Category: Technology

Cool things in technology.

Lightbox

In case you’re not familiar, this is one of many latest trends in the “web 2.0” world.
For example, Lightbox JS is a rather simple script that produces an effect when clicking a specified link on a page. It makes that page appear to be in the background (un-usable) while highlighting an image or some other content.

Many “up-beat” commercial sites are using this technique.

[Source: huddletogether.com]

This Type of Person Fixes Most Peoples Computers

Now that your mothers, fathers, and even grandparents are using computers – there are tons of businesses out there ready to rip them off from their hard earned money. Could be a shoddy technician, could be an over zealous salesman, or it could be anyone trying to make a buck.

These companies prey upon people who are not knowledgeable or are not (incorrectly) labeled as “geeks”, hence the company names like “Geek Squad.” In all truthfulness, these companies hire employees that just barely have more knowledge than your average user. They know very little and their knowledge is very specific to a very specific problem. In most cases (at best) you are dealing with someone who is making a poorly educated guess and is more likely to rummage through your computer and it’s contents rather than pinpoint the problem and provide the best possible solution, without an ulterior motive.

In Marketplace’s season premiere, host Erica Johnson turns technology on the techs, catching computer repairers red-handed as they misdiagnose, overprice and violate the privacy of consumers.

Canopus

When people think of nuclear bombs, they think of devastation. Nothing typically comes to mind about beauty. While nuclear bombs do deserve their dark view, you can’t help but be in awe at seeing a striking image of science in action.

This shot was taken in 1968 by the French army in the Fangataufa atoll. Codenamed Canopus (this has been identified as Licorne), it yielded 2600 kt.

Although this picture, like many of the series, is a work of the French Army (as far as I know) this is an original scan from a hardcopy I posses, and processed to remove dust and scratches.

Click image for larger view.
Canopus

[Source: Flickr]