A race between a supercar and a helicopter on Top Gear Korea got just a little bit too dramatic when the helicopter crashed into the ground.
Helicopter Crash Caught on Camera During Filming of Top Gear Korea
Monday, February 11, 2013
Helicopter Crash Caught on Camera During Filming of Top Gear Korea
Posted by Blacky at 9:33 pm 0 comments
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Bing May Have Revealed Secret U.S. Drone Base
Whoever says Google search is better than Bing has never tried tracking down a secret American drone base in the desert sands of Saudi Arabia.
Bing May Have Revealed Secret U.S. Drone Base
Posted by Blacky at 1:24 pm 0 comments
Images From Space Lead to Discovery of 9,000 Penguins
Emperor penguin colonies are not easy to find: Their breeding grounds are remote, icy expanses, that are unobservable at distances greater than just a few kilometers due to the curvature of the Earth.
Images From Space Lead to Discovery of 9,000 Penguins
Posted by Blacky at 1:23 pm 0 comments
What on Earth is that thing on Mars?
A 'shiny protuberance', spotted on Mars by Curiosity Rover, has had the internet aflutter for days.
What on Earth is that thing on Mars?
Posted by Blacky at 1:20 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind
Viewer discretion advised! Do not scroll down unless your brain is made of steel and your nerves are Teflon. Some people simply cannot stand optical illusions.
20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind
Posted by Blacky at 3:40 pm 0 comments
Sunday, February 03, 2013
5 Fascinating Facts We Learned From Reddit This Week
The Beatles officially broke up in Disney World.
5 Fascinating Facts We Learned From Reddit This Week
Posted by Blacky at 9:50 am 0 comments
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Giant Sinkhole Swallows Entire Building In China
Imagine standing on the road one day and having a sinkhole suddenly swallow you whole. Or imagine sitting in your house and having a giant sinkhole vaporise your entire building. That’s what happened in China.
Giant Sinkhole Swallows Entire Building In China
Posted by Blacky at 1:14 pm 0 comments
Grand Central at 100: Cool Stuff You Didn't Know
Today one of America's busiest railroad stations, Grand Central Terminal in New York, turns 100 years old. The iconic structure, located in the heart of Manhattan, serves thousands of passengers every day and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Originally built by the New York Central Railroad, today it is used exclusively by Metro-North Railroad, New York's regional commuter rail line.
Grand Central at 100: Cool Stuff You Didn't Know
Posted by Blacky at 1:09 pm 0 comments
Friday, February 01, 2013
This New Zealand Moonrise Might Be Better Than Any Sunrise
This video is stunning. Made by visual effects artist Mark Gee, the real-time video shows the moon rising over Wellington, New Zealand. It’s incredible to see the dark sky filled with the gigantic glowing orb. Just seeing that off-white colour float up makes me more excited than any sunrise ever.
This New Zealand Moonrise Might Be Better Than Any Sunrise
Posted by Blacky at 10:37 am 0 comments
Thursday, January 31, 2013
ScanNow for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
The free scanner checks whether your network-enabled devices might be vulnerable to attack through the UPnP protocol.
ScanNow for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
Posted by Blacky at 9:06 pm 0 comments
A Comprehensive Guide To Firewalls
In the construction industry, a “firewall” is a specially-built wall designed to stop a fire from spreading between sections of a building. The term spread to other industries like car manufacturing, and in the late 1980s it made its way into computing. On one side of the wall is the seething electronic chaos of the Internet. On the other side is your powerful but vulnerable Web server.
A Comprehensive Guide To Firewalls
Posted by Blacky at 8:51 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Understanding Humans And Life With Numbers Is Overwhelming
Men lie, women lie, number’s don’t. PBS takes a look at the sheer ridiculousness of some numbers and then compares them against each other.
Understanding Humans And Life With Numbers Is Overwhelming
Posted by Blacky at 9:40 am 0 comments
Lost pet tortoise found in family storeroom 30 years later
Leandro Almeida of Rio de Janeiro was cleaning out a storeroom at his family's home when a neighbor noticed a tortoise in a box meant for the trash. Turns out, the tortoise was Manuela, a family pet who they thought escaped back in 1982.
Lost pet tortoise found in family storeroom 30 years later
Posted by Blacky at 9:36 am 0 comments
For 40 years, this Russian family was cut off From all human contact
In 1978 a team of Russian geologists took a helicopter to a remote part of Siberia and encountered a family that had not had contact with anyone for 40 years. The family were Old Believers -- members of a "fundamentalist Russian Orthodox sect, worshiping in a style unchanged since the 17th century." They fled to Siberia in 1936 to escape persecution.
