Friday, August 16, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Check out Google Maps Dr. Who Easter Egg
Its the TARDIS from the BBC Dr. Who television series. Its tricky to access this Easter Egg, so you will have to follow the instructions below:
- Go to the Google Maps street view (referred to as the Police Telephone Box, at Earl's Court Rd, London, Greater London SW5 9RB, United Kingdom)
- Click on the double chevrons (they're circled in red in the picture)
- You should now be inside the TARDIS, with a 360 degree view of it.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Internet Easter Eggs
According to WikiPedia, an Easter Egg is: "an intentional inside joke, hidden message, or feature in a work such as a computer program, movie, book, or crossword. According to game designer Warren Robinett, the term was coined at Atari by personnel who were alerted to the presence of a secret message which had been hidden by Robinett in his already widely distributed game, Adventure. The name has been said to evoke the idea of a traditional Easter egg hunt."
Easter Eggs are not limited to applications, movies, etc. Web sites have them too, some of the best and most documented ones that I have found are in Google and its related properties (such as: YouTube, etc).
I will admit that some of these are better then others, because some are real Easter Eggs while others are 'quasi' features (or something like that).
YouTube
Google
Mozilla Firefox
Easter Eggs are not limited to applications, movies, etc. Web sites have them too, some of the best and most documented ones that I have found are in Google and its related properties (such as: YouTube, etc).
I will admit that some of these are better then others, because some are real Easter Eggs while others are 'quasi' features (or something like that).
YouTube
- In the search field, type "fibonacci". (arranges the results in a tiled effect in accordance with the mathematical sequence)
- In the search field, type "beam me up scotty". (the videos on the results page will be ‘beamed’ down)
- Click on a blank part of the page and type "1980" to play Missile Command
- Click on a blank part of the page and type "1337" to see all the comments in leetspeak.
- In the search field, type "do the harlem shake" and press the search button.
- Watch the "Swedish Chef makes Popcorn Shrimp (video)", turn on the CC (closed caption), then select "Swedish-Chef". You will have to wait for it, it happens about the middle of the video.
- In the search field, type "recursion" (this one is subtle)
- In the search field, type "zerg rush".
- In the search field, type "do a barrel roll".
- In the search field, type "2*sqrt(-abs(abs(x)-1)*abs(3-abs(x))/((abs(x)-1)*(3-abs(x))))(1+abs(abs(x)-3)/(abs(x)-3))sqrt(1-(x/7)^2)+(5+0.97(abs(x-.5)+abs(x+.5))-3(abs(x-.75)+abs(x+.75)))(1+abs(1-abs(x))/(1-abs(x))),-3sqrt(1-(x/7)^2)sqrt(abs(abs(x)-4)/(abs(x)-4)),abs(x/2)-0.0913722(x^2)-3+sqrt(1-(abs(abs(x)-2)-1)^2),(2.71052+(1.5-.5abs(x))-1.35526sqrt(4-(abs(x)-1)^2))sqrt(abs(abs(x)-1)/(abs(x)-1))+0.9"
- In the search field, type "askew" or "tilt" (look towards the top of the page)
- In the search field, type "anagram" or "define anagram" (this one is subtle)
- In the search field, type "binary" (this one is subtle)
- In the search field, type "conway's game of life" (look to the right part of the screen)
- In the search field, type "bacon number [actor's name]" (e.g. kevin bacon, which is equal to 0)
- In the image search field, type "atari breakout"
- Google in different languages:
- Elmer Fudd
- Hacker (Leetspeak)
- Klingon
- Pig Latin
- Pirate
- Swedish Chef (Muppets)
Mozilla Firefox
- Type "about:robots" in the address bar at the top of the browser window. (Bonus: do not press the button)
- Type "about:mozilla" in the address bar at the top of the browser window. (history/folklore: its supposed to be a response to a blue screen of death in Internet Explorer 5.5 when “about:mozilla” was typed. )
Google Chrome
- Type "about:crash" in the address bar at the top of the browser window. It's really nothing more then a crash page in Chrome, but did you know it was there?
- Go to Easter Egg entry in the pictures of the rabbits click on the little thing that looks like a turtle in the lower right corner.
Note: All of these were tested at the time of the article, but over time some of the features may stop working or be removed.
