Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Mount Everest Doesn't Look That Big From Space

At more than 29,000 feet above sea level, Mount Everest's peak reaches the farthest into the sky of any piece of Earth. But when seen from space, even this monster appears just part and parcel with the crust of the planet it is part of. As Russian cosmonaut Valentin Lebedev observed, "How many people dream of conquering Everest, so that they can look down from it, and yet for us from above it was difficult to even locate.
Mount Everest Doesn't Look That Big From Space

I am itchy. You are itchy. We're all itchy together

Some itches are caused by obvious physical triggers (OMG, there's a spider on your arm!). Others, though, have a more complicated source. Watching other people itch can make you feel itchy. In this piece at Scientific American blogs, Scicurious explains the neurobiology behind sympathetic itching.
I am itchy. You are itchy. We're all itchy together

Monday, December 10, 2012

Radio Shack computer catalog from 1983

On the Internet Archive, a hi-rez scan of the 1983 Radio Shack computer catalog, which is a wonderland of jaw-dropping prices for prosumer equipment from my boyhood that doesn't even qualify as a toddler's toy today.
Radio Shack computer catalog from 1983

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Top 24 Most Inspiring Photos of 2012

Photos have a way of transporting us to a place that words cannot. What's captured in the fraction of a second it takes to snap a picture can live forever. During 2012, we saw some truly inspiring moments; moments now seared into our minds because of the photography that captured the subtleties of emotion, triumph and grace in the face of adversity.
Top 24 Most Inspiring Photos of 2012

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Prisoners in Australia, 2012

Contains national information on prisoners who were in custody on 30 June each year. The statistics are derived from information collected by the ABS from corrective services agencies in each state and territory. Details are provided on the number of people in correctional institutions (including people on remand), imprisonment rates, most serious offence and sentence length. A range of information is also presented on prisoner characteristics (age, sex, Indigenous status) and on the type of prisoner (all prisoners, sentenced prisoners, and unsentenced prisoners (remandees).
Prisoners in Australia, 2012

Amazing, invisible work that goes on when you click an HTTPS link

Jeff Moser has a clear, fascinating enumeration of all the incredible math stuff that happens between a server and your browser when you click on an HTTPS link and open a secure connection to a remote end. It's one of the most important (and least understood) parts of the technical functioning of the Internet.
Amazing, invisible work that goes on when you click an HTTPS link

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

One Minute of Life Changing Advice From Steve Jobs

Innovator, genius, imitator, businessman, designer, turtleneck lover. Steve Jobs tended to generate opinions from across the spectrum, but being inspirational reamins a steadfast quality in the Apple founder.
One Minute of Life Changing Advice From Steve Jobs

Banned Children’s Toys from Christmases Past

What could possibly go wrong giving a child a nuclear science kit that includes highly poisonous materials inside? Everything of course, which is why that particular toy only lasted a single holiday.
Banned Children’s Toys from Christmases Past

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Now You, Too, Can “Follow” Pope Benedict, Get News As It Happens

When you wake up tomorrow morning, the Catholic Church will have taken another bold step into the era of new media.
Now You, Too, Can “Follow” Pope Benedict, Get News As It Happens

Look up medications more quickly and easily on Google

We get a lot of queries for medicine on Google. So to make it quick and easy for you to learn about medications, we’ll start showing key facts -- side effects, related medications, links to in-depth resources, and more -- right on the search results page.
Look up medications more quickly and easily on Google

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Watch Five Hours Of Commercial Jet Flyovers Timelapsed Down Into Thirty Crowded Seconds

What?! Is that a squadron of commercial airliners?! Not quite, but through the magic of editing, it sure looks like it. With the help of Adobe Premiere, Cy Kuckenbaker took five hours of plane landings on Black Friday and condensed them down into just 30 seconds using composite and timelapse techniques.
Watch Five Hours Of Commercial Jet Flyovers Timelapsed Down Into Thirty Crowded Seconds

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 17/2012

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 17/2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