For 40 years, this Russian family was cut off From all human contact, unaware of World War II
Posted by Blacky at 9:34 am 0 comments
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
See What Astronauts Really Eat in Space
Freeze-dried Neapolitan ice cream often comes to mind when we think about what our astronauts are eating high above Earth in the International Space Station. But the extraterrestrial culinary world is a bit more refined these days.
See What Astronauts Really Eat in Space
Posted by Blacky at 8:30 am 0 comments
Monday, January 28, 2013
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 2/2013
The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 2/2013
Posted by Blacky at 11:51 am 0 comments
Science Proves Whether The Chicken Or The Egg Came First
ASAP Science definitively answer the question of which came first — the chicken or the egg.
Science Proves Whether The Chicken Or The Egg Came First
Posted by Blacky at 11:35 am 0 comments
Saturday, January 26, 2013
This Is The New South Pole
There’s a new Geographic South Pole Marker, a pretty shiny metal pole that marks the actual geographic pole. Since the ice sheet that covers Antarctica moves, the previous marker moves along — about 10m from its real position. So the scientists from the Amundsen-Scott base celebrate each New Year by unveiling a new pole in the actual geographic pole position.
This Is The New South Pole
Posted by Blacky at 12:12 pm 0 comments
Spotting science mistakes in the movies
Today's movie-watching tech makes it easier to spot flaws, and the Internet makes it easier to share them. But different people notice different kinds of flaws, in different contexts. In a post from 2010, journalist Colin Schultz writes about a study that examined the differences between the kinds of scientific movie mistakes that men noticed, and the kind that women found. Everybody saw the errors, but the context was different.
Spotting science mistakes in the movies
Posted by Blacky at 10:15 am 0 comments
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Which Country Has The Fastest Internet, And How Does Australia Compare?
Akamai ranks countries based on their broadband speeds every quarter. In its latest report for Q1 2013, the top-ranking country has an average peak connection speed of 54.1Mb/s. Which country do you think that would be? Hint: Its the third time in a row to be in first place.
Which Country Has The Fastest Internet, And How Does Australia Compare?
Posted by Blacky at 11:14 am 0 comments
The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl
Larry Ferlazzo: Friday is one of the days my Intermediate English class spends a period in the computer lab, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for them to spend a few minutes learning about the Super Bowl (which is being played on Sunday). Here are my picks for The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl:
The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl
Posted by Blacky at 10:32 am 0 comments
These Amazing Optical Illusions Are Simply Beautiful
I love the work of Shintaro Ohata. His canvases are beautiful on their own but, when he mixes painting and sculpture, he creates optical illusions that take his art to a whole new level.
These Amazing Optical Illusions Are Simply Beautiful
Posted by Blacky at 12:10 am 0 comments
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Earthereal: A Time Lapse Trip Around the Earth
This stunning video is a combination of dozens of time lapse sequences shot by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, all artfully spliced and set to a musical score.
Earthereal: A Time Lapse Trip Around the Earth
Posted by Blacky at 2:05 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Australian Library Moves All Lance Armstrong Titles to Fiction Section
Following Lance Armstrong's doping confession to Oprah on Thursday, an Australian library has moved all books about the American cyclist from the nonfiction section to the fiction section.
Australian Library Moves All Lance Armstrong Titles to Fiction Section
Posted by Blacky at 12:02 pm 0 comments
Foolproof card trick your kids will love
Here's a great self-working card trick to teach your kids. If they are old enough to spell, they will love performing it for their friends.
Foolproof card trick your kids will love
Posted by Blacky at 9:29 am 0 comments
Radio Telescopes and Star Trails: A Time-lapse Video
This beautiful time-lapse video frames Australia’s newest radio telescope array against a backdrop of stars.
Radio Telescopes and Star Trails: A Time-lapse Video
Posted by Blacky at 9:11 am 0 comments
Moon landing not faked
FStoppers has the story and the proof. "Mr. SG Collins makes a pretty compelling argument claiming that neither NASA nor Stanley Kubrick were actually technologically capable of producing a video that could stand up to modern scrutiny.
Moon landing not faked
Posted by Blacky at 1:46 am 0 comments
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Take Mensa’s Free Test And Find Out If You’re A Genius
Mensa — the club for people who know they’re smarter than you — is offering its home test for free during the month of January. It’s an IQ test that takes 32 minutes to complete and will tell you whether you’re Mensa material.
