I read a very interesting and mind-boggling article on MSNBC. Apparently, Japan has designed a new kind of air craft that to go into space. However, this is not your typically space craft. This one contains no passengers and is only 2x2.8 inches. This spacecraft is a paper airplane.
The Japanese have designed a paper airplane that will be released in space and will withstand exiting space. The paper airplane has already passed simulation tests unharmed.
Who would've thought that a paper airplane would be the latest invention?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hilarious!!!
This might be the funniest thing in awhile....
I was reading an article on TechCrunch that referred to Rick-Rolling. Now what is Rick-Rolling? Apparently, Rick-Rolling is when a person puts in a seemingly normal link, but instead it links to Rick Astely's music video for "Never Gonna Give You Up." TechCrunch gave the heads up that Youtube in Australia and the UK were Rick-Rolling all their videos.
This prompted me to do some investigating, and yep, the United States did it too. I clicked on some random video that was supposed to be about a Dad snoring and up popped Rick's disgustingly awesome 80's video. I'm going to have to say my favorite part of the video is when the guy does a full-out toe-touch in the background. That's some good stuff right there.
I was reading an article on TechCrunch that referred to Rick-Rolling. Now what is Rick-Rolling? Apparently, Rick-Rolling is when a person puts in a seemingly normal link, but instead it links to Rick Astely's music video for "Never Gonna Give You Up." TechCrunch gave the heads up that Youtube in Australia and the UK were Rick-Rolling all their videos.
This prompted me to do some investigating, and yep, the United States did it too. I clicked on some random video that was supposed to be about a Dad snoring and up popped Rick's disgustingly awesome 80's video. I'm going to have to say my favorite part of the video is when the guy does a full-out toe-touch in the background. That's some good stuff right there.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Random
While I was scanning through my news feeds through the endless lists of gadgets that I have never heard of, nor actually care to hear of, this article from Gizmodo stood out.
This article made me chuckle a little and then made me think a little bit. In this story, John Mayer writes an error report to Apple when his iTunes didn't work right. He addressed a question that has always bothered me a little bit...what happens to those things anyway? Is there somebody who actually reads them? (what an awful job that would be)
So many times have I just chose to ignore them. But there are sometimes when I have the same problem over and over when I choose to send them. But it seems like my problem continues to persist and nothing ever gets better.
Hmmm.... just something random to think about....
This article made me chuckle a little and then made me think a little bit. In this story, John Mayer writes an error report to Apple when his iTunes didn't work right. He addressed a question that has always bothered me a little bit...what happens to those things anyway? Is there somebody who actually reads them? (what an awful job that would be)
So many times have I just chose to ignore them. But there are sometimes when I have the same problem over and over when I choose to send them. But it seems like my problem continues to persist and nothing ever gets better.
Hmmm.... just something random to think about....
Wall Street Journal Online
I read this article on Salon about the Wall Street Journal. Right now, if you went to the Wall Street Journal's website and wanted to read all of its articles, you would have to purchase a subscription, which according to Salon costs about $79. Apparently, there is a way to by pass paying a large sum of money for a subscription and it is completely legal. The Wall Street Journal allows users of Google News and Digg access to full articles. So, while you can't read them from the Wall Street Journal's website, you can access the same material through these other websites.
According to Salon, you shouldn't even feel bad about doing this because if the Journal didn't want you to be able to access these for free they wouldn't allow the option. This is great news for people like me. I am a poor college student, but an avid consumer of the news. I am not going to spend $80 just to read their articles, but now that I know I can access them for free, I will definitely take advantage of this.
Monday, March 10, 2008
MySong
There is an article on Gizmodo about a new program called MySong. This is a program from Microsoft that allows a user to sing into a microphone and the program will automatically generate chords and music to accompany your melody. They say that this is perfect for the person who really wants to sing a song but has no musical experience.
This is a pretty cool program, but I doubt there is going to be any hit artists making the charts because of it. Personally, I think they need to leave the music making up to the professionals. I watched the video on Gizmodo (It was pretty funny and pretty cheesy) about the program. I didn't really think it sounded all the great and it didn't seem like there were many options to change the tone of your music. Oh well... it would be something pretty neat to play around with I guess.
This is a pretty cool program, but I doubt there is going to be any hit artists making the charts because of it. Personally, I think they need to leave the music making up to the professionals. I watched the video on Gizmodo (It was pretty funny and pretty cheesy) about the program. I didn't really think it sounded all the great and it didn't seem like there were many options to change the tone of your music. Oh well... it would be something pretty neat to play around with I guess.
New Facebook App
It appears that Facebook might be offering something more constructive than "creeping" on other people's photos and playing online games. I just read an article in the New York Times about a new application that is going to be launched on Facebook on Monday that will allow people to find others with the same blood type. Apparently, in times of crisis, this application will guide people on where to give blood and if their blood type is needed. If a user signs up for this application, they will receive notice if there is a shortage of their blood type in their area. Thousands of people are on Facebook and I think this is a great way to reach people and let them know their help is needed.
I think this application is a step in the right direction for Facebook and its users. Many people think that Facebook is just a place to put up inappropriate pictures of last weekend. This is adding a more serious note that will actually be beneficial for others. I'm not sure how this application is going to work and if all the kinds are ironed out yet. It will be interesting to see if any others will follow in the same footsteps.
I think this application is a step in the right direction for Facebook and its users. Many people think that Facebook is just a place to put up inappropriate pictures of last weekend. This is adding a more serious note that will actually be beneficial for others. I'm not sure how this application is going to work and if all the kinds are ironed out yet. It will be interesting to see if any others will follow in the same footsteps.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Interesting...
I read a little blurb on TechCrunch today about how blogging is good for people socially. Apparently, a study was done that showed that bloggers are better adjusted and have better social lives. I think this is really interesting because it just shows how much of our lives and interactions occur online.
According to this study and article, blogging made people feel less anxious and depressed. This makes me a little concerned because people are getting so used to being online and interacting over instant messaging or e-mail that they are more comfortable doing that than having face-to-face interactions. I wonder if the day is going to come when more relationships are based over online interaction than in person?
NIN
I read an article on Salon today about Nine Inch Nails and their new album. It was really interesting, because instead of signing with a record lable, they are changing the way their music is distributed all together. They have compiled a 4 part album. They are offering the first part to listeners for free. They can download it off their website. They have also put the first part onto music sharing sits, like BitTorrent. Most artists, would hate to have their music be on there, but NIN is embracing this. They also have various packages for listeners to purchase their music online.
Another really unique thing about this album is that NIN isn't concerned about copying. They actually want people to copy their music. Instead of the normal copyright that is put on albums, they have a creative commons license for it. Which means that other people can copy it or even re-mix it for their own personal use.
I think that NIN is ahead of their time. They are really embracing the essence of the online community and instead of fighting it they are trying to make it work to their advantage. More and more artists will hopefully start providing new formats for their listeners. They might not be profitable from it this first time, but it will be interesting to see how everything turns out.
I think that NIN is ahead of their time. They are really embracing the essence of the online community and instead of fighting it they are trying to make it work to their advantage. More and more artists will hopefully start providing new formats for their listeners. They might not be profitable from it this first time, but it will be interesting to see how everything turns out.
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