Tech News

• 30Sep

  A New Batch of Google Wave Invites

  Google Wave No Comments
  
  Google Wave is about to open to new users. Starting today, Google will send 100,000 invites to some of those who were eager to use an early version of the service. Google's blog lists three categories of users that will receive invites: Google Wave Sandbox users, those who signed up and offered to give feedback on Google Wave and some Google Apps users. When you receive an invitation to Google Wave, you'll be able to invite other people so you can use Google Wave together.
  
  "Google received more than 1 million requests to participate in the preview, said Lars Rasmussen, engineering manager for Google Wave, and while it won't be able to accommodate all those requests on Wednesday it is at least ready to begin the next phase of the project," writes CNet.
  
  Like Gmail's early version released in April 2004, Google Wave lacks many basic features: you can't remove someone from a wave, you can't configure permissions or write drafts. The interface is not very polished and some of the options are difficult to find, but it's important to keep in mind that Google Wave is just one of the ways to implement an open protocol. Gmail revolutionized email with an interface inspired by discussion boards: messages are grouped in conversations and it's easy to handle a large amount of messages. Google Wave wants to revolutionize real-time communication by extending a protocol mostly used for instant messaging, XMPP.
  
  Combining email, instant messaging and wikis seems like a recipe for confusion, but Google Wave pioneers a new generation of web applications, where everything is instantaneous. As Google explains, each wave is a hosted conversation and users can edit the conversation in real-time.
  
  

  

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  Deal of the Day: Kingston 32 GB Flash Drive: $59.99 – Shipped

  Hardware, Uncategorized No Comments

  So, if you’re anything like me, you already have a flash drive, but unfortunately, it always seems to be full. Initially I had a 1GB drive, and then jumped to a 4. Now I’m using a 32GB one, which, as of now, still fulfills my needs. Not sure how long it will stay that way, though. In any cases, if you’re looking for something with a little extra storage space, Amazon.com is currently selling their Kingston 32GB USB keys for $59,99, shipping included. That’s pretty cheap considering that I paid a lot more for mine when it first came out.

  [Kingston DataTraveler - 32 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive - $59.99, Shipping included]

  Related posts:

  1. Deal of the Day: Transcend JetFlash 8GB Flash Drive for $15.99
  2. Deal of the Day: Flip Video Ultra Digital Camcorder – $54.99, Shipped
  3. Deal of the Day: 1TB 7200 RMP SATA II WD Caviar HD: $99.99, Shipped

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  Breaking Glass with Sound

  Science, Uncategorized No Comments

  Rubbing the rim of a wine glass with a wet finger will cause it to resonate at its resonant frequency. The glass is placed in front of a speaker playing a sine wave, created by the function generator, of this same frequency. When the amplitude is turned up, we can see by shining a strobe light at the glass that this resonant frequency causes it to oscillate. When the glass becomes too stressed, it will shatter, which we see very clearly on high speed video.

  [Via TechEblog]

  Related posts:

  1. Tetris Theme on Glass Bottles
  2. Scotch Tape Makes Frosted Glass Transparent
  3. How to cut glass with a string

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  JavaScript ZX Spectrum emulator that we posted about awhile back now runs on the iPhone / Mobile Safari http://bit.ly/kSOAJ

  Uncategorized No Comments

  Dion Almaer JavaScript ZX Spectrum emulator that we posted about awhile back now runs on the iPhone / Mobile Safari http://matt.west.co.tt/spectru... Wednesday from Twitter - Comment - Like

• 30Sep

  Science agency porn viewer gives best excuse ever

  Humor, Science, Sexy, Web No Comments

  It’s tough to defend people who visit pornographic websites whilst at work. Regardless of your attitude to pornography in and of itself, it’s clearly not a legitimate use of work facilities, and even masters of time-wasting in dully office jobs would likely consider it a step too far.

  But, while you might not approve of his surfing habits, you’ve got to be impressed by an excuse given by a senior executive at the National Science Foundation who was fingered as the biggest offender in a recent crackdown, details of which were obtained exclusively by the Washington Times.

  The man – who has since retired – was said to have spent 331 days looking at porn on his work computer. It’s not clear if that means he spent a total time equivalent to 331 work days, or if he “merely” looked at porn at some point during each of 331 different days. Either way, it doesn’t look good, particularly when you learn that this viewing included chatting to ladies in little or no clothing.

  However, a memo among the material leaked to the Times noted his stunning attempt at a defense: “He explained that these young women are from poor countries and need to make money to help their parents and this site helps them do that.”