Take Mensa’s Free Test And Find Out If You’re A Genius
Posted by Blacky at 11:42 am 0 comments
Useful words with no English equivalent
Surprisingly, they're not all long, Germanic compound words (generally a font of useful no-equivalent words).
Useful words with no English equivalent
Posted by Blacky at 11:34 am 0 comments
Shipment of 18 human heads intercepted at airport
Because the shipment's paperwork was not in order, agents confiscated the heads and sent them to the Cook County Medical Examiner for safekeeping.
Shipment of 18 human heads intercepted at airport
Posted by Blacky at 11:31 am 0 comments
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
NASA Unveils Last Moon Video by Doomed Spacecraft
A NASA probe recorded a spectacular flyover video of the moon's far side shortly before intentionally slamming into a lunar mountain last month.
NASA Unveils Last Moon Video by Doomed Spacecraft
Posted by Blacky at 6:02 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
How To Fix Every Common Zipper Problem
Zippers haven’t changed much since they were first invented, and neither have the problems we all have with them. From stuck zippers to teeth that just won’t clinch, here’s how to fix all of the common problems.
How To Fix Every Common Zipper Problem
Posted by Blacky at 10:18 am 0 comments
10 Commonly Used Expressions and Their Bizarre Origins
Some of them are odd, and some are very funny. Here's a top ten of the most commonly used expressions.
10 Commonly Used Expressions and Their Bizarre Origins
Posted by Blacky at 1:54 am 0 comments
Friday, January 11, 2013
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 1/2013
he latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 1/2013
Posted by Blacky at 10:58 am 0 comments
Watch This Skateboarder's Near-Death Experience
If you're a skateboarder, the YouTube video above shows why you shouldn't bomb down steep hills that lead directly to busy cross streets.
Watch This Skateboarder's Near-Death Experience
Posted by Blacky at 10:49 am 0 comments
Oscars 2013: Here Are the Nominations
Oscars host Seth MacFarlane and actress Emma Stone revealed the nominees for the 85th Academy Awards on Thursday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Oscars 2013: Here Are the Nominations
Posted by Blacky at 10:44 am 0 comments
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Fires, warnings & incidents - CFA
There are a range of information sources to help you stay aware of local fire conditions. View the low bandwidth warnings and incidents page, call The Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667, follow CFA on Twitter - twitter.com/CFA_Updates or Facebook - facebook.com/cfavic and listen to ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters.
Fires, warnings & incidents - CFA
Posted by Blacky at 8:35 pm 0 comments
Drive Thru Employees Stumped by Hilarious Invisible Driver Prank [VIDEO]
Magician and YouTube prankster Magic of Rahat stumped drive thru workers by pulling up to the window in a suit that camouflages him with the car seat. Watch as employees go through a variety of emotions, ranging from spooked to questioning their mental health.
Drive Thru Employees Stumped by Hilarious Invisible Driver Prank [VIDEO]
Posted by Blacky at 9:38 am 0 comments
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Coastal landslide caught on film
When a large crack rang through the air, followed by a rumble, Robert and Chris Wills knew to grab their cameras and start shooting. Chris, a geologist, and his son Robert knew they were in for the show of a life time.
Coastal landslide caught on film
Posted by Blacky at 9:37 am 0 comments
Phrases used by corporate fraudsters
The FBI and Ernst and Young have released a list of top-ten phrases that indicate corporate fraud, based on data-mining evidence from real corporate fraud investigations.
Phrases used by corporate fraudsters
Posted by Blacky at 8:59 am 0 comments
KFC Customer's Disgusting Photo of Chicken Brain — or Kidney — Goes Viral
Demonstrating the power of one disgusted customer, a U.K. teen's photo of either a brain or a kidney within his KFC meal has gone viral and prompted the chain to apologize.
KFC Customer's Disgusting Photo of Chicken Brain — or Kidney — Goes Viral
Posted by Blacky at 8:58 am 0 comments
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
4 Minutes of Dad Jokes Is Surprisingly Hysterical
Knock knock. Who's there?
Just every dad joke in the world crammed into one video.
Don't even bother shopping for a Father's Day present this year, just send your dad this video and then regret the next 53 days because this guy has found what seems to be every corny, obnoxious or cliché joke around.
4 Minutes of Dad Jokes Is Surprisingly Hysterical
Posted by Blacky at 3:09 pm 0 comments
Friday, January 04, 2013
1984 and 1985 – Hawke government – National Archives of Australia
Cabinet records for 1984 and 1985 have been released!