What to do on Mt. Everest when you're dead

We all know that people do sometimes die while attempting to climb Mt. Everest. But it's easy to overlook what happens to those people after they've died. You can't bring a body down from the mountain. In fact, many of the people who have died there had to be abandoned before they were dead because they couldn't walk and no one could carry them safely back to a place they could get medical care. And that means Mt. Everest is littered with dead bodies.
What to do on Mt. Everest when you're dead

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Planhacker: Every Australian 4G Contract Mobile Phone Deal Compared

Want a super-speedy 4G mobile phone but can’t afford to buy it outright? We’ve rounded up every 4G phone available on contract in Australia so you can compare and make the best choice for your needs.
Planhacker: Every Australian 4G Contract Mobile Phone Deal Compared

North Korea May Launch Rocket, Photo Shows

North Korea may be preparing to attempt another rocket launch in the next few weeks, new satellite imagery suggests.
North Korea May Launch Rocket, Photo Shows

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Apollo 11 Moon Rocks Found in Storage Area

When Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins came back to Earth on July 24, 1969, they also brought home 22 kilograms of lunar rocks.
President Nixon gave out many of those rocks as gifts, including a little desktop display and plaque that went to each state. Over the years, some of those rocks were lost. But five of them have just been found — in a storage area belonging to the Minnesota National Guard.
Apollo 11 Moon Rocks Found in Storage Area

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Bing Top Searches of 2012 Report

Believe it or not, it’s already time to look back at 2012 and reflect on the moments that most fascinated Americans this year. From one of the most hotly contested elections in US history, the pageantry of the Olympic Games in London and high profile IPOs to rising stars, reality TV and Gangnam Style, it’s been a pretty exciting twelve months.
The Bing Top Searches of 2012 Report

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Four Leading Electric Novelties of 1897

Scanned and Flickr'd by Captain Geoffrey Spaulding, an ad for Ohio Electric Works, 1897.
The Four Leading Electric Novelties of 1897

Friday, November 23, 2012

How to Pinpoint Food Allergies: 13 steps

If you suspect you have a food allergy, there are several key ways to identify the particular food or foods that are causing problems. Follow these steps to pinpoint your potential food allergies.
How to Pinpoint Food Allergies: 13 steps

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Watch This Spectacular Water Spout Lash The Australian Coastline

Sea tornados off the coast of Australia are not new. But this one is particularly striking and huge. It was filmed this Sunday at Batemans Bay, in New South Wales.
Watch This Spectacular Water Spout Lash The Australian Coastline

5 Ways to Protect your Accounts When Shopping Online

As we gear up for the holiday shopping season, it’s important to remain mindful of online identity theft and cybersecurity.
Whether you’re part of the 41% to 45% of consumers concerned about online privacy, computer viruses or identity theft, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of how to make yourself more secure.
Although it’s tempting to find a deal and splurge during the gift-giving time of year, the five tips below encourage you to be extra cautious while serving as a guide to protecting yourself.
5 Ways to Protect your Accounts When Shopping Online

Monday, November 19, 2012

A Map Of Stupid Things People Have Said To US Airport Security Officials

The first rule of air travel in the modern world is to avoid making jokes about bombs at the security checkpoint, but that doesn’t stop people coming out with comments like “I have a torpedo in my brassiere”. We’ve mapped some of the most ridiculous offenders.
A Map Of Stupid Things People Have Said To US Airport Security Officials

Friday, November 16, 2012

Microsoft Skydrive: now with selective synchronization

Microsoft has improved its file hosting and synchronization service Skydrive in wake of the deeper integration into the Windows 8 operating system. Some features are only available to users of the operating system, like the synchronization of account related preferences and customizations, while the bulk of improvements are available for all systems. Microsoft Group Program Manager for SkyDrive apps Mike Torres revealed today that SkyDrive usage has doubled in the past six month period, which does not come as a surprise.
Microsoft Skydrive: now with selective synchronization

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Best Places To Hide Valuables In Your House

