Brian over at Gizmodo posts about problems with Gmail/Google Mail, and I have to say that he’s right. There’s something not quite right with the service. I’ve definitely noticed delays in messages coming and going, as well as messages disappearing completely in both directions. I even discovered that an account retrieval I’d set up had mysteriously just switched itself off without warning (I only discovered that my emails weren’t arriving properly by accident). Another colleague tells me that his service simply won’t…
Read MoreMonthly Archives: February 2008
PlotBot – cool free online collaborative screenwriting application
PlotBot. Fancy yourself as a bit of a screenwriter, do you? Have some friends who think they also could do better than the professionals? Well here’s your chance. This interesting little application uses a combination of wiki style editing, an Ajaxified interface and clever code to provide a cool screenwriting environment for individuals or teams to create amazing works of art. Or Rocky XX, whichever comes first. The interface is very simple to use, and the application sticks to all the formatting conventions, so you can be…
Read MoreKZTechs Software Suite – free Windows repair tool kit
KZTechs Software Suite. A comprehensive suite of free software tools for monitoring, checking and repairing a Windows installation. The most useful component is the System Repair Engineer, which is a nice thing to have handy if your Windows suddenly starts doing strange things. Apart from the fact that it should highlight any suspicious processes going on, it’s super useful to have all the tools in one place. Tags: kztechs+software+suite, microsoft+windows, repair+utilities, freeware
Read More20 Worst Foods in America – yum? um…
20 Worst Foods in America. Ouch! Our primary criterion? Sheer caloric impact. After all, it’s the top cause of weight gain and the health problems that accompany it. (As you read, keep in mind that 2,500 calories a day is a reasonable intake for the average guy.) We also factored in other key nutritional data, such as excessive carbohydrates and fat, added sugars, trans fats, and sodium. The result is our first annual list of the worst foods in America….
Read MoreRESPeRATE – the blood pressure lowering device
RESPeRATE. So it’s an interactive breathing device which helps you take control of your blood pressure and lower it to safe levels. We’re talking bio-feedback hooked up to a breath control regime. It’s nothing new, and you’d probably do just as well, if not better, with a properly structured course of meditation. But hey, it’s got buttons. And whoo, a shiny screen. $290.00. (Flash animation demo) Using a breathing sensor, RESPeRATE automatically analyzes your individual breathing pattern and creates a personalized…
Read MoreISV PenandMouse – the computer mouse that thinks it’s a pen…an LED light…and a memo taker
ISV PenandMouse. New Korean pen shaped computer mouse which comes with a detachable wireless 2.4GHz dongle and a special mouse pad. The rechargeable battery lasts for 10 hours in use and 10 days standby, and you can buy it in a number of alluring colours. I like the look of it from an ergonomic point of view, especially since the thing offers up three buttons and a scroll wheel function. It also seems tailor made for laptop users with its pocket friendly…
Read MoreJC Penney Electric Throw – warm, cheap, washable…
This J.C. Penny Electric Throw is a bit of a bargain methinks at just $19.99. Available in two colours and comes complete with a fabulous $10,000 luxuriously upholstered lounge suite so you can slouch in true Oprah style. Loom-woven acrylic/polyester heated throw features 10 heat settings. Control has 10- hour auto shut-off. 13′ extra-long cord. Whip stitch hem. 50×62″. 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. See Customer Service. Washable. Imported. Tags: jc+penny+electric+throw, gadget
Read MoreElectric Generator Fabric – power your stuff by rustling your armpits
Zhong Lin Wang and his boffin colleagues at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a type of electricity generating fibres which produce power when rubbed together. Nope it’s not just static electricity, they’re producing proper usable juice, albeit at very low levels right now. The idea is to produce a fabric that could power our personal gadgets as we walk around, simply through the movement of the clothing. It’s extremely early days, but who knows, one day we may all end up…
Read MoreTriple Axle Hummer Limo – Mommy, please make them stop…
Triple Axle 8 Wheel Hummer Stretch Limo. The world’s first nightclub on wheels. Featuring 2 VIP lounges, disco floors and ceilings, gullwing doors and a Level 5 sound system (ooh that sounds loud, grandma). Just perfect for that ladies night out, as long as you’ve got a starting fee of £350.00 for the first hour. Oh and apparently it does around 5 miles to the gallon. Of Scotch. Joking! Tags: hummer, stretch+limo, triple+axle+8+wheel+hummer+stretch+limo
Read MorePDFMeNot – superb tool makes viewing PDF files a snap
PDFMeNot. Super cool online PDF reader which is an absolute blessing for anyone who spends a lot of time researching or just browsing the web. Viewing PDF files online is normally a real pain what with downloading, powering up Acrobat or whatever. Now you have a choice. Either use the online version to read your PDF files without hassle, or better yet use one of the free tools on offer. The best of the best is the Firefox extension which automatically and…
Read MoreVideo Job Shop – video resumes and job offers wander online, hmm…
VideoJobShop. Video resumes and job offers online. Hmm…not sure what to say about this. Is video the best way to advertise for jobs or try and get one? Not sure. Most of the job offer footage is basic stock stuff from company promos, and the video resumes seem to be rather…um…awkward. For a fun few minutes though, check out the spokesperson resume videos from the Arts and Media section. This video in particular deserves to get some star treatment on YouTube. Hoot! [Thanks Alan]….
Read MoreWhoa, we’ve passed our 10,000th post – and I’ve loved every single one…
So, we’ve passed the 10,000th post. Phew, sounds exhausting. I’m pretty proud of the figure, even though it’s not world shattering by some standards. It took me 8 years to get here, and compared with uber bloggers like Peter Rojas at Engadget and Joel Johnson at Boing Boing we’re very much small potato stuff. But tha knows, I were never really interested in mere hugeness, but rather fun-ness, so I’m ecstatic to have reached 10,000 without falling flat on my…
Read MoreLightning Strike Personal Protection System – super bright light and alarm for peace of pocket
The Lightning Strike Personal Protection System is a rather grandiose name for a very bright LED flashlight with a loud audio alarm built in. It’s small, it’s light, it’s black, it’s ‘tactical’ (whatever that means) and it costs an interestingly reassuring $79.50. Hmm… The Lightning Strike Personal Protection System was developed by police officers for police officers as a safe, simple, and easy to use, economical personal safety and protection system. Using state-of-the-art LED with electronic power management, this slim…
Read MoreModo Pocket – the world’s smallest camera tripod
The Modo Pocket is billed as the world’s smallest camera tripod, and it certainly seems like a v. cool solution to an age-old problem. It looks as though you fold it up to stuff it in your pocket and unfold it when you need the stable platform for your camera. Neat, especially since Manfrotto is a very reputable professional tripod manufacturer. Modo Pocket is the world’s smallest tripod, a result of Manfrotto’s sensitivity and years of experience in the world of…
Read MoreWater Powered Calculator – aquatically rechargeable bean counter
Water Powered Calculator. Lasts for a month on a refill of good old H20. $19.99. Just add water or any other electrolytic liquid into its fuel cell and the chemical reaction between its zinc anode and cathode produces an electrical current that will power this Water Calculator for a month before it needs another sip. Tags: gadget, water+powered+calculator
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