July 2010
13 posts
Who needs expensive audio cables? →
Don’t waste your money on those supposed high-end audio and video cables. You can do just as well with a cable set costing a few dollars.
Rivers of Ice » Comparative Photography →
This blog shows viewers the comparative loss in Himalayan Glaciers since 1899 using photos from that era. Its amazing, but I am still not ready to attribute it to man-made global warming.
Bowling: Throwing strikes at life →
This is a great new story on overcoming adversity and life’s obstacles to accomplish what you want. We should all have this kind of determination.
Also, note the reference to a duckpin bowling center once being in Philips, South Dakota.
Scientists unlock secret of Mona Lisa's face →
Using a special X-ray technique, scientists have unraveled how Da Vinci was able to create such incredible skin tones and shadows. The study showed his used a method of painting known as “sfumato”, which is based on layering the paint.
They weren’t, however, able to determine how he did it without leaving brushstrokes.
Generic Drug Price Lists For Six Major Pharmacies →
Good article comparing several sources for generic prescription drugs.
Loaner NASA Rover Helps Solve Cold Murder Case in... →
NASA robot helps local DA discover parts of a car that was disassembled and buried in a vacant lot. The car was believed to be the murder scene from a cold case.
Authorities excavated where the rover’s data had indicated where parts were likely buried and found what they needed to successfully prosecute.
Program Your Car Keys To Unlock All Your Cars →
This post helps you program your car’s remote to work with more than one vehicle. That way, you could potentially use it as a universal remote for all of your cars.
Keep in mind that making security convenient often reduces its effectiveness.
Skydiver to jump from edge of space - Boing Boing →
A record-setting free fall from a baloon at over 100,000 feet is planned. This will not only be for the thrill, but serve to test some of the theories behind rescue pods for the space shuttle and future private and commercial space flights.
WWI soldier buried at Arlington, 91 years after he... →
Private Costello was killed in battle by German artillery during World War I. His remains, along with others, were found in 2006 in France. Forensic teams of the US Army’s POW/MIA unit identified them and he has been given a full military funeral at Arlington Cemetery.
He's living the glamorous life without cash -- on... →
This guy is on a year-long quest to live only off of Groupon offers. he is not allowed to use cash for anything. If he succeeds, he earns $100K from Groupon themselves.
June 2010
4 posts
Iridium expansion is largest commercial space... →
Satellite phone provider, Iridium, is undertaking the largest commercial space project in the world. They have ordered 81 satellites and spacecraft and are spending over $2.9 Billion to upgrade the existing network.
May 2010
6 posts
After keeping us waiting for a century, Mark Twain... →
Samuel Clemons, better known as Mark Twain, penned his autobiography and stipulated that it not be published until 100 years after his death. Well, that is now. The text has been locked away in a university vault and will be published as a three volume set.
Another Strange Spiral Seen (and Heard) Over... →
Different photographers on land, and one in the air, caught this UFO over Canada. Impressive footage but it still looks like special effects to me.
Montauk Monster: Beast found in Ontario →
An unidentified creature found in a small Canadian town has people stumped. The animal has a long hairy body but is bald on its head, feet and face.
WatchPirates are closer than you think. Boaters terrorized on lake at US-Mexican border.
Tech Council of Maryland names annual awardees →
BaltTech reports on the 22nd Annual Tech Council of Maryland awards.
April 2010
36 posts
16 Productivity-Enhancing Websites →
A review of several websites and tools to help you increase your overall productivity.
Don’t talk to aliens, warns Stephen Hawking →
Esteemed scientist Stephen Hawking suggests that we should stop trying to contact extraterrestrials as it could present definite danger to the Earth.
He presents his views in a new documentary on the Discover Channel.
WatchWedding Gone Wild video from news broadcast
Md. passes bill banning use of cellphones while... →
Effective on October 1, 2010, Maryland has banned the use of mobile phones while driving unless used with a hands-free device. However, there are several initiatives underway in other states and local jurisdictions to ban the use of phones while driving entirely.
FSI Language Courses (Free) →
The US Government, through the Foreign Service Institute, has developed a number of foreign language training courses online for the diplomatic corps. They are now open to the public and are accessible through your browser.
How Social Media Can Effect Real Social and... →
Craig Newmark is the founder of craigslist. He can be found on Twitter as @craignewmark and blogs at cnewmark.com.
This is a nicely written and thoughtful treatise on how the citizenry can use social media to truly alter the social arena and their government(s).
Baseball Play of the Year →
An incredible game AND play by Brian Kownacki.
Your Mom’s Guide to Those Facebook Changes, and... →
Facebook launched some fairly impressive new features and services at its recent f8 conference, but some of them were also more than just a little scary. Since a lot of what the company talked about was introduced in either “developer speak” — involving terms like API and JSON — or involved social networking jargon such as “social graph” and “activity map,” we thought it would be handy to break it...