There’s more to hiding your valuables than making them hard to find. Whether you’re hiding a money stash from burglars or secret documents from an enemy spy, here are a few tips anyone can use to keep something under wraps.
The Best Places To Hide Valuables In Your House

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Teller explains the psychology of magic

Teller had a great piece in last March's Smithsonian magazine, explaining the overarching principles behind all magic tricks. It's a great look at the way that our brains can be enticed to fool themselves.
Teller explains the psychology of magic

Oxford University Press Announces GIF as 2012 Word of the Year

Oxford American Dictionaries announced today that it chose the verb GIF as its 2012 Word of the Year. According to Oxford Dictionaries Online GIF is defined as:
GIF, verb; to create a GIF file of (an image or video sequence, especially relating to an event).
Oxford University Press Announces GIF as 2012 Word of the Year

Monday, November 12, 2012

Power A Laptop With AA Batteries

Laptop batteries are designed to deliver a specific voltage and amperage, and deviating from those can be bad for the device in the long term. However, it is possible to run a laptop off a set of AA batteries, and doing so is a good education in basic electronics.
Power A Laptop With AA Batteries

How To Be Happy

My inbox is often inundated with emails from readers all over the world, most of them have a problem, some have more than one. The issue though is not that they have problems, it is that they are unable to remain happy among such problems. It is therefore a common belief that if my problem disappears, so will my pain and if there is no pain, I will feel happy. That is rarely the case.
How To Be Happy

Australian Mazes: Lifehacker’s Complete List

With the Christmas break fast approaching, visiting a maze is a great way to entertain the family. We’ve gathered together all of Australia’s commercially-operated mazes on a single map so you can get lost in the maze of your choice.
Australian Mazes: Lifehacker’s Complete List

Sunday, November 11, 2012

‘A Person Becomes Old When His Mind Is More Occupied By Memories Than Aspirations’

This quotation comes from web designer Navin Kulkarni in a Quora thread about the point in life when a person becomes old.
‘A Person Becomes Old When His Mind Is More Occupied By Memories Than Aspirations’

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Friday, November 09, 2012

Would You Fly On An Airplane Without Any Seats?

Ryanair absolutely loves to stir up publicity by way of controversy, and it has another idea for its aeroplanes: no seats. As if charging to use the restroom wasn’t enough, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary believes that seatbelts on planes are useless, so therefore it’s a waste to even have seats. Make people stand!
Would You Fly On An Airplane Without Any Seats?

Insane Attempted Plane Theft Ends in Big Crash [VIDEO]

Here’s something you don’t see everyday: a man attempting to steal a plane from the airport and using reverse thrust — typically deployed to slow a plane down after landing — to drive the plane backward, then crashing into a terminal. This all happened at the SkyWest Airlines home base airport in St. George, Utah, back in July, according the news site NYCaviation.com, but the astonishing video of the incident (embedded above) just became available on Thursday.
Insane Attempted Plane Theft Ends in Big Crash [VIDEO]

How to Listen Music Online Legally and for Free

One of our most loved multimedia mediums is music. An art that has been around since the dawn of time and has risen up to become one of the biggest businesses in the world and one of the most influential media of all. This billion dollar industry has sculpted generations upon generations of people and has changed with the times, evolved and has now reached the Internet era. Nowadays, music is widely available on the Internet, be it legally posted by the artists or record companies, or illegally for anyone to download.
How to Listen Music Online Legally and for Free

Thursday, November 08, 2012

The Filter Is Dead: Australian Government Dumps Controversial Filtering Project

Almost three years ago now, Senator Stephen Conroy stepped up to the plate to deliver a bold new vision. A vision of a filtered, “safer” internet. The plan was met by hostility from internet rights activists, poiticians, internet users, internet service providers and interest groups alike. Tonight, however, the Labor government’s proposed mandatory internet filter is dead.
The Filter Is Dead: Australian Government Dumps Controversial Filtering Project

