Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Why Hollywood uses fake "555" phone numbers.
And a related column from the Straight Dope archives. (Via @shlevy.)
And a related column from the Straight Dope archives. (Via @shlevy.)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
"Facebook is divorce lawyers' new best friend":
Forgot to de-friend your wife on Facebook while posting vacation shots of your mistress? Her divorce lawyer will be thrilled.
Oversharing on social networks has led to an overabundance of evidence in divorce cases. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says 81 percent of its members have used or faced evidence plucked from Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social networking sites, including YouTube and LinkedIn, over the last five years.
"Oh, I've had some fun ones," said Linda Lea Viken, president-elect of the 1,600-member group. "It's very, very common in my new cases."
"Programmable Matter Takes Shape with Self-Folding Origami Sheets".
I'm sure nothing could possibly go wrong with this technology!
I'm sure nothing could possibly go wrong with this technology!
Monday, June 28, 2010
"Italian Scientists Who Failed To Predict Quake Indicted For Manslaughter".
Related story from Nature.
Related story from Nature.
Fixing iPhone4 reception problems with a 1/2-cent strip of electrical tape.
This is, of course, much cheaper than buying Apple's $30 "bumper case".
This is, of course, much cheaper than buying Apple's $30 "bumper case".
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
"iPhone 4 Loses Reception When Antenna Band is Touched: Firmware Issue?"
Got an iPhone 4 yet? Hold it carefully by the glass, avoiding the new steel antenna band that runs around the edges. Note the number of signal-strength bars you have. Now, touch the steel band with your other hand, preferably the left and bottom sides together. You will almost certainly see your signal disappear, or drop by three or four bars...
Update on the earlier photo of the skydiver watching the rocket launch.
According to a regular GeekPress reader, it's the June 7 liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, not the space shuttle. Thanks for helping to set the record straight!
According to a regular GeekPress reader, it's the June 7 liftoff of the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, not the space shuttle. Thanks for helping to set the record straight!
Off topic: If you're a supporter of free speech rights, then you'll want to check out the new blog from the Institute for Justice, "Congress Shall Make No Law".
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Best cease-and-desist letter: National Pork Board threatens ThinkGeek for fake unicorn meat ad that calls unicorn "the new white meat".
Sunday, June 20, 2010
"Depressed student goes off his meds, attacks some Hell's Angels with a puppy, and then escapes on a stolen bulldozer. Both student and puppy are safe in custody." No, really.
(Reuters link and German news.)
(Reuters link and German news.)
How a rare voice recording of Thomas Edison was recovered with modern technology:
There are other nuggets among the recordings, such as a portion of a high school basketball game believed to be the second oldest surviving sports broadcast and the earliest known recording of the famous NBC chimes.(Via Howard Roerig.)
In one of the recordings, Edison spoke about the creation of the incandescent light bulb on its 50th anniversary.
Video of the day: Star Trek (TOS)/Kesha "Tik Tok" mashup. Excellent visuals.
For those who are interested, here's the original.
(Via Donald Heath.)
For those who are interested, here's the original.
(Via Donald Heath.)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Get ready for more Twitter "fail whale".
Twitter is saying they can't handle the traffic related to the World Cup.
Twitter is saying they can't handle the traffic related to the World Cup.
Using subtle power line fluctuations to date voice recordings and detect covert editing. (Via Bruce Schneier and @Qwertzo.)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
"Why Starbucks is smart to offer free internet access".
On the other hand, Jeff Bertolucci of PC World thinks it will just attract WiFi squatters.
On the other hand, Jeff Bertolucci of PC World thinks it will just attract WiFi squatters.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tweet of the day:
@mwickens These guys need a new acronym if they want to be taken seriously. http://bit.ly/9AY4JI
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Twittiquette lesson of the day: MT vs. RT vs. PRT vs. "via".
No, I don't make this stuff up. (Via @LyndsiM.)
No, I don't make this stuff up. (Via @LyndsiM.)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"Is This the Craziest Bridge Ever Designed?":
From the post:
From the post:
It's a clever solution to a very real and obvious problem, however.More information here. (Via @foodphilosophy.)
The bridge is part of a proposal by NL Architects to connect Hong Kong with mainland China. To do that, they had to solve a problem: In Hong Kong, people drive on the left side of the road. In mainland China, they drive on the right side. Here's the solution: A road flipper that physically twists the roads over each other.
Video of the day: "BP Spills Coffee"
(Via Diana.)
Update: Kendall at The Crucible explains why the video is not funny.
(Via Diana.)
Update: Kendall at The Crucible explains why the video is not funny.
Off topic: PajamasMedia has just published my latest OpEd, "Free Speech: Use It or Lose It".
Update: Thank you, Instapundit!
Update: Thank you, Instapundit!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
The Hobbit movie is apparently delayed because of problems at MGM studio corporate level. Plus director Guillermo del Toro has reportedly quit over this issue.
The same problems are also delaying the production of the next James Bond film. (Via BBspot.)
The same problems are also delaying the production of the next James Bond film. (Via BBspot.)
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Off topic: The May 31, 2010 PajamasMedia has just published my latest OpEd, "Beware Dr. Galbraith's Snake Oil".
My theme is that even in the face of the Greek situation, some economists continue to argue that deficits don't matter.
My theme is that even in the face of the Greek situation, some economists continue to argue that deficits don't matter.
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