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Introducing CarTube (YouTube for Your Car)
Is CarTube a good? "Asterisk" (note: you will have to watch the video to understand the reference). Also CarTube retails for $2.7 million dollars and is not a real thing.
Star Wars Filibuster (Patton Oswalt's Rant Animated)
Nerdist's created an animated version of Patton Oswalt's Star Wars Filibuster from Parks & Recreation?
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
How Energy Efficiency can Save the World
When you think of some of the greatest problems facing the world, there are lots of issues that need addressing such as: global warming, over population, etc. Most of these problems are already heavily discussed in countless different types of media (e.g. video, articles, blogs, and many others).
Although, one of the least discussed problems effecting us is the lack of access to clean, cheap and plentiful energy. It can also be easily debated that our pursuit for energies (e.g. electricity, liquid fuels, etc.) is what got us into this situation in the first place.
The main issue with energy is the demand for it is not going away anytime soon, and the need for it is only going to increase as the population grows and there is increased affluence in developing and mature countries.
When people don't have access to clean affordable energy, this reduces our ability as a society to produce and deliver food, water and medical care. Which increases the destruction of the environment for any easily accessible resources, causes more poverty, war, terrorism, and disease.
Obviously with a source of clean, cheap and plentiful energy we can save ourselves and our planet for future generations. Over the pass few decades more new clean energy technologies have been developed, then anytime in the past.
One of the greatest issues with any relatively new technology is its ability to gain a broad acceptance. It can literally take a decade or more for new a energy technology to come to the market before it becomes widely accepted.
Although the greatest problems with energy is not our ability to create new sources of it, or make them in large enough quantities to meet the market demands. The two greatest energy issues that we are facing right now are:
For example, over the past few decades automobile manufactures increased the fuel efficiency of vehicles, as it was mandated by law and market demand. When gas was cheap car manufactures didn't build their cars to be fuel efficient, they were created to be powerful. It was not until fuel became more expensive overtime that they slowly increased the fuel efficiency of the vehicles.
Its important to note that building energy efficiency into any product does take time and can be expensive because it requires the redesign of existing technologies to use less power.
Although as a society and as individuals I really believe we underestimate the impact that we can have by changing our power consumption habits. Also by using smarter technologies (such as a programmable thermostat) can help save us money without sacrificing comfort and help protect the environment. By using less power, we as a country can avoid the need to create new power plants to meet our electricity demands.
Recently I watched a great video from TED by Alex Laskey, called "How behavioral science can lower your energy bill". He discusses showing people how much more energy they're consuming then their neighbors can help people reduce their energy demands by causing a sense of competition among them.
Although, one of the least discussed problems effecting us is the lack of access to clean, cheap and plentiful energy. It can also be easily debated that our pursuit for energies (e.g. electricity, liquid fuels, etc.) is what got us into this situation in the first place.
The main issue with energy is the demand for it is not going away anytime soon, and the need for it is only going to increase as the population grows and there is increased affluence in developing and mature countries.
When people don't have access to clean affordable energy, this reduces our ability as a society to produce and deliver food, water and medical care. Which increases the destruction of the environment for any easily accessible resources, causes more poverty, war, terrorism, and disease.
Obviously with a source of clean, cheap and plentiful energy we can save ourselves and our planet for future generations. Over the pass few decades more new clean energy technologies have been developed, then anytime in the past.
One of the greatest issues with any relatively new technology is its ability to gain a broad acceptance. It can literally take a decade or more for new a energy technology to come to the market before it becomes widely accepted.
Although the greatest problems with energy is not our ability to create new sources of it, or make them in large enough quantities to meet the market demands. The two greatest energy issues that we are facing right now are:
- As a society changing our energy consumption habits so we need less of it.
- Not increasing the energy efficiency of our existing technologies to their fullest potential.
For example, over the past few decades automobile manufactures increased the fuel efficiency of vehicles, as it was mandated by law and market demand. When gas was cheap car manufactures didn't build their cars to be fuel efficient, they were created to be powerful. It was not until fuel became more expensive overtime that they slowly increased the fuel efficiency of the vehicles.
Its important to note that building energy efficiency into any product does take time and can be expensive because it requires the redesign of existing technologies to use less power.
