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11 November, 2004
Kelly Dobson
Kelly Dobson...
...is a design engineer and artist. Working in the realms of technology, medicine, art, and culture, her projects involve the parapraxis of machine design -- what machines do and mean for people other than what we consciously designed them to do and be used for.
Blendie 2000 is useful, but I think there's more demand for the Screambody.
(Thanks Shallow)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Japander
What's a Japander?
A western star who uses his or her fame to make large sums of money in a short time by advertising products in Japan that they would probably never use.
You can view lots of video clips from stars ranging from Gabrielle Anwar to ZZ Top. Even the Simpsons get in on it.
Shown here is the governor of California doing a beer commercial.
(Thanks Sargasso)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Faith Converter
Software for the Mac: Faith Converter.
Found an admirable tome but it's in praise of the wrong god?
The premier theological plagiarism solution for OS X, Faith Converter converts text between twenty-five different religions, encompassing Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Communism, Confucianism, Druidism, Falun Gong, Hinduism, Islam, Juche, Judaism, Keynesianism, Linux, MacEvangelism, Mahanism, Maoism, NIMBYism, Roman, Scientology, Shinto, Sikh, Stalinism, Taoism, Thatcherism and Trotskyism.
(Thanks Kevin Kelly)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Which Is The Real Toad - Again
Six months ago, I asked Which is the real toad?
If you read the comments in this blog, you can't help but notice a guy named Toad. He's a regular reader, a regular commenter, a Whole Wheat Radio listener, and a very funny guy. You may have even formed a mental image of what he looks like.
It was a trick question. At the time, I had no idea what Toad looks like. But now I do, and it's time to repeat the exercise. Hint: he's wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Microsoft Vs. TurboExcel
From USA Today: Microsoft demands company take 'Excel' out of its name.
Microsoft is demanding that a small company change the name of a computer program because it contains the word "Excel" -- the title of the software giant's own popular spreadsheet program.
Richard Tanenbaum, founder of Savvysoft, said the company researched the name before selecting TurboExcel for its add-on program for Microsoft Excel. He said the search turned up no evidence that Microsoft had registered "Excel" as a trademark.
Sure enough, Excel is not listed on the page of Microsoft's trademarks.
LeeAnn Chen, marketing director for Savvysoft, wrote in an email to me:
Microsoft has never been granted a registered trademark on Excel and there are over a hundred third-party products with Excel in their name. Microsoft's own website offers downloads of over a dozen third-party products with Excel in their name. Any trademark lawyer will tell you that if you let other companies use your trademark, you lose your rights to it, even if you've been using the name for 20 years.
We suspect that Microsoft sees TurboExcel as a threat because it allows Excel models to be converted into C++, and also moved over to Linux. IT departments can thus eliminate their dependency on Excel spreadsheets by moving business logic to corporate systems where they can be integrated and made secure. If all the business logic written in Excel moves to C++, it's the death knell for Microsoft's spreadsheet monopoly.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Machine Gun Shoot
Welcome to Knob Creek Gun Range -- home of the nation's largest machine gun shoot.
All visitors enter Knob Creek Property at their own risk! It is public knowledge that the pyrotechnic charges sometimes blow debris into the spectator area. Hearing and eye protection are strongly recommended at all shooting areas on the Knob Creek Property. Knob Creek Range Inc. will not be held responsible for injuries to you or damage to your personal property while at Knob Creek.
(Thanks Jim)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Word Trivia
Here is some Interesting English Language Trivia. Examples:
- Longest word typeable on a qwerty keyboard with alternating hands: dismantlement"
- Longest word with no repeated letters: uncopyrightable
- Sentence containing seven spellings of the "ee" sound: He believed Caesar could see people seizing the seas.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Reborn Supplies
One word describes this site: creepy. It's Reborn Supplies Incorporated. They sell lifelike baby dolls and supplies.
You can buy a bag of baby fat pellets for only $5.99.
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(via Boing Boing)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Elitist Types
Take a short quiz and find out What Kind of Elitist Are You. According to the results, I'm a Music Provenu.
Your CD collection is almost as big as your ego, and you can most likely play an instrument or three. You're a real hit at parties, but you're SO above karaoke. What people love: You're instant entertainment. Unless you play the obo. What people hate: Your tendency to sing louder than the radio and compare everything to a freaking song.
(via Adam Curry's Weblog)
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Random Frogs
Just refresh the Random Frog Generator, and you'll get a new random frog. It's as simple as that.
This one seems to be quite happy driving a car.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Fixing Cheap Vodka
How to improve the taste of cheap vodka: Practical Applications of the Philosopher's stone. For drunks.
Our theory is that a simple brita water filter can be used to make bad vodka, into good. In our case this meant turning a Vladimir, into a Ketel One. At $11.09 for 1.75 liter (Ketel is 11.99 for the 350 ml), Vladimir is a steal. It is, however, painful to drink, has a repugnant aftertaste, possesses a bouquet reminiscent of rubbing alcohol. Our working theory was that these terrible qualities were caused by a lack of proper filtration, and that running our Vlad through a charcoal filter would remove some of the impurities causing these odors and flavors.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Search Stuff
Two items related to Internet search:
-
Microsoft updates search site
Microsoft on Thursday launched a beta version of its Web search technology, as it entertains ambitions of catching up to rivals Google and Yahoo. -
Google's index nearly doubles
You probably never notice the large number that appears in tiny type at the bottom of the Google home page, but I do. It's a measure of how many pages we have in our index and gives an indication of how broadly we search to find the information you're looking for. Today that number nearly doubled to more than 8 billion pages.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Mend It
If it's broken, find out How To Mend It.
How to mend it .com's database has information explaining how to mend just about anything.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Pee-Wee Herman News
Good news for Pee-wee fans: Pee-wee's Big Comeback?
s the world ready for another big adventure from bow-tied wonder Pee-wee Herman? Paul Reubens certainly thinks so. And he's willing to bet his shiny red bike on it.
Posted on 11 November, 2004
Rodent Items
Two quick items about rodents:
Posted on 11 November, 2004