Technomaly » online

Online Video Guide Clicker Launches Redesign

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:28 +0000

For those unaware, Clicker is an online video site that acts as a guide to other online video sites serving up television episodes and movies. It crawls Hulu along with cable and network television sites, and keeps track of what episodes of what shows are available for instant viewing.

Until now, Clicker was like the phone book – you could look up what you wanted in it, but it was big and intimidating, and you had to know what you were looking for to find it. They just launched a redesign which makes the site much more like Hulu, or a suggestion engine, in that the site now actively recommends content for you to watch.

I tried it out today and I have to say, I like it much better. I hadn’t even thought to watch the new episode of “The Office,” but Clicker was like, “you want to watch this?” and I was like, “yes, yes I do, Clicker.” And now as I write this article, I’m watching the episode of The Office where Pam gives birth to her baby. What a wonderful world this is.

Source & Photo Source: NYTimes

Gigantic Online UK Science Archive Launches

Asterios Kokkinos — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:00:50 +0000

Alan Turing, of the famous "Turing Test." There is no audio of him recorded anywhere.

Did you know that there are no voice recordings of computer pioneer Alan Turing, or of hovercraft inventor Christopher Cockerell? You think someone would have shoved a microphone in the face of Nobel laureate AV Hill at some point, but no – these scientists, in fact, 30 major British scientists – including 9 Nobel winners – have all died leaving little or no archive of their work.

The British Library aims to change this, by interviewing 200 living British scientists over the next three years to create a massive online archive of their lives via audio. The scientists will be chosen by an advisory board and the audio will be available for all to hear.

The first scientist up? Geoff Tootill, who is one of the men who created the first programmable computer – the Manchester Small Scale Experimental machine, which first saw action in 1948. Said Dr. Katrina Dean, history of science curator at the British Library:

“It’s about building up the profile of 20th Century British science from the ground up.”

Couldn’t agree with you more, doctor.

Source & Photo Source: BBC

NY Times Publishes “How To” For Online Dating

Asterios Kokkinos — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:12:23 +0000

A few days ago, the New York Times released a story on the do’s and dont’s of online dating, based on statistical analysis from the people at OK Cupid. Sure, you could read an entire article, but why not just let me synthesize the relevant data for you? Don’t you work hard enough?

If you’re a man, don’t look into the camera or smile in your profile picture. Because apparently women are looking for cold, calculating monsters.
If you’re a woman, instead of showing off your physical assets, pick a photo that shows you having fun or playing a guitar. I mean, you’re trying to pick up gay guys, right?
Photos of people with their pets, on vacation or doing some kind of activity received more conversation requests than any other type of photo. You could take a photo of yourself on vacation playing guitar with your pet!
Analysis showed that words like “cool” and “fascinating” worked better than “cutie” or “beautiful.” What, I’m not supposed to call some girl I don’t even know a total hottie? How will she know that I like girls?!
Words that got less of a response? “hi,” “hello,” “hey,” “LOL,” “O RLY?” Words that got a better response? “ahoy” or “howdy.” So go ahead and tell every girl online “ahoy,” – I’m sure you’ll do great!
Do not tell your date you Googled them. Unless you’re dating me, in which case, I’m flattered.

Online Gaming Revenue To Hit $5 Billion Dollars, Wasted Lives

Asterios Kokkinos — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:39:12 +0000

Market research firm Pike & Fischer reports that online games like World of Warcraft and Everquest hit $2.8 in subscription revenue in 2009, and will hit $5 billion by 2015. Additionally, the gamer audience, which is currently 19.4 million, will hit 44.5 million by the end of 2014.

That’s. Insane. 44.5 million people hunting orcs, or beholders, or whatever the hell it is you hunt in Everquest? That’s more players than some countries have citizens!

I’ve stayed far, far away from MMORPGS like World of Warcraft and Dungeons & Dragons Online for my entire life, fearing for the safety of my free time and sanity. That, and they’re expensive – $12 a month? Who am I, Rich Uncle Pennybags?

Speaking of subscription fees, Pike & Fischer predicts those will drop pretty significantly – from an average of $12 a month in 2009 to $9.50 in 2014. Well, if I’m going to throw my whole life away in a fictional land called Azeroth I may as well save money while doing it.

Source: WebProNews

Photo Source: Blizzard.com