The U.S. Americans are saved thanks to such as Maps for Us to build up our future.
How do people build these things so darn quickly?
(h/t Scott)
Check It Out
Links to cool places or things.
There are 1,524 posts filed in Check It Out (this is page 147 of 153).
Is our children learning?
Welcome to the new server! If you’re reading this, you’re now pointing to the new server. Everyone else should catch up with the next few days.
I just saw the Youtube video of Miss Teen South Carolina, Lauren Upton, flubbing her answer to a question about maps. She ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, huh.
(You might find the Tube Maps that Morningtoast.com created helpful for deciphering Ms. Upton.)
Smart Kid
My buddy Scott Reston’s kid is destined for greatness. Read how he solved the mental puzzle his father gave him.
Woz’s next thing: energy efficient houses
Steve Wozniak, the legendary engineer who created the Apple computer, has now focused his considerable talent on creating more energy efficient houses.
Woz has always been a huge proponent of engineering efficiency. This drove him to design the Apple do some miraculous things with a mere handful of parts – a fraction of what competitiors used. Its no surprise then that he’s drawn to the clever tricks that can be used to heat and cool homes.
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Cat Thyroid Disease Linked To Household Dust
We are awash in chemicals and have only the faintest idea how they’re affecting us.
(h/t Huffington Post)
Toy Blimp Attracts Chicks!
I’ve been looking into aerial photography platforms lately as part of a special project. Google served up this page on an RC blimp which I found thoroughly entertaining. Under the uses for this stuff, you’ve got this list:
IDEAS WITH THIS TOY!!! GRADUATION CEREMONY, SPY ON STUFFS, INDOOR FUN, ADVERTISEMENT, ATTRACT CHICKS, TRADE SHOWS, MARKETING, JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!!!
I don’t see anyone “attracting chicks” whilst playing with a toy blimp. On the other hand, there might be some “chicks” out there who are, for some reason, attracted to toy blimps.
Me, I just want to be able to take cool aerial photos, preferably without having to get a pilot’s license. Attracting chicks is only secondary, I swear.
The Other Potter: Beatrix
Every now and then you run into a movie that just seems perfect. Friday night, Kelly and I watched just such a movie. So good that I’m actually dreading the next NetFlix delivery – whatever it is it couldn’t possibly measure up. Our movie was Miss Potter, a biographic film starring Renee Zegweller and Ewan McGregor about Beatrix Potter, the extraordinarily talented author and illustrator of the most popular children’s books of all time, including the famous Tale of Peter Rabbit.
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Most Dangerous Jobs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report of the country’s most dangerous jobs, this one covering 2005. Number two on the list of dangerous occupations is – get this – blogging! Yes, it seems bloggers had another tough year, where carelessness caused many preventable deaths. Tragic, really, when you think
… huh? Whazzat? It’s logging?
Ahem.
See the report for yourself straight from the horse’s mouth: the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries [PDF, or HTML], or take CNN Money’s word for it. And stay safe out there!
Virgin America Arrives
…but not here. Yet.
You’ve probably heard the news of Wednesday’s inaugural flight of Virgin America, the geek-friendliest airline to date. With an in-flight entertainment system built around Linux, onboard wireless Internet, and power plugs at every seat, Virgin America appeals to geek customers like me.
Right now they fly between San Francisco and New York’s JFK airport, but will soon be adding more cities to their schedule. Wouldn’t be great if Virgin America came to Raleigh and offered our first Raleigh-San Francisco nonstop flight?
I signed up for Virgin America’s frequent flier program, eleVAte, with the hopes that if Virgin America sees many members in North Carolina, they might be willing to consider serving us. You can help, too! Go to the sign-up page and get yourself an eleVAte membership. Let’s bring the “Geek Airline” to the Triangle!
Track The Space Shuttle With Google Earth
I am constantly amazed at the uses people dream up for Google Earth, like using it to track the space shuttle and the ISS. I’m not getting any altitude information in mine, but cool nontheless.
NASA makes the shuttle’s orbital elements available on their website, too, which is what this script uses. Pretty cool stuff.
Bonus: Here’s a page which tracks it with Google Maps and AJAX.