Hurricane Sandy: Health-Related Resources

From the NIH:
Hurricane Sandy: Health-Related Resources

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The 5 Biggest Myths About Slow PCs

Computers are supposed to make our lives easier, yet sometimes it feels like they exist only to cause us endless amounts of frustration. Popular advice for fixing slow computers includes checking for malware, upgrading your RAM, or even reinstalling Windows from scratch. However, many of these ideas are more myth than reality. We’re busting some of the more pervasive myths, and explained how to actually get your PC running fast again.
The 5 Biggest Myths About Slow PCs

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Surviving a plane crash is surprisingly common

A few years ago, I learned that it's actually pretty common to survive a plane crash. Like most people, I'd assumed that the safety in flying came from how seldom accidents happened. Once you were in a crash situation, though, I figured you were probably screwed. But that's not the case.
Surviving a plane crash is surprisingly common

Friday, November 02, 2012

31 Arresting Photos of Hurricane Sandy's Destruction

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, millions of residents from Cuba to Canada continue to deal with unprecedented destruction -- from power outages to flooding and damaged property.
31 Arresting Photos of Hurricane Sandy's Destruction

Hurricane Sandy, as seen from the NYT building

3-days of storm & aftermath compressed into 4:35-minute video, from rooftop camera.
Hurricane Sandy, as seen from the NYT building

Google Earth 7 with tour guides and 3D imagery

Google released a new version of Google Earth, the company’s “world exploration” software yesterday. The new program version is already available on the official website where it can be downloaded for Windows, Mac and Linux. The two major changes in the new version of Google Earth are tour guides and 3D imagery of select cities.
Google Earth 7 with tour guides and 3D imagery

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Australian Laws For Using Your Mobile Phone While Driving

NSW has introduced new laws, in effect from today, which make it illegal to handle your phone at all while driving. What rules apply in the rest of the country? We’ve rounded up the current laws for every state and territory.
Australian Laws For Using Your Mobile Phone While Driving

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Top Windows 8 shortcuts you should know to speed up your work

This guide looks at the top new Windows 8 shortcuts that you may find useful when working with the operating system.
Top Windows 8 shortcuts you should know to speed up your work

Hurricane Sandy Superstorm Online News, Search & Social Media Resources

Along with the Crisis Map Google is making available and Barry writes about here, I’ve compiled a few more information resources that might be of interest as Hurricane Sandy and the resulting megastorm (aka “Frankenstorm”) pummels the east coast. We’ll be updating this page periodically as the storm continues.
Hurricane Sandy Superstorm Online News, Search & Social Media Resources

The Magical Professor

Todd Landman is a professor of government at the University of Essex. He's also a talented stage magician and mentalist. Now, Landman has combined his love of teaching with his passion for illusion to become the world's first official Visiting Professor of Performance Magic, an appointment at England's University of Huddersfield's new Magic Research Group.
The Magical Professor

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Best Windows 8 Shortcuts And Tricks

Windows 8 sports a radical new interface, designed for both touch-enabled devices and the more traditional keyboard/mice combination. Like any new system, it takes time to learn and adapt to the new options, as well as find the more familiar Windows features. These are our top Windows 8 shortcuts and tips for getting around.
The Best Windows 8 Shortcuts And Tricks

Top 10 Secret Features In Windows 8

Windows 8 is full of awesome features and handy shortcuts, but what you may not know is that it’s got a lot of handy, lesser-known settings under the hood. Here are 10 of Windows 8′s best kept secrets.
Top 10 Secret Features In Windows 8

Google Launches Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy

As Hurricane Sandy moves near the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast, Google is helping those affected prepare for the storm with a dedicated crisis map.
Google Launches Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy

New Earth Photo Shows Sandy’s Massive Size

If you had any doubts about the scale of frankenstorm Sandy, check out NASA’s latest image to see its size compared to the entire planet. It was taken by NOAA’s GOES-13 satellite on October 28 at 9.02am EDT (12.02am AEDT).
New Earth Photo Shows Sandy’s Massive Size