Although as a society and as individuals I really believe we underestimate the impact that we can have by changing our power consumption habits. Also by using smarter technologies (such as a programmable thermostat) can help save us money without sacrificing comfort and help protect the environment. By using less power, we as a country can avoid the need to create new power plants to meet our electricity demands.
Recently I watched a great video from TED by Alex Laskey, called "How behavioral science can lower your energy bill". He discusses showing people how much more energy they're consuming then their neighbors can help people reduce their energy demands by causing a sense of competition among them.
The main point I want to express with this article is that we don't have to wait for some scientist or company to come up with a clean energy technology or new way to save energy. We also want to avoid at all costs the creation of old style power plants, that burn fuels to create electricity.
What we do need to do is take personal responsibility for our energy consumption. We also need to realize that if a lot of people try to save power it does add up incrementally and can reduce our society's overall power demands.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Opinion: The new desktop PC Form Factor
The standard desktop form-factor has not changed much in 3 decades. If you look at the standard PC tower its basically a 1980's IBM PC turned on it side.
Any of the more "innovative" designs over the last few decades never really took-off or lasted. I believe Apple's new Mac Pro could start a "fashion" trend in the desktop PC design because its so different from most other case styles available from PC manufactures.
If you have not seen Apple's new Mac Pro case check out the video below as an example.
Any of the more "innovative" designs over the last few decades never really took-off or lasted. I believe Apple's new Mac Pro could start a "fashion" trend in the desktop PC design because its so different from most other case styles available from PC manufactures.
If you have not seen Apple's new Mac Pro case check out the video below as an example.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Software: Best Deal on Microsoft Office for the Home
If you have ever used Microsoft Office, then you might agree its one of the best commercial Office software suites available. I want to point out I make a distinction when I say "best commercial Office suite", if you're looking for a free office suite check out LibreOffice. I will note LibreOffice formerly part of OpenOffice, but it's a long story, but these are now two separate projects.
Although to come back to the original topic, the problem with Microsoft Office was that it felt too expensive for the home. For example, the current version of Microsoft Office Professional lists for $399 (MSRP) per copy. Although, if you purchase an Office365 subscription, you can get it for 5 PCs (or Macs) in your house for $99 a year, plus any updates. There is also some additional extras (like extra SkyDrive storage and Skype minutes every month), but check out the offer for more details.
Although to come back to the original topic, the problem with Microsoft Office was that it felt too expensive for the home. For example, the current version of Microsoft Office Professional lists for $399 (MSRP) per copy. Although, if you purchase an Office365 subscription, you can get it for 5 PCs (or Macs) in your house for $99 a year, plus any updates. There is also some additional extras (like extra SkyDrive storage and Skype minutes every month), but check out the offer for more details.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Video: The Quarter Life Crisis
I remember being in my mid-20s when this happen to me. Video description: "A video about growing up, being an adult, the anxiety that comes with adulthood, and defining your own life. This is a love letter to anyone in their 20's."
Video: The NEW Periodic Table Song
Tom Lehrer sang the original "Element Song" in 1959, which was about all the elements in the Periodic Table at the time. Since then new elements have been added, so the educators at ASAP SCIENCE updated the song. The new song covers all the elements in their correct order.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Video: Google Glass 2.0: What If We Had Glass?
Video description: "Now that we all have seen Google Glass we tried to think beyond version one. We wanted to visualize how heads up displays can affect our interactions with information, each other and the world. For more information check out: www.playgroundinc.com/blog/the-future-of-google-glass"
Video:3D Scanning at the Smithsonian
Video description: "What can you do to bring some of the Smithsonian's 137 million objects to life? Put them in 3D!
This is a full-time job for two of the Smithsonian's very own "laser cowboys," Vince Rossi and Adam Metallo, who work in the Smithsonian's 3D Digitization Program Office. They work hard to document, in very high three-dimensional detail, many of our priceless and important collections so that the objects are available for research, education and general interest.
Smithsonian 3D Digitization on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/3d.si.edu
Gunboat Philadelphia:
http://s.si.edu/kYedb
Cornell Imaging:
http://ct.biotech.cornell.edu
Smithsonian Gardens' orchid collections:
http://s.si.edu/kYhim
Euglossa ignita bee:
http://s.si.edu/kYigP"
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Video: SNL reviews Google Glass (Comedy)
Video description: "Seth welcomes tech blogger Randall Meeks, who has high praise for the Google Glass."
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