1984 and 1985 – Hawke government – National Archives of Australia
Posted by Blacky at 3:34 pm 0 comments
Bushfire Warnings: The Sites And Apps You Need
Bushfire season is in full swing, and knowing the location of potentially risky fires is essential, especially if you live in a rural area. Fire services make full use of technology to keep Australians informed, with all offering online updates and many offering specific apps as well. We’ve rounded them all up to help you keep safe this summer.
Bushfire Warnings: The Sites And Apps You Need
Posted by Blacky at 3:16 pm 0 comments
A video featuring "Vomiting Larry"
Larry is used to study the way particles of puke become aerosolized, and how those particles spread and help infect other people. That's important, because it explains one of the ways that viruses spread by vomiting manage to end up in everyday things like, say, frozen raspberries. Aerosolized vomit isn't something you can spot. It doesn't clean up easily. And even just a drop of it can pass on plenty of viruses.
A video featuring "Vomiting Larry"
Posted by Blacky at 8:18 am 0 comments
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Top words of 2012 capture 'impending doom'
The Global Language Monitor announced that "apocalypse" is the top, or most influential, word for 2012 in its 13th-annual global survey of the English language.
Top words of 2012 capture 'impending doom'
Posted by Blacky at 9:55 pm 0 comments
63 Essential Things To Learn Before You Start 2013
We learned a lot last year — and we shared a lot of it with you. Here’s the complete collection of everything we explained, defined, spelled out and broke down in 2012.
63 Essential Things To Learn Before You Start 2013
Posted by Blacky at 4:50 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
50 Most Memorable Tweets of 2012
Twitter now has 200 million monthly active users, up from 100 million in late 2011. As the number of users in Twitter's birdcage grows, so does the number of memorable tweets.
50 Most Memorable Tweets of 2012
Posted by Blacky at 12:03 pm 0 comments
Smart mice doing tricks
This guy trains his pet mice to collect coins, fetch a tossed bead, play basketball, ride a tiny skateboard, and more.
Smart mice doing tricks
Posted by Blacky at 11:38 am 0 comments
A toast to physics
You will be pleased to note that multiple physicists are at work on the problem of why a piece of falling toast tends to land with the butter side down.
A toast to physics
Posted by Blacky at 11:33 am 0 comments
Oxford American Dictionary names GIF word of the year
The humble GIF gets a makeover with the advent of GIFing, which is to use this 80s graphic technique to create a meme. Not sure of the meaning of meme? Check the dictionary!
Oxford American Dictionary names GIF word of the year
Posted by Blacky at 11:31 am 0 comments
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A Complete History Of US Nuclear Explosions In 90 Seconds
On July 16, 1945, the US Army destroyed a small part of New Mexico by testing the first nuclear bomb in human history, the most powerful weapon of all time. It then proceeded to blow up 1054 more.
A Complete History Of US Nuclear Explosions In 90 Seconds
Posted by Blacky at 9:54 pm 0 comments
Saturday, December 29, 2012
5 Custom Searches You Should Enable In Your Browser Right Now
Custom search engines are one of the coolest features of any modern browser. With just a few keystrokes, you can search Wikipedia right from your address bar, do a custom Google search for Lifehacker articles, or even get driving directions to a specific location. Here are five searches you should enable right now.
5 Custom Searches You Should Enable In Your Browser Right Now
Posted by Blacky at 11:19 am 0 comments
The Black Stump on Facebook
Don't forget to check us out on Facebook!
The Black Stump on Facebook
Posted by Blacky at 8:55 am 0 comments
Scientific American picks top 5 space stories for 2012
The magazine Scientific American announces its most important space stories for the year 2012, with the discovery of the Higgs Boson topping the list.
Scientific American picks top 5 space stories for 2012
Posted by Blacky at 8:54 am 0 comments
Shopping mall shark-tank ruptures
Shanghai's Orient shopping centre experienced disaster on Dec 18 when a huge aquarium filled with lemon-sharks, turtles and fish ruptured, hurting 16 people and killing three sharks and "dozens of turtles and small fish." The tank's failure was blamed on a combination of cold temperatures and substandard materials.
Shopping mall shark-tank ruptures
Posted by Blacky at 8:44 am 0 comments
Thursday, December 27, 2012
These Astounding Satellite Images Are The Best Bird’s-Eye-Views Of 2012
Our daily does of satellite imagery through services like Google Maps have made looking down at Earth seem rather hum-drum at times. But there are still magical and majestic sites to be hold, as seen in this selection from 2012.