Friday, October 26, 2012

Spectacular Video Of Hurricane Sandy From The International Space Station

The International Space Station has just captured this spectacular dolly shot of hurricane Sandy as it approaches the United States. According to NOAA, the Category 2 hurricane is now near Cat Island in the central Bahamas, and its wind field is expanding.
Spectacular Video Of Hurricane Sandy From The International Space Station

How To Prepare Your Computer For Windows 8

Windows 8 has arrived. If you’re thinking of upgrading, here’s what you should do to prepare.
How To Prepare Your Computer For Windows 8

The Cheapest Places To Get Windows 8

An upgrade to Windows 8 Pro only costs $39.99 if you download it directly from Microsoft. If you want a boxed copy rather than a hefty download, the official price is $69.99, but shopping around can get you a much better price.
The Cheapest Places To Get Windows 8

Everything You Need to Know About Windows 8

Microsoft officially launched Windows 8 Thursday at an event in New York City. Available at 12:01 a.m. local time Friday, the operating system is a complete reimagining of the Windows OS and sports an entirely different look from its predecessor.
Everything You Need to Know About Windows 8

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Trekking the Grand Canyon for Google Maps

Today, demonstrating the rocky and rugged paths we’ll travel to make Google Maps even more complete, we’re collecting imagery from a place no car, trike or snowmobile has ever been before. On its first official outing, the Street View team is using the Trekker—a wearable backpack with a camera system on top—to traverse the Grand Canyon and capture 360-degree images of one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on the planet.
Trekking the Grand Canyon for Google Maps

9 Things You Didn't Know About Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface is now a known quantity. It’s sold out on pre-order and has been tested to the hilt by tech pundits across the U.S (including this one). The Surface is an exceptional Windows tablet that, with its Touch Cover, can masquerade as a touch-screen Ultrabook. We know so much, but not everything.
9 Things You Didn't Know About Microsoft Surface

Windows 8 Launch Liveblog: Everything You Need To Know

The Australian launch of Windows 8, at 0930 AEST on Friday October 26, marks the official global debut of the product. Lifehacker and Gizmodo will be live-blogging direct from the Sydney event, bringing you all the action as it happens.
Windows 8 Launch Liveblog: Everything You Need To Know

Windows Surface reviews

All the opinions you need...
Windows Surface reviews

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A Viral Video Compilation Sure to Stir Your Emotions

Prepare yourself for a spin on the roller coaster of emotions while watching a potpourri of viral videos set to music. You’ll giggle, you’ll tear up, you will have to explain to your coworkers why you seem a tad bit bananas.
A Viral Video Compilation Sure to Stir Your Emotions

Follow These 8 Simple Rules of Social Media

Is your social media behavior cringe-worthy? Will you look back on your 140 characters today with remorse tomorrow? There’s no one arbiter of good taste on social media. In fact, ‘experts’ have been doling out advice since the Internet came into being. From Ann Landers writing about Internet addiction in 1998 to manners maven Emily Post and her kids and grandkids who are trying to bring good mannered sensibility to the Internet.
Follow These 8 Simple Rules of Social Media

When geology meets meteorology

Dust from the Sahara desert could leave Sweden soaked in red "blood rain" this weekend.
When geology meets meteorology

Friday, October 19, 2012

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Video Captures 100,000-Mile Solar Flare

A new video from NASA‘s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare that took the shape of a light bulb on Oct. 14. The glowing “light bulb” plasma display stretches 100,000 miles long. Located on the left side of the Sun, the active region was not facing Earth at the time, but it has since moved over the eastern limb of the Sun and will travel in that direction over the next 12 days.
Video Captures 100,000-Mile Solar Flare

What ‘Do Not Track’ Doesn’t Do

The “Do Not Track” feature available in most web browsers is a great option to have if you don’t want websites tracking your browsing history. However, as How-To Geek points out, “Do Not Track” provides a false sense of security because it doesn’t block as much as you might assume.
What ‘Do Not Track’ Doesn’t Do

