Sun 2 Nov 2008
As you know, this Tuesday is election day. You’ve probably made your decision about your presidential vote, but what about the local elections? The National Voter Guide can help. With the help of local newspapers and television stations, they’ve gathered information on local races across the country. Just plug in your address and you’ll get detailed information on what will appear on your ballot this Tuesday. You can even print out a voter guide to take with you to the polls.
Mon 8 Sep 2008
Soma created a new interactive singles map. Its data visualization is so slick, Gawker has already noticed.
Wed 16 Jan 2008
It’s been a long while since I lost music in a rental car. In 93, a tape player latched on to a killer mixtape somewhere south of D.C. and wouldn’t let go. Unfortunately, since the tape was stuck, the listening options for the next few-hundred miles were either the killer mixtape or nothing. After a few hours, the “killer” description took on a whole new meaning. I was so sick of that damn tape by the time I returned the car that I didn’t bother trying to retrieve it.
No matter how sick I was of that tape at the end of the trip, it was irreplaceable. The consequences aren’t quite as dire in these digital days and I’m not the least bit upset about my most recent loss. I can recreate the CD with a few clicks and I hope someone else gets some enjoyment from the one I lost. Of course, it might have ended up in the garbage bin at the garage on East 43rd Street, although, I’m pretty sure they don’t clean the cars that thoroughly
If by chance, someone does come across the unlabeled CD I left in that Budget rental car with Wisconsin plates, here’s the track information. Enjoy!
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Tue 27 Nov 2007
I can’t decide if Hello Kitty bike tires are the ultimate in cycling kitsch or an excellent preventative measure against wheel theft. After all, is the common bike thief going to want to get caught riding around town on white-walled Hello Kitty tires?
Even if the cute factor of these tires is too much for you, check out Nirve’s site for some other excellent treads for your rig.
via Yo Kiddo! :: OhGizmo! :: engadget
Mon 19 Nov 2007
Chances are, you or someone you know has been touched by some form of identity theft. According to this article in the New York Times, about one third of reported identity theft cases involve new account fraud. This is when someone opens a new account using someone else’s personal information then, uses said account as their own. This sort of fraud takes the longest to detect, but it could be easily prevented if consumers were allowed to freeze their credit.
The good news is that it is possible to institute such a freeze on one’s accounts. But, it is probably not free nor easy. The above mentioned article states that 39 states have enacted credit freeze laws that ensure that the three credit bureaus offer consumers the ability to freeze and unfreeze their credit as needed. Each state, however, has different regulations. This requires more work on the consumers’ part than is really necessary.
First of all, consumers should be able to freeze and unfreeze their credit free of charge. Secondly, if the credit bureaus can’t voluntarily put their heads together and figure out how to make this work well for everyone, federal law should mandate it. Identity theft costs businesses and consumers millions of dollars per year and this is a sure-fire way to eliminate a fair amount of it.
If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your personal information, you can wade through the information on the Consumers Union identity theft Web site. At minimum, you should take advantage of the free, annual credit reports that are currently available to everyone.
Mon 19 Nov 2007
Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART
Artist’s Comments:
An animator faces his own animation in deadly combat. The battlefield? The Flash interface itself.
A stick figure is created by an animator with the intent to torture. The stick figure drawn by the animator will be using everything he can find - the brush tool, the eraser tool - to get back at his tormentor. It’s resourcefulness versus power. Who will win? You can find out yourself.
– This took three long months.. i think it’s worth it.
Sat 10 Nov 2007
You don’t need to be a 24 fan to appreciate this “1994 lost pilot video”:
Ahh, 1994. Remember those primitive days before we all cell phones in our pockets and sweet, sweet high-speed internet in our homes? How did we ever manage to get anything done?
via engadget
Tue 23 Oct 2007
I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea
This story is an inspiring adventure that shows just what can be achieved when someone puts their mind to it.
Thu 28 Jun 2007
When I think of an incubator, I envision a bunch of techies feverishly pounding out code for the next big social networking site. Either that or a warm container for hatching chicken eggs. La Cocina is neither of those things, this kichen incubator gives entrepreneurial woman a place to work on their food businesses.
The start up costs for a food related business can be, at best, difficult to overcome. Commercial space and the equipment needed to fill it are prohibitively expensive for someone just starting out. In addition to the kitchen space, La Cocina also has business and culinary professionals on staff to guide the entrepreneurs in their decisions.
This combination of space, tools and expertise coupled with the women’s entrepreneurial spirit and knowhow has led to success. Products from La Cocina can be found at markets and other retail locations throughout the Bay Area and California. Whole Foods is even thinking about introducing one of the products nationally.
Wed 27 Jun 2007
In need of some summertime reading? Why not look to the CIA for material? The Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading Room has thousands of declassified documents online complete with redacted words and sentences. You might wish to start with The Family Jewels, one of the FOIA Electronic Reading Room’s featured collections:
The first collection, widely known as the “Family Jewels,” consists of almost 700 pages of responses from CIA employees to a 1973 directive from Director of Central Intelligence James Schlesinger asking them to report activities they thought might be inconsistent with the Agency’s charter.
To get an idea of the sorts of subjects that most interest visitors to the FOIA Electronic Reading Room, have a look at the top searches for the last two months. It should come as no surprise that “UFO” is near the top each month.
via slashdot