How to Delete Facebook Applications (and Why You... →
At the recent F8 conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced changes in how information on Facebook is shared and retained by third-party applications. These applications, such as Farmville, Mafia Wars, Pollster, and other add-ons will no longer be required to delete data or terminate accounts.
Take a good look at the article and heed the message. Be especially vigilant with Apps that you...
Apple Announces Headphone Replacement Program →
Having problems with your Apple headphones? You might not be alone. The company on Monday announced a replacement program for the newest revision of its iconic white earbuds, which “may fail under certain conditions,” according to the Apple Support Website.
“Scientists fear tremors at the Eyjafjallajokull (ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl)...”
– Threat of new, larger Icelandic eruption looms - Yahoo! News
Team sets out to clear bodies from Everest's death... →
A team of Nepalese Sherpas is preparing to ascend the mountain to retrieve the bodies of fallen climbers. They also plan to clean up trash and other discarded items.
“Barely 15 percent of all construction-industry workers in the United States are...”
– Another Obama favor for unions | Washington Examiner
SkyJump Las Vegas - Jump off the Stratosphere Las... →
It seems that the Stratosphere has found a new income source — charging people $100 to jump off the building. The “ride” is a controlled freefall that limits your speed by use of cables to around 40 MPH.
Security Firm Reports Mac Malware in the Wild →
An information security firm reports finding malicious software targeting Apple OS X in the wild. The code for the exploit is also making the rounds hacker forums, leading experts to assume new variants soon. Thus far, infection rates appear to be very low.
Micro Center: Free 4GB USB Drive or SDHC →
Dealmac is reporting that retailer Microcenter is offering a free 4GB flash drive or SDHC card for sharing some e-mail preferences. It is provided through a printable coupon you need to take into your local MicroCenter retail store. You’ll need an ID to redeem, most likely.
4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive or 4GB Secure Digital High Capacity SDHC Card for free at Micro Center.
Coupon offer ends...
Tax Day Deals and Freebies For the Taking - tax... →
One of my favorite blogs, LifeHacker, has a comprehensive list of stores and retailers offering free food and product for April 15, tax day. Here is a qucik list, but I encourage you to check out the article for more.
Free Food
Chick-Fil-A may be serving up free mini-biscuits from 6-10:30 a.m., but the corporate web site urges customer to call and check (or read the local news) to see if...
Evil Clown Dominic Deville hired for stalking,... →
Parents hire this evil clown to “stalk” their kids as a birthday stunt. Dominic Deville’s task is to follow the child for up to a week with the intent of striking with a cake in the face when its least expected.
I wouldn’t suggest doing this after your child watches Stephen King’s “IT”.
Social Networking Profiles Sinking Your Job... →
Social networking is almost unavoidable in today’s world, but you need to be sure that your profile and content will pass muster. Recruiters and HR departments now make a regular habit of checking sites such as LinkedIn, FaceBook, MySpace, and Twitter for prospective candidates as well as researching applicants.
Ten Ways To Be Your Own Boss →
Too many people think about it but ultimately end up with ‘I can’t do that’. This short list from VC gives you 10 ideas on how you can make it happen.
Bank of America Employee Charged With Planting... →
A Bank of America employee is charged with installing malware on ATM machines that stole untold sums of money from the bank.
Carlsberg staff strike over beer ban in Denmark →
A long-time benefit for workers at the Carlsberg brewery in Denmark has been free beer, soft drinks, and water. Management recently cut-back the availability of the free beer and limited it to lunch time in the company cafeteria. This didn’t go over well with the workforce.
Hundreds of Carlsberg employees are now in the second day of a strike to protest the cut-back.
Archeologists Discover New Hominid Species →
CRADLE OF HUMANKIND, South Africa — Nine-year-old Matthew Berger dashed after his dog Tau into the high grass here one sunny morning, tripped over a log and stumbled onto a major archeological discovery. Scientists announced Thursday that he had found the bones of a new hominid species that lived almost two million years ago during the fateful, still mysterious period spanning the emergence of the...
Facebook takes steps to deal with gift card scams →
Facebook is not taking aim at the hundreds of sam pages promising gift cards for popular retailers and restaurants. These scam efforts are merely attempts to get user’s private info that is made available when someone connects to a page. What many users don’t know is that they are also exposing their friend’s information as well.
Gogo offers $35 unlimited, multi-airline Wi-Fi... →
Electronista is reporting that GoGo will be offering a monthly subscription plan that will work across airline carriers. This could represent a real savings for frequent travelers over paying per flight or segment.
Gogo operates in-air WiFi on Airtran, American, Delta, and Virgin. Some other airlines, such as Air Canada, have limited deployment of GoGo in their fleets.