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Mittwoch, 1. Dezember 2004 |
Another Reason To Use Macs. As if one needs more reasons, this one is a standout; according to a USA Today and Avantgarde joint study, it takes only 4 short minutes
for a clean Windows XP SP 1 machine connected to the net without a
firewall to become part of some spammer's zombie network. A Mac set up
similarly was hit just as hard by spammers trying to get in, but
completed the test unscathed.
Boy, do I like my Mac!
via SlashDot. [Gadgetopia]
9:47:26 PM 
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Wanna Date? Or a Plum or Lemon?. 
Lemon Date is an online dating service that has moved into reputation management.
Reputation management is going to be a hot item on everyone's agenda
soon - and not just dating - so I thought it worth looking at.
After your date, you're invited to review on the members-only
website how the date went and what you think of your partner for the
evening (were they a lemon or a plum?). Membership costs $9.95 a month,
which could be money well-spent if it stops you going out with a bunny
boiler or a psycho.
But, as with all reputation management issues, it begs the question; who is the judge?
As an illustration, Andrea goes out with Brian for the evening.
Let's assume they're both normal (whatever that is), quite attractive,
polite, healthy, gregarious - they should, in other words, hit it off.
But Andrea finds the chemistry is wrong. She just doesn't fancy
Brian. Brian thinks Andrea is dead cool, very sexy and thinks they get
on really well.
The next day, Andrea gets into work with a small headache. Her boss
shouts at her about a missed deadline, her best friend makes catty
remark about her lack of a boyf and her mother emails that she forgot
her Dad's birthday.
Suddenly, she's having shitty day. She goes online and writes
Brian's review. If she'd been in a good mood it'd be along the lines of
"hey, reeeelly cute, nice guy, but not for me. Highly recommended,
girls!"
She's not though. She's pissed. "Sorry, but I really didn't like this guy and the date was a complete wash out".
Note, there's nothing sinister here, just a different version of the truth.
Meanwhile, Brian goes online that afternoon and gets an email from a
(platonic) girlfriend saying "omigodbrian! what a cow! did u see what
she wrote about u!??"
Brian goes from lust to livid in a microsecond. And retorts with a very scathing review of Andrea.
You see the problem?
And who gets to decide who's right (if either)? And who do Andrea and Brian sue when they find they can't get dates any longer?
There's a nice round up of "Advanced Online Dating" sites, like Lemon Date at Springwise which including sites that also arrange bodyguards, sites for veggies, gamers and even services that provide profile improvement consultancy or will write one for you for $79. [The Mobile Technology Weblog]
9:45:47 PM
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FierceWiFi's Top 15 WiFi Startups of 2005.
FierceWiFi has come out with it[base ']s list of the top 15 WiFi Startups of 2005
aka [base "]The Fierce 15.[per thou] Editor Ben Frankel said that the selection process included companies that offer solutions and
products that addressed areas such as network infrastructure and architecture; extensions of the range of existing
WiFi technologies; network security; and roaming between WiFi and cellular networks. In addition, the list contains
companies that are active in emerging technologies such as ultra wideband and RFID.
The Fierce 15[~]The Top 15 WiFi Startups of 2005
AeroScout
Airespace
Airgo Networks
Alien Technology
Aruba Wireless Networks
Azaire Networks
Bandspeed
Clearwire
Fortress Technologies
GlobeRanger
Propagate Networks
Pulse~Link
ReefEdge Networks
Staccato Communications
Tatara Systems
[The VoIP Weblog]
9:44:50 PM
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Terre del Cuore.  Translated as [base "]land of your heart[per thou], Terre del Cuore is a 36 acre
estate set 2,000 feet above the Napa Valley floor. It has commanding views of San Francisco, three separate residences
(including a caretaker[base ']s home) and an overall theme which screams of Tuscan extreme.
Features of Terre del Cuore include an outdoor kitchen with a trellised dining area, multiple stone fireplaces, an
outdoor garden littered with pieces of art, a skeet shooting range, an underground, 5000 bottle capacity wine cave, a
chapel, a full size bocce ball court and a 548 vine [base "]gentleman[base ']s vineyard[per thou].
[Luxist]
9:36:52 PM
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Bling Ring. 
It seems that each week a different designer or celeb comes out with a Swarovski crystal covered phones or
iPods. For true bling cachet why not design your own? Bling Ring will bejewel any phone, Blackberry, laptop
or any other gadget in need of a little bling. They can do same day service for people in Los Angeles or three day
delivery for the rest of the United States.
[via Shiny Shiny]
[Luxist]
9:35:33 PM
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Amangagi. 
Amangani is the first Aman resort in the US. It is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is an ideal place for
enjoying winter festivities. The outdoor swimming pool is finished with frost-coloured quartzite tiles and linked to a
large whirlpool. The pool is heated to 80 degrees for year-round use. Winter activities at Amangagi include
skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog-sledding. For those not into experiencing winter outdoors there
is also a full range of massages, facials and mud, salt and seaweed body treatments for a spa experience. Dinner sleigh
rides take guests to the ridge of the butte for panoramic views of the valley. The top suite is called the Grand Teton
and has, of course, breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons. It also features a sunken tub, balcony, and
fireplace.
