the regrets of her dying patients, and identified the most common issues. Workaholics take note: not spending enough time at work was not among them.
Avoid The Most Common Regrets Of The Dying
Posted by Blacky at 3:38 pm 0 comments
Syncly Automatically Uploads Your Mobile Photos to Dropbox
Android: Don’t stress about syncing your Android phone to get the photos off, Syncly will take care of all your photo transfer needs automatically.
Syncly Automatically Uploads Your Mobile Photos to Dropbox
Posted by Blacky at 8:16 am 1 comments
How To Be The Bearer Of Bad News
Nobody likes bad news, and delivering it is an uncomfortable job that comes with the very real possibility of ruining someone else’s day. Unfortunately, it’s often necessary. We have a tendency to be a little selfish and prolong the inevitable when offering up unfavourable tidings, but that’s the wrong way to do it. Here’s a better way.
How To Be The Bearer Of Bad News
Posted by Blacky at 8:10 am 0 comments
Thursday, February 02, 2012
See a Video of the Dark Side of the Moon for the First Time
One of NASA’s twin GRAIL spacecrafts has captured a video of Moon’s far side for the first time.
See a Video of the Dark Side of the Moon for the First Time
Posted by Blacky at 9:07 pm 0 comments