  The investigators apparently estimated the cost of his online shenanigans at between $13,800 and $58,000. Those estimates may be high as such figures are often based on the assumption that the worker would otherwise have been engaged in productive activity. That might be a bit of a leap in this case.

  On a more serious note, it’s reported that allegations that porn use at the Foundation rose sixfold last year, to the point that investigators were taken away from arguably more important duties such as checking up on complaints of fraudulent grant claims.

  As one commenter on the Times article noted, perhaps the most embarrassing aspect of the entire case is that the National Science Foundation can’t figure out how to install some decent porn filters. Or perhaps it’s just that employees there are that much better at figuring out how to get round restrictions.

  

  Related posts:

  1. Is this the world’s unluckiest porn viewer?
  2. Study: Porn Found On 25% of Corporate PCs
  3. Porn at Work? Hacking!

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  Redwoods: the Big Picture

  News, Science, Technology, Uncategorized, national geographic, photography, redwoods No Comments

  These days, with digitized photography and photo editing, we may not think a whole lot about the process of making pictures, at least those of us with casual camera hobbies. One of the downsides of accessible technology is a kind of normalization of process. I know, since owning a digital SLR that can store hundreds of pictures in a single session, I think a lot less about process and “getting it right” since I have so much wiggle room for experimentation. I just click and click and worry about editing later.

  But let me assure you, there is plenty to be impressed when discussing Michael Nichols, the man who just recently photographed what may be the biggest, tallest tree on record. Redwoods, some of which date before the first century, are marvels of nature, the largest, most ancient trees on earth. And photographing them is no easy feat. From the NPR article:

  In a recent lecture at National Geographic in Washington, D.C., Nichols described his frustrations. Eventually, though, he devised a way to do redwoods justice. It involved three cameras, a team of scientists, a robotic dolly, a gyroscope, an 83-photo composite and a lot of patience.

  I would love to see that setup.

  And while the picture itself is quite remarkable, in addition,  the National Geographic site has put together a fantastic interactive redwoods page where you can track Nichols’s team across the California coast. The redwood timeline is especially inspired.

  Related posts:

  1. Amazing picture of Steve Jobs made out of Apple products
  2. Satisfy your photo fetish with FlickrSpy
  3. US Prepares to Test Ultimate Laser

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  Wednesday Geeky Pics: Have you read any banned books lately?

  Culture, Sexy, Uncategorized No Comments

  By Casey Lynn
  Contributing Writer, [GAS]

  As with the last week of September every year, it is Banned Books Week, which is about celebrating the freedom to read. The American Library Association (ALA) compiles a list of the most challenged books every year, and the 2008 list includes quite a variety, from Philip Pullman’s The Dark Materials trilogy to the Gossip Girls series.  The images below are inspired by the occasion. Celebrate by reading something that someone somewhere thinks you shouldn’t!

  You might be wondering why you spotted Where’s Waldo in this picture (if you’re lucky – he’s very good at hiding!). According to the ALA, this was one of the most frequently challenged books in the 1990s. Why? Because apparently hiding in those intricate scenes, along with Waldo, was at least one *gasp* bare breast. – mclibrary (CC)

  

  42 of the list of top 100 novels of the 20th century have been banned or challenged. Heart of Darkness is #21. I for one read this one for AP Lit in high school. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was banned in Hunan, China because it “puts animals and humans on the same level.” – mollyjolly (CC)

  

  I rather like the idea of pirates absconding with banned books. Arrrrr, we will liberate your libraries! Or maybe it’s more like Robin Hood. – heidigoseek (CC)

  

  Farenheit 451 is one of the most frequently mentioned during Banned Books Week – probably because challenging this one is so incredibly ironic. Not that that stops it from happening. In fact, as recently as 2006, some parents tried to get the book banned from a 10th grade classroom. – magisterludi (CC)

  

  The ALA lists And Tango Makes Three as their most challenged book for the past three years running. Based on the story of two male penguins who formed a couple and raised an egg together, the book has faced a number of requests that it be removed from school libraries on the grounds that it supposedly promotes homosexuality. – mclibrary (CC)

  

  This one makes me kind of sad because it has some of my very favorite books in it. I first read A Wrinkle in Time when I was eight or nine, and I’m pretty sure it solidified my lifetime love of science fiction. Apparently it has been challenged because of references to things like witches and crystal balls, and because it supposedly challenges religious beliefs. – ellenw (CC)

  

  And to end with something adorable: a future reader. Considering that so many of the books challenged these days are children’s books, this one shouldn’t have too long to wait! – davidsilver (CC)

  

  Related posts:

  1. What books are must-reads for YOU?
  2. Wednesday Geeky Pics: Geeky Arts & Crafts
  3. Wednesday Geeky Pics: Comic Book Love

  
  

  

  
• 30Sep

  Beyond Headlines: How to Get Your Audience to Read Every Word

  Copywriting No Comments

  

  Whether you’re trying to get on the front page of Digg or just angling for a sale, writing magnetic headlines that grab your readers’ attention is everything.