[via Hotel Chatter]
[Luxist]
9:35:03 PM
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Czech L-39s from Worldwide Warbirds. 
Got a hankering to take on Tom Cruise in a Top Gun style dogfight? Worldwide Warbirds of Phoenix, according
to Men[base ']s Health: Best Life, may have your answer. Worldwide Warbirds promotes and sells Czech built L-39 light
attack/trainer jet aircraft, capable of hitting Mach 0.82 with little effort. Each aircraft is assembled in
Romania by qualified technicians, who accompany the craft to the States for final reassembly, testing and
certification. Wantabe pilots must hold flight certification in the experimental/exhibition category. Cheesy 80s
sunglasses and a rip roaring soundtrack not included.
[Luxist]
9:34:13 PM
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The Jacob and Co. Five Time Zone Watch.  Jacob Arabo (better known as Jacob the
Jeweler) who designs custom pieces for celebrities, has created a watch for those who need to be in five places at
once. The Five Time Zone Watch has a five separate time zones displayed on its face. Various versions of
the Five Time Zone Watch have shown up on wrists of everyone from Karl Lagerfeld to Jay-Z. $101,000 gets you the
fully-blinged model which features a map of the world on its pave diamond face and a diamond bracelet.
Jacob and Co. recently opened their first retail store and announced Mexican singer Thalia as the
model/spokesperson for their ad campaign.
[Luxist]
9:33:00 PM
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15 Bachelor Gulch. 
This luxury home in the Beaver Creek, Colorado ski area just became affiliated with
The World[base ']s Finest Resorts as a Signature Home.
15 Bachelor Gulch is nestled in a spruce grove and offers four
residential suites (master has a king bed and spa bath), a reading room/office area, media room, gourmet kitchen, stone
wood-burning fireplace and a private garden. Besides skiing at Beaver Creek Resort and nearby Vail, other possible
activites include golfing, fishing and other outdoor sports.
[Luxist]
9:31:59 PM
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Dean and Deluca Working Class Hero Package. 
It could be the ultimate lunch box or the ideal adult happy meal. Dean and Deluca sells the Working Class Hero
gift package that includes a flask, an ounce of Imperial Reserve caviar in a two-layer tiffin, plus crème fraîche and a
pair of spreaders, in their signature lunchbox. Fill the flask with a little Belvedere vodka, throw in some toast
points or water crackers and give me the afternoon off. Yum!
[Luxist]
9:30:46 PM
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Luxury Ski Retreat.  Why
not take off with nine of your closest friends for a week of pampered
ski luxury in the resort of Espacekilly, just three hours from Geneva?
For £1,000 per person, you can enjoy a private chalet
with direct piste access, five bedrooms, sauna, steam room, and your
own private chef. For you amusement between runs, you'll find satellite
TV, video, internet connection, DVD player and playstation.
Prices include full board (morning tea, breakfast, afternoon tea,
champagne and canapes, dinner and wine) and daily newspapers. Flights
and transfers are not included. [Wanda Lust]
9:24:45 PM
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Moroder Week: Pt 1: "I didn't know he did that"
This is absolutely my favourite picture that I've ever published in
Music Thing. Giorgio Moroder, sitting at a Moog Modular in some kind of
70s loft, dressed like a bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier perfume, pointing. It's possible
that he's saying "I don't know, Donna, just wail somethingÖ 'I feel
love'? Anything, really, I'm just trying to get this bassline right.
No, listen, it's harder than it sounds."
Truth is, I don't know anything else about the picture, but thanks to Tommy Walker III for sending it to me. This is what I do know about Giorgio Moroder:
Giorgio made the first pop record to feature a Moog synth: Chicory Tip's 'Son of My Father' in 1972 [iTunes link] It's awful.
I already knew that Giorgio had made three cool records: Donna Summer's I Feel Love and
'Love to Love you Baby' (iTunes only charge 99¢ for the 16 minute version), and 'Chase', from the Midnight Express soundtrack. Oh, and 'Together in Electric Dreams' with Phil Oakey, I suppose.
I didn't realise that he also made these records: Irene Cara's Flashdance (unfortunately only available in a Latin version on iTunes). Berlin's 'Take My Breath Away', Kenny Loggins 'Danger Zone' (which was originally supposed to be recorded by Toto), Blondie's 'Call Me', the entire Scarface soundtrack, Limahl's 'Never Ending Story', Falco & Brigitte Nielsen's 'Body Next To Body' (Yes, that's Giorgio, Brigitte and Falco)
He also produced and co-wrote Sigue Sigue Sputnik's 'Love Missile F1-11'.
Giorgio's synth programmer was Harold Faltermeyer, who did
'Axel F' on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. There's a delightful
rock/trance cover version here
There's an epic Giorgio discography here.