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

5 Best Anti-Spam & Anti-Malware Software

Protection is a rule of gold, I have always heard. Right after we format a standard computer, the first thing after installing the drivers is the anti-malware and spam protection solutions, to ensure that the equipment is kept out of the harms way, right from the start. This is what probably most people should do, to avoid infections and the flood of emails, but before relying on protection software, you must first know the best alternatives.
5 Best Anti-Spam & Anti-Malware Software

Sunday, October 14, 2012

8 Apps You Don't Want To Miss

It can be tough to keep up with all the new apps released every week. But you’re in luck — we take care of that for you, creating a roundup each weekend of our favorite new and updated apps.
8 Apps You Don't Want To Miss

Saturday, October 13, 2012

How To Take Better Photos With Your Smartphone

There’s a large contingent of photo enthusiasts online who will dismiss a photo straight away if they find out it was taken with a smartphone. The rally cry of “get a real camera” can be heard echoing through the rafters of comment sections for many websites. We think everyone should have a dedicated camera, but a good photo is a good photo, regardless of the gear used to take it.
How To Take Better Photos With Your Smartphone

A Cat's Nifty Guide to Life

Be curious. Eat properly. Chase lasers. Who needs a life coach when cats provide all the wisdom you could ever need?
A Cat's Nifty Guide to Life [VIDEO]

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Why Is the Localhost IP 127.0.0.1?

Geeks the world over know their local host as 127.0.0.1, but why is that specific address, of all available addresses, reserved for the local host? Read on to delve into the history of local hosts.
Why Is the Localhost IP 127.0.0.1?

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

What Happens if you Forget your Yahoo Account Password

How do you login to any web service if do not remember the password? The answer is easy.
You will click the “forgot password” link on the sign-in page, the website will ask you to provide an alternate email address associated with your account and a password reset link will be sent to that address. Simple.
However, if you are using Yahoo Mail, Flickr or any of the other Yahoo services, recovering your account’s password involves a few more steps.
What Happens if you Forget your Yahoo Account Password

Sunday, October 07, 2012

Unbelievable Footage Shows A Bird’s Eye View Of The Entire World

Everyone has wanted to fly at some point in their life. Unfortunately for most of us, watching this unbelievable trailer about Discovery’s Winged Planet is the closest we’ll ever come to actually flying. That’s OK thought because the footage is unbelievable — cameras were mounted onto birds to see life from their point of view.
Unbelievable Footage Shows A Bird’s Eye View Of The Entire World

Saturday, October 06, 2012

6 Ways to Get Your Beatles Fix on the Web

Today is the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ first single, “Love Me Do.” Oct. 5, 1962 marked the beginning of an eight-year period that would transform the four young Liverpudlians into rock/pop music demigods. Having survived the test of time, The Beatles’ music is incredibly popular around the globe to this day.
6 Ways to Get Your Beatles Fix on the Web

What Can We Learn From Crashing A Plane On Purpose?

Why do some people survive plane crashes and others don’t? Having an entire aircraft at your disposal to deliberately crash under controlled circumstances, as they do in a new Discovery Channel documentary, would seem a great way to answer that question.
What Can We Learn From Crashing A Plane On Purpose?

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Fake Apple Discount Card Wants to Steal Your Personal Info

Have you received a suspicious-looking Apple Store discount card in your email lately? It could be the latest ploy to steal your personal data, Sophos reports.
Fake Apple Discount Card Wants to Steal Your Personal Info

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Probably the Most Ridiculous Trick Shots You'll Ever See [VIDEO]

From a spinning merry-go-round. Off the wall. Off the other wall. From behind the wall. Off the corner of a curb.
Probably the Most Ridiculous Trick Shots You'll Ever See [VIDEO]