These Astounding Satellite Images Are The Best Bird’s-Eye-Views Of 2012
Posted by Blacky at 1:46 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Unpublish old tweets with the Shame Eraser
Now that Twitter's finally made old tweets available, you might be inclined to nuke a few. Developer Benjamin Jackson created a tool that makes it seem easy: the Shame Eraser.
Unpublish old tweets with the Shame Eraser
Posted by Blacky at 8:09 am 0 comments
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Bye Bye TOPICA
Important note if you subscribe to our site updates via TOPICA Their service stopped working in early November and has still not been fixed. Their recommendation was to start a new list which I did and quite a number of people signed up again. That new list also does not work. Apologies for apparently wasting your time! Hence, I'm abandoning TOPICA as a mailing list alternative effective immediately. Please refer to the Newsletter Signup page for a number of other options that actually work. Apologies to the TOPICA subscribees and Merry Christmas to you all! |
Posted by Blacky at 1:19 pm 0 comments
R.I.P.: 10 Products That Were Discontinued in 2012
This year, quite a few products disappeared from the market, as technology inevitably marches on. Whether they got pulled for being faulty or just weren't commercially successful, these 10 examples have virtually expired.
R.I.P.: 10 Products That Were Discontinued in 2012
Posted by Blacky at 11:39 am 0 comments
Saturday, December 22, 2012
2012's Biggest Winners and Losers
The end is near. I mean the end of 2012, not the world, as dunderheaded Mayan-acolytes believe. Even without looming global annihilation, it’s been the most manic of annums, with extreme highs and heartbreaking lows.
2012's Biggest Winners and Losers
Posted by Blacky at 2:04 pm 0 comments
The Most Amazing Science Stories Of 2012
2012 has been a big year for science: people sank to record depths, a private company made it into space, NASA landed something the size of a car on Mars, and physicists finally found the particle that could unify science once and for all. Here are 12 of the most exciting science stories we’ve covered this year.
The Most Amazing Science Stories Of 2012
Posted by Blacky at 12:50 pm 0 comments
Seinfeld Plays Ball in 'Who's on First?' Remake [VIDEO]
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's iconic "Who's on First?" comedy routine from the 1930s just got a refresh from a few of today's funnymen.
Jimmy Fallon, Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfeld as well as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon announcer Steve Higgins and writer A.D. Miles took a crack at the baseball skit in the video below.
Seinfeld Plays Ball in 'Who's on First?' Remake [VIDEO]
Posted by Blacky at 9:20 am 0 comments
What is this bizarre Indian "health gadget" from 1950s Bombay?
Very rare and old Twin Transilluminator in Box from India 1950 in good condition. Its medical Instrument for sinuses and Eye therapy. Its made of steel and backlit. its electrical. on box has some description and photos about how to use this Instrument. Its rare and unique medical Instrument and must for medical instruments collectors. The size of box is 9 inch in length, and its width is 5 inch.
What is this bizarre Indian "health gadget" from 1950s Bombay?
Posted by Blacky at 9:19 am 0 comments
Friday, December 21, 2012
Boeing Creates 360° 'Dream Pass' Video of its 787 Dreamliner
Attention wannabe pilots: Here's your chance to experience the next best thing to flying Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner. The company created the Boeing 787 Dreamliner "Dream Pass," a 360-degree online video that lets you take an immersive virtual ride in the plane's flight deck, and tour its wings and engines.
Boeing Creates 360° 'Dream Pass' Video of its 787 Dreamliner
Posted by Blacky at 4:29 pm 0 comments
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Newest Gmail And Google Drive Tricks
Gmail and Google Drive are both popular choices amongst Lifehacker readers. The Google Australia team recently shared a list of some of the changes to those products over 2012 with us, ranging from big additions to small tweaks. Ready for an update? Let’s review.
The Newest Gmail And Google Drive Tricks
Posted by Blacky at 5:06 pm 0 comments
Golden eagle snatches kid
One second this eagle is gliding around above a park, majestic, then moments later it swoops down and tries to grab a toddler. It's just so sudden and unexpected: the bird looks small when it's far away, but oh god nope that's one of those Hobbit-carrying guys and little red monkey hat is off to Mordor.
Golden eagle snatches kid
Posted by Blacky at 11:46 am 0 comments
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Handy Flowchart Picks a Christmas Film for You
If you’re having trouble picking a holiday film, this handy flowchart can help. Need a film with just the right touch of animation and creepiness? Belief in Santa Claus and swimming pools? The chart has you covered.
