May 2010
30 posts
Quitting Facebook is Pointless; Challenging Them... →
I know, I just can’t stop. Forgive me. This article by danah boyd on Fast Company is just too important to ignore.
She rightly argues that quitting Facebook for the wrong reasons won’t help. I deleted my Facebook account because it wasn’t working for me, because I was sick of their shenanigans, and because I’m not so deeply invested in it that quitting will impact me in...
Quantum teleportation achieved over 16 km →
Another thing to remind us we’re in the 21st Century — the Chinese have successfully teleported information over a distance of 10 miles, shattering previous distance records.
Sure, this means that there’s the potential for doing this over even greater distances, creating new communications methods that can revolutionize data transfer, but honestly, I don’t care about...
The Complete Guide to Capturing Woot! Off Loot →
I’m a big fan of Woot!, and an even bigger fan of a Woot! Off…
If you’ve never experienced the excitement one of these crazy shopping frenzies, be sure to check out this Lifehacker guide that explains how to make the most of them.
Facebook, MySpace Confront Privacy Loophole →
This will be the last anti-Facebook post until the next round of oh-my-god stupidity comes to light. I’m so tired of this…
The Wall Street Journal reports that Facebook (and a whole bunch of other social networking sites) revealed personally-identifiable information to advertisers without consent, even though they promised not to.
Will there be any real consequence for violating the...
Google Font Directory →
Google’s done something cool again, and it’s awesomely geeky this time — they’ve created and hosted a series of custom web fonts that designers can use to easily integrate beautiful new typography on their pages.
I like it so much, I’ve changed my logo and post titles to a new font. If you’re on a newish browser, you should see the difference. What do you...
Steam for Mac + Free Portal →
I try not to duplicate tweets and blog posts, but this deal isn’t to be missed, if you haven’t already heard…
Internet gaming service Steam is celebrating their Mac version launch by giving away the acclaimed Portal free (for both Mac and Windows) until May 24th.
This is a very, very good game for a very, very good price. Anyone selling spare time, now?
Why I Steal Movies… Even Ones I'm In →
Peter Serafinowicz writes a fantastic article for Gizmodo, discussing the paradox and challenge of our switch to primarily digital media.
It’s an excellent read, and I certainly agree that we need to find a new entertainment business model. Artists certainly need to be paid, but consumers need to be served, too.
[via /.]
Internet Use Makes Us Happier →
Good. I needed to clear that nasty anti-Net Neutrality stuff from my system.
Time Magazine lets us know about research from the UK that says using the Internet, as you are right this moment, can make you happier.
I know that my life is certainly better because of this thing, on many levels. How about you?
[via The Slatest]
Anti-Net Neutrality ads have arrived →
The BBC reports on US ISP’s new advertising campaign to quash the FCC’s recent Net Neutrality initiative, casting it as a “Washington takeover”.
Let’s see, now… ISP’s are government-mandated monopolies that are guaranteed profits, and we must pay them to access the Internet services and sites that we want. Now, they want to be able to give preferential...
The Power of Role Playing →
Take a look at what the Make A Wish foundation did for Erik Martin, a 13-year-old Seattle boy who wished to become a superhero for a day.
I really like these reminders that I share the planet with some really good people, and, of course, Electron Boy.
[via io9]
Facebook’s Gone Rogue; It’s Time for an Open... →
Ryan Singel has it right on Wired’s Epicenter blog. The more I look into Facebook’s terrible privacy record, the more disturbing things I discover.
One of my contacts can play a game, and the makers of the game get a copy my profile information. What?
I can’t keep my friend list private. Sorry, it’s just not allowed. Why not?
There are plenty people who are too lazy,...
Seeing the Future: A Guide to Visual Communication →
MIT and the Howtoons team have come up with a guide to communicating ideas through drawing. It covers proportion and perspective particularly well.
[via BoingBoing]
New U.S. Push to Regulate Internet Access →
The Wall Street Journal reports on the FCC’s move to regulate Internet access providers, increasing hopes that true Net Neutrality will become a reality.
I’m not normally big on more regulation, but when the public provides these businesses with the ability to exist, they shouldn’t be able to shut us out.
[via The Slatest]
Six Things You Need to Know About Facebook... →
The EFF keeps us on top of recent changes in the way Facebook shares our information, and these things definitely have me concerned.
This is the third major change they’ve made to privacy settings since I signed up for an account, and each time we’ve been reset to the least restrictive, least private option. We then have to do the work of securing our data all by ourselves, and...
The 120 Minutes Archive →
I really can’t find words for how cool this is.
Browse through more than 580 episodes of the groundbreaking alternative music video show 120 Minutes (plus its successor, Subterranean), including videos.
Arrgh! When will I have the time?!?
[via VSL]
The Humble Indie Bundle →
If you like computer games, this is not to be missed.
Get 5 awesome indie games for any price you like, and split the proceeds between the developers and two great charities.
The games are compatible with Mac, PC, or Linux, and are completely DRM-free. Titles include World of Goo, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD, and Penumbra Overture. Head on over to the link above to learn more.
I’ve got the...
Why does the record industry hate music lockers? →
Matt Rosoff blogs for Cnet about the death of the highly regarded “music locker” service Lala, now that it’s been bought by Apple.
He brings up an excellent question: if we can take our MP3’s and legally put them on any compatible device we wish — computers, portable players, car stereos — why can’t we do the same over the Internet?
Lo-Fi Version by Mr. Spastic
8-Bit Dub Reggae,...