10 Bizarre, Useless Facts We Learned On Reddit

Reddit user Frozen_Beer posed this simple question to the Reddit community:
“Horses can’t vomit. What useless facts do you know?”
One day and nearly 7,000 responses later, our brains are bursting with incredibly useless, albeit oddly fascinating, trivia. We’re sharing our favorites here for people who don’t have time to sort through them all.
10 Bizarre, Useless Facts We Learned On Reddit

Watch Hand Gestures To Find The Underlying Truth In A Conversation

Whether you’re giving a formal presentation or just chatting, chances are you use a wide variety of hand gestures to get your point across. According to Psychology Today, those hand gestures are often communicating a hidden story.
Watch Hand Gestures To Find The Underlying Truth In A Conversation

People from 0 to 100 years in 150 seconds

Kanaal van Filmersblog says: In October 2011 I started documenting people in the city of Amsterdam, approaching them in the street and asking them to say their age in front of the camera. My aim was to 'collect' a group of 100 people, from age 0 to 100. At first my collection grew fast but slowed down when it got down to the very young and very old.
People from 0 to 100 years in 150 seconds (video)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

EU working group produces the stupidest set of proposed Internet rules in the entire history of the human race

An EU working group that's been charged with coming up with recommendations for a terrorist-free European Internet has been brainstorming the stupidest goddamned ideas you've ever read, which are now widely visible, thanks to a leaked memo.
EU working group produces the stupidest set of proposed Internet rules in the entire history of the human race

Should I Leave My Laptop Plugged In All The Time?

Should you leave your laptop plugged in and charging when you’re not on-the-go? What’s best for the battery? What’s best for your user experience?]
Should I Leave My Laptop Plugged In All The Time?

Discover Popular Alternative Products with Google Autocomplete

It's easy to find popular products, but sometimes you want something different than the mainstream option. Finding a good alternative isn't always easy, but Redditor wellnhoferia found a simple trick for discovering popular alternative products: Google autocomplete.
Discover Popular Alternative Products with Google Autocomplete

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The 20 Worst PINs: Is Your ATM Code This Easy to Crack?

Remember that list of the most frequently-used passwords? Did you have a good chuckle at the fact that “password”, “123456″ and “qwerty” were at the top? You, of course, would never use something so foolish.
The 20 Worst PINs: Is Your ATM Code This Easy to Crack?

Sunday, September 23, 2012

HOWTO use a phone (1917)

The 1917 Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company publication "How to Use the Telephone, 1917" is a clear, sensible guide to managing your "delicately adjusted instrument," including useful tips like finishing your calls with "good-bye" so that the other party doesn't suppose that the operator has cut them off.
HOWTO use a phone (1917)

Oldest recorded message in a bottle

Dropped into the Atlantic Ocean's North Sea on June 10, 1914, this is the oldest message in a bottle ever found. A fellow plucked it from the sea last year. The bottle was part of a study of ocean currents conducted by the Glasgow School of Navigation nearly a century ago.
Oldest recorded message in a bottle

Friday, September 21, 2012

Upcoming Space Station Cameras Will Give All Humans Live Imagery Of Their Houses From Space

An ambitious effort to broadcast real-time streaming video of Earth from space is closer to reality, after a new influx of cash and some new partnerships. By spring 2013, everyone on Earth will be able to watch the planet from the most unique vantage point ever built, the International Space Station.'
Upcoming Space Station Cameras Will Give All Humans Live Imagery Of Their Houses From Space

Swiss Federal Railways Says Apple Stole Its Clock

If you think Apple’s new clock design in iOS 6 looks like a Swiss watch, that may be because it is.
Swiss Federal Railways Says Apple Stole Its Clock

Windows Secrets Newsletter website hacked

It recently became known that the Windows Secrets Newsletter website got hacked. The attacker managed to brute force an administrator account to gain access to the site. Using the account, the hacker planted malicious code on the site to get access to the site’s database and information. When subscribers and editors started to receive spam that appeared to come from Windows Secrets, site administrators began an investigation to find out what was going on.
Windows Secrets Newsletter website hacked

Monday, September 17, 2012

iPhone 5: clearly the most exciting iPhone yet!