Handy Flowchart Picks a Christmas Film for You
Posted by Blacky at 6:07 pm 0 comments
Sunday, December 16, 2012
These Are The Last Words That Were Said On The Moon
Everyone knows the first words that were said on the moon, but what about the last? 40 years ago yesterday we left the moon for the last time, so now’s as good a time as any to ask. The answer? Well there are a few and you can pick which one you like better.
As Commander Eugene Cernan stood on the moon’s surface before climbing back into the Apollo 17 module and blasting off towards home, he recited a little speech, fitting to be the last words on the body. It went like this:
These Are The Last Words That Were Said On The Moon
Posted by Blacky at 11:48 am 0 comments
Friday, December 14, 2012
What Parents Need to Know About Facebook's New Privacy Controls
Facebook changed its privacy settings on Wednesday and it's important to know what the new changes mean for users, especially your digitally-connected children.
What Parents Need to Know About Facebook's New Privacy Controls
Posted by Blacky at 11:23 am 0 comments
Unusual baby names of 2012
Of all the factors that parents consider in picking a name for their child, one floats consistently to the top: Picking a unique name. (So says our annual baby-naming survey, answered this year by more than 4,000 parents.)
As you can see from the list below, some parents did a bang-up job. Read on to see some of the most unusual, creative names given to babies in 2012.
Unusual baby names of 2012
Posted by Blacky at 10:37 am 0 comments
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Handy Hints – avoid high data roaming charges
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has released its quarterly report on complaints about telcos (see separate story). This time the TIO has published some handy hints on how to avoid high global roaming charges.
Handy Hints – avoid high data roaming charges
Posted by Blacky at 2:58 pm 0 comments
Watch North Korea State TV Cover Illegal Rocket Launch
North Korea launched a ballistic missile, which reportedly placed a satellite into orbit. The Dec. 12 launch contravened United Nations resolutions forbidding Pyongyang to develop ballistic rocket capacity, angering its neighbors but marking a chance for new leader Kim Jong-Un to claim a victory.
Watch North Korea State TV Cover Illegal Rocket Launch
Posted by Blacky at 2:41 pm 0 comments
10 Videos to Help You Survive the Apocalypse
This could be it. It. One of the last posts you or I ever read. The world as we know it, in all its magnificent, wondrous glory, is coming to an end on Dec. 21. Everything we've ever known -- gone, destroyed and vanquished. For good.
At least that's what they say. According to some interpretations of the Mesoamerican Long Count (Mayan) calendar, next Friday will be humanity's very last. You've probably heard about it.
10 Videos to Help You Survive the Apocalypse
Posted by Blacky at 2:35 pm 0 comments
The risks of visiting volcanoes
In 1993, Stanley Williams survived a close-encounter with a volcano. A volcanologist, he was standing on the rim of Colombia's Galeras volcano when it erupted with little warning. Six of his scientific colleagues and three tourists were killed. Williams fled down the mountain's slope — until flying rocks and boulders broke both his legs. With a fractured skull, he managed to stay conscious enough to huddle behind some other large boulders and dodge flying debris until the eruption ended and his grad students rescued him.
The risks of visiting volcanoes
Posted by Blacky at 11:15 am 0 comments
Google’s Zeitgeist 2012: A Year In Review
Once a year Google releases their Zeitgeist–an overview of what the world was searching for during the previous year. Check out the year in review video and then browse the entire project.
Google’s Zeitgeist 2012: A Year In Review
Posted by Blacky at 8:52 am 0 comments
The Best (Worst?) Typos, Mistakes, and Correrctions of 2012
Typos! We love them, we love to hate them. They make us laugh, they make us cry. They come in many shapes and sizes. And so do those corrections—not always typo-related—added to many a newspaper article when it turns out things weren't written exactly as they should be.
The Best (Worst?) Typos, Mistakes, and Correrctions of 2012
Posted by Blacky at 12:09 am 0 comments
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12 Problems Solved by Tech in 2012
Some of the hottest tech trends of 2012, like mobile apps and solar energy, are changing the world for the better. This year, we saw a variety of inspiring innovations tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.
12 Problems Solved by Tech in 2012
Posted by Blacky at 10:02 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:01 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 9:49 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 9:14 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 8:13 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 12:03 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:23 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 9:20 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:02 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 6:21 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:00 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 7:13 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 2:52 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:04 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 1:00 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 12:57 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 5:59 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 11:08 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 5:36 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 9:48 am 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 10:06 pm 0 comments
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
Posted by Blacky at 5:43 pm 0 comments