- Tom [Music thing]
9:23:27 PM
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LifeGem Human Carbon "Diamonds"
LifeGems
are diamonds made from the carbon contained in human ashes. With 8
ounces of "cremains", enough carbon can be extracted to make a
synthetic diamond. The process takes several months. LifeGems can be
made in sizes from .25 carats (about $2500) to a full carat ($14,000)
and come in round, radiant, or princess cuts. Pet LifeGems
are available as well.
"I
think more people are looking for more-personal ways to remember
somebody," says Dean VandenBiesen, LifeGem's vice president of
operations. "Rather than having ongoing mourning for someone's loss,
people are wanting to celebrate a life. The LifeGem is just another way
to do that, versus having a weeping, somber occasion."
From
USA Today
.
- Mia [Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women]
9:18:51 PM
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Bionic Workware's self-regulating temperature jacket: It ain't pretty.  You[base ']d probably have to be pretty cold to
actually wear the fashion faux-pas-waiting-to-happen that is Danish designer Alex Soza[base ']s self-regulating
temperature jacket. So what if the micro-computer inside(powered by a 6-volt battery) lets you program how
much heat the jacket generates and the outer layer expands and contracts to fit your temperature, the thing looks like
someone cut a pillow down the middle and stuffed the model inside. Didn[base ']t anyone tell him clothes are supposed to
help people look the opposite of bad?
[Via Near Near Future]
[Engadget]
5:43:01 PM
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Toshiba Multimedia Center Audio/USB Hub.  It
took me a second to sort out what, exactly, this Toshiba Multimedia
Center Audio/USB Hub does, but it's really pretty simple once you grok
it. It's just a port expander for laptops, essentially, combining many
useful features like 5.1 sound, SPDIF out, and a USB hub into a single
$130 unit. There's even an Ethernet port in there if you need an extra
one. I like the idea[~]cram as many ports into these devices as possible,
I say.
Toshiba won't have the Hub out until Q1 2005, so no Christmas love for you.
Toshiba Introduces Multimedia Center Hub [DesignTechnica] [Gizmodo]
5:23:22 PM
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Alienware DHS 2.  I
think someone sent this in as a tip yesterday and to whoever you are,
I'm sorry, because I totally lost the email. But this new Alienware DHS
2 is pretty hot and bears mentioning. Media Center PCs by definition
should fit in with the rest of your A/V hardware, so this
component-sized computer is very attractive[~]not to mention the fact
that it's absolutely bristling with ports. It even uses that
DISCover technology which aims to let you drop any PC game disc into a
drive and play it with a minimum of fuss, console-like.
Of course, it's an Alienware box, so it's going to cost you[~]prices start at $1,400 and rapidly ramp up.
Alienware DHS 2 - A/V Component-Sized MCE 2005 PC [eHomeUpgrade] [Gizmodo]
5:20:20 PM
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Saishin Diode.  One
thing I have in common with the Japanese is their love and respect for
the red LED. While every other product these days has a shining blue
blinder shining somewhere within, the subtle warmth of the red LED
still finds its way into products like this Diode watch from Saishin,
which counts down the hours and minutes one at a time. Even better?
It's only $140 bucks at TokyoFlash. I've recently come to realize my
taste in watches is outmoded, but I'm confident to say that this one is
timeless.
Catalog Page [TokyoFlash via WristDreams] [Gizmodo]
5:19:31 PM
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New: Movable Type 3 Bible Desktop Edition. Hot off the presses: Movable Type 3 Bible Desktop Edition,
my new 410-page book on the current edition of the weblog publishing
software. I wrote the book to encourage Movable Type webloggers to get
into the advanced publishing capabilities of the software, such as
template design, plug-in programming, and XML syndication with Atom and
RSS.
 For
the book, I spent six months combing over the Movable Type
documentation, support forums, source code, and database. I stalked
several coders who use the software avidly -- Richard Eriksson, Brad Choate, and Jay Allen
could have gotten restraining orders -- to see how people were taking
the software beyond the basic publishing capabilities that users master
quickly on their own.
This is my first book for Wiley, which crams 102,000 words
into an edition small enough to carry around. I have never
singlehandedly written a longer book that sells for less: at a price of
$16.49 on Amazon, you're getting 60 words per penny.
To mark the occasion, I'm giving away five of my author's
copies this week. If you'd like to be eligible to win, post a comment
on this entry or write about it on your weblog, linking to its permalink so I don't overlook it. I'll also pay the postage to anywhere that I can send it for under $10.
Amazon top-1,000 reviewer Jack Harrington covered the book last week:
Anyone who uses Movable Type on a regular
basis needed the book. It covers all of the basics around installation,
setting up blogs and writing entries. But then it goes into more
advanced topics like alternating the template and adding plugins. And
even more advanced topics like RSS, Atom, and writing your own plugins.
This is thorough book that is well written and will cover everything
you need to know to blog with Movable Type.
You can read the first chapter on Wiley's Web site. [Workbench]
5:16:14 PM
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© Copyright 2005 Joerg Rheinboldt.
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