Although many of the digerati have dubbed Apple’s newest iPhone 5 as ‘boring’ or ‘unexciting’, nothing could be further from the truth, with this new iPhone clearly destined to smash all iRecords before it and emerge as the most popular iPhone yet.
iPhone 5: clearly the most exciting iPhone yet!

Amazeballs Joins Mummy Porn As New Additions To Collins Online Dictionary

More than 80 words and terms including blootered, amazeballs and mummy porn have been added to an online dictionary.
Amazeballs Joins Mummy Porn As New Additions To Collins Online Dictionary

Saturday, September 15, 2012

ResourceBlog Article: New List of Privacy Resources and Sites on the Internet

Privacy Resources and Sites on the Internet is a comprehensive listing of privacy resources currently available on the Internet. These include associations, indexes, search engines as well as individual websites and sources that supply the latest technology and information about privacy and how it relates to you and the Internet.
ResourceBlog Article: New List of Privacy Resources and Sites on the Internet

Why You Don't Need the iPhone 5, by an iPhone Owner

Can you feel it yet? The slow, subtle build-up in peer pressure. The smug, self-satisfied looks from that guy in the office who pre-ordered the iPhone 5 at midnight. The questions from friends who assume that, because you like tech, you're probably getting one. The calculations you catch yourself making, wondering if you could actually afford it, just in theory.
Why You Don't Need the iPhone 5, by an iPhone Owner

John Lennon interviewed by Jann Wenner, 1970

In December 1970, John Lennon sat down with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner. This interview took place in New York City Shortly after Lennon and Yoko Ono finished recording the monumental "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band." The conversation is not to be missed, and you can hear them on the Rolling Stone podcast.
John Lennon interviewed by Jann Wenner, 1970

Friday, September 14, 2012

iPhone 5: All the New Stuff

The iPhone 5 is finally here, and it’s — in a word — different. The new iPhone is the most radical redesign of Apple‘s flagship product since its inception, sporting a larger screen, a different shape, more features and even new accessories in the box.
iPhone 5: All the New Stuff

September 11, 2001 as experienced on the International Space Station

On September 11, 2001, US astronaut Frank L. Culbertson watched the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks from the International Space Station. He wrote up his experience that day and the days following in a letter posted on NASA's site.
September 11, 2001 as experienced on the International Space Station

Monday, September 10, 2012

Classic UFO Identification Chart from March 1967

If you love classic sci-fi goodness, then you will definitely enjoy looking through the various ‘alien’ starcraft featured in this classic chart from yesteryear!
Classic UFO Identification Chart from March 1967

A is for Amazon: Google's autocomplete alphabet

A is for Amazon: Google's autocomplete alphabet
Have you done your ABCs with Google lately? Autocomplete for single letters tells us a few things about what's on our minds and who's top dog from A to Z.
A is for Amazon: Google's autocomplete alphabet

Thursday, September 06, 2012

How to Check If Your Apple Device ID was Compromised

A hacker group called AntiSec said it has compromised 12 million Apple iOS Unique Device IDs (UDIDs) and personal information from Apple product owners — and there’s a good chance your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch devices could be at risk.
How to Check If Your Apple Device ID was Compromised

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

WolframAlpha Can Now Do In-depth Analysis of Your Facebook Account

If you’re a big fan of WolframAlpha’s ability to crunch the numbers on just about anything–and we certainly are–you’ll likely be just as delighted as we were to watch it massage the data from your Facebook account. Find out your most liked, discussed, and shared posts, see your Facebook habits, and other neat trends.
WolframAlpha Can Now Do In-depth Analysis of Your Facebook Account

Monday, September 03, 2012

Watch Out for This Sneaky Facebook Scam Disguised as a Photo Notification

The next time Facebook sends you an email about a friend tagging you in a new picture, be cautious -- it could be a trap.
Watch Out for This Sneaky Facebook Scam Disguised as a Photo Notification