  But once you have their attention, you need them to read every word that you write.

  You need to craft an opening made up of an enticing string of sentences that whet your readers’ appetites, set up a need, and prime them for action.

  Easier said than done, right?

  Well here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it:

  Establish rapport with an “agreeable” opening

  People naturally lend their attention (and loyalty) towards those with similar tastes, whether it’s a matter of liking the same sports team, driving the same model of car, or sharing a political or ideological stance. If you can communicate an insight that your reader can agree with, you’ve elevated your chances of capturing their ongoing attention.

  You’ll see many writers use this approach with opening paragraphs like:

  • “I’m sure we all can agree that eating well is critical to good health . . .”
  • “As bloggers, we know how important a reliable, affordable web host is . . .”
  • “All savvy car buyers know that paying sticker price is for suckers . . .”

  Agreement-based openings can make readers feel smarter when they see that their own opinions are being positioned as widely accepted fact (which will make them more likely to want to continue reading).

  If you lead in with an “agreeable” statement that sets up your content, you’re starting out strong.

  Set up a need with your next sentence

  Once you’ve coaxed a bit of a agreement from your reader, you can trigger a sense of need that compels them to keep reading.

  The simplest way to do that is with a statement that establishes that what they just agreed on isn’t enough, or isn’t the final answer . . . and that they’re going to miss out if they don’t keep reading.

  This isn’t hard to do and you’ve no doubt seen it before:

  • “But a healthy diet alone isn’t enough to prevent heart disease . . .”
  • “Choosing the right web host is only the first step to building your blog . . .”
  • “Even if you know the MSRP of that new car, you’re only halfway ready to negotiate . . .”

  Set up the need, and you can be sure that people will continue to read, if only to see if they already know what you’re about to reveal.

  Prime them for action with a promise

  Your winning headline should have set up a promise of valuable information. This is your opportunity to reinforce the benefit they’ll receive when they read every word that you’ve written.

  A good closing sentence for your first paragraph puts them into “forward-looking” mode, where they can envision themselves using the information to gain some immediate benefit (the more immediate, the better).

  Once you’re aware of how copywriters use this pattern, you’ll notice it everywhere:

  • “. . . you’ll have 3 ways to reduce your risk of heart disease that you can use right now.”
  • “. . . you’ll be ready to build a blog that’s popular and profitable from day one.”
  • “. . . you’ll know exactly how to get the lowest price on your next new car — today.”

  Once you’ve established a connection with them, convinced them of their need and given them assurance of an immediate take-away, the stage is set for them to read down to the very last word.

  Now it’s your turn: How do you start off with a bang?

  These three steps are a sure-fire way to keep people reading what you write — but they’re not the final word on the subject.

  Got a favorite “pull-them-in” opening strategy? Let us know in the comments below.

  About the Author: Dave Navarro is the product launch coach of choice for online marketers and has a special message for Copyblogger readers.

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• 30Sep

  YUI 3 Is Out!

  Uncategorized No Comments

  Dion Almaer YUI 3 Is Out! - http://ajaxian.com/archive... Wednesday from Ajaxian » Front Page - Comment - Like arjo liked this

• 30Sep

  There isn’t one bestseller list

  Uncategorized No Comments

  Corey showed me the list of the most popular Wikipedia articles.

  It's insane. It makes no sense. It has rock stars, dead dictators and body parts on it.

  Huh? If you look at the top music of December, 1971, they're all songs you probably like. Pop music appeals to the masses, and the bestseller list was a fairly accurate indicator of what we were humming. All of us.

  The way to understand lists that aren't vintage pop music is this: it isn't one list. It's four or five, mushed together. You have the list of rock acts, overlaid with the list of comic book heroes, etc. There isn't one person (at least I hope not) who's interested in all of these articles.

  Seen like that, you can understand it. Sure, Batman gets seen more than the Green Lantern. Sure, Michael Jackson got seen more than ? and the Mysterians. And when you combine the lists, you get a mash.

  Brands fall into the trap of combining market desires all the time. They forget that perhaps, just perhaps, the people buying diapers are different from the people buying hats, and putting diapers and hats into one combo pack isn't necessarily smart, even if both are bestsellers in their own right.

  

  

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