Have you ever tried explaining how the Internet works to someone who isn't .. err, tech-literate? To this day, I still have a hard time explaining to my parents why they can't play Gostop online because of slow connections, or why they can't just push the power button instead of properly shutting down - don't even get me started on email.
Anyway, here's a nifty infograph that tries to tackle the wonderful, world-wide cacophony that is called the Internet (click to enlarge):
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Internet is .. Wow.
Monday, December 7, 2009
I Tech You to School: Google will soon be giving you prostate exams
Ok... well maybe not anytime in the near future but judging by the way they're expanding, it just might happen.
Let me explain. I know I can speak for many people when I say that Google knows more about me than I do. They have every email I've ever sent/recieved in the last 7 years. They know my hobbies by looking at my google reader RSS subscriptions. I've made purchases through Google checkout. I now own a phone that has all my contacts, calendar appointments, and text messages which was made by Google. They have every single Gchat conversation I've had with people. And the thing is, they're only getting bigger! (there's a 'that's what she said' somewhere in there)
For example, they've just introduced a new service called "Favorite Places on Google". This new service is like a Zagat for not only restuarants but any business that has been Googled repeatedly on well... Google (damnit, when did Google become a verb?). These businesses will get a window sticker that states it's a "Favorite Places on Google" letting people know it's a hotspot. Not only that (here's the cool part), you'll be able to scan the barcode of that restaurant with your cell phone to get more info, coupons, and reviews, straight to your handset. Pretty genius if you ask me. It's almost as if real life is becoming more digital. This is just one of the many ways Google is extending their reach... and it's only a matter of time until Google will somehow find a way to give me my annual prostate exam... and the sad part is, I can't wait because you know it'll be free and better than 99% of what's out there already.
The First of Many Teasers: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Who's still going through New Moon mania?? (raises hand!!)
Well, now that New Moon finally came and conquered our hearts, it's time to look forward to .. other things. Any Harry Potter fans out there?? (raises hand!!)
Here's the first of perhaps many, many teasers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, which is set to be released in November 19, 2010.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Preview One
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Last Christmas
We are 3 days into December, which totally means that it is.. full on Christmas music season. I may be soul-less by revealing this, but I DO NOT LOVE Christmas music. There, I said it. Sorry people, I must have no heart. There are a handful of Christmas songs I do enjoy though, and one of those songs happen to be Last Christmas, originally sung by the 80s band Wham. It is probably one of the most covered songs ever, with everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Coldplay to Taylor Swift releasing their own versions. I talk about this because, there is a site called Last Christmas.com, that keeps track of all the different versions of the song that is released. So far, in the 4 years they've been running the site, we've got 395 versions and counting, all over the world.
And because my current obsession is Glee, here is the Glee cast's version of the song. LOVES IT!!
Google Zeitgeist 2009
Google Zeitgeist is what Google calls snapshots of search trends, and it's a really interesting look at what kind of things fascinate Americans enough to search for things in droves. Someone from Google was on the Today show this morning to talk about the Zeitgeist for 2009, though that has not been updated in the Google archives as of yet. Not surprisingly, Lady Gaga, Twitter, and swine flu were among the fastest rising searches this past year, with Lady Gaga being the fastest rising in Google images searches (Um, yeah cause she looks so different with every appearance, I don't think anyone knows what she really looks like).
Update: Google Zeitgeist 2009
Around this time of year, food happens to be a big search term, and Google found that comfort foods (like chili and meatloaf) were a trend. That reminded me of something I saw this past weekend that I thought was so cool: The New York Times posted a geographic breakdown of Thanksgiving food related searches on Allrecipies.com. "Sweet potato casserole" was the most searched term nationwide, but it's interesting to see where the queries for different things come from. The breakdown raises a couple of questions, like if something isn't being searched for as much in one area, is it cause fewer people in that area are making the dish, or they already know how to make it? It's so interesting to scroll through.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pixar Short: George & AJ
In a recent dinner conversation with friends, we were discussing what the last actual Disney film was, besides ones collaborated with Pixar AND WE STILL COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT! Any help?
Anyway, with the success of Up and how everyone from your neighbor to your grandmother saying how much they loved it, the folks at Pixar have come out with a Pixar short to accompany the DVD release - aptly titled "George & AJ" - featuring the two orderlies who get the surprise of their life when they do a routine pickup for Shady Oaks Retirement Home:
Friday, November 20, 2009
R.I.P. Daul Kim
Celebrity deaths (ok fine, deaths in general) make me sad, but this one is especially hitting me hard. Yesterday NY Mag reported that Korean-born international supermodel Daul Kim was found dead in her Paris apartment. She was only 20 years old. Details of her death are still being processed, but police believe it was a suicide. I don't follow the fashion industry as closely as I do with the rest of pop culture, but I did know who Daul was and I did really like her. She managed to make a name for herself so young with her very interesting look, and I liked reading her blog from time to time. I think we're all under the impression that a jet-setting life of fame and fortune is glamorous, and all too often never realize the pressures that come with that kind of life. I'm sad we won't get to see more of her modeling in the future. Daul's suicide also hits on an alarming trend in Korea, where so many famous people (including the ex-president) have committed suicides on a fairly regular basis in the past couple of years. High profile suicides aside, South Korea now has the highest suicide rate among the 30 nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Sad sad sad.
Daul's Blog: I Like to Fork Myself
Daul's Career Highlights
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