December 2008
38 posts
Monoprice →
For many years I’ve been pining to buy an HDTV when I’ve seen them on sale for the holidays, but I’ve resisted the urge time and time again. It was too much money for something I didn’t really need. I still don’t.
But prices are just too good now, and my willpower has finally eroded enough to let a stupid non-excuse like the mandatory OTA DTV switch in February...
Music: The Fireman →
Good to see Paul McCartney’s doing something different, and even better to see that he’s offering his latest musical collaboration with Killing Joke’s Youth as a DRM-free digital download.
You can even listen to the album on the site before you buy.
Now this is the way to release music…
Game: Zilch →
This is a fantastic online rip-off of Cosmic Wimpout — and as much as I hate that they don’t give credit where it’s due (unless, of course, Cosmic Wimpout is itself derived from something else that I’m unaware of), I love being able to play this online so I’m not complaining.
[via Good Experience Games]
Public Radio Podcasts →
How cool is this: NPR audio programming, remixed so that it’s available as a previously-unavailable podcast.
[via MeFi]
One Year: Thank You!
A year ago today I started blogging bits of things I found interesting and wanted to share on my site. I am so glad that I did.
Your visits keep me going with this project, and I want to sincerely thank you for dropping by.
I hope you find some of the same joy that I do in the cool and crazy stuff that’s put online (and sometimes off), and would love to hear any feedback you’d care...
iTunes U →
Jason Kottke reminded me (via his blog) about iTunes U, which features over 100,000 free audio and video downloads from some of the best universities, museums, and other organizations in the world.
About 70% of my iPod use is non-musical these days, and with an exceptional resource like this available right in the iTunes store, I think that percentage might go even higher.
Video: Glenn Greenwald with Bill Moyers →
This is a brutally honest interview, bringing up some important things to consider as we move forward with changing regimes in our Executive branch.
Smart, to the point, and spot on, I hope Mr. Greenwald’s voice gets heard in the crucial months to come.
Follow his blog to keep up on what needs to be done to hold our politicians accountable for their actions.
The Pogue-o-matic →
The New York Times has bottled David Pogue into an interactive gadget-choosing web tool.
Let him recommend a camera, camcorder, smartphone, or TV by answering a few simple questions.
I checked out the TV advice, and found it pretty solid, although the models were a bit tough to find online — I think I’d have more luck with a brick and mortar store, but that’s way too retro.
Fimoculous.com: 2008 End-Of-Year Lists →
Rex Sorgatz has once again posted his list of lists, this time for 2008, and as always I’m loving every bit of it.
Watch
Game: Doom 1 →
The classic 90’s first-person shooter is now entirely within the Flash realm. Incredible. It runs fast and smooth, as well.
Two things: it’s very violent, and you’ll need Flash 10 to make it work.
[via Waxy Links]
WatchThe Electronic Frontier Foundation does vital work to keep our Internet open, transparent, and free, and they’ve done some great things this year.
This cute video was the hook I needed to remind me to contribute before the year’s end.
20 Top 10's from Lifehacker →
Lifehacker has chosen twenty of their best Top 10 lists for 2008, and there’s a lot of gold in there.
My favorites include Underhyped Webapps, How-To Videos, Trick Out Your Desktop, and Conversation Hacks.
NYC
We’re visiting the city today, and it’s always interesting during the holidays, so I figured I’d try a little live blogging of the experience. If I come across anything interesting, I’ll send it along.
The Top 10 Stories You Missed in 2008 →
Among the best of my perennial favorite “end of the year” lists is Foreign Policy’s Top 10 Stories You Missed.
Sadly, even though I consider myself reasonably well informed, I did indeed miss most of these.
[via Kottke]
Japanese Group Sounds →
Debbie D posted some groovy Japanese Group Sounds over on WFMU’s Beware of the Blog…
12 songs in total, in all their MP3 glory, including Mothra’s Song.
Dig it! Perfect for a rainy Wednesday.
Curbly's Guide to 2008 Holiday Gift Guides →
If you’re still wondering what to get special someones for the holidays (and you actually have money), you might be interested in this guide to online gift guides.
I like gift guides for discovering what’s out there and for getting new ideas, and it’s nice to have a bunch of good ones collected in one place.
You might also want to check to see if your online retailer of choice...
Launchy →
Now that I’m using a Windows machine on a regular basis for the first time in years, it’s driving me a bit crazy.
There are things I’ve gotten so used to doing with my Mac that I simply can’t do without them — you know, the stuff that saves my time and sanity again and again because it works the way I expect it to (and because it’s the way I’m used to...
RocketDock →
Another thing I’ve done to make the transition back and forth from Windows a little less painful is to install RocketDock, which gives me a convenient (and familiar) place to put my most-used applications.
This fantastic (and also free) utility works so much better than the Quick Launch bar, and yes, it does largely replicate the OS X dock, including the ability to minimize windows onto it...
Earlove →
I’ve been using these fantastic Earlove earplugs for years now, every time I go to a live music performance. Well, every time I remember to bring them, at least.
They protect my ears from the deafening volume they always seem to crank it up to, but don’t muffle the sound in any way. In fact, I can have a conversation with my friends during intermission without a problem.
A lot of...
Music: Ladyhawke →
If you’re up for some electronic pop music that hearkens back to great female new wave vocalists of the 80’s, check out New Zealander Ladyhawke’s debut album.
While there are lots of sly clues to her influences sprinkled throughout, I think most songs stand just fine on their own today.
The album features real guitar solos, perfectly chosen synths, and precocious vocals, all...
The LIFE Photo Archive →
Google has added millions of photographs from the LIFE magazine archives to their image search collection, raning from the 1750’s to today.
Just at the “source:life” tag to your image searches to access these fantastic, high-quality images.
[via Daring Fireball]
Will Asimov’s Foundation saga be Lord of the Rings... →
Holy guacomole, this would be incredible. Please, let it be true! Asimov’s book remains one of my top sci-fi favorites, and was a “foundation” of my childhood. Doing it up LOTR-style would be perfect, too.
The new Star Trek, Watchmen, and now this amazing trilogy (possibly) on film. Way, way cool.
[via /.]
Quicksilver →
Quicksilver is one of the best utilities I’ve ever used on any platform — when I’m on a Mac without it, I feel a bit lost and keep mashing nonexistent activation hotkeys.
At its simplest, it’s an extremely intuitive application launcher that allows me to completely forego the dock. Add to it extensive plugins and other powerful features, and it becomes the most productive...
MSI Wind Notebook →
Several weeks ago I picked up an MSI Wind notebook running Windows XP, and now I’m totally converted (even if it does run Windows).
This tiny computer has a lot going for it. Thus far it’s been a fantastic and easy-to-include addition to my usual gear.
I’ve used it to take notes at school and a technology conference, for blogging and processing pictures from my camera each...
